by Joanna Blake
I'd been wrong.
It wasn't just her either. Nearly all my friends had known and participated in the deception. Even my own father had known and tried to force me to go through with the ceremony. He'd told me that it was a woman's duty to forgive a man his baser instincts. It was my duty to marry and produce an heir.
Ha! I would never marry that pathetic excuse for a man or any other! Never again would I allow a man to make my decisions for me.
I would live alone. Perhaps I would adopt a child. We could live anywhere. California perhaps.
I did like the weather there.
I did not need a man. Perhaps occasionally, just for sexual release. Someone like Daniel, before I'd known who he was. His lies hurt far more than I would have thought, given the short time I'd known him. The smug look on his face last night at dinner flashed in front of my eyes. It made me tense up, sending Athena into a wild gallop.
"Ease up."
I forced myself to relax my body by degrees until the mare was cantering at a more sedate pace. It was my fault. I was in control. Once again, Daniel had disrupted my hard earned peace of mind. I gritted my teeth against the realization.
I needed to get away from the estate.
From him.
I had no chance of resisting him if I stayed here. He would hurt me when he got what he wanted. It was inevitable. I would have to run.
Again.
I cooled Athena down at a leisurely pace. My mind was calm at last. I would find a hotel in the city. I would come back only to ride. I would tell the eldest Delancey brother that I had business to deal with.
I would say nothing to Daniel. I would avoid him. That was the safest course of action.
I slipped an apple to my mare as the stablehand brushed her down. To think I had mistaken a man of Daniel's bearing for one of the servants was laughable in retrospect. But I had. And I paid for it.
With my dignity.
"Have a nice ride?"
Speak of the Devil and he will appear...
Daniel Delancey was standing behind me.
I froze, hating the knowing tone of his voice. He had seen me at my most vulnerable. And now he thought to use that against me. I turned, forcing my chin up.
"Daniel."
He grinned, his eyes raking over my body. I stiffened. How could he be so bluntly sexual? It made my heart race and my cheeks flush.
"Countess."
I hated that title. It was a reminder of all my so-called obligations to the family name. Obligations I had lost all desire to uphold.
"Excuse me, I must change."
He stepped aside and let me pass. But he was right behind me as I turned the corner to the unoccupied wing of the stables. I felt like I was the prey in a fox hunt.
I didn't like it.
"Francesca."
I didn't stop. Not until he grabbed my arm and spun me to face him. I glared at him, letting my anger show.
"You have a nasty habit of manhandling me."
His handsome face crinkled as he smiled ironically. He didn't look cruel. He looked... bemused. He let go of me, running his hand through his hair.
"Dammit Francesca, why do you keep running away from me?"
He was upset. I'd upset him. Maybe even hurt his feelings. Or at least his male pride. Perhaps he was one of the good ones... or a soft one at any rate. But no, I knew he was not soft. I tossed my head impatiently.
"I have no time for this Daniel. What do you want?"
His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer to me. I stood my ground. I refused to be intimidated by any man!
Hot golden eyes bored into mine. He radiated heat and virility. I swallowed, feeling my body respond to him despite myself.
"I want you. Now."
I gasped.
"What, here?"
He smiled at me. It was not a nice smile. It was a smile of dominance. He slid his fingertips down my arms, making me shiver.
"I don't think we would make it all the way to your bedroom this time, do you?"
My mouth was open as I struggled to catch my breath. It was overly warm in the stables now. I was hot and sweaty and it wasn't from my morning ride. From the looks of Daniel, so was he.
He stepped forward and I stepped back. He kept coming, smiling at me in that predatory way that made me weak in the knees. Even as it made me angry at the same time.
Damn him! I was outraged by his high handedness. But I wasn't going to stop this. I couldn't.
And he knew it too.
"You're heading in the right direction."
I glanced backwards just as I backed into one of the stalls. He grinned, kicking the door shut behind him. He didn't move his eyes from me as he grabbed a saddle blanket and tossed it over the stacks of hay.
I was breathing so hard it was as if I'd been running. He licked his lips and reached for his fly.
"Unbutton your shirt."
Quickly I did as he asked, pulling it free. The air felt cool against my warm skin. He groaned from the sight of me.
"Pull your bra down, just the cups."
I did as he asked and his eyes ate me up. I could feel the touch of his gaze on my hardening nipples.
"Your pants."
He was reaching into his jeans for his cock, freeing it. I licked my lips as it sprang into view. He was hard, throbbing... perfect.
I was struggling with my skin tight jodhpurs as he pounced on me. His hot mouth was on mine. His rough hands were everywhere. He peeled my pants down quickly, cursing as he realized he couldn't get them over my boots.
Instead he lifted my legs up and over him. I was trapped, spread eagle with my own pants keeping my ankles locked behind him. I was wide open, ready for him.
He grinned, rubbing the tip of his cock over my pussy lips. He grunted as he teased me with his tip. I lay back and waited, playing with my breasts to inflame him.
He stopped smiling.
