When things slowed down enough for Madeline’s eyes to catch up, relief flooded her to see Vincent lying on the ground, a thin stream of blood running from the corner of his mouth. Maddox pulled his fist from the hole in Vincent’s body that he’d obviously put there, using the weakness to kill the Lycan. He’d struck in the location of Vincent’s scar.
Shocked as she was by the scene, Madeline realized she was looking around two people to even see it. Julia was crouched in front of her in a defensive posture. Rick stood before them both protectively.
When Rick turned around, his dark eyes gleamed as his gaze fixed on Julia. Then he glanced at Madeline. “Thank you for that timely bit of information. Now isn’t it time you stopped thinking of yourself as useless, Madeline?”
“Are you okay?” Julia turned to her too. “You didn’t get hit? I heard the gun.”
Madeline shook her head even as Julia looked her over.
“The gun went off when I threw it away. Far away.” Maddox wiped some of the blood from his hand on his slacks as he approached and Rick and Julia moved to let him through to Madeline. “Are you really okay?”
“I’m fine,” Madeline assured him, easing off the ground on shaking legs.
He wrapped his arms around her and it was at that moment she realized that she was trembling. Pulling her against him, he cradled her against his silent chest. Just the slight sound of his breathing reached her ears.
“We need to take care of anyone Vincent might have brought with him,” Rick said while Madeline allowed her eyes to slide closed. “I’ll get a couple of the servants and take care of it.”
“I’m coming too,” Julia announced.
“No, you’re not, love. Stay with Maddox and Madeline until I get back.”
“I’ll keep her safe,” Maddox promised, his voice a deep rumble in Madeline’s ear.
Julia snorted. “Thank you, Maddox. I guess. But if you expect me to be nice to you now, you can forget it.” There was a note of affection in her tone, however. “It would just be too weird.”
Maddox laughed. “I agree.” Then he whispered in Madeline’s ear, “I’ll keep you safe too. Always.”
In that moment, all of the survival tactics Madeline had adopted in life began to come apart. She believed him and she trusted him. Not because she had to. Not because he paid her.
Because she wanted to. And she loved him. She couldn’t deny that any longer.
* * *
Maddox knew if his existence ended that moment, that second, he’d die a happy man. Madeline straddled his hips, her heated wetness clenched around his cock. She was so tight, so hot. She’d drive him mad and he didn’t care. He loved the way her breath hitched when he began to tease the tight bud of her clit. She looked so beautiful with her wispy hair disheveled around her angel’s face. Her skin was flushed a deep pink and her firm, high breasts looked so enticing…
Madeline’s high breathy cries rang out through the room as she came and he pushed into her faster and harder even still. He wanted to join her but he didn’t want it to end. He knew he’d never get enough of her as he pushed into her again and again.
Maddox felt as if he’d exploded when he finally came, careful not to clasp her in his passion so he wouldn’t accidentally hurt her. As he came down, he was aware of her snuggling against him, resting across his chest like a trusting kitten. He stroked her hair, happier than any man -- or vampire -- had a right to be.
“What are you smiling about?”
Glancing up he found Madeline smiling at him, her amethyst eyes twinkling. “Something Rick told me.”
Her eyes rounded then, her hand coming up to hide her face from him.
He easily brushed it away.
“No!”
“What?” he asked innocently, wanting her to say it since she obviously had a good guess as to what exactly Rick had said.
“Did he tell you that I… I mean, did it have anything to do with…”
“You? Yes.”
“I was afraid of that,” she whispered, her eyes closed now.
“What could he tell me about you that could be so bad?” he taunted her.
Madeline groaned.
“Could it be that you love me?”
Her eyes flew open at that. She sat up and to his alarm she looked panicked. “I’m so sorry… I --”
He silenced her with a finger. “Why are you sorry? I love you, too.” It felt so damned good to admit that. “When Vincent told you I’d been watching you, he was telling the truth. I’ve been in love with you for some time.”
“So that’s why you saved me?” Comprehension dawned on her face.
“Yes.”
“You really love me?”
How could she doubt him? “You can’t tell?” He loved the innocence in her expression. Had no one loved her as she deserved in her life? “Well, then I’ll have to spend a very long time proving that to you. I do love you, Madeline.”
“A long time?” She smiled at him, still not totally believing him. He could tell.
Maddox nodded and held her to him. They had as long as she wanted.
Isabella Jordan
Isabella Jordan is the alter ego of an otherwise stressed out web designer, programmer, and internet junkie. When she’s not trying to perfect her own personal caffeine IV drip, she enjoys spending time with her family, doing volunteer work, and writing. She loves creating new stories of all kinds and chatting with readers and friends.
Isabella would love to hear from readers! Visit her on the web at http://isabellajordan.com.
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The Shadow Zone 2: Winning Madeline Page 9