Love in Education: De La Fuente Book Seven Read online

  “I bet everyone would love to have the chance at taking a shot at me.”

  He shakes his head. “No they wouldn’t.” He offers a wry smile. “We know why you did it, which is why as a family, we’d like to invite you to join us this evening for dinner.”

  “Andie?”

  “Andie is stubborn and afraid of getting her heart broken. That’s why I’m here reaching out, or interfering.” He grins. “Whichever way you want to take it, we know that Andie wants you there. Or at least she will when you’re there.” He pauses. “Just don’t tell her I said that.”

  I burst out laughing, which I never thought I’d be doing today. “She once told me that you all bicker and interfere like girls. I think she was right.”

  Kasey smirks. “Family is family, and when it’s a big one of course we’re going to gossip and piss each other off. It’s part of being a De La Fuente, which Andie is.” He stares and I get his message...no more fucking it up with Andie.

  “I hear you.” I nod.

  He mutters where and when to meet this evening before he walks away.

  * * *

  Stepping out of the shower, I hear banging on the hotel door. I quickly wrap a towel around my hips, shake my head like a dog and yank the door open.

  I’m left as speechless as the girl who’d knocked.

  “Um,” Andie utters, licking her lips as her eyes trail over my torso, to the towel that isn’t going to hide anything if she carries on looking at me the way she is.

  I step back from the door. “Come in.”

  She takes a few hesitant steps into the room and stops when I close the door.

  “Let me get some clothes on,” I suggest and move to grab a pair of jeans only to have her hand on my arm stopping me.

  “I like you like that,” she whispers. “It’s been a long five weeks without looking at you.”

  Groaning, I close my eyes before I focus on the beautiful woman. “It’s been hell staying away.”

  “I know why you did it, Sawyer.” She slides her hand to mine and intertwines our fingers together. “It just felt so final without having any word from you. You hurt me by doing that.”

  “I hurt myself as well.” I squeeze her hand. “I never meant for you to think that I was letting go of us, because I haven’t, Andie. I never will.” I drop my ass to the bed and sit with my elbows on my knees as I look up at her. “All I could think about with the Dean and Long standing facing us, was you...I have my doctorate, heck I’m a Professor. You were so close to finishing that I couldn’t be responsible for you losing it all.”

  She kneels at my feet and reaching up caresses my face. “I realized after Pattie came to see me that I was being an idiot.”

  I shake my head, but her hands make me look at her.

  “I was, Sawyer. I wasn’t thinking of how much our separation was hurting you, I made it all about me, and I was wrong. You weren’t thinking about yourself, you were thinking about me. I know now that you left so that you’d stay away from me because even though we tried to stay apart before we never did.”

  I search her gaze and without using words, I slowly capture her lips in a sweet kiss. I feel the tremble in them so pulling away, I say, “I thought I’d have had to grovel on my knees for you to forgive me.”

  Wincing, she continues, “It was only after Pattie visited that I started to realize what I’d been doing. It helped get my thesis finished, and saw me walking across the stage earlier today.”

  “We’re a right a pair, huh?”

  She’s silent and then says, “I’m sorry.” Moving closer, she adds, “More than anything, I wanted you there today with my family—”

  “I was there.” She covers my mouth with her hand.

  “Alone.”

  Moving her hand away, I admit, “I was there Andie. That’s what matters.” I offer a wry smile. “I’d planned on kissing the hell out of you after the ceremony for all to see. That didn’t work out as planned.”

  “It didn’t, but I got the guy in the end, and you got the girl.”

  “I sure like the sound of that.” I grab her hips and lift her astride me. “I think we need to have make up sex now.” I raise a brow. “Do you agree?”

  “Hell, yes!”

  27

  Andie

  Feeling a blush creeping into my cheeks, I let Sawyer lead me across the crowded restaurant to where my family awaits...and to my surprise, Pattie as well.

  “I had no idea that she was here.”

  “I’m so glad, Sawyer. She kinda got my head out of my ass. We owe her a lot.”

  “I’d rather have my head buried—”

  I smack him in the stomach and laugh at the amusement shining in his eyes when he turns back to look at me.

  “You walked right into that one.”

  “What one?” Diego asks.

  “Nothing.” I grin and return his embrace. “I can’t believe everyone came out here for me.”

  Diego leans in and kisses my cheek. “Where else would we all be on your graduation?” He kisses me again and releases me to my mom.

  It seems to take forever to greet everyone because the whole De La Fuente family is here and it warms my heart. I end up sitting with Sawyer on my left and Violet to my right. Blake is sitting opposite, next to his sister, Felicity, and it’s blatantly obvious that he’s avoiding looking at Violet as though his life depends on it.

