Love in Bloom (De La Fuente Family #3)

by Lexi Buchanan

  Erin froze. “Guys? What guys?”

  Sadie laughed and pushed past her to the kitchen. “Nice try. You had me there.”

  What the hell was her friend talking about?

  “Sadie.” Erin followed her friend and accepted the bottle of beer she’d taken from the fridge. “What guys? I’m serious. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Seriously?” Sadie took a drink and met her gaze.

  “Seriously.”

  “Andre and blind date. Double date,” Sadie replied and Erin’s heart sank.

  “No way.” She dropped her beer back to the countertop. “I can’t go on a double date with you guys.”

  “Oh, stop being a prude. Of course we’re double dating. The guys will be here soon. We talked about this before you went to Montana. You know a celebration that you were finally free of Mateo.” Sadie swept her dress from the back of the sofa and headed for Erin’s bedroom.

  Erin was going to break it to her best friend slowly about her giving up her apartment and moving in with Mateo, but she figured she’d let her see for herself that something was going on.

  “Oh, my God. Couldn’t you find the right dress?” Sadie hung her dress on the back of the door and turned to stare at the mess.

  “Sadie, I need to talk to you.”

  The doorbell chimed.

  “That will be the guys.” Sadie took off to get the door while Erin panicked in her bedroom.

  Mateo would be coming to pick her up soon. Her overnight bag was packed ready, but she’d yet to explain to Sadie about Mateo and she certainly didn’t want to go out on a blind date. She couldn’t even remember agreeing to that.

  “Um, Erin?” Sadie called.

  Erin felt like screaming.

  Inhaling she stepped from around the door, dreading meeting the blind date, knowing she was going to let him down. But as she lifted her head, she met the angry gaze of Mateo.

  “I tried not to let him in, but he’s kind of big and pushed the door open,” Sadie complained. “I’m going to call the cops.” She grabbed her cell and Mateo raised a brow in amusement.

  Crap!

  “No.” Erin raced across the short distance to Mateo and her intention had been to stand in front of him as kind of protection. Mateo had a different idea and wrapped his arms around her so Erin did the most natural thing in the world and buried her face in his chest and inhaled.

  “I missed you,” she mumbled.

  He kissed the top of her head. “Missed you too, babe.”

  Erin pulled away and turned to face a very surprised Sadie. “I’ve been trying to tell you since you arrived. I’m still with Mateo, but I’m really with him this time around.”

  “You mean…as in dating.” Sadie waved her hands around in front of them.

  Erin smiled at her friend and felt Mateo laugh against her.

  “Dating, moving in together, sex, the whole shebang,” Mateo added and Erin felt her face flush with heat.

  “Wow, back up. I heard sex mentioned.” Sadie narrowed her eyes on Erin. “You had sex and didn’t tell me when you called to say you were coming back to Dallas?”

  “It wasn’t like that. It’s just new and I didn’t want to talk about it.” She felt her face heat from her blush. “I guess I knew you’d push me for answers until I ended up giving them to you.”

  “But what about tonight?”

  Was that all she was bothered about?

  “Sadie, please be happy for us, and I’m sure you’ll think about something for tonight.”

  “Tonight?” Mateo queried, pulling her back into his arms.

  “I need to get ready,” Sadie commented and looked at Erin.

  “Use the bathroom.”

  Sadie quickly grabbed her things and locked herself inside.

  “I’m not sure what’s wrong with her. I expected more of a reaction.”

  “Show me your bedroom and forget about your friend for now.” Mateo nibbled her lobe, his arms going around her waist. He picked her up and walked her into her room. The door slammed shut when he kicked it and within seconds she was naked, her clothes on the floor.

  “There’s no lock.”

  “No.”

  “Fuck it.” He tossed her onto the bed and followed her down, fully clothed. “I need you, but it has to be quick.”

  “Yes.” She spread her thighs wide open for him.

