Love in Bloom (De La Fuente Family #3)

by Lexi Buchanan

  Her smile slipped and she nodded. One week, that’s all she had, except she wanted a reason to come back here again. She frowned as she watched him. She couldn’t blame him for wanting her out of his life but it stung that he sounded like he couldn’t wait to put the past behind him, her included.

  If that was the case then why had he rescued her from his family when he obviously sensed that she was overwhelmed?

  “What are you having?”

  “What?” she questioned, having been lost in thought.

  Mateo smiled. “Menu.” He waved his in front of her nose.

  “Oh, sorry.” She quickly opened hers while Mateo watched her, a grin on his face. She glanced up at him and asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “I like seeing you flustered.” He grinned and looked down at his own menu before he placed it back on the table. “I don’t know why I’m looking when I’m here for the cake.”

  “You’re always here for the cake, Mateo.” Barbara offered Mateo a frown before she turned her attention on Erin.

  Mateo cleared his throat. “Barbara, this is Erin.”

  The woman frowned and although Erin sensed questions on Barbara’s tongue, she kept her pen poised over the menu booklet. “What will it be?”

  “Carrot cake and a large coffee for me, please, and Erin…”

  “I’d love some cake but I think I better eat something a bit more substantial as I missed dinner. So, the chicken pasta bake, please.”

  “Okay.” Barbara grabbed the menus and disappeared.

  Erin sighed in relief.

  “You okay?”

  “I guess so.” Erin wondered if she’d ever be okay. Despite it all being an act, the past eighteen months had really taken a toll on her.

  Even as she sat at the table for two in the bistro, she could almost convince herself that it was a date. He was a handsome man and adored his family. She’d seen his love for them often and it had hurt her every time they’d been together at his family home.

  “Are you thinking about my family?” Mateo asked and took her hand into his much larger one.

  He played with her fingers as she admitted, “I hate how I treated you and your family, Mateo.”

  His fingers on hers stilled at her confession before he raised her hand to his mouth, kissing each of her knuckles. “You have beautiful hands—small and dainty. I love the feel of them on my skin. You really helped with the pain in my knee.”

  She blushed and the image of Mateo locked behind the bathroom door jumped back into her mind. Before she could think, she blurted out, “Is that what made you…um…Oh, God. Never mind. Forget what I was about to say.” She couldn’t meet his gaze as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

  But her imagination ran wild and she could picture Mateo with his own hand wrapped around his long hard cock as he stroked himself to completion, which she’d heard.

  She squirmed in her chair as the ache between her thighs intensified.

  “Look at me, Erin.”

  “I’m so embarrassed. I can’t.”

  Mateo chuckled, and then whispered, “I’m the one who jerked off because having your hands on me gave me an erection. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”

  She met his gaze, unable to hide the hurt behind his parting shot afterward. “You told me any woman would have done that.”

  “I lied okay. I was an idiot. It was you.” He gripped her hand. “It doesn’t sit well with me that there are ten years between us.” He looked away from her as though he was gathering his thoughts before he said, “But what is annoying is that I can’t work out how I feel. I can’t stop touching you after being with you for the past eighteen months and not wanting to be around you.”

  “You surprise me. I didn’t expect you to admit anything.” Erin pulled her hand free when Barbara stood over them with their food.

  She felt the loss of that connection and wondered about it. It shouldn’t affect her the way that it did. She liked him holding her hand because it made her feel like there was someone who cared.

  Barbara looked between the two of them, shook her head, and then left them alone.

  “Eat while it’s warm, Erin.” Mateo indicated her food with his hands. “I can hear your stomach from here.”

  She chuckled. “I didn’t think it was that loud.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Mateo picked up his fork and started in on the carrot cake. As he placed a piece into his mouth, his eyes closed on a sigh of pleasure.

  Ignoring what he did to her, she asked, “That good, huh?”

  His eyes snapped open and focused on her. “It’s unreal. I’ll save you a piece.”

