Moreno's (Moreno Brothers Series) - Elizabeth Reyes Page 0,19
abandoned. Not only was it a much farther place to get to on foot on a regular day, today was especially hot for anyone to brave the hike. But it was a sight to see. As soon as they reached the edge of the swimming hole, Alej got off his horse and helped Isa down.
It wasn’t the first time it happened, but being in such a secluded place, her sliding down the horse’s side and against Alej’s body felt as wrong as it excited him. She wasn’t quite sixteen yet, but she’d blossomed so much lately it was hard not to notice. Though, as usual, he was determined to be a gentleman, not just because he had the utmost respect for her and her mother—but his dad would have his ass if he heard otherwise.
Ever since that very public kiss he’d planted on her at her quinceañera over a year ago, he’d been thoroughly warned by his father not to get any ideas of doing anything more. And even stealing an innocent kiss here and there should be done sparingly and with much care so as not to taint her reputation. His father had let him in on something else Alej had never been aware of but gave him something to ponder, whenever he did happen to steal a kiss and it got a little deeper than any before.
“Eduviges is not a thirty-something solterona just because she never found the one, you know.”
Alej had been confused; he didn’t even know who his dad had been talking about. His dad had lifted his hands and done air quotes with his fingers. “Señorita Munoz.” He’d rolled his eyes. “The schoolteacher. Let me tell you. That spinster is no señorita just because she’s never been married. It’s been years and out of respect for her family and because she at least made something of herself and became a teacher that people still address her as such. But anyone who’s been around long enough knows the story behind her never marrying.”
Apparently when Señorita Munoz had been around Isa’s age maybe a little older according to his dad, she too had a pretendiente who like Alej laid claim on her early on. As they got closer to marrying age and other possible suitors started sniffing around her, he also made it blatantly obvious he already owned her in every way.
His father had shrugged. “As the chisme began spreading around the pueblo, he did right by her and asked for her hand in marriage. The whole town knew the wedding would be but a mere formality. But then he was killed when the bus he was in went off the side of a cliff.” With a shake of his head as Alej’s jaw had dropped open, his dad went on to deliver the clincher. “Not only did she tragically lose her fiancé just months before the wedding, she was instantly damaged goods. No man would have her now. Only chance that girl ever had of any man taking her as his bride would be a young widower in need of someone to help him raise his kids or an old one in need of someone to take care of him. Too old for that now. So, think about that before you even consider not keeping it in your pants. Life is too unpredictable. If you really care about Isabella, you don’t want to ruin her future if anything unforeseen should happen.”
As torturously tempting as some of their innocent kisses had been recently, it’s the one thing he tried to keep in mind, even now as he turned to Isa wearing clothes he knew would be slicked against her curves soon. When they were younger, she didn’t have a bra to remove from under her top. As they got older, she’d remove it before jumping in, but Alej had always been respectful and tried his damnedest to keep his eyes off any tantalizing curves, especially if Cido was around. He was too busy making sure that guy kept his fucking eyes to himself.
Isa turned to the waterfall in awe. “Isn’t it amazing that something so beautiful could be out here in the middle of nowhere? It’s almost a shame that many will never get to witness it.”
They walked closer to the water so Atrevido, could get a much-deserved drink. Isa was already taking her shoes off. Alejandro sat on one of the boulders, glad now that Cido was in the city today. As much as he liked