NIX (Daring the Kane Brothers)

by Kelly Gendron

  I laugh, pulling my keys from the ignition. “Let’s go.”

  As if she’s on to my bullshit, she shakes her head. “Okay.”

  “Hey, Kenny.” I nod to the kid sitting at the front desk as I sign us in.

  He looks up, nudging the long blond hair from his eyes. “Hey Nix, I see you brought a guest tonight?”

  “Yeah, this is Payton Tucker. She has a cat named Mittens.” I’m not sure why I included her feline into the introduction. I guess it could be because I didn’t know how else to introduce my adult friend; my date, borderline girlfriend, or the chick I’ve been trying to stay cool with while keeping out of her pants.

  “Ah.” The kid smiles, checking out my friend. “Are you looking to get a dog today, Ms. Tucker?”

  “Me?” She touches her chest like it’s the most absurd thing she’s heard. “No. I think he’s the one looking tonight.” She thumbs at me.

  “Nix?” Kenny’s eyes widen as they move my way. “Really?”

  “Not tonight.” I wink at the kid before directing Payton out to the back.

  “That’s what you always say,” Kenny calls after us.

  Payton bumps into my side. “You come here a lot.”

  “I like dogs.” I shrug, then place my hand on the door and look at her. “You’re not afraid of them or anything, are you?”

  “No. Why?”

  I push the door open to the fenced yard filled with all types of dogs. A huge smile brightens Payton’s beautiful face as her eyes race to touch every mutt in the yard. It’s minutes before I realize I’m still standing in the same spot watching her pet dog after dog, her laughter filling me with warmth and something else, something that’s been missing since Lexi walked out on me.

  “Five pennies for your thoughts?”

  “What?” I blink, the comment shaking me free of her spell. My hands clench at my sides. “What did you say?”

  She’s crouched down, and a black pooch sniffs her shoulder while sneaking in a few kisses to her cheeks. She looks up at me, and her bright expression dulls a little. “Ya know, like penny for your thoughts but you’re Nickel, so five pennies—”

  “I get it,” I cut her off. The only person who ever said that to me was Lexi. Why, whenever I’m with Payton, does it feel like Lexi is nearby? I glance around the yard, and there’s nothing but darkness beyond the fence. Fuck. Lexi could be here. She could be watching us. Hell, the more I think about it, I realize she could’ve sent Payton to me. “Do you want a beer?”

  “No, thanks.” Her eyes remain on the mixed lab she’s currently petting.

  “Okay.” I give the yard a once-over before going after a beer.

  Fuck. What if that’s it. Payton appeared out of nowhere, hanging out with Harley, around the same time Lexi started showing up. She smells just like Lexi. Says the same things Lexi does. I raise a finger to the girl behind the makeshift bar. The SPCA limits visitors to two beers. The girl pops the bottle free of its cap and hands it to me. “Thanks.” I drop a few bucks in the tip jar and down the beer, watching Payton make her way through most of the dogs. I walk up behind her and touch her slender shoulder. “You ready?”

  “Aw.” She spins around. “Look at him. He’s so cute,” she says, adoring the puppy in her arms. “Don’t you want to take him home with you?”

  “Yeah, he’s a handsome one.” When I tickle the pup under his soft chin, he licks my fingers. I bend down and meet his dark brown eyes. “I’m sure you’ll have no problem breaking out of here tonight, dude.”

  “You don’t want him?”

  “No.” I stand up straight.

  She rests the pup against her chest. “Did you ever have a dog?”

  “Sure, when I was young, a Great Dane Lab mix.”

  “Oh, a Labradane!”

  “Yeah, I guess that’s what he’d be called now. We called him Moose. He was huge, protective but gentle and loyal. Whenever I came through the door, he was always right there waiting. If you had a bad day, he’d be there too. No matter what mood you were in, he seemed to sense it and was there to help you get through it. Whether it was lying on the couch with you, bugging you to get your ass up to take him for a walk, or just lending an ear to listen to you, Moose was always there. It’d be hard to replace him.” I itch the pup’s floppy ear.

  Her brow raises. “Why do you need to replace him?”

  “He was a really good dog.”

  “And I’m sure there are other really good dogs out here.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “Does Becca want a dog?”

