by Joanna Blake
"Need any help?"
I considered him. He had turned out to be an exceptionally good lover. I would see him again, I decided. I shook my head, softening his dismissal with a smile.
"Perhaps another time."
His eyes flared at the invitation. He leaned forward to kiss me. I did not pull away, but I did not encourage him either. I really did need to get ready.
"Can I watch?"
I almost rolled my eyes at him, but shrugged. Men seemed to enjoy watching a woman primp. He might be disappointed when he saw how quickly I got ready.
He leaned in the bathroom door while I showered. I quickly pinned my hair up and soaped my body. Then I rubbed a softly scented oil into my skin. A quick streak of lipstick, I blotted onto my lips and I was done. I unpinned my hair and shook it loose, then slipped a silk dress over my head.
He was watching closely as I slipped my feet into strappy high heeled sandals.
"No bra?"
I turned to stare at him, arching my back.
"Do I need one?"
His adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. He shook his head slowly. He was going to kiss me again, I knew.
I shook my finger at him.
"I cannot be late."
He narrowed his eyes at me and pulled his shirt on. I sighed. It was a shame to put those delightful muscles of his under wraps.
Really, he was divine looking. Like a statue. In Rome, we had so many. He would put them all to shame.
His voice was husky as he watched me slip a gold bracelet over my wrist.
"What about later tonight?"
I shrugged.
"Maybe. Leave your phone number on the table."
He scribbled his number down and smiled.
"Call anytime. Really."
I nodded. If I wanted him at 4 am I doubted I would have to wait. He hadn't had to tell me that. It was more than obvious that he would come running if I asked.
"I trust you can slip out unnoticed?"
He nodded.
"Wait until I'm gone please."
He grinned, leaning against the dresser.
"Yes ma'am."
I smiled at him as I left, shutting the door behind me. I was pleased with him, even if he did seem to want to chat. Talk was the last thing I wanted to do. I didn't want to think or answer questions. I'd come here to get away from all that.
The pain and the drama of the past few months were far away, on the other side of the ocean.
I'd snuck away, using my prized mare Athena as an excuse to leave Rome. But I couldn't stay away forever. Eventually my family would demand my return. I shook my head. I was a grown woman, and this was my own affair.
And now that I'd met my handsome companion, I would be pleasantly distracted from my troubles.
My trip here might be enjoyable despite the circumstances. So far, it was exceeding my expectations. It felt right, meeting the handsome cowboy who dazzled me with his bed skills.
After all, I was supposed to be on my honeymoon.
Chapter Four
Daniel
I was grinning as I pulled on a fresh shirt. Mine had gotten rumpled on the floor during the long, hot afternoon. I splashed cold water on my face and combed my hair.
It had been the best damn afternoon of my life.
How often did a Goddess take you to bed and have her way with you? Her glorious, unpredictable, savagely sensual way with you?
Before today I would have said never.
Now I knew better.
I knew her.
Francesca.
I knew she was going to be surprised at dinner. I just hoped it was a good surprise. I couldn't lie, I looked forward to having the upper hand with her.
I'd deliberately missed drinks in the parlor so she wouldn't have a chance to run. My brother was a stickler for business meals so I knew it would be a long drawn out affair with at least six courses. I hummed to myself as I raced down the stairs.
Six courses of watching her squirm in her seat.
I couldn't wait.
I walked into the dining room and paused for dramatic effect.
"Ah, here he is. Daniel you sit across from Miss Duarte."
I smirked at her.
"With pleasure."
Her sumptuous lips were parted in surprise. Her cheeks flushed bright pink. I saw a look in her eyes that I hadn't expected. It was just for a moment, but I had caught her off guard. It was worse than that though.
She looked hurt.
Damn it.
Then like a flash the shutters came down and her shield was back in place. She nodded to me regally. The pink was still in her cheeks though. And when I sat down and looked across the table at her, the heat was back in her eyes.
Not sexual heat.
She was angry.
Very, very angry.
Damn if she didn't look even sexier than usual when she was mad.
Jackson made small talk as Francesca's eyes threw daggers at me from across the table. I shifted in my seat, already hard just from looking at her.
Jesus, the woman was delicious!
And formidable. She resisted all my attempts to draw her into teasing familiarity. She spoke softly to my brother of horses, ignoring me to almost the point of rudeness.
Almost, but not quite.
"Francesca's mare is spectacular. I know we won't have an issue getting Black Jack to do his part."
Her eyes narrowed as she finally looked at me.
I smirked at her, ignoring Jackson completely.
"He's already chomping at the bit to have his way with her."
Her eyes flared gorgeously. The woman was even better looking when she was mad. I had heard that Italians were passionate, but this woman was beyond that. Everything about her fascinated me.
"I'd like her to chose for herself. And make sure Thundercloud is in the running."
"That's not exactly how it works..."
She smiled tightly at Jackson.
"But it should be. Let nature decide. Athena is my mare, no?"
