Smoke and Survival (Best Wishes Book 2) Read online

  I nodded, took off my wish token necklace, and dropped it onto his open palm. We spent the next hour seeing what would happen with different wishes. We conjured a five-dollar bill, a bottle of water, gave him the ability to hold fire for thirty seconds, and conjured a pair of glasses that were gold and so hideous I laughed until I cried. Alex was dressed in his typical sleek suit pants, button up, and black tie, and when he had a pair of gaudy gold eyeglasses, I couldn’t hold it in. Unfortunately, my giggles became contagious, and then neither one of us could focus, so Alex called an end to our session after that.

  Grabbing my bag on my way out, I headed out of his office and walked down the stairs. I was going to say goodbye to Jonathon, but he was helping a student. His back was to me and he was hunched over his phone while looking something up on the computer. I waved to Jonathon on my way out to avoid disturbing him. After receiving a wave back, I pushed the door open to the quad and dug out my phone to call my twins.

  “Lemon Drop!” Landon shouted in the background before Logan had a chance to say hello. My breath puffed out in front of me as I laughed.

  “Hey, guys.” I smiled as I walked.

  “All done, Love?” I hummed a quick affirmative to Logan’s question. “That was quick, does that mean you’re heading over early?”

  “I need to stop by Dante’s and Hudson’s to drop off their portion of the cookies my mom sent first, but then I will.” I curved down the path toward the guys’ dorm room.

  “Don’t be a fool, wrap his tool! Practice safe sex! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, oh wait…” Landon shouted in the background causing me to burst out laughing. Several people around the quad turned to look at me, and I could feel my face turning pink as I quieted my laughter.

  “That isn’t going to happen,” I scolded.

  “You never know,” Logan said in a sing-song voice. “Love, you know you can, right? We talked about everything with the rest of the group, and nothing like that shit show will happen again.” I was still hesitant, but I felt the tightness ease in my chest hearing that they would be all right with it. We’re all adults, I reminded myself, we can do what we want.

  “I don’t know how you could be okay with that.” I lowered my voice, trying to keep my conversation quiet as I typed in the access code to their building.

  “Because we’re family and we all want you. I don’t get upset when you’re with Landon, why would I be upset you’re with any of my other brothers?” I paused at that. That actually makes a lot of sense. I huffed and continued up the stairs.

  “I still doubt anything will come from it. I’m almost to his room, so I’ll text you guys when I’m headed down, okay? See you soon, brats.” I chuckled into the phone when I heard Landon still shouting ridiculous sex sayings like ‘no glove, no love,’ ‘don’t be silly, wrap his willy,’ and ‘wrap the rod then please her bod.’

  “All right, Lucie, see you soon.” Logan’s husky voice filtered through the phone before the call ended with a soft click. I knocked when I got to Dante’s door, pushing it open to head inside.

  “Hey, boys!” I hollered out as I shut the door. My breath left my lungs when I turned around. Dante was standing in his doorway in only a pair of black sweatpants as he towel-dried his hair. The sweats hung low on his hips showing the cut of his hip bones, chiseled six pack, and broad shoulders. The muscles in his arms bulged as he rubbed his short-cropped black-brown hair. His dark tan skin glistened with water from his shower. I couldn’t help but stare as a drop of water traveled down his chest and abs. Fuck. I swallowed hard. Realizing I was staring at his body, I shot my gaze to his and found a smirk curling his kissable lips. No, Lucie, bad. I tried to stop thinking about him washing up in the shower as I turned to drop my bag on the armchair next to the door.

  “Hey, Firecracker,” Dante greeted, his voice thick with desire as he dropped his hand and towel from the back of his head. “Are those the delicious cookies I’ve heard so much about?” His head tilted toward the tin I had pulled out before coming in.

  “Uh huh.” My voice squeaked, as I was still struggling to form coherent thoughts with his bare caramel chest on display. “Do you want one?” I held out the tin for him. Distraction, I need a distraction.

