Kym Grosso - Kade's Dark Embrace

I am very thankful to those who helped me create this book:

~My husband, for encouraging me to write, editing my articles and supporting me in everything I do.

~ My children, for helping me to be a better mother and person. They all are very special to me and keep me going, even on rainy days. Thank you Tyler, Madison, Kyle & Kasey.

~My Mom & Dad, for giving me a loving family and guiding me along my way.

~Robyn Wood, my friend and editor, who spent hours reading and editing Kade’s Dark Embrace.

~My beta readers, Barb & Sandra, for volunteering to read my first novel and provide me with valuable feedback.

~Carrie, from CheekyCovers, who helped me to create the sexy novel cover.

The sultry, summer night buzzed with mortals seeking entertainment in the heart of the city. Listening to the sounds in the distance, Kade recognized a familiar jazz song being played by street performers. After the long flight to Philadelphia, he needed to stretch and gather his thoughts. Unable to resist the lure of the waterfront, he leaned against the cool railing, watching the lights of the boats passing by and flickering in the rushing water. Sensing great evil on the horizon, he breathed deeply, letting the sight of the water soothe him.

His cell phone buzzed; glancing at the text, he swore. A dead body had been found near the airport. Goddammit. He was too late. Kade waved to the waiting limo driver, gesturing that he needed to leave. Pivoting, he noticed an attractive woman sitting alone at the end of the dock, far away from the crowd. She appeared confident, yet alone, as she sat in the darkness, moonlight glinting off her long, blond hair. What the hell was a woman doing down on the docks alone this time at night?

Glancing at the enchanting stranger, Kade struggled to push sex from his thoughts. It had been far too long since he’d felt the touch of a woman. Aroused by the possibility of an encounter with her, he swore once again. Not now. He needed to concentrate on the real reason he was here in the city. Tristan, an old friend and Alpha of the regional wolf pack, had called him in New Orleans nearly a week ago requesting his assistance. He had planned on seeing Tristan later that night at his club; there he’d find a donor willing to play. Right now, this woman was just a lovely, human distraction. One who was stupid enough to be sitting alone in the dark by the waterfront. Yet, he could not seem to tear his eyes off of her. The thought crossed his mind that maybe he should just have a sip of her sweet, young blood before work. Her delicious scent registered in his brain, and his fangs began to elongate.

Over the centuries, he’d been with plenty of women, but none held his heart. As for his thirst, there were many willing women who offered themselves to vampires these days. What was it about this alluring stranger that he found so intriguing?

Like a fox spotting a rabbit in the woods, he could not resist the temptation of the hunt. Slowly approaching her, he admired her long, curly, blonde hair wishing he could run his fingers through it. She was of average height, around five-four, if he had to guess, with a strong, athletic build. As she stretched her toned arms up over her head, he admired her firm, pert breasts straining against her tight, white t-shirt. Her black, spandex miniskirt accentuated her lithe, tanned legs. She immediately glanced at her watch and folded her arms impatiently. Was she waiting for someone? A date?

Darting into the shadows, he attempted to cloak his presence, yet she stared straight at him. Bloody hell. Could she see him? Interesting...was she supernatural as well? His cell phone went off again reminding him that he needed to get to the site. With a parting glance, he memorized her face, hoping he’d see her again. Silently he returned to the car, reluctant to leave the woman, but anxious to wrap up this case and mete out justice to the murderer.

Down by the river, Sydney waited for her friend. God, it was a beautiful night in the city. She always enjoyed coming down to the waterfront, but it was rare she got a night off to relax. She loved her job as a cop, busting criminals in one of the toughest cities in America. Even though Philly could chew up and spit out a cop on a good day, she enjoyed the city’s history and rich culture. But tonight instead of cracking heads, she was off and meeting a girlfriend for drinks. All work and no play made Syd a dull girl, and she was looking forward to playing hard tonight. She needed a stiff drink. Where the hell was Ada? That girl was always late. They had reservations at Vincent’s at nine, and she did not intend to miss out on dinner. She hoped like hell that Ada hadn’t got called back into the office.

A cold breeze came off the water, sending a chill up her spine. She truly wished it was the sudden rush of air that put her on alert, but she’d been around the block long enough to recognize danger when she felt it. Inspecting her surroundings, she only saw a pair of lovers strolling past the tall ships. Still, she felt eyes on her. In the distance, Sydney spotted a large, very male silhouette in the shadows. Criminal? No, someone else, something else, a supernatural? Human or otherwise, someone was out there, he was there. It wasn’t that she was naive about supernaturals; it was just that she generally didn’t arrest them. Damn. I so don’t need this tonight.

Reaching up under her skirt, Sydney checked the silver knife holstered to her thigh; it was secure. She nonchalantly slid her hand into her purse, unlocking the safety on her trusty Sig Sauer. Then, she casually pulled out and applied her favorite pink lip-gloss and pretended not to see him. Her body tensed ready to spring into action. She smiled and tossed her gloss in her bag... a girl has always got to look her best when she kills . She glanced away for a second to the couple on the dock who were still there. Then, her eyes darted back to the shadow in the night. He was gone. Where the hell did he just go?

As sounds of the jazz band filled the air, she willed herself to relax. Maybe he was just a lost tourist? Whatever, he was gone, just another predator in the city. The music in the distance reminded her of the last time she was in New Orleans. Damn if she didn’t love that town: beignets, cafe au lait, jazz. Sydney shook her head disappointed that she didn’t have a vacation planned this summer. “Shit, I am so stuck in Philly,” she scoffed to herself as she took note of another drunken loser being cuffed by the local beat. Okay, sure, there were drunks in New Orleans but at least the NOLA drunks would just vomit and pass out. No, this was Philly. Drunks here boo Santa and get in more trouble than a dog with an Easter basket, and like the dog, they usually end up either sick or dead. Ah yes, another lovely eve in the big city.

“What now? I'm supposed to be having fun tonight,” she snapped as her cell phone went off. The Freaks Come Out at Night blared from her purse . She could tell from the ring tone that Tony, her partner, was calling. “Hey, Tone what’s up?”

“Gotta floater out of the Delaware down near the airport. Captain said it looks messy, and I was kinda hoping you could join me for the party.”

“Okay, but you so owe me. I'm at Penn’s Landing right now waiting for Ada. Guess our girl’s night is not happening.”