  As she dug into her pasta, she wasn’t sure he’d remember to save her a taste with the way he savored his favorite dessert. It was sweet and he ate it with relish. It was as though he hadn’t been treated in a while.

  With a silent sigh, she ate the pasta in front of her and only then did she realize how hungry she was.

  The silence between them whilst they ate was pleasant and with the occasional glance at Mateo, like he did her, it was almost like a date.

  It didn’t take long for Erin to finish the delicious meal and to be faced with Mateo holding his fork to her mouth. “Open up.” He grinned, his eyes full of amusement.

  She hadn’t missed the innuendo, which he knew, and as he chuckled, she opened her mouth and took the cake he offered.

  Her taste buds exploded with the sugar rush. It was a delicious cake that was moist and hinted at fresh spices combined with a cream cheese frosting. No wonder Mateo loved it so much.

  “Good?” He raised a brow.

  “So good.” She took a drink of her water. “The pasta was great as well. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He kept his eyes on Erin over the top of his cup while he drank his coffee, making her want to fidget like a small child. “What am I going to do with you?”

  She teased, “What would you like to do to me?”

  He placed his cup down, his eyes full of arousal. “I’d scare you if I told you.”

  “I can take it.” What was wrong with her mouth? She usually kept away from any teasing, but Mateo brought it out in her.

  “Is that a fact?”

  She held his gaze until he broke from it and stood. He held his hand out to her, tugging her up. “Let’s head back…and I hope you manage to restrain yourself when we’re sharing the bed tonight.” He winked as he tossed money onto the table.

  She wouldn’t know where to start with the sexy man in front of her, but she could give him something to think about. “Are you sure you’ll be able to restrain yourself. I mean, I shop at Victoria’s Secret after all.”

  She smiled as her words had the desired effect on the cocky man. His jaw dropped as though he couldn’t find the words. His eyes narrowed into slits, as her grin grew larger. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and headed toward the door.

  Chapter Eleven

  Mateo shoved his legs into pajama pants after his shower and prayed like hell that Erin was under the covers when he went out there. He wanted nothing more than to walk into the bedroom and climb on top of her. How would she react if he did just that? Would she welcome him, or push him away?

  She’d push your horny ass away.

  Would she though?

  He dropped his hands to the basin in front of him and looked at his reflection in the mirror. A shave would be good because his dark whiskers covered his lower face. He sure as hell didn’t want to give her whisker burn when he got between her beautiful legs.

  If he got between!

  He’d shave anyway—just in case.

  Mateo grimaced into the mirror. He was done for and hoped like hell that she stayed away from him while they slept. Or while she slept because he knew he was in for a long night awake with nothing but a throbbing dick.

  Fuck!

  Grabbing his electric razor, he quickly did a once over and checked for smoothness before he zipped the razor back up. That w
ould do.

  He’d more than enjoyed the time spent with Erin today, which was why he acted like a fucking girl by hiding in the bathroom. It wasn’t as though he could just go out there and jump her bones.

  Gah!

  Fuck!

  His dick tented his pants, so he used the band to hold his flesh against his stomach and yanked a T-shirt on to cover the rest.

  With a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out, his dick jerked and throbbed at the vision of Erin in his bed…waiting for him.

  She sat, propped up with pillows behind her, a kindle in her hand and a shy smile on her face.

  What the fuck had he feared? That she’d be laid out on top of the cover, with legs splayed, waiting for him?

  He could do this and act like a normal guy, one who wasn’t led by his fucking cock. It didn’t stop the throb at his groin, but when he quickly got under the covers, he sighed and had to turn on his side to hide how much he wanted her.

  He’d like to think that he had it all under control, but he admitted that Erin held the strings. One word from her and he’d be all over her…and inside her.

  Hell!

  “What are you reading?” he asked, needing a distraction. If he didn’t calm down, he’d have to have a cold shower again.

  “I’m just finishing a thriller.” She smiled, looking embarrassed.

