Kade's Dark Embrace

Chapter Six

After taking three Advil, Sydney showered and dressed in her favorite, red sundress that showed off the swell of her tan breasts. Unfortunately, it also showed off her upper back that had started to turn bluish. She slipped on a pair of black, platform flip-flops. She didn’t bother to dry her hair; her blonde locks looked wild and curly. It was late at night, no use blowing it out.

Sydney considered going to sleep. It was nearly four in the morning, but working nights, she was wide awake. She knew she should get into her pajamas, read a book and get some rest, but her nerves were on fire. Nearly dying can do that to a girl, but it wasn’t what was making her jumpy. It was Kade. She wanted, she needed, needed something, someone, him. But she wasn’t going to have him. Like a wanton slut, she asked him to come in with her 'for coffee' a.k.a. 'sex', and he was just too freakin’ busy, or didn’t want her. Fine. She thought there was a sexual tension there but maybe she was wrong. He had lied about being a detective. He seemed to have plenty of other secrets. What else was the guy lying about? Maybe he had a girlfriend? Maybe he was married?

Sydney longed to forget her lustful thoughts of Kade. She would get him out of her system. She didn’t believe in love at first sight anyway, lust maybe, and lust could be controlled...or redirected. Sydney decided Tristan was just what she needed. She knew he cared about her...wanted her. He was always there for her, the one stable man in her life besides Tony. Life was too short to sit around moping. She didn’t want to be alone tonight, and Tristan would help her forget.

As Sydney strolled through Eden’s doors, she spied Tristan leaning against the bar, talking to a redhead who was flirting with him and flipping her hair back. Setting her sights on Tristan, Sydney traipsed across the dance floor, ignoring the stares from all the other men. It meant nothing to her; this was a club, a place to come and be noticed. Dancing, drinking, sweat, blood, sex, it was all here, and she was going to sate herself until she felt better. Stepping in front of Tristan, she flashed a badge at the girl. “Get lost. I’ve got business here,” she ordered. Her face held no smile. The girl looked at her and rushed away, not wanting to be involved with the police.

Tristan was not going to be bossed in his own house, but damn if Sydney didn’t have presence. He instantly grabbed her arms and pulled her against his own firm body. His cheek brushed across hers, and he whispered in her ear, “What gives, Syd? My girl looks a little tense. You need something tonight?”

She quivered in his arms. “Yes, Tristan. I need you.”

With those words, Tristan took her hand and led her up the stairs. There would be no stopping him tonight. It had been weeks since they’d been together. Yeah, he knew there was no commitment between them, but tonight she was his. He wasn’t sure what Kade had done, but he would take care of her. Like always, he would give her what she needed.

Tristan led her into a private room that was painted royal blue, which had a large cherry desk and a black, leather sofa. This was Tristan’s private office. It was soundproofed, secure. He flipped a switch and a gas fire flared up in the fireplace. Sydney stood still. She needed her friend Tristan. Needed to feel cared about. He was always there for her, and she for him. “Tristan, I....”

“Sydney, you don’t need to say anything. You know I care for you. I missed you.” He brushed the back of his hand across her cheek, and she leaned into him and kissed his hand.

“Tris, this case. It was a rough night. I just need to relax. I just need…you.”

Tristan raised an eyebrow at her. “You sure, baby? You seem, I don’t know. A little different tonight. Distracted. You okay?”

Sydney didn’t want to tell Tristan that she asked Kade to come up to her apartment or how she almost got killed tonight. But he would see the bruises and wonder what happened to her. “I’m fine, Tris, really. I got hurt earlier tonight out with Kade. I’m okay, just some bruises, really.”

“Dammit Syd. What happened? Let me see you.” He pulled her closer to the fireplace and walked around her inspecting her skin. When he looked at her back, he sucked a breath and ground his back teeth. “You’re hurt. Mon chaton, did you go to the doctors? Where was Kade when this happened?” He leaned down and kissed her shoulder. Tristan rubbed her neck, and she moaned. Sydney relaxed and leaned back into him allowing him better access to her throat, submitting. Usually, she had to be in control. But here, she could let down the wall with Tristan. He knew what she wanted in life, sexually. She would never let him fully into her heart but this would have to be good enough. She would purge the thoughts of Kade from her mind. She would get her release, go home, sleep and be back on the job tomorrow with a smile on her face.

“I’m okay. Some perp got me with a baton. It’ll leave a bruise but it’s nothing serious. Come on Tris, I don’t want to talk about it. Please, just make me feel good. No more questions.”

