Teasing Annie: The Temptation Saga: Book Two (8 page)

“Marriage is a two-way street, Dallas. She helped you fail. You can’t shoulder all the blame.”

Dallas sighed. Zach was right, but Dallas had still failed, and if he got involved with another woman who was capable of lying to him, he might fail again. “Whatever.”

“Can’t you give Dr. Annie a chance?”

Dallas inhaled and raked his fingers through his thick hair. “Part of me wants to hold onto her and never let her go.”

“That’s the part I’d listen to, brother.”

“But it’s complicated.”

“Nah. It’s really not.” Zach walked toward the door. “Stay here and hide if you want. I’ve got to get back outside or Dusty’ll have a fit. Besides, I’m on critter duty for a while.”

“I’ll be glad to look after him for you.”

“That’s okay. You stay here and mope.” Zach shook his head and chuckled as he walked off.

Dallas wasn’t sure how long he stayed in Zach’s office. Various guests passed by the door, some poking their heads in to say a quick hello. He sat in Zach’s leather desk chair, his hands behind his head, feet on the desk, wondering what the hell to do, when a rustling of silk and rayon whisked by the door, followed by a subtle breeze laced with hints of coconut and tulips.

Annie.

“He’s too young for you,” Dallas called out. He thought for a moment that she hadn’t heard him, but then her burgundy highlighted head of curls peeked into the office.

“Did you speak to me?”

Damn, that biting Jersey accent was unbelievably adorable. “Yeah. I said he’s too young for you.”

“Chad? He’s twenty-eight.”

“And you’re thirty. That would make you a cougar.”

“A thirty-year-old woman and a twenty-eight-year-old man is hardly the stuff of scandal, Cowboy. I mean, Dallas.” She entered the office and looked around. “Harvard, huh?” she said, looking at Zach’s BA and MBA. “I hear you’re a Yale man.”

“Yeah.”

“Okay. Well, see you around.”

“Don’t get involved with Chad.”

Annie turned back around and faced Dallas. Her violet eyes darkened to a soft aubergine. “I don’t see the problem. Why shouldn’t I date your brother? You’ve made it painfully obvious that you don’t want me.”

Dallas rose and walked to the door and shut it. “That’s where you’re wrong, Annie. I want you so much I’m burning inside.” His body was on fire. His gaze seared into her flesh.

Annie backed away, her hands fumbling for something behind her. “Then I fail to see why you’ve been avoiding me like the plague.”

“It’s complicated.”

“That’s a coward’s answer, Cowboy.” Her voice cracked, but remained steady. “You held me in my bed that first night when I needed you. The next night you made love to me so many times I lost count. I told you I don’t sleep around, but I slept with you. I don’t regret it, and I didn’t think you did either. Until breakfast on Sunday.”

“I can’t talk about this right now, Annie.” He advanced toward her, like an animal stalking his mate.

“Then there’s nothing to…”

He fingered a curl that had come loose from her clip.

“Oh God. Don’t do this.” Her violet eyes smoldered and her lips trembled.

Yeah, she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

“Don’t do what?”

“Don’t… Not unless you mean it.”

He reached behind her and pulled the butterfly clip out of her hair. Her dark tresses curled over her shoulders, down her back. “You look like a gypsy princess.” He breathed in and out. Her fragrance intoxicated him. Flowers and coconut, like a tropical beach. Had anything ever smelled so good? So right? “So beautiful.” He traced his fingers around one of her silver hoop earrings. “My gypsy princess.” He let his hand wander down her cheek, down the smooth lines of her neck and shoulder, down the soft curve of her breast. Her nipple hardened under his touch.

“Oh, damn,” she said.

The tension in her body matched his own. Tension they could only ease with each other. “Kiss me, Annie.”

“No.”

“Yes.” He cupped her soft ivory cheek and lowered his head.

“Please.” She shook her head, her soft curls tickling his hand. “Don’t.”

He ignored her, clamped his mouth onto hers, and kissed her, determined to drain all he could from her. He thrust his tongue into her moist warmth, taking her taste, her softness. He was ferocious in his passion. No longer thinking, he let his body guide him. And his body wanted to possess her.

Badly.

He lifted her into his arms and set her down on the leather couch alongside one wall. She stretched out beneath him and he lay on top of her, thrusting his fully clothed erection against her softness. “I can’t think of anything but you,” he said, rasping. “You never leave me. You haunt my dreams, so there’s no peace even in sleep.” The soft breath of her moans tickled his cheeks. “Why did you do this to me? Why?”