  “I do,” he hummed, laying the towel over the back of the loveseat before striding over to me, his black sweats inching lower with each step. I started to loosen the tin lid after finally prying my eyes away from his shifting muscles, but his warm, calloused hands covered mine. “But”—he took the tin from me and laid it on my bag—“I want something else first.” I was staring straight at his chest, my breath quickening as I felt a throb between my legs. His right hand came up and gently lifted my chin, his thumb brushing up to my lip and across my unbruised cheek. His cologne and musk scent filled my nose as he stepped closer, his broad chest brushing the front of my sweater.

  “What about…” I hesitated briefly as his thumb continued to trace the planes of my face. My eyes fell back to his neck and chest, unable to look him in the eye as I admitted my worry. “What about the others… I mean, are you sure?” I couldn’t stop myself from whispering the question, afraid that the reality of what I was bringing up would ruin the bubble of need around us.

  “Lucie, I’m sure,” he promised. His tone was low but determined as he reassured me. “The guys and I are more than all right with this as long as you are. I wouldn’t ever pressure you into something you weren’t comfortable with.”

  “I promise I’m okay with it,” I murmured warmly, feeling the hint of a flush creep onto my neck as he nudged my face up lightly to look at him once more.

  When I finally met his eyes, they were tracing my face as if Dante was memorizing every little detail before stopping at my lips. My left hand was on top of the armchair, steadying me as my head spun with desire. I lifted my right, lightly placing it on his hip, half on the soft fabric of his sweats and half on his warm skin. Need poured through me when he closed the distance between us, pressing his lips to mine.

  He tasted like coffee, and his kiss was gentle at first but grew deeper when I leaned into him, smashing my breasts firmly against his chest despite the tiny throb of pain from my bruises. The heat from him seeped into my wrapping and bra, my nipples pebbling against the fabric. His tongue slid against the seam of my lips, and when I opened, he swept in tasting every piece of me. My breath caught at the amount of time he spent gently caressing me. His fingers lightly ran over my skin, sending goosebumps trailing after his touch and shivers radiating through me. His other hand went to my waist, pulling me against his hard cock. I gripped his hip, digging my nails into his ass.

  Dante’s tongue was soft against mine as he deepened the kiss, his fingers running along my jaw to the back of my neck before burying into my hair. Turning my head to angle it away from him, he placed light kisses down my throat until he reached the top of my sweater. I pulled it up over my head to leave behind just my cami. He grabbed my hips as he started walking backward, kissing and nipping at the dip where my neck met my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and brushed my fingers over his muscled back, his body shivering under my touch. When we stepped into his room, his warm hands slid up under my cami, smoothing over my stomach until he lightly brushed over my wrap and breasts.

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” he murmured against the skin under my ear followed by a small nibble to my earlobe. I moaned and dug my fingers deeper into his back.

  “You won’t, Dante, it’s only wrapped to keep any irritation away.” I ran my fingers under the waistband of his sweats, the dark trail of hair tickling my fingers. His hands wrapped around my back and pulled me tight against him once again. He kissed me deeply before pulling away to look down at me.

  “Only if you’re sure.”

  I smiled up at him, no longer feeling any pain in my cheek when I did.

  “I promise I’ll tell you if it hurts.” I leaned in and kissed his stubbled jaw before pulling my arms up so he could remove my cam
i gently. My teeth nipped his pec as he unbuckled my belt and jeans. Making my way down his chest slowly, I slipped my hand under his sweats. Holy fuck, how is that going to fit? I thought as I rubbed his hard cock, circling my fingers around his length. My kisses continued to trail down his body as I fell to my knees and pulled his sweats and boxers to mid-thigh. I licked the bottom of his shaft from the base to the tip and watched his eyes fall closed, reveling in the soft moan that left his lips. His hand tangled in my hair, but not in a painfully tight grip.

