Desiree Holt - Caught in the Middle

Her two black labs danced around her as she grabbed her keys. “Sorry, guys, you have at stay home tonight.”

They danced some more, but when she shook her head, they headed off to the big pillow they shared in the bedroom.

Madison laughed as she locked her door, looking forward to the night’s activities, promising to herself to see where things went.

Pulling up to the building in the middle of Town Square, Madison was surprised by all the cars already there. A quick look at her watch showed she was later than she’d thought. She hurried through the cold to the front door where she was hit by heat. Smiling, she took off her coat as people started to greet her. Angie ran up from the side and grabbed her arm.

“About time you got here. I thought you were a no show!”

It was obvious Angie was nervous so Madison hugged her. “The place looks awesome. Chad ’s going to be thrilled!”

“Really?”

“Yes, I promise.”

Angie hugged her back. “Thanks. I needed that. Hey! You look really good tonight!”

Madison blushed and picked imaginary lint from her sweeter. She was saved from further discussion when Angie’s cell phone rang twice and stopped.

“That’s Dante! Hey, everyone, they’re almost here!” Angie called across the room.

Five minutes later, Madison felt her heart skip a beat. Chad walked into the hall, all smiles, with Dante right behind him.

She watched Dante’s eyes search the room before settling on her. While Tom was ruggedly handsome, Dante was classically beautiful with pale, flawless skin and high cheekbones. He wore dress slacks with a button down shirt and tie. His black hair was arranged perfectly, and his dark eyes were full of wanting.

He walked in a straight line to her. People parted as the powerful man passed, never taking his gaze from her. Madison tried to break the eye contact but felt lost as she stared into their depths.

“ Madison, how are you this evening?” His rich voice held a hint of the Old World.

“Fine, and you?” she said politely, moving closer to him.

“Very well…now.”

Madison shivered as his hand brushed the hair from her face.

“You look lovely.”

Blushing, Madison finally broke eye contact. “Thank you.”

Chad came up and picked Madison up in a big hug. “Hey, you!”

Madison giggled at the big, stocky man. “Happy birthday, old man!”

“Isn’t this great?” he asked, spinning with her. “Angie is just wonderful!”

“Yes, now put me down before you drop me.”

Chad laughed, the big boom bouncing off the walls. “This is a great party!” he exclaimed, moving on to another group of people and picking each one up and hugging them.

With a smile on her face, Madison looked back over to Dante. “He looks happy.”

Dante nodded as he placed his hands in his pockets. “It’s good for him. Not all birthdays will be happy like this when you keep having them. He needed this.”

Madison studied the man in front of her. She had no idea how old Dante was. He had to be pretty old to be a Master. Chad was only a level-two vampire, and he was one hundred.

“You don’t want to know,” he answered her unasked question, smiling sadly.

“Dante.” Madison wasn’t sure what she would have said when his head jerked up.

“If you’ll excuse me, I need to take care of something.”

Madison watched him walk away. He moved with purpose and ease, almost floating instead of walking. Shaking her head, Madison joined the party and mingled with her friends.

A hand on the small of her back took Madison away from a debate on fixing the indoor hockey ring with the mayor. Looking behind her, she caught her breath as Tom pressed against her.

“Hello there, darling,” he greeted her with mischief in his eyes.

Madison nodded, her mouth becoming suddenly dry.

A soft, amused chuckle sounded against her ear before a drink was placed in her hand. Madison gladly took a swallow of punch.

“I believe you promised me a dance,” he said as she finished her drink. He nodded to the mayor, and the other man smiled back before Tom led Madison towards the dance floor. He placed her empty glass on a table as they passed so he had both hands free to hold her.

Once wrapped in his arms, Madison forgot everything else. He held her tightly, and his scent surrounded her. Madison looked up at him, trying to come up with something to say.

“I didn’t see you come in.”

He shook his head. “I came in late, had a call to take care of. You were talking in the corner with Dante.” The last was said with a hint of bitterness.

“Tom.”

He shook his head and pulled her closer. “No, it’s okay. I know you haven’t made your mind up about me yet. I’ve waited, given you time, but in fair warning, I do consider you mine.”

Madison blinked up at him after that statement. Wolves were normally possessive-she knew that from experience-but so were vamps. Madison ’s gaze found Dante in the corner.

He was watching her dance, and he wasn’t smiling. Seeing he had her attention, he nodded once before backing into the darkness.

Madison felt a tightening in her stomach.

Later that evening, Tom left quickly after getting a call about a downed power line. With a soft kiss on her lips and a promise he’d see her soon, he left the party. Madison stayed another hour, laughing and visiting with her friends.

Ready to call it a night, she kissed both Angie and Chad and said her good-byes. Her coat was no protection against the elements, and she hurried to her truck. The lean body leaning against the side of her vehicle had her stopping suddenly.

“I thought you’d left.”

Dante shook his head and straightened. “Hanging back.”

Madison stood in front of him, forgetting about the snow swirling around her.

“What’s going on between you and the wolf?”

Madison wasn’t surprised by the question. Dante was an honourable man, and if he thought she was taken, he’d step away. It was one of the things she admired about him. He’d been friends with her grandparents and had covered her with his protection when she was born. She gave him the only answer she could. “I don’t know.”

Dante didn’t say anything as he seemed to search her face for the answer. “I believe you.”

She should have probably been insulted, but instead she was relieved. “I don’t understand my feelings. For him…or for you.”

Dante nodded. She didn’t see him move, but suddenly she was wrapped in his arms.

“Just wanted to know where I stand.” Then his lips were on hers. He licked and nibbled until she opened then he thrust his tongue inside.

His tongue massaged hers as his hands pressed her body to his. Madison returned the kiss, her tongue invading his mouth, running over his teeth. The snow and the thought of people who could come around left her mind as he consumed her.

She moaned when his mouth left her and travelled down her neck. He dazzled her with licks and nibbles that had wetness pooling inside her panties. When he lifted her off her feet, she naturally wrapped her legs around his narrow waist, pressing intimately against him.

He turned and trapped her between his body and her truck. Madison rubbed herself against him as her arousal spiked. This wasn’t the civilised man she’d thought. This was a man who wanted and needed a woman.

And she would gladly give herself to him.

Dante pulled his head up. “This is not the time or place.”

Madison nodded, trying to regain her senses.

“You need to choose soon, Madison. I want you, and I get what I want.” With that said, he retrieved her keys from the ground, where she had dropped them without realising it, and unlocked the door.