Teasing Annie: The Temptation Saga: Book Two (7 page)

“Friend, you seem…uneasy.” The stranger’s gaze pierced Morgan’s own. “I can’t afford to take on someone who may have second thoughts. If that might be the case, I’ll leave now and you’ll forget we ever had this conversation.”

Morgan cleared his throat again. “No second thoughts. I’m your man.”

“Excellent.” He handed Morgan a cell phone. “Keep it charged. I’ll contact you with the details.”

“Understood.”

“Good. And friend?”

“Yeah?” Morgan looked around the bar. Several men he knew were shooting pool. A couple others had started a poker game at a corner table. No one was watching him. His pulse thrummed in his ears. Nerves.

“You cross me, and you end up in a body bag.”

A
fter an hour
of trying on and discarding various outfits, pretty much every garment Annie owned was scattered across her floor in disarray. What exactly did one wear to a barbecue at the McCray ranch? Especially if one wanted to look sexy enough to make Dallas McCray swallow his tongue? She considered calling Dusty, but thought that would make her look completely hopeless.

Which, of course, she was.

The June day was sunny and warm with a spring breeze gently blowing. She finally decided on a dusty violet silk camisole that brought out her eyes—Dallas loved her eyes—and paired it with a floral broomstick skirt that fell nearly to her ankles. She had reapplied her signature toenail polish the evening before, and strappy silver sandals completed her outfit. Dallas loved her feet.

She laughed to herself. How completely absurd. Trying to accentuate every part of her that Dallas had professed to love would make her look like a two-bit whore. Too bad she didn’t have see-through magenta pasties to bring out the plum color of her nipples. That would really drive him crazy.

She whirled around in front of the mirror. The creamy silk fell around her full breasts in soft curves, and the rayon skirt lay nicely over her smooth rump. Perfect.

Underneath she wore a lacy demi-bra and a satin thong.

Yes. She, Annie DeSimone, was wearing a thong. The only thong she owned. The thong she’d had since her bachelorette party and had never worn. The thong she had almost thrown in the good will bag before she left New Jersey.

It rode up her crack, but what the hell.

Dallas McCray, eat your heart out.

Of course, he wouldn’t see the thong, but it made her feel sexy. Actually, it made her feel completely underdressed, but Frederick’s of Hollywood and Victoria’s Secret couldn’t be wrong, could they? She’d start to feel sexy soon. As soon as she got used to the feeling of a string flossing her butt cheeks.

Next, she styled her hair, pulling the unruly curls into a mass at the back of her head. She secured it with a butterfly clip and chose a pair of sterling hoop earrings. A little lipstick and blush. Her heavily lashed eyes didn’t require mascara, and she hated foundation and powder. Luckily her creamy complexion was nearly flawless and required little enhancement.

She took a deep breath and picked up her pocketbook and the bottle of wine she had bought for Dusty.

It’s now or never, Annie
.

As she drove to the ranch, she wondered briefly if Joe would be there. Probably not. He hadn’t indicated that he was at all close to the McCrays. He probably would have mentioned it to her if he was going, maybe even invited her along. They had shared coffee and tea again yesterday, and although he hadn’t kissed her, he’d made it clear that he wanted to see her again.

He was a nice guy. Very intelligent and attractive. Fun to be with. But no sparks. At least not for her.

Dallas, on the other hand, could ignite a forest fire with the sparks he generated in her.

Halfway there she almost turned around. Her heart was thundering so fast she thought she might have a panic attack. She breathed deeply and willed her body to relax. A few minutes later, she decided relaxation was a little too much to hope for, and she settled for anxious nausea. At least the hyperventilation had stopped.

When she arrived, Seraphina greeted her at the door. “Everyone’s out back, Dr. Annie.” She took the bottle of wine. “I’ll make sure Miss Dusty knows you brought this.”

“Thanks, Seraphina,” Annie said. “When can we get together and cook some Italian?”

“Anytime, anytime. How about tomorrow? Miss Dusty’s brother will still be here.”

“It’s a date. I’ll come by around four, okay?”

“Better make it three,” Seraphina said, “for the spices to soften and blend.”

“You’re absolutely right. Three it is. Are you coming out to join the party?”

“In a bit. After everyone has arrived.”

“Great. I’ll see you then.”

When Annie walked into the back, she was relieved to see that she was dressed appropriately.

“Annie,” Dusty called to her. “Over here.”

Beside Dusty stood a very tall and attractive man with sandy brown hair. “This is my brother, Sam,” Dusty said. “Sam, Dr. Annie DeSimone.”

“Dusty’s told me a lot about you.” He held out his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Annie took his hand. Strong grip. No spark. Bummer for Dusty’s plan.

