Mateo slowly released her to take the items, but she felt his reluctance in his body as he stayed close to her.
Barbara looked between them, smiled and raised a brow. “So, where are you two off to?”
“The park.” Mateo passed some money over. “It’s a nice day so might as well make use of the weather.”
“Well, you both have a good day.” When Barbara smiled, she included Erin, which she returned.
Perhaps everything wasn’t lost.
Mateo led her outside and took her elbow as he guided her down the sidewalk. Erin felt lighter as though the world had been lifted from her chest. She’d carried so much for so long that it was nice to walk with Mateo without any lies between them.
A gentle breeze caressed her face and kept her hair back from falling into her face as Mateo led her to the town park. It wasn’t too big, but it was big enough to let children run free while parents kept an eye on them. It made for a pleasurable afternoon.
The first time she’d seen it, she’d made a snide comment about it to rile Mateo. Even then, she’d longed to be free to enjoy the beauty of it.
At the gates, Mateo paused and glanced at her.
No wonder.
“I love the park, Mateo. In fact, I feel free like a child right now.”
He grunted and led her to a large mixed-color maple tree with overhanging branches. It was slightly quieter than the other side of the park where the playground was and it gave them a kind of seclusion.
Mateo made her nervous with his sudden hesitation now. She missed having his arms around her. It felt like a date, but she knew better than to presume that’s what it was with him. But if she were counting, she’d say it was date number two. And she loved that he’d brought her to the park.
Heavily sighing, she dropped to the grass while Mateo appeared to be looking around him as though something was lost.
“What are you looking for?”
He looked sheepish as he sat beside her, his back against the trunk of the tree, his shoulder rubbing against hers.
Instead of moving away, she stayed and enjoyed his touch.
“I realized I didn’t have anything to put down to sit on. Didn’t think you’d want the ground.”
She winced. Her fault, again.
“I’m okay with the grass, Mateo.” She turned away and startled when he nudged her.
A large coffee was offered, which she savored. “Thank you. I love the coffee from there.”
“You’re welcome, but the best is yet to come.”
She chuckled. “You really are like a big kid with cake.” She nudged against him.
“You tasted it last night so you should know why I’m obsessed with it. Nothing like it.” He offered her a boyish grin, which went straight to her heart.
He gently placed a box of cake onto her lap and opened his own while he offered her a fork. He was too distracted to even glance at her.
Shaking her head, she opened her own box and brought it to her nose so she could inhale the delicious sweetness of the carrot cake. And then she broke a bite size piece off and placed it into her mouth.
It melted on her tongue.
She closed her eyes. “Mmm.”
She took her time at letting it slide down her throat, but she moaned again before opening her eyes so she could continue to eat.
What she didn’t expect was to find Mateo staring at her, his eyes alive with arousal. Her heart beat erratically in her chest at the sight. She missed the look when he continued to eat.