Infinity Chronicles Book Three Read online

  In a flash Ares dips his head and bites the inside of my thigh. I yelp in surprise, going up on my elbows I narrow my eyes at him. “Don’t talk like that,” he almost growls. “You can say whatever the fuck you want, ask me anything you want. Hell, I’ll roll over and you can run a fucking scientific experiment, but once you get your hands on me, I can’t guarantee I won’t start the party before we’re both ready. You know what I’m saying?”

  “You’re going to masturbate?”

  Ares lets out a long breath of air, lowering his chest to the mattress and look up at me from between my legs. “No, I mean if you touch me, I’ll probably come, and I’d rather wait until I can do that with you.”

  I nod, thinking I’d rather do that with him too, and it’s a little weird having this conversation with his face twelve inches away from my center. “Okay, let’s do that together,” I add quickly. Now that I’m not pre-occupied with thoughts of touching him, I feel a little self-conscious about where he is.

  A wide grin lifts his lips. Ares inches a little higher as he prowls up my body, and I feel the brush of his chest against my thighs. I close my eyes and let my head fall to the bed. One touch and I’m too lost to care, the need that was riding me before he got up to get the condom is back.

  I reach down to grab his shoulders, wanting his lips again. Instead, Ares drops an open mouth kiss over my hip, way south of my belly button. My lips fall open as my neck arches. I don’t know how I can feel his kiss, in two places, but it definitely echoes between my legs.

  I feel the stubble on his chin graze over my sensitive skin, he’s still kissing me, but he’s moving from my hip to the center of my stomach. I suck in a breath, unable to even exhale when his chin rasps across my small patch of pubic hair.

  Ares makes a sound deep in his chest. “Can I kiss you Laura?”

  I answer without a thought. “Always, Ares.”

  His head dips even lower and I feel the heat of his mouth as he leans in and delivers one long lick up my center. My back comes off the bed completely. Holy hell, I had no idea he would kiss me there. Ares’s hand comes up, and he slides it under my butt, pulling me closer when I would have inched away. Without giving me a chance to recover, he goes right back, this time his tongue stops near my clitoris and he flicks back and forth. I plant my feet on the bed and a low moan escapes me.

  I reach down and grab a handful of his hair intending to pull him up, this feels damn good, but it’s almost overwhelming. I don’t feel like I have control over my body. Ares takes me tugging on his hair as an encouragement and licks me again, and this time when he reaches my clit, he applies some kind of pressure that has my legs shaking and a whimper leaving my lips. I tighten my knees and thighs around his head and shoulders. It’s too much. “Ares.” His name isn’t more than a whisper, and he looks up at me, his eyes hooded with a feral gleam. I shake my head no in denial and reach for him. Ares pulls his hand out from under me and my bottom hits the bed. I let my eyes fall closed and relax as he slides his body against mine.

  “You want to stop, did I do something wrong, hurt you?” He brushes hair away from my face, his voice is full of worry.

  I open my eyes. “No, you didn’t hurt me.” I cradle his jaw in my hand. “I felt like I was losing control.”

  Ares’s eyes soften, he kisses the corner of my lips and he smells a little musky, like me.

  “Do you like that, kissing me there?” I can’t help the question that pops out. I’ve been so alone for so long. Now that I have him and the others to talk to, sometimes I don’t hold back. I can’t imagine he’d get anything out of it.

  Ares’s body tightens over mine, his hands sliding under my back. “Fuck yes,” he breathes into my ear. “Your scent all over me, the way you taste, the way you feel.” His hips rock against the bed. I feel his abdominal muscles contract between my legs.

  I turn my face so I can meet his lips, and Ares kisses me hungrily for several long minutes. I reach to the side of the bed where I know the condom is and search with my fingers. When my hand closes over the foil packet, I bring it over and break the kiss. “Should we put this on now?” I’m about as ready as I will ever be, if he keeps kissing me and touching my nipples, I think I’ll come undone just from that.

  Ares moves to take the package from my hand, but I pull it back. “Can I do it? I know how, we had to practice on a banana in class.”

