Page 22 of Seized by the Lawman

Chapter 7

THREE DAYS HAD passed since he’d started helping at Shy Brooke. To Nix’s pleasure and surprise, Melly hadn’t been late again and she seemed to be proving yet another point…that she could keep up with any man. He was exhausted, more from keeping his hands to himself than the long, hard days on the land. He was used to hard work, but what he wasn’t used to was refusing himself carnal pleasure. True enough, he’d never wanted a woman as much as he wanted Melly, but he’d told himself enough times that he couldn’t have her.

When the hands had asked him to head over to Lori’s for a couple of beers, he’d jumped at the chance to unwind and get the hell away for a while. Unfortunately, the two beers had only made him antsier and didn’t ease the tension behind his zipper. So he traded the beer for a coffee, munched on half a pizza, then left.

Because he wasn’t trusting himself not to stop at Melly’s to check on her, he decided to go back home to his cabin for the night. Nix needed some time to gather his thoughts.

Stepping in, he toed off his boots and hooked his hat on the knob. Removing his 9mm from the waistband of his jeans, he secured it and placed the gun on the shelf in the closet.

His place was unusually silent. He switched on the table lamp as he passed through the living room. He had just removed his shirt and tossed it into the washer when he heard a soft knock on the door. Glancing at the clock, he wondered who would be stopping by this late.

Looking out the window, he didn’t see a vehicle. Dragging out his phone, he missed an alert that someone had triggered the alarm because he had turned off his ringer. Switching on the laptop, he clicked on the camera view of the porch. He saw a black and white picture of a woman.

Opening the door, he looked out and then using his foot to push the door wider just as the woman swiveled, a wide smile parting her rose colored lips. “Hi there, handsome. You left Lori’s before I could say goodbye.”

He stared at Hope for several heartbeats. He hadn’t even thought about saying goodbye when he’d left. She’d been there with her friends and Nix had wanted to be left alone. That being why he’d left before his buddies had. “You came all the way out here to tell me goodbye…or hello? Where’s your car?” He looked beyond her shoulder to the driveway.

“I asked Janice to drop me off. I hope that isn’t a problem.” She batted her lashes and twirled a lock of hair around her finger. The twinkling of her dark eyes told him she didn’t care one bit if it was a problem.

“Did you follow me?”

“No…of course not. I ain’t a stalker.” Her eyes glazed over.

“It’s late. I had plans to hit the sack. I have to be up before the sun rises.”

Her plump bottom lip puckered and she tilted one voluptuous hip. “Trust me. I won’t keep you from hitting the sack. And I certainly won’t keep you from rising.” The delicious slant of her tone should have made him hard, but nothing, not even a twitch. Melly, the minx, had ruined him for all women. Each time he closed his eyes he saw her.

He swiped a hand over his short hair as sweat covered his brow.

Hope shivered and brought her arms around her shoulders. “It’s a bit chilly out here. Aren’t you going to invite me in?” she asked.

The cotton ball feeling in his throat doubled in size. He motioned for her to come in. She sashayed her way across the threshold, brushing her hip against his thigh in her short journey. “Can you call your friends and have them come back to get you?”

A look of surprise crossed her expression. “No phone.”

“I’ll let you use mine.” He took out his cell and laid it on the table.

“I’m afraid I don’t know their numbers. They’re programmed in my phone and it’s in my purse. I accidentally left it in her car.”

He knew a weak excuse when he heard one. “I’ll drive you back to town.”

“Maybe I can convince you to let me stay.” She took the three steps to bring her back to him and she stood on tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body close. So close he could feel the soft curves of her lush body.

Hope was beautiful, no doubt, but she deserved better than to have sex with a man who wanted another woman. Nix’s desire for Melly was so strong and he couldn’t fake that he wanted anyone else. Sure, he might get a moment’s satisfaction, but he’d have to face himself later. Gently removing Hope’s arms from his neck, he took a step back. Her eyes widened as her mouth twisted. “Really?” The word came out in four syllables.

This was the time he could explain with the standby excuse “It’s not you. It’s me,” and it would be true, but he had a feeling that’d only give her the challenge to try harder. So, he decided that being blunt was the best option. “I’m caught up with someone right now.”

Several long seconds passed and she finally gave a small shrug. “She’ll never know. Discreet is my middle name.”

“I’m sure it is, but I’d know.”

Hope gave a slight nod. “You really are something, Nix. A woman would be lucky to have you.”

“And you shouldn’t settle for anything less either.”

She laughed but it fizzled. “Well, ain’t this a doozy. I won’t be able to get my key until morning.”

“In your purse too?”

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