Hott and Handled (The Hott Brothers #3) - Leah Sharelle Page 0,12

of crime, six months ago changed my mind on that after a band of rough riders took up a money offer to run the brumbies off Triple H land. The plan didn’t work, thanks to Blake, who acted on her love of the wild horses. Her stupid yet heroic act saved them from being shot off one by one, but unfortunately, it also resulted in Hendrixx being shot. It all worked out in the end, but fuck me, it could have turned out a whole lot differently. A person we considered a mate turned on us.

I was yet to catch up with Dusty and ask him what the fuck he had been thinking going out to run down the mob for some quick cash. Lenoxx and I managed to talk Hendrixx out of kicking his arse, but Dusty’s time was rapidly coming to an end. He needed to explain and it better be a fucking good one.

Casting a critical eye over the structure, I mentally noted what I would need to make it more secure. Farron was most likely going to argue with me, but what the hell ever. She worked hard for her livelihood and the last thing she needed was some arsehole nicking her shit.

The sound of the back gate opening had me looking up to see Farron standing there with two coffee mugs in one hand and a plate of something that looked like mini pizzas in the other.

“Hey, would you like something to eat and drink?” she offered quietly, suddenly looking very unsure of herself.

Did I do that to her with my bullish tactics back at the HHH? Fuck me, how did I make it this far in life and not know a single thing about women?

Dusting my hands off on my jeans, I hurried to grab a mug before she bolted on me again.

“Thanks, I am hungry,” I told her, reaching for one of the small muffin-sized treats that were covered in shredded ham and olives. Walking over to her ute, I placed the plate inside the back then deftly unlocked the tailgate and smiled at her.

“Join me … please?”

Farron’s head dropped slightly in a nod, a small smile that looked more like a grimace followed, but she walked forward, put down the plate and cup, then hoisted herself backward and sat down.

Sighing with relief, I did the same.

“We need—”

“I’m sorry I—”

Both of us started at the same time, both of us laughing at the sudden awkwardness that was between us.

“You go,” I offered, taking a bite of the pizza and moaning at the explosion of flavours that were bursting on my tongue.

Fuck, my woman could cook!

Acutely aware that Farron was nervous and staring at me, I concentrated on eating the pizza and sipping my coffee in an effort to give her time to get more comfortable around me. Giving up on the idea of being together was not an option for me, so compromise was the next best thing.

I was halfway through the second pizza when she finally spoke up.

“Nixx, you have been coming into the restaurant for a whole year and some months and you never speak to me at all,” she began, “you give an extravagant tip each time before you leave, no mention of it, no hello or good-bye. Then today at the farm, you turn into something completely different. I am confused Fenixx.”

“Nixx,” I growled, “only call me Nixx. And I get that my behaviour has been strange, today and for the past year, all I know is I am done with wasting time. I want us to get to know each other Farron. See if we can be more than friends.”

When she called me Nixx back at the farm, my dick and heart went into hyper-drive. Normally I answered either or names, but hearing the shortened version from her lips drove me wild with need and lust.

“Then there is your growl, Nixx you sound … possessive. And that is crazy because I am not anything to you. And can’t be.”

“Why the fuck not?” I shouted louder than I should have but hearing her say that she was nothing pissed me the fuck off. She was so much, so goddamn much and more.

Farron tossed me a look that basically said I was a moron. Holding up a hand, she started to tick off each and every problem she saw.

“Oh, gee Nixx, let’s see. Apart from the fact today is the first time you have ever spoken to me, and then