Love in Purgatory (De La Fuente #2)

by Lexi Buchanan

  Emelia couldn’t hold her sob in any longer. “That’s what I’m afraid of.” She met Eric’s gaze. “What if he chooses the church?” she cried.

  Eric pulled her against him, and just held her while she continued to cry her heart out. “I don’t know,” he whispered honestly against the top of her head. “But no matter what, I’ll always be here for you. Diego and you will always be part of my family, my heart. Don’t ever forget that Emelia.”

  “I won’t.” She pulled away and reached for a Kleenex on the dressing table to mop herself up. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready to go home...but...can we keep it quiet about Dante and me. I mean, I don’t even know if there’ll be a Dante and me yet.” She shrugged, and tried to hold herself together.

  “Yeah, one shock at a time,” Eric agreed and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t wait too long.”

  “I won’t.”

  With one last hug, he left her to her own thoughts.

  She’d listened to Eric—it was a relief that he was on her side and willing to help her deal with their family because she sure as hell didn’t want to do it alone.

  Feeling overwhelmed, Emelia dropped into the chair that Eric had vacated and curled up to gaze out the window. She was on a high floor and the view over snowy Lexington was beautiful with the mountains in the background, but her mind drifted back to the night before.

  How could it not when she’d touched Dante in a way that she’d craved for so long?

  Her Dante was beautiful and sexy. His body was toned, which she’d been able to make out through his dark chest hair that led to the hardness of his groin. She’d never seen anyone so hard before. She chuckled, she hadn’t seen anyone nude before so what was she thinking? Dante was the first man for her to see nude, and she couldn’t get the image out of her head—she didn’t want to.

  His penis had risen, hard and thick, from the thatch of dark hair that lightly covered his groin and balls, and it had reached past his navel. She wet her lips as she remembered the silky feel of the hardness beneath her fingers, and the taste of him as he’d released in her mouth.

  She prayed with everything that she had she would get the chance to be with him again, and that he’d be sober because she wanted him to remember her touch. She wanted him to remember the pleasure that he gave her by allowing her hands and mouth on him.

  All she could hope for was that Dante didn’t remember last night until she’d had the chance to talk to her mom, and everyone finally knew what she knew. Otherwise, it would be even more difficult for him to handle than anything else.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Father, you have to do something about them. I find it embarrassing. Don’t you?” Barbara asked, her hands on her ample hips while she stared at him across the kitchen table.

  Dante sighed heavily and knew, although, Barbara found the women embarrassing, that she also found them amusing. The rest of his congregation probably did as well.

  Shaking his head, he pulled out the chair in front of him. Once he was sitting, he helped himself to a fresh coffee, wishing it were something stronger, and finally met Barbara’s angry gaze. “I try to avoid conflict, or rather that kind of conflict, the best I can. You know that.”

  “But Father, they will continue to come here unless you say something. It’s best taking the bull by the horns, and getting it over and done with. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

  He already regretted being friendly to the two M&M’s, as Barbara liked to call them. He hadn’t been overly friendly, just the same as how he was with the other parishioners. The only difference was that they’d taken it to mean that the priest had a case of forbidden lust for them, and had kicked up their game of trying to get him alone.

  The only person he’d ever had a case of lust for was well and truly out of bounds, which was why for the past two weeks, since Ramon’s wedding, he’d avoided talking to Diego.

  He’d been desperate to hear about Emelia’s date with a friend of her twin, but he’d forced himself to not think about it because he’d go totally insane if he did.

  It wasn’t easy when his dreams at night starred Emelia. He felt her touch on his bare body all the way to his soul. He’d managed to wake himself up before the dreams had gone too far, but one day, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to bring himself to wake up until he’d seen where the dream took him. As it was, he’d wake up sporting an erection from hell with his balls aching for release—a release he hadn’t allowed himself since he’d become a priest.

  “Father, are you still with me?”

  He blinked a few times to rid himself of the images in his head because getting hard at his kitchen table, while talking to Barbara, wasn’t the best thing to do. Not only that, it was uncomfortable having the throb between his legs when he couldn’t do anything about it.

  “I’m with you, and I’ll talk to them when I see them again.”

  “Good.” She smiled. “Because they’ve just walked up to the front door.”

  “Barbara,” he growled, and looked at her smug expression.

  “Would you like me to get the door, Father.” She wiped her hands on a towel and watched him from the corner of her eye. She may be in her eighties but there was nothing wrong with her hearing or eyesight, unless she chose otherwise.

  He rubbed a hand across his weary face and hid the smile at her antics. The last thing he needed her to see was his amusement.

  “I’ll get the door.” He stood, and raised a brow at Barbara. “I do believe you were about to add buttercream to the cake...and don’t invite our guests to stay for tea and cakes...please.”

  “I won’t, Father.”

  He sighed as he made his way to the door because all he wanted was to be left alone. These days, he even struggled to get through Mass. His heart was heavy, his soul conflicted, that he didn’t feel like the right person to lead his congregation…and even if he was, the loss was so deep, he felt it in his bones…an exhaustion so great that he didn’t know how he could move forward.

