[Moreno Brothers 01.0] Forever Mine

by Elizabeth Reyes

  Angel walked back toward the car. That smile—it was unreal. She shifted in her seat, trying not to look like a goofball, but her own smile was so big and hard to hold back. She’d been talking to him most of the night and had been doing pretty well. Except for spitting up her wine and her miserable attempt to be deep about loving the beach, she’d managed to keep the blundering to a minimum. Why was she having such a hard time breathing now?

  She took a long deep breath as he opened the door and climbed in the car. His eyes were immediately on her, making her insides into mush.

  “Are you hungry?”

  She let out her breath and nodded.

  “Good, ’cause I’m starving.” He pulled out of the driveway.

  They picked up some food at a drive-thru and headed to the beach, eating along the way. After driving up a winding road to the top of a cliff, he turned into a dead end and parked. The moon was bright, and the ocean went on as far as she could see. They were high above the ocean, and the view was breathtaking.

  Sarah stared out the window in amazement. Her thoughts were muddled when her phone rang, and she went still. She had a feeling who it might be, and she didn’t want to answer it. One look at the caller ID and her suspicions were confirmed: Jesse. Angel was eyeing her. “You gonna answer that?”

  She shook her head.

  Glancing at Angel, she noticed his eyebrows narrow, and she turned away biting her lip. Her phone rang one last time.

  “Where are we?” She turned back to face him.

  He still had the same expression on his face, but he didn’t say anything. He opened the door. “Follow me.” He got out of the car.

  Sarah got out, and he came around and held his hand out. She put her hand in his, and they walked toward the dead end. There was a rock trail off to the side behind the homes that faced the ocean.

  They headed to the edge of the trail where there was a wrought iron fence. She looked down as they walked along the side of the fence and could see the waves crashing into the rocks below. When they turned the corner, she saw the trail stretched across the cliff. There were benches and grassy sitting areas with flowering tropical plants and an endless trail of palm trees. Sarah took it all in with awe. She turned back to him.

  “I love it,” she whispered.

  “This is my favorite place.”

  “I can see why.” She stepped closer to the fence and gazed out into the ocean. The lights on a couple of ships and some small sailboats still out there shone brightly. Angel stood behind her, and he grasped the top of the iron rail, enclosing her body between his arms. His warm body against her back felt good, especially since it was getting cold. His face came over her shoulder next to her ear, and she felt him take a deep breath. She closed her eyes, and her body tingled all over. It was still unbelievable to Sarah that she was here, doing this, with him.

  “You smell good,” he murmured.

  “Thank you.”

  They stood there for a few minutes in silence, his breath against her temple. Finally, he spoke. “Can I ask you something?

  His tone made her nervous somehow. “Sure.”

  He pulled away from her shoulder slightly.

  “Why were you in such a hurry to leave when you saw Jesse tonight?”

  Sarah went stiff. God, she’d forgotten all about that. That was the last thing she wanted to be talking about right now. Jesse could be a pain in the ass when he was sober. Valerie had told her when he was drunk, he was even worse, and she had a feeling he’d been drinking tonight. She’d been afraid of another confrontation between him and Angel. “He can be a pest sometimes. That’s all.”

  Angel put his hands over hers on the fence. “The other day, you said you’d hung out with him. What did that mean?”

  Sarah squeezed her eyes shut for a second. Shit. She didn’t want to tell him about that. Why hadn’t she just said yes when he asked her if Jesse was a friend? She’d hardly expected to be talking to Angel again. And not like this.

  “It was a long time ago.” She thought she felt him suck in a breath, and he was quiet for a second.

  “What was a long time ago?”

  She braced herself, not knowing how he’d feel about her after she told him. But it was in the past, so what did it matter? She turned around, but he never let go of the fence, so she was still in his arms, so to speak. His eyes seemed darker somehow. He looked straight at her, waiting.

  “Nothing really,” she said. “I met him a few summers ago when I came out to visit my aunt, and we hung out one night.”

