Caught in the Middle

by Desiree Holt

  The bell above the door sang out as Angie rushed inside. “Oh wow! It’s cold out there!” she exclaimed.

  Madison laughed, stepping back behind the counter. “Well, it does have to be pretty cold for it to snow.”

  “Ha! Ha! Comedian,” Angie said as she unwrapped the scarf from her neck. The small bite marks that covered her neck stood out as if screaming ‘taken’. Her red hair shone against her white sweater as she brushed snowflakes from it.

  She and Angie had been best friends for years. After losing the last of her relatives in a tragic fire, Madison had come to think of Angie as family.

  Madison’s power as a witch was pretty minor compared to others in the town, but she’d never had proper training. Her mother had married a mortal and moved away. After her mother’s death, when Madison was nine, her father had refused to let any magic take place in the house. She and her brother Matt had learned at an early age to hide their magic from him. Two years later, when they’d moved in with their grandparents back in Grand Falls, Madison hadn't been ready to go against her father’s wishes so soon after his death. Her brother, however, had jumped right in practicing spells with their grandmother.

  Thinking about Matt brought back a sharp pain in her heart, and she quickly shook her head and thought about something else. “How’s the party planning going?”

  Angie grinned and clapped her hands together. “It’s going to be great! Everyone in town is coming.”

  Madison knew that. It was the reason she was dreading the party. Turning to the coffeepot, she poured them each a cup. “Sounds pretty big,” she commented.

  “Well it’s not every day you turn a hundred.”

  Madison smiled into her coffee. That was true. Chad would be turning one hundred, and Angie was throwing him a big party at the town centre. She’d been working on the preparations for months now.

  “Dante’s going to stay with Chad until it’s time to bring him into town.”

  At the mention of Dante’s name, Madison made sure not to have a reaction. Six months after the kisses, Madison had confided in Angie. Now, her best friend was convinced Madison needed to spend the night with Dante or Tom or both. Madison kept telling her friend she needed time to figure it out, but Angie was relentless in her pursuit to get Madison laid.

  The door opened, setting the bell ringing, and both women looked up as the six-foot-two man walked in. Perfection was the only way to describe him. From his long, shaggy brown hair and his deep crystal blue eyes to the body that even under the clothing couldn’t hide the muscles—perfection.

  Madison swallowed the coffee in her mouth, hoping she wasn’t drooling.

  “Hey, Sheriff,” Angie greeted just a little too happily.

  Tom smiled at her and shared a greeting before turning his eyes to Madison. Madison could feel the heated look all the way to her chilled bones.

  “Madison,” he said her name in a whisper, his deep voice sending vibrations through her body. He smiled smugly and Madison knew he could smell her arousal. So could Angie for that matter.

  “Sheriff,” Madison said calmly. “What brings you in today?”

  “You,” he said, reaching the counter and leaning his hip against it.

  Angie made a cheerful statement about getting something from the back, but as Madison stared into those alluring eyes she didn’t respond.

  “And just what can I do for you?” Madison asked sweetly.

  It wasn’t until he lifted an eyebrow and ran a heated look over her body that Madison thought about her words. Blushing, she fidgeted where she stood.

  His soft laughter had her shivering as he leaned across the counter and cupped her cheek. “I’ll leave that question alone for now.” He brushed his thumb over her lips. “I just stopped by to make sure you’ve checked your generator and have plenty of firewood.”

  Madison nodded, even though she could barely think with him touching her. “Chad checked it out this weekend, and I have plenty of wood for the entire winter,” she managed to get out.

  “Good.” He smiled but didn’t move his hand. “Then I guess I’ll see you Friday.”

  Madison saw him move closer, but she was unable to pull away. When his soft lips touched hers, she opened for him, and he gently invaded her mouth with his tongue.

  The kiss was even better than the one they had shared before. Heat, liquid fire, and passion surrounded Madison as he took possession of her mouth. She moaned when he pulled away, and he winked.

  “Save a dance for me.” he said before leaving.

  Madison held onto the counter with white knuckles as she tried to regain her balance.

  ———

  Madison dressed carefully for the party. She told herself it was in honour of Chad, but she knew she was only lying to herself. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her kiss with Tom.

  Dressed in black slacks, a soft pink sweater, and her new fur-lined boots, she was comfortable but well dressed. She’d spent an hour on her make-up and hair—putting on enough make-up to bring out the green of her eyes and curling her long brown hair so ringlets covered her back. She was quite happy with the result.

  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.

  Once she was inside, he grabbed her chin and gave her one more kiss. “You know where to find me.”

