by Kym Grosso
“Hey guys? Uh…did anyone see a vampire here? Silvered by the wrists? Smelly guy?” Without speaking another word, it clicked with Sydney that the vampire had not escaped. He was dead. She’d been kicking his ashes around with her boot. Yuck.
She looked down again at the floor and then up to Kade. He was dangerous; primal, unyielding. Sydney’s breath hitched as he snaked his hand around her waist, holding her tight to his side.
“No one touches what is mine.”
Sydney didn’t flinch as she processed his words. He had killed the other vampire for attacking her. The police weren’t called. No one even batted an eyelash that the guy was gone. Vampire justice. She shuddered at the power Kade held in this town and he drew her to him like a moth to a flame. She straightened her back and held her head high. If she was bothered or surprised by what he did to the vampire, she would not let him see it. Sydney gladly allowed Kade to usher her out of the club and into the limo. It had been a hell of a night, and she could not get out of there fast enough.
Chapter Fourteen
“Kade, what’s going on?” Sydney asked as Kade shut the car door behind them. Only one limo had returned to the compound and Luca stayed in the car. “Where is everyone? I thought they lived here with you.”
“No, love, they do not. While it is true that Luca lives on the compound, he doesn’t live in the main house. His home is located next door, but is within the borders of the compound for safety.” Kade trailed behind Sydney, appreciating her fine assets. Tonight she would be his. He smiled at the thought.
“Never a dull moment around here,” she quipped, entering the foyer. Sydney unzipped her boots, took them off and started up the steps. “Just when you think you're shacking up with a bunch of vampires, you find out that there is really only one vampire. Lucky me.”
Kade rushed toward Sydney, pinning her against the railing. His hands on her waist, he placed his forehead to hers. Their lips were mere inches apart.
“Sydney, there is only one vampire for you, and there is only one human for me, you. You are an incredibly courageous woman, fighting that vampire and saving Dominique. You never cease to amaze me, but you do worry me.” He sniffed her neck. “I cannot bear the smell of that derelict on your sweet skin. We should both wash away the filthiness of the evening and rest ourselves for tomorrow night. A hot shower should relax your muscles nicely. Go on up. I’m going to get us something to drink, and then I will be up to massage your neck in a few minutes.” Kade released Sydney, turned, and walked away into the kitchen. Wanting to kiss her, he’d make her wait until she craved his touch, begging for mercy.
For once in her life, Sydney was speechless. Her body was humming with excitement, she wanted, no needed, Kade to make love to her, but he hadn’t. Where was her trusty vibrator when she needed it? What a crazy night, and now this. She sighed. Kade was right about one thing, she needed to relax, and apart from him or her battery-operated friend, a shower was the second best option. She was disgusted by her experience with the vampire; she could still smell the odors of cigarette smoke, sex, blood, and sweat from the club clinging to her clothes and hair.
As Sydney undressed and walked into the guest bathroom, she admired her surroundings. A bathroom like this would take up half her condo. The huge granite shower had several nozzles that sprayed overhead as well as sideways. Jumping into the spray, she shut the glass doors. The hot water rushed over her hair and body. Sydney closed her eyes, willing her mind and muscles to relax.
Her eyes flew open when she heard the bathroom door click open and shut. Kade. He was in here with her? Her heartbeat sped up knowing that he was near. She leaned further into the pulsing rain, anticipating his touch. Her body awakened, tingling with the knowledge he’d come for her.
With her face to the wall, she sighed as Kade came up behind her, his erection brushing against her back. As his hands worked their way into her hair, she smiled. He gently scrubbed her hair with shampoo, letting the bubbles sluice down her body. She let him tease her, drawing out the tension.
Holy fuck. Sydney could barely take it. The man finally had her naked, and he was driving her crazy with need by simply washing her hair. She laid her hands flat against the granite tiles and rolled her head back to give him better access. She couldn’t stop herself from moaning out loud as she felt his hands rubbing the soapy bubbles across her shoulders and down around her waist. She hungered for his touch, feeling his strong hands slide over her wet, shivering skin.
