Mal, in the far backseat, lays his hand on my shoulder. “They’ll be fine, Laura. You don’t need to worry.”
“Do you think the council will be able to help Wyatt?” I muse out loud.
“They might. I know there are a few Infinities that have an affinity for healing, most of them end up as doctors or nurses,” William answers, already backing down the driveway.
Ares is still standing in the doorway, watching us leave. I lift my hand in a wave, but the windows are probably too dark for him to see me. “I hope someone can help him. I can’t imagine living through what he’s endured.”
Ollie runs his hand up and down my thigh. “He’s strong, Laura; he would have to be to survive what he’s been through. He’ll come through this. Your mom, too.”
I think back to a few moments ago when I went to tell my mom I was leaving. She was on the bed with Wyatt, her hip up near his chest while she stroked her fingers through his thin hair. His eyes were closed, but his face was soft and relaxed.
She was calm, the tears had finally stopped flowing. She appeared focused, with grim determination written all over her face. She didn’t even seem to notice the way Wyatt’s bones poked out of his shoulders sharply, or the sunken appearance of his facial features. She actually smiled at me. “We’ll be along once Wyatt wakes up,” she told me, as though he were just taking a little afternoon nap.
God, I hope for both their sakes he can make it through this. If not, I don’t think my mother will be able to bear losing him again.
I lay my head on Ollie’s shoulder and let out a heavy sigh. I thought I would feel more relief knowing Leon wasn’t a threat to us anymore. But dealing with the aftermath of the damage he’s caused is going to be much harder than I ever imagined.
The radio is playing softly, keeping the ride home from being completely silent.
“You’re taking us home, right?” Dante asks, as William approaches an intersection.
“You don’t want to come to the house?” Rosa sounds a little surprised.
“Nah, not right now, Mamma,” he tells her kindly. “Maybe we’ll come over once the guys are home, but I think we need some time.” He glances over at me. I don’t disagree. I feel exposed and raw, and every time I close my eyes I either see Wyatt crumpled in that bed or the surprised look on Leon’s face when I reached for his arm.
“No problem.” William guides the SUV into the turn lane. Dante wraps his arm over Ollie’s shoulder and places his hand on the back of my neck. I feel his fingers threading through my hair softly.
Going home sounds like an amazing idea. I want to curl up under the blankets and forget about the last few hours—at least long enough for my brain to process everything that happened today.
All the work trucks are gone when we pull up the driveway. The house is invitingly dark. It dawns on me then how much I already consider this my home. I reach for the door handle as soon as the car stops. Dante is just as fast on his side. Ollie climbs out after me, and Mal moves up to the middle row of seats as William rolls down his window. “If you guys need anything, we’re only a phone call away,” he offers.
“We know,” Ollie acknowledges, while Dante makes his way over to us.
“You guys have keys to get in?” Rosa lowers her head so she can see us out William’s window.
“We do.” Ollie reaches in his front pocket and holds up a small set of keys.
“All right. Try to relax. Everything is going to be fine now,” William promises.
“We’ll see you guys later.” Dante ignores the statement and lifts his palm in a wave, he reaches for my hand with his other one and tugs me toward the front staircase.
Ollie is close behind us as we make our way up, and the SUV doesn’t pull away until we’re all in the house and the door is closed behind is.
“I don’t want to build another house. I like this one,” I announce, toeing off my shoes.
“Where did that come from?” Ollie kicks his shoes into the empty corner of the room.
“I just like this house; it feels like home.” I look around the spacious room, wondering if I’m placing too much importance on a place, but it doesn’t feel like it. I like the knotty floors and the creaky stairs, but my favorite part is the front porch and all the windows. When you look out from upstairs, it feels like you’re on top of the world, like nothing can reach us.
Ollie peers at me skeptically before rolling his eyes a little. “As long as you’re happy.”
“Are you hungry?” Dante inquires, before I can tell Ollie it’s not just me who needs to be happy.
