Mateo couldn't remember the last time he enjoyed himself this much on a night out and he didn't realize just how much he wanted a night like this with Maia.

There was no underlying task of providing her with inspiration for her book. They were simply enjoying time together. Not as a muse and an author, but as friends parading as lovers and while that last bit was an act, it didn't feel that way tonight.

It felt real and he was happy to drown in this feeling for as long as he could.

"Thanks for coming out with me," Maia said, smiling up at him as they sat in a secluded booth in the little dive bar at the edge of town. "I'm having a really good time with you."

"I am too," he said, wrapping his arm around her and chuckling softly as he kissed her head. "Even though everyone is watching us."

"Of course." She grinned, leaning into him as she gazed out at the cramped dance floor. "We're a hot topic in a small town."

"Mm-hm, but I'm starting to get used to it," he said, glancing away from her to Sven glaring at them from his perch at the bar. "Do you think your ex is taking the hint this time?"

"Probably not," she said, giggling. "But I'm enjoying that jealous look on his face."

"Are you?" he said, sliding his fingers to her chin and turning her face to him. "Should we give him a little show?"

"Sure," she said, sliding her hand over his chest and stirring a need in his gut. "What do you have in mind?"

His heart thumped in anticipation as he stared at her succulent lips. "I'm feeling a little bold tonight," he said, caressing her bottom lip with his thumb. "Can I kiss you?"

"You can," she said, curling her fingers around the lapel of his shirt. "But we have a word for that."

"We do," he said, sliding his hand to the base of her neck. "Framboos," he whispered and the moment he caught her soft sweet lips against his, the music, the low rumble of chatter and the crowded bar fell away as he was swept up in the taste of her.

"Mm, we should do this more often," Maia murmured, nibbling his bottom lip as she slid her legs over his. "I like your mouth," she whispered, kissing him again.

He knew he should stop. He kissed the side of her mouth dragging his lips across her smooth skin to her ear. They were both drunk and they'd probably made enough of a scene for her ex. "I can do many things with my mouth, liefje," he said, sliding his hand over her thigh and cupping her ass.

But God, he wanted so much more than her kisses.

A drink slammed against the table, shattering the sensuous world they'd fallen into. "You're making a fool of yourself, Maia."

Maia sighed, glaring up at Sven. "Why do you care?"

"Because it's not right," Sven seethed, waving his hand over the bar. "Making out in front of all these people. I'd never treat you like this."

"Of course not." Maia smirked. "You were too ashamed to be with me."

"No, that's not what I meant," Sven said, gripping the glass in his hand. "He's treating you –"

"Like I don't care who sees how much I adore her?" Mateo said, holding Maia tight. "Let's get out of here." He pressed a kiss to her head. "We don't have to explain ourselves to this asshole."

"No we don't," she said, grinning as she trailed her fingers over his neck. "Let's go home so you can adore me in private."

"Mm, gladly," he said, taking her hand as they slid from the booth.

"Maia, wait," Sven said, grabbing her hand. "I know you're doing this to get back at me for leaving you, but I'm here. I came back to you and I only want you, dropje."

"You really think I'd fall for that?" She pulled her hand away from him. "That I'd give up what Mateo and I have for you?" She let out a bark of laughter. "You don't want me, Sven and I'll never allow you to treat me like I'm nothing again," she said, looking up at Mateo and his heart nearly burst at the joy radiating in her glossy brown eyes. "Not when I'm happy with someone who knows my worth."

Mateo brought her hand to his lips. "That, I do, liefje," he said, pressing a kiss to her palm before he glared at Sven's disgruntled face. "I warned you once about harassing my girlfriend. Leave her alone."

"Or what? We're not on your property this time."

Sven's blue eyes darkened as he curled his hands into fists. "What the fuck are you going to do?"

"Mr. Casparij isn't going to do anything, but enjoy the rest of his night with Miss Jefferies," a tall ginger-haired man said as he stood beside Mateo. "You, on the other hand, are going to have a chat with me and my officers."

Sven's eyes grew wide at the burly men crowding around him. "I-I didn't do anything."

"This is a small town, sir. We all talk and we all remember when you left Miss Jefferies stranded last year," the man beside Sven said, crossing his arms. "And we're not about to let you mess with her again."

"Come on, you two. I got you a taxi," Jodie from the coffee shop said, slipping her arm through Maia's. "Let my husband and his team handle it now."

"Thank you, but I didn't even know you were here?" Maia said as she and Mateo followed Jodie to the door.

"Of course not." The curly blonde grinned. "You were all wrapped up in each other and I wasn't about to interrupt all that cuteness, but then that asshole started bothering you," she said as they walked out of the bar. "Dan thought it was best if he stepped in. Didn't want you getting into a fight, Mateo."

"I appreciate that," he said, looking down at Maia. "This wasn't how I wanted our night to end."

"Me either, but I feel bad that it ruined your night, Jodie."

