Ares grabs my free hand. “You did what?” he asks incredulously.
“Not on purpose.” I roll my eyes. “It’s weird, I can’t feel what’s under my feet or in my hands. I feel clumsy.” I look down at my fingers and flex them.
Ares’s eyes go over the top of my head as his eyes grow unfocused.
“You don’t want Milo to know.” Dante pieces together the reason I’m not telling them.
“It’s just, I know he’s going to blame himself, and it’s not his fault. It’s not even like it’s something bad, it’s just an adjustment,” I explain.
Dante puffs out his cheeks and blows out a breath. “Ares thinks I might be able to learn to control it,” I add hopefully.
“Let’s hope so,” Dante mutters.
We’re all gathered around three pizza boxes on the middle of the living room floor. I’ve already had two slices, and I’m contemplating a third, when Milo inquires, “What are we doing as far as school for us and work for you tomorrow, Ares?” He wipes a paper napkin over his lips, looking around.
Ares’s eyes lift from his plate. “I think it would be best if you guys take off another couple of days.” I glance around our rough circle. “Now that Amanda is back, there shouldn’t be any problem having her call in, or sign an excuse for school. We can just say you all have mono or strep throat or something. We can go to the school and pick up all your assignments.”
“We can just get them online.” Ollie dangles a piece of pepperoni over his mouth before letting it fall in.
“Whatever works,” Ares agrees.
“What about you?” I question Ares.
“I can work from home. That’s never been an issue. I can reschedule most, if not all, of my meetings, so that’s not going to be a problem.”
“How long can we keep this up? I mean, we’re only a few months into the school year, we have important tests and stuff coming up.” I glance between them.
“Indefinitely if we need to.” Dante reaches for another slice of pizza. “Your mom being back makes things a whole hell of a lot easier. We can finish the year online if we have to.” He seems almost blasé about it. Something inside of me wants to refuse his easy acceptance. All my life I’ve been fighting to not quit school, because it feels too much as if I’m giving up. But now I might need to, simply for safety.
Ollie drops his back to the floor and lets out a sigh. “Let’s do that. Even after we find that fucker Leon and kick his ass. I’m so over school.”
Milo looks over at Ollie then gives a single shoulder shrug. “I’m down, it’s not like we need more than a diploma anyway.”
I swallow thickly. “What about college, jobs, our futures?”
“That was never in the plan for me,” Ollie pipes up.
“Me either, we always talked about working with Ares once we graduated,” Milo explains.
“It feels like quitting school would be letting him win. Why should we let Leon decide if we can finish school? What if I want to graduate or go to prom?” My face grows warm at the thought. I never thought I could do something as simple as going to prom with my boyfriend—okay, so boyfriends now, but still.
I look at Dante since he hasn’t responded yet. “We would still graduate, Laura, and we can even go to prom. Were you planning on college?” he questions.
I bite the inside of my lip. “I mean, I never really explored it as a possibility.” I look down. “I always thought I would still be taking care of my mom.” I close my eyes. Now that she’s back, I will still need to take care of her. I can’t let her return to living in the camper, especially not alone.
“What was that look?” Milo lays his hand on my knee.
“I just now realized I have to figure out something for my mom. She’s not going to be able to take care of herself.”
“Like hell she can’t,” Ares growls hard. “You’ve been taking care of her for years, Laura. Once this shit is over and she doesn’t need to worry about Leon, you’d better believe she’s going to be taking care of herself.”
I get immediately defensive. “How is she supposed to do that?” My voice is louder than necessary as I unfold my legs from sitting cross-legged.
“She can get a fucking job. I’m not saying we won’t help her, but she’s going to have to help herself, too.”
I look away from Ares. I don’t think he understands how stunted she is, how hard it is for her just to go to the grocery store. Get a job. Yeah, right. “I can’t live here,” I wave my hand around the expansive living room, “while all she has is a motorhome. It’s not right.”
