Kasey touches my shoulder. “I’m going to head over to the cafeteria for something to eat. Can I get you something?”
“Coffee please.”
“I won’t be too long.” Kasey squeezes my shoulders and by the soft click of the door, he’s left.
I caress Diego’s hand with my thumb and lift my head when his fingers tighten around mine. His dark gaze is purely focused on my face as though he’s afraid I’m going to disappear.
“He found you?” Diego’s whispered words of relief wash over me while tears of happiness cloud my vision, delight that he’s awake.
“I was on my way back to you.” I offer him an apologetic smile. “Once I pulled myself together I realized that I should have stayed and stood my ground beside you.”
“It’s difficult when you’re alone against my family.” Diego sighs. “At least my head isn’t pounding this time around…scoot in beside me, baby.”
There is only a brief hesitation before I’m settled along the length of him and the guardrail is pulled up so that I don’t roll from the bed to the hard floor.
Snuggled against him, Diego lifts his hand and a hard glint comes into his eyes when he flexes his fingers. “Someone had removed my wedding band,” he tells me. “I wanted to kill them when I realized it had been removed.”
“It’s back now,” I observe. “Who removed it?”
“I don’t know. My first thought was my mom, but she looked just as surprised to hear me call you my wife than the others did, so I’m not sure.”
I wiggle my fingers in front of his face. “I love my ring, Diego.”
He takes my hand and brings it closer to his face. “Even if it’s making your finger green?”
“Yes. You gave me this at our wedding so it holds sentimental value more than anything. Our rings and our vows joined us together, Diego. This means everything to me.”
“Don’t leave me, Rae.” Diego holds me tight. “I hate that I can’t trust my family right now. Only trust Kasey, okay?”
Diego drifts back off to sleep while I stay snuggled against him, listening to his heart beating beneath my ear.
He’s everything to me and no matter what I’ll always fight for him from now on. I won’t be running away with my heartbreak anymore. He’s my husband and in my heart, that’s all that matters.
18
Diego
After sending Kasey home with Rae to make sure that she gets some sleep, I feel better myself after I’ve showered and dressed into comfortable sweats and t-shirt that Levi had brought in for me. I recovered well thanks to having Rae in my arms and knowing that she wouldn’t be stopped from coming in and out of my room freely—the way it should have been from the minute she arrived at the hospital.
Settling on the bed, I sigh with relief, having not realized just how tired being up on my feet made me. There’s only a dull throb behind my eyes now, which is ten times better than the sledge hammer that had been pounding in there yesterday. My family certainly hadn’t helped with all the bickering and interference.
My twin Emelia, would have had more to say if she’d have been here, but she’s still on resting orders from her doctor and OB. Em has always known when to interrupt and when not too, so I have a feeling the whole hospital would have known her opinion.
Hearing a soft knock on the door, I watch as it slowly opens and Mom pokes her head through the gap. “Can I please come in?”
“As long as you don’t have anything bad to say about Rae, then yes you can.” It’s hard for me to be like this toward her, but how can I not be. She has been against Rae from the start, and Rae is the woman that I’ve chosen to be with and she needs to accept that.
Mom nods and slowly moves toward where I’m sitting on the bed. We stare at each other before she sits on the chair at the side. “I don’t know what to say. You’re my son and I hate this chasm that’s opened up between us.”
“It’s only there because you put it there, Mom. I’ve never seen you so cruel. She’s the woman I love, who is now my wife. I’ll always be on her side. Regardless of your thoughts, she’s mine and I’m not giving her up for anything or anyone. And before you spin this around on her, she hasn’t once asked me to pick her over my family,” I spit out, my anger and frustration over this entire situation getting the better of me.
Mom looks sad as she admits, “I can’t loose you, Diego. It doesn’t have to be this way.”
“I know it doesn’t, but you’re the one who made it the way it is. What I don’t understand is why? You’ve not once given me a good reason as to why you don’t want me to be with her.” I fold my arms over my chest and wait, glaring at her sad face.
