Chapter 29
One More
Mateo
Holding Holly in my arms is heaven on earth. It’s better than any peaceful summer night or a crazy day spent with my family at Disneyland. It’s every bit of joy I could have ever imagined. She’s the missing piece of my puzzle, and I never want to let her go.
The sound of shoes on the pebbled path breaks the quiet of the moment. Tittering laughter gets closer to us, and as two women round the corner into our small corner of the garden, Holly pulls out of my arms. She steps down onto the pathway, but doesn’t fully let go of me.
Holly's fingers lace through mine as she wraps her free hand around my arm, hugging it to her and leans in, resting her head against my bicep. We walk at a snail’s pace back to the ballroom. I look down, and a sense of pride rushes through me, seeing Holly’s small, contented smile.
My mind conjures a dream of going to barn dances with Holly, on my family’s property in Oregon. After swing dancing the night away, we’d walk back under the stars, cuddled up next to each other as we cross the farm back to my house.
Some day.
I’m lost in my daydreams, which is why I don’t notice Mr. Knotweed waiting for us when we enter the ballroom doors until he's right in front of us.
It takes everything in me to not punch the man in the face. If he even breathes a threat toward Holly, I will not hesitate to call the police.
Jorge turns to my wife. “Holly.”
My hand tightens around Holly’s as I pull her closer to my side.
“Jorge.” Holly’s voice is threaded with ice, but she stands up straight, confidence imbuing her features.
“I was quite displeased when a policeman showed up at my multi-million dollar mansion to serve me a ridiculous paper. I thought we had an understanding?” He glares at her.
I desperately want to say something, but this is Holly’s battle. I’m here as support, and I know she can handle this. Letting her handle Mr. Knotweed can give her even more of a confidence boost and a reminder that she can do hard things.
That we can do hard things together.
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit idly by.
My muscles flex on command, and I puff out my chest. I’m taller than Jorge, and I’m going to capitalize on every inch that I have.
I’m Holly’s intimidating backup fighter.
She’s a warrior princess, and I’m the muscle.
I tease her with Princess Bride references, but right now I’m channeling every ounce of Fezzik I can muster.
Holly throws her shoulders back. “When I left our date, because you kept touching me inappropriately, I thought that terminated any type of understanding you thought we had. If that didn’t do it, the fact I married Mateo and sent you a restraining order should clear up any confusions you may have, Jorge.
Now, if I never have to see you again, I would be an even happier woman. ”
Holly’s smile is venomous, and when she starts to walk away, I follow her. But Jorge grabs her arm just before she's out of reach.
“Let. Me. Go.” Holly growls.
Jorge must realize he’s messing with the wrong woman because he releases her. Good thing, because forget Fezzik, I was about to rip his arm off Chewbacca style.
I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am not a violent person and need to chill so I can stay out of jail.
Jorge scoffs. “Come on, Holly. You can’t seriously think I believe that you fell for this farm idiot. You can do so much better than that. You can marry someone with more money and prestige than you’ll ever want. Marry me and I’ll fulfill all of your dreams.”
“Any dream with you in it is a nightmare. I am in love with Mateo, who is smarter, kinder, and more handsome than you’ll ever be.
Nothing you could ever possibly say to me will ever make me want you.
Mateo is my husband. Not you. I never want to talk to you again.
” Holly flips around, her hair whipping behind her dramatically.
Jorge's face reddens with rage. Somebody better get that man some burn cream. He’s going to need it.
I trail behind Holly, making sure Jorge doesn’t follow us. I’m beaming with pride, and can’t stop smiling even as we reach the valet counter. Holly glares daggers at everyone around us. We probably look like a ridiculous pair, her with her death glare, me with my giddy expression.
Holy frijoles, that was hot.
Holly said she loves me, but I don’t know if that was a slip-up or acting and I need to know.
Either way, I will never forget Holly putting that man in his place.
She’s never been more attractive.
The valet brings our car to us, and I open Holly’s door before making my way to the driver’s seat. Silence is our companion on the drive home. Holly is stewing in the passenger seat, her foot tapping the floor as she stares out the window.