  “Violet,” I whisper, “what’s with him?” She stares and blinks away tears, but more come. “Let’s go to the restroom,” I suggest.

  Standing, I quickly whisper into Sawyer’s ear, “I’ll be back soon.” He glances between us and seems to understand why. I kiss him on the lips and take Violet’s hand, tugging her with me.

  As soon as we’re behind the closed door of the restroom, I turn to Violet. “Please tell me why you’re so upset.”

  “He’s told me,” she catches her breath and struggles to get herself under control, “that he thinks I should accept, Deacon.” She starts crying so I shove some tissues into her hands.

  I have no clue who Deacon is or why Blake would suggest such a thing when it’s obvious to everyone but them that they belong together, not with other people.

  After a few minutes Violet swipes at her eyes and tells me, “Deacon is with the Great Falls police department. He hasn’t been there long.” She shrugs. “He’s a nice guy and has asked me out once or twice.”

  She looks so sad as I place my arm around her shoulders. “And Blake suggested you date Deacon, when Blake is the one you want?”

  “Am I stupid waiting for Blake to get it together?” Her head drops to my shoulder. “I’m so mad with him, Andie. In fact, I’m so mad that I am going to go out with Deacon.” She smiles and moves over to the mirror where she splashes water onto her face.

  “Are you sure?” I hesitate because I’m not sure her going out with someone else is the wisest decision.

  “Deacon is a nice guy. Blake obviously thinks so.” She grabs tissues from the dispenser, her anger clear. “He suggested it so he can’t complain to anyone about me dating Deacon, right?”

  I watch as she grabs her cell from her purse and sends a message, a response is quickly received.

  She smiles. “I have a date when I get back home.”

  “I’m still not sure dating Deacon when you’re in love with Blake is the right thing to do. Won’t you be hurting Deacon?” I hold my hands out when she turns and looks ready to snap at me. “Don’t shoot me. I’m playing devils advocate here.”

  “I’m done wanting someone who will never see me the way I see him.” Shrugging she turns and I follow her back to the table.

  “Thought we were going to have to send a search party after you,” Mateo comments.

  I take my seat next to Sawyer and slip my hand into his, intertwining our fingers.

  “I needed a minute,” Violet volunteers, and smiles. “And in that minute, I did what Blake suggested, and accepted Deacon’s date.”

  T
he table goes silent, but Violet acts as though she doesn’t notice by looking through the menu. I’m sure I’m the only one who must notice the tremble in her hands as she keeps them tightly together on her lap.

  Chancing a glance at Blake, his furious eyes are on the top of Violets bent head. His anger is palpable and it’s only when his sister nudges into him that his attention moves.

  “What was that about?” Sawyer whispers into my ear, sending shards of pleasure down my spine.

  “I’ll tell you later.” I kiss along his jaw. “Much later.”

  His eyes darken and he lets me see everything he’s feeling; lust is there, but most notable of all is the love that shines back at me.

  He slips an arm around my waist and as he nuzzles into my neck, oblivious to my family chatting around us, he whispers, “I have this fantasy of you in sexy lingerie.”

  “Hmm, and what would I be doing?” I slip my hand to his thigh and slowly slide it along. I grin when he quivers under my touch.

  “You’d be,” he chokes when my fingers graze his trapped cock, “bent over my desk.”

  “Good to know.” I press against him before pulling away.

  I smirk at the blush coating his cheeks.

  “Can you two stop playing around over there and pay attention,” Kasey says, and laughs when Felicity nudges into him. He wraps an arm around his heavily pregnant wife and kisses her on the top of her head.

  “We’re not playing around,” Sawyer says. “In fact, I’m very serious.” Raising our hands, he kisses my knuckles.

  His love for me is there for anyone to see. “I love you.”

  His smile is so wide that my belly flutters with the love that I’ll never be able to describe even if I tried.

  “Let’s eat,” Diego suggests. “We need to celebrate your graduation in style.” He turns to the waiter. “Can you bring us a couple bottles of champagne, please?”

  The waiter dashes away and everyone starts talking at once and as Sawyer starts whispering into my ear, I notice the sadness surrounding Blake. Violet seems to have changed since our talk in the restroom, but Blake...I just want to wrap him up and tell him he has nothing to be afraid of and to go for it with Violet. The sad part is that I don’t think he will as long as he’s in the wheelchair.

  THE END

  Turn the page for a sneak peak of Love in Surrender #8.

  28

  Blake

  Love in Surrender #8 (unedited and subject to change)

  Swallowing back the anguish of listening to Violet talking about dating Deacon, I try to concentrate on the other conversations going on around the table…except…I can’t. My attention as always is on my physical therapist that I also happen to live with.

