Ollie bangs on the closed bathroom door as we pass, where we can hear the shower is already running. “We’re going to pick a movie. Hurry up.” I hear Milo’s muffled response but can’t quite make it out. Ollie gives the door another pound.
I climb on the bed while Ollie grabs the remote for the television. Milo mounted it on the wall a few days ago. Their gaming system is sitting on a small cardboard box beneath it.
The noise of someone bounding upstairs draws my attention to the door. Dante pauses when he reaches the threshold. I have a flashback of when Ollie was standing there, when it was Dante and I in the bed. My face flushes hot as I look away. Does Dante know Ollie was there? Should I tell him? I glance at Ollie, but he’s preoccupied with the TV.
Dante eventually makes his way over and throws himself on the bed next to me. “What did you pick?”
“Muenster needs to pick,” Ollie informs him, finding the right app for movies.
“I have no idea.” I sigh. “It’s not like I kept up to date on what was out. Can’t you just pick something?”
Ollie blinks at me, his eyes narrow. “You like to read, right? You used to always be in the stairway with a book. How about the Harry Potter movies? I haven’t read the books, but the movies are pretty damn good.”
I jerk my head in a nod. That actually sounds awesome. I have always wanted to see those. “Yes, perfect.”
“Those are pretty good, I don’t think I’ve seen them all.” Dante settles back and folds one arm behind his head.
“Should we wait for Ares and Milo?”
“Nah, Ares could be a while, and Milo should be out in a few minutes. I heard the water shut off when I came in.” Dante grabs my hand with his and lays it over his chest.
I lean back against the pillow, excited for the movie, but even more excited about spending a few hours curled between my guys.
I’m the first one to wake. I did make it through the entire first movie. I’m sure it was thanks to the little catnap I had before Dante came in the room earlier. Plus, the movie really was good—not as good as the book, but better than I expected.
I climb over Ares, and he lets out a soft snore before clasping my hip, but his hand falls away almost immediately, and he’s already back asleep. I snag his phone from the floor beside the bed before heading to the bathroom to take care of my morning business.
Downstairs, I hit the button to start up the single cup brewer—Ares and I are the only ones who drink much coffee. Ollie will occasionally have a cup, but not very often. He and the other guys seem to prefer soda.
While the coffee pot is heating up, I pick up Ares’s phone. The screen comes to life. I flick my thumb up from the bottom of the screen to unlock it. Checking the time, I see it’s much too early to call or text Rosa for an update on Mom. But it doesn’t stop me from opening the texting app so I can see if Ares was talking to her last night.
Mia’s name is at the top of the most recent conversation. It sends a shot of anger through me. She needs to figure out how to back off. I scan the messages, but it seems I might have jumped to conclusions too soon. Her texts seem to be mostly her updating Ares about work stuff, there are a few how-are-you and let-me-know-if-you-need-anything messages, but Ares’s responses are almost chilly in return, mostly one-word answers.
I tap the back button to see the other threads of conversations. Mal’s name is right under Mia’s. I click it, but it looks like the last text was from yesterday afternoon before they showed up at Leon’s.
The gurgling from the coffee machine warming has gone quiet, so I place the phone on the card table and grab a big mug from the cupboard. While I’m waiting for the coffee to brew, I look around. There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done, but I can’t wait until we have some real furniture. Even the crap we had at the camper would be better than these lawn chairs and fold-up tables at this point.
A bang downstairs has me almost jumping out of my skin. I steady my hands on the counter, ready to run upstairs. My first thought is Leon, but just as quickly I remember he’s dead. I killed him.
Another loud bang sounds. “Dante,” I holler. With my legs a little wobbly, I sneak into the living room.
“Laura?” he calls down, his voice gruff.
“Why are you yelling?” Ollie snaps.
“Shut up,” Dante demands. “Laura.” I hear his feet hit the ground and the pounding of his steps as he rushes downstairs.
“What’s going on?” Milo’s muffled voice calls down as I see the top of Dante’s head.