  And as he opened the front door, he wondered how long he’d be able to carry on being a priest in Frederick when he didn’t think his heart was in it anymore, which he’d never seen happening.

  “Father,” the M&M’s gushed and stepped closer as though he was about to invite them inside, despite the fact that he blocked their entry.

  “Hello ladies, what can I do for you?” He cringed inside at his open question.

  “Could we come inside, Father? It’s cold out here,” Miranda asked. At least, he thought it was Miranda because he was so used to hearing M&M.

  “I’m sorry, but that isn’t possible.” He frowned with resignation. “You are both young, unmarried women, which means I’m not allowed to have you under my roof.”

  They giggled. “Father, you can come to my place, and I certainly won’t mind having you under my roof.”

  Dante closed his eyes and counted to ten while he felt his embarrassment creep up from his neck to his face. He had to be blunt. He frowned his best priestly scowl and said, “I’m a priest and dedicated my life, through vows, to God.” He pointed to the sky. “If you’re looking for a husband, then I suggest you take a trip to Denver.” He gave that a few seconds to sink in. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more of God’s business to finish.” He paused. “Unless, of course, you both would like to follow me to the church and confess all your sins.”

  He held himself in check although laughter bubbled up inside him.

  They blanched at the suggestion like he knew they would. “We have something to do.” They backed away. “Sorry to have bothered you.”

  With that, Dante closed the front door and turned to find Barbara loitering in the background, her eyes lit with amusement. “That needed to be done...and it was...amusing,” she chuckled.

  He rolled his eyes and prayed it would be the end of that.

  That hadn’t been the only time in his six years of the collar to be confronted by women, and usually he had the diplomacy to
put it at an end. Something had gotten lost over the past few months though, and he wasn’t sure he’d be able to find it again.

  He leaned against the wooden door and stared into space while he tried to let his mind settle before he ended up with a migraine.

  “Father?” Barbara whispered, a question in her voice.

  He glanced up and realized she was concerned for him. “I’m fine, Barbara.”

  “Are you a mind reader now, Father?”

  “I’m sorry. What did you want to ask?” He followed her back into the kitchen and wondered how long it would be before she left for her own home.

  He valued Barbara, but over the past couple of weeks, he’d felt more unsettled than he ever had before. He had no idea why. The business with Emelia had been ongoing for a long time, longer than he’d been a priest, so he wasn’t sure if that was unsettling him. All he knew was that he’d started to crave his own space, and had begun to resent it when others invaded it regardless of the reason why.

  “You are a mind reader.” She piped some buttercream around the top of the muffins that she’d made in blue—his favorite color. “I’m worried about you. You don’t seem happy anymore. I mean, before the holidays, you used to smile and join in a lot of things, but now there is a sadness that hangs over you and I’m worried because it isn’t like you.” She sighed. “I’ve wanted to say that for a week now so I’m glad to finally get it out.”

  He had no idea he’d changed so much, at least outwardly. Inwardly, he knew that he was different. He felt different, but then his heart was broken and wouldn’t be whole again.

  “I had no idea it was so obvious,” he admitted. “I’m tired, Barbara, and after seeing my family over the holidays, some things came to light which prevents me from sleeping well. So I’m permanently tired, and don’t seem to find time to catch up during the day.”

  Barbara studied him for a few minutes and he knew she was weighing his words, and then he saw the minute she believed him.

  “Well now. I’m about to head home so I suggest you lock up behind me and go straight to bed. Stay there until tomorrow, or your stomach wakes you.” She smiled, and placed the cakes into a plastic container before covering them with the lid. “There now.” She grabbed her jacket from the back of the kitchen door, and waved to someone outside. “My ride is here. I’ll see you on Monday, and please, take better care of yourself, young man...Father.”

  He watched her go and decided to do what she’d told him to do, which went to show just how tired he was.

  So after he’d locked up, he dragged his tired body upstairs and stripped bare before climbing beneath the covers.

  “Mmm,” he moaned and arched into the touch against his engorged flesh.

  Goose bumps rose on his skin as her fingers tickled down his length, over his balls, and between his legs. Emelia rubbed and massaged, which drove his pleasure higher.

  It had been so long—years—since he’d been touched; just a few more touches and he’d be releasing his seed all over his belly, but what she was doing felt so good that he never wanted her to stop.

  Her fingers threaded through the hair of his groin as a growl built at the back of his throat and then...and then...he felt her tongue lap at the crown of his hardened dick seconds before he felt her mouth wrap around him with an unbearably wet, warm suction.

  Every inch of his body was awash with pleasure, and he had no chance as his organ erupted like a volcano . . .

  His eyes snapped open while his hips arched up before dropping back to the bed. He raised his head and watched while he could do nothing to stop the pleasure that spread all over his stomach and chest as he continued to spurt his seed everywhere. He panted and gripped the covering on the bed to prevent his hand from wrapping around himself.

  Why now?

  With one last kick, his flesh rested against his stomach while he dropped his head back to the pillow and tried to catch his breath.

  What was that?