  Empowered by the pleasure blatant on his face, I circled his head with my tongue as I curled my fingers around the shaft. My lips slid firmly around him, and I took him into my mouth as far as I could. I pulled back and sucked him in again as he groaned, his head falling back. After a few more passes he shifted his hips away from me and pulled me to standing. He slanted his lips against mine as he softly laid me on the bed. I didn’t expect someone so dominant to be so gentle. His kisses skimmed down my neck, skipping over my wrapping to my stomach. His warm fingers brushed my thighs and calves as he pulled off my jeans and panties.

  He positioned himself in between my legs, my thighs resting on his broad shoulders. I was already soaked but seeing him between my legs caused another pulse of heat to shoot straight through me. He placed several kisses and a few nibbles on my inner thighs as he worked his way in. When he reached my core, he kissed my clit, lightly sucking in. My muscles contracted as the stubble rubbed against me, a rough contrast to his wet tongue that dipped and circled. I couldn’t keep watching, my eyes automatically closing as my moans became more frantic. My back arched as my orgasm built.

  “Dante,” I gasped as waves of desire pulsed through me, my body shaking slightly at the tremors wracking my body. When I finally came down from that high, Dante took my right leg and turned me so I lay on my side facing toward the other half of his room. He nestled himself behind me, kissing my shoulder. Running his fingers in between my thighs until he reached my slick center, he pushed one finger in. My thighs parted, allowing him better access as he added another finger. Before he coaxed another orgasm from my ignited body and tingling nerves, he stopped. Burying my face in the pillow, I tried to muffle my groan of frustration. The tearing of a condom wrapper sounded behind me.

  “Patience, Firecracker. I wouldn’t leave you hanging like that,” he whispered in my ear, the sound sending an eager shiver through me. Lifting my thigh to place my calf over his leg, he shifted his hips forward, bringing his cock from being pressed against my ass straight to my entrance. His right hand held onto my inner thigh, while his other arm was propped on the bed to support the weight of his upper body. He entered me slowly, pushing in and out until he was completely inside me. My head fell to rest on his arm, my body wracked with a panting need once he was in fully. He’s fucking big. He shifted his hips out before pushing forward. Each pump of his hips was slow and languid, rocking at his own leisurely pace.

  His hand in my hair tightened just slightly angling my head back up toward the ceiling. I couldn’t tell what fell from my lips as he continued his rhythm, my thoughts lost to the bright flame building inside me at lightning speed. The hand on my thigh shifted to my hip, fingers digging in while he increased his pressure and speed. My orgasm ripped a strangled moan from me, my hand strangling the sheets, the roughness of his stubble running lightly across my shoulder. He groaned my name as he pumped hard a few more times before reaching his own climax, shudders shaking his body. I went limp on the bed, warmth and the feeling of being cared for filling my chest as I focused on slowing my frantic breaths. Dante leaned forward and placed a long kiss on my neck, his leg nestled between me; I could feel him growing soft before he pulled out.

  “Want that cookie now?” I joked, trying to quell the building emotions that quivered in my chest as I rolled back to look up at him. His laugh melted me from the inside out, and a sense of connection and closeness bloomed with the already pounding heat of our round of sex. I popped up to my elbow and gave him a kiss, my hand cupping his strong jaw.

  “Hell yeah, I want that cookie now. Need my energy for the game tonight and someone used it all up,” he teased. His lips curled into a small smile, and he pressed a soft kiss on my injured cheek before shifting to get up. He held out his hands to help me stand before bending down to hold open my panties. I was more than sure that I didn’t hide the surprise on my face as the skin around his eyes crinkled even more when his smile widened. His shoulder was hot under my fingers while I steadied myself before stepping into the lace. Jeans followed quickly, his hands stopping when they reached my hips.

  “Thanks.” I smiled at him, pulling on and buttoning my jeans and belt. I tossed on my cami and sweater, the room’s cool temperature chilling me quickly.