“Kade, please. We've waited so long. I just…I can’t wait anymore.”
“Sydney,” he whispered. “Goddess, you’re so soft. Do you remember when I told you that you would be mine tonight? I meant it. Are you ready?”
His cock stood to attention at the sight of her shapely ass. Unable to abstain any longer, Kade glided his palms up across her belly, pulling her toward him until his hard length rested firmly above her bottom. His hands roamed over her soft breasts, gently caressing them and rolling her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. He moaned in pleasure at the feel of her soft body against his.
“Yes. I'm more than ready,” Sydney replied.
“I have waited centuries for the right woman, and you are most definitely the one.” He breathed in deeply, trying to resist burying himself in her right there.
“Please, Kade, please,” she begged.
Kade massaged her breast with one hand, letting his other hand drop down between her legs. She opened her thighs, allowing him better access. Sydney screamed his name as he reached into her slick center, exploring every inch of her warmth. He circled her clit and then plunged a thick finger deep inside her. She rested her forehead against the cool tile, panting with desire.
“That’s it, Sydney, feel me in you. Let it go. You are a beautiful, amazing woman, my woman.” The one? In the heat of the moment, she wanted to believe that what he was saying was true, but she couldn’t think clearly when her senses were so delightfully assaulted. As Kade pinched her nipples, blood rushed to her clitoris. She ached to be touched. She wanted him inside her, now.
As Kade added a second finger inside of her, she cried out loud. A crescendo of pleasure built up in her that was about to come crashing down. Kade coaxed her on, encouraging her to reach her climax.
“Yes, love. Come for me. That’s it.”
His fingers stimulated her sensitive nerves inside, and she couldn’t hold back any longer. Sydney's orgasm crashed over her in waves as she trembled at Kade’s hand. She thought she would collapse in the shower except for the fact that he turned her in his arms and held onto her tightly.
Reaching over, Kade turned the water off. Sydney protested.
“No Kade, don’t leave. Please, make love to me now.”
“I have every intention of doing just that, but I want our first time to be special. I plan to take my time with you slowly savoring every part of you. Come here…with me.” He wrapped a warm, fluffy towel around her. After drying their bodies, he took her hand in his and led her into the bedroom.
Sydney’s heart squeezed as she noticed at least two dozen lit candles scattered all over her room. The bedspread had been turned down, and there were rose petals on the sheets. Her vampire was a romantic. No one had ever done anything like this for her.
“Kade…it’s beautiful,” she gasped.
Smiling back at her, Kade wrapped his hands around her waist, drawing her into him so her breasts crushed against his hard chest.
“I am glad you like it. Now I intend to show how special you are to me, every last inch of you,” he said suggestively.
They both stood naked at the foot of the bed. With reckless abandon, Kade speared his fingers through Sydney’s hair, grasping her locks in his hands, and he kissed her. Not a soft kiss, but a hard, demanding, possessive kiss. Sydney welcomed his tongue, tasting him, lost in his dark embrace.
Kade yearned for this woman like no other. He planned to claim her tonight, but knew she was the one claiming his heart. They fell upon
the bed together, their arms entangled, reaching, touching. Struggling for dominance, Kade pinned Sydney on her back. He dipped his head down, his mouth seeking her rosy tips. He finally found what he was looking for, laving her peaks and gently biting down. Sydney moaned and arched her back at the erotic pleasure and twinge of pain.
Reaching up, Kade caressed her breasts with his hands as he slowly kissed his way down her stomach. Sydney writhed on the bed in anticipation. She felt a kiss to her hip, a kiss to her thigh, a kiss below her belly button. He slowly spread her legs, feasting upon the sight of her waxed, bare beauty. He ran a hand down her mound and felt her shiver underneath his touch. He planned to tease her again and pleasure her beyond her wildest dreams. Lowering his head, he kissed along the crease of her legs. Not being able to resist any longer, his tongue ran up and down her lips. He pressed his mouth into the core of her, sucking her tender nub.