I hold my finger up to my lips, my eyes wide. “Shush,” I caution. “Someone’s outside.” Dante slinks down the stairs, his eyes already alert. I look out the front window and see a blue van coming up the driveway. Rudd Construction is labeled along the side. “Shit.” My shoulders fall and I turn around, feeling guilty.
Milo and Ollie are on the stairs. Ollie is wiping his eyes like he’s trying to hold them open. “What is it?” he mock whispers.
“Nothing. I panicked,” I confess. “It’s just the guys from yesterday. I didn’t think about them coming back today.”
Dante makes his way over to me and cups his hands over my shoulder. “Are you okay?” he studies my face.
“It just took me by surprise. I’m okay now,” I tell him, which is the truth.
After a few long seconds, he pulls me in close for a quick hug then releases me just as quickly. “I need to piss,” he murmurs, then groans while stretching his arms over his head and turning to head down the hall. Ollie is grinning at me when I pull my gaze from Dante’s backside. He wiggles his brows.
I puff out my cheeks and roll my eyes, not in the least bit concerned that I got caught ogling him.
Milo steps down off the bottom riser. “I should probably go open up the garage for them; I kind of forgot they were coming today, too.”
Milo makes his way through the kitchen to the door, not bothered that he’s only in a loose pair of gym shorts. Not that he has anything to be ashamed of, but he’s usually more reserved.
“I smell coffee,” Ollie announces, his nose in the air.
“Dang it.” I rush back to the kitchen. My coffee is too cold now, I like it piping hot.
Ollie wraps his hand around my wrist when I move to put the cup in the microwave. “I’ll take this one, I like iced coffee better anyway. This way, the ice won’t melt so much.”
I release the mug to him and grab another from the cupboard. The hum of the garage door opening from downstairs fills the room as Dante lumbers into the kitchen. He heads straight for the fridge and pulls out the clear carton of eggs.
“Anyone want some eggs?”
I grab the carton from his hand, remembering the last time he tried to feed us half-cooked eggs. “I got it; you want scrambled?”
Dante shrugs his heavy shoulders. “Whatever is easier. I don’t care. I’m just hungry.”
“Ollie, you want any?”
“Sure, I’ll make some toast,” he offers.
“Grab me one of those bigger mixing bowls, please.” I point to the top of the cabinet where there’s a stack of brightly colored bowls. Dante grabs the stack, taking out one of the dishes nested inside.
“Don’t you want to drink your coffee first?” he asks, holding the yellow bowl out to me.
“I can do both if you grab me the creamer.” I bat my lashes at him. He looks down at me, momentarily stunned. It’s nice to see that I can affect them the way they can affect me.
“Got it.” Ollie hands me the carton of creamer, and I can hear the smirk in his tone.
“Milo, eggs?” I inquire as soon as he opens the door from the stairs while I am pouring the heavenly liquid into my mug.
“Ah, yeah.” He looks around. “I’m going to run and get dressed, then be right back to help.” He doesn’t linger in the kitchen.
“Wake up the Dark Lord,” I call up after him.
“The Dark Lord has already risen,” Ares drawls from the hallway.
�
�You’re sneaky,” I accuse, my eyes narrowing on him over my mug.
“I can’t help it if you ignore my presence,” he retorts, his chin tipped up in a regal manner. A grin tugs at my lips. His hair is a bit of a mess, and I can see little red lines on his cheek from the pillow. He looks completely removed from the moniker I’ve dubbed him with his pretend air of arrogance.
“Breakfast?” I arch my brow at him.
“Why are you all up so early?” he bemoans with a slight snarl.
“I got up early, but I woke them up when I thought someone was downstairs.” I wave my hand at Ollie, who’s leaning against the counter near the toaster, and Dante, who’s milling about the kitchen.
“Why didn’t anyone wake me up?”
“Really?” I set my mug down and start cracking eggs. “Nobody likes waking your crabby butt up.”
“I am not crabby.” Ares scowls. Ollie makes a snorting sound. I just finish what I’m doing, ignoring them.
“Well, I can only assume everything is fine downstairs, or we wouldn’t all be standing around waiting for breakfast.” Ares moves to the coffee maker.
