Moreno's (Moreno Brothers Series) - Elizabeth Reyes Page 0,13

again to get him moving even faster. If Isa got on that horse with Luis, he wasn’t sure how he’d react, but he could already feel it in his gut. It’d be the chisme of the town for sure tomorrow. Fortunately, Luis hopped on his horse alone.

There was no missing the wide-eyed startled expression on Isa, as Alej rode up to them with a purpose. Luis glanced at him, that same smug smirk spreading on his face as he turned back to Isa. “It’s a beautiful evening. You sure you’re not up for a ride around town?”

“Yeah, she is actually,” Alej said, getting off his horse and staring up at Luis. “With me.”

Alej smiled at Luis then Isa in an attempt to make this as less confrontational as possible. But his adrenaline was already drumming away. If this fucker pushed, he’d be pushing back too. Hard.

Luis chuckled but wisely didn’t even bother to address Alej. Instead, he turned back to Isa and smiled. “Dinner was delicious, Isa.” He put on his hat then tipped it to her. “Gracias, hermosa, y buenas noches.”

Without bothering to even look in Alej’s direction, Luis pulled his horse’s reins to the side and started around Isa back into town. The moment he was far enough away, Isa began to quickly explain as Alej’s heart continued to thump away. “I didn’t know he’d be joining us. Even my mom didn’t. His brothers all decided to have drinks at the cantina, and he couldn’t because he’s underage, so he came here with his—”

“That’s bullshit. Since when has Fernandez ever carded anyone?” When her earlier sweetly anxious expression hardened, he went on. “Not saying you’re full of mierda. I’m saying he could’ve easily joined his brothers with no problem. He came here because this is where he wanted to be tonight—having dinner with you, hermosa.”

Her hardened expression eased up instantly, making Alej’s stomach turn, and he felt his brows jump. “Does that make you happy, Isa?”

“What? No!” She shook her head adamantly. “I’ve never had such an uncomfortable dinner in my life.”

“Did he make you uncomfortable?” Alej grabbed Atrevido’s reins, ready to jump on the caballo and chase after the bastard if he had to. “Was he disrespectful?”

“No. No.” The anxious expression on her sweet face was back. “My mom and grandma and his dad were there the whole time. Of course, he’d be perfectly respectful. I just kept thinking you’d be showing up soon, and I didn’t want you to be upset or think anything of it.”

“So, your abuela didn’t invite him?” Alej swallowed hard.

“No. It was a surprise to all of us when he showed up with his father.”

She reached her hand out to him, and he took it, feeling an instant magic. The only other times he’d ever taken her hand in his was when he was helping off or onto Atrevido or helping her up from anywhere like out of the river or up a hill they might be hiking.

“As a matter of fact,” she went on, her eyes glancing away, a bit unsure. “I was gonna tell you about it tonight.”

Alej peered at her, confused, shaking his head. “Tell me what?”

“We spoke of my quinceañera as we prepared for dinner.” She stopped, looking back at her front door. “Let me tell them I’ll be back, and I can tell you about it when you take me on that ride.”

Hurrying back to the front door, Isa stuck her head inside and said something Alej couldn’t really hear. She was quickly back, and Alej helped her up on Atrevido. Even getting on a horse with him was something they usually did far from her grandma’s and mother’s inquiring eyes, so this surprised him. His comment about taking her for a ride earlier was merely to make it clear to Luis that, if she’d be getting on anyone’s horse, it would be his—and only his. But he hadn’t actually intended on taking her on one.

Hopping on behind her, Alej brought his arms around her waist, grabbing the reins in front of her, and they started off. Isa did what she always did when he brought his arms around her and took a deep breath. As seemingly innocuous as the gesture was, they both knew better. Alej could hardly wait until he could do more with her—so much more. Before he could start worrying about what his fantasizing might do to him and possibly render him unable to get off the horse without his tented crotch offending