Christmas Embrace: An Immortals of New Orleans Novella Read online

  CHRISTMAS EMBRACE

  IMMORTALS OF NEW ORLEANS, BOOK 11

  Kym Grosso

  Copyright © 2020 Kym Grosso

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  MT Carvin Publishing

  Carlsbad, California

  Editor: Julie Roberts

  Cover Design: Clarise Tan, CT Cover Creations

  Photographer: Wander Pedro Aguiar, WANDER AGUIAR :: PHOTOGRAPHY

  Cover Model: Wayne Skivington

  Formatting: Jason Anderson, Polgarus Studio

  Proofreading: Rose Holub, Read by Rose

  DISCLAIMER

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, locations and events portrayed in this book are a work of fiction or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events, locales, or real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  NOTICE

  This is an adult erotic paranormal romance book with love scenes and mature situations. It is only intended for adult readers over the age of 18.

  Dedication

  To my beautiful children, Tyler and Madi.

  Mom loves you more than the moon and stars.

  May the spirit of Christmas always live in your hearts.

  Table of Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Epilogue

  Author Notes

  Romance by Kym Grosso

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  ~ My readers! I’m so thankful to have each and every one of you, supporting me and my books. I hope you enjoy Christmas Embrace, and have a very happiest of holidays.

  ~ Julie Roberts, my friend and editor, who spent hours reading, editing and proofreading Christmas Embrace. I’m sad I couldn’t visit you this year but promise as soon as I can, I’m coming to see your gorgeous log cabin and still can’t wait to come visit you in Scotland!

  ~ Shannon Hunt, publicist and all-round assistant who gives me support! Thank you so much for everything you do to help me and for your friendship! I have the perfect Christmas gift for you, and it may involve your favorite creature, a shark.

  ~ My dedicated beta readers Lacy, Carolyn, Denise, Karen, Jara, Kim, Leah, Rose, and Vicki for beta reading. I really appreciate all the valuable feedback you provided. Thank you to Carolyn and Vicki for wedding song ideas. You guys rock!!!

  ~ CT Cover Creations, for designing Christmas Embrace’s sexy cover.

  ~ Wander Aguiar Photography for the gorgeous cover image! You and Andrey are the best!

  ~ Wayne Skivington, cover model. So grateful to finally have you on a cover!

  ~ Polgarus Studio, Jason, for formatting.

  ~ Rose Holub, Read by Rose, for proofreading. You are awesome!

  ~ My reader group, for helping spread the word about the Immortals of New Orleans series. I appreciate your support more than you could know!

  Chapter One

  “I love you,” Sydney whispered.

  “Marry me.” Kade brushed the pad of his thumb over her finger, hopeful she’d soon say yes.

  Ever since he’d turned her into a vampire, she’d no longer worn her engagement ring. We have a lifetime to do it, she’d insisted. His fiery detective struggled, still mourning the loss of her humanity.

  “We didn’t get very far with the decorations.” Sydney laughed, changing the subject. “I think I have tinsel in places I shouldn’t.”

  Kade rolled onto his back and cradled Sydney to his chest. His shoulder grazed a box of ornaments, garlands bunched at his feet. He smiled as he brushed his lips to her hair and glanced to the ball of green shrubbery his lovely mate had tacked to the ceiling. Mistletoe. One simple kiss had turned into an afternoon lovemaking session.

  The scent of greenery lingered in the air. Bright white lights twinkled upon the ten-foot Fraser fir they’d failed to decorate. Although the fire warmed the room, a draft chilled his skin, reminding Kade of the recent cold spell. He reached to the sofa and tugged on a throw blanket, gently tossing it over them.

  As Sydney molded her body to his, drifting in and out of sleep, Kade studied her face. Although she wore a small smile, her puffy eyes reminded him of their loss and the pain that haunted her.