“Do what? I haven’t done—” She stopped, gasping for air, and he took her mouth again.

“I’ve never felt like this before,” he said, panting, after tearing his mouth from hers again. “I can’t be with you, but I can’t stop desiring you. Your beautiful body. Your sweet lips.”

“Why can’t you be with me?”

Dallas didn’t answer.

“It’s all right, Cowboy.”

She threaded her fingers through his hair and lightly massaged his scalp. She was trying to soothe him. But it wouldn’t work. It would never work.

“What’s the matter?”

“What’s the matter? Right now I want nothing more than to take your body with mine. This isn’t normal.”

“It’s just…what you said the other night.” She puffed against his neck. “Chemistry.”

“Right. Chemistry.” He tore her silk camisole down the front and ripped her bra from her beautiful breasts. He groaned as he latched on to a dark, turgid nipple.

“What… What am I going to wear home?”

“Who cares?” he said against her chest and devoured her other nipple.

When the sensitive skin of her breasts was ruddy from his beard stubble and her nipples deep purple from his sucking, he turned her over and lifted her skirt. A thong. Sweet God. He cupped the smooth creamy skin of her behind and massaged her. She moaned, little purrs of contentment.

“You have such a sweet little bottom, Annie,” he said, “and this thong. It’s driving me crazy.”

“Get rid of it then.” Her voice was low and husky.

Within seconds, he had ripped off the undergarment and tossed the shreds to the floor. “I’m going to take you now. Like this.” He smoothed his hands over her back and down over her creamy bottom again. “I want to possess you. Mark you. I want to make you mine. Do you understand me?”

He unbuckled his belt and lowered his jeans and boxers. She lay on the couch, belly down, her pretty face smashed and distorted on the leather. “Please—” she said. “Not like this. Let me turn around—”

“Turn around?”

“Yes,” she panted. “I…can’t do it like this.”

He loved doggy style, but he wouldn’t take any woman without her consent. Especially not Annie.
His Annie
. He rolled her gently onto her back and thrust into her.

She groaned and raised her hips to meet him. “God, Cowboy. Please.”

He ground his pelvis into hers. “I want you so much, Annie. So much.” He plunged into her and felt the edge of her womb against his cock. “I can’t think of anything else.” Thrust. “I’m hard all the time.” Thrust. “I can’t eat. I can’t sleep.” Thrust. “Help me. Help me get over you.” Thrust.

Annie sobbed into his shoulder. She spoke, but Dallas couldn’t make out the words. He pushed into her heat again and again, raining kisses on her neck and cheeks in rhythm with his thrusts. When she cried out in climax, he shuddered with his own release.

He lay on top of her for a few moments, listening to her breathing, enveloped in her soothing presence. If only…

His cell phone brought him abruptly back to reality. He didn’t take the call, but he stood, pulled up his boxers, and refastened his jeans and belt.

“Go,” he said.

“Go where? You ripped my top. I… I…” Her eyes misted with tears.

He felt like a monster. He shouldn’t have touched her. Now it would be harder for both of them. The urge to cradle her in his arms overwhelmed him. But he’d be strong.

“I’m so sorry, Annie.” He sank to the couch and buried his head in his hands. “Please. Just go.”

“Fine.” She sniffed, holding the two sides of her shorn blouse together. “Do me a favor though.”

“What?”

“Don’t you dare ever touch me again.” She walked away and slammed the door behind her.

Dallas curled into the couch, inhaling the smoky aroma of the leather mixed with Annie’s spicy tropical fragrance. A tear formed in the corner of his eye, but he abruptly stopped it.

He had learned a long time ago that crying was a waste of time.

A
nnie ran
straight to her car. If anyone saw her, she wasn’t aware of it. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she drove home, her blouse in tatters.

To be taken so forcefully had scared her at first. Had been too much like… But then her feelings had changed. All thoughts except one had flown from her mind. Suddenly her world had become Dallas, as he thrust into her, wanting her, touching her, desiring her in a boundless passion. It had been beautiful. A perfect melding of two bodies, two hearts, two souls.

For her at least.

She had promised herself she’d never cry over a man again, and here she was less than two weeks in Colorado and she’d broken her vow.

It was best to stay away from the McCrays from now on. Unfortunately, that meant no friendship with Dusty, no cooking with Seraphina, and no lunch with Chad tomorrow. She’d call and leave him a message when she got home. He’d be at the party until late, so she could leave an innocuous voice mail on his home line.