I pull into the garage, ready to be home and in Holly’s comfort zone. We need to talk, and hopefully kiss, but I’m not going to push my luck tonight. There’s a whole cauldron of emotions brewing in Holly, and talking needs to happen before kissing.
But I hope there is more kissing, because now that I’ve kissed her twice, the craving to kiss her again is undeniably strong.
Holly jumps out of the car after I put it in park.
She races inside, slamming the door behind her.
I scramble to follow her. I walk into the kitchen and see Holly’s heels kicked off by the door, her wristlet thrown on the counter, and the ponytail holding up her half-updo pulled out of her hair, allowing the mess of blonde waves to hang down her back.
Holly stands next to the kitchen sink, chugging down a glass of water like she’d just spent the evening in a hot desert.
This feels familiar, but hopefully it’ll end differently than the last time we talked like this in the kitchen.
“You okay, Holly?”
She gives me the side eye as she drinks the last sip of water.
I cautiously approach, stopping a few feet from her. “Okay, so not okay. What can I do to help?”
She puts her cup down before walking straight toward me. I’m not sure if she’s going to tackle me or hug me. I back up until the only thing behind me is the wall separating the kitchen from the garage. Holly doesn’t stop until we’re toe to toe, our faces inches apart.
Her blue eyes are stormy, her eyebrows pulled down as she stares up at me.
“Why do you play dumb? Why do you let people make fun of your profession? You work hard. I’ve heard you on the phone talking about finances and planning things for the farm with your manager and parents.
Why do you pretend like you’re not intelligent? ”
I shrug and resist the urge to scratch the back of my neck. “It’s easier to give people what they want to see than to challenge their beliefs. I’ve always been the funny one, so I try to laugh things off. Makes my life easier.”
Holly shakes her head, her frown even more pronounced.
“You don’t need to laugh about your life.
You don’t need to pretend to be dumb with me, Mateo.
You’re my husband. Just like you were my champion tonight, I want to be your champion.
You’ve rescued me. I’m not going to stand by as you let people talk about you that way, like Jorge did. Never again.”
Holly’s words are gasoline on the fledgling fire of my love for her.
“I didn’t realize you cared this much, Hols,” I whisper as I wrap my arms around her waist.
Her hands come up to rest against my chest.
“Of course I care.”
I nod and lean down, placing a kiss on her forehead. “For you, I’ll stop playing the game. I’ll be myself.”
“Thank you,” she whispers. “You’re amazing.”
I swallow hard. “Amazing enough to get another kiss from my wife tonight?”
Holly doesn’t answer with words. She grabs the lapels of my suit and pulls me down, a hand coming up and brushing against the scruff of my beard as she cradles my jaw. Her lips press against mine, frenzied and urgent, letting out the roller coaster of emotions we experienced within the last hour.
She doesn’t stop kissing me, but my neck is aching, the one drawback of our height difference. My lips stay on hers as I grip the curve of her waist. I slowly walk us backward until her back hits the counter and I lift her to sit on the marble countertop.
With our faces at the same height, I kiss her deeper. My heart pounds against my chest as I pour out my love and devotion, and how she matches mine with each passionate kiss.
Minutes later, and when I know my control is beginning to slip, I step out of our embrace. Holly's hair is tangled, lipstick smudged, and there’s a dreamy look on her face.
Meanwhile, my suit jacket and tie are on the floor at our feet.
I lift my hands up, placing them on my head as I close my eyes and calm my breathing.
Wow.
Wow.
Turns out dating my wife and going to high-profile events with her was the best thing I could ever do for our relationship.
When I’m in control again, I step back into her embrace.
But maybe I’m not quite in control again, because I can’t help but nuzzle the smooth skin under her ear, placing a gentle kiss against her tender flesh.
“I could kiss you all night, but neither of us are ready for that. The ball is in your court, Hols. Kiss me whenever you like, but I won’t push you more than you’re comfortable. ”
She sighs as I brush a kiss against her cheek. I pull back and look into her eyes.
“One more kiss?” she breathes out.
“As you wish, mi amor,” I whisper as I give my wife a much calmer kiss goodnight.