Buchanan Lexi -Love_in_Purgatory_De_La_Fuente

Love in Purgatory De La Fuente Family #2 Lexi Buchanan

Love in Purgatory Copyright © 2015 Lexi Buchanan

All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the author.

Published by HFCA Publishing House

http://www.lexibuchanan.net

Image Copyright: Michael Stokes Photography Fitness Model: Diego Arnary Cover Design: Robin Harper, Wicked by Design Editor: Sirena Van Schaik Editor: Nadine Winningham BETA Reader: Emma Clifton, Kathrin Magyar, Lynne Garlick, Sonya Covert

This book is a written act of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

ISBN-13: 978-0-9933238-5-0

Author’s Note This work is pure fiction and although the named towns exist, any reference to a Church, Cathedral, Bishop or Priest in these towns IS PURE FICTION, and has been added for the benefit of the story. This novel is not intended to be a slight on the Catholic Faith, a religion in which all the author’s children are baptized.

Content Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Six Chapter Twenty-Seven Chapter Twenty-Eight Chapter Twenty-Nine Chapter Thirty Chapter Thirty-One Chapter Thirty-Two Chapter Thirty-Three Chapter Thirty-Four Chapter Thirty-Five Chapter Thirty-Six Chapter Thirty-Seven Epilogue Love in Bloom #3 ~ Cover Sizzle, Blurb Seduce, Blurb Acknowledgment Other Books by Author

Prologue Thanksgiving day was supposed to be a family affair with lots of laughter and happiness, but it wasn’t…at least, not this year. Instead of happiness, all Emelia felt was heartache and longing. She wanted to see him smile at her…wanted to see him laugh at something she said, but she saw nothing but his anger and turmoil when he looked at her. She was alone in a crowded room because of her love for Dante, her brother—or so everyone thought. She hated that she was the only one of the seven siblings to know the truth about their family, and it destroyed her to keep it secret. Emelia managed to hide her heartache until she’d snuck into the sunroom and away from the family. Then, the tears flowed from her eyes as she made her way to one of the sofas her mother liked to keep in the bright room. Her mind was full of Dante. There was an air of isolation about his tall figure that kept him just out of her reach. She wanted to run her hands through his black hair, which was silky straight and always gleamed in the light. His handsome face was bronzed from his love of the outdoors, and his smile would light up his face when she caught him off guard. However, it would soon dim when he realized it was her. As Emelia tried to mop her tears up, she heard the creak of the door opening. She didn’t want to deal with anyone but, if she had someone to talk to, she wouldn’t feel so upset. It wouldn’t change anything though, because her heart would still be broken over Dante. “Hey, it’s okay,” Sylvia, her brother Eric’s girlfriend, said as she entered, and sat beside her. “What has you so upset? Or should I ask whom?” Emelia looked up and sighed as she moved back into a corner of the sofa when realization hit, and she froze. “You know? How?” Sylvia shook her head. “Guessed.” “And doesn’t it bother you that two siblings are in love with the other and not in a sibling way?” Emelia asked while tears continued to run down her face. Emelia often wondered how she’d gotten to this place. The only answer that she ever received was that it was her own fault for kissing him. “I don’t know what to think to be honest. I’ve seen you and Dante together and it’s obvious that you’re both hurting.” Emelia nodded. “If Dante would listen, then we wouldn’t need to hurt.” Her Dante was damn stubborn.

Sylvia frowned. “What do you mean?” “It doesn’t matter,” Emelia hiccupped, and wiped at her tears, which wouldn’t stop flowing. Reaching forward, Sylvia tried to sooth Emelia as she rubbed her arm. “It obviously does.” Emelia grabbed Sylvia’s wrist as she wrestled with her decision. On one hand, she desperately needed to talk…to tell someone, but on the other, it was hard to let go of the secret for fear of what it would do to her family. “You can’t tell anyone, not even Eric.” As soon as the words left her mouth, Emelia knew she shouldn’t have asked Sylvia to keep something from Eric, especially since Sylvia looked uneasy. Emelia just wished she knew the right thing to do without causing so much chaos. “I don’t want to start keeping secrets from Eric. It would hurt him deeply if he knew I was holding something back that concerned you and Dante.” Emelia snapped her eyes to Sylvia and could see it clearly written on her face...no... “He knows?” she whispered, and hoped she was wrong. “Yes.” “Oh, God! He hasn’t said anything to me. What did he say?” She could feel her throat closing, and it was getting harder to breathe. “Calm down, Emelia. He hasn’t said anything because he doesn’t know what to say. He loves you both and feels torn.” Emelia wanted to curl up and hide for the rest of her life. She wished that Eric had talked to her. Perhaps she wouldn’t feel so torn up inside if he had, but maybe, it would have made things worse. “What a mess.” Emelia dropped her head back against the sofa, turned to face Sylvia, and held her gaze. “It all started with a kiss,” Emelia admitted. “There was a party, here at the house, for my twenty-first birthday. Dante had always been mysterious and never around as I was growing up. I didn’t really think much of it, and he wasn’t really a part of the family. In fact, he missed a lot of family holidays when I was younger. He was the unknown brother, but then, just before my eighteenth birthday, I overheard something that I shouldn’t have. A week later, Dante showed up, and it was like I was meeting him for the first time. I fell in love with him and didn’t know what to do.” She sighed and stared out the window as the tears pricked her eyes. “My young heart knew who and what it wanted, but I was stupid. I thought if I went for it, showed him how I felt, he’d fall in love with me. I thought,” she felt a lump in her throat as the memory burned painfully bright in her mind, “that everything would be happily ever after, which is why, on my twenty-first birthday, I kissed him. My heart had pounded so hard in my chest as we kissed. He was shocked at first, but then he’d returned my kiss. It went on for a while, and I felt his need…I thought that was the start of something beautiful, but then he shoved me away. “I’d never seen him so furious in my life before that night.” She swiped at the tears…his rejection still hurt, even after all these years. “After that, things changed for me…for him…for the whole family. There will never be a chance of going back to before it happened. I’m not even sure I’d want to if given the opportunity.”

They fell into silence, which was finally broken with Sylvia’s question, “What did you overhear?” “God,” Emelia wailed, “I need to tell someone because it’s a hell of a burden to carry.” And that was the truth. She’d spent years keeping everything to herself, but she couldn’t do it anymore. Maybe it all needed to be out in the open. “I’d gone looking for Mom after a squabble with Diego. She was arguing with Dad. I waited in the hallway as they argued, and I’m not even sure what started it, but, as they calmed down, they talked about the past. Dad told Mom how much he’d grown to love her even though they’d married at the bequest of Francesca, my father’s first wife. Mom had sighed and said it hadn’t been a bequest because Francesca had begged them both to marry.” Emelia hiccupped through her tears, and continued, “Then they started talking about another man and how they were both relieved he was no longer a threat because he’d died.” She shook her head. It had felt like a betrayal, to know that her entire life…who she thought she was, was a lie. She’d wanted to storm into the room and scream at them, but she’d been stuck, frozen to the spot. She swallowed back the hurt and continued, “It turned out that my father had never slept with my mother until long after she’d given birth to Diego and me. And when I say long after, I mean six years after. It was after they’d renewed their wedding vows…after they’d finally fallen in love with each other. ”So you see, all this time, I’ve been raised as a true daughter to Emiliano, when, in fact, I have no blood relation to him or his own children. I could be with Dante, but, even though my heart breaks all the time for him, I have no idea how to tell him the truth without causing heartbreak for the entire family.” Shock, horror, sympathy and finally, support crossed Sylvia’s face as she listened. Emelia hadn’t realized how much she’d needed the latter. She couldn’t stop now that she’d started, and the relief she felt that someone else finally knew helped. “He’s a priest now and I know he loves his church…and his congregation, but I want him to be selfish. I want him to love me—to be with me. I need that with him badly that being away from him is a physical pain.” Emelia sat up and gripped both of Sylvia’s arms. “Please tell me what to do because I don’t know anymore.” Sylvia looked surprised, and she opened her mouth to answer before she closed it again. She looked as confused as Emelia felt. Finally, she asked, “Does anyone know? Diego?” “No.” Emelia shook her head. “I haven’t told anyone. Only you.” “You haven’t asked your mom about it?” “I’ve tried so many times but I always chicken out. Part of me is afraid that I misheard what was said, and another part hopes to God that I heard correctly. I will always love Emiliano as my father because he raised me from birth as his own, but I need what I heard to be true because of my feelings for Dante. Does any of this make sense to you?” Sylvia smiled. “You make perfect sense, and I think we need to tell Eric. He loves you and, trust me, although it will be a shock to him, it will ease his mind over you both.” “He worries,” she smiled, “I know. I always used to go to Eric when I was small. He would tell me a story or keep me away from Kasey who used to steal my things to make me mad.” “Emelia?”

They turned at the sound of Eric’s voice.

Chapter One One month later… Nursing a whiskey in his hand, Dante sat in the dark living room. It had been a long day of trying to act as though he didn’t have a lot on his mind when his head was so full—about to explode. A bit like how his heart had felt when he saw Kasey’s truck in the ditch during the snowstorm at Thanksgiving. He’d feared for his siblings, but the relief he’d felt when Emelia came into view was nothing like it should have been for a sibling. Nothing could have stopped him from holding her in his arms…it didn’t matter how wrong it was or how others had looked at them. All that mattered was that he could touch her to make sure she was real. He sighed and took a long draw of his whiskey as he looked around his father and Lucia’s living room. He always felt welcome, but the house never felt like home because he’d been away from the family as a child—completely by his own choice. At first it was because of how angry he’d been with his father for marrying Lucia…recently, it had been because of their daughter. Emelia lived to drive him crazy and he wished she’d find a man of her own to keep her away from him. Perhaps the longing for someone who was forbidden—she was his sister after all…and he was a priest—would disappear. Deep down he knew nothing would release him from the feelings he had for her, and the jealousy of seeing her with another man would probably kill him. The silence would get to him one day, but, so far, the alcohol worked fine to numb his heart. At least, it did until he looked at the entrance of the living room and saw the silhouette of Emelia. She stood and observed him without making any move closer. He didn’t trust himself while his emotions were all over the place. Her scent was still inside him from when he found himself beneath the mistletoe with her. It had taken everything in him to only peck her cheek. Shaking his head, Dante placed his empty glass on the side table. He stood and moved toward her, craving her touch no matter how wrong God said it was. Emelia was breathtaking. Wide eyes, high cheekbones that were accentuated by the tiny, curling tendrils escaping the heavy, silken mass of black hair, and a small frame that fit against him perfectly. She looked more delicate and ethereal than ever in her leggings and fitted shirt, and he walked closer like a man caught in an enchantment.

His heart pounded in his chest at the sight before him. She was the only one to ever tempt him to break his vow to the church, and it was wrong. So wrong. He clenched his fists, averted his gaze and tried to step past, but her hand on his wrist stopped him. Her touch warmed him in places that should be dead. When she wasn’t there, those places were dark and hidden—dormant until Emelia touched him. He used to be able to ignore them but now, he found them, more difficult than ever to ignore. “We’re under the mistletoe,” Emelia whispered. It was pure torture. “Emelia,” he groaned in a whisper of desperation. She moved in front of him and met his gaze. His heart stopped before it started up a frantic beat as his blood pulsed through his body. His body hummed, his hands shook as he fought the urge to touch her. No matter how much he knew it was wrong, he couldn’t fight it. He curved his hand over Emelia’s hip and tugged her closer, her shirt gripped in his fist. She reached up and cupped one side of his face, tears gathered on her beautiful long lashes. No one would know. He dipped his head, and, for the first time in over six years, he was about to sample the only woman who would ever hold his heart. Her scent was under his skin, and the feel of her hands as they rested against his chest made his heart pound faster with desire. He’d only ever felt heart throbbing desire once before, and that had been on her twenty-first birthday when she’d kissed him, and made him see what was right in front of him. Kissing her and craving more with her had sent him running to the church. But as their mouths hovered a mere inch apart, Dante couldn’t close that distance between them, even though his body burned to taste her, and feel her against him. His hand trembled in her shirt with the desire he felt, but what made him cross the line was the sight of more tears on her beautiful face. He couldn’t handle her tears anymore. Their mouths touched in a whisper of a kiss and, with the brush of their tongues, the growl he’d held in check at the back of his throat burst forth. He dragged Emelia against him and kissed her as though he was drowning. Maybe he was and she was his lifeline. Shivers of desire raced through him as Emelia whimpered while his tongue explored the recesses of her mouth. No space separated them as he continued to kiss her hungrily, like a man starved. He couldn’t stop now that he’d started and, as his lips left hers, he nibbled at her earlobe before he seared a path down her neck before reclaiming her swollen lips. Emelia’s hands held his head in place while she returned his passion. Her mouth searched out his tongue, as her body moved restlessly against his, heightening his arousal. The thought of having her in his bed while they both writhed in pleasure as he entered the heat of her body brought him back to reality. He broke from the kiss and, when Emelia tried to hold him to her, he shook his head and backed away. “That was wrong,” he hissed between clenched teeth.

It was wrong, but nothing had ever felt so right. As he gazed at her through hooded eyes, he let out a shudder of need and drew in a sharp breath. Emelia stood where he’d left her, unmoving as tears seeped out of her eyes and down her beautiful face. She’d paled since he’d stepped away, and her arms wrapped around her stomach as though to protect herself. He was a priest, and should feel remorse for what he’d just done with his sister, but he couldn’t get there. What he felt for her was wrong on so many levels, but Emelia was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and his love for her would always be inside him. But as she stood before him, looking destroyed, he had no idea what to say or do to take her heartache away. He knew that she loved him just as much as he did her, and that he was the only one who would be able to please her, but that would never be possible. No matter how much it hurt him, he needed to be strong for the both of them because he knew Emelia would always be around him, wanting him, if he let her. Something had to be done to put a stop to it—to put a stop to the tortured feelings between them. “That can’t happen again, Emelia,” he started, and had to take a moment to breathe and get himself under control because he wanted to shout. He wanted to let his anger at the unfairness of their situation spill out for the world to see, but he couldn’t…and, in the end, he didn’t. He drew in a deep breath, the words coming out on a sigh that showed how exhausted and tortured he was. “You know why this is so wrong. We need to stay away from each other.” He fought to hide his emotions before he opened his mouth again. “You need to find someone else. Someone who will...love you,” his voice cracked. No one will ever love you as much as I do. Emelia stumbled into the wall as she tried to back away from him, tears flowing freely down her pale face. “You’ll always be the man I love, Dante,” she whispered. “I get where you’re coming from...but it hurts more being away from you than it does being with you.” “Dammit, Emelia.” In a blink of an eye, he stood in front of her with her face cupped in the palms of his hands. “Don’t.” He brushed her tears away with his thumbs. “We both need to move on and, as much as it kills me to say that, we don’t have a choice...I’ll always love you.” He kissed her forehead, and lingered while he breathed her in. “I’m leaving. I don’t want to, but it’s what I have to do.” He breathed deeply and walked away from her as Emelia’s sobs followed him all the way to his bedroom. He closed and locked the door, and leaned against it with his heart in pieces. And while he was in the seclusion of his room, he finally did something that he hadn’t done since his mother died…he let his tears fall. He was in purgatory.

Chapter Two Emelia lay curled up on her large window seat amongst the cushions and blankets while she’d watched everyone else come and go in the yard below. She’d even watched as Dante carried a large bag to his rental and leave before the others were up. After Dante had left her downstairs, she’d lost track of time until daylight had started to seep through the curtains, which was when she’d retreated to her bedroom with her heart in pieces—just like she thought Dante’s was in. While she’d been growing up, the family had talked about how religious Dante was, but the day he’d called to inform his father he was going into the priesthood had devastated her. The call had come two weeks after she’d initiated the kiss on her birthday. She’d done everything she could think of back then to talk to him and tell him the truth about her birth. After all else had failed, she’d finally written him a letter, which she knew he hadn’t read because he was still convinced that they were siblings through blood. As time went on, Emelia had convinced herself that it was for the best that he had no idea about her because he seemed happy in the church. But then they’d have family get-togethers and the connection that she’d felt all those years ago would be stronger than ever. A part of her did regret not making him listen to her, because if she had then, perhaps, he wouldn’t be as tortured knowing that she wasn’t his sister by blood. But another part of her worried that his connection with God was stronger than his love for her, and that terrified her. But while she hid away in her room, her heart heavy with sorrow, she had no idea as to how to move forward without Dante in her life. She couldn’t see a path for herself…couldn’t imagine the days spent at home with her mother fixing her up with every eligible bachelor she met. She couldn’t turn up on Dante’s doorstep again because that would create even more destruction of her heart…especially after last night. She had other brothers, the luxury of coming from a large family, but she didn’t know who she could turn to. Her brother Eric had just gotten engaged to Sylvia, and knowing him, the wedding would be quickly arranged so she couldn’t stay with him. Her brother Aiden was living at home for the time being, so she couldn’t go and hang in Europe with him. Kasey lived like a pig and always tried to annoy her, which really only left her twin, Diego. She loved all her brothers, but she was obviously the closest to Diego, who was a firefighter in New

York. He also had a revolving door of women. That would have to stop while she stayed with him, though. He wouldn’t like it, but she had enough on him to make him do her bidding. At least with her work she could do it from anywhere with a connection to the Internet. She loved to read, and write reviews for the books that she read. It was a passion of hers that she’d do in her spare time. Her paid job was looking after the social media for her family’s horse farm in Montana. She was responsible for the website, and would deal with any inquiries that they received from it. She updated it nearly every other day along with all the social media accounts. It had been difficult for her to begin with because her father hadn’t wanted to be brought into the twenty-first century. He was happy now, and constantly asked her questions about it. Not that they’d been struggling for business before, but because of their social media sites, they’d received new business, which increased yearly. Each one of her six siblings held a share in the farm and their yearly payout was always enough for her to live off for the following year, and then some. Which was why she was serious about going spending time with her brother. Diego made her smile, so perhaps that was what she needed—her man-whore brother. As though she’d conjured him up, Diego stood just inside her bedroom door. Her locked bedroom door. “Hey, Sis.” He grinned, which slipped as he really looked at her. “What’s wrong with you?” Emelia sighed at his words. He knew her well. “Nothing that a visit with you in New York won’t cure.” Well, nothing would cure what she suffered from, but at least she’d be far away from her heartache. “Me?” She just managed to move her feet before Diego dropped his ass down in the window seat with her, and answered what her brother probably hoped would be no, with a, “Yes.” She pushed herself up into a sitting position and glanced out of the window. “I need to make some changes,” she shrugged, and faced Diego, “and to do that, I need to be able to think. So I figured, as I’m closest to you, that I’d head back with you to New York.” Diego looked worried, which gave her pause. She certainly didn’t want to screw up his life, although she hoped it would calm his libido down, which she really didn’t want to think about. “Okay.” “Okay? Is that all you have to say?” “What else do you want me to say?” Diego frowned. “You’re my sister, Emelia, so you can come and live with me while you get yourself sorted...there is one condition though.” She groaned and hit his thigh with her foot when he smirked. “What condition?” “Before you leave my place, you have to tell me what’s going on with you...and Dante.” He watched her through hooded eyes, but she stayed silent. “I have eyes and there’s something.” “I can’t promise anything,” she admitted, biting her lower lip, “but I’m determined to stop being the wanderlust sister, and look to the future instead of living in the past.” Diego shook his head. “I have no fucking clue as to what you mean, but it certainly sounds good.”

She smiled and reached out to him. Without any hesitation, Diego intertwined his fingers with hers. “Thank you.” “What for?” “For being you. For always being here for me.” “Emelia, you’re my twin, why wouldn’t I always be here for you?” Emelia gave him a soft smile, and moved to curl up in his lap. “I guess I’m just feeling sorry for myself today. I love you, you know that?” “I love you too, Sis.” He kissed her on the forehead. “But, do you think we can stop being mushy, otherwise, I’m going to have to check if my balls are still attached.” “Eww, Diego.” She smacked his thigh as he chuckled against her. “I can’t believe you went there.” “Yes, you can.” He chuckled and cuddled her closer. “Emelia?” he whispered against the top of her head. “If you ever need to talk, you know I’m here, right? I mean right here. Always.” She loved her brother so much, and wished that she could talk to him about Dante, and about what she overheard all those years ago. But she remembered what it felt like to realize that the man who’d raised her as his own was not her father, and she didn’t want to be the cause of Diego’s pain when, or if, he ever found out.

Chapter Three Dante had been back in Frederick, Colorado for a few days when he opened his front door, after persistent knocking, to find his brother Mateo, with bag in hand. Mateo met his gaze, grinned and said, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.” Dante snorted and pulled his brother into a hug. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” None of his brothers were saints, so he knew, without a doubt, that he’d be in the confessional for a heck of a long time if one of them ever really wanted to confess before him and God. “You won’t find me in there, brother,” Mateo nodded toward the church and stepped inside Dante’s home, “but I don’t mind shooting the shit with you.” He closed the door, and added with a hopeful look on his tanned face, “Over coffee and cake.” Dante chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Now I know that it isn’t me you’ve come to visit. You just want to eat the cake that Barbara has made.” “Of course I have. Why would I want to come and see you?” Mateo dropped his bag, and wrapped his arm around him as they walked toward the kitchen, and the fresh smell of baking. “And there she is,” Mateo announced. “The woman I’m going to marry.” Dante shoved him away playfully, knowing that Mateo made Barbara’s day when he flirted with her. Barbara insisted on coming to his home every day to bake and tidy up for him. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her feelings by telling her that he was capable of doing everything himself, so he gave in. She looked to be close to eighty, and he knew that she was lonely, especially after losing her husband a few years ago. Mateo winked at him before going over to Barbara. He kissed her cheek and snatched one of the cupcakes she was busy icing. “You’re looking mighty fine this morning, Barbara. My brother looking after you?” He hid his smile at the blush on Barbara’s face as Mateo continued to flirt. “Oh, you hush up, young man.” Barbara swatted his hand away when he went to grab another cake. “At least me being here keeps all the young ladies away,” she gave Dante a reproachful glance, even though he was completely innocent—he didn’t notice the women in his congregation. “Pfft, that Miranda and Marie, the two M&M’s, they’d make a bishop sin.”

Dante’s brows nearly reached his hairline, and one look at his brother had Mateo roaring with laughter. “The two M&M’s, huh?” Mateo commented. “I’m sorry, Father,” Barbara looked sheepish, “but you’ve seen them, and you couldn’t get away quick enough when they had you cornered in church the other week.” Mateo wiped at his tears of amusement. “That I have to see.” He needed to change the subject. “So, what’s brought you here, without your fiancée, I might add?” At least that got rid of the amusement on Mateo’s face, even if Dante did have a twinge of regret for dampening his brother’s spirit. “She’s doing something with her own family, so I thought I’d come and hang with you before we head to Ramon’s wedding.” Mateo dropped into a chair and warmed his hands on the cup of coffee that Barbara had just poured. “I need . . .” he paused and glanced at Barbara, “I just need a break.” Dante stared at his brother and nodded. He knew what his brother meant because he to needed a break. He needed to be away from his family home and his church to think clearly without constant interruptions. The hole in his heart was still there, and he feared it would never be whole again. He’d picked his cell up to text Emelia so many times that he’d eventually lost count, but he’d asked for her to go and live her life. It would kill him to see her with someone else, to know that she loved another man, but it was what she had to do. It was something that he had to let her do with his blessing no matter how much it hurt him. He’d thought that running to the church all those years ago was the cure for his passion for his sister, but it wasn’t. It did help him back then, but he thought that probably had more to do with them being apart than anything else. Unfortunately, for the past few years, Emelia had visited him on and off and it made his craving worse than ever. He hadn’t been able to bring himself to ask her to leave, or to ask her not to visit, until a few days ago. The tears on Emelia’s face had hurt him, and he knew that he was in too deep with her. When he joined the church, he’d kept his past sins concerning Emelia buried. It didn’t matter how ‘encouraged’ he’d been to repent them—they’d been something that he kept locked away from the world. But, recently, he’d spent a great deal of time kneeled before the altar in his church while he prayed for absolution...which had yet to come. “When are you leaving for Lexington?” Mateo asked, breaking into his thoughts while he finally took the seat Barbara urged him into. “Two days.” “Okay, message me your flight details and I’ll book on the same flight.” Mateo drained his cup of coffee, and had to stop Barbara from filling it again. “I’m fine for now.” He smiled and she blushed, again. “I’ll let you two be, and go and dust in the living room.” Dante watched her go, then turned to look at his brother. “She’s great, but I wish she wouldn’t fuss over me so much,” he whispered. “She obviously enjoys looking after you, so let her. It probably gives her something to do.”

“That’s why I’ve kept my mouth shut...what gets me is that she won’t take anything for everything she does around here.” Mateo offered a wry smile. “She loves taking care of the priest. Let her be.” “I do like having her around because it stops unwanted visitors, and she adores Emelia.” “She obviously hasn’t been around Emelia when she has PMS.” Mateo chuckled. Dante stayed silent and would have cursed himself for mentioning Emelia if he actually cursed. “She’s not that bad,” he admitted for something to say. “Yeah, right?” Mateo scoffed. “You have blinders on with our baby sister. I’m telling you that she has one hell of a temper.” He shuddered. “The little spitfire scares me when she gets started, and yeah, if that makes me a pussy so be it.” Mateo stood to look out the back window. Dante watched his brother, and grappled with his emotions. He shouldn’t ask but he needed to know, “How is Emelia?” Mateo glanced at him over his shoulder, and told him, “She went to New York with Diego. She doesn’t know yet, but Diego has a friend who he’s going to try and set her up with.” Dante’s heart dropped to his feet at Mateo’s information before he felt his anger rise. “How can he set her up with one of his friends...Seriously Mateo? We all know what a revolving door Diego has and his friends aren’t much different.” Mateo shook his head and followed Dante with his eyes as he paced back and forth. “Calm down. He isn’t like Diego. Apparently, his friend is very selective about who he fucks—his words not mine—and he’s looking for someone to settle down with. Diego said he’s the only guy he’d trust with his twin.” Mateo grinned. “Fingers crossed, she’ll be out of your hair soon. No more unexpected visits followed by her refusal to leave.” Dante didn’t know how to respond because his jealousy knew no bounds. His hands flexed into fists at his sides, and his breathing came out sharp and choppy. He thought he was having a heart attack with the pain that lanced through his chest. “Hey, are you okay?” Mateo frowned, and stepped toward him. Dante stepped back. “I’m fine...make yourself at home. I have somewhere else to be.” With those words spoken, Dante walked straight out of the house and got behind the wheel of his truck. He turned the ignition on and pulled out of his drive; he had no idea where he was going—he just drove.

Chapter Four “You are seriously driving me crazy, Em,” Diego growled while Emelia dashed around the kitchen scrubbing the countertops clean. “You’re a pig and I’m cleaning before I cook in here,” Emelia shot back. “And, what the hell is up with ‘Em’? You have never abbreviated my name...ever!” “Well, I feel like doing it now.” He leaned, with a smug grin, against the fridge and watched. She knew he was trying to make her stop and give up, or laugh at how ridiculous she was being, but she felt filled with anger ever since she’d really thought about Dante and what he’d said. The more she thought about him telling her to find someone else, the more she saw red. As though she was a piece of meat to be tossed around for others to sample. Ugh! No way would he make the decision for her. “I also think if you’re going to be staying here that you need to refrain from calling me names, Em.” She glared over her shoulder at her brother. “Emelia, dear,” he said in a perfect imitation of their mother. She turned away so that he wouldn’t see the amusement on her face. “Okay,” Diego grabbed the cleaning cloth from her hand, grabbed her hips, and sat her in front of him on the countertop, “that’s enough.” For once, her brother looked serious, and she knew that he wouldn’t let this go unless she came up with a good enough excuse for her actions. Diego leaned in close to her face, and stared into her eyes—a move that he would always do when he wanted the utter truth from her. She couldn’t avoid his gaze that way. “You’ve been in a mood since before we left home, and I want to know why?” She knew that he wouldn’t move until he’d gotten an answer from her, and it had to be an answer that he believed. Emelia stared at her brother, and reached out to cup his face. “I love you . . .” “Oh my God!” At the sound, they turned toward the voice as it spit out, “You bastard.” Emelia arched a brow and smirked at Diego, who looked like he’d been caught with his hand in the

cookie jar. “Um...um . . .” “Sandra,” she helped him out. “Sandra, look. This isn’t what...you know what, it’s exactly what it looks like, and you’re interrupting because I fucking love this woman in my arms.” His smirk grew into a huge smile…he was definitely proud of himself. The woman gasped and grappled at words until Diego spoke again, “I’m not sure how you got in here,” he arched a brow, “but I’d like you to leave and don’t come back.” “I hate you,” she cried, as real tears flowed down her face. At least, Emelia thought they were real. Diego cursed under his breath, “Fuck me.” “I do believe she already did.” Emelia giggled, enjoying her brother being put on the spot. “Look, Sandy . . .” “Sandra,” Emelia corrected. “Sandra,” the woman corrected at the same time. “Ugh, Sandra. I never made any promises, and you basically knew that it was just one night. I’m sorry, but you really need to leave.” “You really love her.” Diego looked back at Emelia and she could see that he was surprised to have the question asked. She was as well. Why didn’t the woman continue to hurl insults at him? But he answered Sandra, “Yes, I love her. It feels like I’ve loved her all my life.” He smiled at Emelia before he turned back to Sandra. “Let me show you out.” He headed for the woman but turned back to look at her, his expression stern. “You. Do not go anywhere, Si...Sissy.” Emelia shook her head at him. Sissy, really? Well, it was a good save from sis. She watched as he disappeared with Sandra, but she tried to see what was going on from her perch on the countertop. He kept his voice low and she couldn’t see the door from where she perched. She looked around the kitchen as she tried to come up with an excuse. He’d be back within minutes, and he’d want answers for her behavior. She wasn’t ready to tell him the truth, and she didn’t think she’d ever be ready. Would there ever be a right time to tell him that Emiliano wasn’t their real father? She didn’t think there would be. She’d accepted it easily because of her feelings toward Dante, but Diego had nothing like that to fall back on. She’d break his heart with that declaration. She couldn’t do it. She might not have the choice in the long run, though. Not if Eric decided what she knew needed confirming and addressing as a family. “You’re still there,” Diego sounded surprised. She’d heard him slam his apartment door shut and click the bolt. “I thought you’d have gone hiding out.” “I’m still waiting for my interrogation.” She smirked. “Hmm,” he moved toward her, “I had you squirming before she showed up. You’ve had time to think

up an excuse.” “You’re wrong. I’ve just been sitting here waiting for you.” He leaned against the sink opposite her, and asked, “Please talk to me. I know there is something, and it happened while we were home because that’s when you started to look so damn unhappy.” “It’s nothing. Let’s just leave it.” He didn’t say anything and just stood watching her. “Dante.” That one word uttered from his mouth caused her to suddenly meet his gaze while she wondered what he’d worked out. “You like spending time at his place,” Diego crossed his arms over his chest, “and now you are here instead of there. Did you two have an argument?” “Just leave it, please.” She couldn’t hold his gaze any longer, and looked off into space. She didn’t really see anything other than Dante’s face from that night. He had blurred in her vision as he kissed her forehead before he walked away. “He’s had enough of me staying there, and said I should get out and meet people.” She had tears in her voice as she admitted, “He meant men.” “God, Emelia. I’m not stupid, and I know what he meant. You can’t blame him really. I know he’s our brother, but he isn’t only a priest, he’s fourteen years older than us, and I can see where he may not want you visiting for long periods. Don’t get your panties in a wad over it. I happen to agree with him.” He offered her a wicked smile. She knew that smile. “Diego, please tell me you didn’t?” “Didn’t what?” “Ugh,” she jumped down from the counter, “you know exactly what I’m referring to. You didn’t fix me up with anyone, did you?” “Can you please remember that I’m not just your brother, I’m your twin, which is really special, before I answer?” She rolled her eyes and prodded him in the stomach with her finger. “Tell me.” “Gosh, Sis.” He moved away from her, but she followed. He wasn’t getting away with leaving her to fly blind. Not only was she not interested in anyone other than Dante, but she hated being set up. “If you must know he’s a nice guy and he’s really choosy as to whom he drops his pants for.” She blinked not believing he said that to her. “Eww, you did not go there?” She hit his arm, “Diego!” He laughed and tried to catch her arms as they flayed in his direction. “Look,” he held her arms down at her sides, “he’s a good guy. I wouldn’t set you up with a dick. No way in hell.” “I’m not interested.” All her energy seemed to desert her now and she just wanted to go curl up in her bed. “Just meet him.” “Diego,” she followed him as he walked toward the fridge.

He opened it and retrieved a beer. He had a back up plan. It was written all over his face. “I might have invited him and a few others over for pizza and beer tonight.” “You did not?” “Look, they’re my friends. I always hang out with the guys. It’s no big deal.” “Of course it’s a big deal, you idiot...does he know that you’re trying to set me up with him?” “No.” He sipped his beer. “I haven’t said anything. I figured you both would meet here with the others and I planned on seeing how you both got on first.” “Hmm, I’m not sure whether or not I believe you. But I’ll let it go for now.” Emelia narrowed her eyes at her brother before she walked away toward her bedroom. Once inside, with the door closed, she slid to the floor and let the tears fall as her heart took another hit. She didn’t want to meet anyone regardless of what her brothers wanted. The only person she wanted, that she couldn’t have, wanted her to be with someone else. He wanted her to move on with her life and stay away from him. Could she do that? Could she ever forget about her love for Dante and move on? She could try, but she seriously didn’t think anything would work.