By the time she drove into the alley behind the clinic, she had figured it all out. No more McCrays.

Still holding her torn blouse together, she reached for her key and inserted it into her deadbolt. She was astonished to find it unlocked.

“Hi, hon.”

Racked with surprise, she dropped both her hands, exposing her well-used breasts to her mother’s startled gaze.

S
ylvia DeSimone’s
blue gaze raked over her daughter’s body, lines of worry etched on her delicate features. “What on earth happened to you? Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine, Ma. How did you get in here?”

“I called your landlord. He let me in.” Her mother rose and touched Annie’s face. “You’ve been bawling. And considering the state of your clothes, you can understand my concern.”

“No concern needed. I wasn’t attacked. Or raped. Or any other horrible thing. I promise.” Though standing with her breasts fully exposed, not to mention commando under her skirt, she understood how anyone would think otherwise. She kissed her mother’s cheek lightly. “I’m fine. Really. Let me go change and I’ll be right with you.”

In her bedroom, Annie chucked the ruined camisole into the wastebasket. One of her favorite blouses. Damn Dallas McCray anyway. It wasn’t enough that he broke her heart. He had to take her clothing as well? She stripped off her skirt and went into the bathroom to clean up and splash some cold water on her face. Then she stepped into some comfortable running shorts and a tank top. Barefoot, she padded back out to her living area where her mother waited.

“Now what is going on, Annalisa?”

“I met a man, is all. I like him a lot. I mean
a lot
.” She sniffed back a sob. “I thought the feeling was mutual, but it turns out he was just after sex. Just like all the other men in the world.”

“I’m sorry, hon.”

“I’ve lived through worse.”

Sylvia cleared her throat. “I know you have. More than you should ever have had to.”

“Yeah.” Annie didn’t want to rehash old news. “How’s Pop?”

“He’s good. Misses you.”

“I miss both of you too.”

“I knew it’d be hard to have you gone, but in a way, I’m glad you’re out here.” Sylvia lowered her gaze. “I came here to tell you something.”

“Tell me something? There’s such a thing as a phone you know.”

“I didn’t want to tell you this over the phone, Annie.”

“All right.” Annie sat down on the couch next to her mother. “What is it?”

“It’s Riggs. He was granted parole yesterday.”

“Parole? This soon?”

“Apparently he’s been a model prisoner.”

Annie breathed deeply, willing herself to relax. It didn’t work. “So he finally learned how to behave.”

“Evidently. But Annie, there’s no need for you to worry. He can’t leave the state of New Jersey. If he does, he violates his parole and they send him back to the slammer. There’s also the restraining order.”

“Ma, you know as well as I do that a crummy piece of paper will never stop Logan Riggs.”

“I know. But hopefully the threat of being sent back to prison will.”

“I can’t let him run my life. He doesn’t know where I am. Who would think to look in this Podunk place anyway?”

“I can’t help but worry a little, Annie.”

“I know. But don’t. Everything’ll be fine. Now, it’s still early and I haven’t eaten. Can I fix you something?”

“Let’s go out. My treat. What’s good around here?”

“I haven’t the foggiest. The only place I’ve been is the coffee shop and the mechanic. You wouldn’t believe how busy it is for a vet here.”

“Of course it is. This is a ranching town.” Sylvia stood. “You want to change into something more dressy?”

“Heck no. Bakersville’s not that kind of town.” She stood up and grabbed her pocketbook. “Let’s walk down Main Street and see what we can find.”

T
he next day
, Annie and her mother sat at the Blue Bird Inn perusing the menu for lunch. The Blue Bird was the only business open on Sundays in Bakersville, and Annie had decided to treat her mother to lunch and then drive her to the airport for her five p.m. flight.

Surprisingly, she had enjoyed the short visit with Sylvia. “What looks good, Ma?”

“I should have some of this great Colorado beef I’ve heard about,” Sylvia said, “but it’s too early for a steak.”

“A burger then. Try the Angus.” Annie’s cell phone buzzed against her hip. “Excuse me for a minute, will you? It could be a sick animal.”

“Don’t you get a day off?”

“Not around here.” She flipped her phone open. “This is Annie.”

“Hey, Dr. Annie. You on your way?”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s Chad McCray. You were coming for lunch today? It’s twelve-thirty so I thought I’d see what’s keeping you.”