It hurts seeing her so upset but it hurts more knowing how much she’s hurt Rae and inadvertently, me.
“She’s older than you, and already has a grown daughter. What about a family of your own, Diego? Don’t you want children to call you Daddy?” Mom wipes at her tears. “I want you to have that. You deserve that. Why can’t you see that I’ve only ever had your best interests at heart?”
I close my eyes, trying not to notice her tears. “Mom,” I sigh, “I’m so tired of this, of how you’re acting. Rae hasn’t done anything to you or anyone else to cause this kind of reaction. I love her, and as for children, I’m not sure what will happen in that direction and it isn’t something that we’ve talked about. But, I love her. I really love her and I want and need to be with her and that is something you’re going to have to accept if you want to be part of my life.”
“You’d really risk loosing us all for a woman?”
I harden my jaw against her words. “You’re not listening to me. She’s not just ‘a’ woman! She is my wife. I’ll stand by her, always.”
Mom sits back in the chair, her shoulders slumping and silence descends for a few minutes before she says, “Then bring her for dinner on Sunday.”
I groan. “I’m not sure I want her facing everyone after the way you all treated her while I was unconscious.”
“Diego, you can’t have it both ways and you have to give something. You are both invited to dinner on Sunday. I promise you that I’ll have a good think about what you’ve said. She’ll be as welcome at the farm just as much as Erin, Sylvia, and Sarah are. Just be there.” Mom stands, waiting for my nod. Leaning over she kisses my cheek before leaving with one look over her shoulder.
What a mess!
I’m more exhausted than I remember being in a long time, I allow my eyes to drift closed instead of fighting the tiredness.
“You know,” my eyes snap open at the sound of Eric’s voice, “I never thought you’d be causing so much trouble.” He shakes his head in good humor, standing over me.
I smile, happy to see him. “There wouldn’t be any trouble if Mom would just accept Rae, like she has everyone else’s other halves.” I grumble. “But, I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too…the other age differences have the men older than the women. It’s the other way around with you.” Pointing out the obvious, Eric sits. “How you feeling?”
“Peachy,” I drawl and get a cocked eyebrow from my brother in response. “I’m tired, but otherwise, I’m okay.”
“You want me to break you out?” he grins and I laugh.
“As long as you’re going to give me a ride to my home with Rae, then yes please.”
“That’s the plan.” Eric heads toward the door. “I’ll go and sign whatever to get you out of here already, be ready.”
I look around and laugh. “I’m ready.”
He shakes his head. “Give me a few minutes.”
I grab my cell from the table beside the bed, and after checking it for messages, I turn it over in my hand debating texting Rae that I’ll be there soon, but decide against it. I want to surprise her.
RAE
Slowly waking, I realize that I’m wrapped up in a warm body and stiffen. My heart tells me that it’s Diego but it can’t be because he’s still in the hospital.
“Rae, it
’s me,” he whispers into my neck. “Eric sprung me and brought me home.” He rolls me over, one of his legs slipping between mine as he settles half over me. “I want to sleep holding you like this.”
My hands reach to stroke his handsome face before I bring him down to my lips for a gentle kiss. “I want that,” I whisper. “I’m so glad you’re home, but you’re okay, right? The doc said you’d be okay at home?”
“Don’t worry.” He kisses me again before he buries his face in the crook of my neck. “God, I’ve missed your scent. I love you, Rae. So much.” He settles and the erection he has no chance of hiding throbs against my thigh. “Ignore it,” he mumbles.
I caress his back and feel him shudder under my touch. “I’m not sure I want to ignore it,” I confess. “I want to touch you, Diego.”
He groans. “I’m not sure I have the strength to make love to you right now, and it kills me to say that.”
I smile and roll him to his back. Kissing his cheek, I whisper into his ear, “Who said anything about you loving me? I want you to lie still while I use my hands and mouth.”
