Love in Flame (De La Fuente Family 5)

The time isn’t right just yet but when it is I’m going to make sure she can’t get away from me. I’m going to be every damn place she goes. She’s the woman I’m in love with and no matter how ridiculous that sounds considering we haven’t spent that much time together, she’s there in my heart.

“You look ready to kill someone, brighten up bro. It’s an engagement party after all.” Kasey nudges me from my place at the back of the barn.

I’m not completely hidden, just enough that I can watch everything and everyone in my case, without them seeing me.

“I’m fine,” I add when I realize he isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. “I am.”

“Who are you trying to convince?” Kasey drawls. “You aren’t convincing me.”

I glare at him, but considering we’re the same height and pretty much the same build, my silent response does nothing but elicit a smirk.

“I don’t need to tell you that Rae is here, do I?”

My eyes immediately focus on her and my fists clench when I see her talking to another man. She looks beautiful with her fiery red hair brushed out down her back in soft waves, and the sundress ending above her knees—a few inches above—and cowgirl boots on her feet.

My breath catches at the back of my throat at the first sight of her since the hospital. My skin feels tight, and my eyes burn into her, unable to move them on.

She must sense my gaze because she turns, looking around her before she spots me, and my heated gaze. Her head quickly swivels back to the man she’s talking to, but seconds later she’s moving toward the front of the barn.

“Shit,” Kasey curses. “I hope you two know what you’re doing.” He stomps away and distracts Mom from spotting Rae.

In fact, Rae i

s only here today because Aiden told Mom that there wouldn’t be an engagement party at the farm if Rae wasn’t invited, and made to feel welcome. Needless to say it worked, Mom had her heart set on the party being here so she just couldn’t say no.

As Rae gets closer the visible strain on her face makes me want to take her into my arms and protect her. I want her with me, and I want everyone to accept that she’s the woman I want in my life…except that won’t be happening anytime soon.

Slipping into the barn from the back, I can’t help my excitement. That I’m going to have the opportunity to talk to her, maybe touch her beautiful face…and then, there she is, looking unsure of herself, slipping into the barn.

I pause and stay hidden in the shadows as I watch her look around. She fidgets with the short skirt of her dress but it’s when she sucks her lower lip into her mouth that I have a visceral reaction, right in the fucking balls.

“Diego?” she whispers before clearing her throat.

I’m afraid that if I make myself known that I’ll pounce on her.

She knows you’re here somewhere.

RAE

Glancing around, I bite my lip nervously, knowing that Diego is in here somewhere. I can feel his eyes on me and I have done since I arrived at his family’s farm.

The same farm that his mom, Lucia, has asked me to stay away from. Her words only affirmed my decision of not getting involved with Diego. More involved, I should say because he’s the first man since my first husband died to enter my heart. Diego’s brother, Aiden is here, but the love I have for him is like that of a sibling.

I shouldn’t even be thinking about this, but how can I not. I’m not as strong as I should be and minutes ago it had felt like I’d been lassoed, roped in, or as though a powerful magnet was pulling us together.

The barn is full of shadows, but as I walk down the center, searching for him with my eyes, I spot his boots, the rest of him shrouded in darkness. Goose bumps break out all over my body when he steps out of the shadows and begins to slowly move toward me. It’s as though we’re in a slow motion segment as it takes forever for him to reach me. I can hear my heart thrumming loudly, almost as if each beat means more with him around. When he reaches me, silence encompasses us as his gaze travels over my face, his eyes searing into mine.

My heart jolts and my pulse pounds while I fight the overwhelming need to be in his arms. It’s the vulnerability that I sense behind his heated expression that makes me pause. He’s just as nervous to be here with me as I am with him. I’m so used to Diego being confident and sure of himself, but that isn’t what he’s letting me see right now.

Knowing that I need to make the first move, I take a hesitant step closer and when Diego looks at me as though he’s seconds from devouring me, my body goes heavy and warm with need—the pull between us is irresistible.

Moistening my lips, I whisper, “We shouldn’t be here…together.” I shake my head slowly, trying to gain control of my thoughts.

His eyes flicker with pain before he curses and stepping forward, he pulls me tightly to his large frame. Being this close I can’t miss the musky scent of him as our hearts thud in rhythm, a delightful shiver of longing runs through me.

“Rae…” his last words are smothered against my lips as he pushes past them with his thrusting tongue.

My hands clutch at his shoulders when he pulls my trembling thighs up and around his taught waist. His hands move under my dress, skimming my hips and thighs before they settle on my bottom. In this position there’s no possible way I can miss his arousal that feels long and thick pressing against my panties.