“Laura, my parents have already agreed to let her stay with them, she doesn’t need to go back to the RV.” I dart my eyes over to Dante. His voice is calm, reassuring. “But Ares is right, she needs to take care of herself—and not as a punishment.” Dante glares at his brother, whose lips are in a tight line. There is definitely no love lost between Ares and my mom. “That’s not the way I meant it,” Ares grumbles.
“But she needs to do it for herself, too. She’s been relying on you for too long. If yesterday was any indication, I’m sure she already knows it too,” Dante continues, ignoring Ares’s rebuttal.
I wring my hands in my lap. His words sound okay, but the idea still feels wrong. As if I’m abandoning her. “She’s been through a lot, and she tried her best.” I peer up at Ares. He hasn’t been openly hostile, but I can see and feel the tension in him whenever she is brought up in conversation or is around us.
Ares’s mouth moves as if he’s licking his top teeth. “Yes, you’re right. She’s been through more than anyone should. Losing one of your Infinity…” He shakes his head, not voicing the words. “But she had you to take care of. She should have done better for you.”
Ares pushes his palm against the floor and stands before rushing from the room and into the kitchen. I look around the group, but all of them seem to be avoiding my gaze. It’s clear Ares isn’t the only one who finds her lacking. I blow out a sigh. I can’t even blame them for being mad. I’d be mad, too, if someone had neglected them, but she didn’t do it on purpose. I really do think she tried her best.
Chapter 5
Using my palm, I wipe the fog and condensation off the bathroom mirror. I have a towel wrapped around my head and another around my body. The shower here isn’t as nice as Ares’s, but it’s still great compared to what I was used to. I just wish I could feel it.
It’s already past ten in the morning, and Ares spoke to Rosa last night. He asked her to talk to my mom about calling in to the school for my absence. So, I slept in.
There’s a light tapping on the door, and I call out, “Yeah?”
The knob turns and Dante peeks his head around the door. “Hey.” His eyes travel over my body. “Are you hungry?” His voice dips low.
“A little.” I lick my lips, watching the way his eyes are glued to the edge of the towel on my thigh.
I take a step in his direction with my right leg, making sure even more of my thigh is exposed through the slit of the towel. Dante doesn’t move a muscle other than to lift his eyes as I approach.
I lay my hand over his chest. His t-shirt is black, like usual, and fitted closely to his body. Dante lowers his head so his forehead lands on mine. I love how he shows me affection this way. When he lifts his head, I push myself into his space, my nose nuzzling against the soft fabric as I drag my face up to his neck.
Dante tips his head back, a rumbling sigh leaving his exposed throat. I walk my hands up his chest and around the back of his neck and drag him down so I can bury my face under his jaw.
His arm jerks out and slams into the wall. A thrill skates down my spine. Knowing that I have the power here, that Dante won’t even touch me until I tell him to, makes me feel bold. Keeping one arm around his neck, I pull back and study the tight line of his jaw, the way his nostrils keep flaring with every breath so he can take in as much of my scent as possible.
I drag in a lungful of air, tasting his arousal on my tongue
as I do. My animal purrs with satisfaction, this is my mate.
Sliding my hand down Dante’s body, I reach the waistband of his jeans. Rotating my palm, I push my fingers under the barrier, and the tips of my fingers explore his flesh until I feel the brush of short hair on my fingertips. Dante sucks in a sharp breath, his flat stomach concaving even further to give me more room to maneuver.
I place a ghost of a kiss on the underside of his jaw. “Morning, Dante,” I rasp.
I feel his Adam’s apple bob when he swallows. “Morning,” he replies in a low hum. Releasing his neck and pulling my hand from his pants, I settle my fingers on the buttons over his fly. Each pop is slow as I peel them open. Dante’s head is bent low, watching my every move as I undress him.
“Take your shirt off,” I order when I release the last button. As quickly as possible, the shirt is shucked off and on the bathroom floor.