“Hey, dog.” The happy drawl of Chad McCray echoed behind Annie. Although he was the youngest McCray, he was the tallest, and his hair was dark brown, not black like Dallas and Zach’s. His facial features were similar though. Grade A stud, like the others.

“Chad, you know Annie?” Sam said.

“Sure he does,” Dusty said. “They met at the Bay ranch.”

“You’re lookin’ good, Doc,” Chad said. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Uh, sure,” Annie said.

“We’ve got soda, water, iced tea, beer,” Dusty said. “We’ll have wine with dinner.”

“Iced tea’ll be fine for now,” Annie said.

“I’ll be right back,” Chad said, giving her arm a squeeze.

“I see you’ve caught his eye,” Sam said, smiling.

“Not really. We’ve only met once.”

“That’s all it takes for Chad. He does like the pretty ladies.” Sam took a drink of his beer.

Annie curled her lips upward into a smile that she hoped didn’t look too fake. She wished she had asked Chad for a beer. She saw him returning with her iced tea, and then jumped as something nudged her from behind. She turned to see Dallas’s dog, Jet, sniffing her. “Hey, fella,” she said, kneeling down to pet his happy face.

“Here you are.” Chad leaned down to hand her the drink. “You know this mutt?” He gave Jet’s ears a squeeze.

“Sure. It’s Jet. Dallas’s dog.”

“Oh.” Chad’s eyes widened for an instant. “Yeah, he’s a good boy. I’ve got his sister from the same litter.”

“Really? I’d love to meet her sometime.”

“Anytime. She’s great. Her name’s Marnie. In fact, she’s due for an annual. I’ll bring her in to see you next week.”

“I’ll be glad to look at her,” Annie said. “I love all animals, but dogs are my favorite.”

“Don’t tell anyone, because I’m the resident horse and cattle expert on the McCray ranch, but they’re my favorite too.” His smile caused cute little crinkles around his brown eyes. “Uh-oh.”

“What?”

“Don’t look now, but we’re getting the evil eye.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Dallas. Behind you.”

Annie scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Dallas is hardly my concern.”

Chad’s full lips twisted into a lazy grin. He reached toward her and softly stroked her upper arm with one finger. “I’m right glad to hear that, Dr. Annie.”

Annie smiled. “I’ve heard you’re the biggest flirt in the four corner states, Chad.”

“Nah.” He chuckled and tipped her chin forward. “Only in Colorado and New Mexico combined.”

They laughed easily together. Sam and Dusty had joined another group of guests and she and Chad were alone. She gave Jet another scratch behind his ears and drained her iced tea glass. She handed it to Chad. “I think I’ll have a beer now.”

“Wise choice, Dr. Annie. Wise choice.” His eyes gleamed. “I’ll be right back.”

Annie knelt back down to focus on Jet. “Where’s your papa, sweetheart?” she cooed to him.

“Right here.”

The sexy low drawl poured over her like a creamy chocolate-raspberry syrup. She stood up and turned to face Dallas.

“Hi,” she said.

“Sorry if he’s bothering you.”

“Jet? He’s no bother. You know I love him.”

“Not Jet.” Dallas’s voice cracked. She could tell he tried to hide it, but Annie noticed. “Chad.”

“Chad? Why would he be a bother?”

“He…uh, well he…”

“He what, Dallas?”

“He’s not serious about women.”

“So? From what I’ve seen, neither are you.”

Dallas’s grip on his beer bottle tightened, whitening his knuckles. “Maybe I should be talking to him, not you.”

“Whatever.” Annie smiled when Chad rejoined them and handed her a beer. “Thanks, Chad.”

“Not a problem.” He turned to Dallas. “You movin’ in on my date, big brother?”

“Your date?” Dallas’s lips formed a thin line on his taut face.

Ha! Good for you, Chad,
Annie thought. Heck no, they weren’t on a date, but she wasn’t about to clue Dallas in on that fact at this particular moment.

“Well,” Chad drawled, “not technically, I suppose, but a guy can always hope.”

Annie smiled at him. “Chad’s going to introduce me to Marnie. He says she’s Jet’s sister.” She gave Jet another quick pet.

“Great,” Dallas said tersely.

“How about tomorrow, Dr. Annie? I’ll pick you up around noon and we can have lunch at my place.”

Annie opened her mouth to reply, but before any words came out, Dallas grabbed Chad’s arm.

“We need to talk, little brother.” He pulled Chad away and Annie was left standing alone, beer in one hand, dog ear in the other. She was sure her face had gone completely red.

“
W
hat the fuck
do you think you’re doing?” Dallas demanded. “She’s not your type at all.”