  “Was he your boyfriend?” Angel’s eyes were still fixed on hers.

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “You still hang out with him?”

  “Nope, he’s still asking me out, but I’m not interested.”

  “Good,” Angel said. “He’s an asshole.”

  Sarah’s eyebrow’s shot up. “You know him?”

  “Yeah.” If distaste was an expression, he wore it on his lips unabashed. “We’ve gone to school together since we were kids, but I’ve never liked him. He’s always been a whiny little bitch. Didn’t think I could like him any less, until now.”

  Valerie had always gone on about how intense the Moreno brothers were. She’d told Sarah about how protective they were with their younger sister. Sarah felt his protectiveness earlier when he refused to leave her side at the party, but this was different. She could feel something: an intensity she’d never felt before from anyone. It made her a little nervous, made her stomach tighten up, but in a weird way, she liked it.

  “I’m assuming then, since you’re here with me, you don’t have a boyfriend?”

  Her heart at her throat, she shook her head slowly. “No, I don’t.”

  She was dreaming. She had to be. Did he really just ask her if she had a boyfriend? Did Angel honestly care?

  He dropped his hands from the fence and placed them around her waist. With her heart pounding against her chest now, she gulped, wondering if he could hear it.

  “Can I kiss you?” he whispered.

  She nodded, unable to speak. Then his lips were on hers. They were soft and warm. He explored her mouth slowly, softly. He tightened his hug around her waist with one arm and brought the other one up to her face. With a silky-smooth caress to her face, his hand started around and down her neck, pulling her closer to him.

  His body was big and strong against hers His tongue moved faster, and he pressed against her, suckling her lips and tongue. She’d been kissed before, but never like this, never with so much passion.

  It was too much. She felt him when he pressed against her thigh, and she panicked. She pulled away and heard him groan, burying his face in her hair.

  Caressing his back one last time, she could still feel his heavy breathing as she moved her body away from his gently. She looked up just as he was opening his eyes.

  “Can we go sit? My feet are hurting.”

  He took a couple of deep breaths before answering. “Sure.” He glanced down at her shoes. “I forgot . . . They’re nice. I like ’em.”

  They walked over to a stone bench that was part of a huge rock planter with a palm tree in the middle. She sat down, and he motioned for her to move further back. She did, and he sat next to her and turned her around, so she was facing him.

  “Lean back.” He picked up her legs and pulled them on his lap, inches away from the tent in his pants. Wide-eyed, she stared for a second and wondered what he had planned. She watched him pull off her shoes and was about to protest, when his strong fingers began massaging her aching feet.

  “Mmm, that feels so good.” She let her head fall back. She wondered if he did this with all the other girls he went out with and if they’d all been treated to such a heart-stopping kiss. She lifted her head back up and saw his eyes swallow her up.

  “Your feet are so small.”

  She looked down at her feet and wiggled her toes. Then she glanced down at his. They were huge. She started to giggle. “Well, compared to
yours, they are.”

  His expression hadn’t changed. “I love your smile.”

  Her smile disappeared in reaction to his compliment. “Thanks, I like yours too. As a matter of fact, that was one of the first things I noticed about you.”

  His eyebrows shot up curiously. “Really? Tonight?”

  “Oh, no,” she said. “Two summers ago, the first time I saw you.”

  Now he looked really interested. “You saw me two summers ago?”

  “Yup, same summer I hung out with Jesse.” Damn why did she bring that up again?

  He stared at her, half frowning. “You went out with him and not me?” He teased.

  “He asked—you didn’t.”

  A look of disappointment flashed across his face. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember seeing you.”

  Sarah smiled. “Don’t worry. I can be pretty invisible.”

  Angel seemed almost annoyed. “You’re anything but invisible.” He paused for a moment, and then as if he just remembered something, “So, you said you’re from Arizona. When’d you move out here?”

