Page 24 of Mateo & Nicole
Before she could answer, a squeal erupted from the crowd.
“Mateo! I didn’t think you’d come!”
It only took a moment for Mateo to shoot a threatening look at his sister for Nikki to understand what Sophia had done. She’d planned this whole thing. In order to get Mateo to come, she’d dragged Nikki into it.
On the one hand, it was nice to know that Mateo was willing to drive them here for Nikki’s benefit—as he was making it clear they were still friends. But on the other hand? Sophia wasn’t trying to set the two of them up. Nope. She’d made some sort of agreement to bring Mateo here for that woman’s benefit.
She was tall—with legs for days. Curves in all the right places, making her appear as though she was the true embodiment of an hourglass. She had the most perfect complexion—ivory skin with just the right amount of blush across her cheeks. Freckles dotted her nose and the soft rosy coloring. Her hair was a pale strawberry blonde, and she turned heads as she came rushing forward.
This woman drew the focus from both men and women as she moved through the crowd. Of course, she was interested in Mateo. Like found like. They were practically made for each other. If they got together, their babies would be the most beautiful beings on the planet.
She didn’t bother looking Nikki’s way as she threw her arms around Mateo. She lingered in his arms before pulling back and placing a hand on his cheek. “You owe me your first dance, you scoundrel. I’ve been trying to reach you for days.”
“I’ve been busy,” Mateo said in a flat tone.
Nikki felt like she was watching something she had no right to. These two needed their space. As carefully as she could, she slipped away. Thankfully, Sophia came with her—though her companionship didn’t last long.
* * *
Nikki should have lefta half hour ago. Sophia was chatting with the woman who had stolen Mateo’s first dance. She’d been the woman Sophia had mentioned before they came. They were laughing and joking around like they were best of friends while Nikki had morphed into a wallflower.
Her stomach churned, and as she watched several people who were ten times as good-looking as herself, she felt even more out of place. She didn’t belong here—that much was clear. The only problem was that Mateo had been their driver. Maybe she could find someone to take pity on her and take her home. Or perhaps she could call Daniel and he could come get her.
She moved toward the door, sending one more glance around the room, but Mateo wasn’t in sight. Good. He wouldn’t want her slipping out without telling them. She’d send Sophia a text. That would be enough.
Just as she was about to reach the door, an arm slipped around her middle and she was tugged toward the dance floor just as a slow song began.
Her breath snagged in her throat. Her heart exploded against her ribs. And the familiar scent of his aftershave permeated the air between them.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Mateo said, his voice low. His eyes flashed with amusement… and something else. They were pressed against each other as he spun her around the dance floor. She could barely breathe, and it had everything to do with the fire his touch elicited against her skin.
“I was just… I thought I should… I’m tired.” It was the only thing that would make sense. “And Paxton probably needs me.”
He chuckled, the sound warm and inviting and all too close. “We haven’t even been here a whole hour.”
“Exactly,” she said breathlessly, “I haven’t been away from him this long before.”
Mateo’s eyes locked on hers in a stare that was all too intimate for her liking. “Then I suppose it’s a good thing I caught you before you slipped away.” His hold on her tightened, and her breath hitched.
Too close.
Tooclose.
Her thoughts were running away from her. She couldn’t allow herself to believe this was anything more than friendship. Mateo was a flirt. She’d known that from the start. She needed to get her head cleared and locked down before he did some real damage.
Their dance ended, and he carted her off toward the back doors. The air was cooler out on the balcony than it was on the dance floor, and it allowed Nikki to breathe easier. Mateo stood beside her, his arm brushing against hers as they both leaned against the railing and looked out at the endless property before them.
Mateo was quiet for a long moment, then he sighed. “After Caroline, I forced myself to close off to everyone else.”
She stiffened. Was he actually talking about Caroline now? He’d avoided this conversation from the get-go. What was happening?
He cleared his throat but didn’t face her. “She really did a number on me. I couldn’t even bring myself to say her name—that was how bad it was. And trying to trust anyone with my heart? Fat chance.” He shook his head before running a hand through his hair. “But I suppose that’s to be expected, right?” This time he turned his eyes toward her, his gaze pleading. It was as if he needed her to give him permission to be vulnerable.
“Of course, it’s to be expected,” she whispered. “You gave your heart to her, and she ripped it out of your chest. If anyone faults you for being hesitant to find love again, they’re crazy.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I think the statute of limitations to blame my trust issues on my failed relationship expired several years ago.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Some scars run deeper than we realize.”