“Hmm.” Chad scratched his head. “Beautiful. Intelligent. Funny.
Built
. You’re right. What was I thinking?”

Dallas’s insides clenched at the thought of his brother’s hands on Annie’s perfect body. Nope, wasn’t going to happen.

“She’s too old for you.”

“She can’t be a day over twenty-six or twenty-seven, Dallas.”

“It just so happens she’s thirty.”

“So what? Older women are delicacies to be savored, brother.”

Nausea crept into Dallas’s gut as he regarded the lecherous look on his brother’s face.

“Besides,” Chad continued, “I’m twenty-eight. It’s not like she’d be robbing the cradle or anything.”

“Stay away from her.”

“Why? Have you got some kind of claim on her?”

Damn right I do.

He inhaled sharply. “Just leave her alone, Chad. She just got out of a divorce.”

“Then maybe she’s up for some fun. I can’t say I’d mind a little fun with her. She’s gorgeous. And that body. Damn.”

Dallas’s fists clenched. He was a hair’s breadth away from knocking his baby brother unconscious.

“I don’t want you with her.”

“Are you two…together or something?”

Dallas inhaled and held his breath for a moment. He let the air out of his lungs slowly. “No.”

“Then this ain’t your business.”

“Chad—”

“Look, if you don’t want her, there’s a slew of cowboys around here who’ll be drooling over her in no time. Sam’s already got an eye for her, and Joe Bradley, too.”

Dallas stiffened. Every hair on his body pressed upward. His teeth ground together and he fought an overwhelming desire to punch the wall.

“You saw her with Joe Bradley?”

“Yeah. Yesterday. They were having coffee at Rena’s.”

Again? Coffee twice?

“Damn her. She doesn’t even like coffee!” Dallas raised his fist.

“Put that down now, Dallas.” Chad’s voice was even and serious. “I haven’t done anything to incur your wrath, and neither has Joe Bradley. If you want the lady, I’ll bow out politely, but if not, well—”

“Damn it,” Dallas said under his breath.

“I see.” Chad adjusted his Stetson. “Enjoy your evening, big brother. Alone. Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a pretty filly waiting for me outside.”

Dallas seethed. This was more than his heart could take. Already he felt his body preparing to fight for his woman. What the hell was wrong with him? He was civilized. A cowboy. A gentleman. Not some Neanderthal grappling for a mate. Whatever the problem, he couldn’t go back out there and watch his brother seduce his Annie.

No. Not
his
Annie.
You don’t want her, remember?

Irritated, he walked to Zach’s study, thinking he’d be alone. Wrong again. Zach was there, finishing up a phone call.

“Sorry,” Dallas said, but Zach motioned him inside as he said goodbye to whoever was on the line.

“I’m done. Did you need something in here?”

“Just a respite,” Dallas said.

“From a certain pretty veterinarian?” Zach’s unique eyes smiled.

“Damn. Am I that transparent?” Dallas plunked into one of the leather armchairs across from Zach’s desk.

“’Fraid so. You seemed to be getting along great last weekend. What happened?”

“It’s complicated.”

“How so?”

“Well, she’s divorced.”

“Last time I checked, so are you.”

“I just found out something she did that I’m having trouble accepting.”

“Which is?”

He sighed. “She lied to her husband about something. Something important.”

“Do you know the circumstances?”

“No. I didn’t ask, and I don’t want to know. I’m not getting involved with another deceptive female. I can’t make that mistake again. I never make the same mistake twice.”

“Annie is nothing like Chelsea.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Well, for one thing, I can stand to be in the same room with her. No offense, but that was never true of your wife.”

“You all hated her. I know. But you hated me as well.”

“I never hated you, Dallas.”

“Okay. Disliked me immensely then.”

“How about tolerated with disfavor?”

“Ha. Funny.”

“Dallas, you’ve changed. You’re not the same man you were. You’ve stopped being so mind-numbingly unbearable.”

“Thanks.” He rolled his eyes.

“Look, Chad and I know Pa was hard on you. He made you a man before you were ready, and he saddled you with a lot of the responsibility for the two of us. That couldn’t have been easy, and hell, Chad and I sure didn’t make it any easier on you. So I don’t blame you for how it used to be.” He chuckled. “Especially now that you’ve unloaded Chelsea.”

“Should’ve done that years ago.”

“You’ll get no argument from me.” Zach absently rubbed his goatee.

“Yeah, I should have, but I didn’t. I knew it wasn’t working. Hell, it was apparent within the first year or so. But I didn’t want to fail, Zach. And I didn’t want to admit I’d made a mistake by marrying her in the first place. I still hate myself for it.”