Love in Flame (De La Fuente Book 5)

by Lexi Buchanan

  Diego rests his forehead against mine and sighs. “Thank God.” He holds my gaze. “I honestly thought that you were regretting the wedding,” he admits. “I’m sure Andie will be happy knowing that you have someone to look after you.” He grins because he knows that I’m more than capable of looking after myself.

  “Hmm.”

  Chuckling, Diego lifts me easily and carries me in to the bathroom. “We’ll get cleaned up and then I’ll call Andie and ask her to come up here.”

  “It doesn’t feel weird to you that my daughter is only a few years younger than you?” I ask really curious as to his answer.

  He shrugs. “I never really thought about it that way because I’ve wanted you since we met. I kinda had a one track mind.” He wiggles his eyebrows and makes me laugh.

  I play with the hair at the nape of his neck and bring him closer to meet my lips. “You’ve got me good, and I couldn’t be happier.”

  “You’re now mine to take care of Rae.” He smiles, softly.

  I caress down one side of his face, trailing my fingertips lightly across his lips. “You’re a romantic at heart, Diego.” My smile widens when a slight blush coats his cheeks.

  “Let’s keep that to ourselves.” He chuckles, playing off his embarrassment at the statement.

  I chuckle and when he slides me down his body so that my feet hit the floor, heat floods me at the contact.

  With my hands caressing his torso, arousal flares to life and I want more of him. Stepping back I remove the shirt and toss it to the floor wanting to be rid of the hindrance.

  After caressing his body with my eyes, I hold his gaze and watch as his nostrils flare like those of a bull ready to charge. His penis throbs, hard and ready from his pelvis, a pearl of pre-ejaculate hovering on the tip.

  “I need you, Rae.”

  “I’m all yours.”

  Diego grins. “I’m a lucky bastard.”

  Chewing on my lip, I nervously pace back and forth in our room. It’s more like a suite, which is as well considering how much walking I’ve been doing. I hate that I’m so nervous about telling Andie. It’s not like she’s a child anymore.

  She’s twenty-three and she can handle it—I try to convince myself.

  Diego was lucky to catch her, as she was on her way out to have breakfast with the others. So any minute now she’ll be knocking on the door and I still haven’t quite found the right words to tell her that I’m married to Diego.

  For most of her life we’ve been alone and I know she worries about me being lonely when she isn’t around so I’m hoping to play on that if I need to.

  At least she likes Diego and she gets on well with Kasey. Their friendship seems to be purely platonic and in a way I’m glad and it makes me being with Diego easier.

  Hearing a knock at the door, I jump, then feel a hand on my shoulders. “Rae, I know you’re worried but just remember that this is Andie. She’s your flesh and blood and she loves you.” He kisses the top of my head and moves toward the door.

  14

  Diego

  It’s difficult to hide my own anxiety when Rae is suffering enough for the both of us. I know the wedding last night was impulsive, but I don’t regret it. I love having Rae as my wife and I can’t wait to shout it from the rooftops. I was surprised she’d agreed so easily though, but I wasn’t about to complain. Part of my decision was purely for selfish reasons. I mean now that we’re married it isn’t going to be as easy for her to walk away from me when it gets difficult being around my mother. That was my biggest fear—that my mom would finally get through to Rae and scare her off.

  Knowing Andie is on the other side of the door, I do feel more confident in her reaction to our news than I am about my mother. That’s one conversation I’m not looking forward to.

  Reaching for the door handle, I tug it open and smile at a beaming Andie. She’s a beautiful woman with her long hair curling down her back and skin as smooth as her mother’s. Her smile wavers as I stare at her and it’s only when a frown starts to form on her brow that I move away from the door. “Sorry Andie. Please come in.”

  She let’s the door close behind her and when she turns her eyes widen as she notices Rae, “Mom.” Andie smiles and dashes over to her, wrapping her arms around her. “Are you, okay?” She glances between her mom and me.

