Mom’s eyes go a little wide. “You remember?”
“Not until recently. One of the guys asked me a question, and the memory trickled in, as if it had always been there, but out of reach.”
Mom nods slowly. “I bonded with Wyatt, but I never really got the chance to explore my ability before he was gone. What I can do is more like an optical illusion. I gave him a card, so he thought it was a driver’s license. I wasn’t even sure it was going to work.”
“You seem surprised I remembered,” I press, pushing for more information.
“You never said a word about it. As soon as you rolled up the window and pulled away, it was like you had completely forgotten it had happened. I figured you had.”
I let the information sink in. If Mom left right after Wyatt died—and that wasn’t very long after getting her ability—it makes sense she doesn’t fully understand it. She might have even avoided using it because it would have made her think of Wyatt, and I know that’s painful for her.
Would I have ever explored my abilities if it weren’t for the guys? Maybe at some point, but I’m not so sure—especially after the incident where I fried the power to the house.
“Amanda, we need to talk about what Leon did to Wyatt,” Ares says, interrupting my thoughts.
Chapter 8
Mom visually shrinks in on herself. “I don’t want to talk about that,” she rushes out hastily.
Ares opens his mouth to argue, but I glare at him sideways. “We don’t have to talk about what Leon did. Maybe if you just help us understand why he thought he would get Wyatt’s ability if he… hurt him,” I stammer, trying to make it easier on her.
Mom bites her bottom lip, her head shaking in denial. “Amanda,” Rosa speaks up. “We need to know how to protect the kids. I know this must be terribly hard, but please help us make sure they’re safe,” she pleads.
Mom looks over at me, and then her eyes then dart to each member of my Infinity. She sniffles before closing her eyes briefly. “He was jealous of Wyatt’s ability the moment Wyatt found us.” Her voice is thick with emotion.
“At first, I think Wyatt was proud, he liked the way Leon acted like his ability was so special. But it got old.”
Ollie walks over from the kitchen, pulled in by her words.
“Wyatt started telling him no, that he didn’t want to try to mimic everyone’s ability. Leon got nasty and resentful really quickly.” Mom slides her hands down the front of her thighs.
Rosa stands from the opposite couch and goes to the kitchen. When she returns, it’s with a tall glass of water for my mom, and she accepts it with a grateful smile. Taking a sip, she continues, “Wyatt and I were spending more time alone, we bonded.” She peers over at me and her cheeks flush. “We even talked about moving back here. I knew my parents would help us, but every time we started making plans, something stopped us.”
“Leon?” Milo murmurs.
Mom nods. “Yes, I think so.”
“He knew what you guys were planning, and you think that he did something at dinner?” This time it’s Ollie who prompts her.
“He must have. But I don’t know what.” Mom scrubs a tear off her cheek as she recalls, “I remember waking up.” She reaches up and grabs a fistful of her shirt. “I had this wretched feeling. My chest hurt so bad, and I had to run to the toilet before getting sick all over. I didn’t even remember how I had gotten to bed.”
She brings both palms up to cover her face and talks through her hands. I look over at Ares, wondering if this is really necessary, and I notice his face is grim. He’s not enjoying this either.
“Oh, Wyatt,” she sobs to herself, her shoulders shaking with the effort. “I found Leon leaning over him in the bathroom, he was holding something to Wyatt’s bare chest. His lips were moving like he was mumbling, but I couldn’t hear anything.” Mom drops her hands from her face, and I can see the streaks of tears streaming down her cheeks as she licks her top lip.
“I shoved Leon away from Wyatt, and he fell to the floor, but Wyatt was already gone. I knew it the moment I saw his face.” Mom swallows, her throat bobbing as if it took more effort than I can imagine speaking those words out loud. I lay my hand on her thigh, and a small gasp leaves my lips. I can actually feel the warmth of her leg under my hand, feel the coarseness of the denim of her jeans on my fingers.
“I ran. I didn’t look back. Didn’t see if there were anything I could have done to save him.” She openly sobs while I’m still reeling from my new sense of touch.