  Ares lets out a low chuckle, his eyes dancing like I’ve never seen before. With a smirk on his lips, he lifts up so he’s on his hands and knees and rolls over onto his back. He folds his arms behind his head and looks down at his erection. “Anything you want.”

  I bite the corner of my lips and tear the package open. The rubber inside kinda stinks, and it’s super slimy. I pinch the tip and pull it free from the wrapper. I focus on Ares, excited I’m going to touch him.

  Going up on my knees I shimmy over to him. He licks his bottom lip as his eyes scan over me. I touch his hip, swirling my empty hand over our mark and his penis jumps. Ares’s mouth falls a little slack, and he tips his head back. But he snaps it back up, his eyes opening like he can’t bear to look away from me.

  I guide my fingers to his short crisp hairs letting my nails drag over his pubic area. Another jerk, this time his hips rotate a little too. Fascinated with the blunt head, I see a tiny drop of fluid near the tip. Using my thumb, I touch it, finding it slightly sticky but warm. “Oh, fuck,” Ares curses, his head fall back again.

  I pull my hand away, and his chest is heaving up and down, and I can see the flutter of his pulse in his neck with his head thrown back. He’s excited. Emboldened, I reach for him and wrap my fingers around his shaft. My thumb goes back to the slit as I use it to smear the little bit of moisture that’s left over his tip.

  Ares grunts, and returns to watching me, his eyes a wide sea of black staring down at me. I move my hand up and down much like he did earlier, watching his face for a reaction.

  He doesn’t disappoint. A frown mars his gorgeous features as he bites his bottom lip. He’s completely at my mercy. Ares, the most powerful and in control person I’ve ever met, is utterly open and vulnerable to me.

  “Should I kiss you here?” My voice is husky, I barely recognize it. If I thought his eyes were wide before then I was wrong, a blast of icy air stirs my hair.

  “I can’t fucking believe I’m going to say this, but how about we save that for another day?”

  I like how powerful I feel, like that he’s letting me take the lead, even if it’s only perceived. “Just one little kiss?”

  Ares’s eyes roll back in his head as his hips roll again. I take that as all the acceptance I need. Leaning down, I place a soft kiss right where the tip meets the shaft, under the slit. At the last second before I pull away, I deliver one small lick, wetting him.

  Ares’s hips buck off the bed, and his eyes narrow on me, telling me that at some point he will get retribution.

  I wisely decide I’ve played with him long enough. Holding the tip of the condom, I slide it down his length, finding the velvet over steel analogy to be apt. Ares’s hands join mine when I struggle to get it all the way down, the condom doesn’t reach his root, but it covers the important bit.

  Ares grasps my arm and pulls me closer. “Come here,” he whispers, when I lean in close enough to kiss him. He taps the side of my leg and then taps the other side of the bed. He’s still in the somewhat reclined position as before, propped up on the pillows of the bed.

  I straddle his hips, being careful not to knee him as I do. I settle back on his thighs, his penis jutting up between us. Ares moves up into a sitting position and wraps his hand around the back of my neck. Instead of kissing me, he places his forehead on mine and takes several deep breaths.

  I drape my hand over his forearm, tying us even closer together. “Are you sure you’re ready?” I don’t answer. Instead, I place my lips over his and show him I don’t have any doubts.

  Not breaking the kiss, Ares guides me backward
until he’s over me again and between my legs. One hand goes to my center and he runs his fingers up and down a few times, and once his fingers are coated in my wetness, he sinks one inside me.

  I expect an uncomfortable pang, but it only feels a little foreign. My muscles tighten anyway with the intrusion. He works his finger in and out a few times until my hips start to follow his movements, and that’s when he adds the tip of another finger. I inhale, feeling a little pinch, but still expecting it to be much worse, does this mean I’m not a virgin anymore?

  Again, he continues with the sweet, soft kisses, and sliding his fingers in and out of me. When my muscles tighten because he pushes a little higher, he adds his thumb to the mix, circling my clit with his fingers still inside me.

