Love in Flame (De La Fuente Family 5)

“I don’t know if that’s all of it, but it’s some of it. Your brothers have gone for women younger than they are, so I guess that makes a difference. But the heart chooses, and what she’s doing is wrong and I think she knows that deep down.” He sighs. “I’m tired Diego, and I want to see all of my son’s married, living their life happily. That would be the greatest gift to me as a father.”

I watch him with concern and he shakes his head. “I have no plans of going anywhere soon, and considering how slow Kasey is with finding his other half, it’s just as well.” He chuckles. “If Rae is who you want then you can’t let anyone stand in your way, Diego. I’ll talk to your mother, again.” Sighing he shakes his head, continuing, “She’s stubborn, but I should imagine that she’ll come around eventually. She just needs time to get used to the idea.”

“I’m not sure about that,” I mumble, staring at my hands. “She made it damn clear the other morning that she didn’t want me to have anything to do with Rae.”

“Hmm.”

Silence follows for the next fifteen, twenty, minutes and then we start to make our way back to the house for breakfast.

Sarah’s SUV is in the drive when we canter into the yard and then I spot them just inside the barn, making out. Dad spots them too and chuckles before he throws his leg over his horse and dismounts. He watches them walk toward us before his eyes meet mine. “Remember what I said, Diego. Hold on to what you have.” He gives me a small smile before he turns and leads his mount into the barn for the morning ritual groom.

“You look deep in thought.” Aiden watches me carefully, keeping Sarah by his side.

I brush off his concern. “I’m fine, just thinking about how refreshed I feel after the ride. I’m also thinking about how hungry I am now.”

Aiden follows me into the barn and helps in grooming Ginger while Sarah assists our father with King. In half the time it would have taken, we’re finished and ready for breakfast.

I’ve avoided Mom for a few days after our confrontation over breakfast, but I promised her that I’d be there today. It’s also a headache trying to avoid her when I live under her roof. It’s something that I’m hoping will change once everyone knows about Rae. I want a home with her, and I know how much she loves her cottage, which is why I haven’t looked for my own place, no matter how much I crave space of my own.

“Definitely pre occupied,” Aiden mumbles, holding the backdoor open, trying to catch my eye.

I try to ignore him but the hand he places on my chest stops me. “We need to talk…later.” He moves and takes his seat at the table while I disappear over to the mudroom to clean up for breakfast.

My heart is heavy while I watch Emelia and Dante sitting together, their heads together. Mateo and Erin are also here for breakfast, their daughter asleep in her stroller. Mom and Dad are sitting together at the head of the table, and that leaves Kasey and me to be the only ones without a partner to sit beside us. It hurts knowing that Rae wouldn’t be welcome here.

Mom watches as I take my seat and continues to watch while I drink half of the coffee in the cup that was waiting. The bacon and eggs on the plate look crisp and the waffle is warm and fresh. Conversation carries on around me while I eat breakfast and drink my coffee in silence, all under the watchful eye of Mom—whom I don’t want to acknowledge.

It isn’t like me especially when Kasey’s home because we tend to toss insults at each other and the others often find us entertaining, but with the unsettled feeling in my stomach, I have no interest.

Pushing away from the table all conversation ceases. My siblings watch me as my fists tighten on the back of the chair. “I have things to do.” I finally glance at Mom. “Thank you for breakfast.” I quickly make my way to my truck and pull out of the yard before there’s any chance of anyone following me.

The breakfast was awkward because I’m angry and annoyed. I pull over to the side of the road and debate going back to apologize, but when my cell beeps, I put the truck back on the road and head for Rae’s place.

RAE

When I hear Diego’s truck pulling around back of my cottage, I open the door and lean against the doorjamb, just watching him.

Diego always makes my blood thrum faster through my body and desire rushes not far behind. His dark hair is always messy, and when his black as midnight eyes land on mine, I know that he’s thinking of me. His full plump lips are those that dreams are made of. Except my dreams are dimming as I watch him and get taken over with concern. He hasn’t moved from the truck, and he hasn’t even seen me waiting for him.

Usually he’d be out of the truck so quickly that the engine hadn’t completely stopped. Frowning, I slip my feet into my flip-flops and move over to him, opening the trucks door. Diego turns his head and meets my gaze. All I see is sadness. “What’s wrong?” I cover the tense hand that rests on his thigh and watch as he intertwines our fingers. He brings our joined hands up to his mouth and kisses my knuckles.

“I’m not sure what I am, but I’m sure my brothers have an idea,” Diego admits as he climbs out of his truck. He keeps my hand in his and with his other, cups my cheek. “I’m angry at what was supposed to be a family breakfast. I ate and left. I love my family, Rae. This whole thing is breaking me.” He wraps me in his arms and my head rests against his chest while he drops his chin to the top of my head. “I can’t choose them over you, I need you both.” He kisses the top of my head. “I can’t let the anger or disappointment go. I try. I even went riding with Dad at sunrise to try and empty myself of all the anger that is building up, but I discovered over breakfast that nothing has changed. It’s still there.”

Lifting m

y head, I reach up and cup his face. He leans in, kissing my palm. “I love you, Rae,” he whispers, and leaning in captures my lips. The kiss starts off as a slow assault on my senses but soon becomes heated and so full of want that I cling to his biceps.

Diego reaches for my hips and hauls me up his strong body. I wrap myself around all the hardness that is my man and deepen the kiss while rubbing against him. He’s strongly aroused with his swollen shaft pressing in just the right place against my core. Wanting and needing more, I reach between us and unfastening his jeans, shove them down slightly so that I can get to the throbbing goods.

My finger rubs around the wet tip causing Diego’s legs to tremble. He breaks the kiss and hisses while trying to walk toward my cottage. I break into a giggle when he stumbles. Diego joins in and shoves me up against the wall beside the kitchen door. “I want you naked. I want to make love to you without being rushed…although,” he looks sheepish, “I think the first time might be hard and fast.” To prove his point, he rubs his cock back and forth against my heat.

My eyes roll as my hands clench on his shoulders. “Don’t stop,” I moan, head thrown back while Diego nuzzles into my neck.

“I need more.” Diego clenches me to him and moves into the kitchen.

Seconds later my bottom lands on the kitchen table and Diego makes quick work of my shorts and panties. “I have to be inside you, Rae.” He takes his penis in hand, and meeting my gaze, admits, “This is going to be the quickest coupling in history.”

He groans while slipping his fingers between my wet folds, a slight tremor to his hand, before he guides his flesh to the entrance of where we both need him to be.