“It was the crew from yesterday, it slipped everyone’s minds that they would be back today after…” Dante lets the sentence trail off.
“So, what’s the plan for today?” I ask quickly, before Ares can ask why I freaked out and woke them up.
“I didn’t make any, I figured you’d want to go over and see your parents.” Ares leans against the counter. It’s his turn to watch me over his mug.
It’s strange to hear the word parents and have it be associated with me. I’ve never had parents, just a mom. “Should we give them a little time to get… reacquainted?” I’m probably just stalling, but I think I’ve earned the right. I’ve had a crazy few months. Finding out that my mom had a stalker, and that my dad isn’t really dead, is only the tip of the iceberg. I mean, I’m standing in the kitchen with three, make that four, of my partners.
Milo enters the kitchen in a fresh pair of joggers and a light gray t-shirt. “How can I help?”
“Grab some plates and silverware,” I direct him with a wave of my hand.
“I don’t know if we should wait,” Ares continues, as if Milo didn’t interrupt the conversation. “I’ll talk to Mamma, see what she thinks.”
I let out a heavy breath. “That sounds good. Maybe we could get going on some of the stuff up here since we don’t have to worry about…” I can’t bring myself to say his name.
The room falls quiet. Dante is the first to speak as he sidles up close to my side while I’m beating the eggs vigorously. He places his hand over mine, halting my movements.
“What room do you think we should start on?” he asks, his voice completely normal, as he ignores the fact that we’re dealing with much more important shit than a house remodel. And I love him for it.
“I was thinking the living room and kitchen. Sleeping upstairs isn’t so bad. I’d like a real table, a place to sit that isn’t a folding chair. And the kitchen will probably take the longest, right?” I glance over my shoulder at the rest of them.
Ollie is placing two pieces of bread in the toaster. “We’re sure we don’t want to just start over, build what we want?”
I shake my head in denial. “I like it here, it’s cozy.” And I just don’t know how much more change I can handle right this second. “I mean, unless you guys hate it.” My opinion shouldn’t be the only one that matters.
Ollie leans his butt against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. “I’m fine with staying here for a while, but I still like the idea of building, too. It would be ours, we could each have a say in it.”
Milo walks over to Ollie and stands so their arms are touching. “Why don’t we decide after we get some of the work done here? Then we’d know if we wanted something more,” he suggests. I can deal with that. I would at least have a little more time to adjust.
“Agreed,” Dante pipes up. “Are we cooking or what?” I let out a small giggle. I think he would say anything if it meant he got to eat sooner.
Chapter 22
“I need to go out for a few hours,” Ares announces. “Dante, you feel like coming along?” Dante jumps up from the bed, he looks positively thrilled. He’s been lumbering around for the last hour. The constant banging and hammering is getting to all of us, but it seems to be bothering him the most. It is easy to understand, considering his ears are probably the most sensitive.
“Where are we going?”
“I have to meet Mia to sign a few papers, and I thought we’d stop by the house, see how everything is going.”
Mia’s name catches my interest. “Everything okay at work? I know we’ve kept you kinda busy.”
“Fine, though it’s been a little bit of an adjustment for everyone. I’ve always been very hands on, but my taking a step back is good for everyone.” Ares slides his hands into his pockets.
“You don’t talk about work much,” I prompt.
“Not much to talk about.” He shrugs with indifference.
“I don’t know about that.” I let the topic die and question, “What about us? Are we going back to school tomorrow? I don’t even remember what day it is.” I mumble the last part.
“I guess we could.” Ollie sounds completely unhappy about the prospect. I pat his shoulder.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you want to go back to waking up early and doing homework?” I tease.
Ollie throws his head back and lets out a long moan. “Please stop reminding me. Let’s wait until next week at least.” He looks up a with a hopeful twist to his lips.
“It’s the middle of the week,” Milo comments from the end of the bed.
“We’ll only be gone for a few hours. If you need anything, just call.” Ares comes over to the side of the bed and plants a kiss on my lips. I blink up at him so I don’t have to see anyone else’s reaction to his open affection.
