Bright Fire
CHAPTER SEVEN

THEY WENT to Aroma del Cielo instead of dropping Clara at Aunt Carlota's mansion. She did not feel like going home yet. She could not part ways with Fuego just yet. They passed by the back door, leading to Clara's office and the counter.

"Ma'am Clara!" Jennifer uttered in surprise. She was stationed at the counter as usual. "Welcome back! How was your vacation?"

Clara could not help smiling.

"It was great. How was the shop while I'm away?"

"Everything was all right. You have nothing to worry about." She tilted her head as she glanced at Fuego behind her. "He's even more handsome up close," she said and giggled. Clara turned to Fuego with a smile. He was smiling, too.

"Fuego, this is Jennifer. She's one of my trusted employees. Jennifer, this is Fuego."

"Your boyfriend?"

"Um..." Clara cleared her throat. She just smiled once again, and Jennifer already understood.

"Nice to meet you, Sir Fuego."

"Same here, Jennifer, " Fuego replied warmly.

"Would you like some coffee, Ma'am? For you and your hunky boyfriend?"

"Yes, please. Could you bring us some ice cold cappuccino in my office?"

"Coming right up, Ma'am!" Jennifer said eagerly.

"Thank you." She turned to Fuego and mouthed, "Let's go."

Clara opened her office and it was clean and in order despite being away for a week. Thanks to Jennifer's multi-tasking skills.

"This is my office, but I really prefer working at the counter most of the time. I love chatting with my employees," Clara said as she closed the door. She then pulled Fuego to the couch. "This is a nice place," Fuego remarked sincerely.

"Thank you."

"Do you have a social life, Clara?"

Clara shook her head shyly.

"My aunt does not allow me to go to a crowded place all by myself or with my friends. I can only attend parties if she was with me."

"Your aunt is being too much."

"I know. I even have to beg her just so I could open this small coffee shop."

"Why not? She's supposed to train you with business management. Why else did she send you to school for?"

"She had other plans for me."

She wanted to get into Julian del Mar's family, and Clara was her only way. She did not have to be a smart businesswoman. She only had to be Josef del Mar's wife. That was her only purpose. And Fuego, with some twist of fate, belonged to that family.

"I don't know. That does not sound right to me," he said disdainfully.

Clara laughed but it did not reach her eyes. She wished she could tell him the truth. But she was scared that would drive Fuego away. It was like losing something she could not have in the first place. "So, what's your plan after this?" she asked.

"I'm going to visit my parents' home before going back to Tierra Felicia."

"I see. That sounds better than going back to illegal racing."

Fuego laughed at once.

Clara stared as her heart knotted in the realization that she had fallen in love with him. It made her eyes well up with tears, her chest bursting with emotions.

Too bad she did not have the freedom to express her feelings. She did not want Fuego to have the wrong idea. Fuego might not reciprocate her feelings, but none of them mattered now.

"DO YOU want to grab dinner tonight before I leave?" Fuego asked as they stood beside his pickup truck.

"That would be lovely!" she exclaimed right away. "Where?"

"If you have a place in mind."

Clara nibbled her lower lip as she thought of beautiful places to dine. There were too many things running in her mind because of excitement.

"I can't think as of the moment," she said in surrender, giggling shyly.

"It's all right. Just make sure you'll have some beauty rest, okay?"

"Okay."

"See you tonight, Clara."

The hair at the back of her neck stood up at the statement and made her knees weak.

"S-see you," she uttered breathlessly.

THE DINNER was nothing fancy. They bought food from a popular fast food restaurant and drove up to the end of the city, parked Fuego's truck on a hill and watched the city lights spread at their feet like stars. Clara moaned and arched her back as Fuego's warm hand crept under her shirt and found the hook of her bra. She was sitting on his lap on the picnic mat, kissing and more.

He unclasped it with a little effort, and it snapped quietly. She lifted her hands as he removed her top, leaving nothing before his eyes.

Passion burned in his eyes as he watched her beauty under the bright moonlight.

He grabbed her breasts and squeezed them, playing with her nipples between his fingers. Clara's lips parted as she enjoyed the ministrations, moaning and sighing occasionally. "You're amazing," he uttered huskily.

Clara's already flushed face turned red.

"We should make you amazing, too," she replied and grabbed the hem of his shirt.

Fuego chuckled as he lifted his arms.

CLARA GRABBED Fuego's hands as she rocked her hips on top of him as if her life depended on it. He, on the other hand, was whispering sweet and encouraging words to her, heightening the pleasure between them. Once again, Clara found her heart wanting to explode with love and desire for him. She pulled Fuego's hands to her chest, inviting him to fondle her breasts.

And he did, driving Clara wild. She whimpered at the approaching orgasm, increasing her speed for the next moments.

"Fuego!"

Fuego grabbed her in his arms as they convulsed in ecstasy. He groaned as he came inside her.

Clara bit her lower lip at the sensation, her chest rising and falling. She felt his lips against the side of her head and did not say anything after that. A satisfied smile curved her lips as she remained on his chest. CLARA TRIED to sound as cheerful as she could when Aunt Carlota called, telling her she was at the airport.

"Do you want me to pick you up, Auntie?" she asked. Not that she was enthusiastic to see her aunt again after almost two weeks. Clara even hoped Aunt Carlota would extend her business trip.