  He rested on his knees as he ripped his jeans open, pulling out his hard cock. His T-shirt was next to follow, and then he held himself at her opening.

  “I meant it when I said quick. Just the thought of your thighs spread was enough to have me on edge.”

  Erin stretched, her arms above her head as he entered her in one quick thrust. Her legs went around his waist as she begged, “Fuck me hard and fast, Mateo.”

  He placed both her legs over his shoulders and started to do just that. It took mere seconds of his thrusting and rubbing her clit before she fell apart on his cock. Mateo followed her over with a growl and grunt before he dropped on top of her.

  “I know I said quick, but I wasn’t meaning that quick.”

  She chuckled. “Not that I’m complaining, but what brought that on?”

  “I’d been thinking about you since I dropped you off here and when I saw you, I knew I had to have you.” He rocked his hips. “Every time I’m with you I stay hard after I’ve come. Never before baby. Never.”

  “That feels good.”

  “Mmm, it does, but I’m getting off track.”

  “What?”

  Mateo separated from her and with his jeans around his hips, grabbed a towel from the floor. She watched him wipe his cock before he winced and shoved himself away.

  He offered her a satisfied smirk before he dropped back down on the bed. Propped up on his side, he rolled a nipple between his finger and thumb.

  “Oh.”

  He chuckled and flicked her nipple with his tongue. “Oh, is that all you have to say?” Mateo rolled between her legs and rubbed with his fingers.

  Erin arched into his touch, even though her folds felt sensitive, she was ready for more.

  “You’re killing me. Just watching you respond to my touch makes me hard. Smelling our joint release on your pussy makes me want to pound into you.” He kissed her mound and breathed deeply before he bent one of her legs upward.

  He inserted a thick digit and rubbed. “God, you’re so wet.” His finger circled her entrance and ran between the lips of her pussy before it disappeared inside her again.

  “We’re never going to leave if you don’t stop,” she moaned. “Mmm, I think we should stay here.”

  “No chance. We’re going out with your friend.” He frowned. “What did you mean about her figuring something else out?”

  She looked down at him and laughed. “Do you think we can have this conversation without you being down there?”

  He gave her his megawatt grin. “I like it down here.”

  “I like you down there as well, but not when we’re talking about something else.”

  Mateo kissed her once more, withdrew his finger, licked it clean, and then settled her against his chest. “Okay, talk woman.” He spanked her ass.

  “You do realize that spanking me like that makes me wet.”

  “Fuck,” he growled. “Talk.”

  Erin smiled to herself and admitted, “Before I left for Montana, Sadie had talked about a double date or more like a blind date.” She met his gaze and chewed her bottom lip. “Sadie with Andre, and me with the blind date.”

  Mateo averted his gaze from her, but he wasn’t quick enough to hide the hurt. She climbed further up him, cupped his face and made him look at her. “I never agreed to a blind date, Mateo.” She kissed him. “I’ve only ever wanted you.” She kissed him again. “No sooner had Sadie suggested the double date than I forgot about it. So that should tell you my feelings about it.”

  “I hate the thought of another guy sniffing around you.” He gripped her bottom in his ha
nds. “You’re mine.”

  “God, yes.”

  He grinned. “Then let’s shower.” He slapped her on the rump again before he grabbed her up in his arms.

  “No, wait” Erin panicked. “Sadie’s in the bathroom.”

  “Fuck.” He dropped his forehead to hers and met her gaze. “I wanted you all wet and slippery against me.”

  Erin grinned. “I’m already wet.”

  She laughed when he groaned and tossed her back to the bed.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  The music thrummed through his blood as Erin rubbed her bottom against his arousal. His hands skimmed over her body from the tip of her fingers over the top of her head to her hips, which he gripped to keep her against him.

  His dick was hard and solid against her and the more she rubbed, the harder he became. “You’re going to make me come with that sexy ass rubbing all over me,” Mateo growled in her ear. His balls ached for release and he knew if she didn’t stop he’d come in his jeans.

