Infinity Chronicles Book Three Page 16

  “I need to get up.” I yawn around the words.

  “No, you don’t. I’ll text them and tell them you fell asleep.” Ares’s voice is just as sleepy as mine, maybe more so.

  “We can’t do that, we’re supposed to be talking about the party.” I don’t have it in me to call it a ceremony.

  Ares grumbles and flops his arm out to the side. “You get up first.”

  “No, you get up first.”

  “You’re laying on me,” he splutters, sounding indignant.

  “Well, then move me.”

  “I don’t want to.” He actually pouts.

  I groan but push off his chest and look down at him. He looks adorable, eyes all soft and sleepy, hair a mess from my hands. A smile curves my lips. He’s mine, and nothing will ever change that.

  “What’s so funny?” He returns my grin.

  I lay my chin in his chest, still gazing up at him like a lovesick fool, but that’s exactly what I am. “I’m just happy, I love you.”

  His eyes flare wide and he snags my arms, bringing me up to his face. “I love you too.”

  Chapter 15

  After a quick shower I head toward the kitchen, my hand tucked inside Ares’s palm. The nerves I ignored earlier are back. What if someone says something about us being gone for so long? What if one of the guys realized what we were doing and gets mad? I shuffle my feet, debating if I should release his hand, but not wanting to lose the connection either.

  I can hear them chatting before we get to the door, and Ares gives my hand a gentle squeeze but doesn’t slow his pace. We round the doorway and a few heads turn in our direction. I scan the guys’ faces, but none of them look irritated at our disappearance. Ollie lifts his hand in a wave. “Hey, come take a look at these.” He doesn’t miss a beat, acting as if I left ten minutes ago instead of the hour and a half we’ve really been gone.

  I release Ares’s hand and head over to Ollie. He’s pointing at an open laptop on the island. Pulling back the empty chair next to him, I take a seat with my eyes glued to the screen. There’s a list of several food options, everything from beef wellington to chicken caprice. In another column are several options for sides, such as risottos and a few I’m not even familiar with.

  “What do you think, which ones sounds good?” Ollie grabs my hand and laces our fingers together under the counter. I’m so grateful for his easy acceptance, so I follow his lead and dive right into the project at hand.

  “How many entrées are we picking?” I know from my experience working at restaurants that banquets always have more than one option for entrées.

  “At least one protein from each category,” Rosa answers, her voice light. When I look up her eyes are on Ares and she has a wide smile on her lips. I look back at the laptop, a blush staining my cheeks.

  The chair next to mine pulls back, and I know without looking it’s Dante. He bumps his head against mine while taking the seat. I reach for him with my free hand once he’s seated. I scan the list again. “I haven’t tried very many of these, what do you guys think?” I look up and make sure Milo knows I’m including him. He’s near his parents, and they take up entire sofa with him sitting on the arm.

  He gives a lazy shrug, “I think we should just keep it simple. Chicken chevre, filet mignon, and lobster.”

  “We need a vegetarian option. And what about people who are allergic to shellfish, maybe we should add another fish option?” Rosa interjects.

  “Why don’t you just have them order from the full menu, every time we pick something you keep adding more anyway?” Dante retorts, his tone suggesting that this isn’t the first time they’ve had this discussion.

  “Two from each category, including vegetarian. The sides will be à la carte, with three salads and a dessert bar,” Ares comments as he walks over to stand near the fireplace, where his fathers are both seated in the large chairs, with Rosa draped across Mal’s lap.

  “The full menu is an option too?” Linda adds, ignoring Ares and looking across at Carolyn on the couch opposite her.

  “We will be here all night.” Ollie drops his head on my shoulder in defeat.

  “Two proteins from each, sides, and a dessert bar. Or I’ll make it a buffet,” Ares counters with a smug look on his face.

  Rosa gasps, turning to glare at him. “Fine, let’s talk flowers.” She may have let Ares think he overrules her on the food, but I’m not so certain.

