I didn’t sleep that night and went to the stables in the morning. Marco was there, and he talked to me about the horses and work that needed to be done. He never mentioned my personal relationship with Conway, probably because he knew the subject was off-limits.
But that was refreshing.
I worked harder than usual to burn off my angry energy. I cleaned all the stalls, moved the hay, and groomed the horses before I worked in the barn. It was a sweltering day in the heat, and the back of my shirt was soaked with sweat. But the intense conditions didn’t bother me.
I showered at the end of the day and changed my clothes before I took a packed dinner back to the stables and ate in the grass near Carbine’s pen. The stars were bright up above because we were in the countryside. The closest house was over a mile away, so there were no lights to obstruct the view.
I ate my dinner then lay back in the grass so I could stare at the sky. It was still warm even though the sun had been gone for hours. The grass was soft, and I could hear Carbine release a snort here and there. He eventually walked toward me and stuck his head over the rail to look at me.
My gaze shifted to his snout. “Looks like you’re finally warming up to me.”
Hot breath reached my face.
“I’d give you something to eat, but I already ate everything.”
He released a quiet neigh.
Sometimes, it seemed like the horse really understood what I was saying. I shifted my gaze back to the stars and wondered about my life. Just months ago, everything was normal. I was a student working in a bar. I focused on my studies then went out with friends on the weekends. I was grateful I had my mother’s house because I couldn’t afford rent in the city. But then Nathan got lost in booze and gambling and made the gravest mistake of his life—something that ruined my life.
Now I was on the other side of the world, living a completely different life.
Thankfully, Italy was beautiful. Otherwise, this would be a completely different experience. And if Conway weren’t such a beautiful man, my situation would be different too.
My eyes grew heavy as I stared at the sky. Slowly, my eyelids started to fall. Under the stars on the soft grass, I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
* * *
“Muse.” His deep and irritated voice woke me from my dreams.
My eyes snapped open, and I looked up into the darkness to see Conway’s silhouette.
“What the hell are you doing out here? You had me worried.”
“I’m surprised,” I answered like a smartass. “I didn’t think assholes worried about anything.” I grabbed the bag Dante packed for me and stood up. I couldn’t see Conway’s face, but I assumed he was glaring at me.
His silence showed his anger.
I started back toward the house.
Conway followed behind me. “I don’t care what you do on the property, but don’t be careless.”
“I’m just as safe out here as I am in the house.”
“Not when I don’t know where you are.” He walked beside me, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. He stared at me on the walk, his thick arms by his sides.
“Don’t pretend you give a shit about me, Conway. We both know you don’t.” I increased my pace to put distance between us. I got to the house first and went to my bedroom upstairs, doing my best to avoid him. I didn’t even want to look at his face right now. Anytime I did, I pictured the woman he was with last night. She probably had brown hair and bright eyes. She was probably gorgeous and thrilled she got to sleep with the amazing Conway Barsetti. Smoke practically exploded out of my nostrils.
Maybe I was jealous.
I made it inside my room and pulled off my tight jeans and boots. My plaid shirt was covered with stalks of grass, and I smelled like the outdoors.
My door opened and Conway stepped inside.
“Do I need to teach you how to knock?” I was in my panties and bra, my socks still on my feet. I didn’t look at him as I tossed the dirty clothes into the hamper for Dante to collect in the morning.
“Would you have let me in if I did?”
We both knew the answer to that one. I opened a drawer and pulled out a t-shirt. I wasn’t self-conscious about my body in front of him, not when he’d seen me so many times. But I didn’t want to give him a reason to fuck me tonight. I was still so pissed at him. The idea of those lips on mine made me want to hurl. I didn’t want to kiss his skin, not when some other woman had done the same. I’d never assumed Conway was a saint, but now I viewed him in a whole different light. He didn’t owe me anything, but I still expected something from him. Now I was disappointed in him. I’d thought he was a better man. Guess I was wrong.