  Rae cups Andie’s face in the palms of her hands and smiles. “I’m…happy. Really happy, Andie.”

  Andie looks in my direction and raises a brow. “I figured,” she comments before turning back to Rae. “You’ve both been unable to keep your eyes off of each other. I wasn’t sure though because Kasey was throwing me off track.” She narrows her eyes at me. “He knows about you two, doesn’t he? That’s why he’s been dodging my questions.” She shakes her head and dropping into a chair she laughs. Not the humorous kind either.

  Perhaps this isn’t going to go the way that we were hoping, and by the panicked look that Rae throws at me, I’m guessing she knows it as well.

  “Andie?” Rae whispers and sits on the coffee table facing her daughter.

  “Mom, until now I wondered if something was going on between the two of you, especially when you told me that we were having separate rooms here. I accepted it thinking that it was cool that you’re not alone, but now, now I don’t know how I feel.” Andie rubs at her brows and meets my gaze. “I like you Diego. I don’t mean like as in like, but I do like you. I like all your family, but…when I really think about you and my mom, it’s not right,” she finishes quietly.

  “Not right?” Rae tries to stand and stumbles. “Even though I was nervous to tell you, deep down I thought that you’d be in our corner, Andie.”

  I wrap an arm around Rae, offering support and she relaxes slightly when she leans into me, taking the comfort I offer. “The age thing?” I ask already knowing the answer.

  Andie nods. “You’re closer to my age Diego than my mom’s. It’s weird now that I’m really thinking about it.”

  “I’m in love with her, Andie. I chased after your mom because Rae thought the same as you. But age doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t change how much I love her. I can’t breathe without her and surely that’s what you want for your mom, Andie. Don’t you want her to be with someone who will always love and cherish her?”

  Andie has tears on her face and they match Rae’s distraught ones. “Of course I want that,” she snaps, “with someone of similar age to her. You’re more of a brother than a stepfather.” She puts her face in her hands. “Oh, God. I need to go. I’m sorry.” She dashes to the door and leaves while I keep Rae tight in my arms.

  I kiss the top of Rae’s head. “Going after her now isn’t going to make anything easier. Let her calm down and think,” I add when Rae struggles as though to follow Andie.

  “She doesn’t even know we’re married,” Rae wails and buries her face into my chest.

  Other than holding her close and reassuring her with slow strokes down her back, I don’t really know how else to comfort her. Having never been in this situation before, it’s difficult. I just want to make all of the heartbreak that Rae is obviously feeling go away. I wish it was simple, but I’m starting to realize that our marriage is going to be more difficult than any marriage should ever be.

  “What are we going to do?” she mumbles the question into my chest. “I really didn’t think that she’d be so against us. I know I worried, but I really thought she’d be happy.”

  “I know.” We stay wrapped around each other staring blankly through the window of our hotel room until the insistent buzzing from my cell interrupts. “I’m not answering,” I comment when Rae starts to pull away.

  She sniffles a few times and shakes her head. “You need to answer. It could be important.”

  With a heavy heart, I watch her retreat to the bathroom by which time my cell has stopped. Picking it up it starts again and my heart sinks further when I see it’s Gideon, my boss on the forestry team.

  This isn’t going to be good.
/>
  Accepting the call, I answer, “Gideon.”

  “Diego, how quickly can you get back?” he asks.

  “Our flight is tomorrow evening. It can’t wait?”

  “It’s big, Diego.” For the first time since I’ve known him there’s fear in his voice. “I need as many trained volunteers that I can get.”

  I rub a hand through my hair and rest my forehead against the window. My heart tells me to stay here with Rae so that she isn’t alone. My mind is telling me to get the next flight out. They’re not just nameless people that I’d be helping by saving their homes and even their lives, they’re my friends who I’d be working side-by-side. I know what I have to do, but it isn’t easy.

  “I’ll call the airport and get the next flight back.”

  “Message me your ETA.” Gideon hangs up.

  “Fuck!”

  “You’re leaving?” Rae rests her hand on my back and moves into my line of sight. “I heard.”

