Dusty’s husky giggle echoed in her ear. “You work too hard, Annie. I’m going to have to insist. Around four, okay? Is your car out of the shop? If not, I can have someone pick you up.”
God, no.
“I have my Bug back, but thanks.”
“Too bad. I’m sure Dallas would have been glad to bring you.” Dusty’s tone was teasing.
“I’m not so sure.”
“He chauffeured you around all last weekend, and he didn’t seem to have any complaints.”
“He was just being gentlemanly,” Annie said, trying to think of a way to end this conversation. Quickly. “Besides, I haven’t seen him since Sunday.”
“Really?” Dusty’s voice registered surprise. “I could have sworn you two hit it off.”
“Apparently not.” She rolled her eyes. She didn’t want to be rude. Dusty had been her first friend in Bakersville, and she didn’t want to offend her, but— “I’m sorry. I need to go.”
“Okay. We’ll see you at four on Saturday.”
“Yeah, I’ll be there. Thanks, Dusty. Bye.” She had never been so glad to hit end.
Oddly, her afternoon turned out to be free. No animal emergencies, no appointments, no walk-ins. She took the time to walk around and familiarize herself with her new home town. When she walked by the auto repair shop, she waved to Joe.
“How you doin’, Dr. D?” he called.
“Call me Annie. And I’m good, thanks.”
“How’s your Bug runnin’?”
“Great.” She continued walking.
“Hey, Annie. Wait a minute.” He left the car he was working on and walked toward her, rubbing his greasy hands on a red cloth.
“Yeah? What is it?”
“Where’re you off to?”
“Kind of taking the afternoon off,” she said. “I haven’t had the chance to wander around since I got here.”
“I’m due for a break. Can I buy you a coffee?”
Annie regarded the mechanic. Clad in blue coveralls and covered in black, he was still handsome, with searing blue eyes and silky chestnut hair pulled back in a low ponytail. Was he asking her out? Or was he just being friendly?
She smiled to herself. What did it matter? “Sure, Joe, that’d be fine.”
“Cool.” Cool? Man, he couldn’t be more than twenty-two. “Give me two minutes. I’ll wash up and be right with you.”
Annie was admiring a vintage Corvette when Joe sidled out. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw him. Levis sagging at just the right spot on lean hips, broad shoulders clad in a Ralph Lauren polo. Hardly the clothes for a little town in the west. He had combed his hair and re-secured it behind his neck.
“You ready?” he asked.
“Yeah. Sure.” She ran her fingers over the blue sports car’s sleekness. “Whose car is this, Joe?”
He grinned at her. His lips weren’t as full and shapely as Dallas’s, but they were darn nice nonetheless. “It’s mine.”
“No kidding?”
“Yeah. I work on her in my spare time. You wanna go for a ride?”
“Don’t you have to get back to work?”
“Nah. It’s a slow afternoon. And Brady’s there for anyone who walks in.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s called Joe’s for a reason, Annie. It’s my business, so I can come and go as I please. That’s the way I like it.”
His business. Maybe he was older than she thought. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure enough.”
“How old are you?”
“Thirty-one.”
Her eyes widened. “Wow. I’d have thought you were much younger.”
“Why? How old are you? Wait. Let me guess.” He eyed her up and down, his sizzling gaze heating her body. “I’d say about twenty-seven?”
Annie burst out laughing.
“Did I say something humorous?” Joe asked, his eyes confused.
“Not at all, Joe.” She linked her arm through his. “You just made my day is all. I’d love that ride now.”
“I’d have guessed even younger,” he said, opening the passenger door of the Corvette, “but I knew you’d have to be at least twenty-five when you finished vet school.”
Smart, too.
“It’s only two blocks to Rena’s,” he said, sliding into the driver’s seat next to her. “We’ll have a coffee, and then I’ll take you on a real ride.”
Annie winced slightly at the double entendre. Surely he hadn’t meant it that way.
“So”—she leaned forward and smoothed her fingers over the glossy leather console—“how long have you lived here in Bakersville?”
“My whole life. Grew up on a ranch, a small operation, near the McCray place. Horses and cattle were never my thing though.”
“Let me guess. Cars were your thing.”
“You got it. Give me chrome over cowhide any day.” He laughed as he pulled in front of the coffee shop.
While Annie hated the taste of coffee, its aroma was something else altogether. The robust fragrance wafting out of the small haven intoxicated her. Before Joe could touch the door handle, it opened on its own, and Annie found herself face to face with Dallas McCray.
