Page 68 of Mateo & Nicole

“I should have never let Caroline get into my head. I should have trusted you.” Pain laced his voice. “You’ve never done anything to warrant me not giving you the benefit of the doubt.”

Except she had. She’d lied about meeting Caroline. They both had. The irony of that situation wasn’t lost on her, and she let out a disparaging laugh. So much pain and suffering could have been avoided if she’d come clean about seeing her. “I thought…” She shut her eyes, and more tears spilled. “I thought you were still in love with her.”

Mateo made a disgruntled sound, and she peered up at him to see him making a disgusted face to match it. “I wouldneverchoose her again.” He released her and cupped her face with both hands. “I wouldneverchoose anyone over you.”

Her chest burned. The smoldering embers of the relationship they’d been building had new life breathed into it.

“I love you, Nikki. I never stopped loving you. I came here to ask you for another chance.” He sucked in a deep breath and released it heavily. “But I’d understand if you don’t want to give it to me.”

“Mateo,” she whispered, reaching up to touch his face.

“Please,” he said, leaning into her touch. “Let me spend the rest of my life proving just how much I love?—”

She cut him off with her lips, capturing his mouth in a searing kiss that neither one of them would soon forget. It was pain, heartache, hope, and forgiveness all wrapped up in one.

Mateo scooped her into his arms, holding her like he was afraid she’d disappear at any second. There was a desperation in the way he kissed her back, to the way he clung to her.

And it mirrored her own.

He pulled away just enough to press his forehead to hers. “Tell me you’re mine.”

Nikki hesitated for only a moment. “I’m yours,” she murmured breathlessly.

“Only mine, and not some bartender’s in town,” he added.

A smile tugged at her lips, and she feathered her fingers through his hair. “Only yours,” she whispered just before stealing another kiss.

EPILOGUE

One year later

Mateo

“This is great. I’m sure all the guys are thrilled.”

“You sure?” Mateo let his focus sweep across the crowd of people in their backyard. They’d invited all their employees, a couple of new hires, their families, and clients.

Sophia nodded, bumping her shoulder into his. “Positive. What better way to show your appreciation for everyone who’s making this ranch great. We’re really going somewhere.” That last part was said with so much awe that Mateo couldn’t help but look down at his sister.

She grinned at him with emotion shining in her eyes. “And that’s all thanks to you.”

He pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her neck and using his free hand to give her a noogie.

Sophia screeched and attempted to scramble out of his grasp, but his hold was too tight. “I’m not a kid anymore, Mateo! Gah!” She finally succeeded in escaping his grasp, her eyes shooting venom.

Mateo laughed, turning his attention to the people surrounding them. He’d always felt like an outsider, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he had a place where he belonged.

His attention zoned in on the one person who seemed to be key to that. She could always sense his gaze, and at that moment, her eyes met his.

Warmth flooded his entire being when she stared at him like that.

Sophia dug her elbow into his side, and he yelped. “What was that for?” He rubbed the offensive spot.

She smirked at him, then turned her focus to Nikki. They were several yards away from her, standing near the house while she hovered at the food table. “When are you going to take the leap?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s been a year, Mateo. She’s not Caroline.”

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