Page 32 of Mateo & Nicole
Part of him wanted to tell her that he’d had a crush on her all those years ago and this felt like a second chance, but he didn’t think she’d believe him. It felt like she’d push him away. Or maybe she’d resent him for not acting on that crush when they’d been friends. Either way, telling Nikki anything about his past feelings wasn’t going to happen.
He took a deep breath and blew it out through pursed lips. “Don’t push me away, Nikki. I’ve already been having one heck of a time trying to ignore the attraction I’ve developed for you.”
“You have?”
Was he mistaken? Or did she sound almost hopeful? Mateo took a risk, reaching out with his free hand to trace a line down her jaw. “I have.”
She shut her eyes at his touch, and he stifled a grin. He was getting past her defenses.
“Let me prove it to you.”
Her eyes flew open, and she stared at him with those bright eyes.
“Let me take you out and show you how I feel,” Mateo pleaded. He waited, holding his breath as she considered his offer. Suddenly, she nodded.
“Okay,” she said. “One date.”
“That’s all I need,” he promised, bringing her hand to his lips before brushing a kiss across her knuckles.
15
Nikki
Nikki lost count of how many times she’d pinched herself. She was actually going on a date withtheMateo Palmer. This was either going to blow up in her face or be the best night of her life. She glanced at Mateo out of the corner of her eye as she sat in the passenger seat of his truck for the second time within a week.
He hadn’t told her where they were going. She figured they’d be getting dinner and then doing something more. Honestly, she wasn’t going to be picky. As long as she was going to spend time with Mateo, she was going to be happy.
Every few minutes, he glanced at her. It was like they’d gone back in time and the two of them were in high school again. The tension hung so thick in the air that it was difficult to breathe right. Something needed to give so they could just get back to being comfortable in each other’s company.
Nikki wrung her hands in her lap, trying to come up with the words to apologize for acting so weird, but there was no way to say it without making her sound like a simpering fool. They were not teenagers. He wasn’t the popular jock, and she wasn’t the shy wallflower. They were adults who had grown up and were very capable of chasing after something more with whomever they wanted.
Somehow, Mateo found her hand and slipped his fingers between hers. He squeezed tight and flashed her a smile that had her legs going weak and her heart fluttering wildly. If they didn’t get more than just this night together, she’d be grateful for the chance.
Tonight, she’d make a promise to herself. There would be no chasing after something that wasn’t meant to be, so she’d simply enjoy his company.
Nikki glanced out her window just as the country club came into view. Her eyes cut to Mateo with confusion. “Why are we here again?”
One side of his mouth lifted into a grin. “The last time we were here, I didn’t get nearly enough time with you in my arms. I fully intend on monopolizing all your time and holding you every last second.”
Her first instinct was to laugh him off. But his eyes and his voice were so serious that she couldn’t bring herself to utter a single sound. Not a single degree of mirth or teasing was evident.
Was it possible that he’d been telling the truth this whole time?
Nikki swallowed hard and smiled right back. “Well, if you’re game, then I am.”
She didn’t think it was possible, but her words had his smile widening further. It made the swirling, twirling emotions within her go into overdrive.
It was fine. This was totally fine. Eventually, the thrill of this night would fade away and she’d get back to feeling normal again. Until that time, she’d give in and enjoy the evening. She reached for the door handle, but Mateo’s sharp voice startled her enough that she yanked her hand from it.
“No.”
She turned wide eyes toward him. “Why? Are we going somewhere else first?”
He shook his head. “You’re my date, and as such, you’ll be treated like it. I’m opening that door for you, so don’t you even think about getting it for yourself.”
Nikki rolled her eyes with a smirk but did as she was told. She watched him walk around the truck to her door. He pulled it open and held out his hand for her to take. She eyed his offering and placed her hand into his before he helped pull her to her feet and into his arms.
She gasped as his face came within inches of hers. For a second, she expected him to steal a kiss, but his lips came within millimeters of her ear. His breath grazed the sensitive skin there when he whispered, “If our date ended right now, it would still be the best one I’ve ever had.”