It’s been hours since I’ve eaten, and I couldn’t even tell you what time it is, but the thought of food actually makes my stomach roll. “No.” I’m sure my face is scrunched in a grimace. “You guys should eat though. I think I’m going to grab a shower.”
“You sure?” Dante looks at me like I might fall apart if I’m alone for a second.
“Yeah. I just feel kinda blah, and I want to get cleaned up.” And maybe cry where no one can see or hear me, but I don’t say that part out loud.
“Ollie, you want anything?” Dante turns his attention to his friend.
“Probably should. Don’t know if we’ll get a chance later.” He follows Dante into the kitchen. I listen to their muffled voices for a few seconds before making my way upstairs. All my clothes are up here, might as well use this shower, and then that way I’m close to the bed when I’m done. I’m suddenly very tired.
The bed shifting stirs me, but I don’t even open my eyes. Instead, I wiggle back until my butt connects with Dante. I know it’s him from his scent and the purr of the connection burning between us.
He wraps his arm over my waist and places a soft kiss on my shoulder, nuzzling me. My body relaxes again. Just as I’m about to fall back to sleep, a flash of Leon fills my mind. My entire body jolts. I push out a sigh, not again. It took me forever to fall asleep. Dante curls himself around me tighter. “Shush,” he mutters, and circles his finger around my belly button.
“Are they home yet?” I croak and rearrange my head on the pillow.
“On the way now. They’re taking your mom and Wyatt over to my parents’ house. I didn’t mean to wake you, go back to sleep.” His voice is pitched deliciously low.
I lick my lips and swallow. My mouth is dry, but I can still taste the toothpaste I used after my shower, so I haven’t been out long. Instead of listening, I turn over and face him. Dante’s eyes meet mine. There’s a question there as he studies me, he wants to know if I’m okay.
I tip my neck back and place my lips against his. I’m not okay, but I will be. Right now, though, I just want to forget about Leon for a little while. I just want to feel Dante surrounding me.
Dante kisses me back softly, like I’m made of spun sugar and might melt. I push his shoulder roughly and climb over him. His eyes flash with something that excites me even more. I dip my face down to his and use my teeth along his jaw. He angles his head back, giving me better access. Dante’s hands go to my hips and his fingers dig in, causing a flare of pain, building my desire even more.
I bite the side of his neck, and he lets out a low moan in response. “Laura,” he pants, “are you sure?”
I don’t even bother responding. Instead, I circle my hips and move back to his mouth. I’m not gentle when I shove my tongue between his lips. He doesn’t seem to mind a bit as he lifts his head off the pillow and meets me with just as much fervor of his own. My hands go to the t-shirt covering his chest.
“Why are you wearing clothes?” I glide my hand under his shirt and feel his abdominal muscles bunch beneath my fingers.
“I didn’t want to you to think I was going to try anything,” he says between kisses.
I lean back and look down at him. “Do you want me to stop?” I tilt my head to the side and lick my bottom lip, praying he doesn’t.
“Is that a real question?” he growls at me, pulling me against him tighter and lifting his hips off the bed to grin
d up into me.
“I guess not.” I lean back down and seal my lips to his. Dante slides his hands under my oversized t-shirt and lets out a purr of satisfaction when he feels I’m bare beneath. “Get a condom,” I order lifting up off him. Dante rolls off the edge of the bed with feline grace and springs up with a pounce. I watch his back as he prowls over to his bag which is heaped on the floor with all our other stuff, He reaches in and pulls back quickly. When he turns, his head is lowered, but his eyes are locked on mine.
“Take your clothes off,” I demand harshly. I fold my knees under me and continue watching as Dante tosses the square on the bed and grabs his t-shirt by the back of his collar. He tugs it off and drops it on the floor, the muscles roping up his sides flexing. My mouth goes dry. That is mine.
My head lowers as I peer up at him. He reaches for his soft gym shorts. I can already see how much the material is tented, so it comes as no surprise when his erection bobs up as soon as the material is past his hips. He steps forward and awaits my next instruction, lips parted and eyes dilated in anticipation.