Chapter Five Dante knew without looking up that Mateo was watching him eat out of the corner of his eye. It had been his brother’s suggestion to go out for dinner, and he couldn’t help but wonder whether it was to get them away from Barbara, who would love to spread any gossip she heard, or simply to grill him about what he did. So far though, Mateo had yet to ask him about his disappearing act earlier, but Dante knew his brother would ask him the question soon. Curiosity wouldn’t let him stay quiet. Dante hated the silence between them while they continued to eat, and instead of waiting for Mateo to finish shoveling the food in his mouth, he started, “About earlier.” Mateo turned his head to look at him, but he stayed silent. “I’m sorry I left the way I did.” Dante placed his cutlery down, having lost his appetite with thoughts of Emelia with another man. “I just needed to be alone.” How lame was that excuse? He cursed to himself, and drank some of his dark coffee before he met his brother’s gaze. Mateo still hadn’t said anything, but Dante could see his brother turn over in his head the conversation that they’d been having when he’d lost it. “You were fine until we started talking about Emelia,” Mateo pointed out. “Why would me mentioning Diego setting Emelia up with a guy make you angry?” “I wasn’t—” “Don’t lie to me, Dante.” Mateo pointed at him with his fork, which he ended up dropping to his plate. “You’re so damn stubborn that it’s annoying.” He pushed his plate out of the way and leaned forward with his elbows on the table. “Look, I know you’re a priest, but you’re my brother before anything else. Right here, in this café, I want you to forget about all the religious stuff and talk to me—brother-to-brother. I want to know what is going on with you as a man and as my brother, because that person, earlier, wasn’t you. You’re the calmest of the lot of us.” He chuckled. “Shit, even I don’t act like that when Caprice pisses me off.” After a long pause, Dante said, “I have a difficult time imagining Emelia with a guy. I know she’s only a couple of years off thirty, but it’s still weird.” He figured he’d skim the truth about his reaction because he certainly wasn’t ready to admit his true feelings to Mateo. It was bad enough that he’d told their

brother Eric. “So you still think of her as our little sister, huh?” Mateo asked, and Dante hoped he didn’t seriously expect an answer. “She’s all grown up, Dante, and considering the time you two have spent together over the past few years, I’d say that you, more than anyone, should know that.” Mateo raised a brow. “I know you’re a priest and she’s our sister, but you still have twenty-twenty vision, so surely you haven’t missed the fact that our sister is one beautiful woman. She should be happy instead of looking so damn miserable all the time.” Mateo shook his head and leaned back in his chair before he continued, “Diego’s worried about her and that’s why he agreed to take her to New York with him. He decided that he wanted her where he could keep an eye on her. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she looked like she’d lost her best friend...you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you, brother?” Dante had listened to everything that came out of Mateo’s mouth, but he certainly had no idea how to respond. He’d noticed Emelia a lot more than he ever should have, and he’d let her slip into his heart as the woman he loved, with nothing brotherly about it. “Emelia has always been a loner,” he hesitated, his hands entwined together on the table, “and you know that. Everyone knows that. We did have a few words before I left, and that’s all I’m going to say about it. She needs to stop wanting to live in Fredrick with me. New York is a much better place for her. There’s so much going on that she’s bound to start living the life of a young woman...instead of—” “Instead of a nun,” Mateo interrupted. If only he knew. “C’mon. I need some fresh air after all that food,” Dante suggested. “I’m with you.” Mateo tossed some cash onto the table before he grabbed his jacket, and let their ‘Emelia’ conversation go. He hoped. Dante slipped on his own jacket, and followed his brother, barely registering the world around him since he was lost in deep thought. He was sure his brother would pick up on what he’d said about Emelia, but he hadn’t. Not wanting to lie to his brother, he stuck as close to the truth as he could even if just the mention of her being with someone else tore him in two. But, as he walked outside and the wind whipped around him at the start of another blizzard, he looked up at the thick clouds and prayed for answers. He wasn’t sure what he needed answers for, but he needed something to stop feeling the way he did. He wanted to be happy for once. He wanted to be able to smile, laugh, and have fun without his heart being split apart by the forbidden longing he felt for Emelia. “Do you think,” Mateo startled him, “you can pray in church instead of out here? This damned snow is going to make it difficult to drive soon.” Dante looked around and realized the parking lot and roads were already covered with a thick layer of snow. The weather had taken a significant turn within the hour they’d been inside the café. “You’re right, c’mon.” Dante unlocked his truck, and once they were both inside with their seatbelts

fastened, he pulled out of the lot. Driving in so much snow brought back the memory of Thanksgiving when Emelia had gone into town with Mateo and his fiancée, Caprice, and their other brother, Kasey, to pick something up. Kasey’s truck had gone off the road, and by the time he and Eric had found them, Dante had been so relieved that he didn’t think, and had hauled Emelia out of the truck and into his arms. He hadn’t wanted to let her go, and he’d kept her on his lap all the way back to their father’s house. In fact, he hadn’t let her go until Diego had pried her out of his arms. But as he steered the car toward his home, he realized that he’d have to live off the memories for the rest of his life.

Chapter Six “Diego, I’m still not sure about this.” Emelia walked over to where her brother had deposited five large pizza boxes. Her stomach rumbled with hunger. “How many friends of yours did you say were coming?” She lifted the lid off one and, closing her eyes, inhaled. “I didn’t say...Three.” Diego nudged her with his hip. “Take one. That racket your stomach’s making is ridiculous.” She wasn’t about to complain because the pizza smelled like heaven. While she grabbed a slice, she warned her brother, “I’m not promising to stay around when they get here.” She took a bite of the cheese and tomato pizza and let out a sigh of pleasure. “This is so good,” she mumbled, her mouth stuffed with the richly flavored food. “As I was saying, don’t expect me to stay around if I feel uncomfortable because I’m really not looking to be hooked up with anyone, okay?” “I hear you,” he said as he walked out of the room. “Diego, I’m serious.” “I know,” he shouted from the front of his apartment, seconds before she heard other voices. Her belly was full of nerves at the thought of being set up with a guy, especially when her heart belonged to another. But she had manners, and she also loved her twin and would pretty much do anything for him. Which was why she still stuffed her face in the kitchen instead of running off to her bedroom to hide out for a while. “The girl stuffing her face is my sister, Emelia,” Diego said, which nearly caused her to choke. While she’d been lost in thought, she’d had no idea that anyone had crept up on her. She turned to face her brother, and hid her surprise at the men grinning in her direction. They were all around the same height as her brother who was around six feet, and all seemed to fill out their jeans and T-shirts, rather well. Two of them had light brown hair, and the third was a dusty blond. Her brother’s hair was black, and closely shaved against his head. “Sis, stop gawking and come and meet the guys.” Diego grinned and so did the handsome trio. Wiping her hands on a napkin, Emelia moved toward her brother and couldn’t decide which one of the guys her brother had talked about. They all gave her a once over though. If her heart hadn’t already been involved elsewhere, she might have been interested. She wasn’t blind, just not interested.

“Sis,” Diego wrapped his arm around her shoulders, “this is Mike, David and Stuart.” “Hi, nice to meet you all...there’s, um, lots of pizza.” “We noticed.” Stuart smirked. Emelia felt uncomfortable after the introductions because everyone just stood around, so she pinched her brother in the side to get him moving. He turned and frowned at her but took the hint. “C’mon, grab the pizza, and there’s beer in the fridge. I don’t want to miss the beginning of the game.” Everyone got moving, but she didn’t miss the interested glances Diego’s friends gave her. It would be a long afternoon if that was how it went with them. She had stuff that she could be doing, like reading the new hardback book she’d bought from the large Barnes and Noble that was just down the street. She’d passed it when she’d gone for a walk and had lost herself for hours in its aisles. She’d even bought a book for Diego about the structure of the empire state building, something that fascinated him. She loved her brother, and their family, but sometimes she wished they’d leave her alone, and stop interfering in her life. They were a happy family, and everyone loved being together back in Montana. She just wished that she hadn’t started to feel like an outcast because of what she’d overheard. Eric was right. She did need to visit with her mother, and talk to her. Eric hoped that she’d misheard, she knew that, but she hoped, with everything in her that she hadn’t. If she hadn’t, then the only thing standing in the way of her being with Dante would be his chosen life with the church. “I’ve been standing in front of you,” Mike started, “for about five minutes and you haven’t even noticed. I must be losing my touch.” He offered her a soft smile. “I was lost in thought,” she blushed, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so rude.” Her brother wouldn’t be happy if he knew she kept drifting off while in the midst of company. He grabbed another beer from the fridge, and held one out to her. Their fingers touched and his lingered, but no sparks flew for Emelia. She met Mike’s gaze and smiled. He seemed like a nice guy, but she had no clue how to act in these situations. She certainly didn’t want to lead him on. “You going to come and watch your brother play?” Mike asked, sounding hopeful. “Yeah, I love watching Kasey.” She followed Mike into the living room where the guys were already spread out and ready for the start of the game. Kasey was something to watch on the ice, it was as though he was a different person. On the ice, he was just as aggressive as the other players, even more so in some cases, and off the ice he was her caring, loving brother…although, like all brothers he could be a dick on occasion. There was only a three year difference between her and Kasey, so she’d grown up with him being that annoying older brother who would do anything to get a rise out of her. She, of course, would run to their older brother Eric, and ask him to beat Kasey up. He never did, but he’d get Kasey to back off, at least for five minutes. She loved her brothers, and no matter what, they’d always be her brothers, except Dante. They’d never lived in the same house because he’d been away at school when she’d been born, and he’d only

come home and spent the odd night at the house when he had to talk to their father about something. So they were strangers until that day she’d kissed him…and then…what were they now? She wasn’t sure but she knew that she only had the love of a woman for a man she couldn’t live without. Her heart beat wildly for Dante and, mind made up, she planned on getting her man eventually, and only hoped that he didn’t love the church more than he loved her.

Chapter Seven Another wedding and, for once, not one that he was residing over, which meant Dante could sit back and relax, or pretend to at least. He couldn’t settle completely because he knew that Emelia was around somewhere, and it wouldn’t be long before he had to be in her company. After their exchange over the holidays, he wasn’t sure if she would willingly seek him out like he was used to her doing. With there being so much family around, they wouldn’t be able to avoid the other. Even though his eyes craved the sight of Emelia, it would hurt him being so close to her knowing how off limits she really was to him. Perhaps he should have worn his collar, instead of going without, like Mateo had suggested. At least then, he’d have more of a reminder of just how forbidden Emelia was. Years ago, he’d been so close to claiming her that he’d been terrified of the consequences. And now, because of the decision he made, he had to live with it, which meant he had to try and have a life that didn’t include her. He laughed to himself while he knocked a whiskey down his throat. He’d never be able to get Emelia out of his life, even if he truly wanted her gone. There was a connection between them that would always pull them together. Fate could be cruel sometimes. On his third whiskey in thirty minutes, Dante realized that his brother Eric had sat down beside him, but Dante had no clue how long he’d been there. It also didn’t go unnoticed that when he drained his glass, Eric pointedly stared at him, and the glass. “I don’t need to ask what’s wrong with you, do I?” Eric drawled. Dante covered the glass with his hand to prevent the bartender from pouring him another. He’d get drunk later, and maybe get a night’s sleep for once. “Everything is just dandy.” “I know you, and nothing is right...which is why you need to sit down and talk with Emelia.” His eyes snapped to meet Eric’s. “You’re kidding right? I need to stay away from her. I can’t be alone in the same room with her, Eric.” Pushing away from the bar, Dante paced in front of his brother. “It’s the only thing I can do, regardless of how much we’re both hurting. No more Emelia...I’m a priest and need to forget about her.” Eric sat thoughtfully for a few minutes before he said, “If it’s the fact that you’re a priest that bothers you, over the fact that she’s your sister, then perhaps, you don’t need to talk after all.” Dante frowned. “That...doesn’t make sense.”

Before he could question Eric more, Aiden joined them, and after a pause in which he looked both Dante and Eric over, he sat at the bar. “What’s happening with you two?” “Eric’s decided to confess all his sins,” Dante said dryly. Eric sputtered and narrowed his eyes at his brother, while Aiden laughed. “We all know you don’t have time to listen to them all.” Eric punched Aiden on the arm. “You’ve probably got more sins than me with all the pussy that got thrown your way in Europe.” “Can we talk about something else?” Dante moaned, knowing his brothers had only gotten started. “As long as you’re not touching the pussy, what’s the problem?” Aiden grinned, and started laughing at the pissed look on Dante’s face. “You two are being lousy brothers right now. I’m going to see who else I can find.” Dante walked away and he could hear their laughter following him. Normally, he’d be able to laugh off the sexual innuendos and phrases his brothers liked to use, but lately, he found he couldn’t. He needed a distraction before he lost his mind. “Oh, there’s the priest.” The words grated on his nerves, more so because they’d come out of Caprice’s mouth, his brother Mateo’s fiancée. He was of the two minds to pretend he hadn’t heard the comment, but chances were his brother would be with her. Then he heard, “Don’t be an insulting ass, Caprice,” coming out of Emelia’s mouth. He couldn’t keep the grin off his face at Emelia’s words, when he turned and faced them. “Brothers,” he paused when his gaze rested on Emelia, and he couldn’t bring himself to call her sister, “Emelia...and Caprice.” His manners, when around others were usually something that his mother would have been proud of, but he was on a short fuse at the moment, and Caprice was about to push the limits. Diego had his arm slung around Emelia’s neck while he whispered into her ear. If you had no idea who they were, you’d think they were lovers, but even though he knew that they were twins, he was jealous of how freely Diego got to touch his Emelia. “You look different,” Caprice observed, which drew everyone’s eyes to him. “You don’t have that white thing around your neck or the dress on. You did that at the last wedding.” Emelia broke away from Diego and spun toward Caprice. Her face was a mere inch from Caprice’s, and the way Emelia leaned in, eyes flashing as her arms flayed about, it was clear that she was furious with Mateo’s fiancée. “You are so rude,” she steamed, “and ignorant.” Caprice gasped and backed into Mateo, who looked more amused than anything as he raised his brow. Dante glanced to Diego and realized his youngest brother was enjoying the show and that there wouldn’t be any help with Emelia from that direction. “You need to apologize to Dante, right now,” Emelia demanded, her fists clenched at her sides. He needed to do something to prevent a scene at Ramon and Noah’s wedding because it looked like Emelia was all fired up on his behalf. If he wasn’t so in love with the stubborn woman, he’d find it amusing, but now he had to go and get up

close and personal with her to calm her down. “It’s a collar, and a cassock...not a white thing and dress,” Emelia continued as she lectured the woman. His brothers watched him as he approached Emelia. They probably thought he’d be the one to get her wrath if he intervened, but only he knew otherwise. “Emelia,” he called and saw her body grow still. “C’mon, let it go.” He stood directly behind her, and slid his arm around the front of her stomach so that he could move her away. Be strong, he told himself as Emelia’s back became plastered against his front. His hand flexed on her stomach as he finally hauled her into his arms and away. While his heart tried to beat out of his chest, Dante heard Caprice mumbling on and on to Mateo. Why didn’t he protect her? What kind of fiancé was he for letting his sister threaten her? Caprice did have a point, but while he held Emelia against him, he didn’t want to think about them, he wanted to enjoy the feel of the woman in his arms. Emelia wiggled and rubbed against him, which brought utter delight and arousal to his groin area. An area, which lay dead until he let his thoughts drift… It can’t happen. Let her go! He released Emelia and stepped back—the air thick with something...he refused to call it arousal. Mateo watched him, a frown marred his brow before Dante averted his eyes, putting more space between them. After Emelia’s outburst, they remained silent, but with relief, he spotted Sebastian McKenzie heading toward them. With little or no explanation, Dante excused himself and moved quickly away before anyone could decide to follow him. He needed a clear head and, right now, it was full of Emelia, and the whiskey he drank hadn’t helped. Perhaps if he drank more, he’d be so numb with alcohol that Emelia would become a distant memory, and he certainly wouldn’t get an erection. Men lost the ability to get ‘it up’ when under the influence, or so he’d read. As a priest, he led a celibate life, and being hard as a steel rod wasn’t a huge problem. It was the urge to go somewhere and yank his own change that was the problem, and a sin for him as a priest in the eyes of God. As he approached the fence, around the main paddock, he quickly rearranged himself to a more comfortable position before he leaned forward and watched a couple of horses frolic around. He just needed a breather before he hunted out more alcohol. His body throbbed with unwanted desire, which couldn’t go on. In the six years since he’d given his life up for the church, he hadn’t touched himself—masturbated— not even once. The thought, and on occasion, the desperation in him to do just that had eventually been overruled by his will to stay true to his vows. It would be the biggest sin of all to not only masturbate but to do it with his sister in his head. He would watch Ramon and Noah get married, and then he’d plunk his ass down at the bar and stay there until he was too numb to remember his own name. Perhaps then, he’d be able to forget hers.

Chapter Eight “You need to do something about Dante,” Eric demanded, standing next to her while she brooded. She didn’t want to go near him right now because all he’d done was ignore her all day, since her run in with Caprice. It hurt being ignored by the one man who made her heart beat faster, but there you had it. “Emelia?” Eric said, his voice layered with impatience. “I heard you,” Emelia turned to face her brother, “the first time.” She sighed. “You can’t seriously expect me to go and talk to him while he’s drunk, can you?” “We both know why he’s drunk, and I can’t leave right now. Diego has gone off with a guest and I’m not sure where the others are.” Eric dragged his hands through his hair. “Look, I know you’re both hurting, and if there was a different way¸ then I’d choose it but there isn’t. He’s had far too much to drink and needs to be taken back to the hotel.” She wanted so badly to go over to Dante and hold him close, but she didn’t think her heart could take being pushed away from him again. “If he’s so drunk, how will I get him in the car?” “I can help you do that and then the doorman at the hotel will help you inside with him.” Against her better judgment, she searched the room until she found Dante...her vision filling with red when the woman next to him leaned into him, flashing her boobs. She heard Eric chuckle as she marched over, and peeled the woman’s hand from Dante’s arm. “I’ll take it from here,” she snarled, her fist curling in an effort to control her rage…all she wanted to do was rip the woman’s fingers off. “You don’t have to be like that. I didn’t know he was taken,” she mumbled. “He’s taken by God, so keep your hands to yourself.” Emelia faced Dante and met his gaze. He might be drunk, but his unwavering gaze burned into her soul. “C’mon, let’s get you back to the hotel,” she mumbled, and reached for his arm. Dante swayed when he got to his feet, and would have face planted the floor if not for Eric’s grip on his arm. When he’d looked at her, he’d looked totally Dante, but as she watched Eric help him to the waiting car, she wasn’t sure if her Dante was still inside. Dante sprawled out on the backseat, which didn’t leave much room for her as she climbed in after him.

“Perhaps this isn’t such a good idea after all,” Eric observed. “Didn’t I already say that?” “I should have listened.” “Eric, go back to Sylvia. We’ll be fine.” With her words final, she pulled the door closed and gave the driver the address of the hotel. All the while she felt Dante’s dark gaze on her. It felt like he could see through her clothing to the heart and soul of her beneath. The heat that came from him made her afraid to turn her head to look at him, but when she did, she was captured in the blackness that surrounded him. The man sprawled beside her took up most of the backseat with how he sat. His back was in the corner, with one leg out to the side on the floor and his other leg bent at the knee as it rested against the seat. Her gaze moved over him in a slow caress that she was unable to prevent. His suit was black, and so was the silk shirt he wore beneath, which had a few buttons open at the neck. His unruly black hair fell against his forehead and gave him a rakish look. As her gaze traveled further south, her eyes widened at the sight of the large bulge at his groin before they quickly moved back to his face. Dante’s eyes were black with a mixture of anger and arousal, but she felt brave being with him while he was letting her caress him with her eyes. Her eyes dipped lower again and she searched out his package from between the folds of his clothes…and some package it was. It twitched and grew before her eyes, so much so that Dante groaned and finally covered himself with his hand. As Emelia licked her lips, she wished that it were her own hand that covered him. She was a twenty-seven year old virgin because that night they sealed their first kiss, she’d given herself to him. She would save herself…even if they could never be together. The reasons that kept them apart were huge, but they’d never stopped her from looking, and look she did. Just once, she’d like to know what it was like to be touched as a woman, and to touch the naked man, himself. She knew what to do thanks to the videos she’d found online, but she had no idea how it would feel with a real flesh and blood man. With Dante. Both stayed silent as the car weaved in and out of traffic in downtown Lexington. Emelia’s heart pounded in her chest as her arousal grew the more she looked at him. He looked half asleep but his body was certainly awake. His arousal throbbed behind his zipper, just like Emelia’s arousal throbbed between her legs. Butterflies fluttered around in her belly while she pointedly stared at his groin. She wondered what he’d look like. Whether or not he was shaved. Would he weep on the crown of his penis with arousal? She had no idea because she’d never seen one up close and personal. She didn’t have to wonder about his girth or length, though, because she’d seen that for herself before he covered himself with his hand. “Emelia,” he groaned, roughly, “please stop staring.” He closed his eyes and looked like he slept. She didn’t really think he was asleep, and that was proven when the car came to a stop and her door was opened. Dante’s eyes snapped open as he shook his head, probably trying to shake off his intoxication. He’d suffer tomorrow. The doorman’s interruption brought Emelia’s gaze up to his, and she quickly took the man’s offered

hand to help her out of the car. Dante wasn’t as lucky and more or less crawled out before the doorman realized what was wrong and took his arm to get Dante on his feet. “Um, perhaps I should get someone to help you upstairs.” “No, I’m fine...I think,” Dante mumbled, before he stumbled in to her. Emelia slipped her arm around his waist, and tried not to notice how he felt against her. Dante’s arm went around her shoulders before they moved to the elevators. Once inside, she kept hold of him, but let him lean against one of the walls to take some of the strain off her. All too soon, they reached their floor when Emelia asked him, “Where’s your room card?” “Pocket,” Dante mumbled. Luckily, she knew his room number and shoved him against the door while she hesitated to search his pockets. She met his gaze and was thrown by the heated look in his eyes. Just get him into his room and leave. No matter how many times she told herself that, she knew that she’d have to putter around to make sure he had water and painkillers in arm’s reach of the bed before she left. She had to leave. Inhaling, she told herself to stop being stupid and to hurry before he passed out on her. “Behave,” she warned, and started searching through his pockets. “A little bit to the right,” Dante moaned, and panted with his eyes closed. She quickly looked at his face before her eyes dropped to his groin and realized if she went a bit to the right that she’d be touching his rigid flesh. The room card in hand, she quickly withdrew, thrust the card, with shaky hands, into the slot and maneuvered them into the room. With a bit of pushing and shoving she had him ready to fall backward onto his bed. “Let’s take your jacket off first.” Her voice was overly bright as she slowly slipped his jacket off. Dante tried to get his belt buckle undone before he started on the buttons of his shirt. Emelia rolled her eyes at his lack of coordination. “I’ll do it.” She knocked his hands away and felt the heat reach her neck before it crawled up into her face with a mixture of arousal and embarrassment. Pulling the shirt off him, Emelia couldn’t help the kiss that she placed on the center of his spine, and she delighted in his response, which was somewhere between a growl and a groan. She wasn’t sure how she’d manage his pants, but depositing the shirt on the chair, she moved back in front of him and slowly, with nervous fingers, made quick work of his belt. As the blood pounded in her veins she had his pants undone, and heard Dante hiss when her fingers trailed over the thickness covered by his briefs. She gulped a few times and let the pants fall to his ankles. “I need to go,” she whispered. She stared at him and shook her head. What was she supposed to be doing? Everything had left her head with nothing but the handsome man in front of her. “No, this can’t happen,” she whispered, and shoved him down to the bed, so he was sitting. She knelt and removed his shoes, socks and pants, and then she couldn’t move when he spread his thighs. She found herself eye level with his groin, and the hard pulsing erection that he couldn’t hide.

She had to get out of there! If Dante hadn’t drank so much, there was no way he’d be like this with her, no matter how much that hurt, it was the truth, and she understood the reason why. Standing, she met his watchful gaze. “I’m going. You need to sleep off that whiskey, and I really hope you don’t remember tonight, otherwise you’re going to be pissed.” She backed away toward the door; his gaze didn’t waver from her. “I’m not sure I can walk.” She froze at his words. “Can you get me some water, and maybe a cold, wet washcloth to cover my forehead, from the bathroom?” She could do that. “Okay...get in bed and I’ll get everything.” She grabbed a bottle of water, and pulled a couple of painkillers out of her purse before she placed them on the bedside table. Then she headed into the bathroom. It took her a minute to get the water cold enough, but when she had, she made sure the cloth was soaked before she wrung it out with her hands. Walking back into the bedroom, Dante was lying on his bed...completely naked. As in no briefs, naked. Emelia’s blood pounded through her ears as she stared at his beautiful body. His legs were spread and the answer to her question about shaved or not was there for her to see. He wasn’t. His penis was long, past his navel, and so damn hard that she couldn’t look away. His fists clenched the bedding at his sides. “Emelia,” he groaned, his eyes closed, his head thrown back just as his body bowed off the bed. “I want to lick you,” she blurted, and wondered where the hell her brain had gone because it so wasn’t engaged right then, “so I know what you taste like.” She licked her lips in anticipation, hoping like hell that he forgot what she’d said when he woke up in the morning. Her gaze trailed over his hard body, and she watched as Dante panted hard. He growled, his body tensed, and strained, and then in shocked surprise, his penis jerked while his seed gradually spread over his stomach and chest. Emelia didn’t think she’d ever been more turned on in her life as she witnessed him in the height of his pleasure, but she needed to touch. So before he stopped releasing, she knelt on the bed, and reached out to trail a finger from the bulging head of his shaft. His flesh trembled as she grazed along the rigidness, which gave her courage to continue, and massage his balls. He might be drunk and possibly asleep, but he showed with his naked body that he trusted her. Would he remember what he allowed to happen when he woke in the morning? She had the opportunity to walk away before anything else happened. He’d had far too much to drink, and if he remembered anything of the night, she didn’t want him to have the memory of making love to her when he thought that she was his true sister. It would be difficult enough for him to reconcile what he’d done already without adding her to the list of his sins.

She wanted to be with him in the most basic of ways, and seeing him like she was…hurt. It hurt a lot, but she had to be the adult because she feared Dante no longer cared while the alcohol clouded his judgment. But she wanted just one touch before she left. Just one. “I’m going to touch you. I want to know how you feel to the touch before I go.” She waited for him to object and when he didn’t, she moved even closer, and told herself to remember to clean him up before she left. Her hand wrapped lightly around him and she felt his texture. He was rock hard still, but his skin felt silky in her hand. Her fascination was focused on the slit, where his release had spurted from. So that’s where she concentrated, and rubbed with a finger. Within seconds, he started to release again, covering her fingers. She’d seen a blowjob online and wondered...before his seed finished releasing, Emelia bent her head and sucked the head of him into her mouth. The sound that came out of Dante was like a keening noise, maybe an animal in pain, but she couldn’t stop and swallowed his release while she continued to pump with one hand on the base of him. Her lips sealed around the head as she sucked his essence out of his body. She had no idea how long he’d been releasing but before she could move, Dante had her on her back and under him.

Chapter Nine Thump. Thump. Thump. The noise Dante thought came from inside his head, was someone banging on his bedroom door, although he wished it was a different door they banged on. Thump. Thump. Thump. “Dante...wake the fuck up, I’m starving.” He grunted into the pillow wanting Aiden gone. “I’m gonna get this door opened if you don’t answer.” Heck! “I’m alive,” Dante shouted, and gripped his head. At least the headache he’d woken up with a few hours ago had faded to a dull ache, thanks to the painkillers and water he’d swallowed. Even though he had no recollection of leaving the emergency supplies next to the bed. “Are you okay in there?” Aiden wouldn’t give up, but he really didn’t expect him to. “I’ll live.” He flopped over to his back and lay still while he let his stomach settle. “I need a shower first. Go get your breakfast, and I’ll follow you down.” “You sure?” “Yes.” He said yes, but he was sure he was lying. From the way his stomach rolled, he wasn’t sure he could stand the smell of food—he’d drunk too much whiskey last night. What the heck was wrong with him? He liked a drink of the hard liquor before bed, but yesterday at the wedding he’d gone way overboard. You know why… He sighed as Emelia popped into his head. She’d been beautiful in her plum colored dress that fitted her like a second skin. It was held up with thin straps and had dipped low in the front. It had taken all his strength to keep his head above her chest, but he was only human and his gaze had wandered there a few times until he’d taken himself to the bar. And now he’d spend the rest of the day suffering. The shower called to him, and he knew that he’d feel better once he’d been under the warm water; all he needed was the will to move.

While he laid breathing through his nose, the sudden draft that wafted across him gave him pause. His hands automatically went to his groin and that’s when he realized he’d lost his briefs. His heart froze as he tried to remember last night, but the last recollection he had was of Eric putting him into the car, after that his mind was a blank. Why hadn’t he kept his briefs on? He usually slept in pajama pants, but he’d never slept in the nude before. The confusion was annoying as he quickly sat up and dropped his feet to the floor, his head in his hands while he tried not to puke. As he peeled his eyes open, he spotted his briefs on the floor along with a washcloth. He groaned because he really couldn’t remember, and he’d obviously been drunk, so who the heck knew his reasoning the night before. Once he felt that his stomach was settled as best as it was going to be, he stood and made his way into the bathroom and turned the shower on. After he’d emptied his bladder, he really looked at himself in the mirror. Something was different, he felt...lighter, maybe. He frowned as a memory teased him, but of what, he couldn’t quite grasp. Perhaps once he felt more himself, he’d be able to remember, or at least think straight. As he stepped into the shower, it didn’t take him long to wash and wake up some before he was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, like any other guy. He wasn’t any other guy though; he was a priest who wished he’d had the sense to pack a couple of his black shirts and collar. At least in uniform, he’d have a much larger barrier between him and Emelia. He wondered if she’d be at breakfast, or if she’d be suffering because of alcohol like he was. He frowned and hoped she didn’t suffer. The thought of Emelia suffering didn’t sit well with him. Leaving the room, he ran a hand down his drawn face, and for the first time in his life, he felt his fortyone years. “About time,” Aiden commented. “Thought I’d have to send a search party after you.” “Ha ha, funny,” he drawled, without humor. “You got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?” Diego frowned, and pulled the chair out beside him. Without making a big deal out of anything, Dante took the offered seat and tried not to look at Emelia, who he sat next too. He poured himself a coffee. “Thanks for last night, Eric.” “What for?” Eric asked, puzzlement on his face. “For getting me back to the hotel. It’s been a heck of a while since I’ve drank that much.” Dante looked around the table and wondered why everyone had gone quiet. He didn’t miss the quick glance that Eric threw toward Emelia before he replied, “Um, you’re welcome.” What was going on?

He turned to look at Emelia, her gaze suddenly dropped to her breakfast. She refused to meet his gaze, and perhaps he stared too long, because Diego nudged him. “Ignore her. She’s been moody since she got out of bed this morning,” Diego informed him, and gained a glare from Emelia. Diego grinned at his twin because he’d won and got her to look up, although she looked like she wanted his blood. “Emelia,” Dante tried to diffuse her anger, “did you have a good time last night?” Her eyes widened before they flittered away from his. Her color heightened, and she looked nervous. Why would an innocent question warrant her embarrassment? She never did anything wrong, so he couldn’t imagine that something happened after he left. She cleared her throat. “The best night of my life,” she whispered and met his gaze before looking away. She dropped her cutlery back to the plate and stood. “I can’t eat anymore. I’m going to go and make sure I have everything together before we leave.” With one final glance at him, Emelia disappeared without waiting for a reply. It was almost as though she was running from something, or someone. He frowned and watched until she disappeared from view. When he looked back at Aiden, Diego, and Sylvia, they continued to eat, but it was his brother Eric, who held his gaze, which was full of questions. He had questions as well, but he had the feeling that Emelia was the only one to give him answers. “What’s going on with you two?” Diego asked, his mouth full of breakfast. He grinned and washed it down with coffee. “She won’t talk to me, and I know you had an argument back home.” His head felt too fragile to think, even though he knew he wouldn’t be admitting to the truth. “It was between us, and that’s where it’s going to stay.” Diego narrowed his eyes, not happy with his response, but he’d just have to deal with it. Dante briefly met Eric’s gaze while he picked up the cup of coffee that had been placed in front of him. No one said anything else and he enjoyed the silence. His stomach rolled when the dark brew slipped down his throat, but he knew that it would help bring him round faster and that’s what he needed. The conversation around the table started again and it flowed while he sat with his eyes closed and let everything around him dim while he thought back to the night before. He seriously couldn’t remember anything after Eric shoved him inside a car, but Eric and Emelia’s response didn’t gel with him. When he wasn’t feeling so fragile he’d have to ask Eric, but for now he’d let it go. He was so tired with everything and felt that his batteries needed charging. Just when he felt more settled, Diego announced, “Emelia has a date with a friend of mine.” At those words, he seriously thought his stomach would rebel when it clenched in revolt. His heart pounded and he snapped his eyes open in shock, and fell on the thoughtful gaze of Eric. “You’ve seriously set her up?” Aiden asked, beating him to the question. “I had some friends over for pizza to watch Kasey’s game, and one of them asked her out. She said yes.” Diego shrugged. “He’s a good guy and, in the four years that I’ve known him, he’s not once done the

one-night-stand thing. Plus, he knows that if he hurts her he’ll have to deal with me. I also threatened him with the rest of you.” Diego grinned and wolfed down the last of his breakfast. Dante just wanted to throw up, now more than ever. He avoided looking in Eric’s direction because he could still feel his gaze on him. It was as though he watched and waited for Dante’s reaction. Over the years, he’d managed to control his reaction at hearing Emelia’s name, especially when connected to another guy. It drove him crazy to imagine her with someone else, but at the same time, he knew that it was unfair of him to wish her alone. They could never be together so why shouldn’t she be allowed to be with another man, regardless of how much it hurt him? “Dante, you okay?” Aiden questioned. “You’ve gone pale.” “I...I’m fine...but I think I’m going to head back up to my room and crash for a few more hours. I’ll see you all soon.” He got the goodbyes over with and headed to the elevator with his heart in his throat. His Emelia had finally decided to move on, and it was something that he was going to have to learn to live with. Perhaps in time he’d be able to move on and stop thinking about her, when he should be thinking about his church.

