Chapter 11
11
Nikki
N ikki could feel her resolve waning. She had to admit that going out for the evening sounded really nice. She hadn’t had a chance to just let loose in a very long time. After having Paxton, she’d spent a lot of her time focused on being a mother. He had become her whole world. Even after she’d met Dennis, she’d continued with the status quo.
Dennis would take her out, but he was the one who planned their outings. He’d picked what they did and when. She didn’t fault him. On the contrary, she’d been the sort of person who was happy to let her husband choose what they did. He made the money. He liked to take charge, and it was a way for her to show him how much she cared for him.
Now, Sophia was presenting her with endless possibilities. What if she didn’t want to go to the country club? Sophia would probably tell her that everyone needed a night out once in a while—that was who she was.
Who was Nikki kidding? She wanted to go out dancing. She loved dancing when she was younger. So why was she hesitating?
Nikki’s eyes shifted to Mateo. She couldn’t read his expression no matter how much she wanted to. How would he feel if she accepted Sophia’s offer? Her eyes locked with his. “I wouldn’t want to put you out?—”
“It’s no trouble,” Mateo said, almost too quickly.
She bit back a smile. “Are you sure?” Her question was to both of them this time. The last thing she wanted was for either of them to resent her for needing their help.
“Of course.”
“Absolutely,”
They spoke at once, dredging a small laugh from Nikki’s throat.
Sophia went on. “Aria loves kids. So does Daniel. They’ll make sure Paxton doesn’t even miss you.”
Nikki nodded. It was easier to agree knowing that Sophia would be coming along with them. “Then I guess there’s nothing more to discuss. I’d love to go see what this country club has to offer.”
“It’s a date!” Sophia blurted, earning a sharp look from her brother—one that Nikki didn’t miss. He didn’t want this to be a date, and she couldn’t figure out why that made a flicker of disappointment bloom in her chest.
She didn’t want to go on a date with her boss either—but the boy she’d known in high school? The boy she’d had a crush on all those years ago? There was a little girl in her heart who wanted to take advantage of the fairytale, no matter how wrong it was—no matter how unbelievable.
And that was exactly what this was—unbelievable.
She’d foolishly allowed herself to believe that he might like her more than as just an employee—as more than just an acquaintance. Her embarrassment only continued to drag her down as she sat beside him in the truck on the way to the country club. Rubbing the hem of her shirt between her finger and thumb, she forced herself to push aside all the buried feelings she had for Mateo.
He’d practically been manipulated into taking her this evening by his sister, just like Nikki felt she’d been manipulated into coming. It was a stretch, but if anything could occur from spending time at the same location with him that wasn’t her workplace, it might be possible to rekindle the friendship they once had.
Nikki nodded sharply as if the movement alone would be enough to get into the right headspace.
Friends . That was all this would ever be.
She turned her head to look out the window, and the ride remained quietly uncomfortable. She itched to get out of her seat and expend some of this nervous energy. The second the truck pulled to a stop before a beautiful building where throngs of people were heading inside and out, she launched herself from the confines of the vehicle and shut the door with a final snap of her wrist. Sophia was at her side in an instant, grinning like she’d won the lottery. Her excitement was infectious, and it allowed Nikki to ignore the swirling, tumultuous feelings that threatened to overflow within her.
Sophia linked her arm through Nikki’s and practically dragged her toward the club. “This place isn’t like anything you’ve ever experienced. There are no membership fees for dance nights or dining at the restaurant. All the profit they make is put into their equine therapy services. The guy who owns the place is practically a saint, and he’s completely loaded.”
Nikki raised her brows and glanced around at the place the second they crossed the threshold. Right off the entrance was a space dedicated to the dance nights. Tables and chairs lined the edges of the room, and on one side a bartender served drinks. Everything from the immaculate wood floors to the decorative lighting made it clear this place had been designed to impress. And yet, there was no feeling as though one didn’t belong here.
Those in attendance were dressed in everything from jeans and fitted t-shirts to dresses and button-downs with ties. Music played over the speakers, and it looked as though a DJ was the one choosing the tunes.
Chatter hummed all around her. She’d never been to a place quite like this one.
“Pretty cool, huh?” Mateo’s voice grazed her ear to her left, and she jumped at his closeness. His warm body brushed against her arm, sending waves of goosebumps scattering across her skin. It wasn’t even cold, and yet she couldn’t shake the chill that wracked her body.
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 left a 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.
Too close .
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.”
He shifted beside her before turning an imploring stare on her. “You sound like you speak from experience.”
Nikki failed miserably at keeping her blush contained. There was no way she would be able to ignore his statement. Already she could feel her ability to keep her own secrets in check. There was no way to pull her gaze from his, and the longer he stared at her, the harder it became to keep her mouth shut. “Paxton’s father—he wasn’t the kindest man.”
Mateo scowled as if he could do something about what she’d confessed, but there was no way. She hadn’t heard from him in years. Their marriage had been quick, and they’d gotten pregnant shortly after. But as soon as she found out she was expecting, his demeanor changed.
She swallowed back the bile that the bad memories dredged up. “Let’s just say he didn’t hold back when he wanted to put me in my place.”
“Did he hurt you?” Mateo snarled.
Her eyes flew wide. “What? No. Well, not physically, at least. But words can cut just as deep.” This was so embarrassing. She couldn’t believe she’d stayed with him as long as she had. Thankfully, he hadn’t fought her on ending their relationship. A lump formed in her throat, and she attempted another nonchalant shrug. “He told me I’d never amount to much and that I would never find anyone to love me. Stuff like that.”
Mateo’s jaw was set in a sharp line that could have cut glass. When she dropped her eyes to avoid seeing the fury in his, Mateo didn’t appear to like that. He lowered his face closer to hers so she had no other choice but to listen. “He was wrong , Nikki. Anyone with eyes can see that you’re special. You’ve got to be one of the most beautiful women I’ve laid my eyes on.”
She couldn’t even snort at his comment because he had her so captivated with his words.
He moved closer still until his breath fanned against her face—the heat of it adding to what already hovered beneath the surface of her skin. His focus dipped to her mouth, and his lips parted.
Was he so willing to break the rules just to prove a point? Stealing a kiss was a bad idea, and yet she hadn’t wanted anything more in her entire life.
Raucous laughter spilled from the doorway. Mateo immediately stepped back.
Cold air whooshed between them and she exhaled heavily, lashes fluttering wildly. Nikki didn’t dare meet his eyes as they stood there in silence.
That had been a close call.
Way too close.