  She didn’t care though and continued her sexy dance against him. The thought of her little panties being soaked in a room full of people was a fucking turn on. He didn’t think he’d get away with ripping them off and fucking her where they stood though.

  Probably going too far.

  She drove him totally insane and made him feel like a hormonal teenager.

  Which was probably why he’d acted like one when the others had arrived at her apartment. He’d made it clear from the minute he’d left her bedroom that she was his girl and that she would be moving in with him before the week was out.

  Since they’d arrived at the club though, they’d seemed to lose the others, which was fine with him. He wanted Erin all to himself without her attention being split.

  And now, as he danced her into a darker part of the nightclub, all his blood rushed south making him so hard, he felt like he had a club in his jeans.

  Her sexy body rubbed all over the front of him, her ass ground on his dick so badly that he saw stars.

  “Mateo,” Erin hissed. ”I’m burning up.” She spun around and faced him, one of her legs hooked over his hip, her arms clutched at his shoulders as she rubbed her pussy over his solid erection.

  He needed relief as badly as Erin obviously did and was seconds from ripping his jeans open to impale her.

  But he made the mistake of looking over her shoulder, which was when he met the gaze of Allie. That was all he fucking needed on his first night out with Erin. As he watched, she smirked and turned when someone placed an arm around her neck. Derek Griffin.

  What the fuck was she doing with him? He had a reputation of being too rough with women. No charges had even been placed but Mateo had once seen the evidence of his handy work.

  He felt Erin’s eyes on him before she turned and looked to see what held his attention. And he knew when she spotted Allie because her once pliant body went stiff against him. She tried to pull out of his arms, but he held her close.

  “Let me go,” Erin hissed and pulled free of his arms.

  Mateo met her gaze and saw pain reflected back at him. “Erin, don’t go getting ideas in that gorgeous head of yours.”

  He glanced back at Allie and watched her kiss and rub all over Derek. No way could he let her go off with him. Surely she should have heard about his reputation.

  “Dammit Mateo. What the hell am I supposed to think when you can’t take your eyes off her?” Erin backed away. “And why the hell is she here anyway?”

  Seeing tears on her lashes, hurt stabbed him in the chest. He needed to explain to Erin what was going on, but as he glanced at them again, he didn’t have time. “Look,” he started, distracted, “I don’t have time now, but I promise this isn’t what it looks like.”

  He moved toward where he’d seen Allie and Derek disappear and glanced back to Erin. “Go find Sadie and I’ll come find you soon.”

  She shook her head, the tears falling down her cheeks. “Please don’t.” Turning her back on him, he watched her walk away.

  His heart died a little bit knowing that he’d broken hers, but surely she’d understand once he’d explained about Derek’s reputation.

  Derek had taken an instant dislike to Mateo all those years before when he’d been a rookie and it had stuck. Which now made him wonder if Derek showing up with Allie had been for his benefit?

  Either way, he knew that Erin would be safe with Sadie while he got Allie away from the bastard.

  He rounded a corner toward the back of the club and found Allie standing on her own with a bottle of water in her hand. “Where is he?”

  “Restroom.”

  “Why the fuck are you with him? You know his reputation, right?”

  “I know it…and don’t believe it.” She uncapped the bottle. “Here, take a drink. You look hot and sweaty.”

  Her observation wasn’t so wrong either. Dancing with Erin had worked him up, but he was hot with worrying about Erin. She’d looked upset when he’d told her to find her friend but his distraction with Allie had been obvious.

  All he’d wanted was to get Allie away from Derek without Erin being anywhere near them. He shook his head and concentrated back on Allie. “You need to go home without Derek.” He passed her the bottle of water back and realized it was empty. “Sorry, I’ll get you another on the way out.”

  “You leaving with me?” Allie asked, her fingers trailing along his arm.

  He shook her off. “No, but I will put you in a taxi.”