She was ignoring me again, but I didn't mind. It gave me time to look at her, to try and memorize every stunning inch of her. Her long throat and delicate collarbone. The silk that didn't hold a candle to her skin.
The sharp points of her nipples...
I knew it.
I was getting to her too.
"Just how many brothers do you have Mr. Delancey?"
I couldn't stop the sharp laugh that burst out of me. She sounded extremely annoyed. Jackson had no idea why. But it was very, very clear to me.
"Our brother Jake is in LA with his fiancé."
"He's even better with horses than I am."
"I don't know Daniel, he has his own touch and do you."
I smirked at her again.
"I've been told that I have a light touch with the wildest of animals."
The red was back in her cheeks.
"Please excuse me."
She stood and we did as well. I couldn't resist another barb.
"You don't want dessert?"
Jackson finally seemed to pick up on the tension between us. Francesca bristled noticeably this time. He glared at me before trying to placate her.
"What my brother means is, can't we convince you to stay for dessert?"
She was calm and gracious as she shook her head slightly.
"I'd prefer to rest now. Thank you for your hospitality."
I frowned. She did look slightly delicate suddenly. Almost, as if she were defeated.
I stared at her graceful back as she walked for the room.
"What the hell was that about, Daniel?"
I shrugged.
"Nothing. A misunderstanding."
"It didn't sound like a misunderstanding. It sounded rude."
I glared at Jackson. He might be the eldest but he didn't always know what the hell he was talking about. Especially when it came to women. He was even more notoriously commitment phobic than I was.
"Stay out of i
t, Jackson."
"Hell no."
I sighed. Maybe he was right. I had made a complete mess of things.
"What are you waiting for? Go after her and make your apologies."
I poured myself a glass of bourbon and tossed it back.
"You know, I think I will."
I put the glass down and went to find Francesca.
Francesca
The man was impossible! I'd never been so outraged in my life. Or so humiliated. This was nearly as bad as the morning of my wedding.
Daniel was no stable hand. He was rich. One of the heirs to the massive Delancey fortune. A world famous horse breeding family going back generations. In his way, he was American Aristocracy.
Just like I was.
And just the sort of man I wanted to avoid. Permanently.
I cringed, knowing how much he must have laughed at me today. He'd been playing a joke on me all along. And I'd not just fallen for it, I'd given him everything.
More than I'd given anyone.
Not even Philipe.
Even with my former fiancé, I hadn't let myself go like I had with Daniel. It had been exhilarating. And terrifying.
I'd been right to be afraid to open myself up like that. Not that he'd given me a choice in the matter. He'd taken without asking. It was my own fault though. I should never have invited him to my room.
I would not make that mistake twice.
It was too bad though... I tossed my head as I walked through the mansion. I'd liked him better without his name. Particularly his last name.
"Francesca. Wait."
I ignored him, walking faster down the hallway.
"I said wait, dammit!"
I gasped as his hand closed around my arm, spinning me to face him. He smelled of the bourbon he'd been drinking at dinner. Leather and bourbon and man. He smelled wonderful if I was honest with myself.
Suddenly, I felt tears well up in my eyes. I forced myself to appear calm. My voice dripped with boredom. That was the surest way to put a man off.
Make him think you couldn't even be bothered to dislike him. That he was forgettable. Nothing could be farther than the truth. I would never forget the past twenty-four hours. But he didn't have to know that.
"Let go of me please."
"Like hell I will!"
His mouth crashed down on mine. I tried to hold perfectly still, to give nothing back. He laughed and pushed me backwards until my back hit the wall. It was barely tens seconds before I melted. He pressed me against the wall, his hands holding me firmly against him. He was hard again. I felt my body responding even as my anger at his deception grew.
"Stop!"
He lifted his head as I pushed him away. He was hard as stone, completely unmovable. He didn't step away, but he did stop kissing me.
We stared into each other's eyes for a moment then he cursed, dragging me into a nearby room. The library. A welcoming sofa sat in front of a gas fireplace. The walls were lined with books. There were comfortable chairs scattered through out the room.
He let go of my arm and shut the door behind him, locking it.
Then he turned to face me.
"Francesca."
I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling exposed and vulnerable. He smiled at me charmingly. But I didn't want to be charmed.
"I thought you were the type to appreciate a good joke."
"I don't find this at all amusing."
I lifted my head, looking at anything but him. The way he was looking at me was unnerving. He didn't just look lustful. He looked utterly possessive.
As if I belonged to him somehow.
And I belonged to no man.
Not anymore.
Never again.
I forced myself to sound cool, even though he was doing crazy things to my body. Crazy, dangerous things. Just with his eyes.
"What do you want Daniel?"
"I think you know what I want."
I straightened my back and walked towards the door.
"There will not be a repeat performance of this afternoon."
He blocked my way, putting his hand against the door.
"Oh yes, there will be."