Smiling to myself, I feel him harden even more and twitch at my words. When I seat myself over his groin and stretch up with my arms, he curses, arching his hips.
“I need to talk to you first…I think.” He rolls his hips, positioning himself directly where I want him. “I can’t talk when you’re a sexy nymph above me though.”
I chuckle and rotate my hips. “We’ll talk later.” I don’t add that I’d love to put off us talking for a while longer.
Reaching for the waist of his sweats, I tug them over his straining erection and with his help I get them down his legs. His hands reach for my t-shirt, which he tugs off of me, and he growls when my breasts are bared to him.
“You,” I lean over him with a wrist in each hand, “are going to stay in place. You’re just out of the hospital so I’m going to love you, Diego.”
His chest rises and falls heavily while I feel the wetness of pre-ejaculate between us when his cock jerks. “I’m close, Rae.”
“I know.”
Kissing his jaw, I move down and lap at his nipples while I settle to rubbing myself over his balls. The steely length trapped between us continues to strengthen and throb, more so when I dip my tongue into his navel.
“Are your little panties wet, Rae?”
“God, yes,” I mumble against his stomach.
“Let me feel how wet.”
I pause at his words and meeting his gaze, I rise above him to give him access to my panties.
His hands slide up my thighs, caressing my bottom before a finger rubs the wetness between my legs.
Diego groans. “Rae…” He slips a finger inside my panties and rubs against my nub before he moves toward my sex. “So wet.” His cock reaches up and nudges against my bottom. “I can’t think. Watching my hand inside your panties, knowing that you’re this wet because of me, and seeing how hard your nipples are while your tits bounce is getting me off.” He pants. “I’m going to come so fucking hard that I feel like the head of my cock might completely blow off.”
I know how he feels because I’m so close myself. Wrapping a hand around his cock he jerks hard and when I shove the head inside of my panties with his finger he curses and comes. His warm release spurts all over my sex and with his hands suddenly on my hips he thrusts inside of me. He strains up, holding me there and feeling his continuing release sets my own off.
Gripping his shaft tightly as I convulse and ripple around him, Diego throbs and throbs so hard that the pleasure completely wipes me out.
Eventually, gentle pulses ripple inside of me, and Diego pants with his eyes glued to mine. “Fucking hell, that was…wow. I have no words.”
I can’t even catch my breath so I stay silent and enjoy the feel of him inside of me with his eyes on mine.
His dark eyes begin to caress over my body and when he gets to where we’re joined he curses and closes his eyes, his dick jerking hard. “I didn’t even get your panties off.”
I look down at the same time as Diego strokes my mound. Seeing his fingers and feeling his touch causes my core to ripple. His fingers quiver before he grabs my hip. I continue watching and see my purple panties shoved to the side with his release covering both our pelvis. I rise up and moan as I watch his thick shaft appear. The feel of him sliding free makes my toes curl. “Mmm, so good.”
“Yes, but I’m wiped out.” Diego runs a hand down his face and I know we have to talk. I need a nap even though he obviously has something that he needs to tell me.
“Give me a minute.” I hurry into the bathroom and after I’ve removed my panties and quickly cleaned myself up, I head back to Diego with a washcloth.
He groans. “You’re killing me walking around naked.”
Chuckling, I climb on the bed and he watches me through heavily lidded eyes while I clean his groin.
Tossing the cloth back into the bathroom, I snuggle against him.
“I’m going to be asleep soon,” he confesses. “I didn’t sleep too well at the hospital with the nurses waking me every few hours and with you not being there…but, my mom came and visited me.”
I lift my head, searching his troubled eyes.
“Her reasoning behind everything she’s said to try and keep us apart, was that she wants me to have a family. Children.”
“I’d wondered if that was it,” I admit while my heart pounds. “It’s something we’ve not spoken of.”