"Oh no, don't you worry about it, honey. I'm just glad we were here to help and I got to witness you two together instead of hearing all the rumors," she said as they neared the taxi waiting on the curbside. "And if you don't mind me saying so, it's about damn time you two got together."

A blush burned up to Mateo's ears as Maia choked out a laugh. "And how long has the town been waiting for us to be a couple?"

"Since last year. When Mateo brought you into town after that incident with your ex." A mischievous smile curled over Jodie's lips. "Not gonna lie, everyone in the bar was quietly losing it watching you together."

Mateo chuckled. "Well, I'm glad we didn't disappoint anyone."

"You certainly didn't," Jodie laughed. "Now you go on home and enjoy yourselves," she said, sliding her hand to Maia's shoulder. "And don't let what happened ruin the rest of your night. Dan and the guys will make sure your ex won't be bothering you anymore."

"Thanks Jodie. I won't," she said, hugging her. "And tell Dan I appreciate everything."

"I will and I better see you two at the shop soon."

"You will," Mateo said, opening the taxi door for Maia. "We'll make a statement if Dan needs it, too."

"I'll let him know," she said, giving them a small wave as they slipped into the cab.

Mateo wrapped his arm around Maia before he told the driver where to take them. "Are you okay?" he whispered against her head.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, leaning into him. "Thanks for sticking up for me."

"You don't have to thank me for that." Mateo smiled, pressing a kiss to her head. "I'll always stick up for you."

"I meant what I said, you know," she said, tilting her head back. "I'm happy and I love who I am and how I feel when I'm with you."

Mateo's heart thumped at her admission as he slid his hand to her cheek. "You're amazing all on your own. You don't need me to love who you are."

"No, but I like it," she said, kissing him softly. "And I like you."

"I like you too, liefje," he whispered against her lips.

Boundaries and emergency words forgotten, Mateo let himself drown in her embrace and the intoxicating taste of her mouth. He wasn't sure if what they were doing was real, if what she said was the truth or if she was still feeling the effects of all the alcohol they drank.

But right now, he didn't care.

He'd be whatever she wanted and he meant everything he said too. He wanted to be the one who made her happy and the one she wanted to keep by her side.

The way he felt was more than a crush and he never should've agreed not to catch feelings because he fell for her long before they agreed to this arrangement.

God, he was so fucked.

"Maia," Mateo murmured against her lips. "We should stop," he said, picking her up. "And I should take you to bed."

"No," she whispered, sliding her hands into his hair as she wrapped her legs around his waist. "I want you," she said, slipping her tongue in his mouth.

He moaned, gripping her ass as he pushed the guest room door open with his foot. "I want you too, liefje. More than you know," he said, lying her back on the bed. "But we didn't agree to this and I don't want you to regret this."

"I won't regret it," she said, pulling his shirt over his head and dragging her nails over his chest. "I promise."

God, he wanted to believe her, but her glossy half lidded eyes told him otherwise. "You're drunk and I am too." Mateo took her hands and pressed a kiss to her palms. "I don't know if you really want this."

"I do," she said, grinding her hips against his hardening cock.

He groaned, pressing her hands above her head with one hand and gripping her hip with his other. "Maia," he breathed. "You need to sleep this off."

She bit her lip. "Sleep won't stop the way I feel."

"It might and if it doesn't," he said, kissing the side of her mouth before he pulled away from her. "Then we'll talk about it in the morning."

"Stay," she said, catching his hand.

"Maia," he said, but his heart clenched at the pleasing look in her in her tired eyes.

"Please. Just...just pretend a little longer," she said as her lip trembled. "I don't want to be alone anymore."

"You're not alone," Mateo said, climbing back into the bed and tugging the blankets around her. "I'm not going anywhere."

"You are and I don't want you to leave," she said, pressing her face into his chest. "I don't want this to end."

"I don't either," he whispered, holding her close. "Just sleep, liefje. It's been a long night," he said, massaging the back of her neck. "You'll feel differently in the morning."

"I won't," she murmured as a soft snore left her lips.

Mateo pressed a kiss to her forehead. What the hell was he going to do if she truly felt this way about him? Part of him was overjoyed that there was a chance Maia wanted to be with him for real but the other part of him was scared his life would be too much for her and she wouldn't really want him.

Sighing as he closed his eyes. He didn't want to leave, but he didn't have a choice and he didn't want to subject her to his world.

If she woke up tomorrow still feeling the way she did tonight, then he'd tell her who he really was, why he fled to Crested Butte and why he had to leave.

It was only fair that he was honest and allowed her to genuinely know him.

A/N: I love that the those officers stepped in to protect Maia and they all remember what Sven did and how Mateo helped her 🥰

And...well our cinnamon buns have kissed and I think that might've opened up a big can of feelings these two weren't meant to catch 😏 Raise your hand if you think Maia's going to wake up regretting what she might've done or do you think our girl is going to be honest with herself? I'm going for the latter because I'd like for Mateo to tell her the truth! I also want to know what really happened with his ex, Saskia!