Chapter Ten Breakfast had been even more difficult than Emelia had thought it would be. She’d managed okay until Dante had shown up and sat beside her, thanks to Diego. Her twin knew that there was something going on between Dante and her, but he had no clue as to what, which was why he tried to get them together. Diego meant well, but it didn’t help her one bit and put her more on edge than she already was. Until he’d joined them in the hotel dining room, she’d had no idea as to whether or not he remembered last night and what had happened. From his reaction to her, it was clear that he hadn’t. In fact, as far as he knew, Eric had seen him back and both she and Eric had been fine with him believing that. Sighing heavily, Emelia thought back to when she’d snuck out of his room last night. She’d been embarrassed, but she’d also been in tears because he’d fallen asleep straightaway. She’d known then that he wouldn’t remember. Perhaps that was for the best. Nothing that had happened in his room would change anything between them. All it did was give Emelia memories of him to keep her warm at night. She only wished . . . Bang. Bang. She jumped at the sound of someone knocking on her door, but she quickly went to answer it and found Eric with a frown on his face. “What the hell happened between you two last night?” Eric demanded. Emelia stepped back. “You better come in.” She hadn’t finished packing but that would have to wait now that Eric wanted answers. She’d have to skim the truth because she wasn’t about to tell anyone. Her mother always said that she had an open face, meaning the truth was always written there. For once, she hoped that her mom was wrong because she knew that Eric wouldn’t be fooled. “Emelia! I’m not going anywhere until you’ve answered me.” He paced back and forth in front of her window before he stopped and glared at her. “Downstairs you wanted me to let Dante presume that I was the one to get him back here. Why?” “It was easier that way.” She shrugged as if that was the simple, and only, answer. “Nothing is easy when it involves you two,” he mumbled. “Eric, please, just let it go. It’s over with now. There’s no reason to stress him out about the whole

thing when he can’t even remember.” Eric’s eyes narrowed and Emelia cringed. She’d given too much away. “Hmm.” He sagged into the one chair in the hotel room, rested his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands. “I don’t know what the fuck to do, you realize that? All my life, I’ve been good at making split second decisions, but with you two, I find that I can’t even make one.” Emelia felt close to tears with how her life had gone. Last night, with Dante, had been the most amazing night of her life so far, and she wouldn’t forget it or regret it for as long as she lived. A huge part of her felt sad that Dante couldn’t remember what had happened between them. A smaller part was thankful because she knew that it would hurt Dante to know that he’d betrayed his vows. The fact that he thought her to be his sister would take a backseat once he knew what they’d done. “Your silence says nothing, but everything at the same time.” Eric held his hand out to her, and when she took hold, he pushed her down to sit on the bed. “You need to go home soon and talk to your mom. As difficult as it’s going to be, the truth has to come out, and the sooner the better.” “I’m afraid,” Emelia whispered. Eric reached out and caught a lone tear as it slipped down her face. “I’ll go with you.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gave her a hug. “I’ll be there for back up.” He smiled. “They’re our family Emelia, and even though it will hurt Diego the most, the rest of us will be hurt and angry to discover that Dad has lied to us all these years. It needs to come out, and then Dante will be able to decide whether or not he wants to stay in the church.” Emelia couldn’t hold her sob in any longer. “That’s what I’m afraid of.” She met Eric’s gaze. “What if he chooses the church?” she cried. Eric pulled her against him, and just held her while she continued to cry her heart out. “I don’t know,” he whispered honestly against the top of her head. “But no matter what, I’ll always be here for you. Diego and you will always be part of my family, my heart. Don’t ever forget that Emelia.” “I won’t.” She pulled away and reached for a Kleenex on the dressing table to mop herself up. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready to go home...but...can we keep it quiet about Dante and me. I mean, I don’t even know if there’ll be a Dante and me yet.” She shrugged, and tried to hold herself together. “Yeah, one shock at a time,” Eric agreed and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t wait too long.” “I won’t.” With one last hug, he left her to her own thoughts. She’d listened to Eric—it was a relief that he was on her side and willing to help her deal with their family because she sure as hell didn’t want to do it alone. Feeling overwhelmed, Emelia dropped into the chair that Eric had vacated and curled up to gaze out the window. She was on a high floor and the view over snowy Lexington was beautiful with the mountains in the background, but her mind drifted back to the night before. How could it not when she’d touched Dante in a way that she’d craved for so long? Her Dante was beautiful and sexy. His body was toned, which she’d been able to make out through his dark chest hair that led to the hardness of his groin. She’d never seen anyone so hard before. She chuckled, she hadn’t seen anyone nude before so what was she thinking? Dante was the first man for her to

see nude, and she couldn’t get the image out of her head—she didn’t want to. His penis had risen, hard and thick, from the thatch of dark hair that lightly covered his groin and balls, and it had reached past his navel. She wet her lips as she remembered the silky feel of the hardness beneath her fingers, and the taste of him as he’d released in her mouth. She prayed with everything that she had she would get the chance to be with him again, and that he’d be sober because she wanted him to remember her touch. She wanted him to remember the pleasure that he gave her by allowing her hands and mouth on him. All she could hope for was that Dante didn’t remember last night until she’d had the chance to talk to her mom, and everyone finally knew what she knew. Otherwise, it would be even more difficult for him to handle than anything else.

Chapter Eleven “Father, you have to do something about them. I find it embarrassing. Don’t you?” Barbara asked, her hands on her ample hips while she stared at him across the kitchen table. Dante sighed heavily and knew, although, Barbara found the women embarrassing, that she also found them amusing. The rest of his congregation probably did as well. Shaking his head, he pulled out the chair in front of him. Once he was sitting, he helped himself to a fresh coffee, wishing it were something stronger, and finally met Barbara’s angry gaze. “I try to avoid conflict, or rather that kind of conflict, the best I can. You know that.” “But Father, they will continue to come here unless you say something. It’s best taking the bull by the horns, and getting it over and done with. You’ll regret it if you don’t.” He already regretted being friendly to the two M&M’s, as Barbara liked to call them. He hadn’t been overly friendly, just the same as how he was with the other parishioners. The only difference was that they’d taken it to mean that the priest had a case of forbidden lust for them, and had kicked up their game of trying to get him alone. The only person he’d ever had a case of lust for was well and truly out of bounds, which was why for the past two weeks, since Ramon’s wedding, he’d avoided talking to Diego. He’d been desperate to hear about Emelia’s date with a friend of her twin, but he’d forced himself to not think about it because he’d go totally insane if he did. It wasn’t easy when his dreams at night starred Emelia. He felt her touch on his bare body all the way to his soul. He’d managed to wake himself up before the dreams had gone too far, but one day, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to bring himself to wake up until he’d seen where the dream took him. As it was, he’d wake up sporting an erection from hell with his balls aching for release—a release he hadn’t allowed himself since he’d become a priest. “Father, are you still with me?” He blinked a few times to rid himself of the images in his head because getting hard at his kitchen table, while talking to Barbara, wasn’t the best thing to do. Not only that, it was uncomfortable having the throb between his legs when he couldn’t do anything about it. “I’m with you, and I’ll talk to them when I see them again.” “Good.” She smiled. “Because they’ve just walked up to the front door.”

“Barbara,” he growled, and looked at her smug expression. “Would you like me to get the door, Father.” She wiped her hands on a towel and watched him from the corner of her eye. She may be in her eighties but there was nothing wrong with her hearing or eyesight, unless she chose otherwise. He rubbed a hand across his weary face and hid the smile at her antics. The last thing he needed her to see was his amusement. “I’ll get the door.” He stood, and raised a brow at Barbara. “I do believe you were about to add buttercream to the cake...and don’t invite our guests to stay for tea and cakes...please.” “I won’t, Father.” He sighed as he made his way to the door because all he wanted was to be left alone. These days, he even struggled to get through Mass. His heart was heavy, his soul conflicted, that he didn’t feel like the right person to lead his congregation…and even if he was, the loss was so deep, he felt it in his bones…an exhaustion so great that he didn’t know how he could move forward. And as he opened the front door, he wondered how long he’d be able to carry on being a priest in Frederick when he didn’t think his heart was in it anymore, which he’d never seen happening. “Father,” the M&M’s gushed and stepped closer as though he was about to invite them inside, despite the fact that he blocked their entry. “Hello ladies, what can I do for you?” He cringed inside at his open question. “Could we come inside, Father? It’s cold out here,” Miranda asked. At least, he thought it was Miranda because he was so used to hearing M&M. “I’m sorry, but that isn’t possible.” He frowned with resignation. “You are both young, unmarried women, which means I’m not allowed to have you under my roof.” They giggled. “Father, you can come to my place, and I certainly won’t mind having you under my roof.” Dante closed his eyes and counted to ten while he felt his embarrassment creep up from his neck to his face. He had to be blunt. He frowned his best priestly scowl and said, “I’m a priest and dedicated my life, through vows, to God.” He pointed to the sky. “If you’re looking for a husband, then I suggest you take a trip to Denver.” He gave that a few seconds to sink in. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more of God’s business to finish.” He paused. “Unless, of course, you both would like to follow me to the church and confess all your sins.” He held himself in check although laughter bubbled up inside him. They blanched at the suggestion like he knew they would. “We have something to do.” They backed away. “Sorry to have bothered you.” With that, Dante closed the front door and turned to find Barbara loitering in the background, her eyes lit with amusement. “That needed to be done...and it was...amusing,” she chuckled. He rolled his eyes and prayed it would be the end of that. That hadn’t been the only time in his six years of the collar to be confronted by women, and usually he had the diplomacy to put it at an end. Something had gotten lost over the past few months though, and he

wasn’t sure he’d be able to find it again. He leaned against the wooden door and stared into space while he tried to let his mind settle before he ended up with a migraine. “Father?” Barbara whispered, a question in her voice. He glanced up and realized she was concerned for him. “I’m fine, Barbara.” “Are you a mind reader now, Father?” “I’m sorry. What did you want to ask?” He followed her back into the kitchen and wondered how long it would be before she left for her own home. He valued Barbara, but over the past couple of weeks, he’d felt more unsettled than he ever had before. He had no idea why. The business with Emelia had been ongoing for a long time, longer than he’d been a priest, so he wasn’t sure if that was unsettling him. All he knew was that he’d started to crave his own space, and had begun to resent it when others invaded it regardless of the reason why. “You are a mind reader.” She piped some buttercream around the top of the muffins that she’d made in blue—his favorite color. “I’m worried about you. You don’t seem happy anymore. I mean, before the holidays, you used to smile and join in a lot of things, but now there is a sadness that hangs over you and I’m worried because it isn’t like you.” She sighed. “I’ve wanted to say that for a week now so I’m glad to finally get it out.” He had no idea he’d changed so much, at least outwardly. Inwardly, he knew that he was different. He felt different, but then his heart was broken and wouldn’t be whole again. “I had no idea it was so obvious,” he admitted. “I’m tired, Barbara, and after seeing my family over the holidays, some things came to light which prevents me from sleeping well. So I’m permanently tired, and don’t seem to find time to catch up during the day.” Barbara studied him for a few minutes and he knew she was weighing his words, and then he saw the minute she believed him. “Well now. I’m about to head home so I suggest you lock up behind me and go straight to bed. Stay there until tomorrow, or your stomach wakes you.” She smiled, and placed the cakes into a plastic container before covering them with the lid. “There now.” She grabbed her jacket from the back of the kitchen door, and waved to someone outside. “My ride is here. I’ll see you on Monday, and please, take better care of yourself, young man...Father.” He watched her go and decided to do what she’d told him to do, which went to show just how tired he was. So after he’d locked up, he dragged his tired body upstairs and stripped bare before climbing beneath the covers. “Mmm,” he moaned and arched into the touch against his engorged flesh. Goose bumps rose on his skin as her fingers tickled down his length, over his balls, and between his legs. Emelia rubbed and massaged, which drove his pleasure higher. It had been so long—years—since he’d been touched; just a few more touches and he’d be

releasing his seed all over his belly, but what she was doing felt so good that he never wanted her to stop. Her fingers threaded through the hair of his groin as a growl built at the back of his throat and then...and then...he felt her tongue lap at the crown of his hardened dick seconds before he felt her mouth wrap around him with an unbearably wet, warm suction. Every inch of his body was awash with pleasure, and he had no chance as his organ erupted like a volcano . . . His eyes snapped open while his hips arched up before dropping back to the bed. He raised his head and watched while he could do nothing to stop the pleasure that spread all over his stomach and chest as he continued to spurt his seed everywhere. He panted and gripped the covering on the bed to prevent his hand from wrapping around himself. Why now? With one last kick, his flesh rested against his stomach while he dropped his head back to the pillow and tried to catch his breath. What was that? He’d never had such a wet dream about Emelia or anyone before, and it had felt so real—as though she’d been in the room with him. It shouldn’t have happened, but surely it wasn’t a sin. He couldn’t exactly control what just happened, and he certainly didn’t touch his own flesh. He was in so much trouble.

Chapter Twelve Emelia had avoided Diego for the past few days, but as she heard a key in the lock seconds before the door opened and banged shut behind him, she knew that was about to end. Diego had been working shifts at the firehouse and she’d made herself scarce when she knew he’d be home. She wasn’t stupid, and knew that he wanted to know what was going on with her. He’d been bugging her since they’d returned from Ramon’s wedding, even before that really. Instead of hiding, she needed to take a trip home to Montana and talk to their mom. She knew deep in her heart that what she’d overheard was the truth, even though, on occasion, she doubted the words. The reason why she’d hesitated though was because she’d be opening up a whole lot of hurt for Diego and the others. Eric knew the truth, but their brothers, Aiden, Kasey, Mateo and, of course Dante didn’t. They’d been led to believe that their father had had an affair with Lucia while their mother Francesca had been dying. It was because of his father’s quick remarriage that Dante left home, and never really went back to live. Even as a child, she’d noticed the animosity between father and son, when Dante had popped in for a visit. There was going to be a lot of heartbreak when the truth became clear, and what about their Uncle, Elias McKenzie. He hadn’t spoken to Emiliano since his sister, Francesca, had died because of how quickly he’d married Emelia’s mother. It was a huge mess, and if it weren’t for her need to have the truth out and in the open, she’d let it be, even though it constantly played on her mind. If she weren’t in love with Dante, perhaps it wouldn’t have been so difficult to know the truth when no one else did. But that was something she’d never know. While she’d tried to come up with a solution to her problem, Diego had dropped his bag to one side of the fridge and moved into her line of sight. “So,” he leaned back against the cabinet, his ankles crossed and his arms crossed over his stomach, “we’re in the same room...for once.” Emelia tried to play it cool. “We’re usually in the same room.” “Usually. Yes, we are.” His gaze stayed unwavering on her while she squirmed. “You’ve been avoiding me…for a week, Emelia. Even Mike’s seen you once, but me, your twin, not so much.”

Her brother wasn’t happy, and that hurt her. She needed to be as honest as she could with him before he got exasperated with her, which had happened a couple of times in the past. They hadn’t talked for a month when that happened because Diego could get good and pissed. “Every time I see you, all you keep asking me is what’s wrong with me. I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you, but you’re making me feel worse with your constant questions about what’s going on.” Emelia walked to stand in front of him. She hesitated and then unwrapped his arms so that she could wrap her own around his waist and rest her head against his chest. “I love you, Diego.” She sighed. “There is something going on and until it’s sorted, please trust me to handle it. I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. At least, not yet.” Silence followed until Diego broke it, “I love you too, and that’s why I’m constantly checking on you.” He sighed and squeezed her tighter. “But I promise to stop questioning you...for now. And it doesn’t help when Mike is asking me about past boyfriends because he says that when you were with him, he got the feeling you were wishing he was someone else...he’s wrong isn’t he, Sis?” She felt bad. Mike was a great guy and she’d managed to keep it platonic when they’d gone out, but with hindsight, perhaps she shouldn’t have even accepted. She’d been fed up of loving someone who she couldn’t be with so she’d agreed, and now she’d probably hurt Mike. “I like Mike, Diego.” “I’m hearing a but in there.” “I don’t want a boyfriend. If I was looking, then Mike would be a great guy to date because he actually has respect for women.” “Ouch, Sis,” he put her at arms length, “you didn’t need to be so brutal.” She smiled. “Recognized yourself with that, huh?” He rolled his eyes and moved to grab a beer from the fridge. “Do you want me to tell Mike?” “Diego, I’m not ten. I’ll tell him myself when I see him tonight. We’re supposed to be going to the movies, but I’ll tell him beforehand and give him the choice of just being friends or stop seeing each other completely.” “Hmm.” Diego took a long drink from the bottle. “What does hmm mean?” “I’m going to find out what’s going on with you.” “You promised.” She nearly stamped her foot at her infuriating brother. “I didn’t say I was going to ask you. I just said I was going to find out. I have my ways.” Diego smirked, and she could see by the look on his face that he was pleased with himself. “Yeah, well. You won’t be finding out from me.” She smiled. “I do have a question for you though.” He groaned and narrowed his eyes. “I’m waiting.” “Why haven’t you dated since I’ve been here?” He was either working or at his apartment. He’d never gone out at night while she’d been there unless she’d been with him. “You kidding?” he scoffed, “I don’t date, Sis.” She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. Unless you’re up to something at work, then you haven’t

lived up to your reputation in just over the two weeks I’ve been here.” Diego chose not to meet her eyes, which told her something really was going on with him. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one with a secret, although she didn’t think his was as explosive as hers. Emelia stepped into her brother again, and kissed his cheek. “I’m not going to bug you, as I’ve just got you to stop bugging me, but you can talk to me anytime, Diego.” She smiled. “I know.” She backed off and watched as he walked toward his room. He called over his shoulder, “I’m getting changed. Do you want to chill and watch a movie with pizza?” “I’d prefer Mexican, but I’ve just told you that I’m meeting Mike.” “If that changes, let me know. I’m all yours.” He grinned. Once he disappeared into his room, she leaned against the island in the center of his kitchen, and rested her chin on her hands. As she looked around Diego’s apartment, she loved the wall that she faced, which had framed pictures of everyone in their family, but it was the one of Dante from when he was ordained that always drew her gaze the longest. He’d always made her heart flutter, and she doubted it would ever settle when in his presence, or when she thought about him. She’d finally decided that enough was enough and she would travel home over the weekend to talk to her mom. She hoped that Eric could also make it because she really didn’t want to face everything alone. Eric was the second eldest and she’d always looked up to him, so she knew that she’d do whatever he advised once she’d had the dreaded conversation with her mother and father. Emiliano would always be a father to her, regardless of her feelings for Dante. He’d always been there for her and Diego, and she knew that he always would be. Not a day had gone by that she’d felt treated differently since she’d overheard them, nine years ago now. They were still her family, and she only hoped that by doing what she was about to do, she would help Dante come to terms with the love he had for her. She just wasn’t sure that he’d be willing to leave the church for her, or what the rest of their family would think if he did and their feelings were made public.

Chapter Thirteen That morning made three times since he’d woken up while in the middle of an orgasm with the thoughts of Emelia still fresh in his head—thoughts of her mouth on his flesh while she sucked his release from his body. Each time he woke up with the disappointment that she wasn’t really with him. It made him feel an overwhelming sadness. Then the guilt would follow. He was a priest and, until the first time, he’d not released his seed in over six years. It was no wonder that once he’d started he couldn’t stop. But why would it start now? Over the years, he’d had strong control over his body so he couldn’t understand why he’d suddenly started waking up in the thrall of an orgasm. It was as though something had happened over the few days they’d spent in Lexington...but that wasn’t right. Or was it? You were drunk… He froze when the thought hit him. Was it Eric who took him back to the hotel, or was in Emelia? They’d looked at each other before Eric had answered him when he’d thanked him over breakfast the following day. “Father, what’s wrong?” Barbara asked, breaking into his musing. “I’m fine.” He was distracted, but managed a smile for her before he headed toward his office. “I have some things to do. Just remembered.” He closed himself inside and ignored her startled glance. As he dropped his weight into the old leather chair behind his desk, he was assailed with so many memories, except the one that he needed the most. He sagged forward and placed his head in his hands, and tried to remember that night. He’d drunk so much to try and forget the woman, the forbidden woman, the woman he loved. He remembered the first drinks but he lost count of the ones after that. He’d been fully wasted by the time Eric shoved his sorry ass into the backseat of a car and then...then, Emelia had sat beside him. She’d been unable to take her eyes from him, and his flesh had hardened, so much so, that he could have pounded nails. It had been at that point that he’d covered himself with his hand. He wasn’t sure that if he hadn’t been so drunk as to whether or not he’d have pounced on her because his defenses had been down.

He groaned and leaned back in his chair, the throb in his pants distracting. It was Emelia...It was. It had to be for him to remember the car journey. Or was it really a dream—a hopeful dream, and did she help him to his room? “Oh no.” Was his dream of Emelia not really a dream? Was he remembering fact? He felt sick to his stomach at the thought of being with Emelia and having no conscious recollection of it. But his stomach really rolled when he remembered why they couldn’t be together. Grabbing his cell, he quickly connected with Eric and hoped he was around because he felt his sanity slipping. Not only was Emelia his sister, but if that wasn’t bad enough, he was a priest. Dedicated to God. Being with anyone was a sin. The only reason he hadn’t been on his knees in his church begging for forgiveness was because he’d kept his hands to himself when his flesh had jerked with his release. Technically, he hadn’t masturbated, but he knew he’d been skirting the line…if him and Emelia had… done anything…how could he confess that sin? “Dante?” Eric’s voice echoed down his cell and brought him back to why he’d called. “Eric, I have a question for you?” “Not, how are you or anything? Just, I have a question for you. You’ve lost your manners, brother.” “I’m sorry.” He sat back and looked out of his window at the snow coming down. “I’m going out of my mind and need to know the truth about the night of Ramon’s wedding.” There was silence at the other end even though Dante thought he’d heard a mumbled curse. “You didn’t take me back to the hotel...Emelia did?” Dante asked, but he already knew the answer. “I knew you’d remember eventually.” “Why did you let me think that it had been you?” “Emelia, for whatever her reasoning, preferred that you thought it was me. Probably so you wouldn’t worry. For some reason, she always thinks about you first.” Just like he did her! Dante’s heart sank because he had a good idea why she didn’t want him to know that it had been her. “Do you know anything else?” he asked, hoping Eric had read between the lines. “Truthfully, no I don’t. But I suspect something more happened between you both at the hotel, and I don’t suppose you remember and want to fill me in.” Dante breathed heavily and wondered just how much more had happened than he could remember. “I don’t think so.” “You don’t want to fill me in or you don’t think anything else happened?” Eric asked. “Both,” Dante mumbled. “I remember the car and that’s about it, but I wasn’t sure whether or not it was fact as you led me to believe you’d been the one to get me back to the hotel.” Eric sighed. “Look, Emelia hasn’t said anything to me, but I’ll be seeing her tomorrow when we meet at the house in Montana. As you’re not talking to her, I’ll tell her you were asking now that your memory is coming back.”

He was a grown man but acted like an adolescent. Even so, he had to talk to her, and thanks to Eric, he knew where she’d be for a few days. “I might take a trip home...but don’t mention anything to Emelia.” “I won’t. I need to go and change. I’m taking Sylvia out to dinner. You look after yourself.” “I will. You too.” They finished the call and Dante held his cell in his hand so tightly that he thought it would crack. He took a deep breath through his frustration instead of smashing his cell. Emelia was stubborn and, if she didn’t want anyone to know anything, you could guarantee that no one would know. Except he needed to know. He needed to remember. The fact that he couldn’t remember drove him crazy. Regardless of their situation, if he’d touched her, made love to her, then he craved to remember the feel of her surrounding him. He’d go to hell, but he was already there to the point that he spent more time thinking about Emelia than he did his church and the people that relied on him. He’d had a baptism to do the other Sunday, and afterwards, when he’d been asked to hold the baby so her parents could take a photograph, all he’d been able to think about was never having a child of his own. He knew his defenses were down, and they had been since Christmas, but it had suddenly hit him in the gut and he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Emelia holding their son or daughter in her arms. A painful dream. For a while, he’d been feeling distracted, more so than he usually was with Emelia, but the distraction had started to move over to his work. He found that it wasn’t as satisfying as it once had been. He hadn’t even been into town to just talk to the people who knew him, which wasn’t like him. He’d always been around and available, but the last month, he hadn’t had the energy to do it. It was no wonder Barbara constantly asked him if he was okay. Something had to give, and the boulder in his belly told him it wasn’t going to be as easy as he’d like to get back on track. He also knew that the best thing to do would be for him to let go of whatever happened with Emelia. He just didn’t think he was strong enough to do that with the cravings that lived inside of him.

Chapter Fourteen Mornings in Montana were usually early, and loud. Not that day though. Emelia had been exhausted when she’d arrived the night before that she’d told her parents not to wake her up and that they’d see her when they saw her. She was glad she’d had the insight to say that because she’d slept like a log. All her sleepless nights had caught up to her, and she knew that she’d crash hard. And she did. She’d even missed Eric’s arrival. If it hadn’t been for the delay he had at the airport in Lexington, he would have arrived within thirty minutes of her flight and she would have waited for him. But no, he’d had a few hours delay. It wouldn’t have stopped him from getting up early to help around the farm. He loved the outdoors. Fighting back a yawn, and with a heavy sigh and a stretch, she pushed the quilt back and climbed from the snug warmness of her bed to pad over to the window. The snow had been coming down rather heavily by the time she’d reached the house. Her father had promised to use the SUV to go and collect Eric because the vehicle was made for adverse weather conditions. But, as she looked out at the snow covered landscape, there were only light flurries even though a thick layer covered the once cleared driveway. That was the beauty of her family home being in Montana, and she wouldn’t change it for the world. As she followed one of the flakes with her eyes, she couldn’t help the overwhelming sadness that suddenly came over her. Later, she’d be upsetting her family with her questions, and it hurt to think that it was because of her selfish need to be with Dante that made her go forth with what she knew. If it wasn’t for him, she didn’t think she’d ever go through with it. A chill crept through her thin pajamas, so she pulled back from the window and went into her bathroom, where she emerged fifteen minutes later fresh from a warm shower. Emelia felt better after being under the heavy spray of water and hoped that, after a large cup of coffee, she’d have the courage that she needed. It helped that Eric had come to be with her, but she knew when Diego found out, he’d be pissed at her for not confiding in him. While she continued to ponder about Diego, she slipped her legs into panties and jeans before she quickly fastened a bra in place and pulled a shirt and sweater on. Thick socks went on her feet, followed by her purple UGGS. Her hair was damp so she brushed it out before piling it on top of her head. She had no intention of

going out anywhere so it would have to do because she couldn’t be bothered with a hair dryer. With a quick glance in the mirror, she left the sanctuary of her room and went looking for coffee first, then she’d find her brother before anything was said. “What do you mean that Dante is here?” Emelia fumed. She had it all planned out in her head. She’d tell her parents what she’d overheard. They’d confirm it. Then she’d go and find Dante and tell him. Of course, she didn’t think it would be as straightforward as she’d like, but she certainly didn’t think he’d come to Montana. “He knows you were the one to take him back to the hotel,” Eric admitted. “He remembered and called me, which is how he knows we were meeting here.” “Wait. What?” Her mind whirled as she felt the blood drain to her toes. “He remembers?” She met Eric’s gaze and wanted him to tell her he was joking. “He remembers the journey in the car or at least, that you were the one with him and not me. He doesn’t remember anything else, which makes me wonder what else there is for him to remember.” She wasn’t going there. No way. “I can’t. Please try and forget that.” Eric stared at her long and hard. “I want you to promise me that, while he’s here, you’ll tell him what happened. He needs to know, Emelia?” The silence settled between them while she realized that she didn’t have much choice. No matter how embarrassing it would get, she owed Dante the truth. “I promise. I’ll tell him.” She picked up her second coffee within the hour, and sat on the sofa across from where Eric had dropped his ass. “So, any advice as to how to go about this? Do I just blurt it out to Mom? Or do I get them both together and blurt it out with you in the room as well? Or...ugh, I don’t know.” She rested her feet on the coffee table and waited, wondering what Eric was thinking. “I think you’d be more comfortable talking to your mom alone. Am I right?” Sighing, she nodded. “I’ve always found it easier talking to one parent alone than them both together, and this time isn’t going to be easy...I’m so nervous, Eric.” “I know, Sis.” Her eyes snapped to his and he softly smiled. “You’ll always be that to me, and the more time I’ve thought about you and Dante, the more I realize that you were both made to be together. Just be prepared for the others, especially Diego, to not be as happy or understanding as I am.” “I know. There’s probably a lot of upset ahead, which is why I’ve always been so torn about saying anything.” She bit her lip and took the cup of coffee that Eric passed to her. “It won’t last, and everything is always best out in the open.” She heard footsteps heading toward the kitchen, and then the sound of someone quickly rummaging in the cupboard for a box of cereal. The flakes could be heard as the box was shook to judge if there was enough in the box. Everyone did that. “We’ll talk later,” she said quietly just as her mom entered the living room.

“Morning.” Lucia smiled. “You’re both up early.”

Chapter Fifteen Her cherry red lips wrapped around his flesh while her gaze held his. His eyes fluttered and closed when he felt the first swirl of her tongue around the head of his dick, and just the sound of her moan when she tasted his precum was enough to nearly have him coming in her mouth. He groaned and arched off the bed with the pleasure that coursed through his body...so much pleasure… Dante shot up into a sitting position on his bed, his gasp heavy in the silence of the room while his heart pounded. A light sheen of sweat coated his skin while he lay back down and closed his eyes to try and pull himself together. At least, he hadn’t woken releasing all over himself like the previous times he’d had the erotic dream about him and Emelia. His flesh burned with need as his fists clenched at his sides and his legs twisted in the covers that were tangled around his feet. He continued to pant and started to fill his head with thoughts of his brothers. Anything to try and lesson how tense his body was. Eric entered his head first, because he knew that he was already at the house. He would talk to him once he’d had his morning coffee and put something in his stomach. Out of all his brothers, Eric was the closest to him. All his brothers meant the world to him and he’d be there if any of them ever needed him, but Eric had always been the one that he’d gone to when he’d needed to talk or when he’d had enough of his own company. His fists released the death grip that they’d had on the bed as his body started to ease while thinking about his brother, but soon thoughts of Emelia, beautiful Emelia, filled his head, again. What would the others think if they knew of his love for her? Would they be as understanding as Eric was? Or would they be disgusted? The night before, he’d arrived late during the early hours of the morning. There had been a blizzard in Denver, which had prevented the flight from taking off. At least he’d arrived in one piece after the bumpy journey. Planes weren’t his favorite thing, and flying over the Rockies often resulted in a more than smooth flight. He sighed and twisted his head to glance at the clock: eleven. It had been a long while since he’d slept passed eight. He’d been exhausted. With his body under control, he felt able to head to his bathroom without his erection causing him issues. And as he stepped under the hot stream of water, the rest of his body started to relax.