  My hips rotate and lift, chasing him. Ares removes his hand and I make a sound of protest, I was just starting to really like that. He breaks the kiss and pushes up on one arm, looking down at me. Using the same hand he was touching me with, he takes a hold of himself and adjusts so he’s right at my entrance. Not taking his eyes off mine, he says, “This might hurt a little.” He winces like it might be more than a little. “I wish I could take the pain for you. I promise to never take what you’re giving me for granted.”

  I nod and bite my lip. So it does get worse. My muscles tighten before he even enters me. Instead of pushing right in, he runs the tip up and down over me a few times, stopping and focusing on my clitoris. I relax, melting into the sheets with him over me. That’s when he lines himself up and rocks forward. At first it’s the same foreign feeling from before, maybe a little more of a pinch, but as he continues to rock the burning starts.

  My face must tell him I’m hurting, because I’m being very careful not to utter a word. Ares makes a sound of distress, his eyes and mouth turning down at the sides. “I’m so sorry Laura.” Then he thrusts forward. The slight burn intensifies, stealing my breath, and I can’t keep in the whimper. “Ouch.” I know my face is scrunched up in pain, but I can’t help it.

  Ares doesn’t move a muscle. His hips are locked against mine, his lower body frozen. He dips his head and kisses next to my eye, near my temple. “So sorry, sorry, sorry,” he mutters between little kisses on my cheek and ear.

  I blow out a breath and feel the sting again. Knowing he can’t see me I let my eyes fall closed and grit my teeth. It’s not horrible, but it sure as shit is unfucking comfortable.

  Knowing he hasn’t finished yet is a little worrying. I want it to at least be good for one of us, but I’m not looking forward to that sharp pain again either.

  Ares is still whispering his apology when I run my hand down his back. A little of the cold from the room has settled into my bones, making me feel brittle. I need his heat back; I need him to make this better for both of us. I don’t know how.

  Thoughts of inadequacy fill my head. How could I have ever thought I was good enough for him, for any of them? Tears begin to fall from my eyes and I turn my face away from Ares, so they won’t land on him.

  The shadows in the room deepen, brushing even closer to us on the bed. The air goes colder, as I feel the first tendrils of the smoky shades brushing against my skin. Ares, not noticing, stays frozen above me. “Ares.” I shiver, my breath fogging.

  “I’m so sorry,” he mutters again. How can he not feel how cold the room is? My teeth start to chatter. I run my hands over his back again drawing his attention. “Ares, it’s so cold,” I stammer the words, sounding funny because I can’t stop the quiver in my jaw.

  He pulls back and looks down at me, his gaze then goes around the room. He mutters a curse and closes his eyes, his lips move as if he’s reciting something, but I don’t hear a word. The darkness recedes, pulling its icy fingers from around my legs. Ares’s warmth immediately takes over, and his skin feels hot compared to moments before.

  He touches his forehead to mine and nudges my nose with his. The overwhelming feeling of not being good enough begins to fade right along with the frigid temperatures. My mind clears and I realize not all the emotion welling up inside of me were my own. Some of that doubt and worry came directly from the man above me.

  Ares is still deep inside me and the burn has turned into a low ache. My muscles relax, and the relief is almost instant. He blows out a heavy breath, more of a gasp really, and runs his hand down my side. In the wake of his touch he leaves behind an echo of his caress. The shadows are back, but these are controlled by Ares. I don’t know how I can feel them on my skin, but I do.

  Eyes hooded, he leans in and gives me a simple brush of his lips, but it feels like he’s coming back to me. My short nails score his back, I don’t want him retreating from me again. “Are you okay?” I ask between kisses.

  His hand cups my breast as an answer, his thumb teasing back and forth over the peak. My inner muscles clench again, but this time the pain is absent. Ares pulls out of me slowly and rocks back in, his hips pushing against mine. “Oh.” The surprised sound comes from me.

  Pushing up with one arm, so only our lower bodies are connected, he looks down at me, his eyes possessive as he watches where we’re joined. His hips roll as he pushes forward. His eyes falling closed as his mouth drops open. This is what I needed from him, Ares to let himself go, to bring both of us to where we need to be.

  I have no idea what came over him a few moments ago, but I intend to ask him about it, just not right now.

