“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.