Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Zola
Mateo pinned me up against the side of his truck and pressed his body against mine. In the dimly lit parking lot, without a soul around, he brought his mouth inches from mine and didn’t move.
Time stopped.
Everything around me fell away.
How is this real life?
Our breaths mixed, and our chests rose and fell together.
All I could picture, all I could imagine, was his lips on mine.
And then they were.
Mateo moved slowly at first, getting the feel for my mouth, exploring, savoring, and taking his time, coaxing me open and out of my shell. I slipped my arms around his neck and kissed him back, unable to resist anymore, helpless to the power he held over me.
He slipped his tongue inside and tangled it with mine, twisting and swirling as he groaned, a sound deep from within his throat.
Kiss after kiss, he tasted so good I couldn’t stop. His hands landed on my waist and squeezed my sides, shivers running up and down my spine.
When we broke apart, dizzy and out of breath, Mateo closed his eyes and whispered, “Fuck, you taste so damn good, Zola. Can I take you home?”
Reality came crashing back down around me. I couldn’t spend the night out. Not when I had a kid waiting for me back home. I smiled sadly and sighed, sliding my hands down over his shoulders and to his chest. “I wish I could say yes. But I need to go. Thank you for a good time.”
Mateo’s eyes burned into mine, but there wasn’t anger there, or even annoyance. He smiled, lifting one corner of his mouth a bit higher, in the most adorable way. “You have a little person to get home to, no worries there. Can I possibly see you again?”
My heart lifted. I had it bad for this man. “Yes, I’d like that. Maybe my mom will be down for taking my daughter overnight. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Okay, great.” His smile reached his eyes and leaned in for another kiss. “I’m really glad I saw you tonight.”
“Me too.” I said. I kissed him before turning and walking away. His eyes burned a hole into my back, like a beaming hot sunray, and when I reached my car, I looked behind me. Mateo still stood there watching me with a sexy grin on his face. I wiggled my fingers in a wave and climbed into my car.
I smiled the whole ride home.
And when I walked through the front door of my small apartment, my mom greeted me with a hot mug of coffee in the kitchen. “Well, you certainly look happy.”
“I am.” I beamed. “It was a good night.”
“Good. You deserve it, kid.”
“Thanks, Ma. Did you still want to take Charlotte overnight tomorrow? Or does next weekend work better?” I asked, hoping she said tomorrow. I didn’t think I could wait a week before seeing Mateo again.
Uh oh.
No!
But it was already happening.
I was feeling this man, and I was feeling him hard.
“Yes, I plan on picking her up after lunch. Is that okay?”
“Perfect. I’ll have her ready.”
“I think I’ll treat her to a movie. But don’t tell her. I’ll surprise her.” Mom said as she grabbed her purse. “We had fun tonight. She loves to talk about everyone at school.”
I laughed. “Believe me, I know.” I set my coffee mug down on the counter and walked her to the door. “I know her entire class by first name.”
“She reminds me so much of you, Zola. You were always so curious, my beautiful daughter.” She ran a hand down the side of my face and kissed me on the cheek, her signature goodbye. I pulled her in for a hug and returned the kiss.
“See you tomorrow, Ma. Drive safe.” I said, before closing the door. I flipped the lock and turned, pressing my back against it before closing my eyes and sinking to the floor.
I can’t believe I just kissed a hot mountain man.
A really hot, really sexy mountain man.
And he wanted me to come home with me.
Probably for some wild and crazy sex.
What was happening?
Saturday morning started with our usual Saturday routine of sleeping in past eight, making pancakes for breakfast, and watching cartoons. Then we’d go for a walk or to the playground, and I’d let Charlotte burn off her eight-year-old energy I wish I still had an inkling of.
Back at home, Charlotte and I had lunch and packed her bag for her overnight trip to Grandma’s. I loved how close Charlotte and my mom were, a relationship I hoped lasted for a long time.
When they left, it was time for me to prepare myself.
I showered, shaved, and did the works when it came to my skincare and hair, slipping on a comfortable dress and a cute pair of sandals with a jean jacket to finalize the look.
After curling my hair and finishing my makeup, I waited in my kitchen for Mateo.
At the bar the night before, we exchanged phone numbers and earlier today, I texted him my address, confirming our date.
He texted back right away, as if he were waiting for me, and I loved the thrill I got from it.
Was he thinking about me as much as I was thinking about him? He had to be, right?
Knock! Knock!
A sharp tapping rang through the air, and I scurried over to the door, confirming it was Mateo. With a deep breath, I smoothed my hair and outfit and opened the door.
“Zola, hi” Mateo said, almost breathless, his voice even sexier than I remembered. Deep and manly and going straight to my inner core.
I should just invite him inside and skip all the stupid stuff. Just have sex, right here, right now, no small talk, or any bologna that usually comes with it.
“Hi.” I smiled, knowingly. He liked what he saw, and he didn’t hide it.
His eyes dragged up and down my body before locking with mine and holding me hostage with his penetrating stare.
The part of me that cared, that wanted or expected dinner, that wanted the traditional date- all those parts flew out the window.
I opened my door wider. “Want to come in?”
Mateo lifted the corner of his mouth, and a playful gleam appeared in his eye. “I’d love to.”
I grabbed him by his arm, yanked him inside, slammed the door shut, and pounced.
I’d waited long enough.