  Guilt racked his thoughts. Kade always knew he’d never be able to give his human fiancée children. Up until the day he’d turned her, he’d held a spark of hope that when Sydney was ready, fertility treatment could help them become pregnant. Now a vampire, she’d never conceive.

  The price of immortality was a steep one, ruling out the possibility of raising a human child they’d eventually outlive. Adopting a paranormal baby had proved more difficult than either of them anticipated. Wolves tended to adopt most abandoned pups, insisting they be raised within and around pack. Likewise, witches insisted on raising children within the covens, grooming their magick as they matured.

  Kade had contacted his friend, Tristan Livingston, expressing their desire to adopt a pup. Both he and Sydney had a deep connection to the Alpha, and while he said he’d advocate on their behalf, he made no promises. As the days went by, they’d nearly given up hope…until Zachery came into their lives.

  Several months ago, when an abandoned baby had been left on the steps of the local coven, Sydney was one of the first to arrive on the scene. She immediately bonded to the boy. By the time the paranormal social workers arrived, Sydney insisted on fostering the orphaned child and soon was granted temporary custody.

  Neither of them had been prepared for a child. Kade had been surprised how quickly he had bonded and fallen in love with the babe. The mere presence of the child in their home had sparked a maternal flame within Sydney that still burned bright. With the bluest eyes Kade had ever seen, the five-month-old baby boy had stolen both their hearts.

  When the baby’s mother, a wolf, showed up to claim him, they’d taken the loss hard. Ever since they were forced to return Zachery, Sydney’s smile had rarely reached her eyes. Although she attempted to hide her heartache, she couldn’t completely mask the hopelessness.

  Kade brushed his lips to Sydney’s forehead with a silent promise he’d convince her to marry him one kiss at a time. As he succumbed to sleep, he thanked the Goddess for his beautiful fiancée and prayed that one day they’d be parents. Despite being vampires, Kade planned to remind her that family wasn’t always blood. Some families were forged with bonds of love, heartstrings as strong as steel.

  Kade woke to a familiar Australian accent.

  “Wakey, wakey loverboy.” Luca glanced at the bare tree, a corner of his lips ticking upward. “Looks like you got balls out, but none made it to the tree.”

  Kade cursed as he blinked his eyes open to see the cantankerous vampire towering above him. He reached blindly for Sydney, but ended up clutching a fistful of tinsel instead. She’s gone.

  “Let me guess. You’re Santa Baby and Syd opened her present early. A yule log?”

  “Fuck off, vampire.” Kade shot Luca a glare of annoyance. He shoved to his feet, wrapping the blanket around his hips. He leaned to spy around Luca, looking for Sydney.

>   “All that rockin’ around the Christmas tree must have gone to your head.”

  “Don’t be daft. You didn’t happen to see Syd on your way in?”

  “Said hello as she was rushing up the stairs. Barely dressed I might add.”

  “Where’s Samantha?”

  “My gorgeous bride is having a fitting today.” Luca smiled proudly.

  “You’ve gone right soft,” Kade said, amused by his wide grin.

  “I’m a father now. I’m sensitive,” Luca claimed.

  “Sensitive? Really? Like last week? When you attacked the vampire in your driveway for insulting your taste in lawn decorations? The way you disconnected his spine from his skull….” Kade walked around Luca and headed toward the kitchen still talking. He glanced upward, hearing the patter of water running in the shower above them. “Nothing says Merry Christmas like blood on the pavement.”

  “’Tis the season.” Luca shrugged. “He wasn’t an elf. Ronnie was a wanted murderer who picked the wrong day to come looking for vengeance.” Luca released a roar of laughter and followed him through the foyer. “It was a quick death. I showed mercy.”

  “I suppose there are varying degrees of sensitive?” Kade depressed the button on the coffee machine, igniting a hum. “Café au Lait? Latte? Cappuccino?”

  “You know I don’t do that fancy shit.”

  “One of these days I’ll get you turned on to Chai Tea lattes. Syd loves them.”

