Chapter Twenty-Three
Madden
Madden woke up covered in sweat, her heart beating out of her chest. She felt like she was on fire, and Linc was still blissfully asleep beside her. She didn’t want to wake him with all her tossing and turning, so she silently got out of bed and padded barefoot into the kitchen. Her brain felt fuzzy. Was this what Linc had been talking about? Was this the discomfort from not completing the bond? It wasn’t all that bad—she just needed to stick her head in the freezer and get something to drink. She grabbed a cup out of the cabinet and got some water from the fridge. She left the door open, letting the cool air soothe her heated skin.
Madden peeked through the kitchen door and saw that her hot flash hadn’t woken up either of the twins, and the light from the refrigerator wasn’t in anyone’s face. When her body temperature was more normal, less combustible, her head had cleared and she felt like she could go back to sleep. She put her glass in the sink and closed the door, gasping in surprise when she saw Jasper standing behind it. “Holy shit, Jasper. You scared me.” She pulled at the hem of the Linc’s shirt, suddenly uncomfortable even though it fell to her mid-thigh.
“I’m sorry. I smelled, uh, I um, heard you get up?” He took a step toward her, a confused look on his face.
“What?” She lifted her arm to her nose. Did she smell bad? Maybe it was all the sweating she’d just done. “Sorry I woke you, but I’m going back to bed now.” She turned to leave, but Jasper grabbed her arm.
“No. Don’t go. I, um, I think I want you to stay.” He looked so lost, so startled by his own reaction.
Was this a shifter thing? “Jasper. You need to let go of my arm, okay? I’m just going to go back Linc’s room.” She tried to pull her arm free, but he was so strong. She felt like her arm was encased in concrete.
His gaze darkened. “Stay.” He used his hold to back her up against the cold countertop. It bit into her back and she stifled a cry.
“Jasper.” She said his name firmly and with authority. “Let me go. Right now. Or I’m going to scream and—”
He put his hand over her mouth, running his nose up the column of her throat. “You smell so good. I need to…” He nibbled on her collarbone, licking to take away the slight sting from the scrape of his teeth. “So. Good.”
Madden tried to shove him away, tried to wiggle out of his grasp, but it was no use. He was like an immoveable brick wall. His eyes were so dark she couldn’t see any white. She really didn’t think she could get Baze’s attention without waking Linc too. He’d hear her, and then all hell would break loose.
Jasper grabbed her other hand, pinning them both above her head and putting his thigh between her legs. He rubbed himself against her hip, grinding into her body. She fought the urge to vomit. Him touching her didn’t just feel wrong; it felt repulsive. When she realized both his hands were now occupied she took a deep breath and then screamed. She’d meant to call for Baze; she really had, hoping that he would get to her first. But Linc’s name had come out instead.
“Shut up.” Jasper put his hand back over her mouth. “You’re ruining this.” He slammed her head against the wall and she saw stars. He’d reached between them and hiked up her t-shirt. His fingers were on the band of Linc’s briefs before he was yanked off of her.
She pulled her shirt down and flipped on the kitchen light. Linc had Jasper on the floor; his hands were covered in blood and were wrapped around the kid’s throat, choking the life out of him. “Linc! Stop!” He didn’t even blink. It was like he hadn’t heard her.
Luckily Baze came in the room and wrestled Linc off Jasper. “What the actual fuck?” Baze kept his arms outstretched between the two snarling shifters.
They both looked crazy, snapping and growling at each other. Baze turned to her, a question in his eyes. She rubbed her wrists; they were sore from where Jasper had held her. “I came into the kitchen to get some water.” It was a lame excuse, not near a good enough explanation of what had happened here, but she was in shock.
Linc lunged for Jasper again and Baze put him in a chokehold. Jasper snapped his teeth and made a move toward her. She backed up until she was right next to Baze.
“Jace! Get your ass in here and help me with your fucking brother.” Baze was having a hard time keeping everyone separate.
Jace waked into the kitchen rubbing his eyes, confused. “What the hell is going on?”
Baze pointed at Jasper. “Get your brother and take him into the living room. Now.”
Jace flinched at Baze’s tone but took two steps toward his twin. Then he stopped and spun around to face her. “You smell…fucking perfect.” He stalked toward her, his eyes going dark as he licked his lips.
“Fantastic.” Baze tightened his hold on Linc. “Madden get into Linc’s room, lock the door, and call Keller. I’m going to need some backup.”