  “There’s a fire back home that they need help with. It’s bad and they need everyone. I hate leaving you, or you could come back with me?” I suggest.

  “As much as I want to run back with you, I need to stay and talk to Andie. I can’t leave it up in the air.”

  I groan and pull her into my arms. “You’re right. I just wish that I didn’t have to leave so that I can hold you…be here for you.”

  She smiles. “You are here for me.” Her hand presses against her chest. “You’re in here.”

  “As soon as I’m back from the fire, I’m coming straight to your place. It’s home now,” I acknowledge and feel Rae cling to me for a moment before she lets me go.

  “I’ll be waiting…now, let me help you pack.” She walks into the bedroom while my brain wonders if there’s time for a quickie.

  RAE

  Nursing a Hendrick’s in one of the many bars the hotel has to offer, I worry about Diego. He left quickly this morning and only just about managed to make the early flight back to Montana so now he’s out there and I’m worried sick.

  Movement out of the corner of my eye snags my attention…Kasey.

  “This seat taken?” Kasey asks and drops down opposite me without waiting my answer. “Why are you sulking into your drink?”

  “I’m not—”

  “You are.”

  “I’m missing Diego.” To my dismay, my voice brakes slightly.

  “Where’d he go?” Kasey frowns and reaches for my hand.

  His warmth starts to seep into me, giving me strength. “I thought he’d have told you, although he did leave in a rush. He’s gone back home to help with a fire. His boss called him up.”

  “Ah.” He squeezes my hands before letting go. “So that’s why you look so miserable, and probably worried as well, huh?”

  “Not only that.” I grimace. “We told Andie about us this morning and it didn’t go too well. Has she told you?”

  “I haven’t spoken to her since last night. I’ve been a bit distracted myself,” he admits. “But nothing I want to talk about.” He raises a brow, cutting me off.

  “I didn’t say anything.” I chuckle.

  “Forget I said anything and tell me about Andie. I’m surprised she didn’t take it well.” Kasey takes my hand again and rubs over my knuckles with his thumb.

  I lean forward, sighing. “She said that the more she thinks about us being together, the more she realizes how wrong it is.” I lift my gaze and hold Kasey’s. “I don’t know how to make this right.”

  “I don’t know what to say. Andie has been asking me about you two for a while now, and I’ve kept putting her off. She’s never given me reason to believe she’s unhappy about you both.” He wears a grim expression. “Perhaps that’s why she’s stayed away from me. I knew and didn’t tell her.” He shakes his head with regret written all over his handsome face.

  “Kasey, it’s okay. It wasn’t for you to tell and she’ll understand that.” Taking my other hand, Kasey’s thumb rubs over my ring. He pauses and glances down before he lifts his gaze.

  “You need to find her and make her listen before you get home. You’re going to need her in your corner before you face the rest of my family.”

  Fear races through me at his words even though I know they’re true. “It isn’t going to be easy.”

  “No it isn’t.” Kasey squeezes my fingers. “I’m happy for you and my brother, Rae. Don’t let the others scare you away. You’re good for him.” He offers me a wry smile, his attention over my shoulder. “Go talk to your daughter, and I’ll be around if you need me.”

  I turn and watch him go, his long stride eating up the distance. He stops and speaks to an approaching Andie before continuing on out of the bar. My daughter stares at me and from where I’m sitting I can see the turmoil in her eyes.

  Slowly moving toward her my body is wracked with tension, but when she doesn’t retreat, I start to relax. She looks uncomfortable.

  “Let’s go up to my room and talk.” Taking my hand she offers me a wry smile and leads me to the elevators.

  Once in her room, I move to sit on the edge of her bed even though I’d rather be pacing the floor. I’m full of nervous energy now that we’re alone and I’m scared that she might be starting to accept Diego and I being together, when I have more to tell her.

  “I’m sorry,” Andie blurts, my eyes shoot to hers. “I shouldn’t have reacted the way that I did.”