  The debate goes on for another hour. Every decision from flowers and music to the color scheme is a battle of wills between all three mothers, who seem united, and the guys. Milo wants it simple, Ares just wants it over with if I had to guess, and Dante doesn’t seem to have much of an opinion, leaving Ollie somewhere in the middle, wanting extravagance, but not to the extreme the moms want. I’m with Ares on this one. If we could skip it altogether, I’d be happy.

  “Okay, it’s settled then?” Dante slams the laptop closed and shoves it away from us. I glance over at the clock. It’s just shy of ten o’clock, and we have school in the morning. I wish we had the entire week off for Thanksgiving.

  Ollie stands, running his hand over my shoulder as he heads over in his parents’ direction. He leans down and places a kiss on his mother’s upturned cheek. “I’m going to shower so I don’t have to do it in the morning, night everybody.”

  Milo stands. “We should all go, we have school in the morning.”

  I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been shifting my weight trying to get comfortable on this hard stool since I sat down. If it wasn’t so late, I’d be searching out a tub for a long, hot bath. I’m sore in places I never knew could get sore.

  I wince when I stand, and Ares catches the look. His eyes flash to Dante, then jerk over to me, telling him with his eyes to pay attention.

  Dante rises and comes around the chairs to stand by my side, his nose flaring as he takes in my scent. I’m not sure how keen his nose is, but I would assume it’s much stronger than mine.

  “You guys go ahead, I’ll catch up in a few.” Ares nods his head in our direction, and Milo has joined us now. I give a small wave and plaster a smile on my face. It still feels weird that I’m going to be sleeping in their sons’ rooms, and no one seems to mind.

  Ollie guides us from the kitchen, and Dante has his arm around my waist like I need help standing. I don’t, he’s overreacting, but I like his closeness so I don’t push him away. Our walk to the room is quiet, and now that I’m away from their parents the fatigue I felt earlier is setting in.

  Milo pushes open the door, I don’t waste a second shuffling over to the bed and climbing in. Ares changed the sheets while I was in the shower, but Dante pauses at the doorframe, his head tilting to the side as his chest expands. His eyes land on me in the bed, I’ve already got the covers pulled up to my neck, and I can’t meet his eyes, so I stare at his chin. If he didn’t already know what was going while we were gone, he does now. He rolls his shoulders and neck, and his head lowers, making him seem more predatory as he steps over to the bed slowly.

  Ollie, seeming to not notice, walks over to the closet then heads into the bathroom. “I won’t be long if anyone else needs in.” The door closes behind him before he even looks back in my direction.

  Milo shuffles over to the closet and disappears behind the panel. Alone with Dante, my eyes return to him. He’s standing beside the bed, his eyes on me. I swallow, wondering if he will say anything. Instead, he grabs the bottom hem of his shirt and lifts it slowly. His abdominal muscles tighten, and his biceps bulge a little when he pulls it free. He doesn’t move to get in bed and his eyes never leave mine. It’s like he’s putting himself on display for my inspection.

  I raise the covers a little more, but I can’t look away. Dante blinks at me, his eyelids heavy as he reaches down. He doesn’t wear a belt, so his hand goes right for the button on his pants.

  My eyes grow wide and I look over at the closet, Milo hasn’t come out yet. Returning my gaze back to Dante, I watch as he loosens the but
ton on his jeans. He’s not wearing anything beneath. My face grows warm as I follow the dark patch of hair up his belly, until I meet his eyes. His pupils are dilated, the amber ring surrounding them glowing more orange than I’ve ever seen, outside of his animal form.

  I was right to assume he was putting himself on display; I think this is his tiger offering himself up. The itching feeling I get under my skin when I feel his power too close rushes over me. I feel an ache in my mouth and my tongue instinctively runs along my front gums. I don’t know what surprises me more, how pointy my canines have become, or the fact that I can feel the roughness of my own tongue.

  Dante’s head tilts again, and he lifts his chin, baring his neck to me, but his eyes are locked on mine. I feel my lip curl up as a low growl emanates from my chest. I sit up and the blankets fall into my lap. My shields are down. I’m so exhausted after the long day that I don’t have enough energy to fight the demands of Dante’s abilities as they crash into me.