"Oh, no, dear. You don't need to bother. I have already called my driver. I'll just see you tonight, okay? I can't wait to see you."

"Me, too, Auntie," Clara replied quietly. She put her phone inside her drawer and sighed as she slumped in her chair.

If there was someone Clara wanted to see so bad, it was Fuego. She missed him so much.

He was swamped at the farm as of the moment. She understood. And instead of feeling upset, she admired that hardworking man even more.

A FAMILIAR car was waiting for Carlota outside the airport. It was except for the company car she was expecting.

The window at the driver seat pulled down, revealing Baron behind the steering wheel. She pursed her lips when he smiled at her.

"Dessa, take my stuff back home. Let's just see each other in the office tomorrow," she told her assistant and surrendered her luggage. "Sure, Madam." Dessa bowed politely.

Carlota clutched her purse as she marched casually to Baron's car and got inside. She pulled her dark sunglasses up and raised an eyebrow. "Don't show up like this next time," she said.

Baron only grinned, ignoring her tone and drove off.

"Why did you bring me here?" she asked with distaste as they entered Baron's place.

"Because it's the only place you can be yourself, Carlota," Baron replied behind her.

She turned to him abruptly, and her hand landed on his face. Who did this man think he is to talk like he knew her?

Baron grinned as he rubbed his jaw.

"Why? Did that sound insulting to you?"

Rage filled her eyes as she crossed their distance. Carlota grabbed his face and pulled him for a demanding kiss.

THEIR MOANS of pleasure filled the small bathroom. Carlota found herself grabbing the sink, waist bent, as Baron thrust from behind. He was holding her in place, and she watched their frenzied expressions through the mirror.

She hated the fact that Baron knew her body more than her other lovers do. But it was the same reason she enjoyed every sexual encounter with him. After all, she was a woman with need.

She had some hookups during the last two weeks she was out of town. But no one could compare to Baron. Though she kept telling herself that he was not the man she dreamt of.

She could choose from her decent suitors-widowed businessmen, bachelor politicians, and even younger professionals. But Carlota had not gotten over her first love. She did not think she could ever do.

With a sharp cry, Carlota climaxed. Baron pulled her toward him as he came, too. Carlota gripped his arms as if her life depended on it.

They stood in front of the mirror for a while, panting and recovering their strengths.

CARLOTA wore Baron's shirt after the shower. She stood in front of his tiny, old mirror, brushing her wet hair.

"I'm starving," she said as she turned to him, only to find Baron gazing at her with an amused smile plastered on his lips. "What are you looking at?" she asked grumpily.

"You look prettier without makeup on. And you look cute in my shirt."

"May I just remind you that we are not stupid teenagers anymore, and I am still older than you."

Baron chuckled, ignoring her tone as usual.

She grabbed her purse on the nightstand and fished her phone. "I'm going to order food. You pick it up outside."

Carlota went to the tiny kitchen and searched through his fridge to grab something to eat while waiting. She found an apple.

Baron followed when she was munching the fruit.

"You want some?" she asked.

"Nah. I prefer a different apple." He snatched the apple with a sly smile and put it on the kitchen counter.

Baron lifted her hips and put her on top of the table.

"Baron!" she protested.

He lifted her shirt and parted her thighs. Carlota was not wearing any underwear. He knelt at the table and buried his face between her legs.

Carlota cried as she felt his mouth against her wet orifice. He was being aggressive, but complaining was not an option.

The more Baron licked her dry, the more Carlota squirted warm juices from her thighs.

Carlota leaned on her elbows as she threw her head up, moaning and whimpering in delight. Baron was devouring her, the slurping sound his mouth made added fuel to the pleasure.

A few moments later, the doorbell rang. Baron paused and glanced at the living room.

"Baron!" Carlota hissed. "Don't you dare leave me like this!" For goodness sake, she was close to orgasm already!

Baron chuckled.

"Says who?" Instead of going back to business, he inserted his middle finger inside her.

Carlota jerked and pulled her legs up.

"How cute you are, my little, adorable whore," he teased.

"YOU LOOK glowing, Clara," Aunt Carlota remarked after taking a sip of her red wine.

Clara paused from slicing her steak. Her aunt came to pick her up from the coffee shop that evening to eat dinner outside.

She did not know how to take that compliment. She smiled awkwardly and said, "T-thank you, Auntie."

"Are you that excited to meet Josef del Mar already?"

She blinked in confusion.

"W-what?"

"I bet you heard that he graced the latest cover of Adrenaline Magazine. He's the talk of the town now!" Aunt Carlota clasped her hands and sighed dreamily.

Clara grabbed her own glass to avoid her aunt's gaze. She knew nothing about it!

She cleared her throat and faked a smile.

"Oh, that. Yeah. He was amazing." Not as amazing as Fuego, though.

"And I've got good news for you, Clara. I got an invitation from their company for the opening ceremony of Casa del Mar. The only remaining heritage house in the city was renovated into a restaurant, preserving its original facade. I heard it was Josef's idea. I mean, that man is too brilliant for such a young age."

Clara nodded, pretending to be impressed when the truth was she could barely comprehend.

"Take the day off tomorrow. We're going shopping. You have to stand out in Josef del Mar's eyes at that party."

Clara would have been delighted if that was her younger self. Going shopping with her aunt only happened at least once a year. She was lucky if they were out of the country.

But she already knew in her heart that Fuego was the only man she wanted to impress.