Tension had been his constant companion for weeks, more so since he’d talked to the bishop, who resided in Denver. Dante had made the arrangements for another Priest to take Mass in Frederick while he was gone, but the Bishop had requested a brief meeting with him before he’d caught his flight. Shampooing his dark hair, he groaned wondering how much the bishop had suspected. Bishop Colin Sommer had been there with him since before he’d joined the seminary. The bishop knew him better than the others in the clergy, so he’d know that something bothered him. He didn’t have many friends in the priesthood, more like acquaintances, apart from Colin, that was. Colin would know he hadn’t been exactly truthful. He hadn’t lied about needing to visit his family, he just hadn’t explained that it was Emelia that he had to talk to. Pulling on a well-worn pair of blue jeans that hung low on his hips, and a long sleeved, pale blue Tshirt, he then stood and looked at himself in the mirror on the inside of his closet door. Unless you knew his profession, you’d think he was like any other guy...but he wasn’t, and until recently, it had never played so heavily on his mind before. Dante dragged his brown boots on and left his room wondering if Eric and Emelia were still around or if they’d gone into town. His question was soon answered when he heard Eric’s roar of laughter coming from the kitchen—the heart of the house. He hesitated before he entered, and had all eyes on him. Lucia was the first to break the silence. “Dante, it’s good to see you again, and so soon.” She stepped up to him and wrapped him in her welcoming embrace. Their relationship had settled over the years, although he’d never been able to fully forgive her, and his father, for what they did back then. With how in love his parents seemed to be, his father had still had an affair while Dante’s mother had been dying. His father had to have considering that Diego and Emelia had been born not long after his mother’s death or his father’s remarriage. “It’s good to be back,” he finally answered when he saw the frown on Lucia’s brow. He needed to stop getting lost in the past. His father patted him on the back. Eric tugged him close, and then it was Emelia’s turn. He noticed her slight hesitation but doubted anyone else had. And then she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed close. He dropped his face into the curve of her neck and inhaled while he pressed her closer. The hug was over all too soon, and she avoided eye contact as she went back to her cup of coffee at the table. He glanced at Eric and saw the frown on his face, so Dante looked away quickly, not wanting to contemplate what his brother was thinking. “Heard you had bad weather,” Eric started. “Think it’s supposed to hit here later this evening.” “Yeah, I’m surprised they managed to take off,” he commented, and poured himself a large cup of the Italian coffee that Lucia was partial to. His father chuckled. “He was a funny shade of green when I collected him from the airport.” “Oh, no.” Emelia jumped up and moved over to him. As he turned with his coffee in hand, he managed

to place his cup back down as she reached for him. “Are you alright? I know how much you hate flying.” She hugged him tightly before stepping back. She fiddled with the coffee pot and poured herself more, which they both knew was an excuse to be near him. “I’m fine...In fact, I had the most restful night’s sleep that I’ve had in two weeks.” He watched Emelia closely over the brim of his coffee cup while he took a sip of the addictive drink. His heart beat frantically when Emelia wouldn’t meet his gaze, and a blush covered her delicate features. So it wasn’t all in his head? He just wished that he could remember more of that night other than just her touch on his flesh? Or was it for the best that he couldn’t remember? “Everyone always sleeps better here. Think it’s the altitude that you don’t get in other parts of the states,” his father added. Dante didn’t remind him that he lived outside of Denver, which was also at a higher altitude. “Sit…I’ll get you some breakfast,” Lucia offered. He moved to take his usual seat, but said, “You don’t need to go to any trouble.” “Pfft. It’s no trouble.” Lucia busied herself with taking things out of the fridge before she turned the burner on the stove. His attention was on his father while he watched Emelia from the corner of his eye as she joined them at the table. He took in a deep breath and tried to focus on things other than her. He asked, “Where’s Aiden? Thought he’d be around.” Initially, he’d just thought about Emelia and, of course, Eric. He’d forgotten that his brother, Aiden, had stayed in Montana for a while. “He has a meeting in New York with one of his sponsors, so he headed out a couple of days ago,” his father volunteered, a worried look on his face. “Something is really bothering that boy and I wish I knew what.” “He’ll tell you when he’s ready, and not before. You know what he’s like,” Eric said. “How come you’re visiting without Sylvia?” Dante asked Eric, changing the subject. His brother wasn’t one for visiting every other week, so him being at the house now with Emelia caused bells to ring in his head. Emelia spent more time at the family home than anywhere else, but Eric, not so much. Dante didn’t miss the quick glance Eric passed to Emelia before Eric offered, “I wanted to catch up with Emelia about being a bridesmaid for Sylvia, and I hoped Aiden would talk to me.” He shrugged. “Had no idea that Aiden wouldn’t be here.” “I wonder why Aiden didn’t say anything about New York. Diego didn’t mention him being in town. Unless, of course he doesn’t know.” Emelia frowned into her cup. “Well,” Dante started as Lucia placed his breakfast of bacon and French toast in front of him, “whatever is going on with him will eventually work itself out or he’ll talk to one of us about it.” “Wonderful words of wisdom, Father,” Eric smirked. His stomach fell when the reminder of his title left his brother’s mouth. It was the cue he should have needed to walk away, but his conscience, and the love that he would always harbor for Emelia, wouldn’t

let him. He winced at a kick to his shin. “Lucia asked you a question,” Eric told him, annoyance clear in his voice. “Sorry. I zoned out.” He faced Lucia. “I was just asking if your breakfast was okay.” She smiled. “Mmm,” he mumbled around his mouthful of the French toast. Once he’d swallowed it down with coffee, he replied, “This is great. Thanks for making my favorite, and no one makes French toast like you do.” “Thank you.” Lucia beamed at his compliment, her hand sliding into his father’s. “I say it as it is.” He finished his breakfast and finally met Emelia’s gaze full on. “Can we talk soon?” Emelia hooded her eyes and nodded in response. He didn’t miss the look that passed over Lucia’s face, or the frown that marred her brow as her worried gaze stayed on her daughter. Eric cleared his throat. “Lucia, are you both sure that having the wedding here is going to work? We don’t want to stop business.” Dante sighed at Eric’s abrupt change of subject, but, at least, his brother had snagged Lucia’s attention. “Don’t you dare think about having your wedding anywhere else, unless Sylvia wants it where she grew up. But I’d be insulted otherwise.” She raised a brow and waited for Eric to agree. “Don’t worry. I just wanted to check before Sylvia finalized the invitations.” Dante tuned out the banter about weddings and when he met Emelia’s gaze, he indicated with his head to follow him out. She nodded in acknowledgement.

Chapter Sixteen Not having any privacy in the house, the only place that Dante could think of was his bedroom to talk to Emelia. They certainly needed privacy, he just wasn’t sure how wise it was. Wise or not, that’s where he led Emelia to. His room was like the others in the house, and he had his own bathroom. He had a large king-sized bed that took up a lot of the space, but he had a large fitted closet down one side of the bedroom with built in drawers. His favorite comfy reclining chair took up one corner of the room, close to his bed, which was where he’d spend many a night, reading or on his laptop while he prepared sermons. The room was just fine for what he used it for, but, with Emelia in the room, it seemed to shrink. While she stood at the bedroom window looking down to the courtyard below, he admired her and felt pain lance through his heart at the thought of her belonging to another man when she was his. But she isn’t yours . . . Emelia’s dark hair flowed down her back in long, glossy, black waves that his fingers itched to touch. So he shoved his hands into his pockets and dropped to the edge of the bed. “Em, will you sit?” he asked. Without saying a word, she took a seat in his chair and met his gaze. Although her eyes looked wary, he noticed longing as well. Closing his eyes, he inhaled, then snapped them open and watched her. He decided to be blunt, and admitted, “I remember your touch...your hands...your mouth.” She flushed, but held his gaze, so he continued, “I...I released in your mouth.” He clenched his fists as his own words left his mouth, and his arousal threatened to cut off circulation. He only hoped that she hadn’t noticed. He wanted to pull her close when her eyes glazed with tears, but he forced himself to stay put. He rested his elbows on his knees and let his hand hang between his thighs. He wanted her to think he was relaxed when he was anything but. “Em, please say something...I need to know…” She wiped a lone tear. “What you remember happened. I didn’t mean to touch you...I came out of the bathroom with a wet cloth and you’d gotten, um, naked.” She looked away. “You’d climbed onto the bed...and I’m not sure whether you were dreaming or not, but you looked in pain.” She glanced at his

groin. He groaned and met her startled gaze. “This is so inappropriate and it happens all the time when we’re together.” Not only was his erection embarrassing, it was wrong, but he couldn’t bring himself to apologize. Emelia glanced at his groin again before her gaze lifted to his. “It’s no secret as to how I feel about you, Dante. And I should feel guilty for taking advantage of you, but I can’t. I wanted to feel you under my hands and then when you, um...at the end, I craved to touch you.” She killed him with her confession, so he confessed, “I wake nightly remembering, but what I can’t remember, and long to, is whether it went any further.” He watched her tense, and then sighed. Emelia wet her lips and admitted, “You wrapped me up in your arms and pinned me beneath you,” she offered a watery smile, “but you passed out cold.” He sighed in relief, content to know he hadn’t broken the most sacred of vows, but conflicted over his desire and need to be with her. This was his half-sister. His father’s daughter. He knew it was all kinds of wrong, but, God forgive him, he still craved her. “I wish you hadn’t fallen asleep, Dante,” she whispered. “I wish you’d have made love to me so that I would have known what it was truly like to be with you,” she admitted. The honesty in her eyes destroyed his heart. He knew how she felt, and he had a feeling that if they’d made love, he would have remembered it, regardless of how drunk he’d been. Their situation couldn’t go on… “As much as it kills something inside of me, you have to live your life, Emelia. You have to.” “You’re the only one I’ll ever want, and if I can’t be with you, then I don’t want to be with someone else.” “What about the friend of Diego’s?” he asked, his fists clenched tight. “He’s okay, but he isn’t the one that I want...how long are you staying for?” He let the change of subject go because, if he didn’t, he wasn’t sure what would come out of his mouth, so he replied, “A couple of days.” Emelia stood. “We need to talk again before you leave. There’s something that you need to know, but I need to talk to my mom first.” He frowned, wondering what he needed to know, and agreed, “We can talk. We can always talk, Emelia.” She nodded and wiped her tears with a Kleenex before she started to make her way past him. Dante reached out and took her hand with his. She didn’t turn to him, but waited, so he said quietly, “Thank you for telling me.” When she still didn’t look at him, Dante stood close behind her and buried his face in her long curls. He inhaled as Emelia caught her breath. I’m glad that I didn’t make love to you, because if that happened, I would have wanted to remember every single minute of it. “You better go.” “I know...but you need to let go of me if you want me to leave.”

He closed his eyes, inhaled her again to pull her scent into his lungs, and finally released her hand. Emelia hesitated before she left him standing in his room while she closed the door behind her. He had no clue how long he stood in the middle of his room, but the dampness on his face caused a hand to lift to wipe at it. He moved his hand away and looked at the wetness that coated his fingers, and that’s when he realized that he was crying. His feet moved and then he was in the bathroom, staring at his reflection in the mirror. Reaching out, he turned the faucet on and splashed his face with cold water before he grabbed a towel and dried off. As he glanced at his reflection in the mirror, he looked sick, or at least like someone who had a lot on his mind.

Chapter Seventeen “Eric,” Emelia shouted the minute she’d spotted her brother heading in the opposite direction. He came to a stop and swiveled around on his booted feet while he pinned her with his stare. “What’s wrong?” he asked, and frowned when she stopped directly in front of him. The minute she’d left Dante, Emelia knew that it was time to find her mom and ask what she knew, even though it filled Emelia with a strange mixture of hope and fear. She had to, and she had to do it now because Dante was tortured with his feelings for her. It wouldn’t change the fact that he was a priest, but it would take the sister element away. Her only hope was that Dante would listen afterwards. “Emelia,” Eric gripped her shoulders, “snap out of it and answer me. What’s going on?” “I’m going to find my mom and talk to her, now. I have to. Can you distract Dad?” “Wow, slow down.” She caught her breath and admitted, “I’ve just spoken to Dante about that night, and I need to tell him everything, but I can’t until I’ve talked to my mom, so please distract Dad. Chances are they’ll be together somewhere.” Eric sighed. “I’ve been thinking about this, and I think it’s best if he’s present as well because it concerns them both.” Of course it did. She’d been so concentrated on just talking to her mom that she hadn’t really entertained the thought of talking to them both. Her mom was the easier one to talk to and always had been, but she loved them both and really did need answers. Emelia nodded her head. “You’re right.” Eric chuckled. “I always am.” Emelia rolled her eyes and elbowed him in the stomach. “I will never say those words again to you.” “C’mon, let’s find them.” He shook his head, and turned her back around. Her feet felt lighter as she moved closer to their father’s office because, although talking to Dante had embarrassed her something wicked, he’d given her the confidence to talk, and ask for the truth. Eric knocked on the office door and waited to be given permission to enter. There weren’t many rules in the house, but just walking into their father’s office was one of them. “We need to talk to you both,” Eric said on entering. “Is now a good time?”

She felt on display as her mom and dad stared at them before her dad asked, “Is everything okay?” “I just need to ask you something, and I want Eric with me,” Emelia added, and took a seat on the sofa beside Eric. “This is why you’re both here at the same time, and it’s nothing to do with your wedding?” Lucia stated while looking at Eric. “That’s right,” Eric confirmed. As though her mother sensed that it was her who needed to speak, she turned in Emelia’s direction. “Emelia, honey.” She smiled, offering encouragement like she’d done all Emelia’s life. Emelia cleared her throat and debated where or even how to start the conversation, but settled on her eighteenth birthday. “Just after I turned eighteen,” she paused, and fidgeted with the purple polish on her nails when she realized the room was so quiet you’d hear a pin drop, “I’d gone looking for Mom.” Eric took her hand and squeezed, she smiled and continued, “I found her, but you were both arguing, and then you started talking about someone dying. So I didn’t let you know I was there. I didn’t want to interrupt.” Her mom paled, and grasped the necklace at her throat while holding her husband’s gaze before she looked back to Emelia. “Go on.” “I need to know if what I heard is true? Did Francesca, Eric’s mom, beg you both to marry while she was...sick? Is it true that dad isn’t my biological father? What really happened back then?” Emelia gushed everything out so quickly that she wasn’t sure if she’d been coherent. That was until she looked at her parents, and realized that they’d heard everything she’d said. They both sat in shock, and the tears on her mother’s face made her heart hurt. She knew that there would be tears, but it hurt knowing that she was the cause. She had to keep telling herself that she hadn’t caused the mess, because it had already been decided before she’d even been born. Her father walked around his desk and pulled his wife up and into his arms. “It’s alright, honey,” he consoled her before he pulled her down with him on the opposite sofa. “My name is on your birth certificate,” he whispered, his voice husky with tears. “You’ll always be my father. A piece of paper will never change that, but I do need to know the truth.” She wiped at a tear, and hoped that she wouldn’t continue to be a faucet. Her father nodded. “In my eyes, you and Diego will always be mine.” He smiled at her mom before he turned back to her. “I’ve never treated you differently, and I never will, but you’ve asked for the truth so we owe it to you.” He looked at Eric. “You’ve known?” “Since Thanksgiving.” “Okay,” her father started as he turned back to Emelia. “You know that your mother was good friends with my first wife, Francesca?” Emelia nodded. “Lucia had been dating someone. She was in love…or thought she was, but he grew increasingly

violent. By the time she realized how extremely violent he was, she was pregnant by him. Francesca knew…she also knew that she only had a short time left. To protect her friend, and her friend’s babies, she begged me to marry Lucia, to claim her children as mine. I refused at first because the thought of being married to anyone other than Francesca made me sick to the stomach.” He wrapped his arm around his wife. “She eventually wore me down because she said that she couldn’t go peacefully until she knew that me and her children would be looked after...emotional blackmail...myself and Lucia agreed…I loved your mother, Eric. She was my life before she died.” Eric cleared his throat. “I know.” “Of course when you,” he looked at Emelia, “and Diego were born, it caused so much conflict between me and Dante, and you, Eric, but Francesca had sworn us to secrecy. No way could your biological father find out about you. My heart was broken back then so I didn’t really care, which I should have. Perhaps if I had, then I’d still have the friendship with Francesca’s brother, Elias McKenzie, which I once had. It wouldn’t have ruined my relationship with my oldest son if I’d been honest, either. I have regrets about that time in our lives, but we just couldn’t risk it back then. “Over the years, I fell deeply in love with Lucia, and that’s when we renewed our wedding vows. I love your mother, Emelia, with all my heart...and Eric, your mother is still in my heart and she always will be.” Emelia sniffled into a Kleenex, and stood to accept her mother’s arms around her. “I’m so sorry we never told you.” Her mother kissed Emelia on her cheek. “We nearly did so many times after we knew he’d died, but as time went on, it became more difficult. Everyone seemed settled in their lives that we just left it.” “We know now,” Emelia pulled away, and looked at Eric. He hadn’t said much and he was old enough to remember that time in their lives, but as she looked at him now, he looked as though he was fighting back his anger. “Eric?” she reached for his arm and, after he glanced at her, he looked at his father. “Our lives could have been different if you had told us the truth. We all missed our mother, and I know Dante and I thought you’d been having an affair,” he paused, and Emelia saw the anger he tried to hide, “while our mother had been dying,” he shouted. Emelia felt numb while she watched Eric get angrier by the minute. He had every right to. Before he could carry on, she asked, “Who is mine and Diego’s biological father?” Silence followed, and was finally answered by their father, “He was a violent man, and we got word that he’d died, which is what you overheard nine years ago,” her father answered. “If you really need to know more details, we will tell you, but that is something I want you to think very carefully about first because once you know, it isn’t something that can be unknown.” She gasped when the office door was pushed open, and Dante stood there, his expression clouded in anger. A stunned silence followed before she watched Dante pull himself together. “Emelia isn’t my sister?” he asked so quietly that she didn’t think anyone could hear.

“Of course she is,” her father stated, a trace of anger in his voice. “No...she isn’t,” Dante growled. “How much did you hear?” Eric asked. “Fucking everything.” Emelia’s eyes widened in shocked surprise at hearing the curse leave Dante’s mouth—a true sign that he was angry and upset. Emelia was glad that he’d overheard everything because it meant that she didn’t have to work up the courage to tell him. If only she could get her legs to move, she could go and offer him comfort. He looked sick at what he’d heard…sick and angry. “Why?” Dante asked. “Dammit to hell, answer me,” he shouted. “All these years I thought you’d betrayed my dying mother with Lucia. Why the hell did you let me believe that? From the moment that you told us about Lucia and her pregnancy, our relationship has never been the same. Do I mean so little to you that you didn’t care?” “That’s not true,” their father started, tears hovered on his lashes. “You’re my son, and I love you...I promised your mother. It was her last request before she died. It wasn’t a promise that I made lightly or that I was willing to break.” Dante looked ready to break when Emelia took a step toward him. Her heart broke, as he took a step away without even looking at her. “As I got older, became a man, you had plenty of time to tell me then, to explain...except you never did.” Dante looked ready to break, so she took another step toward him. When she moved to touch him, he finally looked at her. “Don’t, Emelia. I can’t deal with you right now.” His black eyes looked straight through her—hard and uncaring. The man standing in front of her wasn’t the man that she’d fallen in love with all those years ago. He wasn’t the man that she still loved. There didn’t appear to be any sign of her Dante when she held his gaze—it was empty. His jaw clenched tightly as his gaze left her to glare at his father again. “What about the others? I’m presuming you’re going to tell them.” It wasn’t a question that came out of Dante’s mouth but a demand, like: you will tell them. “Dante?” “Em, not now,” he snarled, and she took a step back—hurt and heartbroken. Eric came up beside her and pulled her back toward him. “Leave him for now,” he whispered. “He needs to let everything he’s heard sink in. Give him time.” Eric took her into his arms. She was glad for the support, and snuggled against Eric because she’d never needed comforting more than she did then, while the truth that she’d known for years had finally been told. The deepest hurt came from Dante’s rejection. She knew that it had to be one heck of a shock for him to discover the truth after all these years. It still hurt though.

Chapter Eighteen Dante’s head throbbed with what he’d overheard. He’d had no intention of listening in on the conversation until he’d heard ‘biological’, and then he’d been frozen in place...and he’d listened. Why had Emelia and Eric been in the room for the discussion without him? Had he been excluded for some reason? He looked at his father, and asked, “Were you planning on telling me or was this just Emelia and Eric’s show?” “No!” Emelia cried, and it was like a knife to the heart. He’d pushed her away when she’d needed holding, like his brother held her now. She’d wanted to console him as well. He’d seen it on her face clear as day, but he knew that he’d fall apart if she touched him. “No, Dante,” she tried to move to him but the arm Eric had wrapped around her waist prevented her from going anywhere, “I wanted to talk to them first, and then I was going to come and tell you...I needed what I overheard confirmed before I told you.” Wait. What? “What do you mean overheard?” he bit out between his clenched jaw. “About Diego and me having a different father, everything you just overheard, really.” He couldn’t even think about it because his head swam with words that came at him all at once. His first thought had been to run, and he wished that he’d done that so he didn’t have to face everyone. He was a priest and supposed to be able to forgive, but he never truly forgave his father for the betrayal of his mother. How could he forgive now when the truth to those lies could have sent his life along a different path? “How long have you known?” he asked Emelia, and when she stayed silent and chewed on her lip, he looked at his father and Lucia and then to Eric, but no one volunteered the answer. “How long?” he growled. “About nine years.” He took a step back at Emelia’s confession, and if it wasn’t for the look on her face, he’d have thought that he’d misheard, but he hadn’t. “Nine years?” he hissed. “I tried to tell you after...but you wouldn’t talk to me or answer my calls, and then I discovered that

you’d gone to the church, and tried again. It was so hard. You’re too damn stubborn.” “And you?” he asked, Eric. “Since Thanksgiving,” Eric answered. “I need to think.” With that he turned and left the room as quickly as he’d entered without any idea as to where he was going. His thoughts were running faster than he could and he knew he couldn’t outrun them. But he could outrun his family. His room was out of the question, and he knew that Eric would come after him. He’d heard Emelia as she begged Eric to go after him so he wasn’t alone. Even after he’d pushed her away, she was still thinking about him and how he was feeling. Emelia… He’d wanted nothing more than to have her arms around him, and to accept the comfort that she’d wanted to give him. He shouldn’t have pushed her away. As well as having a lot on his mind, it was obviously filled with Emelia because he found himself standing in the middle of her favorite place in the house—the sunroom. “Everyone comes here to think,” Eric drawled as he entered and closed the door behind himself. “Why Eric? Why didn’t she tell everyone back then?” “You heard her. You refused to listen to what she had to say.” “Fuck,” he cursed and tugged at his hair while he noticed his brother’s frown. As a rule, he never cursed, or at least he hadn’t since he’d become a priest, but now he wanted to scream or curse or, maybe even, punch something. “You can’t blame Emelia for all this. She was only eighteen when she overheard the truth—too young...I don’t get why you’re not relieved. The feelings you have for Emelia, although not ideal, are not wrong.” Dante moved to the window and looked out while he tried to calm down, and he admitted, “I am relieved about that. Some part of me must have known, but it doesn’t really make any difference in the long run. I’m still a priest.” He let the silence surround them before he added, “My relationship suffered with our one remaining parent, Eric.” He turned to face his brother. “For many years, I could hardly be in the room with Father because of what I thought he’d done. I suffered for years with the knowledge that our father had an affair when, in actual fact, he hadn’t. He lost a good friend in our uncle Elias. We lost our cousins. Lives changed because of what happened.” Feeling weary, Dante dropped into a chair and rested his head against the back of it while he gazed up at the glass ceiling. He couldn’t see anything because the snow had covered the roof, so he closed his eyes and rubbed at his temple. “I gave everything up when I realized I had feelings for Emelia and thought she was my sister. I ran scared, Eric, and for what?” He lifted his head and met Eric’s gaze as his brother answered, “You have a real chance at happiness…more than you thought you’d ever be allowed, and you need to think about what you want more—Emelia or the church.” Tears came out of nowhere as he pressed his finger and thumb against his eyelids to try and stop them

from falling. “I wish it was that easy,” he admitted quietly. “It is,” Eric stated before he left him alone. No, it wasn’t. He felt so tired that his body wanted to stay where he was, but he needed to move, and leave the house. Home called him and was the only place that he’d be able to think properly. His family wouldn’t be around, making it easier to get his head in the place that he needed it to be. He needed the clear air and the quiet of Frederick, and he certainly needed to be somewhere that his family wasn’t. He felt hollow inside, as though everything had gone poof with what he’d heard...turning his head toward the door, he heard footfalls outside just before the handle turned and his father walked inside. He watched as his father walked closer and took the seat opposite him without giving him a choice as to whether or not Dante wanted to talk. “I need you to understand something,” his father started and paused when he couldn’t go on. His father looked his sixty-five years, when he usually looked ten years younger. His face was strained with raw emotion running through him. So when he’d pulled himself together and continued, Dante listened, “I fell in love with your mother when I was fourteen years old, and I never looked at anyone else. I’d have given her the world if she’d asked, and when she died I kept the promise that I made to her. It seemed so important to her that she know her children and me were looked after when she left us. Neither of us considered what that promise would do to the family—to you, our eldest son. “For a long time, I let life pass me by, and in truth, if it hadn’t been for Lucia, I’d have probably followed your mother because I was working myself into the ground. Lucia made sure I ate, and she made sure my sons had food on the table, carried on with school. Lucia made sure that everyone kept moving forward.” His father paused to wipe at his eyes, and Dante didn’t know how he was supposed to feel at his father’s words. “Lucia held us all together,” his father continued, “When you asked me to sign the papers for school, I had no idea it was for you to board at an all boys catholic school. It wasn’t until Lucia was heavily pregnant and put on bed rest that I realized how much she did for us all, and it made me sit up and finally take notice.” He offered Dante a wry smile, “If you remember, I visited you at school and tried to get you to come home, but you refused. You’re as stubborn as me…and, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me the most.” Dante sat forward and rubbed at his forehead again, his headache getting worse. “Things would have been so different if you’d at least confided in me, and maybe Eric. We were the oldest and more able to understand why you married a pregnant Lucia. Everything could have been so different.” He looked away before he met his father’s gaze again. “I probably would still be in the restaurant business.” “What? I thought you loved being a priest...you don’t?” his father asked in more shock than before. What was he really saying? He hadn’t been settled in the collar for a good while, but that was because of his feelings for Emelia. “Dante?”

“I ran to the church...after something happened. Something that, at the time, I thought was wrong. So very wrong.” He sighed, heavily. “And now I’ve learned that it wasn’t wrong after all. Well, not as wrong as I thought it was.” “You aren’t making a bit of sense now.” His father frowned. “I know I’m not.” Dante stood and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m going to head home. I need time to think about everything.” He moved, and placed his hand on his father’s shoulder and squeezed. “I love you, Dad, and even though it hurts a lot for the time that we wasted, I do understand. I remember you and Mom before she got sick. You’d have given her anything, and sometimes I used to think that if you could have, you’d have traded places with her so that she could live.” His father covered his hand and patted, and with one last squeeze, Dante walked out and went to grab his things so he could leave quickly.

Chapter Nineteen “Why are you still in bed,” Diego grumbled before he opened her curtains to let in the bright sun. “Are you sick? Mom never said anything.” She hid under the covers when her brother let the light into her room. She’d just woken up at his abrupt entry, and wasn’t in the mood for anything. In fact, she felt so close to tears at the sight of her twin, she tried to fight them back before Diego removed the cover, which she knew he’d do. It had been two days since she knew the absolute truth, and since Dante had left without one word to her. She’d messaged him, and it hurt that he hadn’t even read them. Eric had left to go home to Sylvia, which left Emelia at home to be there when her parents told the others. Mateo and Kasey had arrived the night before, and Aiden would have flown home with Diego as he was still in New York. But now she had to stay quiet until her brothers were called in to their father’s office. She certainly wasn’t going to be the one to tell anyone, not after Dante’s reaction, which still hurt deep in her heart. The longing to go to him, so that he wasn’t alone, was strong, and she knew that it wouldn’t be long before she gave in and turned up on his doorstep with her bags. He’d have to deal with her then—no avoidance. “Sis,” Diego gently called, sounding unsure, which wasn’t like him. “Emelia, c’mon out from there. You have me worried.” She felt him sit on the bed at her hip just before the covers were peeled back from her face. “I’m okay,” she whispered. Diego frowned. “You don’t sound too good.” He placed the palm of his hand over her forehead. “You don’t have a temperature. Why are you hiding in here?” “I’m not.” He arched a brow as though to say, ‘yeah, right’. “Okay, maybe I am.” She pushed herself up and rested her chin on her knees. “I’m glad you’re here.” That was the truth as well. She always wanted Diego when she was upset, and her twin never bothered with what others thought when he held her. He was always affectionate with her. She climbed from the bed and crawled onto Diego’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She

sighed and felt that everything would be okay with his arms around her, protecting her. “Emelia, you know I’m always here for you, but you really have me worried. Does this have anything to do with why Mom and Dad have called us all here?” He stroked down her back, but held her tightly against him with his other hand. And then, when he kissed her shoulder, she started to quietly sob against him. “Fuck, Emelia.” Minutes passed while he held her and eventually her sobs turned to hiccups, and Diego laughed. “I’m sorry.” She wiped at her tears, blew her nose and laughed when Diego winced. “I needed that.” “Dammit, Sis, you’re like a faucet recently. I know I promised you not to keep asking what’s wrong,” he stood, and moved her back to her bed before he ran his fingers through his hair, “but I need to know. I’ll keep it to myself, but I want to know.” When Diego got in one of his moods, she knew that he really wouldn’t let it go. She certainly couldn’t tell him everything, but she could give him a bit to keep him happy, at least for now. “Does this have anything to do with Dante?” he asked, but she sensed anger behind his question. “Kind of.” “Shit. What is it with you two? You both have an argument and then sulk like teenagers until one of you makes the first move to make up.” He moved and stood directly in front of her, his hand reached out and tipped her face up to meet his gaze. “This has to stop because it makes you so damn sad.” He frowned. “You don’t get like this when we fall out. You get pissed. What’s different?” “I don’t want to cry again. Let’s leave it for now, I’m going to follow Dante to Denver and get our differences sorted out.” “About time,” Diego grumbled, and as he looked out of her window, started to grin. “Come and look.” He reached his hand out to her, his gaze stayed focused outside the window. She jumped from the bed, grabbed her robe and let him drag her in front of him. “What are we looking at?” “Aiden.” He smirked. Aiden leaned against the vet’s SUV and talked to her as she loaded her gear into the back. A foal had been born earlier and their father had called Sarah, the vet, to assist. But why would Diego be interested in watching Aiden with her? Emelia turned to look at Diego. “I don’t get what I’m looking at.” “Emelia, you frighten me sometimes with how naive you are. Look!” She watched and realized their older brother was interested in the vet. “She’s married.” “I know, and so does he. I’ve seen him watching her a few times, and she blushes whenever he’s close. She hasn’t once mentioned her husband so I’m not sure what’s going on.” Emelia lightly punched her brother in his stomach. “Behave.” “What me?” He grinned. “I’m always on my best behavior.”

“Yeah, right.” She was about to add more when there was a knock at her bedroom door. “Come in.” Mateo walked in and said, “I knew you’d be in here,” to Diego. “You’re both nearly thirty and still invade each other’s personal space.” He shook his head, but she didn’t miss the smile that hovered on his lips as he moved toward them. “Hey, Mateo.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him to her as his arms went around her shoulders. He kissed the top of her head and, keeping an arm around her, dragged her with him as he joined Diego at the window. He peered out and smirked. “Only heartbreak in that direction.” “She wears a wedding band, but is she actually married?” Diego wondered out loud. “She’s married. I bumped into them at one of the glittery events I had to attend a few weeks ago, and her husband is an arrogant asshole. But Aiden needs to stay away from her and to stop thinking with his dick,” Mateo added. “Hey,” Emelia elbowed Mateo in the stomach. He let go of her and rubbed where she nailed him. “What’s wrong with you?” “He’s thinking with more than his dick,” Emelia answered. “Can we change the subject?” Diego moaned, “I don’t want to think about Emelia and dicks. In fact, I think I’m going to puke.” She rolled her eyes. “Grow up.” Diego laughed until Mateo interrupted, “We’re wanted downstairs in Dad’s office. He has something to tell us.” Diego frowned and turned to her. “You better get dressed.” She shook her head. “It’s not me that’s needed.” “What do you mean?” Diego frowned. “I know what they have to say, and I don’t want to be there...but I’ll be waiting.” She reached up and kissed Diego on the cheek. “I love you.” She turned to Mateo, “I love you as well.” After she’d planted a kiss to Mateo’s cheek, she shoved them out of her room with puzzled expressions on their faces. They’d know what was wrong with her soon enough. Emelia forced herself to walk inside her bathroom and closed the door. She hoped the conversation would be easier this time around for her parents, but she had her doubts. They were up against four of them, and they all had a right to be pissed with their confession. It was Diego who worried her the most. He was about to find out that Emiliano wasn’t their biological father, and she wasn’t sure how well he’d take that bit of information. As she stepped into the shower, she let the hot water pound into her skin while she emptied her mind of everything for a brief period of time. It had been an hour since Diego and Mateo had gone downstairs, and Emelia hadn’t heard any raised

voices or doors being slammed. So that was good, at least, she hoped it was. Part of her wished that she’d insisted on being there, but the other part was relieved. She didn’t want to see Diego look at her accusingly because she’d known and hadn’t told him. But she knew that he’d root her out once their parents had answered his questions. She and Diego would always look for the other when upset. It was so much bigger than anything they’d dealt with before, so she hoped that Diego handled it well. She wasn’t sure how she’d be able to help him otherwise. But she knew what she had to do with Dante, and once she knew her twin was okay, she’d be with the man she loved. It wouldn’t be easy because Dante was stubborn as hell, but she was optimistic for a future with him. She honestly didn’t want to think about a future without him because that wouldn’t be something that she could accept. Sudden shuffling outside her bedroom door drew her attention so, without waiting, she moved and yanked the door open and found Diego. She pulled him into her room and led him over to the chair, pushing him into it, as she perched on the edge of her bed. He looked shell-shocked and she didn’t know what to do to snap him out of it, but then he met her worried gaze. “You knew,” he accused, quietly. She nodded, and felt that all fight had left him. “Aiden’s known since he was a kid...how long have you known?” “What? What do you mean that Aiden’s known? I don’t understand.” Her mind was spinning. How could he have known? He was only a child when it all happened. “Aiden was hiding in the closet when his mom begged Dad and Mom to marry. He heard everything but didn’t really understand. He admitted to forgetting about it after his mother’s death, and that it had been a long time until he thought about it. When he did, he wasn’t sure whether or not he’d dreamed it up so he left it.” “Poor Aiden...how are you? You’re too quiet and that’s frightening.” He sat back and looked relaxed, but she didn’t let that fool her. Diego was the brother to act first, instead of thinking. “I’m numb...I’m also old enough to know that Emiliano is still our father. He put his name on our birth certificates; he’s never treated us differently than the others. There’s a small piece of my heart that hurts because he didn’t father us, but I know he loves us and always has. It’s weird but it isn’t, if that makes any sense?” “It does,” Emelia whispered. “How long have you known?” Diego raised a brow and waited. She might as well go for broke. “I overheard them talking when I was eighteen,” she admitted. “I wanted to tell you so badly, but I wasn’t one hundred percent sure that what I heard was fact so I kept quiet. Then it just went on and it became harder to talk to anyone, so I didn’t bother and tried to ignore it. I couldn’t anymore, which is why I asked them about it two days ago.”

“So that’s why we got the call and they told us now.” Emelia nodded and braced herself for her brother’s anger, which never came. It still could, but he really was quiet. Her anger and upset had happened so long ago, and the other day, it was Dante’s rejection that had broken her heart more than anything their parents had to say. Unable to keep her distance from Diego, Emelia stood and climbed onto his lap. He hesitated and then wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I was upset at the time and didn’t want you to suffer as well, especially as you were going through an ‘I hate everything’ time. I didn’t want to risk you rejecting Father, and then, like I said, it had been left so long that I didn’t want to bring it up...do you forgive me?” “God, Emelia.” He kissed her forehead. “I don’t even have to think about that because, of course, I forgive you. You’re my sister, my twin. That means more to me than anything.” She still felt uncertain by Diego’s lack of response to what he heard because she expected his volatile self to appear. But no, he was subdued. All she could hope for was that she was around when it really sank in with him.