  Sarah straightened up a little, suddenly feeling uneasy. She hadn’t prepared herself to talk about her circumstances. Since she didn’t plan on making any friends, she didn’t think she’d be put in a position to explain something so personal to anyone, especially not Angel Moreno. “I haven’t exactly moved here. It’s just temporary.”

  “Really? ’Til when?”

  “I’m only here for the semester; then I’ll go back to finish up my senior year at my school in Flagstaff.” She glanced at him and then away, hoping they could get on another subject. But he kept on.

  “So, why are you here for this semester?”

  She was never good at lying, so making something elaborate up was out of the question. If he ever asked her about it again, she’d probably forget and mix everything all up. Even a very short version of the truth was uncomfortable. She looked out into the ocean, not wanting to see his expression when she told him. “It’s kind of a long story.”

  “We’ve got time,” he said.

  Sarah was silent for a second. “My mom has some problems she needs to iron out, and I have to stay with my aunt now. My best friend’s family offered to let me stay with them, so I could finish out my senior year at my own school, but my mom refused, so I’m here now. But once I turn eighteen this winter, she can’t stop me from going back.”

  He looked at her, eyes full of questions, and she prayed none of them were about her mom. She really didn’t feel like discussing that part of her life with him, with anyone.

  “Does your aunt know you plan on leaving?”

  “No, I haven’t told her. I know she won’t want me to, but Sydney and Sydney’s parents are the closest thing I’ve ever had to family besides my mom. I have to go back. Sydney’s waiting.” She held her chin a bit higher.

  Sarah noticed how intently Angel watched her when she spoke, as if he didn’t want to miss a word.

  “Besides, I’ve never really been close to my aunt. We only started visiting her about two years ago when she and my mom finally started speaking to each other again. Even then, it was only once or twice a year.” She shook her head, looking away. “I’d rather be in Flagstaff. It’s where I belong.”

  Angel’s expression had changed. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but he seemed genuinely concerned or maybe something else. Damn it, the last thing she wanted was pity, not from anyone, but especially not from him. That’s why she was so determined to save money. Even when Sydney’s family had offered to let her stay with them, they meant rent free, but she absolutely refused. If she was going to stay with them, she’d pay them.

  “What about after high school? Will you be with your mom then?”

  Sarah kept her chin up. “No, I’ll work and go to school. Sydney’s parents said I could stay with them as long as I need to, and as soon as I can afford my own place, I’ll get it.”

  That look hadn’t changed. It seemed even more intense now, and his lips were pressed tight. “Well, that’s too bad.”

  Sarah’s heart dropped. She knew it. He felt sorry for her. She pulled her feet back abruptly and sat up, startling Angel. She started putting on her shoes. “We may not all have a great start, you know, but it’s where you end up that counts.”

  Angel looked at her, confused. “What? What are you talking about?”

  She finished putting on her shoes and stood up. He jumped up in front of her. “What’s wrong? What did I say?” He searched her eyes.

  Sarah glared at him. “My life is not that bad. Oh, sure, compared to yours maybe, but I don’t need all—”

  Angel put a finger on her mouth. “Stop, that’s not what I meant.”

  She tried backing away, but he slipped his big hand in hers. She stopped, but stood firmly facing him, unwavering.

  He looked at her thoughtfully and put his arm around her waist. “Listen to me. All I meant was it’s too bad you’ll be leaving. I’m really enjoying hanging with you, and now you’re telling me it’s only temporary? You’re damn right I think it’s too bad.”

  Sarah stared at him speechless and feeling a little stupid for overreacting. “Oh.”

  Angel smiled. “Wow, but you turned on me fast.”

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I just . . .”

  His lips were on hers again. She allowed herself to indulge in a few more of his kisses and then forced herself to wrap it up before things got too heated again. It was getting late, and she still had to meet Valerie somewhere, so they could get home together.

  They met Valerie in the parking lot of an In-and-Out near her aunt’s. There were a lot of other kids there from school. Valerie and her friends were standing around her car. They all gawked when they saw that Angel was dropping Sarah off.

