“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.”