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I smirk. “I’ve had enough dreams about you and what you’d feel like against my body, but unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to do anything to explore those right now. So the least you can do is lie beside me and let me hold you.” I wink. “I promise to behave.”
She bites her lip, watching me, but once her decision is made, her boots are kicked off and she’s climbing up beside me. As soon as she’s in my arms, I tug up the side of the bed frame, which is a lot easier to pull up than take down. She isn’t going anywhere if I have my way.
“I shouldn’t be in here, Diego,” she whispers, snuggling deeper into my side.
I close my eyes tightly. It hurts that she thinks that.
“You belong in here, Rae. Please don’t let anyone stop you.” I hold her close and kiss the top of her head.
“What are we doing, Diego?”
“I don’t know. But it feels right having you here beside me.” I let the silence settle around us, and then I add, “In a way I’m glad that I got hurt defending you.”
Rae lifts her head and frowns when she meets my gaze. “Why on earth would you be glad about that?”
“Because I have you in my arms, a place that you wouldn’t have been otherwise.”
“Diego…”
“Shhh, please don’t ruin it. Let me have this.”
I know when she gives in because all of the tension leaves her body and she feels soft and warm against me as she lets herself be closer.
Her breath whispers across my skin, making me break out in goose bumps.
My desire for this woman is so strong and grows every time I see her. I want her in ways I’ve never wanted anyone else, and that should scare the living fuck out of me, except I find so much comfort in it. What does scare me out of my mind is that she’ll pass me over for someone closer to her own age before she gives me a chance.
Tugging her closer, I turn on my side and clench my jaw at the stab of pain in my shoulder. Once I’m comfortable with Rae wrapped against me, the pain slowly subsides, and I forget about my family waiting to see me outside of the room.
RAE
It’s been a long time since I’ve woken with a warm, hard body wrapped around me and it feels so good that I don’t want to move away. I want to stay wrapped up in him.
I know exactly whose body it is that holds me snug. While I’m half asleep I can imagine that he really is mine to hold—I can pretend.
A tear escapes from between my tightly closed lids, followed closely by another. I know Diego can feel them because he stills from stroking my hair and his hand on my lower back presses me closer to him.
I’ve never felt as cherished as he’s making me feel, which only makes the tears come harder.
“Crap, Rae…what’s wrong?” Diego asks, trying to get a better view of my face, and cursing as the pain makes itself known again.
I try to sit up but he won’t let me.
“Let me help you,” I insist.
“No. I’m fine,” Diego hisses between clenched teeth.
“Then why do you look and sound like you’re in pain, huh?” I ask the stubborn man.
“Dammit… I want to keep you in bed with me.”
I glance up and meet his dark as midnight eyes. “I have to go, Diego…the others...”
“Like hell.” His arms tighten around me and I just want to stay right where I am.
“Kasey came in last night while you slept,” Diego admits. “He went out and told the others that I was out for the night… God, Rae.”
I drop my forehead to his and hold his gaze. “We can’t do this. You know that.”