Tristan put his hands on her shoulders and pushed away the flimsy strings of her sundress. The dress fell to her feet exposing her back to him. He reached around under her belly and cupped her breasts. His hands were full as he took her nipples between his forefinger and thumb and squeezed. She moaned again as heat rushed to her sex. Tristan gently turned her around and pressed his lips to hers. He found her lips opening, their tongues reaching for each other.

“Tristan,” she gasped, “I need you now.” He reached down and grabbed her ass. The only thing covering her body at this point was a tiny, black, silk thong. His other hand trailed down from her breast to her stomach and pushed away the flimsy fabric. His entire hand covered the mound of her sex, exploring her folds, his fingers gently building a rhythm. She rocked into his hand. “More, Tristan. In me. Please”

He loved when she begged. His wolf was aching to fuck her but he wanted to make her come first. He knew how to please a woman, especially his Syd. “Mon chaton, I will take good care of you. That’s it. Feel me.”

“Tristan, don’t stop,” she begged as she dug her fingers into his shoulders as if she was holding on for dear life.

Tristan slowly inserted a finger inside her while circling her clit with his thumb. She wouldn’t last long. He slowly added another finger, pumping her. “That’s it baby. Just let go.” Her orgasm built quickly. Tristan’s words took her over the edge as she came by his hand. She rested against him as he held her tightly.

He eased up his hold, and Sydney knelt down onto her knees in front of him. She wanted to taste him, make him feel good too. Tristan groaned as she reached up and grabbed the outside of his pants cupping his groin. She quickly unbuttoned his jeans and let his erect length jut out. She grabbed the base of his sex slowly stroking him, and looked up into his eyes. She would willingly return the favor.

After his release, they fell gently to the floor as Tristan held Sydney close to him. Relaxing on the rug in front of the fire, Sydney relished this rare closeness. She loved Tristan as a friend, but knew that she wasn’t in love with him.

Even as she lay in Tristan’s embrace, her thoughts drifted to Kade. Why did she want him so badly? Why the fuck did she feel this crazy attraction to him? She just met him. It was as if the sexual tension between them escalated exponentially every time they met. She closed her eyes and decided that whatever she felt for Kade would go away when he left. She was a cop. She didn’t need attachment. He didn’t seem to want her anyway when she offered, so why shouldn’t she enjoy a little fun with Tristan?

As if reading her thoughts, Tristan spoke into her hair, “Listen Sydney, I know something’s got you upset. What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?”

“What are you talking about Tris? I’m fine,” she denied.

“Come on, Sydney. I can feel it. Remember, Alpha magic and all. I know you are just off today...even if you did just blow my mind,” he laughed. “You're so alone all the time. It’s not good for you. Maybe you should think about being here more often...with me. I can protect you. And before you get all riled up, I get that you are a super cop and all, but face it, you're a little beat up tonight...albeit a beautiful shade of blue. You need someone to care for you.” Tristan hated seeing her hurting like this. “Sydney, you know you mean a lot to me. I don’t want you getting hurt while you are working this case. Why don’t you think of spending the night here with me tonight? No pressure. Just spend the night and we’ll see how it goes in the morning.” He looked down at her. He knew she’d refuse; she was too stubborn to admit he was right.

After he spoke these words, Sydney kissed him gently, rose off the floor, and started to get dressed. “Tristan, I really appreciate the offer. You know I care about you too. Really, I am okay. It’s just that I have a lot on my mind. It’s complicated. I swear I’ll be fine.”

“Okay, mon chaton, but I'm here for you if you need me. And Kade will protect you too. He and I have been friends for a long time. He's a tough son of a bitch and has sworn to me that he'll protect you with his life, if needed.”

And there it was again. Kade, fucking Kade. “Tristan, don’t worry. I’ll be okay, Kade or no Kade. Thanks for everything tonight. I really gotta get going. You were exactly what I needed,” she purred. She kissed him quickly and turned to open the door.

He wondered why she was so annoyed at Kade. She barely even knew him. Yet, she talked about him with contempt, and he wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like Sydney to be that way with his friends. He kissed her again. He wanted her protected, and he was going to talk to Kade again, whether she liked it or not.

As they walked down the winding stairway, the pounding music reminded her she was in a club not someone’s house. Halfway down, she felt him and looked across the crowded dance floor. Again? Really? She could not get away from that damn vampire. Sydney looked over to Tristan and saw him wave at Kade. She glanced over to Kade and found him glaring at her. He knew.

