Page 1 of Through Any Fire (Any x #1)

I n the dreamscape, he is overwhelmed with her scent. No matter how he tries, he can’t escape the bittersweet cloud of sweet almonds laced with a hint of the ripest springtime cherries. It settles over his senses like a warm blanket, and he falls easily into the comforting embrace of familiarity.

In the distance, a woman crosses a busy street. Her chestnut hair yields to the gentle breeze, and he reaches a hand out to touch it.

But he’s too far away.

One blink, and she’s gone, replaced by the familiar ghost of heartache.

Next to him lies another, but her scent is too syrupy. Crystallized sugar saturated in manufactured vanilla that suffocates each sense, but he leans into it. Anything to chase the ghosts away.

For a moment, he forgets.

In the next, he wakes, and the blonde lying across his chest stirs. His head drops against the pillow, and he stares up at the ceiling. As the dawn floods into the room, not for the first—nor the millionth—time does he wish things had turned out differently .

But that’s a useless wish, one that does more harm than good. Nothing has changed. His father is still alive, and there’s nothing he can do. So, he slips a hand down to grasp his heavy cock and closes his eyes to pretend the hand that joins his is hers. He groans.

Time to wake up.