  “No you won’t, mate, but I do appreciate your perseverance.” Luca took a seat on a kitchen bar stool and retrieved his phone, tapping at the glass. “Ah…Goddess.”

  “What is it?”

  “Samantha’s asking how you and Sydney are doing with the decorations. She’s actually been asking me, not you, because she’s worried the house won’t be decorated in time for the wedding but doesn’t want to bother Sydney.”

  “We’ve been making a good attempt.”

  “At something, maybe. Not decorating. What am I supposed to tell her?”

  “Sydney doesn’t know it, but I’ve hired someone to help. It will all be done by tomorrow. Caterer called yesterday and confirmed they’ll be here. Musicians as well. We’ve got it all under control.”

  “Why did she have to pick Christmas Eve?” Luca shook his head as he texted Samantha. Everything is perfect, darlin. Tree looks amazing. It’s like a winter wonderland. Love you.

  “Because it’s romantic.” Kade laughed and slid a clean mug into the coffee machine. It released a hiss as the steam warmed the milk.

  “You’ve become human again. I’m convinced of it,” Luca said, his tone condescending.

  “You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”

  “Because it is.”

  “We’ve been over this a million times. You forget. You were human too,” Kade countered.

  “Ah, fuck, I was. But now the witch makes me soft. And Sydney, well,” he paused, “I don’t know what happened. You’d think she’d make you even harder with that stubborn attitude of hers.”

  “She makes me hard all right. The way I like it.” Kade smiled and waggled his eyebrows.

  “Easy, Secret Santa.” Luca crossed the room. “It’s the busiest time of year. We’ve got Kate and she’s looking forward to Santa coming and we’ve still got presents to wrap and with this wedding…”

  “Are you getting cold feet?” Kade lifted the piping hot concoction to his lips and blew softly upon the froth.

  “Samantha’s been, how should I say…‘saving herself’ for tomorrow night.” Luca gave an audible sigh. “It’s been a damn month already and I’m just about over the celibacy routine.”

  “So this is what makes the vampire even more irritable than usual. No sex?” Kade chuckled and sipped his drink. “Good stuff. You’re missing out, man.”

  “What about Sydney?” Luca changed the subject.

  “What about her?” Kade’s smile fell flat.

  “You know what I’m talking about. Zach. How’s she handling it?”

  “Not well. Of course you know Syd. It’s not like I catch her crying all the time, but I know she does. She’s been a bit distant but somehow she keeps pushing, going to work, still planning the wedding.” Kade shook his head. “I miss him too. It’s crazy we got to the point we thought he’d stay with us, but we did. There wasn’t any guarantee we could keep him. I knew better but it’s just…he’s my son.”

  “I’m sorry, man.”

  “I should have never let myself get so attached. It’s been years since I’ve even thought about this being a possibility. You know how it is when you’re turned. It took me a long time to accept I wasn’t ever having children. But eventually you do accept it. Life goes on. You tell yourself that creating others in your line will satisfy that need. Someone to look after if you choose. Your daughter is an exception. She truly is a blessing from the Goddess. Look. There’s no use in ruminating over it. I’ve come to terms. We’ll try again to adopt. But Sydney. She’s new to all this. She hasn’t had a lifetime as a vampire. When she found Zach…and then the dipshit came back to claim him…she’s heartbroken.”

  “I get it. Seriously, now that Kate is in our lives,” Luca gave a small laugh, “I can’t imagine my life without her. She’s my world.”

  “You’re a lucky man.”

  “You’ll adopt someday. You and Sydney deserve happiness.”

  “I don’t think she still wants to get married,” Kade confessed.

  “Sydney? Are you sure?”

  “Pretty sure. I don’t know. After everything went down…when I turned her.”

  “But she forgave you. Accepted it.”

  “Yeah but everything has changed for her. Maybe because she’s immortal, it’s easier for her to bury her feelings, to shove off the wedding. We have eternity after all.”