  He’d never had such a wet dream about Emelia or anyone before, and it had felt so real—as though she’d been in the room with him.

  It shouldn’t have happened, but surely it wasn’t a sin. He couldn’t exactly control what just happened, and he certainly didn’t touch his own flesh.

  He was in so much trouble.

  Chapter Twelve

  Emelia had avoided Diego for the past few days, but as she heard a key in the lock seconds before the door opened and banged shut behind him, she knew that was about to end.

  Diego had been working shifts at the firehouse and she’d made herself scarce when she knew he’d be home.

  She wasn’t stupid, and knew that he wanted to know what was going on with her. He’d been bugging her since they’d returned from Ramon’s wedding, even before that really.

  Instead of hiding, she needed to take a trip home to Montana and talk to their mom. She knew deep in her heart that what she’d overheard was the truth, even though, on occasion, she doubted the words.

  The reason why she’d hesitated though was because she’d be opening up a whole lot of hurt for Diego and the others. Eric knew the truth, but their brothers, Aiden, Kasey, Mateo and, of course Dante didn’t. They’d been led to believe that their father had had an affair with Lucia while their mother Francesca had been dying. It was because of his father’s quick remarriage that Dante left home, and never really went back to live.

  Even as a child, she’d noticed the animosity between father and son, when Dante had popped in for a visit.

  There was going to be a lot of heartbreak when the truth became clear, and what about their Uncle, Elias McKenzie. He hadn’t spoken to Emiliano since his sister, Francesca, had died because of how quickly he’d married Emelia’s mother.

  It was a huge mess, and if it weren’t for her need to have the truth out and in the open, she’d let it be, even though it constantly played on her mind. If she weren’t in love with Dante, perhaps it wouldn’t have been so difficult to know the truth when no one else did. But that was something she’d never know.

  While she’d tried to come up with a solution to her problem, Diego had dropped his bag to one side of the fridge and moved into her line of sight.

  “So,” he leaned back against the cabinet, his ankles crossed and his arms crossed over his stomach, “we’re in the same room...for once.”

  Emelia tried to play it cool. “We’re usually in the same room.”

  “Usually. Yes, we are.” His gaze stayed unwavering on her while she squirmed. “You’ve been avoiding me…for a week, Emelia. Even Mike’s seen you once, but me, your twin, not so much.”

  Her brother wasn’t happy, and that hurt her. She needed to be as honest as she could with him before he got exasperated with her, which had happened a couple of times in the past. They hadn’t talked for a month when that happened because Diego could get good and pissed.

  “Every time I see you, all you keep asking me is what’s wrong with me. I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you, but you’re making me feel worse with your constant questions about what’s going on.” Emelia walked to stand in front of him. She hesitated and then unwrapped his arms so that she could wrap her own around his waist and rest her head against his chest. “I love you, Diego.” She sighed. “There is something going on and until it’s sorted, please trust me to handle it. I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. At least, not yet.”

  Silence followed until Diego broke it, “I love you too, and that’s why I’m constantly checking on you.” He sighed and squeezed her tighter. “But I promise to stop questioning you...for now. And it doesn’t help when Mike is asking me about past boyfriends because he says that when you were with him, he got the feeling you were wishing he was someone else...he’s wrong isn’t he, Sis?”

  She felt bad. Mike was a great guy and she’d managed to keep it platonic when they’d gone out, but with hindsight, perhaps she shouldn’t have even accepted. She’d been fed up of loving someone who she couldn’t be with so she’d agreed, a
nd now she’d probably hurt Mike.

  “I like Mike, Diego.”

  “I’m hearing a but in there.”

  “I don’t want a boyfriend. If I was looking, then Mike would be a great guy to date because he actually has respect for women.”

  “Ouch, Sis,” he put her at arms length, “you didn’t need to be so brutal.”

  She smiled. “Recognized yourself with that, huh?”

  He rolled his eyes and moved to grab a beer from the fridge. “Do you want me to tell Mike?”

  “Diego, I’m not ten. I’ll tell him myself when I see him tonight. We’re supposed to be going to the movies, but I’ll tell him beforehand and give him the choice of just being friends or stop seeing each other completely.”

  “Hmm.” Diego took a long drink from the bottle.

  “What does hmm mean?”

  “I’m going to find out what’s going on with you.”

  “You promised.” She nearly stamped her foot at her infuriating brother.

  “I didn’t say I was going to ask you. I just said I was going to find out. I have my ways.” Diego smirked, and she could see by the look on his face that he was pleased with himself.

  “Yeah, well. You won’t be finding out from me.” She smiled. “I do have a question for you though.”

  He groaned and narrowed his eyes. “I’m waiting.”

  “Why haven’t you dated since I’ve been here?” He was either working or at his apartment. He’d never gone out at night while she’d been there unless she’d been with him.

  “You kidding?” he scoffed, “I don’t date, Sis.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. Unless you’re up to something at work, then you haven’t lived up to your reputation in just over the two weeks I’ve been here.”

  Diego chose not to meet her eyes, which told her something really was going on with him. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one with a secret, although she didn’t think his was as explosive as hers.