  “What six-year-old doesn’t want a pet? I tried to steer her toward a hamster. Hey, did you know they only live for about one to three years?”

  “No,” she says, gazing up at me while dropping little kisses on top of the puppy’s head.

  “Yeah, neither did I until Becca told me.” I pull away from the pup. “Apparently, her friend Jena got one for her birthday. It broke the girl’s heart when it died shortly after she got it. I guess the thing must’ve already put some miles on before poor little Jena got it.”

  “How sad.”

  “Yeah, Becca thought so too, says that’s why she’s holding out for a dog.”

  “What about this one?” She lifts the ball of fur up, turns it toward her and then back around. “Oh, it’s a girl. I bet Becca would love her!” She pushes the pup at me. “You could name her Oreo. She kind of looks like an Oreo. Does Becca like Oreos?”

  “No. No.” I take the dog from her and set the animal on the ground. “And yes, what kid doesn’t like Oreos?” I wink at her. “Let’s go unless you want to take little Oreo home with you.”

  “Me? No. I can’t have animals at my apartment.”

  “What about Mittens?”

  She waves a hand at me. “Oh, she’s not an animal. She’s a cat.”

  “Ah.” I grin, having met a few cat lovers. They’re a different kind of breed—not bad, just different. I steer her toward the door before she has me taking half the lot with us. “See ya later, Kenny.” I nod at the kid behind the desk before heading out the door.

  I open the car door for her. “Thank you, kind sir.” She smiles and climbs into the vehicle.

  I slam the door shut. What the hell! Is she fucking with me? Is that it? Lexi used to say that whenever I opened a door for her. Lexi’s feet were cold all the time. Lexi smelled like lilacs. Lexi made my pulse race and my palms sweat. I have to get to the bottom of this shit.

  Jumping in the driver’s side, I stick the key in the ignition and turn to her. “Do you want to pick up a pizza and head back to my place to watch a movie or something?”

  “Sure, that sounds nice.”

  A half hour later, I’m dropping the pizza and my keys on the counter. “What do you want to drink? Water? Beer? Let’s see …” I pull open the cupboard above the fridge. “I think I have some wine from when Harley was here with Token. Yep.” I grab the bottle and twist around, nearly bumping into her. “Well, hello.” I smile.

  “Hi,” she whispers in a coy, sweet, “come and get me” voice. Fuck. She’s teasing me, and we’re alone in my house. Alone! No Becca to the rescue.

  Wedged between her and the fridge, I slide the wine onto the counter. “Hi,” I reply in an “I dare ya to” whisper. I take a step forward, and she moves backward until she hits the counter. Placing my hands on either side of her, I trap her. “I hope you enjoyed yourself tonight.”

  Her eyes move to my mouth for a spine-tingling moment. “The night’s not over with yet.”

  “No, it’s not.” I bend my head, my lips met halfway into the bend by her mouth, greeted then by an exploratory tongue. Damn, the girl can kiss. She gives just enough fight, leaving me wanting more even after she surrenders.

  And I think I’m in control until her hand moves up the back of my head. She grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks me from our kiss. Through heavy lids, she peers deep into my soul, searching for my deepest, darkest secrets. “What’s next on the agenda
tonight?”

  “Pizza?”

  “I’m not hungry.” She kisses my exposed throat.

  “For pizza?”

  “Yes.” She breathes the word against my neck. Her lips lightly skim the tender connective skin leading to my mouth.

  “You want something else?” My dick hardens, hoping to be on the menu tonight.

  “Yes.” She takes my bottom lip into her mouth, giving it a few gentle sucks. “Mmmm …” The provocative sound vibrates through my flesh. She releases another long, sensual hum against my mouth just before her teeth sink into my lip. The pierce of pain and pleasure setting free a memory of … Lexi!

  I rip my mouth from hers. “Fuck!” I grab her arms, spin her around, and push her against the cold steel fridge. “Who the fuck are you?”

  Her blue eyes pop open wide. “What?”

  “Did she send you?”

  “Who? What?” Her brows cave in.

  “You tell that bitch that if she wants me, then to come and get me herself.”

