Love in Country (De La Fuente Family #4)(13)

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“SARAH, have you been crying?” Emelia blurts the question out and startles me into laughter.

“I’m fine.” I offer a smile and turn back to loading my gear into the SUV so that I can leave even though I should really be looking for Aiden. The sooner I get it over with the better, but I guess part of me is afraid of what he’ll say.

“Emelia, I promise I’m fine,” I add when Aiden’s stepsister looks doubtful.

“Okay, I’ll leave you alone. I actually came outside to see if I could tempt you into having a cup of coffee and a homemade blueberry muffin.”

My mouth waters and usually I would accept. “I’m sorry, it’s a busy day today.”

“Maybe next time.” Emelia jogs back to the house but not before giving me one last glance over her shoulder.

Sighing in relief, I realize my reprieve is short lived as I catch sight of Aiden striding toward me from the house.

Aiden always makes my heart pitter patter in my chest whenever I spot him. His forest green eyes keep me enthralled. His sensuous lips are soft and needy whenever they connect with mine...and I might be angry and upset with him, but I can’t lie about my feelings for the man as tears hover on my lashes.

And now as he gets closer, I panic and slam the door closed. Dashing around the side of the vehicle, I’m just about to climb in when Aiden’s arm wraps around my stomach to pull me backward into him.

“Where are you going in such a rush?” he whispers into my ear. “We need to talk…Clear the air, but God, I’ve missed you.” He buries his face in the curve of my neck, sending goose bumps down my spine, and breathes heavily as though he’s inhaling me.

My body betrays me at his touch and pleasure pools at the juncture of my thighs while I try to think of a verbal response because I’m still angry with him.

“Sarah…my Sarah,” he whispers, his voice breaking. “I’ll explain about Rae, but please tell me I haven’t lost you? Not after waiting so long to have you.”

“I want to believe that there is an us,” I admit. “The images can’t be unseen, Aiden.” I try to step away but Aiden steps with me, his hand flexing on my stomach.

“Let me explain.” Aiden lets go of me but takes my hand and intertwines his fingers with mine.

He tugs me into the barn, ignoring his brother Diego, and shoves me into the small office. The door closes behind us.

I open my mouth to speak but Aiden silences me when he stands so close. He cups my face in his hands and gazes into my eyes. “Don’t be upset. I hate that you saw them without knowing anything about her, and I guess me…She’s only a friend, Sarah.”

Aiden drops his forehead to mine and I feel him tremble when my hands touch his sides.

“I’ve been friends with Rae for around ten years. She’s like another sister to me. That’s all she’s ever been and all she will ever be. She’s an attractive woman, but I’ve never been sexually attracted to her.” He smiles. “And since I’ve met you my eyes have most definitely been only on you.”

He kisses my nose and slowly kisses my lips. “I should have told you about her, but I’m just so used to her being with me at these parties as a warning to other women to stay clear. It didn’t even dawn on me to tell you…I’m sorry for that.”

My body melts into liquid fire when Aiden takes control and kisses me. His lips are soft yet demanding, and when he kisses down my neck and nuzzles a breast through my shirt I’m about to come on the spot…but we can’t do this. “Aiden,” I moan as his lips caress back over mine.

“I know.” He sighs heavily. “God, I’ve missed you so much, Sarah.” His hand strokes down through my hair to land on my bottom. “So damn much. It killed me when you stopped talking to me.”

Pulling back, Aiden cups my face again, and his forehead drops to mine. His beautiful eyes blaze with love.

“You’re the only one I want, Sarah, and I’m so damn sorry that I hurt you.” He exhales. “There is so much shit out there about Rae and me that I’ve learned over the years to ignore it. It’s all speculation and it’s never interfered with my life before now. I should have realized and I’m sorry that I’m an idiot and didn’t think.”

His body surrounds me, his hips gently rock against mine. “I love you.” He breathes seconds before his lips claim mine.

His taste is so familiar, and I want nothing more than to get lost in him and trust in what he has just told me, but there are questions niggling at me.

Aiden slowly raises his head when he realizes that I’ve stopped participating in the kiss, and as he watches closely his eyes fill with sadness.

His hands drop away and he steps back, but I follow and bring his face close to mine. “I still love you, Aiden...I just don’t understand how she can be your friend for so long and yet Diego doesn’t know who she is, or why you brought her home with you. Please help me to understand your connection to her.”

Aiden grips my hips and holds me steady. “Until yesterday my family knew of her and have only spoken on the phone to her when she’s called home for me. However, this is the first time they have met her, apart from Eric who met her once in Europe. She’s here in Great Falls now because she’s part of the commercial I’m in that will be filmed soon on the farm.”