My core grows wet seeing him standing before me, with his pants hanging open so I can see the root of his cock, already hard and thick, pushing against the denim barrier. I take in the bunched muscles along his stomach, leading up to his wide chest and shoulders, and his neck that makes me want to mark him.
My gums ache, thinking about sinking my teeth into the sweet spot where his shoulder and neck meet.
Another wave of his scent hits me even stronger than before. I squeeze my thighs and the ache between my legs throbs once in response. I want nothing more than to lay him down and climb on top of him. I search the small bathroom for a place to do just that.
Dante’s back hits the door with a thud. When I look back up at him, his expression is pained. I step closer on instinct. “What’s wrong?”
Dante licks his lips. “Please, touch me.” His eyes are a little wild, the orangish tint telling me it’s more than just Dante in the room with me.
I reach for his sides and lay my hands on his hips, just above his pants. Sliding my hands back, I push under his jeans and stroke over his firm butt, making his pants fall down in the process.
Dante lets out a shaky breath, his pants pooled at his feet. “Step out,” I whisper. He complies, his knees coming up high to kick the material from his legs.
My mouth goes dry as I take him in, every inch of him is perfect. I reach for the towel wrapped around my hair and tug it free, and my long hair falls in chunks around my shoulders. Next, I reach for the towel secured around my body. Dante pants out a few choppy breaths, his hands fisted at his sides.
Turning around so my back is to him, I release the towel, and it drops heavily to the ground. I peer over my shoulder at him and watch as his eyes roam all over my body. Taking a few steps back, I lean into him, bringing my spine flush with his chest.
“Fuck,” he curses. Reaching down, I grab his hands and place them on my hips, our fingers laced together as I drag them up my body until his hands are cupping my breasts. I feel his erection pushed up against the small of my back, if only I were a few inches taller.
Dante drops his nose to the back of my ear as his fingers begin massaging me. I arch into his touch, loving the way his hands feel brushing against my nipples.
Untangling our fingers, I reach back and wrap my arms around his neck, holding his head in place. I swivel my hips, looking for relief as my body craves him.
Dante’s hand leaves my breast and traces down the center of my body in a featherlight caress, but he pulls back before reaching my center and cups the flare of my hip, tugging me back as he grinds his hips upward.
I go up on my tiptoes and a shudder racks my body as our position shifts slightly. Reaching behind me, I grab hold of his cock and push my hips forward. Stroking him up and down a few times, I push his erection lower and fuse our bodies together. A long groan leaves my parted lips as I feel him under my bottom.
I push back, and he slides between my legs, across my lower lips. I grind back harder. When I look down, I can see the very tip of him coming out from between my legs. Dante’s hand is still on my hips and his other hand teases my breast. I rock my hips forward, and he disappears, only to reappear as I push back. I tip my head to rest on his chest and close my eyes as both of our heavy breaths fill the room with warmth.
Damn, this feels good, but I need more. I need to feel him under me, behind me, as I bend over and he fills me. My thoughts only spur me to move harder, faster. Dante lets out a sound of pure lust, a moan of satisfaction as he rolls my nipple between his fingers.
I bend forward and my lips split around his erection. I reach between my legs and hold him there while I circle my hips, until I have his velvety soft tip right at my clit, then I start rocking again.
“Don’t come, Dante,” I order, seeking my own release. Even with as far gone as I am with love and lust, I know better than to let him come this close to me without a condom. I’m not ready for little Dante cubs.
Dante pinches my nipple hard, but it only brings me closer to my climax. I stroke the underside of Dante’s shaft, reaching for his balls as I make sure his tip stays right where I need with my palm. He pants, his breaths short and hollow, as my movements grow erratic.
The first wave of my orgasm crashes over me. My inner muscles clenching and releasing so hard I cry out his name. My hips slow to a languid dance of movement until I eventually release him from being trapped between my body and hand. As he slides free, Dante shudders, still rock-hard.
“Not yet, baby.” I turn to face him, my legs weak but steady as I take him in my hand. My sole purpose is to make him come. I want to see his eyes staring into mine while I have him in my hand, my mouth.