  Violet came into my life at the lowest point and swept into my heart like a tornado. She’s the only woman I see, and, I care enough about her to push her toward someone else who can offer her a life with financial security.

  I know that she’s hurting because of my callous words on the subject of her dating, but she isn’t the only one. I hurt. I hurt so fucking much that it’s difficult to not cry like a baby.

  Beneath the table, my sister slips her hand over mine and gives it a squeeze before forcing my fist to open and accept her hand fully into mine.

  I meet her gaze and quickly look away, but I accept the lifeline she offers me and hold on tight.

  Everyone knows why I’m pushing Violet away and I just wish that they’d accept my decision. Instead they look on wondering what the hell I’m doing with my life, which isn’t much.

  If my sister weren’t part of this family then I’d have worked something out to get me home.

  Home is with Violet.

  Closing my eyes, I ignore the celebration meal for Andie and try to cling to my anger at the situation that I find myself in.

  My life fell apart while my sister dated Kasey, and I still have no idea how I’m supposed to pick up the pieces. I’m not even going to lie to myself because without Kasey and Felicity, I wouldn’t be as healthy as I am.

  It just kills me living with the woman that I’ve fallen in love with, knowing that I may never be the man that she needs. That brings me back to what I told her earlier. I’m just not sure that I have enough years left to forget the look on her face when I suggested she date. She’d looked heartbroken.

  No words have been exchanged between us since the hotel and I don’t know how long that’s going to last considering we’re sharing a two bedroom suite for one more night.

  Sighing, I release my sister’s hand and give her a wry smile. “Thanks.”

  She rolls her eyes, and leaning in whispers, “One of these days you’re going to open your eyes and wonder why you were such a jerk.”

  My eyes narrow as she continues, “I love you, and Blake, so does the woman that you’re ignoring.” She leans in and kisses my cheek. “Don’t let your food go cold.”

  I smile and tell her, “You’re going to make an amazing Mom, Felicity.”

  Tears gather in her eyes as she fights them back. One slips down her delicate cheek, which I capture. “I love you too, Sis. Just please don’t cry otherwise you’re husband will want to punch me.”

  She giggles. “No he won’t.”

  “That’s debatable,” Kasey mumbles from beside her.

  Ignoring Kasey, I nod toward her plate of food. “Let’s eat.”

  “You men in my life are annoying with the nagging,” she moans.

  “The men in your life love you,” Kasey points out. “Which is why we’re always telling you to eat.” He tilts her face to him and plants a kiss to her lips. “I need you to stay healthy.”

  I tune them out and finally glance across the table, finding Violet’s gaze already on me. My eyes caress over her pale features, down to her untouched plate of food. When I finally lift my eyes and meet hers, I see tears swimming in the violet depths, and my resolve starts to crack.

  Dear Reader

  If you liked Love in Education, 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, iBooks, Goodreads, etc.

  Other books by Lexi Buchanan

  Bad Boy Rockers

  Book 1: Sizzle

  Book 2: Spicy

  Book 3: Sultry

  Book 4: Savor

  Book 5: Sinful

  Book 6: Silent Night (Novella)

  McKenzie Brothers

  Book 1: Seduce

  Book 1.5: The Wedding (Novella)

  Book 2:Rapture

  Book 3: Delight

  Book 4: Entice

  Book 5: Cherished

  Book 5.5: A McKenzie Christmas (Novella)

  De La Fuente Family (McKenzie Spinoff)

  Book 1: Love in Montana

  Book 2: Love in Purgatory

  Book 3: Love in Bloom

  Book 4: Love in Country

  Book 5: Love in Flame

  Book 6: Love in Game

  Book 7: Love in Education

  McKenzie Cousins

  (McKenzie Spinoff)

  Book 1: Baby Makes Three

  Jackson Hole

  Book 1: From This Moment

  Book 1.5: When we Meet (Novella, in the back of From This Moment)

  Book 2: New Beginning (coming soon)

  Romantic Suspense

  28 Days

  Lawful

  Stryker

  Romantic Mystery

  Rose and Jacob

  Forbidden Romance

  Dear Professor

  Standalone Novella’s

  One Dance

  Educate Me

  Holiday Season

  Kissing Under the Mistletoe

  A Soldier’s Christmas

  28 Days, a romantic suspense

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  Until he receives a visit from victim #6

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  He was their star fighter, the one that brought in the big money. At first I feared him because of his size and the way he would look at me. But then I discovered that I was his biggest distraction, and no matter what my head told me, my heart told me to fight for the man who didn’t know how to live outside of the octagon.

  NYT & USA Today bestselling author Lexi Buchanan brings you her new sexy standalone novel about fighting for freedom when the odds are against you.

  Rose and Jacob, a cozy romantic mystery

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