“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.
* * *
“What 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.