Love in Country (De La Fuente Family 4)

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THE END

Prologue ~ Love in Flame

EIGHT WEEKS AGO ~ DIEGO

“Mom, I know my family is out there waiting to see me but before I do, I need to make sure Rae is okay with my own eyes. So, unless you want me to get out of this bed and go out there myself, please ask her to come in here.” I glare at my mom and know that she’s angry at my request, well, I’m equally angry with her for trying to prevent Rae from coming in here.

She even went as far as telling the doctor that only family was allowed in my room, which I quickly put a stop to.

Because I got stabbed in the shoulder while protecting Rae, my mom believes that Rae is the one responsible, and it’s pissing me off. Yes, I was defending Rae, but it wasn’t the woman’s fault. It’s the asshole that had the concealed knife tucked into the band of his jeans who is to blame. However, as I continue to tune my mom out, I realize that this probably has more to do with it being Rae than anyone else.

She hasn’t taken to Aiden’s friend and she’d been unable to conceal her surprise when Kasey told her what had happened at the bar. She’s pissed and relieved that I’m okay, but there is more to it than what she’s letting on. I have a feeling it has everything to do with the obvious attraction between Rae and I. Our ages being the main focus.

About to speak again, I silence her. “Mom, enough already. I want Rae in here within five minute or I’m going looking for her…I mean it.” I narrow my eyes so she knows that I really have had enough of her going on and ignoring what I want.

“I don’t like this. I will go and ask her to come in here, so make the most of the visit because I’ll make sure she doesn’t come in again.” On her last words, she turns and quickly exists before I can say a damn thing.

I rest my head against the pillow and breathe through the pain of my shoulder, and the frustration of wanting Rae. I’ve been distracted by her since the minute Aiden introduced us.

I smile when I think about the sexy but small package in that tight body. She’s a hot little thing and brings all my protective instincts right to the surface.

Her scent has been inside of me since I held her close when I got the first call about the local forest fire. I’d kissed her forehead and felt the heat rush straight to my dick.

It’s been obvious since then that she wants me to keep my distance, but I’m not sure how when our paths constantly cross. Kasey thinks I just need to get laid by someone my own age to get my mind off the curvy woman. According to him it’s the lack of fucking that has me craving the forbidden fruit.

The sound of the door creaking as it’s pushed open has me snapping my eyes in that direction. I sigh in relief when my eyes land on Rae, and I do more than a once over. She moves closer and as our eyes meet, I notice her beautiful face is pale with fatigue. Her lips wobble and she turns away rapidly swiping at her face with her fingers.

My heart hurts watching her try to hide her emotions, so I hold my hand out. “Rae, come over here.”

She shakes her head and avoids looking at me. “Rae, please. I’m in bed and in a lot of pain, so it’s going to hurt me a hell of a lot to get up and go to you.” Okay, that’s not entirely true. The pain in my shoulder is more of a dull throb since I’ve had the pain meds, but I’ll say anything right now to get her closer.

Rae grabs some tissues and rubs at her face before she finally faces me. “I don’t know what to say, or why you insisted on seeing me first…”

“Because I needed you in here with me.” I hold my hand out again and sigh with relief when she takes it and allows me to tug her closer.

My eyes search her face while she does enough looking of her own, and that’s when I realize I need her in my arms.

“Pull this down.” I tug on the side of the bed and when it drops, I pat the side.

Her eyes widen and she shakes her head. “No way. I’m not getting in that bed with you.”

I smirk. “I’ve had enough dreams about you and what you’d feel like against my body, but unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to do anything about those right now. So the least you can do is lie beside me and let me hold you.” I wink. “I promise to behave.”

She chuckles and kicks off her boots and when she’s in my arms, I tug up the side of the bed, which is a lot easier to put up than take down. She isn’t going anywhere if I have my way.

“I shouldn’t be in here, Diego,” she whispers, snuggling deeper into my side, and it hurts that she thinks that.

“You belong in here, Rae. Please don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” I hold her close and kiss the top of her head.

“What are we doing, Diego?”

“I don’t know. But it feels right having you lying here beside me.” I let the silence settle around us, and then I add, “In a way I’m glad that I got hurt defending you.”

Rae lifts her head and frowns when she meets my gaze. “Why on earth would you be glad about that?”

“Because I have you in my arms, a place that you wouldn’t have been otherwise.”