"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.
I frowned, staring out the window.
My phone beeped again and I glanced down.
I'm going to take my time with you next time.
Another ping.
I want to put my mouth on you.
I swallowed nervously. Ping.
You are going to beg me to let you come.
A shiver ran down my spine and I squirmed in my seat. He had done that to me yesterday, using his tongue and fingers to make me come. I'd loved it. No one had ever been that... thorough before.
I shook my head. No matter. I wasn't getting involved, even if there were some delightfully naughty benefits. I belonged to no man. I could sense that Daniel wanted to own me.
Possess me.
Whether he stuck around after was a moot point. I wasn't going to beg him. I wasn't going to even get close enough for him to try and temp me again with his good looks and charm.
Or his sheer animal magnetism. He had more than his fair share of that. It was too bad... he was almost worth risking my heart again.
Almost.
I sighed, leaning back. I would treat myself to a nice spa day. Maybe two spa days. Maybe a week.