  “Okay. I suppose that will have to do.”

  He shut his eyes as Allie started to go out of focus. Her face was blurred and as she slid her arm around his waist, his arm automatically went around her shoulders.

  What was he doing?

  Who was the man talking in the background?

  He let Allie lead him through the bar to the doors of the club, because he’d begun to crave fresh air.

  “Mateo, what’s wrong with you?” Allie asked, but something told him she knew.

  “Put him in the car.”

  Was that Derek’s voice?

  “Too much to drink.” Allie laughed, as he lay across the back seat of a car.

  He watched, through barely focused eyes, as she climbed on top of him. His limbs felt too heavy to move—to push her off. There was some commotion behind her seconds before white light exploded in front of his eyes and the car door slammed shut.

  “He’s ruined now,” a male voice slurred. “Make sure you don’t screw this up.”

  “I won’t,” she replied.

  His lights went out.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Erin had managed to hold herself together until she’d gotten home to her apartment, and then she’d let go. She’d cried herself to sleep and felt sick and miserable after Mateo’s behavior at the club.

  She’d watched him wrapped up in Allie as they’d left the club. Her heart had broken.

  When Mateo had first shown real interest in her, she’d known that he was a handsome man and had a past with the ladies, she just never expected him to abandon her the way he had. Everything between them had felt real and beautiful, until he’d spotted the other woman across the club.

  When she’d walked away, Sadie had talked her in to believing that there must be more of a reason, but she’d given up on that idea when she’d seen him leave.

  She’d been a fool and waited for about an hour for him to return to her, but he hadn’t so she’d left and shared a cab with her friends who’d tried to stay at her place. She’d just wanted to be alone though and managed to finally get that through to them.

  So they’d left and she’d had a melt down.

  It was early morning: five am. And the more she thought about it, the more she wondered if something else really had been going on with Mateo last night.

  In Montana, he’d been torn when Allie had clung to him for comfort after her brother had been in an accident, but something had been different. The man she’d fallen in love with wouldn’t hav
e just left her at the club even though he knew that she had friends with her.

  So why hadn’t he returned?

  She’d go to his apartment and ask for an explanation. He’d told her that it wasn’t how it looked so she’d give him the benefit of the doubt. But what if she walked into something she wasn’t prepared for? What if he really was through with her?

  There was only one way to find out.

  She quickly dressed in her comfort jeans, shirt and chucks. Placed her sunglasses over her eyes to cover the evidence of her night in tears and grabbed her purse.

  All the way to Mateo’s apartment in the cab, she chewed her lip wondering how he’d react to seeing her at his apartment so early. He hadn’t made any attempt to call since he’d left her alone.

  And twenty minutes later, when the cab pulled up at his complex, she’d come to the decision that she wasn’t going to back away. She wanted to know what was going on and hated that she felt on edge because of him and his actions.

  They usually said actions speak louder than words, but on this occasion, she hoped the actions had been more misleading than anything.

  Erin paid the cab driver and let herself in through the front doors, where she smiled at the security guard. Luckily, he was the same one who had been working when Mateo had put her as a resident in his apartment and gotten her the keycard sorted so she could come and go as she pleased.

  The elevator ride up to the twenty-third floor took it’s time and by the time she’d gotten off and stood outside his door, she felt sick to her stomach.

  She’d never gone after anyone before and her heart ached because she was now. This shouldn’t be happening but she had to know. She had to know what was really going on with him.

  She could do this.

  Inhaling, she placed the key into the lock, punched the security code into the pad beside the door and when it clicked open, she removed the key and slowly stepped inside.

  His apartment was quiet, which made her think that, after last night, perhaps she should have rang the bell or something instead of letting herself inside.

  She shrugged. He gave her the key, which he’d intended for her to use.

  The door clicked shut behind her and as she made her way down the hall to his open planned living room, kitchen and dining room, she spotted his shoes on the floor.