  “Did she say she wasn’t going to marry you?”

  “No, but she won’t wear my ring. She won’t even talk about getting married.”

  “Maybe you need to turn on that British charm and woo her.”

  Kade briefly closed his eyes and laughed. “Did you just say ‘woo her’?”

  “What’s so funny, mate?”

  “I can’t believe how much things have changed.” The sound of the doorbell ringing interrupted their conversation.

  “Expecting someone?”

  “It’s a surprise.” Kade gave a wide smile.

  “I don’t like surprises,” Luca muttered.

  “You’ll like this one.”

  “You want me to answer it?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “I don’t like surprises,” he repeated.

  “I heard you the first time. Sure you don’t want a latte?”

  “I’ll take a chicory,” Luca said as he left to go open the door.

  “You got it.” Kade slid a fresh mug into the machine and pressed the button, smiling as he anticipated Luca’s reaction. He had a love/hate relationship with their old Alpha friend, Tristan Livingston.

  Three. Two. One. Kade smiled to himself as he heard the ruckus erupt from the foyer.

  “Hey Tris,” Kade called as he prepared the coffee. He glanced to Luca who barreled into the kitchen and shook his head.

  “Can you believe this guy?” Tristan asked Kade with a casual smile. He laughed and set his sights on Luca. “What’s up big man? Why the frown? You know you’re lucky I came. Not everyone gets to have the Alpha attend their wedding.”

  “You’ve gotta be kidding me?” A corner of his lips turned upward, and he stifled his laughter. “Consider this a revocation of your invitation.”

  “I see the witch hasn’t helped your personality.”

  “Fuck off, wolf.”

  “And fuck you too.” Tristan laughed, his eyes wide with amusement. “Boys, we are gonna have a happy fucking day. Yes we are.”

  “Alpha,” Kade called toward his old friend.

  “Yo, brotha.” Tristan rushed the vampire and gave him a burly hug.

  “Tris.” Ka
de patted him on the back. He’d missed the Alpha. “Starting up already, boys? You’re both going to have to answer to Sydney if you keep up the cursing.”

  “He fucking started it,” Luca grumbled.

  “All I said was that I could kick his ass in HALO. He’s a little bitch.” Tristan chuckled.

  “I already beat you,” Luca shot back

  “That was a short game. He cheated.” Tristan turned to Kade. “Come on. You were there. You saw it.”

  “We’ll have a rematch,” Kade suggested.

  “The wolf is delusional. He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.” Luca gave a side eye toward Tristan and reached for his mug.

  The Alpha glanced to Kade. “Lattes?”

  “You want one?”

  “Yeah, sure,” Tristan said. Kade reached for a mug but the Alpha held out a hand to stop him. “I got it. I got it. So what’s up? Big day tomorrow, huh?”

  “You bet,” Kade agreed.

  “You know what I think,” Tristan continued, still taking jabs at Luca, “I think this wedding shit has sent all the blood to his cock. Yeah, that’s gotta be it because no one thinks they can dethrone me. My HALO record stands for itself. I am the king of the game. I am the master.”

  “He’s been practicing,” Kade told Tristan with a laugh. “You created a monster.”

  “Soon I won’t have time anyway. I’ll be playing Minecraft.” Luca smiled into his chicory.

  “He’s just fucking with me now.” Tristan laughed.

  “I’ve got a toddler. They grow up fast,” he insisted.

  Tristan’s grin broadened. “I’m pretty sure I’ve stepped into an alternative universe down here in Nawlins.”

  “You know what’s happening. He’s getting married,” Kade responded.

  “Ah yes. Humans and their traditions,” Tristan mused as he prepared his coffee.

  “I’m a vampire. Don’t fucking start with that shit,” Luca shot back.

  “I don’t know,” Kade interrupted. “We start off as human and are reborn vampire. But maybe all we’ve been taught isn’t exactly correct.”