“I left him there. On the bathroom floor. With the man who hurt him.” My mom’s voice cracks as she stumbles over the words. With one final whimper, she jumps up from the sofa and bolts from the room.
“Mom,” I call to her, already following. I feel a hand on my inner elbow, and I look back to see Milo.
“Give her a little time, Laura,” he advises me solemnly.
I look back in the direction she ran. “Are you sure? She was so upset.”
“I’ll find her in a little while, Laura,” Rosa promises. “I think that’s enough for tonight though. Why don’t you order a couple pizzas?” She looks over at Mal. “I don’t really feel like cooking tonight.”
“I got it.” Mal places a soft kiss on Rosa’s lips before standing. She leans back into William’s embrace as a heavy sigh leaves her.
Ollie and Milo follow Mal into the kitchen, while Ares settles himself deeper into the couch, his eyes unfocused as he gazes straight ahead.
Dante places his lips near my temple. “Can we get out of here for a few minutes?” he whispers.
I close my eyes when I feel his breath cascade over the side of my face. I don’t even speak, but I nod eagerly.
“Thank you,” I utter, as soon as we’re out of earshot of the kitchen. Dante made an excuse that we were going to grab a few things that had been left behind in Ares’s room while we waited for the pizza.
He pushes open the door to Ares’s room, reaching for the light switch. “I thought you could use a few minutes to process.”
The room is all but empty, the two beds that were pushed together have been moved to the new house. There’s a television on the floor, but not much else. “Wow, Ares would love this,” I say jokingly.
“Almost looks like it used to.” I can hear the smile in Dante’s voice as he walks over to the spot where the bed used to be and sits down. He beckons me over with a roll of his wrist. “We have a few minutes, come take a breather.”
I don’t need any more prompting. I shuffle over to him and take a seat near his side. Dante lays his open palm on his leg, inviting me to hold his hand. I sigh as I place my hand over his, then lean my head on his shoulder. “When I touched my mom’s leg, I could feel her,” I confess. It’s a little spot of brightness in this craziness. “Maybe it’s wearing off.”
With his free hand, Dante reaches up and strokes his fingers over my cheek. “What’s it like?”
I shrug. “A little weird, if I’m being honest. I keep doing everything out of habit, not even thinking about the feeling that has always come along with picking up a box or touching a hairbrush. Then it’s like a shock when I can see the brush in my hand, but I don’t feel it.” I open and close my empty palm.
“That would be strange.” Dante places a soft kiss on my forehead. I lean farther into him, craving his touch. “It sounds like Ares might have been right though. We’ll figure it out.”
I curl closer to him, bringing my left hand up to rest on his stomach. Dante sucks in a breath when my fingers push up his shirt so I can feel his skin under my hand. “This okay?”
He shifts a little, and I feel his muscles bunch under my palm. “Anything you want.” Dante’s voice drops lower. I tilt my head up so I can see him, his lips are parted enough that I can see the tips of his canines. Warmth pools in my lower stomach.
“Anything?” My voice is husky in response to his.
Dante leans his face down a little and confirms, “Anything.” He licks over his b
ottom lip.
Pulling my hand out from under his shirt, I grab a fistful of the fabric and drag myself up his body, throwing my leg over his lap so I’m straddling him. Dante’s head thumps against the wall behind him. “I want to feel your hands on my body,” I whisper against his lips.
Dante’s hands land on my hips. “Like this?” he questions.
I narrow my eyes at him and shake my head. With my right hand, I reach for his and glide his palm up my body until the weight of my breast is in his hand. “When I tell you to touch me,” I nip Dante’s lower lip, “I want you to touch me.”
His tongue swipes across his bottom lip, and the hand still on my hip slides around to cup my butt, then he jerks me forward so we’re chest to chest. I can feel the hot length of him under me. I place my forehead against his, our heavy breaths mingling as I almost pant against him.
I know this is the last thing we should be doing, and in the worst place, too, but it’s hard to steal away for a few minutes of alone time.