Dante stoops and rolls his forehead against mine, before brushing his lips over mine gently. “What about me?” Ollie lifts his pursed lips in the air and makes smooching noises.
Milo swats his leg. “See you guys in a bit,” he calls to their retreating backs. I pretend to find the TV very interesting, still avoiding their gazes.
I hear the door slam closed, and seconds later Ollie flips over on his stomach and eyes me. I can feel his stare. His head turns and I know he’s looking at Milo. “All alone. Whatever shall we do?”
A shiver of excitement bubbles up in my stomach. I watch Ollie out of the corner of my eye as he crawls over to Milo, who’s still sitting on the edge of the bed with a game controller in his hands.
My lips part as I watch Ollie run his palm over Milo’s back. Milo’s shoulders roll in response. I can still hear the clang and pounding of the men downstairs, but it’s the first time in a while the noise falls into the background.
Ollie places a kiss behind Milo’s ear, then looks over his shoulder. He knows he has my attention. I don’t bother trying to pretend he doesn’t. “What do you say to a cheese sandwich?” he purrs into Milo’s ear loud enough that I hear him.
I let out a disgruntled groan and toss a pillow at his head. “Oliver. You’re so ridiculous.” He falls on the bed next to Milo and chuckles. He props his head up on his palm and gives me a once over with his teeth biting into his plump bottom lip. It’s a sin his lips are so gorgeous.
“You don’t like my approach, or the idea itself? Because I gotta tell ya, having you all warm and wanting between him and me sounds like the best fucking idea ever… literally.” He grins. It’s like he can’t refrain from being silly.
I roll my eyes, a smile blossoming on my lips. Milo turns around, and he eyes me and Ollie in turn, then tosses the remote to the side of the bed. Catching me by surprise—and Ollie, too, by the look on his face—Milo leans down and seals his lips onto Ollie’s. He reaches up and grabs my ankle, dragging me down the bed. I let out a startled yelp when my back hits the mattress.
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sp; Milo lifts his face away from Ollie. “Did I hurt you?” The pressure of him holding my ankle lessens.
“No,” I reply a little breathlessly. He prowls over me, his face drawn in concentration. Milo dips his head, his lips still damp from kissing Ollie, to capture mine. I arch my neck to get closer to him as he cages me in his arms.
“Best idea ever.” Ollie scoots over and brings his face closer to ours, I feel the tip of his tongue under my bottom lip. Milo and I both turn our faces so Ollie is included in the kiss. After a few seconds, I need to catch my breath, my heart is beating so fast.
I pull back and watch Milo palm the back of Ollie’s head and deepen the kiss. My heart gives a solid thud against my ribcage as I watch Ollie melt against Milo.
Not breaking the kiss, Milo reaches for me with his free hand to pull me closer to them. I like seeing this side of him—he’s more confident, more real, more himself. Ollie’s head is tilted to the side, so his neck is fully exposed. I take the opportunity to plant small open-mouthed kisses there while his lips are still against Milo. I kneel so I can reach him better and Ollie wraps his arm around my waist. Milo’s hand caresses up my back until his fingers reach my hair. With a quick tug, he lifts my face and Milo’s lips meet mine. Ollie shifts beside me until I feel him kneeling behind me, his lips now trailing across the nape of my neck as his hands clasp my hips.
The feeling of being surrounded by them is almost dizzying. My mind can’t decide if I should focus on Milo’s lips and tongue, or the way Ollie’s hands are starting to wander over my lower stomach. Milo brings his body closer to mine until Ollie’s hand is sandwiched between us. At that moment, I decide not to worry about whose hand is where or whose lips I’m kissing, and just live in the moment.
Milo pulls his lips away from mine, and I peer up at him. The light ring of blue around his pupil is bright as he gazes down at me with his heavily lidded eyes. His gaze darts to the side where Ollie is still kissing up my neck. My heart kicks against my ribs with excitement as Ollie lifts his lips from my neck and lays his chin on my shoulder. The only sound in the room is our mingling breaths.
Infinity Chronicles Book Four: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Series Page 19