Chapter Twenty Dante had avoided the Bishop’s calls since he’d been back in Frederick and he knew that it wouldn’t be long before he received an unexpected visit from him. He didn’t know what to say or admit. He certainly couldn’t talk about Emelia to anyone, which drove him crazy, and he didn’t want to bring up with the bishop his thoughts on leaving the church. He’d never been so confused. But for the past three nights since he’d left his family’s home, he’d woken in the night sweating and tangled in his sheets with dreams of Emelia. He’d been a cold bastard to her when he found out the truth, but once he’d got himself under control, he’d talk to her. He had to. His conscience wouldn’t allow anything else. What he’d say, he had no clue, and he hoped the words would come when she stood in front of him. They didn’t… He came out of his office and was about to walk toward the kitchen when someone banged on the front door. With his foul mood, he was tempted to let Barbara get the door, but sighed and opened it wide...and there she stood. He closed his eyes and opened them again to make sure she wasn’t a figment of his imagination. “Let her in.” Barbara shuffled at the side of him, nudging him out of the way. Emelia blinked back tears as she turned to hang her coat on one of the pegs beside the door, he couldn’t stop his eyes from roaming over her soft curves. His body reacted like it usually did around Emelia, becoming hard and uncomfortable behind his zipper. He thanked his lucky stars that his sweatshirt dropped below his groin. Quickly averting his eyes before Barbara caught him, he let Emelia be fussed over by the older woman. They’d both gotten along in the past, but he wasn’t so sure what would happen this visit. With Emelia showing up like she had, Dante had an idea as to how she wanted the visit to go, he just needed to be certain that it was what he really wanted before he made such a huge decision. She made him afraid. What scared him was the knowledge that all Emelia would have to do was touch him, and then he wouldn’t be able to hold back when he knew they weren’t related by blood. He knew in his blood that the white collar around his neck wouldn’t make a difference in the end, he also knew that he’d fight it. He had to, otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to look anyone in the face at Mass. He certainly would never be able to preach about ‘sinning’ when he’d done just that.

“Father, are you unwell?” Barbara asked, and reached for his forehead. “I’m fine. Please don’t fuss.” “Your sister looks like she could do with a hug about now.” She frowned. “So while you’re doing that, I’ll go and make a nice cup of tea.” She disappeared into the kitchen when he finally met Emelia’s gaze. Without a word said between them, he took that one step forward and pulled her against him. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and buried his face in her neck, sighing in pleasure when she wrapped her arms around his waist and held tight. They stood wrapped together in a loving embrace for so long that even when the whistle blew on the old-fashioned teakettle, which Barbara insisted on using, it didn’t disturb them. Emelia felt so good in his arms that he feared he’d never be able to let her go. He needed to apologize to her, but not out in the hall. Barbara would leave shortly, maybe sooner if she thought Emelia needed to talk, and then they’d be alone. Not such a good idea. It didn’t matter. They’d be alone later, regardless of any intervention on Barbara’s part. He still couldn’t bring himself to release her. She smelled so good that his nose ran along her neck while he inhaled. Emelia gasped, and then pressed her mouth against his neck and moaned. The vibration sent desire racing to his dick, which swelled even more. He was afraid the thing would burst through his pants to get to her with how hard he was. So far he’d managed to keep himself in check while she was in his arms, but all it would take would be for her to move a tiny bit to the right and she’d feel every hard inch of him. That image caused his hold on her to slacken, and then he cleared his throat while stepping back. “You’ll be chilled,” he started, “having been outside in the snow. Let’s go and warm you up.” He casually wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her to the kitchen. He hadn’t missed the surprise on her face when he’d mentioned warming her up. He knew what she thought he meant, and it killed him because that was what he wished he’d meant. In the kitchen, Barbara had already poured her a cup of tea, which for some reason she thought Emelia liked when, in actual fact, she hated the stuff. There was a slice of chocolate cake on a plate beside the tea and, of course, that was the first thing Emelia zeroed in on. “Oh, my favorite.” He reluctantly let her go once she’d sat herself down at the table. Barbara beamed with having Emelia at her table and he knew it was because she had someone new to talk to. She obviously got bored with him after a while, but he couldn’t blame her when he’d hardly said two words to her since he’d returned home. “I must have known you’d be here today when I baked that cake. It’s funny though because, as I whisked the mixture, I was thinking about you and how it was your favorite cake.” Barbara shook her head, smiled and joined Emelia at the table. Emelia broke a piece of cake off and popped it into her mouth, and then she looked up at him and smiled. She reached for his hand. “Sit with us. Don’t rush off.” Her fingers grazed his wrist and his body broke out in goose bumps.

He dropped into the seat beside her and tried to concentrate on the conversation going on, but all he could think about was that Emelia was in his home. Before he knew they weren’t related, he had better control over his body’s reaction to her, but since the big confession, not even the fact that he was a priest could subdue how he reacted to her closeness. “Father, are you alright?” Barbara asked again, her worry was clear in her tone. “I’m fine.” He picked his teacup up, took a sip, and tried not to wince. He was most certainly a coffee drinker. Emelia chuckled and, when their eyes met, hers were full of amusement. She offered him a small smile and he was transfixed. Her olive skin had more color from when he’d opened the door to her, and although she was amused at him for having to drink the tea, she looked happy. “That’s my ride.” Barbara interrupted his thoughts when she moved from the table. “I’ll walk you out,” he offered, and stood to help Barbara into her jacket. “It was lovely seeing you again.” Emelia gave Barbara a hug. “Thank you for taking great care of him.” “You’re welcome...of course, he’s good on the eyes so that’s a bonus,” Barbara chuckled, and slid her arm into his so he could lead her to the front door. Emelia had glanced at him at Barbara’s comment and she’d looked...sad, maybe. He shook his thoughts from his head and opened the door. Once Barbara was settled inside her friend’s car, he inhaled and exhaled slowly while looking around at the whiteness that surrounded him. They’d had so much snow that the combination of snow and sun was blinding. It didn’t take long for the coldness to seep through his sweatshirt, so he turned and made his way back inside and shut the cold out. He rubbed his hands together and stamped his feet a couple of times to try and get the blood flowing. The few minutes outside had frozen him through. But then Emelia was there. She took his hands into hers and rubbed them back to life, although he thought it was probably the woman herself who warmed him because she certainly warmed his heart. “You’re just as cold as I was from being outside, and at least, I had a jacket on.” He smiled. “It’s been a very long time since I was chastised for not wearing a jacket outside.” She looked up, and when their eyes locked, the world spun for Dante. His heart pounded and he’d never been so tempted to take that last step to join their lips. His eyes drifted downwards and settled on her beautiful mouth. He watched as she licked her lips with nervousness, no doubt, but he couldn’t take his eyes from her. They were locked into a cocoon of their own making, and Dante wished that they could stay inside— away from the world and all the wrongfulness of what he craved with every beat of his heart. “Dante,” Emelia whispered so quietly that, if he hadn’t been so consumed with watching her lips, he probably wouldn’t have heard his name. His eyes snapped up to Emelia’s, and he cleared his throat. “We need to talk.”

She nodded, his hands still in hers. He intertwined their fingers and squeezed. “C’mon, we’ll go into the living room.” Normally, he’d settle into his chair in the corner of the room, next to his bookcase and reading lamp, but while he held Emelia’s hand, he needed to keep her close. Which was why he led her to the sofa and pulled her down beside him. He rested back and dropped his head against the sofa while he stared up at the ceiling. Nothing was up there, but in his mind he saw Emelia smiling up at him through heavily lidded eyes as she bent and took him into her mouth. He shot into more of a sitting position and winced at the uncomfortable position of his dick behind his zipper. The best thing to do would be to get his apology over with and head over to his church...he just wasn’t sure it would work out that way, or if he even had the heart to do that. “Em, I need to apologize to you.” He met her worried gaze, and used his free hand to cup her face. “I rejected you back in Montana. I wouldn’t let you close enough to offer the comfort that I saw on your face.” He paused and admitted, “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to let you go if I let you close...do you understand, Em. I crave you like I do my next breath, and I was so upset that I’d have said hell to it and taken what I badly wanted...which was you.” He chuckled, and sighed, “I’ve even started cursing, which I’ve managed to refrain from for nearly seven years.” “You said wanted, as in past tense…“ Emelia questioned while he continued to caress along her cheekbone with his thumb. “There is nothing past tense about my feelings for you.” To his surprise, Emelia moved and quickly straddled him. The apex of her thighs pressed against his throbbing erection that strained behind his zipper. His hands landed on her thighs, which he gripped as though he was about to push her away, except he couldn’t bring himself to do that. “Look at me, Dante,” Emelia begged. “Please.” Her breath fanned his face, which told him that she was a breath away from him. He opened his eyes and saw all the love that she had for him clear as day reflected in hers. When Emelia wiggled on his lap, his breath caught and his hands pressed her down against him as his hips arched in pleasure. He was so hard that he was afraid his dick would snap in two with how he was positioned in his pants. “You have to stop tempting me,” he hissed between his clenched teeth. “You feel too good.” Emelia slid her hands to his shoulders and rotated her hips, which sent another bolt of lust straight to his groin. It had been seven years, at least, since he’d last had sex, and then it had been unsatisfying. But with Emelia on top of him, his pleasure was so close to the pinnacle that he needed to stop her. To move her from on top of him, but as his eyes caressed up her torso, his eyes widened at the sight of her hard nipples through her T-shirt. She moaned and threw her head back while she rubbed against him. “Help me...Dante, please...so close.” He panted and growled, knowing it was wrong, but it felt so right. His hands slid up her thighs, and, when he gripped her hips, he helped her ride him.

His dick was so hard and there was a continuous tingle as he released precum. He couldn’t have held off his release even if he’d tried. So, as he heard a catch in Emelia’s breathing before he witnessed her eyes flutter with pleasure, he closed his eyes and let the sound of his woman’s orgasm wash over him while he spilled into his pants. He held her down on him as he finally met her satisfied smile. Her hands slid to the nape of his neck and caused his body to shudder in pleasure before she dropped her forehead to his. She chewed on her lip as though she wanted to say something but didn’t know how. He knew her better than anyone. “My first man-made orgasm,” she finally whispered against his lips. His eyes popped wide. “No one has ever bothered to pleasure you?” The thought of her with anyone other than him made his blood boil, but to think that she’d been with some bastard who didn’t know how to pleasure her made him want to cause harm. Emelia shook her head and wrapped herself around him. The most natural thing in the world was when he wrapped his arms tightly around her back, with one hand caressing her beautiful, silky hair. She buried her face against his neck, and admitted, “I’ve never let anyone touch me, Dante.” His hand stilled at her confession. “What?” “I fell in love with you. I never looked at anyone else.” “Let me get this straight in my mind. You’ve never been with a man? You’re still a virgin?” “Yes.” “Em, look at me.” She tipped her head back against his arm and, reaching up, caressed his whisker-covered jaw. “The thought of anyone but you touching me made me feel sick.” She smiled. “When I gave my heart to you, it would have been like being unfaithful to allow anyone else to touch me in that way. I just couldn’t do it.” His blood thrummed through his veins at the thought of making love to the woman in his arms, he just wasn’t sure he could as long as he stayed a man of God—a priest. “We shouldn’t have done that,” he admitted. Emelia looked hurt and tried to pull away but his grip tightened as he clarified what he meant, “I said that we shouldn’t have done that. I didn’t say anything about regretting it. I don’t, Em. I should, but I don’t.” “I don’t either...I love you, Dante. So much.” She settled against him. He kissed her on the top of her head and admitted what she already knew, “I love you, and I have for years.” “I know,” she whispered as he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the guest bedroom. She was tired, and probably hadn’t slept much since the discussion back in Montana. As he looked down at her snuggled down in the bed, he realized that it would be so easy to join her.

Chapter Twenty-One For the first time in months, Emelia had slept all night without waking once, until morning. At first, she thought it was early morning with how dark it seemed behind the curtains, but as she padded over to the window and looked out, she realized another blizzard was in full force. She loved the snow when there was nowhere to go, but she desperately wanted to watch Dante at Sunday Mass, which was why she’d worn a dress that reached her knees. It was fitted, but didn’t reveal any flesh, as it was a turtleneck with long sleeves. She’d worn thick, black tights to keep her legs warm when she stepped outside in the snow, along with knee-high black boots. Other than her dress, which was purple, she wore black and probably looked as though she was heading to a funeral. Sunday Mass always followed with refreshments in the hall next to the church, so she didn’t want to let Dante down. She wanted him to be happy that she was there, instead of worried. She wanted him to know that she loved him. He caused her sadness and she wished with all her heart that he’d listened to her back when because they could have been married before he joined the priesthood. Their relationship would have been accepted in the eyes of God then. But as long as Dante stayed a priest, there was no hope for them to be together. He could never marry her, give her children, well that kind of came under the no sex rule. If she didn’t stop thinking, she’d give herself a headache. As it was, her stomach churned, but that could be lack of nourishment and hiding in the guest bedroom wouldn’t help solve that problem. She’d been disappointed when she’d woken and found where Dante had left her. She knew that he wouldn’t have put her in his bed, but finding herself where she did hurt. She’d have to get over it because, even though they’d brought each other pleasure on the sofa, she knew that Dante had strong morals. You didn’t fight to keep your feelings buried for years without. Finally ready to face the world, Emelia made her way downstairs, and stopped when she witnessed the sexy man in the kitchen dancing while he made breakfast. She leaned against the doorjamb and watched him with a smile on her face. He really was a handsome, sexy man and, dressed all in black like he was, he made her heart beat faster. He stopped moving around when she let out a groan when he rotated his hips. His head swiveled toward her and his eyes widened when he caught sight of her. “How long have you been standing there?” “Long enough.” She smiled, and moved further in to the room.

“I made you breakfast, although we’ll have to eat it quickly and head over to the church.” Dante placed French toast and syrup on the table and shrugged. “What can I say, my favorite.” “I know.” She took a bite and smiled. “I’m kinda partial to it as well.” He smiled and she sensed a slight hesitation in him. He seemed relaxed as he ate his breakfast, but there was something that she couldn’t put her finger on. “Is everything okay?” He paused with a slice of French toast on the way to his mouth, which he dropped back to his plate. “After what happened on the sofa, I’m nervous...and the need in me to be with you completely for the rest of our lives is very close to the surface.” He had paled while he spoke, which worried her and brought tears to her eyes when he continued, “I have to give a sermon today about sin and absolution, while I sin on a daily basis, with thoughts of you...and there is nothing innocent about them.” A long silence followed while Dante seemed lost in thoughts of his own, and Emelia wondered whether she’d ever get the opportunity to spend her life with the man she loved. He loved being part of the Catholic Church and that was clear for anyone to see. That would be why the people of Frederick loved and respected him. He gave his all for the people that relied on him. “We need to leave,” he announced, and made her jump. She caught her breath to steady her heart as the thoughts shifted to the feel of Dante under her hands. Her mind wouldn’t let her forget how he felt against her when she’d stroked his torrid flesh or how he tasted when he’d released into her mouth. He’d been even more beautiful then. Since that night, a pulse had throbbed insistently between her thighs. “Emelia,” Dante growled. Her eyes snapped to him by the door and she realized she’d been caressing him with her eyes. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, and his whole body was riddled with tension as she finally let her eyes rest on his groin and the huge bulge that twitched and grew even larger before her eyes. “I need to put a handful of snow in my pants,” he mumbled. Emelia blinked and then started laughing as she walked toward him. “I wouldn’t mind putting the snow down for you,” she chuckled, “after all, it was the, um, hardness in them that had me lost in memory.” He quickly pulled his jacket on but wouldn’t meet her gaze. She wouldn’t be ignored, even though she sensed he needed to ignore her to keep himself in check. Against her better judgment, she teased, “I was remembering how arousing it was to run my fingers over your hard flesh...how much you made me tingle and throb between my thighs when you spilled your seed into my mouth.” “Fucking hell,” he roared, and slammed out of the house. Well, that was a reaction. She frowned and bit her lip as she slipped into her own jacket and followed him outside. Second thoughts had hit her the minute he’d cursed, and then misery set in. Dante walked in front of her mumbling to himself, and the bits she caught reminded her of a prayer she’d once been taught that asked for absolution—to be set free of all sins.

She should have kept her mouth closed. Knowing that Dante felt the same about her as she did him, and after what they’d done on the sofa the night before, had given her the confidence to tease him. It wasn’t something she’d ever thought of doing before. He was a Catholic priest who believed in what he’d agreed to do many years before, and because of her, he was being pulled in two directions. As she stepped through the doors of the church, she realized that she had to be the one to walk away. She had to be the one to make the decision for them both. She would listen to his sermon one last time, and make the most of her last day with him without causing him to break one of his vows, and then, tomorrow, she would fly to Diego in New York. Helping herself to coffee and a chocolate chip cookie, Emelia became overwhelmed with sadness and sighed heavily into her cup. She didn’t look up when she felt Dante’s eyes on her, and she had felt his gaze since they’d come into the hall after Mass. If she met his gaze, she wouldn’t be able to hide her emotions and would probably give away her true feelings for him. She couldn’t let that happen. “So,” a man she didn’t know drawled, “you’re the priest’s sister?” He gave her a once over, and his eyes showed that he liked what he saw. He appeared harmless, so she smiled and introduced herself, “Emelia De La Fuente.” She held her hand out to him. “Sean Miller.” He shook her hand and lingered, tightening when she tried to pull her hand free. “I’m new in town, but I sure wouldn’t mind you as a tour guide.” She smiled. “Sorry, I’m planning on heading out tomorrow.” “Anywhere warmer?” He grinned. “New York.” He looked disappointed. “You live in New York?” She wasn’t going to get into her family with a stranger. “Yeah, with my brother.” “I have two older brothers,” he volunteered, and helped himself to a slice of the lemon drizzle cake that she knew Barbara had made. “I have a few more than that.” When he raised his brow in question, she glanced across the hall and met the angry eyes of Dante before she turned back to Sean, and added, “Six, one of which is my twin. The one I live with in New York.” “That’s a pity because you’d sure brighten up my life around here.” She smiled in return and watched him while he talked to Barbara, who had seen him take a slice of her cake. The older woman never missed an opportunity to meet the new arrivals in town. Even if she hadn’t seen him with her own eyes, she knew because Dante had told her. Sean was a handsome man. Not as tall or with a body as well cared for as Dante’s, but he appeared harmless, and boyishly cute with the way his blond hair flopped into his eyes. “I want a word with you,” Dante hissed, and wrapped his hand tightly around Emelia’s elbow.

“Excuse us.” His fingers dug into the flesh of her arm as he dragged her out of the hall and through the cold snow back to his cabin.

Chapter Twenty-Two As Dante watched Emelia flirt and chat with Sean, he lost all reason. He might be a priest but he was a man, and he knew what Sean had been thinking. Dante couldn’t let it carry on. Emelia was his and no other man would touch her or flirt with her. His blood pounded though his veins at the thought and at what he’d witnessed. If he let her go, then he’d have to watch that repeatedly until she found a man to call her husband. No. No. No. No! He slammed the cabin door, pushed her up against it and slammed his mouth down on top of hers. He held her head in place while he devoured her mouth. His tongue pushed for access, and when she gave it, they both moaned in pleasure as their tongues swirled as one, in a passion he hadn’t experienced before. Emelia gripped his waist, and kept him close while his hands roamed down her sides to grip her hips. He rubbed his aroused flesh against her, and tried to get closer. He needed to touch skin. He needed to feel her arousal. Taste it. His mouth watered… She’s a virgin. He groaned and forced himself to break from the kiss and placed a chaste kiss to her lips. “Not against the door,” he told her when she whimpered, wanting more. His forehead rested against hers while he tried to catch his breath. “Our first time isn’t going to be against a door. I don’t want to hurt you.” “There’s going to be a first time?” He couldn’t blame her for asking, but the minute he’d completely lost all reason back in the hall, he knew that there would be. “There is going to be a first time, and there’s going to be a lot more. I can’t be two people anymore, Em.” “I was going to leave you to your church tomorrow and head back to New York. I didn’t want you to hate me for making you choose between us,” Emelia softly cried. “I’d have followed you.” Emelia shook her head and wrapped herself around him while he held her close against his hard body. She belonged with him, and as long as he had her by his side, he knew that everything would, one day, be okay. “Em, listen to me.” He moved her away so that he could look into her face. “I want you to pack a bag.

Enough for two nights.” He kissed her on the forehead, knowing that if he went for her lips they wouldn’t be going anywhere. “Hurry. It’s a couple of hours drive, and then I’ll have you all to myself with no interruptions.” He smiled at the bemused expression on her face, and admitted quietly, “I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the long run with me and the church, but one thing I do know is that I’m not prepared to lose you to someone else. You’ve always been mine, and that’s the way it’s going to stay...Now, quickly go pack a bag. I’ll leave a note for Barbara and then grab my own.” “Okay.” She hesitated before dashing the rest of the way upstairs as he watched her go. His body ached for her and, but for the fact that the cabin belonged to the church, he’d have had her under him in his bed. He couldn’t do that. He’d made the decision to be with Emelia, and he knew just the place to show her what she meant to him. If he didn’t get a move on, she’d be ready to leave before he’d even gotten to his office. With a smile on his face, he made his way to his office and sat behind his desk to write a quick note to Barbara. He let her know that he’d taken Emelia up into the mountains. As he sat there, his eyes landed on the photograph that was taken seven years ago of him with the bishop. Dante would miss the church, and the people of Frederick who had always made him feel welcome, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to stay. Not if he wanted to start something new and lasting with Emelia. Although he’d have to put a request in via the bishop to Rome in order to leave the priesthood, he could still be of use to the community at large with Emelia by his side, wherever they settled. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to walk away from a life of religion, and he knew that Emelia would support him in whatever he decided in the future, just like he would her. Collecting the photograph, he placed it inside his desk drawer and quickly wrote the note for Barbara, which he would take with him and leave in her mailbox. She was the only one who would worry if he weren’t around for a few days. He had Mass Tuesday evening, so he’d have to be back for that. But, as he walked upstairs and into his room, the thought of having Emelia all to himself in his own cabin caused pinpricks of desire to race through his blood and harden his dick. Groaning, he tossed his clothes off and replaced them with jeans, shirt and a sweater before he shoved his feet into his brown, walking boots. He wanted to be a regular guy for Emelia, and he might as well get used to wearing everyday clothes again. He grabbed a bag from the bottom of his closet and threw some clothes inside before he grabbed it up and made his way downstairs. On his way down, he spotted Emelia at the bottom, looking up at him with such a loving smile on her face that it was all he could do not to run and pick her up in his arms. She met him as he took the last step down and buried her face against his chest. He dropped his bag and tangled his fingers in the glossy, dark hair that trailed down her back. “Are we really doing this?” she asked him so quietly that he barely heard her. “Yes we really are...Em, you do want this, right?” She tipped her head up to his and offered a wry smile. “For a long time.”

“I love you.” He didn’t give her time to reply to his declaration of love because he had their jackets on and them in his truck within minutes. It had taken just under three hours to get to the cabin that he owned. It was one of the few luxuries that the church afforded him since it was part of his estate from the farm. Although he’d given much of his wealth to the church when he took his vows, his father had insisted that he keep some aside, and the church had agreed. Inheritance was not something the church took, even though priests took a vow of poverty. He pushed aside those thoughts as he’d driven though. The trip had been pleasant, although he’d been impatient for the last hour. Emelia had fallen asleep not long into the trip, which had left him time to think. He hadn’t changed his mind about Emelia, any of it. He just knew that the bishop would try and talk him out of the decision he’d made to be with her. While he knew his own mind, he knew that he’d be made to feel guilty for wanting to be with her, and for wanting to give up his life to God. He’d always been religious—never missing church on a Sunday, going to an all boys’ Catholic school. While his mother had been dying, he’d found comfort in the church and in prayer, and he’d insisted on going every night on his way home from school. Once his mother had died though, he’d hardly been at home because he’d boarded at school. And then, jump ahead many years, his life had been filled with faith, but he hadn’t been dedicated to it. He looked toward his future…maybe even dreamt of children of his own. He’d been working toward opening a restaurant until the fateful night when Emelia had taken him by surprise and kissed him. Her lips had been just as sweet at they were now. She’d been inside him since that night, and even though he’d run to the seminary and had become a priest, she’d always stayed with him, and so had the guilt because he’d thought she was his sister. He smiled when he thought of the relief that he felt knowing she wasn’t related to him, but it made his head spin. All the pain and heartbreak from back then could have been avoided if only he’d known the truth. He’d been fourteen and considered himself old enough to know what was really going on, but the fact that he hadn’t been trusted, hurt. A lot. The past was forgotten as Emelia appeared in the doorway to the bedroom wearing one of his shirts. His heart missed a beat as his eyes caressed her. Her shapely legs were bare and he was almost sorry that she wore his shirt because it obstructed his view of her delicious curves. But his shirt had never looked that good on him. She’d brushed her hair out, and it flowed over her shoulders and caressed the top of her breasts, which caused his dick to swell. She slowly walked toward him, and he found that he was frozen to the floor, while his mouth had gone paper dry at the seductive glint in her eyes. When she stood in front of him, he brought his hands up to touch her, but she dropped to the ground. “Em,” he choked out and had to close his eyes at the sight of her on her knees with her face eye level with his dick.

He was forty-one and had never had his dick sucked…at least if he didn’t count the night Emelia had done just that. Unfortunately, the memories were blurry from the alcohol. But the sight of Emelia, now, as if she was about to do that had become too much. His flesh was hard and throbbed with arousal, so much so, that he’d probably come the minute she touched him. Just like he had a feeling that was what had happened the night after Ramon’s wedding. “I want to do this so badly, that you’ll hurt me if you stop me,” Emelia whispered, a blush coated her cheeks. He squeezed his eyes shut. “I want to be the one to pleasure you.” “Oh, you’ll be pleasuring me.” His eyes snapped open and met her sparkling ones. “Just the sight of you like this is arousing to me.” She unfastened his jeans and shoved them down past his hips along with his briefs. “Mmm, and knowing that your penis is so hard because of me is intoxicating.” She kissed the tip of him and he clenched his jaw together so he didn’t release. “I love the taste of you.” She swirled her tongue around the flared head, lapping up all the precum that he couldn’t stop releasing. “Em, it’s been years since I’ve been with anyone. Since I was touched...and I’ve dreamt of you so often that I don’t think I’m going to be able to hold off.” “Then don’t,” she mumbled as she slid her mouth down the length of him, or as much of him as she could. He’d always been big in length and girth. With Emelia though, he didn’t think he’d ever been as hard. He gave in to her, and tangled his fingers into her hair, massaging her scalp while his eyes locked onto her mouth that gave him so much pleasure. The wetness from her mouth coated his dick, and when she withdrew, his flesh glistened. His legs trembled and, as Emelia caressed his sack with her small fingers, she gave a powerful suck. He tried to pull her head away, but she wouldn’t move and sucked again...he lost it and spilled his seed into her mouth. She continued to suck and swallow around his shaft, accepting everything he gave her until there was nothing left. “Stop, please,” he begged, the sensation of her mouth on him after he’d released was about to drop his ass to the floor. She released him from her mouth and smiled up at him. “I did that right?” He half groaned and laughed. “I’ve never had anyone do that to me before, but with how it felt, I’d say it was more than right.” He pulled her to her feet and lifted her into his arms. They both moaned when his dick rubbed between her thighs as she wrapped her legs around his waist. “You’re naked under there?” He knew without asking because her wetness coated his rapidly growing erection as she wiggled on him. “Make love to me, Dante.” He didn’t need telling twice, and tried to shuffle to the bedroom but nearly lost his balance. “I’m going to have to put you down to hitch my jeans up, otherwise, I’ll cause us both an injury.”

Chapter Twenty-Three Emelia was clueless really with the whole sex and seduction thing, but instead of waiting for Dante to make his move, she went with her heart even though she had a belly full of nerves. The nerves had soon changed to butterflies of desire when she realized how much Dante really wanted her, and nothing would have stopped her from tasting him. She’d tasted him the night of Ramon’s wedding, but he’d thought it was a dream at the time. There was no way he’d think that this time. As he carried her to the bedroom, his jeans rubbed against her most sensitive spot, causing a delicious friction as she moaned into his neck. She more than affected Dante as his hands trembled on her bottom and the shallow pants he was doing caused her whole body to tingle with awareness. Sensing the change in atmosphere, Emelia moved her face from his neck and realized they were in the master suite, which is where she’d gotten undressed. She expected Dante to drop her to the bed, but he didn’t. Instead, he climbed on the bed with her in his arms and laid her down carefully with her head against a pillow. He was a truly caring man, and she loved how the hardness of him could be felt along every soft contour of her body. The roughness of his clothing against her didn’t prevent her legs from being wrapped around his waist as she pressed on his bottom to get him closer. He rested his arms at either side of her head, and brushed her hair back from her face with his fingers. “You are the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever seen—inside and out, Em. I’ve never loved anyone the way I do you.” He dipped his head and gently kissed her waiting lips. Tears hovered on her lashes and when one escaped, he captured it with his tongue. “I’m afraid.” He met her gaze. “I’m afraid of hurting you...” He dropped his forehead to her chest and she felt him as he inhaled and exhaled before he lifted his worried gaze to hers. “It will kill me if I hurt you.” Her heart squeezed at his confession. “I love you. Only you, and I want you inside me. I’ve saved myself all these years for you, so you aren’t getting free of me now.” She smiled. “And if it hurts, you can kiss it better.” His eyes widened a fraction before they lit with amusement. “I like the idea of kissing it better.” “I was rather hoping you’d like the idea of sliding inside me.” He groaned and pressed lightly against the apex of her thighs so she could feel the bulge in his jeans.

“Does that tell you how much I want to be inside of you?” “Mmm...can we get naked? I’ve wanted to see you naked for so long. The night of Ramon’s wedding doesn’t count because you had your eyes closed and couldn’t watch me touch you.” She smiled when he twitched behind his zipper at her words. “I should keep my jeans on until you’re ready.” He didn’t sound too convincing. She laughed. “You’re kidding me right? I want to see everything, Dante. Every. Naked. Piece. Of. You.” With some maneuvering, she managed to slip her hands down the back of his jeans and teased his skin with her fingers. He arched against her as his eyes rolled. “You’re going to kill me.” He removed her hands and lifted them above her head. “Keep them there.” With a slow kiss on her lips, he slid from the bed to his feet. Within seconds, he was naked and, with eyes that glittered with the promise of a whole lot of loving, wrapped his hand around his hard flesh and slowly stroked. She quickly removed the shirt that had kept her nakedness covered, tossing it to the floor. A persistent throb had started between her thighs and it caused her to writhe on the bed as her eyes stayed focused on Dante’s hand, or rather the large penis that he stroked...that she wanted to touch...that she wanted inside of her. A loud gasp drew her eyes up to his, and she realized that he wanted her just as much as she wanted him, and that he probably always had. Dante held her gaze as he moved slowly to the foot of the bed. Kneeling between her feet, he grasped her ankles and kissed each one in turn. “So beautiful,” he murmured. He kissed along each leg, and by the time he reached the apex of her thighs, he lay on his stomach, his eyes fixed on her mound and the small amount of hair that hid her bundle of nerves. Before she could even feel any embarrassment at having him so close to her private area, that no one else had ever seen other than a doctor, he nuzzled against her and inhaled. She gasped at the pleasure of his touch and nearly jumped from the bed at the first swipe of his tongue between her lips. The sensation that ran through her had been unexpected, and left her quivering for more, which Dante must have known because he repeated the movement over and over again until she clutched the quilt beneath her. “You taste delicious.” He kissed her mound before he kissed up toward her navel. He smoothed his hands over her skin until he cupped her breasts. “These feel amazing,” he whispered as he dipped his head to swirl his tongue around each of her nipples in turn. Her whole body quivered with the feel of his mouth and hands on her skin, causing her to arch from the bed. His groin came against the wetness between her thighs, and at the feel of him so hard, rubbing against her was almost overwhelming; she panted and moaned with arousal at finally being nude with him. She needed more, and Dante was going so slow that she wasn’t sure how he held himself in check, because the feel of his rigid penis against her most sensitive place drove her crazy with arousal. “Slow,” he groaned and lifted himself up, supporting his weight with his hands on either side of her shoulders. “Slow.”