Sydney splayed her arms to each side of the bed and grasped the sheets in a tight hold. Her reaction to his mouth on her delicate skin was so intense she thought she would fly off the bed. Colors danced in her head as Kade licked and suckled her sex. Sydney began to beg him again as her body filled with overpowering sensations.
“Oh my God. That feels so good. I…I…please.”
Kade slowly plunged a finger, then two into her pussy while continuing to lick her, concentrating on her soft bundle of nerves. He slipped in and out of her as he drank her luscious essence, bringing her closer and closer to release. He loved hearing her beg and longed to reward her. He gently curved his fingers inside, stroking her thin line of sensitive fibers. As he stroked her, he flattened his tongue, pressing down hard, then sucking, tantalizing her over the cliff of arousal.
Sydney convulsed in orgasm as she felt his fingers stroke her while he continued to kiss her sex. Wave after wave of orgasm descended upon her as she screamed Kade’s name over and over. She curled over to her side for a minute, feeling as if every nerve of her skin was on fire. She was exhausted but ready to take Kade inside her. She needed him, in her arms, making love to her.
“That was incredible…oh my God.”
Kade stalked above her like a hungry panther. She reached up, sliding her palms over his hard, lean muscles. She hungered to lick every bulge of his ripped abs. As he rested on his arms above her, they gazed into each other’s eyes. Kade’s focus fell to her lips, and he kissed her gently, their tongues dancing with each other. Loving. Caring.
“Sydney, you are exquisite…I look forward to tasting you over and over through eternity.”
“Please, make love to me. I can’t stand it…I ache for you.”
“Are you sure, love? After tonight, there is no going back.”
Sydney quietly nodded.
Kade grasped her wrists with one hand, pushed her arms up over her head, and pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. Confident that she was ready for him, he thrust his cock into her core in one primal stroke. Pumping slowly in and out of her, he reveled in how wonderful her tight, warm sheath felt around him. He wanted so badly to make it last but was struggling to hold his orgasm at bay. Sydney was finally his. The resplendent woman beneath him provoked an appetite that he hadn’t known existed. For all of his physical strength, she simply had no idea how much power she wielded over his heart.
Sydney stretched to accommodate Kade’s ample size. Allowing him to hold her arms above her made it possible for her to give in to her most carnal desire to submit to him. She arched her hips up into him, her clitoris grazing his nest of curls. Shuddering in pleasure with every stroke, Sydney wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer.
Kade slowed his pace, his eyes locked on hers.
“Kade, need more. Please, God, don’t stop.”
“Things will never be the same for either one of us after tonight,” Kade growled, his fangs elongating. He licked the curve of her neck, losing himself in the lusciousness of her warm skin. There was no going back. He couldn’t hold on any longer. “You. Are. Mine.” He pulled back his hips and drove into her hard as he bit into the soft flesh of her neck.
Sydney’s sweet blood filled his mouth as he continued to pump voraciously into her body, spilling his seed deep within her. Releasing her hands, he rolled onto his back pulling her to him, embracing her closely. Kade closed his eyes, overwhelmed by his response to her. Not just her body and blood, but her mind as well. Without a doubt, he knew this woman was the one, and he had just claimed her. Forever.
Chapter Fifteen
Sydney awakened to the sounds of birds chirping outside. Kade lay unnervingly still next to her. She reached over and stroked the hard lines of his chest, reminiscing about their lovemaking. He’d insisted that she was his, and Sydney struggled to understand what that meant to a modern woman like her. How many women belong to him? She knew he’d been around for a very long time, but he’d told her that he’d only loved a few women.
Sydney’s heart constricted at the thought that there could be anyone else in his life. Then she knew in an instant that meant she was in trouble. Shit. I’m falling for him. No, no, and hell no. This couldn’t be happening, yet it was. No one in her entire life had made her feel the way she had last night: wicked, euphoric, loved. That was it…loved. Did he love her? Was that what he meant when he kept saying she belonged to him? Eventually they would need to talk about what this all meant.