  “Wow.” She didn’t come across as someone who’d like a thriller. She seemed more the romantic type.

  “I’ve surprised you?”

  “I would have thought romance was more your thing.”

  She chuckled. “I like romance novels as well, but I’m a sucker for this author.”

  “So what kind of romance books?” He needed to keep his questions to himself, but he wanted to talk to her.

  “Are you asking me if I read erotic novels, Mateo?” She chuckled, he groaned and buried his face into his arm. “Since you’re not looking at me, I’ll admit that I do. The hotter the better.”

  She was going to kill him.

  He peered at her through heavily lidded lashes and noticed that her breathing had grown as heavy as his.

  “Erin, I’m struggling to keep my hands to myself. Please turn your light off and go to sleep. I don’t want you to hate me in the morning.”

  She gulped a few times, wet her lips with her tongue, the movement that he followed. He could imagine that tongue wrapped around his dick.

  “I wouldn’t hate you, Mateo.”

  Her words caressed over him like silk, and it was only his will power that kept him on his side of the bed. She’d been with him for months. Right under his nose. If only he’d known what she was really like, they could have been together the whole time regardless of whether or not it being a good decision. At least he wouldn’t have been frustrated as fuck all that time.

  But as he caressed her with his eyes, lingering on the hard nipples poking through the fitted tank top she wore, he realized that he was witnessing her body coming to life…for him.

  Which was why he had to know, and blurted, “Are you a virgin?” His question surprised him as much as Erin.

  She didn’t shy away though and seemed almost proud of the fact. “I am.”

  He was screwed.

  “Sleep, it’s been a long day.” Settled on his side, facing away from the temptation of Erin, he closed his eyes and counted—anything to get his mind off the teasing woman.

  He wondered if she really knew what her words did to him…or how her body made him seconds away from taking his flesh into his hand. He was so hard that he ached and the trickle of precum wouldn’t stop running from the slit with his arousal. Knowing that no one had sampled Erin drove him crazy with lust and a possessiveness he’d never known he was capable of.

  He was crazy…it wasn’t just him it was the whole situation. It was as though a switch had been flipped, because one minute he couldn’t wait to be rid of her and the next he craved being between her legs.

  Erin finally turned the light off and he prayed his libido would calm.

  Chapter Twelve

  Erin stretched as early morning sun shone through the crack in the curtain. Despite not thinking she would, she’d slept quite well, probably exhausted from all the emotions she’d felt the day before. Arching into the stretch, she came into contact with a hard body. Not only was the body behind her hot, hard, and delicious, but the rod that pressed against her backside felt alive.

  She wiggled, wanting to feel more when a large hand landed on her hip. Instead of pushing her away, he held her still while he rubbed against her softness.

  “I’ve been like this all night with you next to me,” he whispered. “All night, Erin.”

  Mateo felt long and thick as he rubbed against her bottom. It was the first time she’d felt the touch of an aroused man.

  She wanted more.

  Without warning and before she could express what she wanted, Mateo jumped out of bed.

  Erin turned to lie on her back so she could see him and let her eyes wander over the delicious man. His chest was well defined, bronzed from the sun but it was as her eyes trailed south that she really got an eye full. His pajama bottoms tented out in front of him with his huge erection. Her eyes widened and met the amusement and lust in his.

  “Wow.” She curled on her side and admired him. Really she should have run and locked herself in the bathroom at the size of him, but for some reason, with Mateo she felt alive. She felt like she could be anyone with him and she felt like a daring and sensuous woman.

  “You’re not helping,” he growled, hands on hips.

  Erin smiled. “I wish I had a camera to capture you right now.”

  His eyes flashed, but Erin continued to tease, “You’re a powerful man and standing like that over me, while so aroused, is sexy. You make me want to touch. To explore your body with my hands…and mouth.”

