Kym Grosso - Kade's Dark Embrace

“Okay, run the thread. We gotta move quickly. This girl was tortured, and I have a feeling she isn’t going to be the perp’s last play toy. It’s like the killer enjoyed this...took his time. He's sharing his work with us. Wanting us to see what he did to this girl. God, it makes me sick.”

Ada shook her head in disgust. “I know. We’ve got a predator here. Not sure if there's anything to the tats or the thread, but I'll start right away. Now why don’t you get back to your night off? Well, at least for a few hours until I gather some evidence. Kade over there looks awful lonely. He certainly looks like he could take care of all your needs,” she teased.

“No way, Ada. I'm outta here for now. See ya down at the lab.” She gave Ada a wave and turned to leave. It was supposed to be her night off, and damn if she wasn’t going to get at least a few hours to herself. As Sydney readied herself to leave, she felt eyes on her back. She glanced at Kade to find him staring at her. She nodded her head and turned around quickly so he wouldn't think she was interested in him.

Something about him bothered her. She felt drawn to him; it was probably the supernatural, hotter-than-hell vibe he had going on. He told her he worked with P-CAP, but his story didn’t jive with her instincts. Sydney read people well, and there was something about him that said he wasn’t a cop. Or even a supernatural cop. He looked like he belonged at a country club. Maybe he was a lawyer, or a businessman? Taking in one last glance, she memorized his clothing and shoes. The suit wasn’t right. So not the inexpensive cop wear she was used to seeing at the station. Boss? Calvali? And the shoes, he was wearing Salvatore Ferragamo. Sydney regularly shopped the shoe sales at Nordstrom’s and knew he was not wearing Clarks.

Something wasn’t adding up. He looked too perfect to be working a detective beat, even for someone not human. Sydney wondered what kind of supernatural he was. Wolf? No, he didn’t strike her as the rugged, outdoorsy type. No, Kade was refined, sleek, and uber-sexy. Primal and dangerous. Vampire? Yes, she’d bet he was a vampire. Damn curiosity was getting the best of her as she surreptitiously hoped she’d see him again. Kade might be keeping a few secrets, and Sydney was going to find out exactly what he was up to...as soon as she engaged in a few secrets of her own.

Sydney wasn’t looking for love; her current career didn’t afford her that luxury. When she wasn’t working, she was still thinking about work, but that wasn’t the only thing that kept her from getting seriously involved with someone. Sydney was acutely aware of the very real danger she faced every day on the streets. In her profession, the odds were higher than average that she might not go home after a shift. Why bother with a husband and family when they would need to live with the constant worry that she could be killed on the job? Given that she was only twenty-eight, she didn’t feel the need to have kids at the moment. She loved kids, but she didn’t want them to grow up motherless because something happened to her. Maybe someday, when she moved into management and found someone she loved completely, she’d consider having kids, but not now.

Tonight, Sydney wasn’t looking for a husband, or love. She didn’t have the time, or energy to even entertain the idea of a relationship. No, what she did need was a quickie, no strings attached. It was an empty existence, but it was enough to calm her nerves and sate her need for release.

As she walked into Eden, the pounding music and glaring lights hit her hard. The smell of cigarette smoke and sweat from the dancers permeated the room. Also, there was a faint hint of bleach, the place was clean even if the activities were down and dirty. Eden was an upscale club that catered to singles and couples who were looking to watch or be watched, serving both humans and supernaturals.

The multi-colored lights bounced off the mirrored ceilings. The bluish walls appeared to move as the lights danced. A large, wall-sized water fountain ran along the entire length of the club opposite from the bar. If you stood next to it, you could faintly hear the hiss of the water and feel the spray on your face. Behind the bar, a fifteen foot, yellow boa constrictor, named 'Eve' slithered behind the glass. Inside, Eve climbed on a large tree so she had plenty of space to watch the patrons. In the club, a large, winding staircase led upstairs to the private rooms where clients could go to talk, or engage in sexual activities in private or public, depending on what they wanted.

Sydney knew that she could comfortably lose herself in here for a few hours before going back to death; death always waited for her. It was patient, but never kind. Quickly scanning the room, she darted into the ladies' room. She changed into her tiger-striped, spandex mini dress with matching 'fuck me' heels; she was ready to hunt. Her tanned skin shone beneath the plunging cowl neckline exposing her ample cleavage. A black, lacy thong was all she wore under the dress. She shoved her clothes into her tote bag and locked the custom locker Eden provided its guests. Pulling her hair free of the ponytail holder, she let her blonde curls slide down her back. With a quick spritz of hair spray, she was ready. Sydney had officially transformed from cop to chick, and looked every bit the bait she intended herself to be.

Walking over to the bar, she waved to the bartender. “Hey, Tristan. Lemon Perrier, please.”

Tristan shouted over to Sydney, “No champagne? What’s up, mon chaton?” Tristan liked calling her 'my kitty'. Tonight the nickname fit, given she looked every bit the cat on the prowl.

“No champagne tonight, mon loup,” she teased. She certainly had every intention of making him her wolf for the next few hours. “Sorry, Tris, only here for a while, and then I gotta get back to the grind. No alcohol for me tonight, just a few hours of dancing and fun. Then I’m outta here.”

Tristan smiled. God, Sydney looked hot. At one time, he would have taken her as a lover and never let her go, but somehow being the owner of Eden had put him into her 'friend with benefits' category, so he would have to be satisfied with sex every now and then, sometimes even dealing with watching her with other men. He could not understand how a beautiful woman like Sydney remained single. She was a smart, all business kind of woman, yet sexy, willing to play hard sexually and refusing to commit herself to one man. Tristan cared about Sydney and would like to see her settle down, maybe with him, but he didn’t own this business to judge. People came here to have fun and do whatever they wanted. Being that he was an Alpha wolf, he knew all too well people’s need for sizzling sex without ties or questions.

Tristan watched Sydney, noticing that her tight dress was so short that it barely covered her ass, and what a fine ass it was. Tristan knew that she was never going to commit to one man and felt protective. He kept an eagle eye on her as she began to dance in the sea of undulating bodies. The men in the club inspected Sydney as she began to dance alone, wishing they could fuck her. Most women jealously watched her, wishing they could be her.

Sydney could feel people watching her as she danced, swaying her hips as she felt the music, and she didn’t care. There was a reason she came to Eden: music, sex, all of it for the taking, confidential without judgment. It was everything she needed this very moment, a well-deserved release. As she danced on the floor, she slowly opened her eyes to see Tristan coming straight at her. She yearned to release her sexuality, to relax, to forget, and Tristan could take her there.

Sydney’s Alpha wolf was sex on a stick. Tristan’s rugged, earthy, dominating presence commanded attention when he walked into the room. He was good-looking but not exactly handsome. With captivating amber eyes and wavy, platinum blonde hair, he looked as if he could have been a California surfer. And even though his tan skin gave off a radiant glow, his hard eyes served as a warning to others that he, indeed, was a predator. Tonight he was dressed in light blue jeans and a white, linen shirt that he wore untucked; casual, but not messy; serious, but cool. He entertained the guests with his adventure stories, and was able to deflect the interest of ladies in a way that made them still feel special. But, tonight, there was only one lady he wanted...Sydney.