“Get on the bed—flat on your back.” He crawls forward and kneels on the bed, sprawling out on his side then rolling over onto his back. His chest is heaving like he just ran a mile. I run my fingers down his abdomen and stop just above the dark patch of short hair between his hips. His muscles tighten and his cock twitches. I crawl closer to him, ready to climb back onto him, but the black square catches my eye.
I lean over him, making sure to drag my breast over his chest to grab the foil packet. He lets out a hiss and closes his eyes. A grin tugs at my lips. I love this feeling of power; I feel like I’m finally in control of something for once.
When I pull back, I place a soft kiss on the tip of his cock as a small reward. His back jerks off the bed before he settles again. I kneel and tear the package open with my teeth. Dante’s eyes are wide as he stares up at me.
When I wrap my hand around the base of him, his hips swivel, and he fists the sheets at his sides. I slide the condom on him, fumbling at bit to get it to roll down over his length. Once it’s on, I move to straddle him again, but Dante grabs my wrist. He lifts his head off the pillow and licks his bottom lip.
“W-would you…” he stammers, before asking, “Would you lie on me?” His eyes pinch at the side, as if he’s worried what I might say.
I’m a little confused, since that’s what I was just about to do. When I nod and lift my leg to straddle his hips, he stops me again. “No, I mean on your back. Will you lie on me flat like this?” He uses his free hand and shakes it over his body.
I furrow my brow, really confused now. But if it means enough to him to ask me, of course I will. I drag the t-shirt over my head and peer down at him. Trying to figure out how to do this. Awkwardly, I throw my opposite leg over him and straddle his waist backwards.
Dante growls and his hips lift off the mattress, so I guess this is what he wanted. He sits up behind me, and I slide down lower so his erection is right beneath me. I squirm a little until he wraps his arms around my chest and lifts me up a little. When he slides me back down, he guides his erection inside me. I groan at the fullness. Dante lies back on the mattress and drags me down with him. The angle switches, and I let out a gasp of surprise at how deep he goes. Once I’m settled, he removes his arm from my chest and caresses his fingertips down my sides, then wraps his hands around my hips, his fingertips curling over my hipbones hard enough to cause a pinch of pain.
I stare up at the ceiling, trying to catch my breath, enjoying the feeling of him beneath me, but not sure how to proceed from here.
Dante pants into my hair, right near my ear. “Oh fuck,” he mutters, and swivels his hips while pulling me up a little higher then pushing me down. I bend my knees a little and plant my feet on the bed between his legs. That gives me more control so I can push against him myself. One of Dante’s hands snakes up my center and palms my breast. My nipple tightens and I arch my back. Oh, I like this.
We rock together, his thrust meeting my searching hips every time. The hand on my breast continues to pinch and roll my nipple, then his other hand skims past my belly button and glides down to my center.
His long finger slides between my legs and finds my clit. My body goes rigid as his finger circles me. I’m afraid to even move—it feels so good. “Don’t stop.” My voice is husky. I glance down to see his hands on my body and catch a glimpse of Ollie standing in the doorway.
His bottom lip is pinched between his teeth, and his eyes are roaming over our bodies with a hungry look on his face. I let my head fall back, and the thought of how Dante would feel about this comes to the surface of my mind, but it shatters when he pounds up into me while holding me in place with his hands locked on my body.
My legs start to shake as my orgasm begins to build. All I can think about is reaching that pinnacle. A deep rumble comes up from Dante’s chest. I feel it as it rolls up my back. “Laura,” he croons in my ear in that deep, gravelly voice I haven’t been able to resist from the first time I met him.
I look up and see Ollie still watching us, his heat rolling through the room like a fire has been lit. A shiver of excitement raises gooseflesh over my sensitized skin. Holy hell, his watching us is making me even hotter.
Dante grunts and he starts to move faster. I can’t stop the wave of bliss crashing over me. I cry out, my body going rigid over Dante. He lets out a deep growl and really starts to jerk his hips up with an erratic rhythm.