  As she watched Mateo breathe through his nose like a bull ready to charge, she couldn’t help but grin when he clenched his fists and slammed into the bathroom. Seconds later, she heard the shower go on.

  Although she felt a frustration she hadn’t experienced before, Erin smiled because Mateo was taking notice of her…he liked Erin. In fact, with all the evidence, she’d say he more than liked her.

  Her happiness hard to hide, Erin slipped out of bed and quickly got dressed while Mateo was obviously taking care of himself in the shower. What she’d give to be able to take care of his hard problem?

  Opening the bedroom door, she let out a heavy sigh and walked smack into Kasey.

  “Hey,” he steadied her with his hands on her shoulders, “my brother chasing you out of his room?”

  She giggled, feeling light headed after her morning discovery with Mateo. “Nope, he’s in the shower so figured I’d give him some space. Plus I could do with some coffee.”

  “Then let me get you sorted.” Kasey smiled, and it was the first genuine smile he’d offered her since he’d discovered Caprice the bitch, which brought tears to her eyes.

  “Wow, babe. We’ll have none of that.” He looked slightly panicked, which made her laugh.

  “Sorry. It’s just that you’re being nice to me.” She wiped at her eyes and wondered why he frowned.

  “You apologized yesterday and I heard everything that had been said so I’m willing to give you the benefit of doubt.” He tugged her along the hall toward the stairs. “We’re all easy going, well, maybe Emelia can be a pain in the ass, but we really are accepting. I get why you needed the money for what you did, so let’s leave it at that and have breakfast…and maybe I’ll take you to see the new foal.”

  Her eyes widen. “A baby horse. You have one here?”

  “We do. He was born overnight.” Kasey led her through to the kitchen and shoved a cup into her hands. “You know how to use the machine right?”

  “Um, not really.” She knew it was a K-cup, but hadn’t a clue how to use one.

  “Okay, here.” Kasey placed her cup on the machine and selected a po
d. “Try the breakfast blend, which is slightly stronger.”

  She nodded.

  “Place it in here, shut the lid and it will brew itself.” He grinned and stepped away. “I think Mom made some muffins last night. Do you want one?”

  “Oh, yes please.”

  Once her coffee had brewed, she turned and watched Kasey at the microwave. He wasn’t as dark haired as his brothers…more of a dirty blond than a brunette. He had broad shoulders that tapered down to a narrow waist. He was just as muscular as his brothers and kept in top condition for when he was on the ice.

  He probably left a trail of broken hearts just like his other brother, Diego. They both seemed to be partners in the dating game, or more like the one-night hook ups. Those sexy smiles of theirs would get them anyone they wanted, well, apart from her. She was already hooked on a De La Fuente and now that she knew Mateo was attracted to her, there was nothing stopping her from going after what she wanted.

  “You eyeing the goods?”

  She blinked a few times as Kasey’s words sank in, and laughed when he handed her a warmed muffin.

  “I’m teasing. You looked lost in thought.” He turned and sat at the table so she joined him.

  “I was,” she admitted, and then clarified, “lost in thought,” when he cocked a brow.

  “I knew what you meant.” Kasey winked.

  He was so damn cute and a big flirt. She was giddy at seeing that side of him, even though it was Mateo that her heart and body wanted.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “You want to tell me what’s going on?” Aiden leaned against the fence beside him, as they both watched the new foal move around the paddock on wobbly legs with its mom.

  “I don’t know what you mean.” His eyes had a different idea though as he constantly felt them returning to Erin who was laughing with Kasey. He gritted his teeth…he didn’t like it.

  “I wasn’t born yesterday.” Aiden nudged him. “Talk to me.”

  Mateo ducked his head while he got his thoughts in order.

  Last night he’d really enjoyed being alone with Erin and he hadn’t even slipped up by calling her Caprice. He never wanted to use that name again. Erin had given as good as he’d dished and he liked that about her, regardless of how innocent he knew she was. That was something she didn’t even have to tell him because it was written all over her face every time he used sexual innuendos.