“Are you telling me or trying to remind yourself?” She arched against him and watched his eyes close with pleasure as she rubbed her wetness against him. “Both of us,” he admitted and sealed her lips with his. As their taste burst and mixed together, she felt Dante’s erection enlarge just before he broke from their kiss and panted with his forehead resting against hers. He appeared to catch his breath before he smiled and kissed his way back down her body to settle once more between her legs. This time he didn’t go easy, and while he licked and tickled around her clit, he inserted a finger into her tight channel. At one point, she thought he growled, but he didn’t stop as the pleasure ran through her blood. There was a tightness between her thighs that she’d never felt before as she realized that he stretched her with his fingers. Of course, he’d have to do that considering the size of his penis. He wouldn’t fit otherwise. She giggled, which drew his eyes up to hers, but she missed his expression because a pleasure like nothing she’d ever felt before started to build at the base of her spine...and then as Dante reached up to rub a nipple between his thumb and finger, she saw stars. Her body shook and convulsed under him as the sensation of his fingers slipping deeper caused her eyes to drift closed as she moaned. She still had small ripples of pleasure running through her when Dante raised himself up and over her. The blunt head of his shaft slipped inside her entrance and he met her gaze as he thrust into her virgin sheath. The pain at the intrusion couldn’t be disguised when her eyes closed and tears ran from beneath her eyelids. “I’m so sorry.” Dante kissed her tears from her cheeks, but more still seeped from beneath her lashes. “Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you for anything,” he whispered, holding himself still inside her. “It’s okay.” He shook his head. “No, it isn’t.” She smiled and wiped at her tears with her fingers before she reached up and caressed his face. “It is okay, Dante. I knew it would hurt, but the fact that you’re inside me makes it worth while.” “I’m afraid to move in case I cause you more pain.” Dante had a tortured look on his face, and although she knew he hated the fact that he’d hurt her, she also knew that he held on by a thread because the sensation of being inside her must feel delicious along his length. “You need to move.” She smiled to offer encouragement. “If I move I might hurt you again.” “The pain isn’t as bad now...move slowly so I can feel every inch of you.” “Mmm,” Dante dropped his forehead to hers while he breathed heavily, “I’m afraid that if I move, I’ll come. Nothing has ever felt as good as this does right now.” She squeezed her vaginal muscles and felt his reaction in the shudder that overtook his body, and the

fine sheen of sweat that coated his delicious chest. It hadn’t been too painful either, so she did it again. “Em, I don’t have a condom on, and if I try to leave your body, I’m going to come,” Dante panted. “I’m sorry.” She didn’t even have to think when she said, “I want to feel every inch of you as you move within me without a covering of latex. I want to feel your release as it leaves your body and spills inside me.” “Em,” he grunted and slowly pulled back to the tip, “I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” He filled her to bursting again and gripped her hips as he rocked and rotated his own. With each rotation, he rubbed her clit, which sent small bursts of pleasure through her system. But as she clenched around his flesh, she felt him swell seconds before he grunted and gasped while his shaft jerked and spilled his seed into her warm channel. She gasped herself as tiny tremors contracted her muscles around him, as though his release gave her a small one of her own. “Emelia, my Em,” Dante whispered as he wrapped her up in his embrace, not an inch between them. “I’m too heavy,” he mumbled and tried to rise, but Emelia tightened her legs around his hips. “No. I love having you this close. I’ve waited so long, Dante.” He nuzzled against her neck. “Let me slide out of you before I get too hard. It will hurt you before you’ve had time to heal. I want to keep you close though, after I’ve taken care of you.” She didn’t know what he meant by that, but she released him, and although, she did have pleasure from him being inside of her, she knew that she would be tender for a time. She could already feel him hardening again, so she let her hands slacken from around his neck and enjoyed the feel of him as he slipped free. Dante gasped and quickly kissed her lips before he jumped from the bed. “Don’t move.” He ran to the bathroom and, hardly a minute later, reappeared with a washcloth. “Even if it hadn’t been your first time, I’d have cleaned you up.” Which is what he did, and then placed a kiss to her mound before he tossed the cloth into the bathroom. “Mmm,” he sighed. “I love these.” He kissed each nipple before he pulled her into his arms as their legs entwined and Emelia rested her head against his shoulder. Emelia felt content in Dante’s embrace, and the feel of his bare skin against hers distracted her from the discomfort between her legs. They were as one now and she was determined that nothing and no one would come between them, even if she didn’t feel as confident about that as she’d like. “What are you thinking about?” Dante asked, caressing her back. “You.” She felt him smile against the top of her head and tipped her head up to meet his gaze. “Am I really yours? Are you really going to give up the church for me? Because if you’re not, you need to tell me now.” He covered her lips with his finger. “I love you, Em. The only reason we haven’t been together before is because I ran to the church when I thought what I felt for you was wrong. So wrong. But knowing that it wasn’t wrong at all makes me angry, and not just because we could have been together. It makes me angry because I could have had a different relationship with my father and your mother. I know we get on okay now, but it took years to get where we are today, and that pisses me off.”

“I’m sorry you were lied to, and I’m sorry I didn’t try harder to tell you the truth back then.” “It was my own fault. I wouldn’t answer your calls, and I never read the letter you sent. I was adamant that I wouldn’t have anything to do with you. I figured it was the only way to deal with what had happened —by ignoring it. I didn’t forget though. How could I? So my answer is yes. I willingly will give up my position in the church, and I won’t ever look back.” “How do you know that? What if in years to come you have regrets and blame me?” He shook his head. “No. Don’t ever think that. You aren’t listening to me. I only ran to the church because I thought I was in love with my sister. I thought that I was committing a sin and the only way to absolve was to give my life to God. Back then, I thought it was so wrong and didn’t know how to deal with what I felt for you when I thought it wasn’t allowed. I will never regret leaving the church for you. And really, I’m leaving for me as well. “My dream, as you might remember, was to have my own restaurant, and I still have the money from the sale of the one I was in the process of setting up. So I can do that, but I want to do it in a way that means I can still help the community wherever we decide to settle—an outreach program or something. But Emelia, I’ll be happy as long as you’re by my side.” Emelia smiled through her tears. “I wasn’t sure you’d be able to give the church up, but as long as you’re doing it for you as well, then I’ll accept that.” “Good.” “My only worry now is our family. I wish I knew how they’d react, but I don’t. It’s worrisome.” Dante sighed. “We’ll think about that when we need to. Let’s just enjoy our time together.” “Mmm. I’ve waited years for you.” Emelia snuggled closer and couldn’t mistake his hard arousal that pulsed against her hip. “You have a lot of lost time to make up for.” “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but we won’t be making up for lost time for a few days. I need you to be completely healed, as much as it’s going to frustrate me.” She giggled. “I’m sure we can be creative as to what we can do.”

Chapter Twenty-Four Be creative, Emelia suggested. Oh, Dante could be creative when he wanted to be, and he was glad that Emelia was on board. He’d gone from no sex for seven years to having sex on the brain as he pulsed with arousal against Emelia. Her scent filled his senses to the point that she was all he could smell. Her skin was like silk beneath his fingers, and he craved touching her. But he hadn’t lied about not making up for lost time until she’d healed, which gave him the idea for a bath. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and whispered, “I’m going to run us a bath…it’ll help. I promise.” He kissed her again, and slipped from the bed, but not before he noticed the smile playing around Emelia’s lips. He forced his eyes from her. All he wanted to do was climb back on the bed and hold her, but she needed taking care of so he moved his ass to the bathroom. The tub in his cabin was Jacuzzi style, which would be good to help with the tenderness that Emelia must feel. He had no experience with caring for someone after their first time, but he’d be damned if he didn’t pamper the woman he loved. When he thought about going back to Montana to announce to their family that he was leaving the priesthood, and the reason why, he felt nauseous. Albeit, Emelia wasn’t the sole reason for his decision, she was certainly the deciding factor. Switching the jets on now that enough water was in the tub, he walked back out and smiled when he caught Emelia lying on her side, facing him. He knew with every breath he took that he would never regret leaving the church for the woman who held his heart, body, and soul. “Are you okay?” she asked, sounding sleepy. He moved closer and picked her up into his arms. “I’m just fine.” He smiled softly. “Your bath awaits.” “You’re going to join me, right?” “I am.” In the bathroom, he climbed into the tub with Emelia in his arms, and kept her wrapped up in him until he was settled. Then he rearranged his girl so that she rested against his chest, between his legs. His arms around her stomach, anchoring them together. The arousal she caused him was nothing compared to the pleasure of having her in his arms like she

was. Her trust in him was total, just like his was for her. As he reached for a sponge, Emelia chuckled, which had him smiling. “You’re aroused?” “I am. This bath, though, is to help with the tenderness you must be feeling between your legs.” He let the sponge go and used some Aloe Vera soap on his hands, as he slipped them over her stomach to settle on her trimmed mound. “Mmm, that feels so nice,” she mumbled. He grinned against the top of her head, and slipped his fingers between the lips of her pussy in a gentle caress. “Tell me if my touch is uncomfortable…be honest, Em. I couldn’t help hurting you inside, but I don’t want to hurt you again.” Emelia took his hand that lay against her stomach and brought it up to her mouth, where she placed a gentle kiss on the palm. “The pain of your touch while I’m so sensitive is nothing like the pain of wanting you, and not being able to be with you.” His breath caught at the back of his throat as his lips pressed a deep kiss to the top of her head. He couldn’t control the emotion that her admission brought so he stayed silent until he was settled. He could show her though. He dipped his head down, nuzzled into the side of her neck, and let his fingers slip toward her opening. Emelia caught her breath at his touch so he hesitated, but she wrapped her hand around his wrist and urged him to go on. “Are you sure?” he whispered. “Yes.” He kept his face buried in her neck while he lathered his hands up with the moisturizing soap, and gently massaged around her opening. She enjoyed his touch and spread her legs slightly. The soft sigh that escaped her lips was all he needed to assure him that he wasn’t causing her pain. “I hurt as well, Em,” he admitted quietly. “Not being with you hurt, but it felt so wrong, and that made the hurt worse.” He brought his hand back up and held her tightly in his arms while they enjoyed the sensation of the Jacuzzi, and each other. Minutes went by as they soaked in a comfortable silence before Emelia broke into his thoughts, and asked, “When are we going to tell our family?” He winced, not really wanting to go there, but they didn’t have much choice. “I want to spend the two nights here with you before I have to head back for Mass on Tuesday evening. Then I’m going to make an appointment with the bishop, and talk to him about my leaving. It isn’t going to go down too well with him. He’s known me from before I became a priest…but knowing that I finally have the one person that I thought I never could is enough for me to go forward with what he suggests. I’ll be totally honest with him.” Emelia turned and, with some maneuvering, straddled his thighs and caressed along his arms. “I’ll always be here to support you. You know that right?” “I know.” He smiled and caressed her face. “There is the possibility that the bishop may petition Rome on my behalf to have my ordination vows severed. The Signatura, otherwise known as the Supreme

Court of the Vatican, are the ones who would receive the request.” He couldn’t keep the worry from his face, when he added, “We have to be prepared that nothing will be done. It’s the Vatican, Em, and anything like my case could end up in the trash. They may never free me from my vows.” The more he thought about it, the more worried he was. He would still leave if he was refused, but he wouldn’t be allowed to marry. They’d had enough to worry about over the years, surely fate wouldn’t be so cruel as to refuse his request. “You’re more worried than you want me to know.” He sighed, pulled her against him, and delighted with the feel of her against him. “A bit. It’s a big step so I expect the bishop will have something to say, but I want you, Emelia. I’ve been without you for years, too long, and a lifetime without you is unbearable. You’re inside me, here.” He reached up and pressed the palm of his hand against his heart. “You’ll always be in here, no matter what.” He kissed her on the forehead. Emelia leaned forward and kissed him over his heart before she met his gaze. “I love you, and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please, make no mistake about that.” “I won’t…but, let’s wait until I’ve spoken to the bishop before we head to Montana. I want to be able to give them answers, and right now I don’t know how to answer them.” “It makes sense…I wish I knew how everyone would take you leaving the church to be with me. I never grew up around you, but I did the others.” “Don’t worry about our family for now.” He’d do the worrying for the both of them, because he had a feeling that convincing their family would be the biggest hurdle of all.

Chapter Twenty-Five Drinking her coffee on the front porch with an amazing view of the Rockies, Emelia felt really happy. So very happy, and the man responsible had just come up and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. Dante was so loving, and she regretted missing out on all those years without him. But as he nuzzled into her neck, she told herself to stop looking back. They could only move forward. “What are you thinking?” He rested his chin on her shoulder. “About you.” He chuckled. “Hope it’s a good thought.” Emelia pressed back into his body and delighted when he gasped at the contact. “Oh, yes. Very good thoughts.” She placed her cup of coffee on the balcony rail, before turning in his arms. Reaching up, she cupped his face in the palm of her hands and smoothed her thumbs over his lips. “I love you, Dante.” His eyes dipped to her mouth before he met her gaze, and leaned forward to place a soft kiss to her lips. She sighed in pleasure, but it soon turned to a frown to match Dante’s. “What’s wrong?” “Every time I think about spending the rest of my life with you, the thought that I might never be free to marry you kills me, because that’s what I want so much. I’m not sure if it’s ever going to happen. Are you prepared for that? For the possibility that I might never be free to marry you?” When Dante finished speaking, his eyes were red-rimmed, and his face had paled. Emelia realized that Dante really was afraid that she wouldn’t want him if he couldn’t marry her, but it was so far from the truth. She assured him, “I love you, Dante. My love isn’t dependent on whether or not you become free to marry me. If that doesn’t happen, then, as long as we’re living our life together, I’ll always be happy.” She leaned forward and kissed him. She pulled back slightly, their lips a mere inch apart, and whispered, “And the good thing about us having the same surname means that any children we have will also have both our names. We’ll be a family, Dante, and that’s the most important thing—that we have each other.” All she had ever wanted was to be with Dante, and a piece of paper wouldn’t make any difference to her feelings for him or any children they might have. As she watched Dante, he seemed to be fighting emotions of his own, which was why she wrapped herself around him while they stood in silence. The sun hadn’t long since risen, and while she watched the winter birds swoop down over the frozen

lake, her mind went over everything that they would have to overcome. Breaking the silence, she added, “Something we haven’t considered, as well, is that we both have the same father listed on our birth certificates. I’m not sure if that is something that can be undone.” “I’d forgotten that part…and going back to the part about kids. I’d love to have children with you, Em. You’ll make a wonderful mother.” He kissed her forehead. “Do you want to go out? There’s a small town close by.” She thought about Dante’s suggestion, but she wanted to be selfish. “Can we stay here, light the fire, and cuddle in front of the television, and put a good movie on?” “We can do that.” He kissed her again. “Let’s go inside and warm up.” Dante kept an arm around her shoulders as they walked back inside the cabin. It was a luxurious cabin that Dante had owned for years, since before he ran to the church. They were lucky to have plumbing and all the other things that were taken for granted on a daily basis. She loved the open plan at the front of the cabin, and, as she took her snow boots off, she padded over in her stocking feet to the floor to ceiling window and looked back out to the lake. She loved the view and could imagine herself living in Dante’s home with him. It saddened her to know that he’d have to leave Frederick because she knew that he loved it there, but no way could they create a life together in the parish where he’d been the priest. The cabin was only a few hours from Frederick, so even that wouldn’t be an option. They needed a fresh start where neither of them was known, and although it made her heart beat faster, she knew that they could do anything when they had the other for support. As it was, her body ached for him to fill her again, but if she was honest, the thought of his thick penis slipping inside her made her wince while she still felt sore—it also aroused her to amazing heights. She hadn’t expected him to be so long or thick, not that she’d spent time imagining…well, maybe some. With her body full of frustration, she turned from the window and smiled when she saw Dante already sitting on the sofa watching her. “You looked lost in thought, again.” He raised a brow. “I’m sorry,” she moved toward him and cuddled into his side. “I can’t help it. There’s a lot to think about and my mind keeps drifting.” “They’re big decisions as well,” he commented. “But no matter how everything works out, we will be together in the end…Let’s forget about it all for the rest of today. We’ll be back in Frederick tomorrow, and then we can start dealing with everything we need to do.” He pulled her closer and she sighed in pleasure as his warmth enveloped her. But no matter how close he held her, she couldn’t help feel sadness that he was leaving the church for her. He may have gone to the church as an escape, but she’d seen him in his church and with his congregation and he loved it. Just like they loved him. To walk away was a very big step for him to take and she wondered whether he ever would blame her for his actions. “No, Em.”

Her startled gaze snapped to his and a frown marred her brow. “What?” “You’re an open book. You might be the main reason for me leaving but I’m doing it for myself as well. Please don’t ever doubt that I will regret my decision because I won’t. How can I when I’ll have everything I’ve ever wanted with you? I love you. Stop worrying.” He kissed the top of her head. She smiled softly, and met his gaze. “I’ve longed to spend time with you, lying cuddled on the sofa while we watch a movie together. Being alone knowing that I can touch you, kiss you when I want too. Being here with you means everything to me, Dante.” His hand slipped to the nape of her neck and tugged her closer. “You mean everything to me, Em… Everything,” he whispered just before their lips met.

Chapter Twenty-Six On a heavy sigh, Dante placed Emelia’s bag on the end of her bed in the guest bedroom. Their time together had come to an end, and he regretted being back in Frederick. Although Emelia had told him she understood that they couldn’t share a bedroom once they were back in the cabin, he’d felt her pull away from him and knew he’d hurt her. She still smiled and talked as though there wasn’t any problem at all, but there was something reserved about her, and while Barbara was in the kitchen, he didn’t want to confront Emelia. They’d enjoyed their time away, and he’d loved being able to spend the time with her. She was his everything, and he just wished that everything was over with—the bishop, their family, the keeping his love secret from the world. It played on his mind and he didn’t like having Emelia separate from him. He’d sinned enough over the past couple of days, he didn’t think he should do it under the roof that belonged to the church. As it was, he’d be spending all his spare time asking for forgiveness at his own alter. Once he’d walked away and it was official, then he wouldn’t look back. While he still wore the collar, there was a small amount of guilt over what he’d done with Emelia. Just the thought of her under his fingers and mouth was enough to cause an erection to strain his pants. It was when he remembered the feel of her silky, wet tightness enveloping his hard flesh that made him catch his breath. He gripped the footboard of the bed before he turned and dropped his ass to the mattress. He slouched forward and rested his arms on his thighs with his head in his hands, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. Sunday after Mass, he hadn’t stopped to think and reacted to another man flirting with Emelia, and now he had to live with the consequences. Oh, he didn’t regret being with her, he just wished that he’d had the sense to wait until he’d spoken to the bishop and got everything sorted and his laicization, where his ties to the priesthood would be severed—performed. He hadn’t wanted to break his vows while he still thought of himself as a priest, but his love and jealousy for Emelia had taken precedence. He loved her, so why wouldn’t they have? He’d left the bedroom door ajar so, when he heard it open further, he raised his head and found Emelia standing watching him. “You’ve been up here a while. I wanted to make sure you were okay.” “I’m fine.” He held his hand out to her, and when she grasped it with hers, he pulled her down to his lap, much to her startled surprise.

“I thought you said…” “I know what I said, and I mean that. We can’t share a room under this roof, Em. But you looked lost, and I sure needed your arms around me.” “You feel bad about what’s happened between us, right?” Emelia asked, but she didn’t seem surprised. “I don’t regret what we did. I guess now that I’m back here, and knowing that I have Mass later, a slither of guilt has slipped inside of me.” He smiled and kissed her on the nose. “But it all started with me getting hard thinking about loving you. I can’t get Sunday evening out of my head.” She smiled softly. “I can’t either, and I so wish that we could have made love again before we came back here,” she said quietly, but then added, “I mean with you inside me.” She blushed. They hadn’t made love again but they had explored each other’s body several times over the short holiday. His gaze heated and it took a lot from him to act calm when his body was ready to incinerate. “Me too, but there’ll be plenty of time for us to be together. I promise, Em.” He stood and made sure she was steady on her feet. “Let’s go and have some cake with Barbara. I know she’s itching to talk to you.” “She’s in love with Diego.” Emelia grinned. “I know. Mateo usually causes her to blush as well.” He led her downstairs and, on the way, he added, “I don’t know why she never questions me about our brothers.” She chuckled. “I’m a girl and love to gossip with her.” Dante rolled his eyes. “Then gossip away. I’ll go and check my messages in the office.” “Oh, no you don’t.” She grabbed his arm and dragged him, with her laughing, into the kitchen where they found Barbara cutting into a scrumptious chocolate cake. “Are you two horsing around?” Barbara smiled, and took her usual seat at the table. Emelia joined her and pointedly glared at Dante. “Sit.” “Yes, Ma’am.” He grinned and did what he was told. He took a sip of the steaming coffee that was already waiting for him, but he nearly choked on a bit of the cake when Barbara said, “I’m so glad you’ve come for a visit. I don’t know what you’ve done, but you’ve made him smile.” She nodded at Dante. “He was missing his family, I think.” Emelia offered him a soft smile and turned back to Barbara. “Anyway, how have you been?” “Oh, it’s not that long since I last saw you and everything is the same. I’m not getting any younger, but the Father here gives me something to get out of bed for every morning. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know what I’d do with not having any family of my own…anymore.” His heart sank and his mood took a nosedive at Barbara’s heartfelt confession. Was he being selfish, just thinking about himself? What would happen to her when he packed up his belongings and left? Emelia glanced at him, but he couldn’t muster any kind of response and sat in silence while he let the conversation carry on around him. He caught Emelia glance at him from the corner of his eyes every few minutes, which told him that she knew what bothered him. He just needed to think about others for now.

Deep down, he knew that he was being unrealistic. There would be a new priest living in the cabin, so he’d probably be grateful of the cooking that Barbara came and did. Regardless of her age, she was great company on the days that he became fed up with himself. He’d ask the bishop to tell the new priest that she came with the position in the parish. Colin might not be speaking to him by then, but Dante knew that the bishop was partial to Barbara himself. He’d met her on several occasions and it was clear that they enjoyed each other’s company. “Father?” He cleared his head and met Barbara’s enquiring gaze. “Sorry, I power napped.” Barbara chuckled. “Thought you’d switch off when I asked Emelia about young Sean. He took a liking to your sister.” As she watched him closely, he tried to mask his emotion at the idea of Sean and Emelia. It was not going to happen. “I don’t know about that,” he said directly to Emelia before he smiled at Barbara. “She doesn’t need to be hooking up with him.” Emelia lit up at his words. But Barbara added, “Pfft. She’s a beautiful young woman, and she’s always alone. She needs a nice, young man to step out with.” She smiled at Emelia, “You tell him.” Dante watched Emelia blush, and smiled into his cup of coffee, confident in her love for him. “Please don’t worry about me, Barbara. I can assure you that I’m fine. I have enough going on in my life without stepping out with Sean.” Emelia patted Barbara’s hand. “I love spending my time here with Dante…because the mountains remind me of home.” “Mmm, I know what you mean. When Walt was alive, we lived for a few years in Denver and hated it. So busy. A friend suggested that we try up here, and we never moved again.” Barbara drifted off into her memories. Emelia turned to Dante and held his gaze for mere seconds, but it was enough to see how much it hurt that she couldn’t be honest with Barbara. “I think I’ll go upstairs and get some rest.” Emelia turned to Barbara. “Thank you so much for the coffee and cake. I’ll see you later at Mass.” She bent and kissed Barbara on the head before she turned to him and did the same. His breath caught in the back of his throat at her touch, which was gentle. He couldn’t help himself or how his gaze followed her every movement. He watched her head toward the stairs, and noticed the way she dragged her feet ever so slightly—her shoulders hunched. He was half tempted to follow to make sure that she was okay. He frowned down into his coffee when he realized he’d been staring at her, and he hoped that Barbara would think it was out of worry and nothing more. “Be careful, Father.” He raised his head and realized that Barbara wouldn’t meet his gaze as she put her jacket on, but she did before she walked out of the door. “I wasn’t born yesterday, and you need to think about what you want more…See you this evening, Father.”

The hot coffee on his leg caused him to jump up and shake his pant leg while he tried not to curse as the pain prickled where the coffee had burnt him. That would teach him for not paying attention to what he was doing. Then again, it was Barbara’s words that had stunned him badly. No way they’d given anything away, and she certainly wouldn’t have heard them talking upstairs, or did she? He dabbed at the mess on his pants and sat his ass back down with a heavy sigh. Before everything was sorted, he’d drive himself crazy.

Chapter Twenty-Seven It was with a heavy heart that Emelia found herself home in Montana without Dante. She’d really wanted to stay and be there for him after he’d spoken with the bishop. He’d wanted her home safe, in case word got out and something was said in front of her. He wanted to make sure that she was well away from it all, and she was. She was miserable. She worried about him. Even though she knew in her blood that his heart was set in stone about having a future with her, there was a niggling of doubt buried inside her. The bishop would argue and try to guilt Dante into staying a priest. That she knew without even being told. As she pounded the bread dough onto the floured countertop, she hoped that it would help get rid of the frustration and helplessness she felt. It hadn’t worked so far, in fact, she was getting madder and madder the more she pounded. The dough was already smooth, but she flipped it up, back down and continued to knead it until her arms ached and she didn’t have the strength to carry on…and, that’s when the tears started…great, big, racking sobs shook her body. All her fear for what would happen with Dante after his visit with the bishop. All her fear at the reaction her family would have when they admitted their relationship. All her fear that the future she’d looked forward to over the weekend wouldn’t be possible. All of it came out through the sobs and tears raining down her face. “Emelia?” She heard her name, but she couldn’t move as the fear ripped through her body, and that’s when she felt Aiden pull her into his arms. “I’ve got you. Just let it out, Sis.” Hearing him call her sis, she cried harder. She buried her face into his chest and let him hold and comfort her. He held her so tightly that she knew she was safe with Aiden, and she wanted desperately to tell him what was going on. Everything. She couldn’t. Not yet. Not until Dante was with her. She’d promised him. If only Eric was here, then she’d have someone to talk to. But now she had to suffer in silence until

Dante returned to her. Aiden stroked her back, and pulled back slightly. “Feeling a bit better?” Her sobs had turned into hiccups. “I am now. Thank you.” She offered him a watery smile, stepping out of his arms. He wouldn’t let her go too far and loosely gripped her wrists. “Not so fast.” He frowned. “You don’t get to cry all over me and then act as though you haven’t just done that…I love you, Emelia. Please talk to me.” “I can’t.” He was thoughtful, and then asked, “Does it have anything to do with the confessions of our parents?” “Not really.” She wiped her eyes and sniffled into a Kleenex. “I’ll talk when I can, but I’m fine really. A lot has been happening in my life lately, and it all caught up to me at once. But I’ll be fine.” “If you’re sure.” He released her wrists, but his expression told her he wasn’t sure at all. “I am.” She smiled. “I must look a sight.” Turning, she meant to walk away, but Aiden caught hold of her again. She watched him over her shoulder, a questioning look on her face. “Come and take a walk with me.” “I don’t—” “Don’t think and say, yes.” Aiden grinned and she couldn’t refuse. The fact was, she loved walking around outdoors, and she also loved the snow, which was still coming down. “I think it might just be what the doctor ordered.” She grinned. “Let me go wash up and change. Oh, no. I’m making bread.” She glanced down at the dough and wondered just how tough the bread was going to be. “Don’t worry. I’ll set it to rise. Go change,” Aiden said. “Okay. I’ll meet you down here in a few minutes.” Without a backward glance, and with a smile on her face for the first time since she’d parted from Dante, she dashed upstairs to her room. Straight into the bathroom, she splashed cold water onto her face and, once dried, headed toward her closet. Aiden had given her a change of topic to occupy her mind. Dante would be buried deep until he arrived in a day or two, but now that her tears had stopped, she wouldn’t let everything get on top of her again. The outburst had been a build up of everything, and now she’d let it all out, she felt much better. Tossing her clothes in the hamper, she quickly changed, and pulled tights on beneath her jeans to keep her legs warm outside in the cold weather. Heading downstairs, she stopped when she caught sight of her mother in deep conversation with Aiden. As they glanced upstairs when they heard her, she knew by the embarrassed look on Aiden’s face that they’d been talking about her. She sighed. “I’m fine…before you ask.” Kissing her mom on the cheek, she added, “I really am. It was just a build up of everything, but I’m okay. In fact, I’m more than okay and I’m looking forward to my walk with Aiden.”

Her mother pulled her into a hug, and released her after she’d held Emelia’s gaze. She obviously didn’t find anything in her eyes to worry about as she stepped back and smiled. “Okay. I’ll trust that, if you need to talk, you’ll come to me.” “I know you’re there. I promise.” “Good…Then, I guess I better go and see to the bread that someone started.” Emelia chuckled. “Sorry about that.” “Pfft.” Her mom shook her head and disappeared into the kitchen, but shouted, “Wrap up warm.” Emelia rolled her eyes at Aiden. “We will, Mom.” “Where are we going?” she asked, grabbing her jacket and hat from the stand by the door. “No idea, just wanted to say something to stop the water works.” He smirked. “I should have known…regardless, I’m glad you suggested this and, I think we should go and say hello to Sarah.” Aiden’s eyes snapped up to hers before he averted them to his task of getting into his outdoor gear. She quickly turned her back to Aiden and pulled her boots on so he couldn’t see the grin splitting her face. He was an open book, and couldn’t stay away from the young vet. Emelia did worry some because they all knew that Sarah was married, even though they had yet to meet her husband. No reason why they should have met him, but she was curious as to why Sarah blushed around Aiden when she was already taken. Fully bundled up, she followed Aiden outside and inhaled the fresh, but very cold air. She usually felt good being home and, apart from her annoyance at Dante for making her leave when she wanted to stay, she was now determined to have fun. Luckily, or maybe unluckily, for Aiden, he was the one she planned on having fun with. And as they walked closer to the stables, she realized the fun was about to start with how much Aiden had picked up his pace when he spotted Sarah in the stables with their father. With a grin splitting her face, Emelia caught up to Aiden just before he stepped into the stables, and slipped her arm around his to snuggle into him. Aiden turned and frowned down at her, but he ended up returning her grin. “Feeling better, Sis?” “Oh, yes,” she answered and let her gaze land on Sarah before she offered her brother a wink. “Most definitely.” “Dad,” she greeted, and smiled when he wrapped an arm around her shoulders to keep her close before she turned to Sarah. “Hi, Sarah. It’s nice to see you again.” “You too, Emelia.” Sarah turned to Aiden, blushing when she held his gaze. Her blush deepened when they shook hands, and Emelia noticed how slow they were at breaking that connection. Hmm. Sarah was lovely with her dark auburn hair, loose down her back, and a light sprinkling of freckles over the bridge of her nose and cheekbones. She had a fresh look about her, and her slim build was hidden behind fitted jeans, knee-high boots, and a thick fleece jacket. She’d certainly snagged Aiden’s attention,

and it was obvious that it was returned…but, she was married. Emelia’s father cleared his throat, and with a glance at his face, she noticed the look that passed between him and Aiden. Their father wasn’t happy. “Where are you two heading?” their father asked, and Emelia sighed in relief at the distraction. The atmosphere in the barn had become stifling. “For a walk. Clear the cobwebs away,” she answered. “And on that note, I think we’ll leave you both to the horses.” Emelia reached up and kissed her father on the cheek, and felt tears hover on her eyelashes when she noticed a similar look on his. She gave him another kiss, and whispered for his ears only, “I love you, Daddy,” before she placed yet another kiss to his cheek. Stepping back, she quickly left the barn and gulped in more fresh air to calm her racing heart. Emiliano would always be a father to her because he’d raised her from birth. Telling him ‘I love you, Daddy’ took her back to her childhood, and her nightly ritual of saying just that. But it was her way of letting him know that her feelings for him hadn’t changed. “Hey, are you okay? You hightailed it out of there like your ass was on fire.” Aiden stood in front of her with a frown marring his brows. “Just think I’m over emotional at the moment. But I’m okay…what about you?” “Me?” He asked as his eyes shifted away from her face, and he shuffled uncomfortably in place. Emelia rolled her eyes. “I’m not blind, Aiden. I saw the exchange between you and Sarah.” He held her gaze before he looked off into the distance and let out a heavy sigh. “There’s nothing going on.” It was on the tip of her tongue to disagree, and she probably would have if she hadn’t seen the anguish on his face. So instead, she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest. “I’m here for you if you ever need to talk…or anything. Please don’t forget that.” His arms eventually came around her and, as he kissed the top of her head, he whispered, “I won’t.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight Dante waited in the reception room, just outside of the bishop’s office. Father David Thompson, the bishop’s right hand man, glared at him from behind his wire-rimmed frames. For some reason, Fr. David had taken an instant dislike to him many years ago, and although he would always be cordial, he would never be welcoming. He would make Dante feel like being in his presence was a chore. Dante had never done or said anything to him to make him act the way that he did. Fr. David’s attitude had puzzled him for some time. He tried to clear his mind and looked around the room he was in, but wished he hadn’t when his eyes landed on a picture of the Pope. That was all he needed when he’d come to break his vows of ordination. The nerves that had been with him since he’d put Emelia on a flight to Montana had now settled into the pit of his stomach like a rock. If was the love of Emelia that kept him grounded and in his seat while his palms dampened with stress, and his heart thumped against his breastbone. He’d bought her a present when he’d first arrived in Denver to meet with the bishop, and even though he knew her as well as he did himself, he felt unsure as to giving her the gift. At least, until their lives had been sorted—more so his life. And then when Fr. David announced, “The Most Reverend Colin Sommer is ready for you,” Dante’s heart nearly stopped before it picked up its beating again. Dante rose and ignored Fr. David as he walked into the office knowing his life was about to change, he just hoped that the disappointment he knew the bishop would feel didn’t hurt too deeply. He was sure the bishop would conceive it as betrayal. Walking into the office, he greeted the bishop with a dip of his head and placed a kiss to the sacred ring before he was waved into a chair opposite his desk. The office was as old as the cathedral itself, and spanned over a hundred years. The room had always been dark, just like it was now with the dark green walls and dark mahogany wooden coving. The curtains were half pulled over the windows, which cut off a lot of the light. As he sat in silence and waited for the bishop to start the conversation, Dante smiled at how neat as a pin the bishop was. Dante had often wondered how the bishop stayed crease free. Not one wrinkle could

be found on the bishop’s black cassock that was edged with red piping to match the buttons down the front, the red sash around his waist and, of course, the zucchetto. The red skullcap. He looked just as Dante remembered from his time as a teenager back in Montana when he’d sneak in to see how long it would take the priests to find him. That was how he found Bishop Colin Sommer, although he hadn’t been a bishop back then. Eventually, he’d opened up about his mother’s death and that had begun a kind of friendship between them. “You’re not happy,” the bishop started, and Dante snapped his eyes to him as he continued, “You haven’t been happy for a very long time. As much as I’ve tried to encourage you to open up to me like you would have done before you took your vows, you never have. So talk to me, Dante. Talk to me as Colin, your friend, and then, when you need me to, we’ll talk as your bishop.” Dante had no idea what was going on because they’d always kept the respect of position between them. “I’ve surprised you. I still have it at my age, huh?” He laughed in relief and amusement. “You do, Bis…um, Colin.” “That’s better. You’ve always been able to talk to me more easily as Colin than Bishop Colin, so talk to me, Dante, and let me help you.” Dante sighed and looked through the crack in the curtains before he focused on Colin again. “I thought I knew what I wanted to say and how to say it…but, now that I’m sitting here facing you, I have no clue how to say what I need to when I know that you won’t be able to help me, even though I wish you could.” “Dante, I’ve known you, what…about twenty-five years. A long time. Longer than I’ve known the majority of priests in this Diocese. Talk to me.” Dante closed his eyes and centered himself before they snapped back open, and he admitted, “You’re right, I haven’t been happy in a very long time. More so recently. For a while now, I’ve wondered whether the decision I made to join the seminary was one that I shouldn’t have made.” He paused and gained encouragement at the nod that Colin offered. So he continued, “Emelia isn’t my sister.” “What?” Colin questioned, taken by surprise. “I always thought that she was my half-sister, until recently, and there lies the problem.” He met Colin’s gaze. “I fell in love with Emelia years ago.” He stayed silent to give Colin time to work out the timeline, and Colin’s eyes widened when it must have clicked. “You ran?” Dante nodded. “I did. I thought it was so wrong to have the feelings that I did for a woman that was my half-sister. I hoped when I turned to the church that the feelings would disappear, that I’d be absolved of the kiss we shared. It’s been heavily on my mind since then, but now that I know there is no blood relationship between us, I can’t switch my feelings off anymore. They’re there, and…I want to be with her. I want to grow old with her by my side. I’ve spent years tortured with a love that I thought was forbidden. I’m not prepared to spend another day without her in my life as the woman I love.” A sense of relief washed over him as he finished. He’d finally admitted the truth to the one person he should have spoken to all those years ago. The one person who would have to now act as his bishop in

dealing with what he’d just confessed to him. “Now,” Colin leaned forward and rested his arms on his desk with his hands intertwined, “it’s my turn to confess.” That surprised Dante, who frowned at Colin’s words. Confess to what? “I knew when you came to me, asking to join the seminary, that there was something wrong. Young men your age, who are in the process of building their dream, don’t suddenly change their mind.” He smiled. “I may be old but I’m not oblivious to life regardless of popular belief.” He glanced at his closed office door before he faced Dante again. “I remember trying to get you to talk, and you talked about everything other than your family. When I did guide you in that direction, you never once mentioned a sister. I did wonder, but because the seminary seemed to be what you wanted, I helped you. In honesty, I figured once you were there, the counseling and classes would have caused you to come back to your senses and you’d leave. But they didn’t and you didn’t. And then you took your vows.” Colin sighed and sat back in his chair, looking his seventy-four years. It was the first time that Dante had heard Colin’s thoughts on him and he didn’t know what to say in response. Dante was strong willed when he chose, which was why no one could sway him from the path that he suddenly wanted. “As your bishop, I should send you for counseling and tell you that you will never be free because it’s your job to your congregation to stay true to them. That you will never be free of your vows.” Colin paused and caught his breath. “I don’t have the strength anymore to argue or to get angry that you want to leave your vows behind. I also feel guilty for not doing more to dissuade you from the path that you seemed to want even when, deep down, I knew you were using the seminary as an escape from something.” He’d expected to see the anger that Colin was occasionally known for but this had been a truly enlightening experience. “What happens now?” Colin sighed. “You have to resign from ecclesiastical office, which you can do while you are here. You can sit here and type up your request.” “I have that with me,” Dante added. “I should have known that…we will have to fill in a questionnaire that will be sent to Rome as a petition for an indult of laicization. You will also need to apply separately for a dispensation from your vows. In truth, the laicization will probably be granted, but the dispensation, which will free you to marry, may not be. I’ve hard stories that these requests may not even make it to the Supreme Court of the Vatican. Do you understand what this means, Dante? You’ll never be able to marry in a Catholic Church, or have anything to do with the faith in an active role. Can you accept that?” He already knew that because he’d been online searching for information so that he wouldn’t be caught off guard. “Yes.” It wouldn’t prevent him from working at outreach centers, or from following his original dream of opening a restaurant. This time, he’d have Emelia by his side.

