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.”