Damn. She had come home last night, found her mother, and completely forgotten to cancel her lunch date with Chad and her cooking date with Seraphina.

“I’m so sorry, Chad. When I got home last night, my mother was here for a surprise visit, and I’m afraid I forgot about everything else.”

“Bring her along then.”

“We’re sitting in the Blue Bird. She wants to try Colorado beef.”

“You ordered yet?”

“No. Not yet.”

“Then don’t. I’ve got the best Colorado beef right here. I’ll expect you in half an hour.”

“Uh, Chad, I don’t think—”

“No arguments.” His husky voice was a lot like Dallas’s. “I’ll see you soon.”

Annie rolled her eyes. “I forgot about a lunch date I had.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.” She sighed. “Well, you wanted Colorado beef. Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?”

“A ranch.”

“Is this the guy you were telling me about?”

“No. Not exactly.”

“What do you mean not exactly.”

“Actually, it’s his brother.”

“Annalisa, what in God’s name have you gotten yourself into?”

“I don’t know, Ma. I surely don’t know.”

The ride to Chad’s was pleasant, and Annie was able to show her mother some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole United States. When they arrived, Annie was pleasantly surprised to see Zach and Dusty were there along with Sean. The more buffers between her and Chad, the better.

After she had introduced her mother to everyone, Dusty pulled her aside.

“What happened to you last night?” she asked. “You didn’t stay for dinner. I was worried about you. So was Chad.”

“I’m sorry. I should have said goodbye before I left.”
But I wasn’t prepared to expose my breasts to half of Bakersville
. “It was rude of me. I…er…” Of course, her mother was a perfect excuse. “I got a phone call from my mother. She flew in unannounced to see me. So of course I had to go.”

“I understand. You could have brought her to the party after you picked her up.”

“I didn’t want to impose.”

“You’ll never be an imposition, Annie.”

“That reminds me, actually. My mother’s leaving tonight, and I need to drive her to the airport. Seraphina and I were supposed to get together and cook. Could you let her know I can’t make it?”

“Sure. No problem.” Dusty looked at her quizzically. “Is everything all right? You seem a little…off.”

“I’m okay.”

“Do you want to talk?”

“I can’t leave my mother alone with Chad and Zach.”

“Heck, she’ll be fine. The two of them can make anyone feel welcome.”

“No, it wouldn’t be right.” But Annie did need to talk to someone, and Dusty was her only friend in Bakersville. “Can we talk tonight?”

“Sure. You want to come by after you drop off your mom?”

“Dusty, that’d be great. Thank you.”

“No problem. Now, let’s go have lunch with these handsome men.”

Annie smiled. Such a sweet girl. Lucky her. She’d snagged the nice brother.

“
W
hat is it
?” Dallas asked his ranch foreman, Tuck Taylor.

“I’ve got a few dead cattle here, and several more sick ones. I’ve already asked around. It just started today.”

“Shit. All right, let me have a look.”

The dead cattle carcasses lay in a cluster, close together. The sick ones were frothing at their mouths and twitching. “Look over there, Tuck,” Dallas said, motioning. “A few of them are staggering.”

“That’s how these started, boss.”

“Jesus. What the hell is going on?” He moved toward a dead steer and ran his hands over the flanks. “Wait. This one’s breathing,” he said. “He’s in a coma.” He turned to another. “So’s this one.” One more. “This one’s dead, though.”

“I’m thinking you should call the vet, Dallas.”

Annie? The person he wanted to see most in the world, and the person he didn’t want to see most in the world. The duel inside him was exhausting. Slow, painful torture. “I’ll call Chad. He’ll know what to do.”

“
I
’ve never had a better
steak, Mr. McCray,” Sylvia DeSimone said, wiping her mouth on her napkin. “And I love this western hospitality. People aren’t nearly this friendly in Jersey, are they, hon?”

Annie laughed. “Only if they owe you money. Of course they avoid you like the plague in that case, but they’re pretty friendly when they run into you.”

Beethoven interrupted their meal. Chad pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and looked at it. “Dallas,” he said. “The fool can wait.”

“It might be important, Chad,” Dusty said.

“On a Sunday afternoon? There’s no such thing.”

“There goes mine,” Zach said, reaching for his cell. “Dallas. I wonder what’s going on?”

“Who cares?” Chad said.

“I tend to agree.” Zach ignored the call.