  I look at my body, aware of what’s happening, but it’s like I’m somehow witnessing it instead of experiencing it. Dante jerks his arm out behind him and my eyes, much more sensitive to movement, track it.

  Milo is standing near the panel of the closet. My gaze focuses on him as he stands frozen with a bundle of clothes clutched against his wide chest. Another snarl leaves my lips, the predator inside me thinking he might go after my prey, Dante. Another jerk of Dante’s hand and Milo retreats back into the closet. I know deep inside I would never hurt him, but I’m having a hard time reining in the beast inside me.

  I dig my hands into the covers still over my lap, only to feel them shred around my fingernails. Lifting my arm, I see not only talon like claws extending from my fingertips, but black stripes slanting up my arms. A jolt of fear causes a whine to leave my chest. I’m frightened, but it’s an emotion the animal inside me doesn’t understand. On some basic level she knows we’re safe, that I’m with my mates, and the fear belongs to me, my human self. How much more will I change? Will I be able to come back? I look up at Dante again and the prickling feeling under my skin is gone. The desire to pin him to the mattress flares up inside of me.

  Instead of pouncing on him, my body slinks up so I’m crawling on all fours to get closer to him. Dante doesn’t move a muscle. His chin is still tipped in the air, the thick line of his neck exposed to my beast, and she likes it.

  Once I reach the end of the bed, my face is level with his bare stomach. My tongue whips out lightning fast and laves Dante from his pubic bone up to his navel. His scent goes stronger, but he doesn’t even breathe.

  A muffled noise triggers my senses, my ear twitches. Keeping my face low, I snag Dante’s jeans with my claws, trapping him. Angling my head, I look around him and see Milo disappearing into the bathroom with barely any sound. A snarl of satisfaction purrs from my chest, I’m alone with Dante.

  Releasing his pants, the fabric falls away from his hip, leaving even more of him exposed from the torn material. I rise until I’m right in front of him, kneeling. A wave of pure contentment settles over me as I do. Mine.

  I run my hands over his chest, careful, even though I’m so far gone, that I won’t hurt him. My rough tongue swipes lazily up over chest until I reach his neck. I bury my face there, my vicious teeth, pointy enough to cut my own mouth, dragging over his shoulder.

  When he doesn’t make a sound or deny my touches, I rise until I’m standing on the bed and looking down at him. Dante’s eyes meet mine and I don’t see an ounce of fear, lust, maybe even a little respect, but not fear.

  “Turn,” I order, my words a growl. Ever so slowly he does as I asked, making sure not to make any sudden movements. As soon as the smooth lines of his back are exposed, a purr leaves my chest. He is mine to do with what I choose.

  Dante shivers as my hands come up under his arms to wrap around his chest. Without any warning I latch on to the place where his shoulder meets his neck. My teeth sinking in enough so I taste his blood on my tongue, the abilities inside me flashing with so much power I see stars.

  The bedroom door slams open and there stands a panting Ares, his eyes blown wide, fully black. I drag Dante even closer to me, not letting go of my prey.

  Weakly, Dante raises his arm to stave off his brother. Ares’s shoulders fall, the perceived threat gone. Only I remain.

  His acceptance allows the animal inside me to let go of the hold she has on me. She senses that Ares isn’t a beast she wants to tussle with, she isn’t eager for a fight, but she won’t admit he would beat her either.

  These thoughts, though my own, filter though my consciousness as if separate. Ares describing his dark self tickles my memory. My mouth aches again, this time it’s sharp and quick. My teeth pull free from Dante’s shoulder. I lap at the red smear left behind, my eyes locked on Ares. He places his hands deep into his pockets, watching me.

  I have a second to look over his wrinkled shirt. As my beast recedes, she smiles in triumph. At my urging he put back on his mussed clothes from earlier, he didn’t like it, but he did it for me. I thought it would look too obvious if we both went out in different clothes. She understands might isn’t the only way to get what she wants. Giving a nod of respect in my direction, she curls around the power inside me that tastes of Dante.

