Page 36 of For Cowgirls and Kings
Even though I hate getting involved in high school drama, especially in such a public place, I can’t stop myself from whirling to face Noah, my face stern. “Noah,” I bark, and he jumps up, eyes wide like I’ve hit him.
And man, would I fucking like to right now.
I stare at him for several beats, silently scolding him, and his face crumples further.
Noah has home problems of his own, that much I know,but damn.Why do kids feel the need to make others as miserable as themselves? I narrow my eyes. Is it just kids? Don’t adults do the same thing?Do I ever do that?
All of a sudden, my body’s rocked from the left, an enormous shoulder bumping into my own. I whirl on the newcomer, only to halt, coming face to face with a grinning Mateo. I have to lean back slightly, his proximity instantly invading my every sense.
What the fuck is he doing here?
His chocolatey eyes glimmer with mischief in the fluorescent barn lights, hair perfectly combed back, face split into a wide grin displaying his perfectly white teeth.
The sight of him catches me so off guard, it takes several moments to catch my breath enoughto choke out, “Mateo?”
His grin widens, bordering on unhinged, like he just won the damn lottery or something.
“Why are you smiling like that?” I chide, trying to scoot away slightly without making it too obvious. As I do it, one of his dark brows raises, but his smile doesn’t falter.
Surely he can’t tell how being this close to him makes my skin buzz.Right?
“Men?” Sasha asks, a laugh laced in the word. And I come crashing back to reality—the one where I’m a teacher, on a field trip, surrounded by students.
Mateo leans forward slightly, as if sharing a secret. “You going to introduce me to your friends, Ms. Mendes?”
My pulse quickens, mouth going as dry as the fucking desert at the way he says my name. It’s both a caress and a challenge all wrapped into one, and I’m having a hard time staying focused on the task at hand.
Which was what again?
His smile softens, but his eyes seem to brighten, like he can tell what he’s doing to me, before he sits up straighter, waving at the still uncharacteristically quiet kids sitting behind me. “Hey guys, I’m Mateo, a friend of Ms. Mendes’s.”
“Do you call her Ms. Mendes outside of school?” Dakota asks, clearly confused. I inwardly groan.This couldn’t get more awkward.
“Only when she asks me to,” Mateo states, his voice all seriousness, and I nearly choke.
It, in fact, can get more awkward.
My face flames hot, my body betraying me as my embarrassment becomes evident to everyone around us. The memory of Jared calling me Ms. Mendes in front of Mateo flashes through my mind, but is quickly replaced with daydreams I have of Mateo calling me that instead. Only it would be on his knees, with a bit more of a begging tone.
“Ooohhh,” all the kids coo at once, and I shoot Mateo a glare I hope burns clear to his bones. He just smiles, shaking his head.I need to get a fucking grip.
I know most of the students will miss the double innuendo—not that it’s even true—but still. They know I’m embarrassed, and with high schoolers, that’s a potent blade to wield against me.
“Sorry,” he says, turning to face the arena. But he doesn’t sound the least bit apologetic, and as he turns his hand brushes my own. Electricity bolts up my arm, my fingers curling with the intensity of it, but I remain frozen, staring at the side of his face.
How can he just show up, turn my day upside down, and still act so indifferent?
I huff, blowing a stray piece of hair out of my face, and turn to watch the last bit of the open show. Anything to get my mind off the overwhelming proximity of this man, and his…everything.I can’t afford to be daydreaming about him in my personal time, much less when I’m supposed to be in my professional pants.
“Is that Faith?” His question pulls me from my thoughts, and I zero in on the woman he’s pointing at across the arena. Petite frame, pale blonde hair tied into a top knot, pale skin with that familiar rosy hue.
“Yeah it is.” I smile, leaning forward to get a better look. “I didn’t know she was here.”
“Doesn’t her family have, like, the biggest angus breeding operation in the area?”
I nod, that makes sense. I should have mentioned we were coming today to her, maybe she could have gotten us behind the pen or something. I frown. This sucks—I should pay better attention to those around me, especially those I consider my friends. Now my students are missing out on apotential opportunity, all because I’m too wrapped up in my own shit.
“Who’s she talking to?” Mateo asks, and I pause my self-loathing to look back at Faith.
