Page 6 of Christmas Embrace

“Just kidding, wolf. But you owe me a raincheck before you leave. You’re staying for the holidays? Kalli too?” she asked, her eyes bright with excitement.

“Of course.” Tristan slapped his hand onto Luca’s shoulder and the vampire swatted it away. “So, can you believe our Luca is getting married? I never thought he would be tying the knot with anyone. Or should I say, I never thought his lovely witch would ever agree to marry a grumpy vampire like him.”

“Piss off,” Luca shot back at Tristan.

“He’s not the same Luca,” Sydney assured him. “The high priestess keeps him busy. Baby Kate…” Although a broad smile crossed her face, sadness shone in her eyes. “She’s the cutest little girl ever.”

“Don’t let Logan hear you saying that.” Kade laughed and reached for Sydney’s hand, pulling her to his side.

“Hey.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. Leaning in close, she whispered in his ear. “Maybe we need to work on the tree later.”

Kade fought his arousal as she grazed her lips over his neck. “I’m thinking we need to decorate in every room.”

Sydney laughed, giving him a sexy smile. “Ah…sounds perfect. Although we probably should finish the tree we started.”

“Don’t worry about the tree. Just go have fun.”

“It’s just that it has to be special…It’s Christmas.”

“It’s going to be special. I promise.” Her first year as a vampire would be the most difficult. She’d view every human tradition from a different perspective.

“Syd. Are you sure you want to have the wedding here because…” Luca began but immediately stopped as Kade frowned and shot him a look.

“Of course. I promise everything will be perfect,” Sydney assured him. She pulled from Kade’s arms but still held onto his hands. “I’ll be with the girls for the afternoon. When I get home, I’ll double check everything.”

“I have decorators coming this afternoon. Take your time, love,” Kade told her.

“I appreciate the help, but I don’t want anyone touching the tree. That’s ours.”

“You’ve got it, love.”

“Really Sydney, you don’t have to do this,” Luca told her. “We could do it at the coven. It’s been renovated and…”

“The coven? Ilsbeth’s house? Are you kidding me? No way. Not another word. Every detail has been accounted for. The invitations sent. Caterers will be here in the morning. Flowers. I promise you won’t even recognize this place.”

“But Syd…”

“No buts.” She held up her hand, her tone firm. “It’s going to be here. I promised Samantha. You’re going to have a perfect wedding.”

“One hundred percent.” Kade smiled at Luca who nodded in agreement.

Sydney glanced up to the clock on the wall and cringed. “Oh geez. I’m sorry guys. I’m late. We’ll have to catch up later. I’ve gotta run.”

“But first.” Kade pulled her back into his embrace, his lips at her ear. “Meet you under the mistletoe later?”

“Absolutely,” she promised, brushing a kiss to his cheek. Sydney laughed as she broke free. “Let me go before I drag you back into the living room.”

Kade wore a smile as he watched her walk out of the kitchen, his rock-hard cock straining against his zipper. As he adjusted his painful erection, he lifted his gaze to find both Luca and Tristan grinning at him.

“What?” He shrugged.

“I said woo her,” Luca said.

“I heard you.” Kade reached for his mug and lifted it to his lips. He wrinkled his nose as the lukewarm coffee coated his tongue.

“Let me explain it to you. You see, romance is not sex. You, my friend, just made a date for sex.” Tristan glanced at Luca and back to Kade. “That’s not how it’s done.”

“Just because I made arrangements doesn’t mean I was planning on having sex.”