by Joanna Blake
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.
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 a
s 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.