Book Title: Handsome Death
Author: Sara Dobie Bauer
Publisher: Carnation Books
Release Date: April 10, 2020
Genre/s: Paranormal M/M romance, contemporary M/M romance
Trope/s: Vampires, bondage, hurt/comfort, age gap
Themes: explicit sex, past abuse, dark, immortal, graphic violence, stalking
Length: 72 000 words
It is a standalone story.
Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited
Blurb
I’m not hunting him; I’m protecting him.
At least, that’s what I tell myself.
In New York City, a beautiful creature like Tristan Clement should not be walking the streets alone, and I’m the perfect vampire to watch his back.
But what if keeping him safe isn’t enough anymore? What if I want to touch? And taste?
I need him. But I’ve never needed anyone.
In a world where paranormal creatures live amongst us and must follow certain laws, living life as a dangerous loner works for vampire Ethan. Inhabiting his gleaming apartment, wearing his designer suits, jetting around the world as a fanged killer-for-hire, Ethan does it all alone.
That is, until he literally runs into Tristan. Tristan, who is clearly trouble wrapped in skinny jeans and an oversized sweater. Tristan, with his shock of angelic blond curls. Tristan, who plays piano more beautifully than the old masters– and Ethan would know; he saw Beethoven.
Tristan is gorgeous, a little sassy, and irresistible. Also, Ethan is horrified to note, Tristan has no idea how incredibly tempting he is to things that go bump in the night.
Overcome by the urge to keep Tristan safe, Ethan begins to… well, stalk is such a strong word. What starts as an obsession quickly becomes something more, something that Ethan needs. And to his surprise, Tristan seems to need him, too…
*This darkly romantic tale delivers steamy passion and a happily ever after. Be advised that Handsome Death includes explicit m/m content, stalking, mentions of past abuse, and graphic violence.*
Tris goes up to the counter and seems wholly unsurprised when the barista hands him his drink without ordering. Standing above me at the table, he does his usual routine of slouching out of his messenger bag and then slumping into his seat. Kid has the worst fucking posture. I was never officially in the military, but even I habitually stand up ramrod straight.
“Hey,” he says.
I run my tongue over the sharp edge of one of my incisors, thinking.
He frowns. “Did someone cut your tongue out?”
“Huh?”
He raises one eyebrow. “I figured that would be the only way to get you to shut up.”
“Funny,” I reply, and he is funny, but I don’t feel like laughing. “I need to stop seeing you,” I say.
His lips make a pfft noise. “You’re not seeing me, Ethan. We’ve met twice in a coffee shop, and honestly, both times have been hella awkward.” He takes a loud sip of his coffee and gets foam on his upper lip. He licks it away. I realize I’m staring, which makes him slump even lower in his chair.
“Look. You’re stunning.”
“No, I’m—”
“Tris.”
He shuts up. The fact that he’s so good at taking commands is … hot, if I was thinking about him that way. I’m not thinking about him that way. Am I?
Focus!
“You’re beautiful.” I lean my elbows on the table and try to say what needs to be said without letting the poor kid know I’ve been following him for the majority of the last twenty-four hours. That would be creepy. Okay, it is creepy. “I just want to make it clear …” I sigh. “There are monsters out there, paranormal creatures, who would love to—” Tear your clothes off and take you apart. I clear my throat. “You’d make a delicious snack for someone is all I’m saying, so I think you should be more careful.”
He doesn’t move an inch as he says, “You think I should be careful of monsters.”
“Yes.”
“Like you?” His eyelashes flutter when he blinks at me.
My starched collar feels much too tight.
When he leans forward, I lean away. “That’s why you wouldn’t shake my hand. You didn’t want me to notice how cold you are.” He reaches his hand across the table and pokes the back of my hand. I let him.
“Just please be careful,” I whisper and stand with such vehemence, the table shakes. Tris’s coffee spills.
I stomp out the door and disappear, and my instincts were correct. I hear my name behind me, and I turn to see Tris standing in the open doorway, eyes scouring the sidewalk. He steps fully outside and wraps his arms around himself when a stout wind ruffles his hair.
I catch the slightest bit of his scent—spicy lavender—and start walking.
Sara Dobie Bauer is a bestselling author, model, mental health speaker, and LGBTQ advocate with a creative writing degree from Ohio University. She lives with her hottie husband and two precious pups in Northeast Ohio, although she’d really like to live in a Tim Burton film. Her current obsession with Timothee Chalamet runs deep, and don’t even get her started on Call Me By Your Name.
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