  “What are you talking about?” She jerks her arm, trying to break free. “Let me go!” Angry, not fearful, eyes glare up at me. “Nix!”

  “I know who—” I stop, hearing a loud bang from upstairs, followed by a few more sounds as if something fell.

  “Nix!”

  “Shh …” I shake her, hearing another faint sound.

  She pushes at me. “Get the hell off me, you asshole—”

  “Shit!” It’s Lexi! “Stay here.” I point at a confused Payton before running up the stairs. When I get to my room, I spot the moving curtains and the open window. I run over to it and catch Lexi dropping to the ground. “Fuck!” I make my way back down the stairs and out the back door, but I’m too late. “Fuck! Shit!” I grab my hair. “Dammit!” Doing a few circles in the backyard, I rethink what just happened. Payton! She can’t be involved with Lexi. If she was, I’m sure she would’ve tipped Lexi off that we were on our way here.

  Fuck!

  She must think I’m crazy. I have to fix this!

  I run back inside, but I’m too late for that chase as well because Payton’s nowhere in sight. Fuck Lexi, I shake my hand at the air. I can’t let her win. I can’t let her fuck up whatever is going on between Payton and me. I’m not sure what it is, but I know I don’t want it to stop.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Like a deer hearing the branches break in the quiet forest, alert ears rise in the direction of the threat. I stare at the door as the third knock echoes into my pounding heart.

  I wait, unsure if I heard the sound right. It was a knock. I know it was. Still, the way my night’s been going, I want some more confirmation that I’m not hearing things. I lean forward on the couch, my bare feet not ready to hit the floor.

  No one ever comes knocking on my door, well, besides the occasional pizza delivery guy. But I didn’t order anything, and it’s one in the morning.

  The next knock forces me to stand and look around my place. I know who it is! Why is he here? What the hell does he want? Obviously, the last time I saw him, he was experiencing some sort of meltdown. I didn’t stick around to wait for his reason or explanation. I was afraid to. So I hightailed it out of there, cut through someone’s backyard to the next street, and called an Uber.

  And after taking a shower, then eating a bowl of ice cream in my tee shirt and boy shorts—shit! I look down at my clothes. I rub the dried-up drip of ice cream on my shirt. There’s another knock, a little louder than the last few. Dammit. He’s going to wake the neighbors.

  I’m not going to have time to change my clothes. “Coming!” I primp my hair and lick my lips, making sure there’s no leftover ice cream there as well, then open the door. Standing in a half-unbuttoned flannel, jeans, and a look of need on his face, Nix’s eyes roll up and down my rumpled attire.

  I lift my chin. “What are you doing here?”

  He gazes at me from over his glasses as though he showed up at my doorstep because I have something he desperately needs. “I came to meet Mittens.”

  My head jerks back. “My cat?”

  His head lifts, the prevalent desire above his glasses disappearing into the frames. “Is she here?”

  “Yes.” Shocked over the question, I call over my shoulder. “Mittens.”

  “Mittens.” Nix moves forward, not releasing me from his sight. “Mittens, come here, girl.” He closes the door behind him. While making clicking sounds with his mouth, he moves into my small living room. “Mittens. Oh—” He smiles. “There you are.” He crouches down to the floor to pet my cat.

  Traitor! She rubs against his thigh, enjoying the back scratch.

  “I see why your mom named you Mittens.” He laughs at my black cat’s white paws. She purrs, nudging him for more attention, and I get it. What feline wouldn’t want Nix Kane’s hands on her? He scoops her up into his arms and stands. Scratching her behind her ear, he watches her revel in the pamper. “I’m sorry, Payton.” His glossy green eyes meet mine as he continues to make my kitty purr. The sincerity in his voice and on his face melts me into a puddle where I stand. “I don’t know what came over me. Well, I do.” He turns back to Mittens. “It’s just some shit with my ex.”

  “Oh, is she back in your life?” I hold my breath, waiting for his answer.

  “No.” He sets Mittens back on the floor before rising again.

  His scent, presence, muscles, shoulders, arms, hands, mouth, he lifts everything from the floor from where he gently placed my cat. It’s like every molecule was strategically placed on this man for me to appreciate. “Look, I understand. She’s the mother of your child, and if you want—” The touch of his hand hushes me as he cradles the side of my face.