I lower to my knees, my eyes locked on his. I can smell my scent on him, and any other time it might be weird, but the animal part of me loves that her mate is marked with our scent. I watch Dante’s eyes widen in surprise as I slide my lips over him. There’s no question, not an ounce of doubt he will love every second of what I’m going to do. Freeing that animal in me with him releases any inhibitions I might have, until only instinct and need drive me.
Dante knocks his head into the door twice, his eyes open but unseeing. I don’t take him very deep, just his tip, but I work my hand over him at the same time, the wetness from my mouth making the movement slick as I do.
Dante’s jaw hardens; I can see the tendons in his neck as he grits his teeth. I circle my tongue over his tip and pop him free. “You can come, Dante.”
His hips jerk as he comes on my neck and breasts. A surprised gasp falls from my lips, I was not expecting it to happen so fast.
He groans. “S-Sorry,” he stutters, bending down while he’s still coming to wipe himself off my chest.
I push his hand off my chest with my free hand and stroke him through his orgasm. “Stop,” I whisper.
I reach behind me to grab the washcloth I left hanging over the tub after my shower. When I see all the tension in his body relax, I bring the cloth up and fold it around Dante’s length. His eyes jerk wide, but a grin forms on his lips. I didn’t even think about how cold it would be. He snatches the cloth and folds it in half, making sure the side that cleaned him up is on the inside.
I rise to my feet, and Dante sets the cold cloth against my skin, cleaning off the mess he left behind. His eyes watch his hand in fascination as the cloth brushes over my neck and chest. “I’m sorry about that. I should have given you more warning.”
I stop his hand from washing me. “It’s okay, Dante. Don’t say sorry for that. It makes me feel good that I can do that to you, make you lose control.”
Dante licks over his lips and leans his face closer to mine. I know what he wants, but I hold off, making him wait. I brush my nose along his for a few long seconds. Then I place my lips against his. We kiss slowly, sweetly for several minutes, enough that I’m near panting again when I pull back. Dante’s eyes are slow to open, and he licks and bites his lips like he’s trying to keep the taste of me in his mouth.
“Didn’t you come up here to offer me food?” I remark, before we end up on the bathroom floor.
&
nbsp; “I did. Hungry now?” His voice lingers over the words, making them sound seductive.
I smile. “Starving.”
“Where are Ares and Milo?” I hop up on the counter.
Ollie is holding a cold slice of pizza in one hand and a coke in the other. “Ares is in his bedroom working on his computer last I knew.” He shoves a large bite of pizza in his mouth. Around the bite, he adds, “Milo is working in the basement.”
Dante opens the fridge door, and then he bends down and leans forward, digging through all our take-out containers. “I would smack somebody for some eggs over medium and toast right now—and bacon. Yum, bacon,” I mutter, watching him.
“We have pizza or leftover Chinese.” Dante lifts his hands, weighing the options.
Neither of those sounds good to me right now. “When can we go grocery shopping?”
“Ares will probably want to come,” Ollie interjects before he settles his feet on the ground, letting the lawn chair he was tipping back in hit the tile with a cracking sound.
I wince, I don’t want to drag him away from working again. “Maybe we can go tonight?” I add, sounding hopeful.
“It sounded like Ares was setting something up for tonight. Maybe a meeting with the ‘rents.” Ollie gives a lazy shrug. “We can just go now.”
“Ares is working, it can wait.” I hop down off the counter and peer into the carton of Chinese. It’s Mongolian Beef, and having only recently tried it, I love it, but it’s just not what I want right now.
I scrunch up my nose and shake my head at Dante’s offering. I move over to the fridge to see what I can find on my own. I gaze at the sea of white boxes in all different shapes and sizes, lifting a few to see what’s inside.
“You’re awake.” Ares plants a kiss on my temple. I didn’t even hear him come into the kitchen. He examines the fridge contents with the same disinterest I am.
Infinity Chronicles Book Four: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Series Page 5