Page 20 of For Cowgirls and Kings

I stare at him, too dumb-founded and caught off guard to know how to respond. This was not how I expected him to react, and the fact that he doesn’t care about another man in mybed—even though we didn’t do anything besides middle-school worthy dry humping, not that I will tell him that—because we’re“friends”crumples something inside of me. I instantly deflate, and step back to close the door.

His giant, tattoo covered hand catches the handle, a look of true anger crossing his stoic features before melting away again.

“Hey, Dale, you here? Oh—” I turn to face my“one-night stand”and groan, pinching the bridge of my nose. I hear Mateo huff behind me, sounding closer to a laugh than anything, and I instantly want to melt into the floor.

Mateo brushes past me, ignoring my attempts to block his entry, and walks right up to a still sleep-ridden Jared, whose eyes are now the size of saucers.

“Mateo, and you are?” He sticks his intimidating hand between them, and Jared has the good sense to take it.

“Jared.”

“Cool, time to go, Jared.” Jared looks at me only once, a small timid smile tipping his lips before he nods and strides for the door. “Need a juice box or anything?”

Kill me now.

I scowl back at Mateo; I can’t believe that he would say that. His face gives away no emotion, but I can see well-hidden anger sparkling in his normally warm eyes. Jared chuckles, either trying to play it off, or completely oblivious, and walks out the front door without a backward glance.

He waves back at me once he gets to the corner where his car’s parked, a full-watt smile on his face—always so fucking happy.“Thanks for a fun night, Ms. Mendes.”

I choke, air sawing through my lungs, frozen and unable to move to even close the front door. After a few seconds I hear Mateo mumble something under his breath before stomping over and slamming the barrier between me andmy mortification.

“He’s a fucking kid, Dale.”

“He’s twenty-five,” I hiss, scrambling to find my composure once more.

“He looks like a little boy with mommy issues.”

I turn at that, the heat of a blush blooming across my neck and face. I start towards my room, moving as fast as my legs will carry me, afraid of what he’ll think if he sees me blushing like this.

“Fuck, Dale. That’s what does it for you?” I slam my door closed, not waiting to hear what else he says.

Because yes, it does. But not with a little boy like Jared—not really. I crave the idea of bringing a grown man to his knees. To make him beg for me the way Jared did.

A tall, dark, tattooed man who bows for no one.

EIGHT

MATEO

September 3rd, 2024

Of all thecrazy ideas I’ve ever had, this might be on top of the list. Cameras?Honestly Mateo?

I shake my head, releasing a pent up sigh that does little to uncoil the tension gathering in my chest. This isn’t like me—I’m not the jealous type, especially over Dale. And I'm definitely not the type of guy to install cameras around someone’s house. That’s got to be stalker 101, and I’m not that.

I’m not obsessive, I’m not possessive, and I’m not dominating.

I’m respectable, a gentleman.

The image of that boy walking out of Dale’s room, his T-shirt only half over his head, ab’s out on full flex, play’s on a loop in my head. Her hair was beyond ratty, like he had run his hands through it over and over, tangling the silken tresses. And there had been a glow about her—a deep crimson covering that dewy skin of hers—a freshly fucked glow no doubt.

I’ve never seen it on Dale before, and even if I’ve imagined it at times over the years, nothing compared to the real thing.

My fist tightens around the steering wheel, the leather creaking under my grip, and I exhale again. I’ve never beenthisbefore—a fucking caveman—but seeing Dale, like that,with him?It took every shred of control I had to not pummel his goofy ass into the floor.

I’ve only recently made my way back into her orbit, but it’s like no time’s passed. She’s sucked me in, and I no longer know how to breathe, eat, or sleep without thoughts of her consuming me.

And even if it makes no rational sense, I don’t want anyone else touching her. Not anymore.