“Ow!” she exclaimed. Dallas had dropped his cup of coffee and the hot liquid spattered over Annie’s sandaled toes.
“Christ, McCray,” Joe said. He hurried inside the shop.
“I’m sorry,” Dallas mumbled.
Annie sighed. “It’s a good thing I didn’t wear my white sandals today.” She laughed nervously.
“Are you hurt?” He reached toward her, but quickly whisked his hand into his pocket, as though thinking better of touching her. “Thank God it was a mocha. The milk cooled it down. If it had been hot coffee…”
Annie glanced down at her toes, red from the heat. “I doubt it’s life threatening, Dallas. Don’t worry about it.”
Joe returned with a damp cloth. He knelt down and wiped off Annie’s feet. “Your silver toenail polish is very sexy, Annie,” he said.
Annie was still watching Dallas. His forehead wrinkled at Joe’s comment, and his eyes, darker than the coffee in the shop, seared into her. Annie shuddered. A few nights ago, Dallas had kissed every inch of her body, including her toes. He had liked the silver polish also. “You have incredible feet, Doc,” he’d said. “You got a foot fetish, Cowboy?” she had teased him back. “Only for your hot silver toes,” he’d said, and proceeded to pamper them with kisses and an incredible foot massage.
Her heart quickened at the memory.
Joe got to his feet. “All better?”
“Yeah. Thanks, Joe.” She couldn’t take her eyes from Dallas. Her skin was blazing from his heated gaze. She wanted to touch him. To pull him into her body. To kiss him senseless.
“Ready for a coffee?” Joe asked.
“Annie hates coffee,” Dallas said.
“Oh. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I figured I’d have tea,” Annie replied.
“Great. If you’ll excuse us, Dallas.” Joe took Annie’s hand and steered her into the shop, leaving Dallas on the sidewalk, his brow furrowed and lips pursed.
“He could have apologized,” Joe said, holding out a chair for Annie.
“He did. While you were getting the towel.”
“Not much of a talker is he?” Joe sat down across from her. “He never was. Absolutely no sense of humor either.”
No sense of humor? She and Dallas had shared an easy banter that had kept them both in stitches.
“Do you know Dallas well?” she asked.
“Not too well. I went to school with his brother Zach. He was never much of a talker either. He’s loosened up though since he got married.”
“I know his wife. She’s very nice.”
“Yeah, a pretty little thing, too. Their son’s adorable.”
“He is,” Annie agreed.
“Dallas, though, he’s an enigma. He went and married some rich east coast girl right out of la
w school.”
“Law school?” Annie said. Clearly there was a lot she didn’t know. “Dallas McCray’s a lawyer?”
“Licensed, yeah. Went to Yale. But he doesn’t practice, so far as I can tell. He’s a rancher at heart.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, they’re divorced now. The younger one, Chad, he’s never been married.” Joe let out a guffaw. “He’s a lot more fun than the other two.”
“How so?”
“Likes to party. Always laughing. Never serious. A love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy. He got all the personality and sense of humor, I think.” Joe rose to his feet. “Tea, you said?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“I’ll be right back.” He winked at her.
Joe was attractive. Funny. Smart.
But he wasn’t Dallas McCray.
* * *
There was a knife in Dallas’s gut.
A dull, jagged knife that tore into his flesh.
A knife named Annie DeSimone.
He wanted to kick the snot out of Joe Bradley, and for what? Buying his girl a cup of tea? Hell, she wasn’t his girl. He didn’t want her. Couldn’t go down that road again. He would never get involved with a woman who was capable of deceiving her husband.
Still she haunted him day and night. He dreamed of her smooth skin, her sweet kisses, her lovely body.
If only things had been different.
The knife in his gut was buried deep, and he wondered if he’d ever be free again.
* * *
Fifty thousand dollars.
Morgan Bailey cleared his throat. “Okay,” he said to the tall man on the bar stool next to him. He met all kinds at the Sour Mash Saloon. The hub of Lorna, a small town that made Bakersville look like a thriving metropolis, the Sour Mash attracted local ranch hands, due mostly to its dollar beers from four to six p.m. daily.
“Okay what?” The man arched his dark brows.
Morgan took a deep swallow of his beer and set the mug on the bar.
“Okay.” He fidgeted with some change and laid it on the counter next to his empty glass. “I’ll do it.”
“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.”
Chapter Nine
After 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.”
Teasing Annie: The Temptation Saga: Book Two Page 7
