Page 29 of Seized by the Lawman

Chapter 10

NIX PEELED OFF his shirt and buried his nose in the cotton to take the sniff test. It was far from being clean, but at least it didn’t reek of horse manure. Why was he so worried? Because he wanted to smell good for Melly. Most men did when they were attracted to someone.

And he wanted to take care of her. That was dangerous for a Cade. When they protected, they tended to jump in, heart, soul, boots and all.

Splashing his face with cold water, he cursed under his breath. How the hell was he doing this? Nix knew this wouldn’t be easy, but he had realized he felt more for her than just carnal attraction. He felt a dire need to hold her. There was a price to pay if he let things get out of hand. He’d lose his job before he even got started.

He’d lost himself in the saddle. He hadn’t meant for things to head down a heated path, but he was a man, one who was attracted to a woman. Riding with her had been a stark reality call that he liked her, a lot. He enjoyed their time together, even if most of the time they were arguing.

How the hell did he get into such a complicated situation? Maybe he should have followed Kace’s advice and told Carson that he couldn’t help him out. Then what would he have said when Carson asked why? There was no telling the truth because then he would have to explain that he’d slept with Melly and had hoped to see her again on a personal level. No, that wouldn’t have worked.

Melly had told him that she wouldn’t risk anything getting between her and the ranch. Did she think that was his intention? To cause a rift between her and Carson so he didn’t sign over the ranch? Or that he would tell her dad that she wasn’t ready? He could see how she would fear this.

Soaping his hands with a lilac scented soap, he scrubbed his face, neck and rinsed, then dried off with a fresh towel that smelled like fabric softener. He needed to take this assignment seriously, and to do this he needed to get to know Melly better. To find out if she was truly ready and knew what running a ranch would take. He had to spend more time with her. Although he wanted to get to know her better in more ways than one, he had to control himself.

Pulling on his shirt, he went downstairs and quietly walked into the living room, hearing Melly’s soft voice.

“Why are you calling? I’m fine, just didn’t expect to hear your voice.” There was a lilt to her tone.

Not wanting to invade her privacy, Nix started to turn when he heard her say to the person on the line, “Brad, we haven’t spoken in a long time, so why now? Why are you calling after so much time has passed?”

Standing in the hallway, Nix swallowed. She was talking to her ex. Nix knew he shouldn’t listen in, but his boots stayed frozen to the floor.

Several seconds ticked by and then she said, “No. Don’t come here. I don’t want to see you. I’m serious. What we had is history.”

And then silence.

Nix clenched his hands into fists. Although he only heard one side of the conversation, from what he gathered the ex was wanting to see her. The thought sent a shock through his system. Nix almost felt sorry for the sucker because he was sure she was over Brad Santiago.

Taking a step into the room he unclenched his hands and took a healthy, controlling breath. She brought her chin up, a frown dipping the corners of her pretty mouth. Did she suspect that he overheard her conversation? He’d wait to see if she asked, but when she didn’t, he said, “I’m a little cleaner. Feeling any better?”

“Much. I’ll help you prepare lunch.”

“Stay and rest, I can handle this,” he assured her.

“I have no doubt that you can handle making sandwiches, but I want to help. I’m not the type to sit back and take it easy.” Some of her smile returned.

Although he knew he should argue, he didn’t. In fact, he liked the idea of the two of them in the kitchen together. This was the first step in getting to know her better, and eventually she’d mention the phone call.

The kitchen was a large, modern space, but Nix couldn’t focus on anything but the beauty standing next to him at the island. While she cut a loaf of bread into slices, tendrils of her hair floated across her cheek and she used her shoulder to swipe the tresses away. The sun drifted through the window, catching the highlights in her hair, dancing with the colors. Her pale eyes glistened and her irises became gems. She was so damn pretty that he could barely breath. As she worked, she nibbled at the corner of her plump lips as if all her attention was on her task. She gave everything that equal devotion.

Melly placed two slices of bread on the cutting board and he assembled the sandwich. “Do you want mayo?” he asked.

“Lots.” She smiled.

He spread the dressing over one slice from edge to edge. “A girl after my own heart.” He winked.

“You heard my conversation, didn’t you?” She kept her eyes lowered.

“Yes.” He wouldn’t lie to her.

“Then you know Brad wants to come out here to visit.”

“And you said no.”

“I did.” They both reached for a slice of cheese and missed their mark, instead grabbing each other’s hands. She sucked in a breath and met his gaze. It was more than a collision of fingers, but a clashing of hearts.

Before he could think over the consequences of his actions, he took her shoulders and gently pushed her back against the edge of the granite countertop, bracing her under his palms. She tilted her chin and looked up at him, her eyes dancing as he tightened his grip. Her bottom lip trembled as she told him in a shaky voice, “I meant it when I told him that I don’t want to see him. Do you plan on telling my dad that I was speaking to him?”

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