Then the bishop’s words hit him ‘never marry in a Catholic Church’. “So marriage is allowed, but not in a Catholic Church even without a dispensation being granted? Did I hear that right?” Colin nodded. “I shouldn’t even be telling you that. But yes. If the dispensation isn’t granted, then as long as the marriage doesn’t take place in a Catholic Church, you can be married. You’ll be going against everything that you’ve been taught and your own faith, which I know you still believe in. Can you do that?” “I don’t think I’m ready to answer that just yet. Maybe in time, but for now…” his voice trailed off as he tried to think of his answer, “I just need time.” “I’m going to be very sorry to lose you, Dante. I’ve dedicated fifty-three years to the church and you’re the only priest that I’ve ever met to really challenge me. Oh, there’s been others over the time, I’m sure. But you’re the one I’m going to remember. If it had been anyone else sitting where you are, saying what you have, then I’m not sure I would have reacted the same. In fact, I know I wouldn’t have.” “I’m going to miss you as well.” And he would, more than he thought he would when he walked through the doors to have this meeting. “Hand me your letter, and we’ll get the questionnaire answered so then you’ll be free to leave.” “Thank you.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine Aiden had gone into town with their father, so Emelia was supposed to be cooking up a storm in the kitchen with her mom, but all she was doing was mooning over the cheese sauce for the lasagna as she stirred it with a wooden spoon. Her mom was in the background putting together some pies for dessert, and Emelia hadn’t missed the looks from the corner of her mom’s eye. Her mom had yet to comment on her lack of enthusiasm, but she knew that her mother wouldn’t stay silent for long. On the odd occasion, they’d both been mistaken for sisters with their matching eyes, and long dark hair. Her mom had aged well and her skin still looked as young and healthy as Emelia always remembered from when she was a child. Her mom was seven years younger than Emiliano, and at fiftyfive, she looked to be in her early thirties. Emelia often hoped that she looked as good when she reached her mom’s age. But on a sigh with her attention back on the cheese sauce, she realized that it had started to go lumpy. She quickly turned the burner off and removed the saucepan to the table, close to where her mother worked. “The sauce is ready,” she said unnecessarily. “Hmm, I can see that.” Her mom smiled. “It looks good. Nice and thick. Perfect for the lasagna.” Emelia poured the sauce over the rich Italian dish, and inhaled the delicious fragrance that wafted under her nose. It was one of her favorite meals. It was one that she could make in her sleep, which was why she’d chosen that very one to make while she was so distracted. Dante hadn’t called in the three days that she’d been home, and her attempts to contact him had gone unanswered. His silence made her worry and caused a nervous kind of pain in her stomach. Her mind was playing tricks on her, and kept making her think that he’d had second thoughts and that their time together really hadn’t meant anything to him. All she needed was one word from him to acknowledge that he still felt the same as her. That she hadn’t to give up on him because he hadn’t her. But why hadn’t he called? Why wouldn’t he answer her calls? “You look like you’re going to be sick,” her mother commented, and placed a hand to Emelia’s

forehead. “You don’t feel hot.” “I’m fine.” “If you’re fine, why is your hand clenched tight against your stomach?” Her mom caressed her face with a worried look in her eyes. “I hadn’t realized that it was.” She looked down and forced her hand down. “I’m fine.” She turned away. “Let me put the lasagna in the oven.” Emelia busied herself with the lasagna before she cleaned the dishes she’d used. She’d just finished putting them away into the cupboard when she heard the front door open. “They’re back early,” her mom commented, frowning. “I’ll go see.” She wasn’t really interested in more conversation with her family, but she knew her mom was minutes away from confronting her…and, she knew, that she’d blurt all her heartache out to the one person she should have talked to in the beginning. Drying her hands on a towel, she moved toward the front door and, when she saw who stood in the entrance, her heart stopped. Dante looked…haggard. His face was drawn as though he’d suffered a huge loss but, as his eyes met hers, she felt her heart start to beat again. His joy at seeing her lit his eyes, and that was all she needed to move toward him. Within seconds, she had wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him tight against her. She needn’t have worried because Dante held her just as tightly around the waist. He buried his face in the curve of her neck and inhaled, like she did with him. He smelled of her man, the love of her life…and, home. He was hers and she would never let him go. “I’ve been so worried about you,” Emelia whispered into his ear and felt him shudder against her. “I’m here now…I love you, and I’ve missed you so much,” he countered. Emelia felt close to tears that she had to blink hard so they wouldn’t fall. She stepped back slightly, her hands caressed Dante’s face before she reached up and whispered, “I love you,” and placed a tender kiss to his lips. The gasp behind them caused Emelia to still, and Dante raised his head to look behind her. She knew it was her mom, but, at least, it wasn’t the whole family. She slowly turned and was relieved when Dante kept a hand on her hip, but the look on her mom’s face wasn’t one of happiness. “What is going on, Emelia?” she asked, her voice full of anger. At nearly thirty, she still felt the same as she did at ten when faced with her mom’s anger—scared. “Can we go into the kitchen and I’ll explain,” Dante offered while Emelia held her breath. “I wasn’t talking to you,” her mom hissed. Emelia felt Dante flinch at her mother’s words, and that gave her the strength that she knew she’d need for this discussion. He needed her to be on his side, and not to give in because of her mother’s anger. “Please, Mom. We do need to talk, and it would be better if we weren’t standing in the doorway.”

Her mom hesitated and then turned her back on them while she headed for the kitchen. “This isn’t going too well,” Dante commented. “Just remember, no matter what is said, that I love you, Emelia. Can you do that?” She turned and quickly kissed him on the lips. “As long as you remember how much I love you, then I can do that.” “You’re remarkable.” Dante caressed her face before he smoothed down from her shoulder to take her hand tightly in his. With a tug, he got her moving. They walked into the kitchen and joined her mom at the kitchen table. Emelia raised a brow when she saw that her mom had placed two mugs of coffee on the table for them. Emelia followed Dante into her chair, and said, “Thank you.” “Don’t think that I’ve softened because I’ve poured you both a drink. I love you both but, this,” she waved her hand between the two of them, “I can’t. You’re brother and sister—” “But we’re not, Mom. Growing up, I only saw Dante about once a year, over the Christmas holidays and sometimes, not even then. Other than those short visits, he was never around. He wasn’t here like the others.” She glanced at Dante, who cradled the warm cup of coffee in his hands, his eyes on her. “When I fell in love with him,” she turned to her mom, “I knew that he wasn’t my brother because I’d heard you and Dad talking. Regardless of age, I’ve been in love with him for years, like he has me, except where I knew that we had no blood between us, Dante didn’t, so he left.” “I love Emelia, Lucia. I have for as long as I can remember. I tried to fight it, and I thought I was doing okay with that, until recently. I can’t fight my feelings for her anymore, which is why,” he gripped her hand tightly, “I’m leaving the priesthood.” After a few minutes of silence, her mother nodded, and said, “When I saw you both at the door. It hit me why Emelia insisted on the others being told the truth about Emelia and Diego’s births. It was because she wanted you to know the truth from us. Wasn’t it?” “Yes…I couldn’t handle what I felt for Emelia when I thought she was my sister, so I joined the seminary and was eventually ordained. I can’t change my religious upbringing and I wouldn’t want to, but I can’t stay in the church when I want a life with Emelia by my side.” Her mom wiped at the tears on her face, and shook her head when Emelia tried to go to her. “I’m fine. I honestly don’t know how I feel about you both being a couple. It came out of the blue. No warning. But I can’t ignore the love that I saw before or what you’ve said. I just don’t see this going very well once Emiliano finds out. He raised you both.” Dante scrubbed a hand over his face and his shoulders slumped forward. They knew that their family wouldn’t just accept them as a couple, and Emelia knew that their father would have a lot to say, and more so to Dante. When would this be over with…the telling? She slipped her hand into Dante’s and offered what comfort she could. She knew that it would be needed once their father and Aiden returned. “Do you want me to tell your father?” her mom offered. “Thanks Lucia, but no. I’ll tell him. I don’t want his wrath on you.”

“Mom, can’t you be happy for us?” “I’m happy that you’ve found someone who loves you, but…” “You wish it wasn’t me?” Dante finished. “Please don’t put words in my mouth, Dante,” she snapped, and then sighed. “I’m sorry. This is going to upset Emiliano, so yes, I wish his upset could be avoided…At the end of the day, I love you both, you must know that. I know we haven’t been close, Dante. But I’d like to think that we became friends of sorts. I just don’t know how I feel about you both being together like this. I wish I did.” It hurt Emelia that they didn’t have the support of her mother, but she should have expected it. She knew it was a difficult situation, and had hoped for support. All she could do now was hope that it would come in the end. But first, she needed to call Diego. She needed to be the one to tell him before one of the others told him, or their mother told him for that matter.

Chapter Thirty “Diego wasn’t happy, but he listened to what I said, and then told me he was going to get a flight out so we had someone in our corner.” Emelia sighed, and sagged into Dante’s embrace. After the scene in the kitchen, they’d gone upstairs to Dante’s room so that he could dump his bags that he’d brought with him. He’d cleared out the cabin of his personal belongings before he’d left for Denver and felt drained. He hadn’t just had to face Colin, who had made it a lot easier than he should have done for Dante to walk away, but he’d had to face Barbara before he’d left. She’d cried, but hadn’t been surprised, so at least he left her on a good note as well, and only because he promised to keep in touch with her via email. He could do that for her. “I’m afraid,” Emelia whispered against his chest. “Everyone is going to be so angry with us.” He clasped her tightly against him. “Em, please don’t be afraid. At the end of the day, they’re our family, and will eventually get used to us being together.” “I know. I guess I was hoping for sunshine and roses, you know?” “I know.” He kissed the top of her head, and felt comfortable with her in his arms, even if they were in his father’s house. “Will you tell me now how your meeting with the bishop went? I’ve been so worried, and tried to call you…” Emelia looked at him for answers, and he realized by ignoring her calls, he’d really hurt her. “I’m sorry for not answering. I went to, but couldn’t in the end. I didn’t have any answers and I really needed a clear head to talk to the bishop.” He pressed her closer. “When I talk to you, my head is so filled with thoughts of our time together that I can’t think about anything else. You distract me, and I’m really sorry that I worried you because of that.” Emelia kissed his chest. “I distract you, huh? I like that. I’ll need distracting later…we both will.” “Um, that isn’t such a good idea under this roof.” There’s no way he could comfortably make love to Emelia while in his father’s house. “You’re right,” Emelia moaned into his chest. “Seriously, though. I want to sleep in your arms tonight. We won’t get up to mischief under the covers, but I need your arms around me.” “We can do that,” he agreed, against his better judgment. In truth, he wanted to feel her nude body

against his again, but it wouldn’t be right where they were, so he changed the subject, “Back to the bishop.” “Hmm.” Emelia sat up and straddled his lap. His hands caressed her thighs while he watched how her dark locks fell around her shoulders. How the frown on her forehead and darkened eyes told him just how worried she was for them. But his Em was heart and soul beautiful, and he would love and cherish her for the rest of his life. He knew that without even having to think about it. Clearing his throat, he quickly repeated his conversation with the bishop, which didn’t take too long. The part that he wasn’t sure about how he felt, he kept to himself: they could be married but not in the Catholic Church. Every moment of his forty-one years had been spent as a Catholic. He’d devoted years to the church, first as a child when he attended Mass as an alter boy, and the last few years as a priest. How was he supposed to marry in any other church but a Catholic one? No matter what else he had given up, that was the one thing that hurt the most. “What are you hiding?” He hadn’t realized that Emelia watched him closely while he was lost in thought, but she had and she knew him better than anyone. At least, now that she knew how much he loved her. He had to tell her, she wouldn’t be happy down the line when she found out that he’d kept it from her. “If the response from Rome regarding the dispensation is negative…I will still be able to marry you…” “Seriously?” He nodded as a profound sadness filled him. “Just not in the Catholic Church.” She gasped. “Oh, no…Dante.” She moved closer. “I’m so,” she cupped his face, “sorry. With how much of your life has been spent devoted to the Catholic Church, I know that must hurt you. A lot.” “It does…Em, I love you. You know this, but I’m not sure I’m going to be able to go through with a marriage—” “Shush,” she covered his mouth with a hand, “Everything will work itself out. I know that you love me, just like you know how much I love you. We might not be able to marry because we both have the same man listed as our birth father.” His eyes snapped to hers, and she smiled softly. “I’m just trying to show you that there may be more obstacles with us making the love between us legal than not being able to marry in your church.” “I do want you as my wife, Em. I need you to know that.” It was his turn to cup Emelia’s face in his hands and, with a gentle caress over her cheekbones, he brought her close to him for a sweet kiss. “I do know that.” Emelia settled against his chest, and appeared to snuggle down to sleep when she whispered, “After everyone has been told about us, can we go to a hotel? I need to be as close to you as I can get.” “What about Diego? Isn’t he arriving tomorrow?” Dante would give Emelia everything if he could. As much as he wanted to make love to Emelia again, he didn’t want to alienate his family more by leaving with her. The situation wasn’t ideal, but he was sure that they’d both be happier if their family spent time around them, while they were a couple.

“You don’t think it’s a good idea…you think too loudly sometimes.” He moaned. “I’ll have to remember that in the future.” “I think I probably spoke too soon because it wouldn’t be a good idea to disappear after we’ve told them. At least, I don’t think it would be. Ugh, just remind me that I agreed with you when everything goes to shit later.” “Have faith, Em. I know what your mom said about Dad, but just have faith in him.” He held Emelia while she fell asleep in his arms. His faith wasn’t as strong as he wanted Emelia to believe because he was worried. Whereas he hadn’t been around while Emelia was growing up, his dad had been there for both of them, so out of everyone it would be more awkward for him to accept than the others. And it did bother him. It bothered him a lot.

Chapter Thirty-One With a stretch, Emelia came awake with a start. She lay still, wondering what disturbed her sleep… and then she heard it again. Shouting. What? She shot up on the bed and looked around in the dim light. Where was she? Dante’s room. But no Dante. She scrambled from the bed, and checked the bathroom and realized that he wasn’t inside. There was more shouting and then silence. She knew it was coming from downstairs, and that the shouting had everything to do with Dante and her. To shake the sleep from her system, she splashed her face with cold water and quickly dried. She slipped her feet back into her boots, which Dante had obviously left by his door and left the sanctuary of his room. There was certainly a heated discussion going on downstairs. She could hear Dante, their father, her mother and Aiden. Her heart sank when she realized Dante was in with their family, but he was alone, or was he? She heard Aiden shout, “Dad, give him a break.” “Why?” her father asked, the fight seemingly to have disappeared from him. Emelia, at that point, entered her father’s office, and met each gaze in turn, until she saw how much the conversation had obviously taken out of Dante, and went to him. “Are you okay?” He nodded and dragged his hands over his face. “Yeah.” “You should have woken me up.” He shook his head. “You were exhausted. I hoped that I could save you from being here during this…” He threw his arms around. Emelia caught his hands and held tight. “I should have been here with you. This concerns me as well.” “I’m sorry.” He tugged her closer and kissed her forehead.

Their fingers intertwined as she turned to face their family and, most especially, their father. When she met his gaze, she couldn’t control the tears that hovered on her lashes at the look of disappointment on his face. “Emelia, I don’t know what to say,” he started. “I understand what you’re both saying to me, but I raised you both, and this,” he waved his hands in front of him, “is difficult to accept.” Dante had obviously had his say, so now it was hers. It was her turn to defend her feelings for her man. “I love him,” she whispered. “I’ve been in love with Dante since my twenty-first birthday. I’d known for three years that we weren’t related so falling in love with him wasn’t wrong.” She felt a tug on her hand and glanced at Dante. “It’s okay, Em. I’ve already told them everything.” The look of concern on his face made her want to wrap around him, but she couldn’t. Not yet. “They haven’t heard the words out of my mouth.” She smiled and turned back to her father after a quick glance at Aiden, who appeared more amused than anything. “Dad, I know this is weird for you, but it isn’t for us. We never grew up together. We’re not siblings in any way…not even shared memories. We don’t want to lose any of you,” she cried softly, and let Dante pull her into his arms. “You won’t lose us, honey. I know I’m struggling with this right now, but no one will be losing anyone.” Her father’s voice cracked and her heart ached for him. “Give me some time, and your mother.” Emelia pulled away and looked at her father. “Okay. We can do that.” “Emelia, it isn’t just the relationship you both have that is causing my distress right now. Dante should have come to me, not the church. I’m his father. He didn’t trust me.” Dante sighed. “It wasn’t a matter of trust. How would you have reacted if I’d come to you and told you that I was in love with my sister, and not in a brotherly way? I was ashamed that I had the feelings that I did. They never really disappeared, and now they’re stronger than ever. But, at the time, I tried to forget…I spent years fighting my feelings, praying for absolution.” He looked exhausted and Emelia longed for moments alone with him were she could hold him…instead, she squeezed his hand and lent him her strength. “My love for Emelia, in the eyes of the church is the ultimate sin. I’d have been cursed to burn in hell for my thoughts and feelings for her if anyone had found out.” He paused, the struggle going on inside him clear with the tormented look in his eyes. “All that could have been avoided if you hadn’t kept the secret about her and Diego’s births,” he added. Dante blew out a breath, as though he’d run out of steam, and there was nothing left to give. So she did what she’d wanted to do—wrapped her arms around him and stayed there. “You haven’t said anything,” Dante stated the obvious to Aiden. “I haven’t said anything because you were both saying enough for everyone,” Aiden drawled. “You’re my brother, and it’s a relief that I don’t have to tell anyone that I have a priest for a brother when they ask.” He smirked. “It kinda kills the vibe with the ladies.”

The room filled with silence, and then Dante burst into laughter, and so did she. Her head lifted from Dante’s chest and she didn’t miss the twitch of a smile on their father’s lips before he hid it behind a frown. “That’s better.” Aiden grinned. “I’m good with it…in case you were wondering.” He stood and moved to the door. “I’m going to bed, and I’ll see you all in the morning.” Aiden disappeared out of view and Dante announced, “Emelia is sleeping in my room tonight.” Her mom gasped, and their father started to protest, “I said to give me time to get used to the idea of the two of you. I can’t have you both—” “I said sleep, Dad,” Dante corrected. “I promise. I just need to hold her. To know that she’s really with me,” his voice broke as he finished talking to his father. Emelia reached up and wiped at a stray tear that slipped down his face. “I want that as well.” Dante nodded and met his father’s gaze over the top of her head. She knew if the situation had been different, and either one of them had been there with a different partner, there would have been no question about them sleeping in separate rooms. It made her sad that they weren’t being made to feel like a couple by their family, although she understood the reasoning behind it, plus they’d just dropped it on them. Their father looked as though he’d had enough, and her mom was there, holding his hand, offering comfort just like Emelia did for Dante. It had been a difficult night, probably more so for Dante and their father, so with that in mind, she said, “We’ll see you in the morning. Diego will be here either tonight or tomorrow.” Her mom smiled. “He’s coming to back you up, isn’t he?” “Yeah. He’s only known since this evening, in case you were wondering.” She smiled. “I know. Diego wouldn’t have been able to keep it to himself.” She agreed, and with a tear-filled smile, she pulled Dante from the office, and upstairs to his room. Glad that it was all out in the open, Emelia was exhausted, even though she hadn’t been awake that long when she’d heard the raised voices. But it was over with, which was the main thing. All she had to do for now was take care of Dante, who hadn’t said a word since she dragged him from the room.

Chapter Thirty-Two When Dante, restless in his sleep, opened his eyes, the room was shrouded in darkness. The glare from the bedside clock, once he’d twisted his neck around, told him that it was forty-seven minutes past four. There was a slight early-morning chill in the room. It wasn’t bad because he knew that the heating was on, albeit low. He brushed Emelia’s hair from his neck, and looked down at the woman snuggled against him. Emelia. His heart. His love. He couldn’t remember much after the discussion with their family, but he did remember that Emelia had tugged him back to his room, and then pulled him down onto the bed. He’d pulled her into his arms and cuddled against her knowing that she was safe. That was the last thought he remembered, until now. As he spooned against her back, he realized in shock that she was nude against his clothed body. Every inch of her smooth skin was available to his touch. Every delicious curve. He’d promised his father that they’d just sleep, and everyone had known that he’d meant that they wouldn’t have sex under their roof. He rolled over to his back and bit back a moan as his hardened flesh tented his sweats with how solid he was. With the stress of last night, he shouldn’t be so hard and eager to go now, but he found that he was, and that he couldn’t control the urge for more. The promise he’d made, he would keep, although he wished for once he’d kept his mouth closed because he couldn’t stop thinking about the woman he loved lying naked next to him. She was beautiful and her body had given him so much pleasure at his cabin that he’d thought he would combust. And now, he throbbed so badly that he wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep or step out of the room until his flesh had relaxed. He needed release. Remember the promise…but, no one would know…he couldn’t… One hand slipped over his groin with the intention of covering his erection so that it wasn’t quite so obvious, but he found himself wrapping a fist around it instead. He released precum in his aroused state, which caused his legs to twitch and his breath to catch at the back of his throat…he released his flesh and tried to distract himself with other thoughts that didn’t involve the pleasure of the flesh. The church would work . . . In all the years he’d been a priest, he’d followed the vow of celibacy, and hadn’t broken it until

Emelia. He didn’t count the night of Ramon’s wedding, or his dreams, because it appeared he had no control over them. But he did kneel at the altar in his church and pray for forgiveness—absolution of his sins. He was free now. He’d made the choice that he’d been considering since Thanksgiving. It hadn’t really been a huge choice to make once he realized there was no blood between them. The sad part was that it should have been a difficult decision, but in the end he discovered his love for Emelia outshined his love for God and the Catholic Church. None of the latter kept him warm at night. None of it gave him a companion to stand by his side for the rest of his life. No one gave him that other than Emelia. God and the church had saved him at a time when he needed saving and, for that, he would always be grateful. He didn’t think that he’d ever be able to turn his back on the church completely, and in a new town, where no one knew his background, he’d still be able to attend and pray with Emelia by his side as well. Everything came back to Emelia, and he’d discovered that it always would. Without much thought, he climbed from the bed, and tucked the cover around her before he headed to the bathroom to take care of the problem in his pants. Turning the shower on, he made sure the door was closed so he wouldn’t wake his woman, and then stepped under the ice-cold water with a gasp of shock. He’d wanted cold and that’s what he’d gotten, but it was icicle freezing, not just faucet cold. It had certainly done the trick because he was once again flaccid. After another minute, he switched the water off and turned to find Emelia leaning against the doorjamb in all of her nakedness. “You standing there is going to defeat the purpose of me having a freezing cold shower.” “Mmm, I promise to be good.” She climbed into the shower with him. “I want to wash you.” His dick leaped with joy at her words, but he had enough sense to turn from her touch. “You can’t. I want you too badly to keep my hands to myself…I promised, Em.” “I know. You’re frustrating sometimes. Just like I’m going to be until you slip inside me again.” He groaned. “You better shower alone or I’m going to break that promise I made, and then I’ll feel like shit.” “I know.” She kissed him briefly on the lips. “I’ll be quick. We can go and make an early breakfast.” “Okay.” He turned the shower on warm for her and smacked her lightly on the bottom as he grabbed a towel to dry off before he tossed it into the hamper. He was also proud of himself for not once glancing into the shower to catch sight of Emelia in all her soaped up nakedness. Shaking loose of the thoughts, he grabbed thermal underwear, along with jeans, shirt and a sweater, and hoped that they would be alone at breakfast so that they could talk. Nothing had been said once they’d left their father’s office the night before, and he knew that was probably his own fault for being so exhausted that he’d fallen asleep.

Chapter Thirty-Three Six in the morning and Emelia knew that they’d probably had about thirty minutes before her mom appeared in the kitchen, which would hopefully give them enough time to talk about their plans. Or at least get on the same page before they were faced with their family again. In a way, the night before had gone better than she’d thought it would, although she knew that she’d missed the shouting because that was what had awakened her in the first place. She wondered what the shouting had been about. What had been said? With the last still on her mind, she eyed Dante from the corner of her eye as he grilled the bacon. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask, but breakfast would be ready within a minute, so she’d wait until they were sitting. The waffles she currently made had already gone to a golden color so, using the spatula, she removed them from the griddle and split them between two plates. Dante added the bacon and joined her at the kitchen table, which was usually the meeting place in the house. Everyone seemed to congregate in the kitchen at some point. It was nice. It was home. Emelia sat watching Dante eat his breakfast and her heart was so full of love for the man. She couldn’t look away. She was excited that they were together, and that she could finally say she was with the man she loved. “You’re staring.” Dante finally noticed, placing his cutlery down. “You okay?” “I’m fine,” she smiled softly, “I was enjoying it being just the two of us, knowing that we’re now together.” Dante reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “I love that as well, and I loved making breakfast with you.” He smiled and went back to eating, indicating with his hands for her to dig in. She picked her cutlery up, and asked, “What was the shouting I heard last night?” It would really play on her mind if she didn’t know what exactly was going on. Dante paused, and met her gaze. “It was father’s initial reaction to us being together.” He sighed. “He accepted the fact that I was leaving the priesthood well, but blew as I carried on and told him how much I loved you.” He offered a wry smile.

“Oh.” “Please put some food in your stomach, Em. I won’t be able to rest if I know you haven’t eaten.” “I’m not very hungry.” She let her cutlery fall back to her plate, but picked up a slice of crispy bacon to munch on. “Last night, at least, didn’t go as badly as it could have. Or as I thought it would.” “No it didn’t. At least, once Dad calmed down.” Dante had finished eating so he pushed his plate away and concentrated on his coffee. “We need to decide where we go from here. I have the cabin I took you too for now, I guess, but we need somewhere more permanent, where we won’t be known.” “I’ve thought about that and, to be honest, I’m excited that we’re going to be looking for a home together. At the same time, we can hunt around for a building for your restaurant.” She smiled. “I mean, it’s going to be pointless purchasing a home with nowhere close by, right?” Emelia watched as Dante struggled with his emotions. She’d watched him do that a few times now, and she just wanted to wrap him up in her arms. He’d had to suppress all emotion for years, but not anymore, and he obviously found it difficult now. She reached forward and clasped his hand with hers. “I know.” Standing, she moved to his side of the table, and when he pushed his chair back, sat on his lap. “I love you, and I’ll always think about you and your happiness.” His arms held her close while he buried his face in the curve of her neck and sighed, heavily. “That’s supposed to be my line.” She chuckled. “It’s true, though, regardless of who says it.” “It is.” Minutes went by, each lost in their own thoughts, before they were interrupted, “I’m feeling left out over here,” Diego said, and as she turned to face her twin, a huge grin split his face. Dante released her, and that was all she needed as she practically flew into Diego’s embrace and let his huge arms hug her close. “When did you arrive?” she asked, her voice full of tears. “Just now…I’m fucked.” Emelia smacked him upside the head. “You’re tired, don’t you mean?” She raised a questioning brow. “Yes…Mom.” He laughed, and put her under his arm while he faced Dante, the man that she loved. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about this, and as long as you take good care of her, I’ll always have your back…just like I would because you’re my brother.” Diego let her go and pulled Dante into a brotherly hug and when they separated, he continued, “Emelia has always been close to you as well and I’ve seen how unhappy she’s been. It all fell into place when she called and told me what had been going on and what was about to happen. It was weird at first, but I’ve thought about it on the flight here and I don’t really feel weird about it. It was just one hell of a surprise.” “That means a lot.” Emelia reached up and kissed him on his cheek. She turned to Dante, winked and faced Diego, “Now, you know what this means, right?” He gave her a puzzled frown so she continued, “We have to find you a woman to keep you out of trouble because I won’t be underfoot unless I visit.”

His eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “Now, Sis.” He put her away from him. “There is no need for interference in my love life.” “Hmm,” she scoffed, “Sex life is the correct wording for your life because I’m sure love has never entered into the equation.” Diego grabbed both her arms and walked her backward into Dante’s waiting arms. “You have your man. Leave my sex life alone.” “Yes, please do. I really have no wish to discuss my son’s sex life over breakfast.” Their mom smiled and gave a fake shudder. “Morning everyone.” “Morning,” Emelia mumbled, feeling happy with Dante’s arms around her waist. Her mom continued, “And, what a lovely surprise to see my other baby here so early.” Their mom reached up and, cupping Diego’s cheeks, tugged him down to her and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Mom, really,” Diego grouched, wiping at his forehead before he pulled her close for a hug. “It’s good to be home,” he whispered and kissed his mom on the cheek. She laughed and shook her head. “You’ll always be my baby boy regardless of how old you get…and Emelia, what are your plans today with Dante?” She smiled, and that told Emelia that her mom was coming around to the idea of them together. As Emelia watched her mom fill the coffee machine with fresh water, and her brother grab a muffin that he’d just warmed in the microwave, she answered, “We’re going for a drive.” “We are?” Dante questioned. Emelia turned into his embrace, and reaching up, whispered so the others wouldn’t hear, “We won’t be under father’s roof then.” She kissed his cheek, and smiled at the soft groan that escaped his mouth in a whoosh of air. “Emiliano?” her mom questioned, her hand going to her heart. “What’s wrong?” They all turned to face their father and realized why her mom had sounded so worried. He was pale, and wouldn’t meet anyone’s gaze as he slowly walked to a chair at the table and dropped into it. It was as though his legs wouldn’t hold him up anymore. Emelia made a move toward him, and then paused when it suddenly hit her that it might be because of them that he was acting the way he was. “Emelia, honey.” He cleared his throat. “I can see your worry, and my reaction now has nothing to do with you and Dante. I promise. I was still upset at you both when I woke up, but after the call I just received, it made me realize that life is too short. You both love each other, that’s clear for anyone to see, so you have my blessing.” She should be happy at that announcement, but something was off. Emelia crouched down beside his chair and took his hands, “Thank you…but, Dad, you have us all worried.” Her mom had come over to them and wrapped her arm around his shoulders. He patted Emelia’s hands before he pulled his wife down onto his lap and held her close. “Mateo,” he paused, and Emelia’s heart flipped and tears filled her eyes. Dante tugged her to her feet and into his arms as their father continued, “He’s okay. Well, he’s in the hospital, and they’ve assured me

he isn’t in any pain right now because he’s been given strong pain medication. He was in a car accident during the night, and although he has a lot of bruising, his right leg took the brunt of the crash.” “Oh, no,” Emelia gasped. “We have to go to him.” “We will,” their father replied. Dante asked, “I know you said about his leg, but how badly?” “I know what you’re thinking, which is probably what everyone is thinking, but I didn’t ask. I just wanted to know that my son would be okay, and he will be. He has a long road ahead of him. I don’t know much more, but I’m sure we’ll find out plenty when we get down there.” “I’ll go and get Aiden up, and I’m still packed from my trip here so I’m good to go,” Diego said before he left the kitchen in a hurry. “Let me get you some coffee and maybe a slice of toast. Then I’ll then go and pack for us both,” her mom offered. “I can’t eat.” “You need something in your stomach before we leave, Emiliano.” He nodded. Everyone knew it was wise to just agree. “We’ll go pack then meet back here so we can sort flights out,” Dante added, tugging her from the room. “Okay, I need to call Connor, the stable manager, and let him know we’re going out of town.” They left their father mumbling while Emelia felt her heart in her throat. Her fun loving brother Mateo. How could fate be so cruel, after they’d given him the wicked witch? At that thought, she felt bad because she could have been with him, and be just as injured. Well, it looked like they were all heading to Dallas, where, no doubt, Kasey and Eric would meet up with them.

Chapter Thirty-Four Exhaustion had set in hours ago for Dante, and Emelia, but after they’d finally been allowed five minutes with Mateo, they had felt ready to leave the hospital for the hotel that Dante had booked everyone into. The hotel was across the road, and much more convenient than any other. He hadn’t even considered separate rooms for them. They were sticking together, and starting how they meant to carry on—partners in life. Which was why Emelia slept beside him, and why he felt settled for once in his life. There was still the quiver of fear in his belly because of his brother. But they’d been told that Mateo would make a full recovery, although his career was up in the air, and would be until he’d started his physical therapy. Mateo had broken his ankle in the crash, but it was his smashed up knee that would be the major problem. He knew his brother would be crushed at the loss of the career that he’d worked so hard for over the years, and Dante prayed for a miracle. He wasn’t sure his prayer would be heard, as his boss was probably angry and ashamed of him right now. But all Dante could think about was how lucky he’d been to not only spend some of his life doing God’s work, but being able to spend the rest of his life with the woman curled up beside him. He was tired of thinking, and just wanted to feel the woman he loved against him. They’d only made love once at his cabin, and now he was ready for more, and knew that he always would be. Emelia’s nude body begged him to touch while she continued to sleep, and he craved that. He craved the feel of her against his own naked skin…except he had sweats and a shirt on. They were about to disappear. Without waking her, Dante slipped from the bed and hurriedly dropped his clothes to the floor before he jumped back under the covers. Slipping a hand over his dick, he held it against his body as he moved to spoon behind Emelia. Once he was comfortable, he removed his hand from his hardened flesh, and slipped his arm over her waist. The groan he released couldn’t be helped as the sensation of having her skin against his own had become too much. His dick was so hard that he involuntary twitched where he’d become lodged, between the cheeks of her bottom. He held her tightly against him and tried to control his body’s urge to thrust into her. He so badly

wanted to feel her soft flesh as her heat enveloped him into her welcoming channel. He’d never felt anything like it, and the more he thought about it, the closer he came to release. His body reacted like an adolescent’s would, and he really needed to get control of himself before he really did explode all over her bottom. “Mmm. You’re awake.” She pressed against him and his eyes rolled as a slither of precum ran the length of his dick, releasing onto her skin. He gasped, closed his eyes and flipped over to lie on his back. Emelia’s giggle had him opening his eyes, and when he did, he followed her gaze. “Oh, heck. That’s obscene.” He groaned as his dick rose straight up from his body, tenting the quilt. “No, it isn’t. It’s hot.” Emelia had the quilt pulled down to his thighs and her eyes on his erection. He throbbed and the arch of his hips couldn’t be helped. “I want you, but I’m not sure I’ll last,” he admitted. “Mmm.” Emelia licked her lips as he dripped from the tip, down his length. “I want to touch you… You look, so, um, hard.” He laughed, which turned into a growl as Emelia dipped her head and licked around the plump head of his dick. His body tingled from head to foot, and all he could do was watch her. She kneeled between his spread thighs, and tongued from his balls to the tip of his hardness, which pulsed and begged for her mouth…and then, he watched as she slowly took him into the warm recess of her mouth, and further still until he was halfway inside. The suction and the swirl of her tongue would send him into oblivion too soon…he wanted to make love to her. As much as he loved the pleasure running through him, he wanted to be buried between her legs, and not in her mouth—for this time, at least. With hands that shook, he gently pulled her off him and caught his breath at the sight of the wetness coating his penis. Emelia hovered over him while he panted and tried not to embarrass himself, and that image alone was enough to cause him to twitch and release more arousal. “I want to be between your thighs,” he whispered while he panted. “I need to be deep inside of you.” “I want that too.” Emelia straddled his waist with his dick flat against his stomach and her wet pussy. “Mmm, you feel good.” She rocked along him, and the pleasure was so delicious that his legs trembled. But when she met his gaze, and her fingers started to pinch and rub her nipples, he knew he couldn’t wait any longer to have her. If he did, his stomach would be coated with his release. Dante took hold of her hips and raised her from him. He let out an amused groan when his dick followed. So all he had to do was help her slide down his length, which she did. “You’re still tight.” He panted. “So wet. So good.” “I aim to please.” She giggled and rotated her hips. “Oh,” Dante expelled a breath as he arched up, “We need to go slow.” “We are going slow,” Emelia added. Dante grinned at her, and sitting up, he held onto her ass. “Wrap your legs around my waist.”

She did and slipped down to his pelvis. Not an inch between them, and nothing had ever felt so good, or so he thought. The minute she started to slowly ride him, he clenched her ass against him, and sealed her lips with his as he devoured her. The press of her breasts and hard nipples against his chest, the flutters of Emelia’s orgasm approaching, the taste of her on his mouth, and the feel of her wrapped around him became too much and, as his breath caught, he spilled his seed inside her. Emelia pulsed around his flesh so tightly that she milked every bit of release from his body while grinding down on him. The gentle after tremors caused his dick to stir as he slammed his mouth against Emelia’s. Eventually, breaking from the kiss, Emelia rose up and smiled into his eyes before she slid back down. “What are you doing?” She giggled and raised a brow. “You’re seriously asking me that question?” He didn’t answer because he couldn’t with the pleasure running through him, but he showed her just how serious he was by flipping her over to her back. He then proceeded to make slow, sweet love to her for most of the night.

Chapter Thirty-Five Emelia knew that she shouldn’t feel so refreshed after being awake for most of the night with Dante, but she did. They’d just left the hospital, and Mateo had been propped up in bed, high on drugs, but he grabbed her to him and kept her close while he’d whispered, “I love you, Sis. Be happy.” His words had been unexpected, but appreciated. The funny thing was that she hadn’t even given her and Dante as a couple a thought once they’d arrived to see Mateo. Her injured brother had been the only one on her mind, and everyone else’s. Now that she’d been assured, again, that Mateo would be okay, she just wanted to spend time with Dante away from everyone. At the hospital they’d been unable to talk without one of their brothers trying to listen in. She loved them but they could be annoying when the occasion called for it, or didn’t. Crossing the road with her arm through Dante’s, it looked like he led her to a park. They both needed fresh air after the warmth of the hotel, which boarded on too warm. It had been the same at the hospital, and had become difficult to catch a proper breath. But, as Dante urged her toward a bench, she found that she missed the leaves on the branches because the trees that would look vibrant in spring looked desolate now. A chill was in the air, more so as they sat on the bench with the open lake in front of them. In her winter jacket, she was bundled up for the winter temperature, which surprised her. She’d always thought that Dallas was warm year-round. She’d gotten that wrong. “I have something for you that I don’t want to wait any longer to give you,” Dante broke the silence, and Emelia felt her excitement rise. “I like presents.” “Hmm, I know…and, I think you’ll love this one. Um, at least, I hope you do.” He looked worried. Emelia reached out and rubbed the frown lines on his forehead. “Tell me,” she urged. “I love you, Em. So very much, and one day, I want to marry you.” Dante smiled as her eyes filled with tears. Dante continued, “Until we can marry in the Catholic Church or until I’m ready to marry elsewhere, I’d be honored if you’d wear this ring as a sign of my commitment to you.” Emelia nodded and slipped onto his lap, her arms around his neck while she softly cried.

“Em?” “Yes…just give me a minute.” She’d waited a long time for this, and Emelia knew that she’d wait a lifetime if it meant they could marry in a Catholic Church because she knew that it would mean more to Dante if they did. But the ring he offered to her was so beautiful and she couldn’t wait to see it on her finger. She’d just become overwhelmed with emotion and needed a minute to breathe. So when her minute was up, she held her left hand out. Her tears wouldn’t stop, and more fell, as Dante slipped the ring onto her ring finger. She hadn’t noticed but he had another ring in the box, and as he removed it, he passed it to her. Why? And then it registered. They had the same platinum wedding band, except hers had small diamonds all the way around. Emelia wiped at her tears, again, and slipped the ring on his finger as her heart pounded in her chest with love for the man. “This is our own commitment to each other, Em. I actually planned on taking you out to dinner to do this, but with Mateo and everything, I needed to do it now. I couldn’t wait any longer.” She cupped his face and smiled. “I’m glad that you did, and I love our rings. So much, Dante. I love you.” She pressed her cold lips against his and pulled back laughing. “I think we need to get warm again.” “We do, and I know how to warm us up.” Dante wiggled his brows. She giggled. “Hmm, I bet you do.” “Tut, tut. I’m not sure what you were thinking,” he grinned, “but my idea was a hot chocolate with whipped cream from Starbucks.” Standing, Emelia held her hand out to him. “I wouldn’t mind one of those, if I’m honest…even though it wasn’t what you really meant.” She smirked. They huddled together and headed for the Starbucks across the road, when she asked, “When did you have time to get me the ring?” Dante smiled and took her hand, rubbing his thumb over her ring. “I saw it in Denver…I was nervous about my meeting with the bishop, and arrived early, so I took a walk. I didn’t intend to purchase us rings, it just happened. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was meant for you.” The flutters in her belly made her smile. “I can’t believe you bought me a ring before you’d even talked to the bishop. What if he’d made you change your mind?” He shook his head, and smiled softly. “That wouldn’t have happened, Em. I was determined to be with you and I wasn’t prepared to let anything stand in our way any longer.” “Good.” She caressed his jaw. “No matter where our journey takes us, we’ll always be together… and, that’s what matters.” Dante sighed, tears on his lashes. “Always, Em.”

Starbucks was warm and not as crowded as Emelia had expected, considering it was just around the corner from the hospital. It was nice though, and it meant she could snuggle up with Dante on one of the sofas by the window when he returned with their hot chocolates. She was excited to share their commitment with their family, as she held her hand in front of her face to admire her ring. Her heart felt so full at the moment as thoughts of Dante and their rings filled her mind. The only sadness in this moment was the worry over how Mateo was doing. She loved him, and worried that the accident hadn’t just crushed his knee, but his spirit. Mateo had loved to tease her and, although she used to find it annoying, she wished with all her heart that he would start again. His accident had frightened them all, but being in Dallas where they could easily have access to him had settled some of them down. Kasey had been a pain when he’d arrived, but through all his anger was his heartbreak for their brother. “You’re deep in thought, Em.” Dante observed, setting the drinks on the table in front of them. “I was just thinking about Mateo, and hoping that he soon picked up. It worries me that he was so quiet. He tried to hide his sadness when we were in the room, but I caught it.” Dante wrapped an arm around her. “He has us all around him, Em. We’ll keep him going and be there when he needs us. He knows this.” “Hmm…and what about that wicked witch? I overheard her talking to a nurse about his homecare. I’m telling you now that there is no way on this earth that I’m going to let him go home with her while he recovers. He needs us.” She sniffed into a Kleenex that Dante passed her after the heated words. “We have to respect his wishes, regardless of what we want.” Dante kissed her forehead before he leaned forward and passed her the hot chocolate. “Drink some of this.” She sighed. “Hmm, it smells good.” “Of course it does. Hot chocolate with whipped cream is the best.” He smiled, and her world righted itself. “So this is where you two disappeared.” Kasey dropped into the chair opposite, and Diego leaned over, kissed her on the top of her head before he sat beside Kasey. “We went into the park first,” she smiled at Dante before she continued, “and then in here to warm up. I’ll probably end up with a bad cold at this rate. Everywhere is so warm inside, and then stepping outside is freezing.” “Thought I was going to pass out in that hotel, though. That was bad,” Kasey grumbled. “I’ll go and get some drinks. Anyone?” he offered. Diego gave him his order and got comfortable in his chair. Or at least he did until he suddenly sat forward and grabbed her hand. “You’re married!” He looked into her eyes, anger clear in his. She shook her head. “Not yet.” She reached out and gripped his hand. “I’d never get married without you there, Diego, or the others. Neither of us would.” He visibly sighed with relief. “Then…I don’t understand. That’s a wedding band,” he glanced at Dante’s hand, “and so is that.” “What’s going on?” Kasey glanced between them, setting his and Diego’s drinks on the table before he took his seat again.

“We exchanged rings of commitment.” She glanced at the man she loved, and smiled before facing their brothers again. “We can get married if we wanted to in a civil ceremony, but not in a Catholic Church, at least not yet.” Both Kasey and Diego glanced at Dante. “You know that Dante has spent most of his life in the Catholic Church in one capacity or another. We won’t be married until he’s ready, but, for now, we’ll wear our rings of commitment.” Diego shook his head. “I hear you, but you deserve to be married, Sis.” “Don’t I deserve to be happy?” “Of course you do,” Diego grumbled. “Then know that I am happy. More than I’ve ever been,” Emelia interjected. “I love your sister, Diego, and when I’m ready to marry Emelia in a civil ceremony, you’ll be the first to know. It will happen one day, just not yet.” After moments of silence, Kasey said, “I’m never getting married. Too much like hard work. I like variety.” He grinned like an idiot, and drank his coffee completely oblivious to the stares directed at him and Diego by the group of college girls off in one corner. Diego rolled his eyes and chuckled at Kasey before he met Emelia’s gaze. “I’m happy for you, Sis. It’s just all happening at once, and you know how I prefer to have time to think things through.” “I know,” Emelia admitted. Her twin was hotheaded, but once he’d had time to think everything through properly, he was more realistic and easier to talk to. “I love you both, so I’m here and ready for whenever you decide to officially tie the knot,” Diego admitted. “You’re getting too fucking mushy now that you’re getting close to thirty,” Kasey grumbled at Diego. Diego winked at them, and turned his attention on Kasey. “I love you,” he announced, not too quietly either, “I wanna kiss.” He puckered his lips. Kasey, without a blink of time, shot forward and slapped a kiss on Diego, and then patted his cheeks. “I love you, too.” And then Kasey fell back into his chair as he doubled over with laughter because the look of surprise on Diego’s face was funny. It wasn’t often that her twin got caught off guard. He hadn’t been expecting Kasey to react like he had. Diego had probably expected a punch in the face. She tried to smother her amusement, but one look at Dante’s face had her laughing with everyone else. “You asked for that.” She chuckled. “I just hope I’m around when you get Kasey back.” “It’s gonna be good,” Diego admitted. Their laughter eventually calmed down as they drank in silence. It was nice to be able to sit out in the open with their brothers, while she had Dante’s protective arm around her shoulders. Emelia just sat back and didn’t really pay much attention to the conversation the guys were having. She just enjoyed being surrounded by their love.

Chapter Thirty-Six Three months later. “Mmm…you need to let me get dressed,” Emelia mumbled, not really wanting to put clothes on. She loved being naked with Dante, and while he had her facing the wall with her thighs spread and hands above her head, she loved it all the more. “Soon.” He nipped at her shoulder with his teeth as a hand slipped between her legs and found her bundle of nerves before he slipped a digit inside her. “You’re already so wet for me.” “Yes…inside me…please.” Her body burned from head to toe with arousal and passion for the man she loved. They hadn’t been able to get enough of each other these past few months, and she hoped it never changed. Dante’s flesh pulsed between the cheeks of her bottom, and she felt his precum wetting her skin—he was just as excited, so it was no surprise when he held her hips and thrust inside her tight sheath. He stretched her wide with his large penis, but the feel of him so strong against her caused goose bumps to cover her body. “Em,” he gasped, and slipped his hands up her torso to cup the globes of her breasts, his thumbs played with her rock hard nipples. Tiny flutters of pleasure pulsed around her channel as he withdrew, and slowly slipped back inside. “Too good, Em.” “Yes,” she moaned. “I…I’m…Mmm,” she moaned and started to convulse when her climax hit. Dante grabbed her hips and held her on him as he ground up into her. Seconds later, he pulsed against her quivering channel and spilled his release, which was just as powerful as hers. Panting hard, Dante dropped his forehead to her back and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I love you.” She felt him smile against her skin. “So much.” He slipped from her body and turned her in his arms, Dante’s lips meeting hers in a soft kiss. His fingers brushed the hair from her face as he smiled at her. All his happiness was clear in his dark eyes. “I have to pinch myself sometimes,” she slipped her hands to his shoulders, and then to the hair at the nape of his neck, “to make sure this isn’t a dream. I love you so much that it would kill me if it was.” “After that, you still think you’re dreaming?” he smirked.

She chuckled. “Not anymore…but, I do love you.” “I know,” he wouldn’t meet her gaze, “and I hope you don’t get too angry with me when I tell you what I have to tell you.” He looked sheepish. “Let’s clean up and get dressed…again, and I’ll tell you.” “Okay.” He collected their clothes from around them, and tugged her into their bedroom. While they cleaned up, and dressed, she couldn’t help worry because he’d never held anything back from her before. Although she had no clue as to what he was about to tell her, she had a bad feeling about it. So as soon as she was dressed, she followed Dante out into the living room of their new home, and said, “Please tell me. You have me worried.” Dante caressed down her arms and took hold of her hands. “Bishop Colin Sommer is going to be here soon.” “What?” she whispered. “Why is the bishop on his way here?” Emelia queried, while her heart started to beat frantically in her chest. The thought of the bishop in their home scared her to bits because, deep down, she was worried that he’d try and talk Dante into returning to the church. Oh, she knew that Dante was devoted to her and their future together, but the nerves just wouldn’t stop now that she knew his friend, the bishop, was on his way. A sudden thought struck her while she mulled over his visit, which was why she watched Dante closely. “Hmm. You didn’t by any chance know in advance that he was coming? Did you? Like, before today?” He offered a wry smile. “Maybe,” Dante sighed. “I knew you’d worry so I thought it best to not tell you until his visit was more or less upon us…and to answer your unasked question, he’s had a response back from Rome.” Her heart thumped in her chest at that knowledge. The bishop’s visit made her grasp at the string of hope, but as she met Dante’s gaze, she asked, “If he’s coming here, do you think it’s good news?” Dante moved his hands to her shoulders. “I honestly don’t know. He didn’t give any indication when he called.” “I hope it is.” She took a step closer and wrapped her arms around his waist. “We’ll see,” Dante added in a non-committal manner. “Let me go and close the garage so I don’t forget later.” She nodded and smiled when he kissed her nose before he disappeared through the front door. The past three months had flown by since Mateo’s accident, and the purchase of their new home in Essex, Vermont. Their home was everything she’d ever dreamed of, from the wooden floors to the high ceilings, and floor to ceiling windows with the picturesque view of the Vermont Mountains. Her mom had tried to persuade them to settle close by, but a lot of folk in the town knew that Dante was a priest and it would have become awkward. They’d needed a fresh start miles away from where Dante had lived, so they’d ended up in Vermont.

She was happy and so was Dante. Not once had he appeared to regret his decision to be with her, and it made all the difference. Dante’s restaurant, Emelia’s Bistro, had opened a few weeks ago and had already received rave reviews in some food magazines. She’d been surprised but delighted when he showed her the sign on the front of the restaurant. It should have been his name up there, but he’d refused and told her that it was a way of honoring the woman he loved. They’d made friends in the town, and they always gave their past location as Great Falls, Montana, which was true, in a way. But they’d made a home in Essex, and planned on staying there, and raising any children they may have in the future. Up to now, everyone had presumed that they were married because of their surnames, so they hadn’t bothered to correct that wrong assumption. It was nice, and she knew that one day Dante would come around to the idea of marrying elsewhere, if it came to that. She knew him well. They’d decided to start a family within the next two years, and she knew, without having to ask, that he’d make sure they were married before the birth. A small part of her would find sadness in that even though she knew how much he loved her. All her hope now rested on this visit…

Chapter Thirty-Seven Dante shouldn’t have just dropped the bishop’s immanent arrival on Emelia. They’d had no secrets between them since they’d gotten together and he felt bad at the time, but now he felt even worse. He’d been worried, and hadn’t wanted her to worry as well because, no know matter what, the outcome would still be the same. And on the off chance that Rome had given him an Indult, they’d have to find someone willing to give them a marriage license when they had the same father listed. This he’d thought about a lot, and the only option would probably be for them to get a DNA blood test, along with their father, to prove that they weren’t actually blood related. That could work and was certainly worth a try…if they could marry in their church. The priest in the small Catholic Church in Essex had been welcoming to them as new parishioners, but Dante had no intention of mentioning his past to him, or to anyone. If he were asked, he wouldn’t lie, though. Running his hands through his hair, he made his way back upstairs to Emelia. Hopefully, she wouldn’t have gotten too angry with him while he’d been closing the garage up. She made him smile on a daily basis, and he couldn’t imagine a life without her by his side. As much as he thought he knew the decision from Rome, he hoped with all his heart that he was wrong…because he wasn’t sure Emelia would handle the rejection. And there she was, as he entered their home. She fluffed the cushions along the dark brown leather corner sofa. His heart squeezed in his chest at the love that would always catch him unaware when she was in the middle of doing a simple task. Emelia noticed him watching her, and gave him her secret smile. “I wondered how long you’d hide out.” At least her smile said she wasn’t really angry with him. “I wasn’t hiding out, but I do owe you an apology.” He walked around the sofa and took hold of her hands. “I shouldn’t have kept that from you, and I’m really sorry, Em. I didn’t want you to worry as much I was…forgive me…” She reached up and quickly kissed his lips. “Of course I forgive you. I know you, Dante. And I knew why you’d kept quiet. No more, though. Promise me.” He rested his forehead against hers, and said, “I promise, Em.” He was relieved at her easy acceptance of his apology.

“Good. Now go and let the bishop in. His car just pulled up.” She smiled. “I’m going to be positive.” “Em?” He waited until she held his gaze. “I love you.” Emelia covered her mouth with her hand, and as he turned to head downstairs, he offered her a soft smile. He was worried and, as much as he wanted to be more positive, he couldn’t quite get there. With something as important as the approval from Rome was, and knowing how slow things ran there, he just couldn’t get his hopes up. And now the bishop’s driver, Malcolm, was helping the man who held the answer from the car. Malcolm had been the bishop’s driver for years, and wherever the bishop went, Malcolm would fly with him, and then drive the rented vehicle. Dante moved forward, and went to dip forward from the waist in a bow of greeting, but the bishop waved him up. “Even though I’m here on business, please let’s not stand on too much formality.” He held his hand out, and smiled. “How have you been, Dante…and, I’m Colin.” Dante hid his amusement and returned the greeting of the handshake. “I’m well. Please come inside.” He offered his friend, and turned back to Malcolm, but he’d already climbed back into the car. “Oh, don’t worry about him…he’s been itching to pull over and call his sister since he received a call saying that she’d just gone into labor,” Colin chuckled. “I’ll miss him when I’m gone. He’s kept me sane over the years.” “Gone? Where are you going?” He hadn’t heard anything while he’d been a priest, and the words from Colin left Dante worried. “Retirement in four months. These old bones are being put out to pasture.” They took their time going up the few steps to Dante’s home, but he was glad to see that Colin wasn’t out of breath when they arrived. “And this is the beautiful Emelia.” He smiled, and waved her over. “Come. I don’t bite.” Emelia moved closer and smiled. “I’m sorry, I don’t quite know how to greet a bishop.” “Oh, pfft. A shake of the hand will do.” They exchanged greetings, and then Dante suggested, “Let’s go and sit.” He glanced at Emelia and realized she was really nervous, so he intertwined their fingers and pulled her down beside him. “Will you please tell us what Rome had to say, so we can get that out of the way?” “Mmm. I can.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out his reading glasses. “Rome…can be accommodating on occasion, but they can also be awkward on others and less cooperative.” “Oh,” Emelia mumbled, and when he turned to look at her, there were tears on her lashes. “Now don’t go getting all emotional on me. I’m afraid I can’t handle tears.” Colin looked nervous as he watched them. It was as though he debated what to say. The fact that he’d come to them, and dressed in well washed jeans was a surprise. Colin also wore a blue button-down with a sweater. He’d never seen him so casual, and there was no sign of the collar. Hearing a throat being cleared, he realized he’d been off musing when Colin was waiting for his

attention. Dante smiled, “Sorry. Go ahead.” “I won’t go into too much detail as it was your life so you know it all already, but I also wrote a report about the reasons surrounding you joining the seminary, and subsequently becoming ordained. I’d hoped that your request would stand a better chance than others, but…I’m sorry, Dante. I really am. It’s because of their decision that I decided to come here and tell you in person.” “They won’t release him?” Emelia mumbled, her voice teary. “The laicization has been granted, but the dispensation hasn’t been.” Colin added. Dante, although hearing everything said, couldn’t accept the words that Colin had actually spoken. Deep down, he’d known that his request would probably get rejected, but with Colin visiting them, he’d tried not to get his hopes up, but he had. He wanted to be able to marry the woman he loved with all his heart in a Catholic Church, and now that had officially been taken away from him. “But, let’s get to why I delivered the news in person.” Emelia leaned against his side, and it was at that point that he realized he’d shut her out. So he quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her tightly against him. He kissed the top of her head, and resting his chin where he’d placed the kiss, he asked Colin, “Why?” “Because of the rejection, you know that you can’t marry in a Catholic Church, so I propose that we do something slightly underhanded, but not illegal, and something that can’t be undone by the Vatican if word was to get out.” Emelia sat straighter, and he was sure that he did as well. “We’re listening.” He chuckled. “I’m sure you are.” Clearing his throat, he continued, “There is no way around you marrying in a Catholic Church, but, after your wedding, I will personally bless you both…exactly as I would do during a wedding ceremony in the cathedral.” Emelia buried her face in Dante’s chest and cried. He held her in his arms, tears on his own lashes. “You’d do that?” he asked, his voice filled with raw emotion. “I’m an old man, Dante. And I’ve spent a lot of time recently reflecting on my life. I don’t regret my dedication to the church for all these years, and I’d like to think that I’ve been good at it.” He smiled. “Before I retire, I need to see you happy. In order for me to go with a clear conscience, I need to be the one to bless your marriage in the eyes of God. I don’t just need to do this. I want to do this. I wish I could do more.” “No, don’t,” Dante started, “the blessing from you would mean the world to us.” He brought Emelia’s face up to his. “How about it? You want to make an honest man out of me in a civil ceremony, and then have our marriage blessed by the Bishop?” Emelia nodded, tears still streamed down her face. “Oh, yes.”

Epilogue Two months later. “We’re married,” Emelia whispered to herself, as she escaped to the restroom. They hadn’t been at the hotel where their wedding reception was being held all that long, but she’d just needed a minute. The bishop was already inside the room where the blessing would take place, and only close family were present. Neither of them felt ashamed for what they were doing, but they wanted it kept quiet because of Dante’s past. He’d also suggested it might be best to stay quiet so that word didn’t get back to the church. So they had. They were married! She honestly never expected the day to arrive because of Dante’s past and because of what their father had done by signing his name to her birth certificate. Luckily, the issuing clerk for the county accepted their birth certificates and the results from the DNA tests, along with a lawyer’s letter confirming what the DNA tests concluded—that Emiliano wasn’t Emelia’s father. She still considered him her father, but it was just a relief to be allowed to marry Dante. It was what she’d wanted for so long. Dante looked so handsome in his dark, grey suit, deep burgundy button-down, and grey tie, and their brothers looked just as handsome. They sure scrubbed up well. Mateo worried her though. He’d recently had more surgery done on his knee and had to use a wheelchair, which she could see had gotten him down. She supposed Caprice probably didn’t help him with her whole attitude problem. Half the time, she thought that Mateo was the one with the problem to still have her around. “Hey, why are you hiding in here?” Sylvia interrupted her quiet musing. “Just thinking. Breathing,” she replied, and continued, “I’m sorry we married before you did, Sylvia.” Emelia had wanted to say something to her brother Eric, and his fiancée over the past months. She just hadn’t had the opportunity to do so. It wasn’t even as though a phone call would have done it because she’d wanted to do it in person. Sylvia squeezed her hand. “There isn’t anything to apologize for, Emelia. Please don’t think that there is.” Sylvia smiled. “Now c’mon. Your husband is waiting for you.” Emelia smiled, and slipped her arm through Sylvia’s. The minute they walked out of the restrooms, Dante was there, striding toward her.

“I’ll see you soon,” Sylvia whispered, and moved away. “Are you okay?” was the first thing out of Dante’s mouth as he gently cupped her face. “I’m fine,” she replied, and held his loving gaze. “I love you.” She leaned in and kissed him. “I love you, too.” He kissed her on the nose. “Let’s go and have our blessing.” Tears formed on Dante’s lashes when he hugged Bishop Colin Sommer. Colin had always been there for him, and he would miss the man, his friend, dearly. What Colin had done for them meant more to him than being married in a Catholic Church. The blessing that he’d just given Emelia and himself would be remembered for as long as he lived. As he stepped back, Emelia wrapped herself around his waist for comfort. He was so in need of it as well. His emotions had been all over the place since he’d walked away from his church, but he mused that now that he was married to the woman he loved, perhaps everything would start to settle down. “You’ll stay in touch,” Colin told him, and slipped a small card into his hand. “No excuse.” “No excuse,” Dante repeated. “It won’t just be a Christmas card. You realize that?” Colin smiled. “Hmm…now, I was told that I’d get fed here.” Emelia chuckled and stepped back. “We have a private function room booked with a delicious hot buffet waiting for us.” “Then what are we waiting for? Lead the way.” Dante grinned and took Emelia’s hand. “We will.” They headed toward the room that their family waited for them in, and Dante smiled. It had been a good day, and everyone they loved had been with them. Emelia had never looked as beautiful, and she glowed with happiness. From the moment his decision had been made to be with her, he’d not had second thoughts, and that was love. Emelia was his whole world now, and that would never change. He no longer felt trapped in Purgatory. The End

Love in Bloom, De La Fuente family #3

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Acknowledgements Thank you as always to Nadine Winningham for your advice, eagle eye, and your friendship. You mean the world to me. x Sirena, you saved my ass by pointing out that the name I had TOTALLY made up, was actually the name of the Bishop of Colorado. So thank you x Emma, Kathrin, Lynne and Sonya, thank you so much for always being ready to read my work ~ I really appreciate you ladies x Thank you to Fr. T, for answering my questions about Priest’s, marriage, and the Vatican ~ all errors are mine alone. Thank you to author Jenni Moen, for helping me with my questions about the law and marriage licenses in the United States ~ all errors are mine alone. I also want to say a huge thank you to friends, family, readers, and bloggers for your continued support ~ it means the world to me. xx

Other books by Lexi Buchanan Bad Boy Rockers Sizzle Spicy Sultry Savor Sinful

McKenzie Brothers Seduce The Wedding (Novella) Rapture Delight Entice Cherished A McKenzie Christmas (Novella)

De La Fuente Family (McKenzie Spinoff) Love in Montana Love in Purgatory Love in Bloom (2016)

Jackson Hole From This Moment When we Meet New Beginning (2016)

Holiday Season Kissing Under the Mistletoe A Soldier’s Christmas

Lawful Gia 0.5 (Novella)

The Club One Dance (Novella)

Standalone Rose and Jacob Educate Me (Novella) 28 Days (Romantic Suspense coming 2016)

Dear Reader: If you liked Love in Purgatory, I would appreciate it, if you would help others enjoy this book too by recommending it to your friends, family, and book clubs by writing an honest, positive review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iBookstore, Goodreads, etc.

About the Author I was born in Bolton, Lancashire within the United Kingdom, where I lived, and worked at the University of Bolton, until 2010. With my husband we moved to Ireland with our four kids and pack of animals where we still live. I’m a NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of Devour, and International Bestselling Author of Seduce and Sizzle. My time is spent writing when I can get away from Facebook, and chasing after the kids and animals. One of my all time ambitions is to visit Mount Everest base camp in the Himalayas. Thank you to each and every one of you for your continued support. http://www.lexibuchanan.net Twitter - @AuthorLexi TSU - https://www.tsu.co/AuthorLexiB Instagram - @AuthorLexiB Tumblr - authorlexi [email protected]