With a roar he reached for his pockets, pulling out a condom. I smiled to myself. A good cowboy always came prepared.
Chapter Six
Daniel
I was out of my mind. Insane. Wild.
But my fingers were steady as they rolled the condom down over my cock. They had to be.
I'd only brought two and I wanted to use them both.
I wanted to fuck this girl until all the drug stores in a forty mile radius were out of rubbers. I thought I could do it too. Easily.
Her eyes were glued to my shaft as I finished putting the condom in place.
She wanted me just as badly as I wanted her.
And that was saying a lot.
Her eyes were hot on my cock as I positioned it at her entrance. The hungry look in her eyes made my cock jump in my hand. I was ready. She was ready. I pushed forward, both of us groaning at the snug fit. And that was just my tip.
I decided not to hold back. Not to tease her, or myself. I was going hell for leather this time.
I thrust forward, her silky flesh welcoming me in. She cried out and I looked down at her, making sure she wasn't in pain. Her eyes were closed and her mouth open. But in pleasure, not pain.
Her hips rose up to meet mine. I locked eyes with her, watching her as I fucked her hard into the bale of hay. I grabbed on to the rope that was wrapped around the sides and let all my pent up aggression loose on her.
I knew she could handle it.
We were making noise but I didn't care. No one would come down here if they heard it. No one would dare fuck here except one of the Delancey brothers.
And I wanted to make her squeal.
I forced myself to go slow. Only two condoms Daniel. Only two fucks until I could talk some sense into this woman.
Make her stop fighting me. Make her mine.
I was poised, my cock halfway inside her when I realized it.
I wanted more than a fuck buddy, or fuck enemy or whatever the hell it was she was turning into. Angry sex was turning out to be infuckingcredible. But I wanted more.
I wanted her
.
Permanently.
A rush swelled through my body at the thought. Fear and lust. Fear that I was out of my mind. That she would know the power she had over me. I plunged forward, using my hips like a engine. Nothing would stop me now. Not a thunderstorm. Not an earthquake. Not the God damn end of the world.
She was just as wild beneath me, her body arching convulsively as I forced her up and over the edge. I froze as I felt her clench down on me spasmodically. In the same instant, I felt my balls explode as the seed rushed up and out of my cock.
On and on it went. After yesterday it was hard to believe I could come this hard. But I did. My seed shot out of my dick like a God damn freight train.
I was shaking as my cock pulsed inside her. She was massaging me from the inside as her body pulled me up and into her. Her eyes were closed as I stared down at the brazen beauty beneath me.
Slowly the shivering stopped. I kissed her cheeks and neck, nuzzling her until she laughed. I felt relief flood my body at the sound.
"You surprise me Daniel."
I grinned, pulling the condom off and staring down at her. I reached for the second condom and started to roll in on to my already stiffening cock. Her eyes were wide as she watched me.
I grinned at her as I ran my hands over her body.
"I'm about to surprise you again."
Francesca
I could not believe what this man was doing to me. This arrogant, beautiful man with his magic touch. He wasn't done with me apparently. Not by a long shot.
Delicious shivers went through me as he turned me over. I faced the wall, my hands reaching forward to steady myself.
I felt the tip of his perfect cock as it pressed against my lips. I waited to see what he would do. I knew already he wanted to own me. To have me whenever he wanted. I could tell by the way he touched me. Possessively, passionately and yet very, very carefully. He did not want to hurt me with his rough need.
And I was powerless to resist him.
Not when he made me feel this way. A way I'd never felt before. I'd had several boyfriends before my three year relationship with Philipe. Nothing had ever come close to this... ecstasy.
Daniel wrapped his hand into my braid and pulled. I gasped as I slid backward and he stayed immobile. He grunted behind me as he slowly my tugged hair, forcing me onto his cock. He put one hand on my hip and guided me part of the way off of him. Then he pulled my hair again.
I whimpered as he used my hair to bring me onto his cock again and again. He wasn't fucking me. He was making me fuck him. I was almost completely passive, held immobile in his grip. I couldn't wiggle away from his hard strong hands.
Not that I wanted to.
He grunted in pleasure as he worked me on his cock. He murmured something. A word of encouragement. He said it again.
This time I understood him.
"Beautiful..."
He used his hand to spread my ass. I knew he was looking at me. At us, where we joined. I was open for him in every way now. I whimpered again as I started to peak. He didn't slow down or speed up though, he just continued the deep steady motion of pushing and pulling me on and off his shaft.
I felt like a rag doll as I started to convulse against the rough wool blanket. My hands lost their grip and I slumped forward. He released my hair at last, his back curving over me.
He took a breast in each hand as he began to fuck me at last. Faster now. His breath fanned the back of my neck where my hair tangled in my ruined braid. He pinched my nipples as he drove into me again and again.
He was relentless as he fucked me. I was coming again already, his cock piercing me like a spear. I was a mass of sensations, losing all sense of myself. Time and place ceased to exist as he brought me yet another Earth shattering orgasm.
"Ah ah ah AHHHH!"