I lower my lips to Dante’s, teasing him with soft, open-mouthed pecks and little nibbles over his lips. He brushes his thumb back and forth over my nipple, but I need more. I want to feel the warmth of his hand, the pads of his fingers as he touches me.
Pulling back, I settle my weight over him. Dante’s lips part as he exhales. “Take my shirt off,” I instruct. He releases my breast and reaches for the hem of my t-shirt. I raise my arms in the air as he pushes the material up my body. His hands bump over my ribs, over my breasts still in my lacy green bra, until they glide over my arms, taking the fabric off.
Dante fists my shirt, bringing it up to his nose, and he inhales, his eyes closing as he lets out a long low rumble from his chest. When his eyes open slowly, they’re more orange than amber. “You smell like home.” He releases the shirt and lowers his head as he peers at me from under his lashes. I trail my fingers down his shoulders and chest until I reach the bottom of his shirt. Sliding my hand under the fabric, I run my fingers back up his torso until I reach his neck. I don’t take the time he did when he slowly removed mine. Turning my hand over, I hook my finger in the thin material, and my nail rips right through. Dante’s breathing picks up. I jerk my arm down and the material splits like my fingers are tipped with razors. The fabric falls away from his chest and stomach, leaving a single black band around his neck where I left the collar intact.
If I had more time, I’d carve away every inch of the black shirt, except for that glorious black collar. But I’m far too impatient.
I wrap one arm around the back of his neck and line up our bodies. Shifting my weight forward, I can’t stop myself from grinding down on him. I feel Dante’s shoulders bunch as his entire body tightens in response.
Placing my mouth near his ear I rasp, “Need you to touch me, Dante.” Both of his hands are immediately on my body. He skates his fingertips over my back until his hands land on my butt. He pulls me against him tightly, then he lifts his hips from the floor. My head falls back with a breathy moan.
Dante’s lips drop to my neck and throat, he licks and tastes me as we begin rocking against each other. But it isn’t enough, no. I need all of him. “Dante, do you have protection?”
His arms tighten around me, and on a growl, he answers, “Yes.”
Scooting back enough so I can climb off him, I stand. I reach my hand down to pull him up. Dante places his hand in mine but lifts himself off the floor. I glance around the empty room, my eyes stopping on the bathroom door. Decision made, I tow him behind me and push through the door.
It’s dark, but I don’t care. I spin around as soon as the door closes behind him. Dante goes rigid when I snuggle my body as close as possible to his. “We don’t have much time, but I need to feel you. I want you.” Since I can’t see, I open up my senses. I can feel Dante’s heart thumping against my chest, beating in tandem with mine. His scent is stronger, and it makes the animal inside me almost crazy with need.
Dante’s hand skims up my spine until I feel his palm slide into the back of my hair, he cradles the back of my head and nuzzles his nose against mine, moving over to my ear. “Take whatever you need.”
I open my eyes and lick my top lip. I can feel the sharp points of my teeth against my tongue. I want to take my time exploring him, see what makes his breath catch, see what it’s really like to have him under me, but we don’t have time for that. The others are waiting for us, but I’m not willing to leave this room without having him. “Where’s the condom?”
With one of his hands still in my hair, I feel him reach into his front pocket with the other and pull out a small square, his knuckles brushing against the skin on my stomach as he does.
I reach for his pants, popping the buttons open quickly. Once I push his pants off his hips, I step back. I don’t know how well he can see in the dark, but I can make out his shape just fine as he stands there with his chest heaving and his pants around his ankles.
I crouch down and caress his calf, and Dante jerks in response, startled. I bite my lip as I try not to grin. He lifts his foot out of the denim easily, then kicks the other leg off.
I stand, then grab his hand and tow him over to the sink. Releasing him, I face the mirror, even though I can’t see anything. Dante comes up right behind me, a low growl leaving his chest when he makes contact with my back. Leaning forward, I push my pants off my hips and his hands slap the bathroom counter as he curls around me.
