Teasing Annie: The Temptation Saga: Book Two (15 page)

C
had McCray loved women
. Brunette, blond, or redhead, thin and willowy or curvy and voluptuous, he adored them all. Exploring their bodies and sating his sexual hunger was his favorite hobby.

Yes, he did adore women.

Commitment?

Not so much.

Since women seemed to love him as well, life had been good for his thirty-two years. In his two decades of loving the fairer sex, only one had tried badgering him into commitment. He’d gotten rid of her faster than a bucking bronc tosses a cowpoke. Now, he was on his way out the door to pick up a new luscious lollipop he’d met at a community potluck. Light blond hair, cherry-red lips, and curves that went on forever—Amber Cross, the new manicurist in town, was a tasty treat he looked forward to sampling.

The ring of his cell phone interrupted his lascivious thoughts. He scooped it out of his pocket and stared at the screen. His brother Zach.

“What’s up, Zach?”

“Got an opportunity of a lifetime for you, Chad,” Zach’s deep voice said.

“What might that be?”

“Well, it seems you, Dallas, and I have been chosen to judge the rodeo queen contest this year.”

Chad guffawed into the phone. “You mean Dusty and Annie are going to let you and Dallas ogle the cheesecake of Bakersville? You’ve got to be kidding.” The mere thought of his disgustingly happily married brothers judging a beauty pageant brought a smirk to his lips. “I, on the other hand, would be honored.”

Zach chuckled. “Our wives trust us. We’re committed.”

“Should
be
committed, you mean.” Chad checked his watch. “Do you need anything else at the moment? I’m due to meet a lovely little cream puff in half an hour.”

“Meet her? You mean you’re not picking her up at her place?”

“Nope. We’re meeting at the Bullfrog for a drink.”

“One day, little brother,” Zach said, “you’re going to meet a woman who knocks your boots right off. A woman you want to treat like a lady.”

“Not likely,” Chad said. “My life is pretty darn perfect the way it is. When I need a home cooked meal, I crash your house or Dallas’s. And when I want a critter fix, I have Sean and the twins. All the family love, but none of the responsibility. That’s the way I like it.”

“Sean’s my critter, and the twins are Dallas’s.” Zach’s tone turned serious. “Don’t you want one of your own? You’re not getting any younger, you know.”

“Worried about my biological clock, Zach?” Chad laughed.

“Nope,” his brother said. “Just worried you’re going to wake up one day and find yourself alone.”

Chad smiled, imagining the sweet red lips of Miss Amber Cross roaming over every inch of his body. “One thing I can guarantee you, brother. I’ll never be alone.”

D
ear Reader
,

Thank you for reading
Teasing Annie
. If you want to find out about my current backlist and future releases, please like my Facebook page:
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If you enjoyed the story, please take the time to leave a review on a site like Amazon or Goodreads. I welcome all feedback.

I wish you all the best, and keep reading!

Helen

T
easing Annie
(formerly
A Cowboy and a Gentleman
) is the second book in the
Temptation Saga
. It won second place in the RomCon Readers’ Crown contest in 2012, beaten by its prequel,
Tempting Dusty
.

So many people helped along the way in bringing this book to you. Celina Summers, Michele Hamner Moore, Jenny Rarden, Coreen Montagna, Ruth Horvath, Kelly Shorten, David Grishman, Meredith Wild, Jonathan Mac, Kurt Vachon, Yvonne Ellis, Shayla Fereshetian—thank you all for your expertise and guidance. Eternal thanks to Waterhouse Press for the expert rebranding of the series. Waterhouse rocks!

And thanks most of all to you, the readers. I hope you love Dallas and Annie’s story. Up next is the youngest McCray brother, Chad, who sees a girl from a neighboring ranch in a different light. Don’t miss
Taking Catie
.

H
elen Hardt’s
passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance and erotica, she’s a mother, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers.

http://www.helenhardt.com

http://www.helenhardt.blogspot.com