Sydney didn’t get how these two were friends. Right now, she didn’t care. She just wanted to get out of the bar, go home and sleep. But seeing Kade ignited the flame of desire in her that had only slightly dimmed during her little tryst with Tristan. She knew it would be temporary but she was hoping to at least get through five minutes without thinking about Kade. Damn.

She turned and kissed Tristan on the cheek and descended the rest of the stairs. She had no intention of feeling bad about fooling around with him. She had no ties to anyone, least of all Kade. She held her chin up refusing to look away from Kade as she pushed through the dance floor. She wasn’t hiding.

Kade spotted her on the stairs with Tristan. He fought the instinct to run up the stairs and rip into his friend. What the fuck was he thinking? He held no claims to Sydney yet and could not challenge his friend here in his territory. In fact, a few hours ago he left Sydney’s house refusing her invitation. He damn well knew she wanted more than coffee the instant she offered. But he had to meet Luca to figure out who had been at the crime scene.

After Luca picked him up, Kade’s deepest suspicion was confirmed. Luca had found a Voodoo bracelet with a vampire’s scent on it. A vampire who Kade knew well. There was no denying her scent; this vampire had come for him, and was somehow using the humans to assist her, perhaps a mage. He did not intend to tell Sydney about Luca’s findings tonight. She was mortal and too vulnerable. Kade planned to get Sydney off the case, keeping her safe and off the radar.

Yet, he felt so connected to Sydney. He could not deny the intense feelings that were growing inside of him. When he saw her there with Tristan, he almost lost it. As she approached, he could smell Tristan on her. He rushed over to stop her from leaving. He wanted to let her know in no uncertain terms to whom she would belong someday. She was his. He wasn’t sure how or when, but she would belong to him.

Sydney sucked a breath sensing that Kade would not let her pass. She didn’t want him to think that he intimidated her even if she was nervous. She’d play it cool, as if nothing had happened, all business. She stopped a foot in front of him, put a hand on her hip, and asked, “What are you doing here, Kade? Thought you were busy, no time for coffee and all. She was having a hard time concealing her anger. “Never mind, did Luca get anything off the scene?”

In an instant, Kade slipped behind her. He softly placed his hands on her shoulders frowning at the now deep black and blue marks on her upper back. She shouldn’t be out here. “And what do you think you are doing out here? Your bruises...you must be in pain.”

Sydney knew he felt responsible for her getting hurt even though this was her job. She was the one who insisted she go in alone. “Kade, I am a grown woman, a cop. I’ve been through worse.” She spun around and faced him. “What did Luca say?”

He wasn’t giving in to her without getting something in return. He slid a hand around her waist and drew her into him. “A dance, love? Indulge me.” He leaned in and sniffed her neck. “I can see you have been busy.”

Shit. He knew she was with Tristan. Yet, at his demand, Sydney found she couldn’t help herself. She slowly reached up and put her hands around his neck, leaning her face against his chest. They slowly danced. “Okay, one dance. Just tell me....Luca?” She was too tired and attracted to him to fight.

“Luca found a bracelet. It is a Voodoo bracelet, possibly charmed. I have contacts in New Orleans I will consult.”

Sydney was losing herself in the dance. Why didn’t he come up into her condo with her tonight? Why did he refuse? She stiffened a little in his arms. She wanted to convince him, or herself, that this was all business. “Ada called me. She's running the hair. By tomorrow, we should have something else to go on. I'll meet you at the station tomorrow night around six.”

Kade held her closer, refusing to let her go just yet as they continued to slow dance. “Sydney, you must know that I can sense great danger. I know you are a seasoned cop, but this danger...you cannot fight it. You must trust me when I say that there are evil, supernatural forces that await us...you will need me to keep you safe.” He leaned in and kissed the top her head, unable to resist.

“Evil is a reality of this city, Kade. This is what I do, and I'm quite capable of keeping myself safe...just ask Jennings.”

Kade stopped dancing. He reached over and cupped her face gently with both his hands. They locked eyes. “We will do this together, love, but know that it will be done my way. I will keep you safe, and after this evil is extinguished, you will be mine and no one else’s.”

Sydney felt the blood rush to her face. She wasn’t sure whether to yell at him or fuck him right there in the middle of the dance floor. Somehow she knew his words were true...she would be his. Determined to not let him see that he had just gotten to her, she pulled away, turned and looked back at him over her shoulder and smiled, “Kade love, you should know here and now that I belong to no one but myself.” With that, she walked out the door. She knew it wasn’t true. Something about him drew her in and threatened to change her entire life. He made her want to belong to him. She wanted to love someone and have him love her back...she wanted Kade.