"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.