Page 12 of Seized by the Lawman

“If that’s the case than it’ll go much smoother and before you know it I’ll be out of your hair.”

She clenched her teeth. If only he knew…

Stopping at her vehicle, she faced him. His eyes twinkled. She imagined what their son or daughter would look like. Pale blue eyes. His olive toned skin. And that smile with pearly white teeth. She believed a person’s teeth could tell a lot about a person, and if that was the case, he would make beautiful babies.

Bigger problem. How would she hide her pregnancy for an entire month? She was starting to show some and what about the morning sickness? Some days it kicked her butt. “Maybe you and I can come up with an agreement. A simple solution.” She had to try everything.

“An agreement?” He smirked as if he already knew what she’d say.

“You don’t really want to waste your time at my ranch, doing nothing. We can tell dad what he wants to hear. He’ll never know.”

There was arrogance behind his smile. “You’re willing to risk him finding out?” He lifted a brow.

Why did a part of her think he was right? Her father seemed to know everything.

“Come on, Melly.” He took a step closer, but she refused to give him ground and divulge how he affected her. He might be powerful, sexy and smelled as good as freshly baked chocolate cookies, but she had to stay in control. He had to understand that she wouldn’t be dominated. “It won’t be that bad.” His eyes sparkled.

“Wait just a minute.” She tilted her chin, looking way, way up into his gaze. That was a long haul for her five-foot three height. “If you’re thinking that this arrangement involves you helping me in the bedroom, you are sadly mistaken.”

“You did call me.”

She swallowed loudly. “Yes, I did.” She knew it was only a matter of time before he mentioned the voice message she’d left. Melly had never been good at lying and why she’d always been caught by her father. Scrambling now for any excuse, she came up with zilch except for the very reason why he thought she called him. “But if we’re living together, we certainly won’t be having sex.” Realizing what she’d said, she sighed. “I meant…if we’re working together it would be messy to allow sex to get in the way.” Maybe this would convince him to not come with her if he thought there was a chance they’d revisit their physical connection.

He thought about it, long and hard. She could practically see the wheels turning in his eyes. But then the smile returned. “It doesn’t matter because the second I realized you’re Carson’s daughter you became off limits,” he said so casually.

Processing his words, she questioned why disappointment slithered over her. “And the second I realized you’re in my father’s pocket you became a turn off,” she snapped, more from anger than truth.

“Is that so?” He reached out, placed a finger under her chin and lifted until their gazes met and held.

There was something very wrong with her. The feeling of his mere touch conjured up physical emotions that made it hard to breathe. Her nipples enlarged. Her inner thighs throbbed. Although he said they were off limits, and Lord knew she meant that he was a turn off, her body proved to her that she still found him irresistible.

He smiled wider, flashing even white teeth against tanned skin, and in that action she knew she had to put up a guard against him. Holding his gaze, she mustered bravery she didn’t know she had. “Yes, that’s so. Anyway, you’re a cop and I don’t date or sleep with lawmen.” Once the words were out she wished she could fish them back. If he thought about it, he’d know then that she’d called him for another reason and not for a booty call.

Expecting him to take a step back, instead he surprised her by running his thumb along her jawline, eliciting a shiver down her spine. “Is that why you ran off like a scared mouse before the sun rose?” His brow lifted.

Focus, girl. “I-I accidently saw your badge. If I’d known, well, I wouldn’t have—” She could barely think, let alone form words on her trembling tongue.

He leaned in so close their faces were only inches apart. The scent of his cologne and the sparkle in his gaze all made her woozy like she’d downed a fifth of whiskey. “You wouldn’t have made love with me if you’d known what I do for a living? So that means right now you feel nothing but revulsion from my touch?”

“I have my reasons. I’m stronger than my carnal needs,” she whispered, not believing one word she spoke.

He laughed and stepped back, shoving his hands into his front pockets looking much like a marauder. “Then we’re on the same page. No worries. I won’t confuse the reason why I’ll be at your ranch and I hope you don’t either.” He winked, turned and started across the lot.

“Where are you going?” she squeaked. Her mind screamed, “How dare you leave me like this. Come back here and kiss the hell out of me.”

He didn’t even look at her. “I’m going to get my things and then I’ll be at Shy Brooke. Be ready for hard work. I know I’ll be working myself to the bone.”

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