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 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.