Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Impulsively, Nora leaned forward and offered him her lips. Mateo didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his free hand around the back of her head and kissed her lightly before deepening the exchange. She hummed her excitement as his flavor burst over her tastebuds.
She didn’t know what he did that was different than other men she’d kissed, but he was addictive. A faint sound of protest escaped her as he lifted his lips.
“Shh, Little one. Guille is returning. I will kiss you again.”
“O-Okay,” she whispered.
The remainder of the meal was filled with delicious food and the allure of the charming man beside her. Nora didn’t want the magical evening to end.
“It is time for you to get ready for bed, Little girl,” Mateo said after they had finished and sat chatting for a while.
“I know. I just don’t want to leave,” she admitted.
“Sleep is important. Come. I will walk you out to your car.” Mateo stood and held out a hand for hers.
Tugging her gently from her chair, Mateo walked her out of the private room and toward the front. He paused at the restrooms. “Do you need to stop here before you drive home?” he asked.
“Yes, please,” she said, feeling her face heat with embarrassment as she dashed into the women’s room.
When she returned in a few minutes, Mateo met her with a smile and they continued their way out. Crossing the dark parking lot with her, Mateo was alert. Only a few cars remained, but it was still nice to have him by her side.
Wrapping her hand around his bicep as she bumped into him, Nora gave him an affectionate squeeze and earned a kiss on her temple. She smiled at the sweet gesture.
“Drive home safely, Little girl. Text me when you arrive. May I put my number in your phone?” he asked.
She fumbled in her purse to find it and handed it over, watching him as he entered his name and number. Mateo had moved into her life, and she loved every minute of it.
“One last kiss,” he said and drew her forward.
Usually kissing a shorter man felt awkward. Nora was so wrapped up in his kiss that it didn’t even register. When he stepped back, she missed him immediately.
“Home, Little girl. Text me.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Soon you will call me something else,” he suggested.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, Little girl,” he said, opening her door and helping her inside. “Sweet dreams.”
Nora fumbled for her keys as Mateo stood next to the driver’s window. He didn’t give off any impatient vibes. He simply smiled at her. When she pulled out of the parking space, he remained in the lot until she turned the corner and could no longer see him.
Chapter Four
Nora floated into the shop the next day. Nothing could possibly bother her at all. This was going to be the second-best day ever—with yesterday as the best.
“Nora? Please come to register two.”
She didn’t like the tone in Amy’s voice. The normally sweet, easygoing cashier sounded like she needed Nora immediately. Jogging toward the front, Nora caught sight of two uniformed police officers standing at the front door.
Somewhat out of breath more from nerves than from exertion, she asked, “Officers? Is something wrong?”
“We had a report of a bomb threat called in for the store. Please evacuate everyone as quickly as possible so we can search the premises,” one reported.
“Here?” she asked, but when she saw the urgency on his partner’s face, she said to Amy, “Go outside away from the building now.”
Amy locked the cash register and walked out the front door as Nora grabbed the intercom.
“Attention Craftastic shoppers! Due to an unforeseeable event, the shop will close immediately. Please make your way to the front now.”
The police walked past the shoppers who exited with varying levels of grumbling and speed from the store. Their presence lent extra emphasis to the urgency to leave. When she thought everyone was out of the store, she ran around the shelving units, using her height to make sure everyone was evacuated.
“Ma’am. Leave now,” the police told her.
“Sorry. On my way out.”
She got to the door and almost collided with Mateo who was rushing inside. As she struggled to force “bomb threat” out of her mouth, the handsome man wrapped an arm around her waist and swept her away from the building toward Amy and several customers who had decided to hang around in case the store reopened quickly.
Mateo stopped her a short distance away. “A bomb threat? Did the police tell you anything else?”
“Nothing. They just asked me to get everyone out and then yelled at me for checking that no one had ignored me or had missed the announcement,” she said with tears filling her eyes.
“They’re just trying to keep you safe. Look, there’s a canine patrol car. I bet they’ll walk him through to make sure everything’s clear,” Mateo said, supporting her as he exuded calm and stability in what had become a scary day.