Page 144 of For Cowgirls and Kings

FIFTY-TWO

MATEO

August 1st, 2025

Dale’s hand’swarm and soft within my own, as she clings to me across the console of the pickup. Her skin’s flushed and rosy, eyes wide, blinking rapidly—she’s trying not to cry all over again, and although I hate to see tears in her eyes, I know today has been nothing but happy ones.

Thank god.

I don’t know what I would’ve done if Dale had rejected the idea of us, rejected the life I had tried to piece together with such reckless abandon, I hadn’t taken a second to consider a life without Dale in it.

I squeeze her hand reassuringly, and she turns watery eyes to me with a small smile.

The truth is, I'd risk my fortune, my life,my heartall over again to be with her if she had wanted differently. Of course, it would have stung, but it wouldn’t have stopped me. Gus was right when he said there was no life withoutthem, and once you realize that, picturing that future isn’t an option. Only a future where you adapt and adjust to make it happen.

To be able to give her this gift,this life where she’s the mostimportant person—it’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.

I did this, for her,for us.And I don’t regret it one bit.

I will choose Dale, over anything and anyone, from now until forever.

“I can’t believe Stetson was already in labor when Faith called. Gus had to have been freaking out.” Dale all but bounces in the seat as we race down the road toward the hospital.

“He was prepared. Has been for weeks now.” I try to comfort, but Dale just snorts.

“He’s a nervous nelly.”

“He wouldn’t leave her side even if she put a restraining order against him.”

Dale smiles at that. “No. He’d take great joy in punishing her before coming back, welcome or not.”

I shake my head. “He’s a little obsessive.”

“Every girl wants a man who’s wholly obsessed with them. Maybe you should give it a try.” Dale shrugs, a teasing twinkle in her eyes.

I yank her hand to my lips, my eyes darting between the road and her widening eyes. I press a kiss to her knuckles. “Was the house and horses not obsessed enough?”

Her pupils widen silently, and my dick twitches in response. We wouldn’t miss this opportunity to be there for our friends, but fuck, not taking her on the floor of our home the second she said she loved me was torture. A torture that continues to build to an inferno style heat between us.

“You didn't get a tattoo for me,” she teases, but her voice is breathy and I can tell she’s as desperate for me as I am for her.

And then I nip at her knuckle, my teeth grazing her soft flesh. She yelps, but doesn’t pull her hand away, and it only turns me on more. What a gift it is to have someone who trusts you so completely, who I can trust without question.

Who’s my lover and best friend.

I release her hand, even as she protests, and wrap both hands around the wheel. Then I extend my fingers to where the letters on my knuckles are visible.

“Noble One,” I state, my eyes focused on the road.

“Yes, I know that tattoo. Everyone in the world does. I’ve seen them on magazine covers—people were fascinated by them,” she huffs, sitting back.

I can’t help but laugh. “You sound jealous.” I peek at her from the corner of my eye, and I catch her rolling hers dramatically.

“Well, women everywhere were ogling my man for years. It’s a little intimidating for a small town girl like me.”

The stupid grin that claims my face can’t be described as any other than giddy, and even though I know I should be embarrassed, I only feel joy. “Your man, huh?”

Her nose wrinkles. “Boyfriend doesn’t fit, you’re too—” Her hand waves up and down at my profile, as if that’s answer enough. “And we’re not more than that. Not in technical terms. So yes, my man.”