Page 34 of Mateo & Nicole

He had a bit of a smug told-you-so look on his face, but she found she didn’t care. As far as she was concerned, they’d both won something tonight.

She stifled a laugh and fell back against the brick as she dragged a hand through her hair. But in the next second, he dipped his face closer to hers once more. His lips grazed hers, just a whisper of a kiss before he trailed his touch along her jaw and toward her ear.

“You’re something else,” he said against it.

Nikki shivered, the chills rippling through her body in the most pleasurable way possible. She let out a shaky breath as he pulled back and stared down at her like she was a treasure worth hiding away from the whole world. Placing a hand to his cheek, she let out a sigh. “And you’re everything I never expected.”

They stared at one another for what felt like an eternity. Finally, he wove his fingers in between hers and jerked his chin toward the dance room. “What do you say we get in a few more songs before we head home? I’m not ready to give you up just yet.”

She tightened her hold on him and nodded. “I’m all yours.”

Mateo brought her hand to his lips for what felt like the millionth time that night, and yet it still made her stomach churn with anticipation of what all of this meant. Then he winked at her. “Promise?”

His question gave her pause, but only for a moment. “Promise,” she whispered.

16

Mateo

Mateo nodded to the barista in thanks as he grabbed the cardboard cup carrier. Two coffees and a hot chocolate. For the most part, the coffee shop was dead. People didn’t come to town to get an early coffee fix—at least not in Copper Creek. Those who got their usual tended to be those running errands or going to their jobs in the hub of town.

His brothers and sisters had still been sleeping when he’d left this morning. The guys who worked for him wouldn’t be getting their breakfast for another half hour. But he’d heard Nikki get up a little less than an hour ago. She’d slipped down the stairs and headed out to the building where she fixed everyone’s meals.

It had been hard for him to sleep after the night they’d had. Mateo was stuck on the high he’d gotten from simply being in her company. If his experiences last night taught him anything, it was that he wanted more—needed more. Walking away from Nikki at this point would be a mistake. It would be walking away from fate.

And he wasn’t going to do that.

Not again.

He arrived at the ranch with fifteen minutes to spare. Granted, there was a chance that the men would start to drag themselves from their beds and head for breakfast early, but they didn’t go into the back.

Except the two who helped Nikki with meals occasionally.

Mateo wasn’t worried about them. They’d likely have figured out that something was brewing between Nikki and himself. So far, they didn’t seem concerned with it.

He whistled to himself as he headed up the couple of steps to the breakfast hall. With sure, quick steps, he made his way past the rows of tables and toward the kitchen door. Just as he’d thought, the two cowboys were helping Nikki finish up with meal prep. All three of them looked up when he entered.

Nikki’s eyes flickered with something.

Desire?

Adoration?

Surprise?

It didn’t matter as long as she wasn’t scowling at him.

He jerked his head toward the door. “I’d like a minute with Ms. Reynolds.”

The two cowboys exchanged quick glances with Nikki, who only smiled reassuringly at them. Mateo moved closer to her, waiting until the men were through the door before he spoke. He kept his voice low, so if the cowboys were eavesdropping, they wouldn’t be able to hear what he had to say.

“I had a really good time last night,” he said, plucking the coffee he’d bought just for her from the cardboard carrier.

Nikki’s eyes dipped to the drink and a smile curled her lips. “Me too.”

“Good.”

She lifted her focus to him and tilted her head with amusement. “Good?”

---