Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

“Hello, handsomes,” she greeted them. They both huffed a hello and flicked their tails. “Who wants to go first?”

She didn't really expect an answer as she picked up the curry comb. She would work on Captain first and then move onto Commander. When she was done, she knew there were a couple of apples stashed away that both horses would enjoy as a treat.

Captain pushed his head against her chest in greeting as she entered the stall. She pat him on the neck twice before moving to start the brushing. The motion was soothing and mindless, allowing her thoughts to run free.

I love him. Her stomach fluttered at the thought. Three days and I'm head over heels for this guy. Good lord, what would happen if I spent a full week with him?

She shook her head, but smiled. The thought of a full week with Jace made her heart pump and her insides heat. She knew it wasn't just the sex that excited her. It was him. It was the way he looked at her like she mattered. It was how his eyes followed her across the room, even when she wasn't doing anything important.

He was everything she could ever want in a man. She had to tell him that tomorrow. That she didn't want this to end. That just the few days meant the world to her. She wasn't about to just let him leave without telling him that she was falling hard.

She didn't have to tell him that she thought she was falling in love. She could just tell him that she had to see him again. That she'd come to New York City to see him, her work schedule be damned. He was someone she was willing to make time for. Tomorrow, she would tell him that the two of them had a future together.

“So, you and the billionaire.” Delores's voice cut through Ella's pleasant thoughts like a saw.

“Stepmother....” Ella turned, startled. She nearly dropped the curry comb. Delores never came into the barn. Ever. She said that the smell of animals made her sick. This was the first time that Ella could ever remember the woman invading the space. It felt wrong. This was Ella's sanctuary and Delores had no right to be here.

“I hope you've enjoyed your little dalliance,” Delores continued. Her heels clicked on the floorboards as her eyes flicked disdainfully across the well worn surfaces. “Because it's over now.”

“I don't know what you're talking about,” Ella said, hoping she sounded more sure of herself than she felt. She had no idea how much her stepmother knew, but playing dumb was always a good first defense.

“I saw you kissing just now. I saw you using your feminine charms.” The way Delores said the words made them sound dirty and insulting. “But it's over now.”

Ella raised her chin, but said nothing. Delores could say whatever she wanted, but it was up to Ella and Jace if it was over. “What do you want, Delores?”

“It's time for you to get back to work,” Delores snapped at her.

“It's still my day off.” Ella's hands shook and she was glad she was holding the comb. It gave her something to concentrate on.

“Of course it is.” A slow, cruel smile spread over Delores's face. “But tomorrow, you're back in my employ again. Back following my rules. Tomorrow, expect things to change. You've had it too easy. Your father coddled you, and in his memory I've been kind. But no longer. Tomorrow, you finally earn your keep around here.”

“My father was a good man,” Ella replied, her heart defiant.

“Your father was a liar,” Delores spat. “He promised me the moon and left me here with this monstrosity of an inn and a horrible child like you. He deserved a worse death than what he got.”

Ella was shocked. Delores had said some cruel things in the past few years, but how dare she talk about her father that way! “You're just angry you didn't check his bank account before marrying him.” Ella surprised herself at saying the words out loud. She'd thought them for years, but had never said them out loud.

Delores froze. Her mouth pinched into almost nothingness and her face whitened. “You have no idea, you ungrateful child. You deserve a hellhole like this. How you got that billionaire to even look twice at you is beyond me.”

Ella didn't know what to say. She'd never spoken to Delores like that. Ever. But she wasn't about to take the words back. “I love him.”

“Of course you do.” Delores couldn't have sounded more patronizing if she tried. “I'm sure he's promised you the world. Men like him always do, but I have a feeling you've already given all of your leverage away.”

Ella flushed. “That's none of your business.”

Delores's eyes widened. “I knew you were worthless, but apparently you don't even have the good sense to get paid. It looks like all you got was a pretty dress. You should have held out for at least some jewelry.”

Ella's jaw hurt from clenching it and her knuckles were white around the comb. If she had an inch less of self-control, Ella would have chucked it at the older woman's head. The implication that Jace was using her stung. She wanted her stepmother gone before she said or did something she'd really regret. “I'll see you tomorrow, Stepmother.”

“Have a good night, dear.” Delores chuckled. It was a low evil sound that held no joy. “Oh, and by the way, you're not the only one with a billionaire on your arm.”

Ella looked up surprised. “The father? You?” She had to stifle a laugh.

“Yes. He said I gave him the best night he's had in years.” Delores smiled, but there was no warmth. “Just imagine, if everything works out, I'll still be your stepmother.”

Ella said nothing as Delores sashayed her way out of the barn.

“You're wrong. You have no power over me,” Ella whispered, saying the words for the first time in her life. “I don't care what you do, you can't stop me from being with him.”