  I’m slow to let Dante go, and even though I’m fully myself again, I find it easier not to face him or Ares so I duck behind his shoulder. Thankfully Milo and Ollie stayed in the bathroom for most of the more violent aspects of my newest ability. I let my forehead fall to Dante’s back. Ashamed that I let myself bite him, hurt him, in any way.

  When I try to pull my hands free from his chest, I feel Dante’s hands snap up to mine and hold them in place. He squeezes my fingers then spins to face me. I look down at my feet, curling my toes in the black blanket, noting that the stripes are gone from my skin, and my nails have returned to normal as well.

  Dante wraps his arms around me, not giving me time to escape. I don’t even hug him back, I don’t deserve to. A knot forms in my throat. I can still taste the metallic tang of his blood in my mouth.

  I stifle a sob and my shoulders jerk with the effort. How the hell will I ever be able to control that part of myself? I tuck my head under Dante’s chin when I hear the snap of the door closing, I have no idea if Ares and the others are in the room or if they left us alone. Dante pulls his torso away from me, but I fight not to look at him.

  “I can’t… I am so sorry.” I shake my head, I can’t believe how I acted. If he would have done something like that to me when we met, I would have run for the hills.

  “Laura.” Dante’s deep voice curls around my name and the beast raises her head, I look up at him from under my lashes. His eyes are a little wild, like he can’t see enough of me as he gazes down at me. I smooth my cheek against his bare chest, liking the way I can smell myself on his skin.

  His hands dig into my hips and he lifts me off the bed, and then sets my feet on the ground. He towers over me, his head bent so his forehead touches mine. “Don’t hide from me,” Dante pleads, his words a whispered rasp.

  “I bit you,” I utter slowly, like there’s some way he doesn’t know what just happened.

  “You didn’t hurt me.” I open my mouth to argue, but he stops me by placing his finger over my lips. “When you bit me, were you trying to hurt me?”

  I shake my head in denial, before I even think about his question. None of it was to hurt him, show him he was mine, yes, but not hurt him.

  “Look.” Dante bares the side of his neck and the bite that should still be fresh is sealed over, a couple of pink spots where my teeth punctured his flesh are all that remains.

  I reach forward to run my finger over the spots, not trusting my eyes when only fading scars are visible. My brows furrow in confusion. Dante’s eyes close when I touch his skin. “Nothing you did was wrong sweetheart, but it was my fault.”

  I snatch my hand away from Dante. How could be blame himself for what I did? He grabs my
hand again, laying it over his chest, I can feel the heat of his skin under my palm, the rapid beat of his heart. “Let me explain,” he offers, crowding even closer to me.

  When I don’t argue he continues, his head dipping low to whisper in my ear. “I knew you weren’t just taking a shower.” My body goes rigid at his words. “I thought I was under control, but then when we walked in this room, I could smell you.” I purse my lips, this isn’t something I want to talk about right now. “I knew I was baiting you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I could feel your abilities cresting when we would train, but you fought it.” I swallow, knowing he’s telling the truth. I did fight it, I didn’t want to deal with learning another ability. “I knew I could push you, speak to that part of you that you’ve been afraid to accept.”

  A little guilt settles in my chest. I have been afraid of what I might turn into. I want to make an excuse for myself, say it was only because we’ve been dealing with so much, but that’s not the whole truth. So, I keep my mouth shut. I let the truth of his confession sink in. What he did wasn’t right. I don’t like that he pushed me into something I wasn’t ready for.

  I pull away from him, angry and hurt at myself and Dante. He lets me go, his arms falling to his side with a defeated slump. “I wasn’t thinking clearly, it’s not an excuse. I know I was wrong.” Dante lowers his head and steps back, putting more distance between us.

  An ache forms over my heart. I bring my hand up over my chest and rub, trying to ease the pang. I open my mouth to tell him it’s okay, but I can’t find the right words. Dante turns away from me, preparing to leave the room. He’s putting more than physical distance between us.

  “Dante?” His name is all I manage. Fear of rejection has my plea turning to ash on my tongue. He doesn’t turn, but he looks over his shoulder at me. He doesn’t say a word. “Are you leaving me?” Tears prick the corners of my eyes and the lump is back in my throat.