He chuckled as he continued, one hand covering my mouth to stifle the sound. I screamed into his huge hand as he scooped his hips, driving all the way into me. As deep as he could possibly go. And then he froze.
He stayed there, letting me writhe all over his cock. He waited until the tremors slowed. Then he began again.
Twice more he brought me to orgasm and twice he made me come alone. I was on the verge of tears when I felt him start to grow inside me. He growled as his hands found my hips. His callused palms seemed to swallow my flesh as he swelled inside me.
"Francesca..."
He froze for a split second. Then he thrashed. I exhaled sharply as another orgasm tore through my exhausted body. He leaned his forehead against my back as he came, the force of his explosion so strong I could feel it through the condom.
"Damn."
He stayed inside me for the longest time. Slowly he extricated himself from me. But not before I felt him starting to rise again.
He was grinning as he turned me over to kiss me.
"I should have brought more. Unless you are feeling lucky?"
He looked so hopeful. As if I would risk pregnancy with a man I had just met. I could barely meet his eyes as I reached for my clothing. He had shaken me to my core.
I felt devastated. Exposed. Vulnerable.
He didn't seem to notice as he pulled his clothes on regretfully. His eyes were on my body. I turned around so I didn't have to see the smug look of satisfaction on his handsome face. He'd bested me again. And I'd let him. I could not continue this way. He was dangerous to me. Dangerous to my fragile sense of hard won independence.
He stood behind me and untangled my hair gently. His lips found my neck and I leaned back against him like a stable cat, desperate for a good scratch. But inside, my mind was reeling.
One thing was clear.
I had to get away from Daniel Delancey.
Chapter Seven
Daniel
"I need to get cleaned up."
I grinned at the gorgeous pink of Francesca's cheeks. She was embarrassed. Damn if that wasn't adorable.
My feisty Italian Heiress was embarrassed by the off the charts sex we'd just had. Twice.
She better get used to it, and fast. This was just the beginning. I had plans for her. Dirty, filthy plans.
"I'll join you."
She shook that beautiful head of hers, biting her lower lip.
"No, Daniel I... I need to go into the city for lunch. For business."
I followed her out of the stall.
"I won't distract you. Much."
She tossed her hair and gave me an imperious look. She really did act like royalty sometimes. Not when I was on top of her though.
"Another time Daniel."
I frowned, watching her round ass and long legs stride away from me. Something was wrong. She was still angry with me.
I just had no idea why.
I ran my hand through my hair and went to shower. I felt good, drained and relaxed. I couldn't complain about that.
But I wanted more.
Much, much more.
I walked into the dining room where lunch was set up buffet style. Usually I just went into the kitchen and asked Suzy for a sandwich, but when clients were around Jackson made sure the estate was full service. And then some.
I piled my plate high. Francesca was keeping me busy and I was sure I would need my energy later on. I planned to spend the night in her bed. And on the floor. And the shower.
Maybe bent over that chair again...
I stared out the window and froze. For a second I could not believe my eyes. Francesca was outside, dressed in a cream colored suit. She held her briefcase as she climbed into a limo. The chauffeur was loading her luggage into the back. I was about to run outside and grab her but the driver took off before I could even react.
"Where the hell is she going?"
Jackson chose that moment to appear behind me.
"She said she had to check in to a hotel for a few days. Something about a business meeting."
Anger sliced through me.
I had a strong suspicion she wasn't going to a meeting.
She
wanted to get away from me.
Or she wanted to replace me.
That was even worse.
"Which hotel?"
"She didn't say."
"Fuck."
Jackson gave me a look.
"Something going on I should know about Daniel?"
"Something is going on. But it's none of your damn business!"
He raised his hands. He knew better than to tangle with me. I was known as the nice brother, but on the rare occasion that I lost my temper, I was way, way more dangerous than both of them put together.
They knew it too. Growing up they called me the sleeping giant. Or big, mean and green.
I felt that anger rising in me, along with the disbelief. I picked up my phone to peck out a text.
You better get your ass back here Francesca.
I paced back and forth as I waited to hear back. Nothing. Finally, I sat down and tried to eat. My mind was racing to come up with an answer but there was only one.
She was running from me.
From this.
Fuck that. She'd started it. And she was going to finish it. She hadn't even said goodbye. That just wasn't going to cut it. I stared at my phone as I forced down my food. Still no response.
You aren't going to like what happens when I find you. And I will find you.
Maybe not the most subtle of messages but there it was. I was pissed. And I was going to track her ass down. I just needed a little help to do it.
It was just a matter of time until I did.
I walked over to the bar and poured myself a stiff drink.
Francesca
I stared at my phone. Daniel was texting me again. He was angry. I'd expected that. I hadn't expected him to come after me.
Most men would just give up and move on to the next thing.
I was quite familiar with that pattern unfortunately.
Daniel seemed to be a different breed all together. He was determined. That much was obvious. He also seemed to want something more than a fling. That was not going to happen. I'd gotten what I wanted. He had gotten what he wanted too. That was just going to have to be good enough for him.