How was she supposed to have a relationship with a vampire? First, there were location issues. She lived in Philadelphia, he lived in New Orleans. She had a job, commitments. Second, he would totally outlive her. She’d be an old woman, and he’d still be looking like he stepped off the cover of GQ. Third…third? Why was she even running through these scenarios? She wasn’t even sure he was serious about her. For all she knew, being 'his' meant he thought she was one of many women. A harem? A bloody vampire harem. Stop worrying, Syd!
Needing to clear her head, she tiptoed away from the bed into the bathroom, convinced that a nice, hot shower would make everything okay. An ache grew in her chest as she stepped under the hot spray. Nice job, Sydney. You’re falling in love with a vampire. A hot, sexy, romantic vampire. Shaking her head in disbelief, she quickly washed her hair, soaped her skin, rinsed, hopped out of the shower, and dried herself.
When she opened the door to the bedroom, disappointment washed across her face. The bed was sadly empty. Where had Kade gone? Feeling a sense of loss, she dressed, avoiding looking at the bed where they’d made love. Hearing a familiar buzzing, she frantically searched for her cell phone. Why can’t I be more organized? Finding it in a pile of clothes, she answered the call. “Hey.” It was all she could manage amid her confusing thoughts.
“Hey to you too,” Tristan replied. “I got down early this morning. I’m staying at my brother’s condo on Royal Street. How about you grab a taxi and meet me for beignets?”
“Now, that's what the doctor ordered. You’ve got my weapons?” Sydney felt as if she was suffocating in the guest room. A little time away from vampires would be good for her.
“Sure thing. I packed them up in a backpack so no one will notice. It's about four o’clock now. Can you get down here in about forty-five minutes?” he asked.
“Yes, sounds great. Meet you there. Thanks Tris!” Sydney sighed, clicking off her cell. She and Kade would have to talk later, but for now, it was back to reality. She desperately wanted her weapons, especially after last night’s incident with the vampire in the hallway.
Sydney slid on a flirty, purple sundress and adjusted the thin straps that supported her C cupped breasts. She slipped on a sexy black lace thong on the off chance she’d get surprised by Kade later. Thank goodness she’d been able to find a pair of comfortable sandals on her shopping trip the other day. Comfort was a must for running around in the city. Glancing in the mirror, she pulled her long, blonde hair into a ponytail and added pink shimmer lip gloss. She almost left the room without grabbing her silver knife. With nowhere to conceal it on her body, she quickly slid i
t into her purse on her way out of her room.
Walking through the house, she noticed it was quiet, too quiet. Nothing but silence filled the great room. Where did Kade get off to now? She steeled her emotions, afraid that he might not be serious about her. What man leaves a woman’s bed while she’s in the shower, wet, naked? Sydney peeked down the long hallway past the kitchen and heard Kade’s voice coming from one of the rooms. Even though the door was cracked open, she didn’t want to intrude on his business. But then again, why the hell not? He did leave her bedroom after the most fabulous night of making love, ever.
Brimming with confidence, Sydney swung the door open and leaned against the doorjamb. With a hand on her hip, she watched Kade intently as he leaned back in a black leather chair, his feet propped on an antique, cherry desk. Nice desk, she thought…a picture formed in her mind of her bent over it, with Kade taking her from behind. She gave him a wicked smile. He grinned, blew her a kiss, but kept on conversing about Issacson’s company investments while she stood there waiting for him to get off the phone. God, that man was sexy as hell…but infuriating. He’s not hanging up for me, really? Sydney gave him an innocent wave, turned on her heels, and trudged back toward the kitchen. She decided that since he was busy, then the man was getting a note.
She quickly scrawled a message, letting him know she was going to meet Tristan and that she’d be back in a couple of hours. Convinced that Kade wasn’t getting off the phone any time soon, she taped it to the inside of the front door. Patience wasn’t her strong suit, but at least she’d let him know where she was going. Sydney loved New Orleans and was hoping she’d get a chance to window shop for antiques on Royal Street on her way back. She really wanted to go over and check out the address they got last night, but she knew that the other vampires wouldn’t be at full strength until sunset. And after last night, she hadn’t planned on going to the address by herself without backup.