Page 17 of Seized by the Lawman

Chapter 5

WITH A SOFT clock of his tongue, the gelding took off following Miss Hoity Toity on her horse. Yeah, he got that he might have been a little rough with Melly, but the overall picture was clear. If she wanted to own Shy Brooke, she’d have to make the effort. A lot rode on this working, things she didn’t even realize. He couldn’t screw up or his ass might be out of a career. Not to mention, he was a walking hard-on which was never good for a man when sitting in a saddle. On top of that, he missed his cabin and the peace and quiet. He didn’t like living in the quarters in a room the size of a jail cell with paper thin walls. The other men snored and farted all night, reminding Nix of what it was like back when he lived at home with his siblings.

Catching up to her, he slowed the horse so he and Melly could ride neck to neck. She gave him a disgruntled glance, huffed, then turned her cheek. He pushed his hat further on his forehead and laughed. She did look mighty fine riding in the saddle. He slowed the gelding some.

Her untamed locks caught up in the wind and the silken tresses whipped around her head. The straw hat with the purple ribbon bow that sat askew on her head didn’t keep the thick mass contained. She had beautiful hair and the sun seemed to kiss the highlights. His eyes automatically traveled to her backside that popped up and down in the saddle, much like she’d done to him back so long ago. Sweat beaded on his brow and he swiped his gloved hand across his forehead. This was going to be one long day…month.

Again, he caught up to her, mesmerized by the gentle jiggle of her breasts. He wanted to help out and cup them, protect them from the jostling of the horse’s steps, but she’d probably coldcock him into tomorrow.

“Are you going to answer me?”

She’d asked a question? “I didn’t hear you.” He wouldn’t dare tell her why.

“Why do you have the shotgun? Should I be worried?” She appeared serious.

“Only if you’re a rattlesnake. They’re bad out here this time of year. I wouldn’t want to see you thrown from the saddle.” He felt her inquisitive gaze on him, but he didn’t look because he’d be forced to admire her lovely breasts again.

“I haven’t been out on the land in so long. It’s so pretty, breathtaking.”

“Imagine how much prettier it is at daybreak.” He chuckled.

“You’re not going to let me live it down, are you?”

“That you were late? Sure. You don’t mind a little teasing, do you? Makes for a more interesting day.”

She gave a small shrug of her shoulders and he was thankful because it gave him an excuse to stare at her beauty. “Tease all you like. I just hope you can handle a bit of ribbing too because I know I wear big girl panties.”

“Is that what they’re calling those itty-bitty polka dotted things you had on?” He couldn’t help himself, he’d taken a step down a path of no return. Did her cheeks turn red? He wasn’t sure because she tugged her hat lower on her forehead, hiding her face. Yeah, she felt the tremor just as he had.

“You’re breaking a rule, lawman,” she said in a sexy tone that targeted areas that shouldn’t be aroused.

“What can I say? I’m a rule breaker. But then again, from what I’ve read, so are you.”

“You can’t believe everything you read online.”

The breeze swept across him but didn’t ease the heat in his blood. “Let’s see, what pissed your dad off more. The nude pictures of you taken on the boat or the reality show?” He didn’t know a lot about Carson, but what he did made it clear that he was a man with traditional beliefs which meant having naked pictures of his daughter floating around the internet would make him, or any father, cringe. Hell, it even reared Nix’s protective side and he wanted to find the bastard who took the pictures and wring his neck.

“Well, it’s been five years and he still gets red, so imagine what he was like when he heard the rumors.”

“Let’s give the man some credit. From a father’s standpoint he wants to protect his daughter. No man wants to hear that his daughter had been taken advantage of by some naughty body shots or by a loser man.” He heard her sigh.

“So, you heard about Brad Santiago too?” Her eyes were on him, piercing him with blue lasers.

The horses moved together on the path that would take them to the west pasture. “It’s amazing what you can find out on Google these days.” The temperature rose and the sun beat down. The light breeze was a welcome. He had a feeling his natural body heat regulation was off kilter with Melly riding next to him.

“That is old news. Brad and I did bounce back and forth for a while, but we’re over for good. The curtain has been drawn on that scene of my life. My father is afraid I’ll jump back into a relationship with Brad, or someone like him, but then again, every man I meet is Brad from Dad’s standpoint.”

“Again, try to think of it from a father’s point of view.”

“Are you going to defend him forever?”

He shrugged a tight shoulder. “I’m only going to say it as I see it.” He scratched his neck. “While we’re at it, do you mind if I call you Melly? Or do you prefer Melissia?”

“You seem comfortable with my nickname so you might as well continue to use it.”

“At least I feel better knowing you didn’t give me a false name.”

“Pfft. Now why would I do a thing like that?”

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