Page 30 of Seized by the Lawman

“I’m not a tattletale, sunshine. That’s not why I’m here.”

“Really? Are you sure? Because it certainly seems that’s why my father asked you to come here.” She tried to wiggle from his embrace, but he didn’t step out of her path. Instead, he pressed his body against hers and she brought her hands against his chest.

“We’ve been through this. With your ex calling, maybe Carson has a reason to be concerned about your choices.”

Her eyes widened, and she gave her head a frustrated shake. “What you and my father don’t realize is that I’m an adult. Getting this ranch shouldn’t be contingent on anything, especially not who I choose to cohabitate with...or because I was born with the wrong sexual organs. Women are just as capable of running ranches as men are.”

“I see your point, and you certainly don’t have to convince me. I’m sorry. When I said your father had reason to be concerned, I meant that I have reason to be concerned. It sure sounded to me like your ex didn’t want to take no for an answer. You can choose to be in a relationship with anyone of your choosing, but just so you know, you deserve someone worthy, not a cheater or a man who doesn’t realize how wonderful you are. I know how wonderful you are.”

“Nix…” She tried moving, but he still held her. “This-this can’t happen,” she pushed through clenched teeth. She fisted his T-shirt in her hands. “There are so many obstacles.”

“Yeah, you keep saying that and maybe we’ll eventually believe it,” he ground out. “I just revealed how much you mean to me and that’s all you can say?”

“Let me go! Just let me go.” Her expression belied her words. She leaned into him, moving her hands further up onto his shoulders and with one long exhale of breath, as if she were giving into the dire need, she wrapped her hands around the back of his neck. “Why are you doing this? Why did you have to agree to help my father?”

“Damned if I know,” he growled.

“I swore I’d never get involved with a lawman. Do you understand that?” she whispered.

“And do you understand that I swore I’d never get involved with a high-spirited, stubborn, impulsive woman who is the daughter of my boss, but look, here we are.”

“Wow. Should I be flattered?”

“Hell yeah!” He slammed his mouth to hers. The kiss was full of emotion, anger, frustration, and even realization. They’d fought the desire, but it was winning, hands down.

What had started as a kiss of domination turned into something softer, more passionate. She parted her lips, allowing him in and he wasted no time in tasting her. Bringing his arms around her tiny waist, he dragged her against him, lifting her to her toes so he could have better access. He loved her taste, a heady combination of mint and heaven. Her hips ground against his zipper and all the blood rushed from his head to his groin where he grew rim-rod hard. Lowering his hands to her ass, he molded the firm cheeks to his palms, squeezing and rubbing. Her whimper told him she liked his touch. She was the wildest, sweetest, loveliest thing his mouth had ever tasted.

His radio buzzed on his hip and he ignored the intrusion, not caring about the outside world, just the here and now. He heard her moan, but he swallowed the sound and suckled her tongue. Melly brought her knee up and pressed it against his hip which gave him better access into the curve of her inner thighs. He swore he could feel her moist heat through his jeans and it made the tip of his erection throb. He gyrated his hips against her and she met his thrusts as another wild moan escaped her.

This was what Nix had wanted every day since she’d left him alone in his bed. He couldn’t wrap his head around all the reasons why they shouldn’t be doing this, but one thought remained strong and clear. Why deny himself the need? He tore his mouth from hers to kiss her cheek, her jaw, her neck all the way to the dip between her collar bones. He licked the arc and she dropped her cheek to one shoulder, her fingers digging into his shoulders. He brought his mouth up to her ear and licked the lobe, remembering how he’d driven her crazy by alternating between nips and suckles on her ear. Her breaths were now pants.

“How the hell do we deny ourselves this, sweetheart?” he whispered. “I bet the ex couldn’t get you this hot and bothered.”

Her gasp sounded loud to his ears. She pressed him hard and he took a step back, her hard gaze needling him. His words had undone something. “Is this why you did this? To prove something?”

“Yeah. To prove that we want each other.” He took another step back, giving her space.

“Wow. You move fast.”

He blinked. “What do you mean?”

“Do you think I have a bad memory? That I’d forget the blonde that I saw at your cabin?”

He’d forgotten all about Hope. That’s how little interest he had in her. “Melly, I tried to explain—”

“That it wasn’t what I thought? Come on, Nix. You both were partially dressed and looked like you’d just been awakened from a night of partying. I realize I have no right to tell you who you can spend time with or who you sleep with, but I don’t plan on getting involved with someone who has a revolving bed. I’ve been there and done that and refuse to again. So, yes, there is an unexplainable attraction between us, but I have a priority list and it doesn’t include getting involved with a player again.”

Several seconds passed, then he shrugged. “You’re right, sunshine. You don’t need another player…or a lawman. I’m just not your type, I guess.” He dropped his hands and crossed the kitchen. “I find I’m not hungry any longer. You eat and rest. For the next few weeks we’ll cater to that priority list of yours.” He stepped through the back door.

~~~**~~~

Days had passed since she and Nix had kissed in her kitchen and he’d walked away. Although they’d seen each other many times since the kiss, their conversations had been guarded and focused on the ranch. Each day he seemed more distant toward her. She couldn’t complain that he gave her the cold shoulder because wasn’t that exactly what she’d asked for?

She woke up feeling morning sickness, but with a few crackers and water she felt better and was back outside helping with chores. Although his attitude was friendly and helpful, he didn’t cross any lines again. Yet, the more she got to know him, the more she realized what a great guy he was. Her attraction for him hadn’t dwindled, not one bit, although she wished she could wash away her feelings. Working next to him could only be described as difficult and a test of control. Like yesterday, they were in the barn mucking the stalls and he’d taken off his shirt. She’d tried everything from saying the alphabet backwards to singing You Are My Sunshine a hundred times in her head, but nothing had worked to keep her mind from scraping the naughty gutter. His tanned skin was slick with sweat as he used the shovel, each move causing his toned muscles to tighten. Melly wasn’t sure how mucking stalls could be sexy, but as she stared, she had been mesmerized by how good he looked. By the time she’d been finished with the stalls, she’d needed a change of panties.

Then yesterday, he’d been out with the hands checking the cattle and she’d chosen to stay behind because she hadn’t been feeling the greatest and had been standing near the fence when he rode his horse back. He was a good rider and very comfortable in the saddle. Although he was a lawman by trade, he was also a capable cowboy. He reminded her of a warrior returning from battle. When he rode up to the stables they’d met gazes and he tipped his hat. Friendly, but not too much.

Now here she was, daydreaming about him as she drove the truck toward the ranch after she’d bought a load of feed. That morning when she stepped out of the shower she noticed that her stomach was a little more rounded. Not noticeable when she had on clothes, but her jeans were a bit tighter, so she chose a pair of shorts that fit her better. There would come a time when she’d have no choice but to tell him, but she had to get through the month first. It was imperative.

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