Blade’s attraction for the extremely skittish Candice has reached critical mass, and he is at his wit’s end to know just how to approach the object of his desire.  When an incident at a health club sends her into an obvious panic attack, he is resolved to address the issue head on by simply asking her what is going on.

Candy is reluctant to open up with Blade about her past trauma, but there is no denying the man makes her feel things she never expected to feel again.  Chief among the feelings he engenders in her being safety, and more importantly, sexual curiosity.

But can Blade ease her fear enough to show her that love and sex can be beautiful and uplifting, not frightening and painful?

Wow.  For a short story, author Anne Rainey certainly covers a lot of ground in her new book, TASTING CANDY.  I have to say, the name belies the depth of the story she actually tells in this sequel to TOUCHING LACE, the first story in her VAUGHN SERIES.  From the title, I expected something fun and perhaps light.  What I found was something much more.

Candice Warner’s past has left her emotionally scarred, frightened of being near any man, much less letting one touch her.  Her fear is as great as her longing when she meets the persistent and unexpectedly understanding Blade Vaughn.  His gentle, yet undeniably stimulating touch soothes her worries as he empowers her with the gift of choice, allowing Candy to take the lead in the progression of their lovemaking.  With every step, he is ultra-conscious of her comfort zone, reigning in his own naturally dominant tendencies in order for her to be able to relax with him and find her footing.

Blade’s plan works.  Never has a man been more giving than Blade Vaughn, and he captured my heart right alongside Candice’s.  I was intrigued by his character in the previous book, but my estimation of him hit some pretty extreme highs as this wonderful man showed his caring, protective nature with every gesture he made towards the woman he loves.