  I shake my head.

  “Mom, let me finish. I do need to tell you that I’m sorry and I’ll tell Diego when I see him. I kinda knew that you both were together but the truth is that I was just jealous.”

  Frowning, I ask, “You like Diego?”

  “Yes, but not in the way that you do. I don’t mean that I’m jealous that you’re with him and I’m not, I mean because I’m,” she sighs and refuses to meet my gaze, “in love with someone who is older than me and he won’t give me the time of day. So that’s what I was reacting to, not your news.” She kneels at my feet and takes my hands into her. “I’m happy that you’ve found someone to love you, someone that you love too. I’ve seen Diego looking at you and he looks at you like you’re his whole world.” She softly smiles. “I know that you must feel the same otherwise you wouldn’t be with him.”

  “I love him, Andie, which is why I have something else to tell you.” My heart beats rapidly in my chest at what I’m about to say, but it needs saying before someone else finds out before she does. “We’re not just dating.”

  She sits back on her haunches with a frown on her beautiful face.

  Taking a shaky breath, I admit, “We got married by Elvis.” I chuckle awkwardly, holding my hand up with the cheap band, that means more to me than any other ring will, and offer her a smile. “It was a spare of the moment decision as we passed the chapel. The minute Diego mentioned it I knew that’s what I wanted. We plan on having another wedding with you and Diego’s family back home. Please be happy and not mad. I’m worried enough about Diego and don’t want to worry about your reaction to everything as well. I love you Andie, but I need Diego.” I join her on my knees.

  She starts laughing. “Oh Mom.” Her arms go around my shoulders and she whispers, “I love you, and for years it’s always just been the two of us, but Diego is good for you.” She kisses my cheek. “I would have loved to see the Elvis wedding, but I can accept you both renewing your vows back home.”

  “The wedding is recorded on Diego’s cell, so at least you’ll get to see that. I need to ask you to keep the wedding to yourself for now. Lucia doesn’t like the fact that I’m with her son, and I know our marriage is going to cause waves. I need Diego to be with me when the others find out.”

  “Isn’t the wedding band going to give it away?” she asks.

  “Probably, but I can’t bring myself to take it off.” I smile, remembering, “It was ten dollars at the chapel.”

  “But it’s worth everything to you,” Andie comments.

  “You know me too well. I don’t want to ta
ke it off even when it starts to turn my finger green.” I smile, holding my finger up for inspection.

  “Can we completely forget about what I said before and just remember this conversation?”

  “We can. Now, help your mother up from the floor.” I hold my hand out.

  She rolls her eyes, refusing to humor me. “You have a bit to go before you’re that old…Mom, tell me why you’re worried about Diego. Where is he?” Andie frowns and passes me a bottle of water.

  After taking a long drink of the refreshing liquid, my thoughts turn to the man I love. “He had to get a flight back home this morning. His boss called about a fire because they need everyone they can get to help control it. He didn’t want to leave but I think he would have lived with regret if something had happened to one of his friends and he wasn’t there.”

  “He’s a good man, and I’m sure he’s going to be okay.”

  “I hope so.”

  15

  Diego

  Sweating like a pig, I chug some fresh water, trying to hydrate my parched throat. The smoke in the thick of the fire is bad, worse than I’ve seen in a while. The wind is against us right now causing the fire to rapidly spread. At the moment we seem to just about be handling it. We’re holding our breath that we’ve finally caught it. But the fire line has moved a few times since I arrived two days ago so who knows.

  Beside me, Levi catches his breath and wipes the grime from his forehead before turning to meet my gaze. “I’d rather be anywhere than here,” he grumbles.

  “So would I.” I finally allow the image of Rae to break into my thoughts. Her beautiful, fiery locks as they flow softly down her naked back, stopping at the top of her deliciously curvy ass. Her skin is always so soft to the touch that I’m afraid of bruising her skin with my work roughened hands.

  “You thinking about women? I am.” Levi nudges my shoulder with his.