  Sarah completely expected him to just drop her off as discreetly as possible and drive off. Instead, he got out of the car and walked her over to Valerie and her friends, holding her hand the whole way. When he said goodbye, he pulled her aside but still in plain view of everyone and gave her another mind-blowing kiss.

  Chapter 4

  Angel groaned as the music from his sister’s radio blared in through his open bedroom door. He was having the best dream ever all about Sarah. It was so real: her beautiful eyes, her lips; he could even taste them. Who knew how far the dream may’ve gone. He frowned, listening to the music that interrupted his fantasies. His sister Sofia was only sixteen, but she’d recently discovered The Beatles and was blasting their music every chance she got. To top it off, the blow dryer was roaring.

  His mood quickly shifted when he replayed last night’s events in his head. He lay there thinking about everything that had happened. He chuckled to himself when he thought of how effortlessly he’d cracked Sarah up. Everything he was feeling now was so unexpected.

  More than anything, he wanted to ask more about her mom, but it was obvious she didn’t want to talk about her. Why would a mom dump her daughter on someone else, just like that? What kind of problems could she be ironing out? Something in Sarah’s poignant eyes told him she’d been through a lot, and he felt for her.

  Damn, this sucked. All week long, all he had wanted was a chance to talk to her, get to know her a little. But after last night, he wanted so much more, and soon she was leaving. He sat up and shook his head. He wouldn’t worry about it now. Fact was her plans weren’t carved in stone. Anything could happen between now and then. She could change her mind.

  He glanced at the clock: 8:30. Deciding it was too early to call her, he showered and went downstairs. Eric was already there, sitting at the kitchen counter, talking to Sofia. Angel’s parents had left early to open the restaurant, and Sofia had made breakfast. Eric looked up from his plate at Angel and smiled knowingly.

  “Hey, how’d it go last night?”

  “It was cool.” Angel walked over to Sofia and kissed her on the forehead. He looked at Eric’s plate of bacon and eggs then at Sofia.

  “Any
left for me, or did he eat it all?”

  Sofia rolled her eyes. “There’s enough for everyone.”

  Angel walked over to the refrigerator, glancing at the clock. It was just after nine—good enough. He pulled the orange juice out of the fridge and poured himself a glass. Walking by the table where he left the keys to Eric’s car and his cell phone, he picked them both up and tossed the keys at Eric. “Thanks, man.”

  Eric caught the keys in midair, nodding. “Late night?” he asked with a smirk.

  On his way out the back door, Angel motioned he’d be right back. Outside, he looked up Sarah’s cell number on his phone. She’d programmed it in last night before he dropped her off. Just seeing her name, Sarah Lynn, did something to him. He sucked in his breath deep and pressed the call button. It rang a few times; then she answered.

  “Hi, Angel.” Her cheery tone made him smile. “I was on the other line. Let me hang up.”

  “No, that’s okay. I can call back.”

  “No, it’s Sydney. We’ve been on the phone for a while. I was getting ready to hang up anyway. Hold on, okay?”

  “All right.”

  She clicked over to the other line. It was only nine, and she’d already been on the phone for a while? She wasn’t kidding when she said she was close to her friend.

  He thought about it and wondered if he’d feel the same way in her situation. Eric and Romero were his best friends, but he couldn’t imagine himself so hung up on those two numb-nuts that he’d be dying to get back to them. Then again, girls were different in their relationships. Not only that, he thought, Sarah’s situation was different altogether. He sat down on one of the patio chairs, and then he heard the line click.

  “Angel?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Sorry about that.”

  “That’s okay. Chatting this early?”

  “Yeah, Sydney can be an early bird. The phone woke me up, actually.”

  “Ah, she’s like my sister. Her damn music woke me up this morning. Are you tired?” He hesitated then asked, “Any plans today?”

  “Not now, but tonight I do.”