I stared at him, mustering every bit of arrogance I could. It came to me easily on most days. But today I was at a loss. I could not match the determined look in his eyes. He was so certain he would have me.
But he would not. He could not. I would never open myself to that sort of thing again.
Especially with a man of my own class.
They were the most dangerous of all.
Used to getting what they wanted. Self centered. Greedy.
"Daniel."
He cursed, staring at me. Then he stepped aside. I knew he wouldn't force me. He might kiss me without my permission but beyond that, he was a gentleman. I knew it in my bones.
I was shaking as I left the room. I hadn't expected desire to overwhelm my anger at him. But somehow, it had.
Desire was for weaklings.
Love was for weaklings.
I was neither.
I stepped into my room and locked the door behind me as the truth started to sink in. This arrangement would not work for me. But I could not resist him if I continued to live under the same roof.
I had to leave. I knew that despite my feelings, I would fall into bed with him if he approached me again. And he was certain to do that. Again and again...
My resolve was nothing against the pure heat of Daniel Delancey.
Chapter Five
Daniel
I stared at my empty glass, reaching again for the bottle of bourbon I'd brought up to my room. I'd drank half of it already. I didn't know what the hell was wrong with me.
I had women now and then. Whenever the urge struck it was quickly taken care of and I would move on to the more important things in life. There were so many women willing and eager to share my bed. But I didn't get involved. Inevitably they would try to lure me into a relationship.
I did my best to be firm but kind about it. Thank you, but no thank you. If they cried, I left immediately. There was nothing I hated more than being manipulated. I could always sense it and it made me lose respect for them.
Francesca had offered me no strings sex. Just the way I liked it. She hadn't been coy or clinging. Just the opposite. But then she'd blown my mind with her beauty and fire.
I'd never met a woman like her. I doubted there was another woman like her on Earth. Maybe not since Cleopatra.
I laughed bitterly. Now I was comparing a woman I'd just met to Cleopatra. I really must be drunk.
I walked over to my desk. My curiosity was piqued. I wanted to know more about her. That brief look of vulnerability in her eyes was stuck in my head.
She was almost afraid of me. Once she knew who I was. I couldn't make sense of that.
So I turned to the internet.
With only the first four letters of her name search results came flooding in. She was on magazine covers, Town and Country, Italian Elle, newspapers, society blogs, and more.
She was everywhere.
Her photos were incredible. Luxurious. Glamorous. Dangerously sexy.
I'd somehow managed to bed one of the most hottest women alive. I might be wealthy and educated but I was a country boy at heart. I had nothing on a sophisticated woman like her.
I refilled my glass and stared at her. Dressed in gowns. Designer clothing. A black and gold bikini lounging on a yatch. I drank and looked, wondering how the hell I was going to get her into bed again when she was so fired up.
After an hour I stopped looking at her pictures, though it wasn't easy to turn away.
I started reading.
There was a lot to read. Everyone had covered the scandal, even the American gossip rags. And it was an epic scandal.
My stomach clenched in sympathy as I read about the very public dissolution of her engagement to an French nobleman. Philipe Casmarte. He was handsome, urbane, and wealthy beyond imagining.
He
was also apparently a pussy hound of the highest caliber.
He'd cheated on her on the night before her wedding, only to be publicly outed the next morning. Photos of him leaving another woman's home, looking like he'd spent the night doing exactly what he'd been doing... and apparently the other woman was a close friend of Francesca's.
Then came the photos that would haunt me forever. Francesca looking like an avenging angel as she left the church unmarried. No, she looked like a princess in her wedding gown. It was an enormous white dress covered in sparkling crystals that hugged her tiny waist and then belled out around her. A stone faced, furious angel.
I noticed that there were no tears. Not even a trace of a red eye. Not even one photo of her in the weeks to come as the paparazzi had followed her everywhere. But she never smiled either.
The story was lurid, awful, humiliating.
It was fantastic.
Francesca wasn't a man eater as I thought initially. She had just gone through a bad breakup. She'd chosen me as her rebound.
I grinned for the first time since our argument.
She's chosen me.
Francesca
Men! The most useless creations alive! Always competing with each other. Always on to the next shiny new object. Always controlled by the dangling flesh between their legs.
I leaned forward over Athena. The terrain was unfamiliar so I could not go all out as I wanted to. I gave her lead, knowing her instincts would guide us safely over the rolling grassy hills of the Delancey estate.
It was groomed land, made for riding. It was unlikely we would find a hole or a rock for her to stumble on.
Still, I would take no chances with the sweet and beautiful horse beneath me. She had a fierce heart for a mare and was every bit as exciting to ride as a stallion. Not only that, but she was my friend.
My only friend.
The only creature on Earth that I could trust.
I'd learned that the hard way, after my best friend had made love to my fiancé on the night before my wedding. He'd been seen leaving her mansion in Rome. Veronica had always been a bit competitive with me, but I'd thought she cared for me. That we were friends.