“Rae, I’m okay if you don’t want another baby. You have Andie and I don’t want you to ever wonder about me, plus isn’t it more risky having a baby later in life.” He grins.
“At my age you mean?”
“I thought my wording was more diplomatic...I love you, Rae, and you know age doesn’t matter to me. I don’t want children to ever get in the way of us.”
“I’m afraid Diego. I want to give you a child, I’m just afraid that it might not work out because of my age, but if the doc says it’s okay then I want to. I’d love to have a little Diego running around my ankles.”
“I love you and we’ll talk more about it later. I won’t risk you for anything, Rae. You need to know that.”
I caress his cheek. “I know.”
He leans in and kisses my lips before he slowly pulls away with a wince. “We’ve been invited to dinner, Sunday afternoon and as much as I don’t want to go, I think we need to. Mom’s making an effort so we need to at least try.” He tilts my chin up so that I meet his gaze. “I’ll be with you, and I don’t expect you to suddenly be over everything. That’s going to take time for me as well, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
The thought of being around his family after what happened at the hospital has my stomach in knots. “I guess.” I can do this for him.
He chuckles. “Yeah, it’s my family and I feel like that as well, but we can do this, right? Together.”
“Yeah, we can…but Diego,” I lift my head, searching his eyes, “we can’t mention what we discussed about children. I want to keep it to ourselves until anything happens.”
He cups the back of my head. “I wouldn’t do that. It has nothing to do with them.” He wiggles his brows. “Now we’ve talked, I think we need to forget about my family and concentrate on each other.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I admit as I slowly make my way down his body until I’m eye level with his rapidly growing erection. “I thought you said you were tired.” I raise a brow and laugh at the desperate look on his face.
“Rae,” he growls, his hips arching as I take the tip of his penis into my mouth.
19
Diego
“You look fine.” I roll my eyes and laugh. “If you ask me how you look once more, I’m going to really enjoy messing you up.”
Rae narrows her eyes and slowly backs away. “Oh, no you don’t. Not this time.” She looks close to tears. “I’m not sure my nerves can take this.”
I slowly move toward her as she w
atches me warily. “You don’t need to be so nervous.” I take her hands between mine. “They’re family and I have their word that they’re going to be on their best behavior. Aiden loves you like a sister so he’ll be there to offer support.”
“He’s the one who called me about you being in the hospital. He told me to stay away, and when I ignored him and showed up anyway he stood with the others. He never once spoke out for me.” She smiles sadly. “Kasey would have done if he’d been there.”
“Of course he would.” I tug her against me and sigh when I feel her arms wrap around my waist. “He likes you and he knows how much you mean to me. After today the others will know that as well.”
“Mmm, you know this is my favorite place.”
“In my arms?” I chuckle.
“Resting with my head over your heart. The rhythm always settles me.” Her answer makes my heart soar.
I comb my fingers through her long hair until my hand cradles her head.
“Your scent is musky and always makes my heart flutter with love. It reassures me that you’re mine and really here with me.”
I find that I’m fighting back emotion, not just at the words she’s spoken but at the way she spoke them. As though I’m the only one in the world who matters. I know that’s not the case, but that’s how she makes me feel.
Then I feel her small smile against my chest. “I’ve rendered you speechless.” Raising her face to mine she whispers a kiss across my waiting lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Rae. So much that it hurts.” I tug her close for a few more seconds and kissing the top of her head, step back. “Let’s get this over with.”
“So how’d I look?” Andie asks, twirling down the hall in her new dress. “Figured it was time to interrupt as you’d decided it was time to get going.” She smiles and hugs a surprised Rae while I chuckle to myself. “Mom, I know you have Diego now, but you’re not facing his family without me there as well.”
“It’s not going to be as bad as you both think it is,” I comment, “and, if I hear, ‘how’d I look’, once more I’m going to go mad.”
Love in Flame (De La Fuente Book 5) Page 15