“Unreal,” Annie said, as her phone vibrated against her hip. She recognized Dallas’s cell phone number. “You’re never going to guess.”

“Dallas,” Chad and Zach said in unison.

“I have to take it. He might have a sick animal.” Why else would he be calling her? “I’m sorry. Will you excuse me?”

“Sure, Dr. Annie,” Chad said. “Tell him to go jump in the lake for me, will you?”

“Gladly,” Annie said under her breath as she walked into the kitchen. “This is Annie.”

“Hey, Annie, I’m real sorry to bother you.”

“What do you want, Dallas?”

“It’s…well, I’ve got some dead steers, and some more real sick ones. Hell, we can afford to lose a few, but disposal of the bodies is expensive, and a pain.”

“Cut the crap,” Annie said. “I’ll be right there. Tell me this, though. Why’d you call Zach and Chad before you called me? I’m the goddamned vet, Dallas.”

“How do you know… Don’t tell me. Your lunch date with Chad.” Dallas’s husky voice turned icy.

“Yeah. I’m here at his place. Dusty and Zach are here too. Chad and Zach chose to ignore your call.”

“Annie, I—”

“Oh, never mind. I’m losing focus. Your animals are more important than this stupid conversation. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She ended the call before he could say anything more.

She walked back into the dining room. “I have to go,” she said. “Dallas has some dead cattle and some sick ones. It doesn’t sound too good.” She sighed. “Ma, I don’t know how long this’ll take. Thankfully my vet bag’s in the car, but—”

“Don’t worry, hon. I’ll just call a cab. That’s how I got to your place yesterday.”

“That must have been a hell of an expensive fare,” Annie said.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry. This is your job, Annie.”

“I’ll take you, Mrs. DeSimone,” Zach said. “Chad and Dusty should go with Annie. They’re good with animals. That leaves me and the critter as your escorts.”

“Oh, I couldn’t impose.”

“It’s not an imposition. You’re great company.” Zach flashed a winning smile. “You don’t mind, do you, darlin?” He nodded to Dusty.

“It’s a perfect plan,” Dusty agreed. “Let’s go see to the cattle.”

“I’m sorry about this, Ma.” Annie bent to kiss her mother’s cheek. “I’m so glad you came. Next time for longer, okay?”

“And for a more pleasant reason, I hope,” Sylvia said. “Okay, if you don’t mind taking me, Mr. McCray, I’d appreciate it.”

“Not at all. And call me Zach.”

“Okay.” She stood and embraced Annie. “I love you, hon. Go do your job.”

After Annie had transferred her mother’s carry-on to Zach’s pickup, she and Dusty followed Chad’s truck to Dallas’s cattle barn. Dallas and several other men were huddled around a convulsing steer. Annie grabbed her bag and headed toward them, Chad and Dusty close behind. She touched Dallas’s upper arm gently.

When he turned, the look of anguish on his handsome face startled Annie. Here was a man who truly cared about his animals and hated to see them suffer. It took every ounce of self-control she possessed not to throw herself into his arms.

Instead, she told them all to move back so she could have a look. Dallas didn’t bother introducing her to his ranch hands, and she wasn’t interested in their names at the present. Not when a creature was suffering.

The steer’s legs were twitching slightly, and his mouth was covered in slimy froth. He was clearly fighting for every breath. “Dallas,” she said, without looking up, “you need to have your men remove all the healthy cattle from this ranging site. Any that are staggering or look otherwise ill, leave here.”

“Yeah, yeah, okay. Tuck, take care of that will you please?”

“Sure thing. You all heard the boss,” the man called Tuck said, “let’s get these head moving.”

“There’s not much I can do for him right now,” Annie said. “My best bet is to look at a dead one.”

“Okay, okay.” Dallas led her to a carcass. Chad and Dusty followed.

Annie had a hunch. She didn’t like it, but she had to check it out. She pulled a scalpel out of her bag.

“What are you going to do, Annie?” Dusty asked.

“I’m going to cut him open.”

“Why?”

“I need to see his blood.”

She put on a pair of rubber gloves and made a small incision on the steer’s neck, near the carotid artery. She inserted her fingers into the incision. The blood against the white rubber was a bright reddish orange.

“Damn,” Dallas said. “That’s not normal, is it?”

“No, bro,” Chad said. “It’s not. Annie, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“If you’re thinking cyanide poisoning, then yeah.” She stripped off the gloves and put on a clean pair. “You got any enemies, Dallas?”