  Ares takes his hand from my breast, and bringing it up to his mouth, he places his thumb between his lips. When he pulls it free, it’s wet. Not wasting a second, he glides his hand between us, placing his damp thumb right against my clit. I still feel full, but the delicious pressure on my clit takes the slight pain and turns it into something more. My hips begin to rock, searching. Dropping back down on his elbow, Ares crashes his lips to mine. All thoughts of doubt, and worry are erased as he moans into my mouth. “So close, please,” he pleads. I nod, agreeing. I am really close, that feeling of losing control settles lower in my stomach. I pull away from Ares, breaking the kiss. His lips go to my neck licking and sucking.

  I bite his shoulder as the first wave of an orgasm crashes over me. His head tips back and he lets out a long, low groan, his hips still pushing against mine. The euphoric feeling falls away much quicker than any other time I’ve experienced an orgasm, leaving me feeling a little sore. Ares shutters above me, his moans of pleasure give me a secret satisfaction.

  He leans down and places several worshiping kisses on my lips, and every time I think me might pull away he dips back for another long, languid kiss. Ares rolls over onto his side, he pulls me with him to lie on his chest, his body slipping from mine as he does. I shudder, not enjoying the feeling.

  Placing a kiss at my temple, he murmurs, “Are you okay?”

  I give the question some thought before answering. “I’m a little sore,” I tell him honestly, squeezing my thighs together. My legs feel a little like jelly, but a smile blooms on my lips. The hard part is over. From everything I’ve read or heard from listening to the girls talk at school, it shouldn’t hurt like that again. If Ares could make my first time so good, how much better could it get?

  “Do you want to talk about what happened?” I trace my finger over his chest, wondering what he might say.

  Ares blows out a long breath. He turns and scoots down, so we’re face to face. Grabbing my hands between us, he kisses the tips of my fingers, not looking at me. “This isn’t the right time to talk to you about this, but I need to be honest with you.” His words have me holding my breath, what could he possibly have to tell me?

  “I’ve never done that.” I jerk back and glare at him, knowing I must have misheard him. He understands my confusion and amends, “Been with a virgin.” I let out my breath. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I hurt you.” He cuddles his face in closer to mine, giving the tip of my nose a kiss. “I never want to hurt you.” Ares wraps his hand under my hair and around my neck.

  “I knew it would hurt silly, it was how you were
after that freaked me out.” Ares reaches down and snags the black comforter from the end of the bed, and slides it over both of us.

  “Oh, that.” He tries to sound light and airy, but fails.

  “Yeah, that.” I place my finger under his chin to make him look at me. “Talk to me.” I search his eyes, the tawny brown is present and his pupils are small discs of black.

  “I told you I was like a shifter too, but that I didn’t really change forms. Well, that’s kind of true. I don’t really change forms, but sometimes it’s like the shadows are sentient. Like they aren’t just a part of me but are something else,” he confesses, watching my face for my reaction.

  I lick my lips, thinking about what he said. “So, it’s someone else controlling the shadows?”

  Ares shakes his head immediately. “No, it’s me. A dark part of myself.”

  “It looked like you were talking to someone,” I insist.

  His brow furrows. “Not like what you’re thinking, it freaked me out that I hurt you, I lost control of my powers, didn’t even realize I was influencing both of us. There was a part of me that was aware, that darker part of me, but instead of reining the powers in, it was like he was pulling all the energy from the room to try to be there for you.”

  “You keep talking about him like he’s someone else, but saying he’s not.” I give him the side-eye, is he keeping something from me?

  “I can’t explain it, it’s a part of me. The same way that Dante is the tiger, but this part of me doesn’t have a form. It’s all instinct and power,” he promises, his words pleading with me to understand.

  I settle myself in closer and tuck my head under his chin. I don’t quite understand, but I know through the connection of our bond he’s not lying to me. Ares wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head. The heavy feeling of worry lessens as I breathe in his scent and feel his warmth against me. My eyes grow weighty, but I know I need to get up and shower. It’s been well over an hour since we disappeared, I can’t believe no one has come looking for us.