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, hopingshe 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 startedwith 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 theplayground, 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.