  Confused, aroused, and frustrated, Madison drove carefully back to her house. A mile out of town, she saw lights in her rear view mirror. Dread weighed down her spirits as she pulled her vehicle to the side of the road.

  Tom’s vehicle pulled up behind hers. He got out and stomped towards her. Guilt flooded her as she remembered ten minutes earlier.

  Madison rolled down her window but Tom yanked her door open. He leaned over her, caging her body in as he looked down at her so she saw his anger shining bright in his eyes.

  “Enjoy the rest of the party?” he taunted.

  “I…”

  She didn’t get any further as his mouth swooped down on hers. The kiss was brutal and so were the hands that held her head to him. As his tongue invaded her mouth, Madison tried to fight, telling herself it was wrong, but she couldn’t fight her or him. She wanted him too. Her body and mind wouldn’t cooperate, and she kissed him back just as forcefully.

  He growled in the back of his throat and nipped her bottom lip. She tasted blood before his mouth covered hers again.

  His hand travelled up the inside of her thigh, and she tried to open her legs farther, but she still had her seatbelt on. When his fingers pushed against her sex through the material, her hips bucked.

  He laughed against her mouth before his hands reached the seatbelt. He released the seatbelt before he unhooked her pants with only two fingers. He pushed the material aside until he was touching her wet bare mound.

  The first touch of his fingers had her gasping and moaning as his mouth lowered from her mouth to her neck. He quickly penetrated her throbbing pussy, causing her to grab his arms and throw her head back.

  How long had it been since someone had touched her? She couldn’t remember, couldn’t think, as Tom’s fingers plunged in and out in short strokes.

  Her body tightened as her hips moved in rhythm with his hand. “Tom…”

  His mouth left her neck and returned to hers. He thrust his tongue inside matching the same tempo as his fingers.

  Pulling and grabbing at him, Madison let him finger fuck her until she exploded. Her climax came hard and powerful, making her cry out his name over and over.

  Opening her eyes, she saw him watching her.

  “You’ll only come for me Madison, do you hear me?”

  She nodded, drained and spent.

  He removed his hand from her pants and brought it to his mouth. As he licked his fingers clean, his eyes held hers. “Drive carefully,” he warned before shutting her door and stomping back to his own car.

  Madison sat in her truck, her breathing laboured and tears stinging her eyes. What in the hell was she going to do now?

  Chapter Two

  Madison woke up tired and cranky. Dreams of Dante and Tom had followed her all night. She was with one then the other, or she’d be with Dante and he’d turn into Tom. A headache throbbing
in her temple caused her to get up to take two aspirins and make a pot of strong coffee.

  The dogs scratched at the door, and she opened it, letting cold air in. They took off, snow flying under their feet as they ran into the woods. Madison laughed and watched her babies. They could always bring a smile to her face.

  Leaving the door cracked, she paced restlessly and waited for the coffeepot to fill. The first sip relaxed her shoulders, and by the time the first cup was gone, her headache had dulled.

  After refilling the cup, she stepped in front of the big picture window and looked over the snow covered ground.

  Belle came bounding out of the woods. Taz quickly jumped her, sending her rolling in the cold white mess. The two played—jumping on each other’s backs, chasing, and wrestling. Finally tired, they started back towards the house. Before they reached the stairs, their ears perked up and they ran back into the woods, barking.

  Madison stuck her head out the door and called them back, but they ignored her and went farther into the trees. Sighing, she pulled on her snow boots and jacket over her pyjamas.

  Continuing to call her dogs, Madison followed their tracks deep into the woods. She found them circling and sniffing footprints in the snow. Madison frowned at them, feeling her temper raise.

  There was no hunting in these woods. She would have to call Tom and have him check them out to make sure traps weren’t set. She’d go crazy if one of her dogs got caught in a trap from illegal hunting.

  Thinking of calling Tom brought flashes back of last night. His mouth on hers and his hands in her pants on the side of the road. What had they been thinking?

  Madison could only contribute her behaviour to going without sex for too long. She’d decided that was what was messing with her—not the two men. You couldn’t have the exact feelings for two different men. Angie was right; she needed to get laid.

  Whistling, she got the dogs to follow her back to the house. Once inside the warmth and comfort in her own home, she smiled. She loved the home she’d made for herself. Its furniture was worn and used, but it was hers. Her large, open living room had a fireplace that she and the dogs loved to sit in front of. She’d turned the dining room into an office with book shelves and a computer desk. Looking around, she was happy and content. At least with this part of her life.