I roared and ran at him. He tried to fight back but I ignored his hits, leaving myself wide open. I was all offense and no defense. He was giving it to me good but I was so angry I didn't even feel it. I slammed my fist into his smarmy face again and again as he punched my gut. I recognized that it was going to hurt like hell but it didn't stop me. I didn't stop hitting him until he fell to his knees. His eyes were dazed and unfocused as he swayed there, looking like road kill.
I pulled back my arm and threw one last punch.
Philipe slumped to the ground, laying in the gravel driveway like the piece of garbage that he was. I took a closer look. I am pretty sure he was drooling.
I spat on the ground near his head. It was red. Whoops. I realized I might be in worse shape than I thought. The pain started to set in. Wrenching, twisting pain. I could hear Francesca saying my name over and over again. She sounded so far away. I started to tilt. But I didn't fall. Strong arms held me up. I knew my brothers had caught me.
The next thing I knew I was lying in my bed, staring up at Francesca.
"Welcome back Cowboy."
Francesca
I held the ice pack against his cheek again. He was starting to come around. Daniel had scared the hell out of me when he'd nearly fallen like that.
He'd gotten the hell beaten out of him.
All because he'd been defending my honor.
I couldn't lie. It had made my heart race to see him like that. He was more than strong. He was a ferocious protector.
Even better, he was protecting me.
I liked it. A lot more than I would have imagined. I liked having my own knight in shining armor. Even if he was wearing beaten up old jeans and a cowboy hat. Actually, I was growing rather attached to that look...
"Hello beautiful."
Daniel's stunning golden eyes stared up at me. I smiled at him, holding a glass of water to his lips.
"Here, have a sip."
He drank, staring hungrily at me the whole time. When I put the glass aside he was still staring at me. There was a look of awe on his face.
"You're still here."
"Of course I am. Where else would I be?"
He shrugged, looking away. My breath caught in my throat. He'd thought I'd left him. That I would go with Philipe after everything that had passed between us these past few weeks. That I would abandon him.
I smiled, trying to make light of it. But it hurt.
"You thought I would leave with him? Really Daniel, credit me with better taste."
"No. I thought you might have left again though. I know you don't like being tied down."
I brushed his hair off his forehead.
"Maybe I don't mind as much as I thought I did."
His eyes flared at me and he reached for me. He winced as he pulled me in for a kiss. I kissed him back, running my hands over his strong chest and shoulders.
I sat up abruptly, feeling his arms go limp around me.
Daniel had passed out again.
He would be alright though. The doctor had already come to check his eyes for a concussion. We were supposed to 'keep an eye on him' but that was all. Obviously, I had volunteered to do so.
I grabbed the melted ice pack and empty pitcher of water and headed back to the kitchen.
I was in the hallway when I felt him grab me from behind. He spun me around so fast I nearly lost my balance. He looked calm but his eyes were seriously. Deadly serious.
He tilted his head, staring at me with those warm golden eyes.
"Where are you going?"
"To get you some more ice."
He grabbed my wrist and started pulling me backwards.
"I don't need any damn ice."
"Daniel! You're injured. Be careful!"
"I'm fine."
I was giggling helplessly as he propelled me back into the room, slamming the door behind him. I watched as he locked the door then walked over to the window. He opened it, never taking his eyes off of me.
I reached out my hand to stop him as he held his hand outside and let go.
He'd dropped the damn key into the bushes.
"Daniel!"
He smiled at me. Something about his face reminded me of a shark's face. It was predatory. And determined. He started walking towards me. I was suddenly very, very nervous.
"You aren't leaving me again."
"O-okay."
"I'm keeping you."
"Daniel, you sound crazy!"
He kept backing me up until I was pressed against the wall. There was nowhere left to run. And I didn't really want to run anyway. I wanted to stay.
"I am crazy."
His smile widened as he straddled me, running his hands over my body.
"And it's all your fault."
"My fault?"
He nodded slowly.
"You made me fall in love with you."
"Daniel..."
"No. You don't get to ignore me. I want to talk about the future."
He was touching me all over. Teasing me with all his skill. I could barely focus on what he was saying. All I heard was the word 'love.'
"Please, can't' we do this another time?"
He shook his head, his hands working their magic on my curves. Just touching me though my clothes. I was speechless, just feeling his touch was driving me wild.
"You are in love with me too. I know it."
I tried to look away, to avoid talking about this. But he wouldn't let me. He held my face in his hands.
"I'm going to make you say it."
I shuddered, knowing that he could break me down with his hands and mouth. He was smiling again. This time it was a smile of pure anticipation.