  “Of course, if I take it off of you, you better believe I’ll help you get it back on.” Dante held me against his chest, arms wrapped around my hips. I ran my hands up his muscled arms and chest to rest on his shoulders. “Unfortunately, I need to go get checks done for our uniforms down in the locker room and get prepped for the game. You’re coming, right?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “That’s a dumb question, Dante, you know very well I want to be there to support my guys.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. Pulling away, I grabbed my coat and bag off the chair, making sure to leave the cookie tin. “I’ll see you after the game?” He chuckled and nodded, holding the door open for me. When I slid by him, he pulled me to a stop and kissed me once more before pulling back. A triumphant smile brightened his face before I found myself staring at the wooden door of his dorm room. I felt my cheeks redden when I realized there were several people in the hallway staring with raised eyebrows. I tucked my head down and texted the twins, heading down one flight of stairs to their dorm.

  4

  November 2nd

  Friday Midday

  Landon

  “Hey, guys,” Lucie called out from the shared living room. I came barreling into the room and slid to a stop in front of her.

  “Lemon Drop”—I smirked at her, quirking an eyebrow—“you were gone for an awfully long time to be dropping off cookies.” Her eyes widened slightly, a flush immediately rising up her neck and face. She opened and closed her mouth a few times without actually saying anything.

  “Dante finally got some, huh?” Logan’s face mimicked mine as he teased our girl. Her face turned even more red as she started to fiddle with her hair.

  “Told you,” I sang to her. I laughed at her expression which fell from embarrassment to a slight glare. “What, Lemon Drop? I did, did I not?” I turned to ask Logan who hummed his agreement. My teasing banter melted into a wave of seriousness as I continued. “Don’t worry, Lucie. As we said, everything is fine. Please don’t be embarrassed.” I pulled her into a hug; her normal vanilla scent still held hints of sex and Dante’s cologne and musk. My cock harden in my jeans as I buried my nose in her hair, and my heart rate sky-rocketed thinking of her spread out in front of me.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah, you two were right, blah, blah, blah,” she mumbled against my Henley, but I felt the smile on her beautiful face.

  “Damn straight, Lemon Drop, don’t you forget that we’re always right.” I ran my hand down her hair, holding her to me. She burst out laughing, her thin shoulders shaking against my arms.

  “Yeah, I don’t think so, Landon, nice try.” She pulled away to smile at me, her adorable dimples appearing on her cheeks. “Let’s watch our movie until you have to go to the field for game prep.” She jumped onto the loveseat and patted the seats next to her for us. I could get used to this, I thought to myself as I sat down, her weight settling against my chest.

  November 2nd

  Friday Evening

  Lucienne

  “So hungry,” Sadie whined pitifully, her hands rubbing her stomach as we waited for the hostess. I rolled my eyes at her dramatics but couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out of me.

  “We literally just had ice cream,” I reminded h
er, “because someone wanted dessert first.” I looked pointedly at her. She waved me off with a smile, and the hostess leading us to a booth cut off her retort. We ordered as soon as the waiter stepped up since we always ordered the same when we came to the Indian restaurant on Main Street.

  “So,” my roommate started, her head tilted as she attempted to get her lemonade straw in her mouth without the use of her hands. One of these days she’ll realize they aren’t just for painting. “How’s life in Lucie land?” My skin started to flush as my mind immediately thought of Dante and our earlier rendezvous.

  “Uh…” Smooth response, Lucie, very smooth.

  “I feel that there is something you haven’t been sharing,” she teased, leaning forward on her elbows so she could prop her chin in her hands. Her white with burgundy polka dotted nails were quite the contrast to her usual neon color or glitter. I hesitated a moment too long, and her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You had sex.”

  “Shh,” I shushed her, shooting forward so she didn’t have to practically shout it to a room full of strangers. “Yes, okay?” I huffed in a whisper. “When I went to drop cookies off at Dante’s... we kind of…” I trailed off in a mumble.

  “Did the hanky panky? Horizontal tango? Bumped uglies?”

  “Oh god, please, for the love of my sanity, stop.” I laughed, covering my bright red ears and cheeks. “Yes, we had sex,” I muttered in embarrassment. Not by the fact I had sex with Dante, because it was amazing, but because we were talking about it in the middle of a crowded restaurant.