  “No. I don’t think you get it.” The pad of his thumb feathers back and forth over my cheek. With each stroke, I fall more and more under his charm. “I don’t want her.”

  “You don’t?”

  “No.” He shakes his head, his feathery thumb reaching from my cheek to my dry, free-from-ice-cream lips. He grazes the top and then the bottom one, the friction of his touch extending to the core of my existence. “Do you know who I want?”

  “Please don’t say me.” I didn’t mean to blurt it out, yet it happened. “I mean. It … It just can’t be—” He hushes me with a thumb to my moving lips.

  “Yes, it’s you. Sweet, sexy, beautiful you,” he says with a small smile. “And I am truly sorry this displeases you.” He chuckles. “But let’s see if we can do something to change that.” Leaning forward, slow and deliberate, he delivers a tender kiss to my lips. “Believe me, I tried to make it stop. I tried not to think about you. Tried not to let you be right.” He presses his mouth against mine, this time not so gentle, but firmer with more purpose. “Yet here I am, falling for you, Payton Tucker.”

  “Falling, like falling into my bed, that kind of falling? We’re not talking about getting the heart involved here, right? Because I’m all about getting naked in bed with you and not thinking about tomorrow, but I’m not ready—.”

  “Oh.” He kisses me, silencing my babble while bringing me back to his touch, smell, every perfect molecule. “I can guarantee when you get naked with me, tomorrow will be the last thing on your mind.”

  “Good.” I start to unbutton his flannel, totally prepared to not think about tomorrow, and just as I get his belt free of the buckle, he grabs my wrist.

  “But to answer your question …” He sifts both hands through my hair, dips my head back, and hangs his tempting mouth just above mine. Damn! How can one man take everything inside me and pull it to the surface? I’m putty in his hands. “Yes. I’m falling for you. And yes, it’s the kind where my heart is involved.” He brushes his lips against mine for another savory moment. “Now, you have every right to try to fight this. God knows I have, but I’m gonna warn you, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way about anyone. So, I can assure you I’m not about to let you just walk away from me. At least, not without a fight. Okay?”

&nb
sp; Mouth partly opened, waiting for his lips to touch me again, I nod my head. I’ll reason with my heart later. Right now, with shirt-half-off Nix Kane in my apartment, the horny bitch between my legs is going to win any battle over my rational heart.

  He smiles, then grabs the front of my shorts and yanks me to him. “Mittens isn’t the only pussy I came for tonight.” A rush of excitement escapes me. The wetness a quick reminder of whose hand has subdued me by the waist of my bottoms. “Point me to the bedroom.”

  I tilt my head to the left.

  “That way?” He nudges.

  I nod, pressing my lips together as if somehow those lips are going to stop the wetness from gushing from my other lips.

  “Do you want to go in there with me?”

  I nod.

  “When we get in there, I expect you to strip off your clothes. Do you want to do that for me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” His smile broadens. “And after you lie down on the bed, I plan to spread your legs and have a little taste of you. Would that be okay as well?”

  Dammit. Another rush of hot wetness hits my panties! He has no idea what he’s asking for. If he keeps this up, there’ll be enough down there to feed a freaking army!

  “Well?” His eyebrow rises.

  “Okay.” I nod, heat flushing my cheeks and melting the dessert he’s wanting to feed on. I don’t think that I’ve ever been more turned on.

  He releases my strangling shorts and holds out a hand. “Lead the way.”

  Heart fluttering and skin alive with fever, hand in hand, we make our way to my bedroom.

  Is it clean? Oh, I hope it is …Yes!

  Minus a pair of slippers and last night’s sweatpants on the floor, it’s spotless. I might be afraid to commit, unlike Mom, who’s been married for thirty years, but at least I inherited her clean freak gene.

  Proud of myself, I spin around with a smile. Nix’s hungry gaze rips the giddiness from me. He wants me. It’s in his eyes. He really wants me. And, damn! Could he be any hotter in that open flannel shirt and belt dangling from the waist of his jeans? My thought’s quickly answered when he takes off his glasses and sets them on my dresser. “It’s time to remove your clothes, sweetheart.”