I can’t do anything but fold my arms over his across my chest and hold on. Within seconds, Dante lets out a long groan, and his body goes tight before he slows his pace. The only sounds in the room are our mingled huffs as we try to catch our breath.
I glance up to the doorway, but Ollie is gone. No evidence he was ever even there.
Chapter 21
Heavy footsteps on the garage stairs alert me that Ares and Milo are finally home. I jump up from the lawn chair and head toward the sound. Dante is already opening the door when I reach the room. I cross my arms over my stomach and lean against the wall.
Milo enters the kitchen first. He looks up, but then quickly averts his eyes from me. It’s not a good sign. Ares follows closely behind him. He blows out a heavy breath when he sees me but holds my stare.
“Where are they?”
“We got them settled at Mamma’s.” Ares steps over to the fridge and pulls out a bottle of water. I look over at Milo again, Ollie is at his side.
Licking my lips, I hesitantly ask, “How were they?”
“I called a healer that works with the council.” Ares cracks the lid to the bottle and brings it to his lips, taking a long draw. “They’ve never dealt with anything like this, but… they’re cautiously hopeful,” he finishes.
Why is Milo being so quiet? “What aren’t you telling me?”
“There’s still a lot we don’t know,” Milo finally speaks up.
“Like?” I prompt. Milo looks at Ares, like he’s asking for permission or wondering if he should tell me. Ares does an infinitesimal nod.
“Well… we don’t know what Leon did to him, Wyatt… your dad…” Milo’s face falls in a heavy frown. “We need to think about more than just the physical aspect of his recovery.”
“Like, we need to worry if he’s going to be crazy after what Leon did to him? I’ve already been thinking about that,” I tell them, and run my hand over my ponytail. Milo nods quickly, his lips rolling in.
“Did he wake up again?” I run my eyes over both of the guys, noting the slump of Milo’s shoulders.
“Not much, he opened his eyes a few times, your mom stayed with him, and it seemed to help. He looked more… relaxed.” Ares shakes his head like he’s not sure that’s the right way to describe it.
I get it. “Are you guys hungry?” I feel bad they were out dealing with everything while I was here.
“No, Rosa made us some sandwiches. I need a shower though.” Milo pulls his shirt away from his body and lets it snap b
ack. “I moved a few things around so they could have our old room, so it would be easier for Wyatt to get around once he’s… getting around,” Milo stammers.
“Thank you both. Thank all of you for taking care of them.” I pass my gaze around to all of them. Suddenly feeling very emotional again, I bite the inside of my lip and paste a smile on my face. Ollie makes his way over to my side.
“Always, Muenster. We’re a team.” He reaches for my chin and tugs down, so I release my lip from between my teeth. Ollie wraps his arm over my shoulder and faces the other guys. “Why don’t we watch a movie or something? I’m down for some bed time.” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
I knock my elbow into Ollie’s side gently, but grin up at him. His eyes crinkle at the side as he peers down at me. I roll my eyes, realizing his tactic to make me smile worked.
“Sounds good, but I’m hitting the shower first,” Milo agrees, his stance finally more relaxed.
“I need to make a few calls, then I’ll be right up.” Ares tilts his head in the direction of our room upstairs.
Ollie keeps his arm over my shoulders and turns us. I glance behind me and watch Dante walk over to his brother while I allow Ollie to take me upstairs.
Ares watches me go; his eyes are clear and his face is soft. He’s not hiding anything from me. I think any reluctance I sensed was just them being worried about me and how I would feel about Wyatt’s condition. Dante leans his butt on the counter next to Ares, his hands going behind him to grab the edge, making his shoulders bunch up. It’s easy to see the resemblance between them when they’re standing together.
“What movie do you want to watch?” Ollie pulls my attention back to him.
I gather my thoughts. “Uh, how about you pick?”
“Nu-uh, not this time. I want you to pick—and don’t just pick something you think we want to watch.” He tightens his grip in a sideways hug then releases me to head up the stairs.
Infinity Chronicles Book Four: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Series Page 18