“Put the condom on, Dante,” I demand, writhing my backside against him. His hands disappear from beside me, and I hear the packet as he rips it open. He steps back far enough to reach down and slide the condom on, and the smell of latex is heavy in the air. I lift my lip in a sneer, but I don’t have time to dwell on why I don’t like the scent. Dante is right behind me again, his palm running up over my back as I lean forward.
“Are you sure you’re ready?” He dips his fingers between my legs, testing me. A rumble slides up his throat. “Mine.” His voice is deeper than I’ve ever heard it.
I push back against him to show him I am ready. Dante guides himself into me slowly, rocking forward inch by inch. Impatient, I try to push myself against him harder, but between his weight and the counter at my waist, I can’t maneuver the way I want to. When he pulls almost all the way out, I spin to face him, my hands going to his chest I push him back.
Dante’s mouth drops open as he lets out a gasp. “I’m sorry—” He starts to apologize, but I interrupt him.
“Lie down.” His mouth snaps closed. Keeping his eyes locked on mine, he lowers himself to the floor. I bend down to remove my pants from my legs. Kneeling on the hard tile, a brief thought of his comfort enters my mind before it’s obliterated by the thought of climbing on top of him.
I crawl toward him, my head lowered as I watch him from under my lashes. He sucks in a breath when I nuzzle my face against his hip. As I settle over him, with my hands over his shoulders and my knees next to his hips, he blinks up at me slowly. He’s so fucking sexy, and he’s not even trying. Every inch of him is the graceful predator, and every inch of him is mine.
Reaching down, I grab hold of him and lower my body so we join again. I grind against him, so he sinks as deeply as possible inside me. My head falls back, and a moan of pleasure leaves my lips. Dante’s hands move to my hips, and he squeezes.
Now that he’s seated inside me, I voice my concern. “Are you okay?” I can’t feel the hard floor under my knees, but it must be killing his back.
As if to argue with me, Dante lifts his hips, pushing even deeper inside me. “So fucking perfect,” he mutters, his hands sliding up and palming my breasts.
Accepting his response, I forget about him being on the hard floor, I forget we’re in a bathroom, I forget everything but the way he feels under me. How his breath catches when I plunge down, how his eyes close and he looks like he’s in the sweetest pain when I lift up, making sure to squeeze my inner muscles as I do.
It’s not long before I’m chasing my orgasm. Each
movement becomes faster and faster as I swivel my hips and rock against him. Dante lifts his head off the floor with his chin tipped down so he can see where we’re joined. He bares his teeth and his canines are larger than usual. Unable to resist, I lean down to bite his bottom lip, and the new position places pressure against my clit, causing waves of tingles to pass over me.
Taking advantage of the position, Dante wraps his arm around the back of my neck and lifts his hips, pounding into me. I go rigid above him, afraid one move will make the burgeoning orgasm disappear. A low whimper of need has me releasing his lips and shaking above him. Wave after wave of pleasure hits me so hard my legs tremble, then Dante folds his other arm around me and rolls. His elbow cushions my neck, and my knees go higher on his waist as he kneels between my legs. I don’t even think my back touches the ground as he buries himself inside me. My legs are still quivering from my orgasm when he thrusts against me a few more times before finding his own release.
Several seconds later he lowers me to the ground, and his hands start a lazy pattern of petting every inch of my body not covered by his. My eyes close as I luxuriate in the feeling of rightness settling over me. Who knew it could ever be like this?
Chapter 9
Dante plants a small kiss on my temple before heading out of the bathroom. I need to clean up a bit before going back out there. Dread settles over me—what if my mom knows what we were doing in here? I shake my head, trying to dispel those thoughts. I can feel the heat rise in my cheeks as a blush blossoms over my cheeks.
After taking care of business, I wash my hands and bring a little cold water up to my face. It will abate any lingering redness and help me focus.
Dante is waiting just outside the bathroom door, and when I open it, he looks me over. Seeing the way his lids lower as he bites his bottom lip alleviates all of the guilt I was feeling for stealing away together. Without a word, I reach for his hand, and we head back to the rest of our family.
Infinity Chronicles Book Four: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Series Page 8