A Muse Her

Chapter 17

Maia grinned as she tucked the police report detailing Sven's harassment charges into her purse. She didn't think him showing up here was going to lead to something like this nor did she realize Dan and his officers had been watching him since he waltzed into town and it warmed her heart that they cared enough about her make sure Sven was charged with something, if only to get back at him for how he stranded her last year.

"Are you happy that's over?" Mateo said as he slipped his fingers through hers while they walked down the sleepy main street.

"I am," she said, smiling up at him. "I didn't realize how much this town looked out for each other and I definitely didn't think I'd be included in that."

"I know how you feel." Mateo nodded. "I know you said we're a hot topic in town, but I didn't expect that kind of support last night."

"Neither did I," Maia said as a couple gleefully waved to them from across the street. "But I guess I should've. Whether we feel like it or not, we're part of this community."

"We are," Mateo said as they waved back to the couple. "It's kind of why I don't want to leave. I like my life here even if I'm branded as the aloof hottie on the hill."

Maia laughed softly. "You like that nickname," she said, leaning into him. "But you don't have to leave forever, right? You're acting like you're never coming back."

"I probably won't if my father gets his way," he said as they stood beside his truck. "Oost den Burg will be my life and that won't leave much room for anything else."

Maia raised an eyebrow. "Not even for a fiancée?"

"Oh no," Mateo said, bringing her hand to his lips. "A fiancée would be the only person I'd have time for."

A blush burned over her cheeks as she bit her lip. "Good because I don't want you to desert me the minute we get to Oost den Burg. At least not for the first few days."

"No, that won't happen and I won't allow it."

"Thank you," she said, leaning up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "I'll just need a little time to get my bearings and I'll be fine."

"I'll do whatever you need to feel comfortable," he said and the sincerity swirling in his brown depths filled her with a calming warmth. "You don't need to worry about that."

Maia chuckled softly. "Your ex was an idiot to fuck over a man like you."

Mateo kissed her forehead. "And your ex was a fool to treat a woman like you so terribly."

God, she should just tell him. This wasn't an act for her. She wanted his tender gazes, sweet kisses and the way he cared for her like her needs and wants were always his top priority.

"Mateo, I –"

"I know you two lovebirds weren't about to leave without coming in to see me after last night," Jodie exclaimed, halting the confession on the tip of Maia's tongue.

"Of course not." Maia laughed, turning around to face the woman standing on the steps of Crested Cups. "We were just about to come inside for a coffee."

"Good!" She beamed. "Because your usuals are on the house today and I made a fresh batch of blueberry muffins too," she said, whisking away back into the shop.

"You little liar." Mateo chuckled. "We had no plans to go in there today."

"I know, but you saw her face." Maia huffed. "I couldn't say no and she made fresh muffins!"

"That's true," he said, grinning as he slid his arm around her waist. "We have some time before we need to speak to your sister and you can tell me what you were going to say before Jodie interrupted us."