AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Perfect,” Hunter says as he inspects the fence with a satisfied nod. “Thank you.” He offers me one of his rare half-smiles. “You’re a natural rancher, Avery.”
I glow at his words, relishing the way my name sounds on his lips. “Thanks. I’ve got an awesome teacher.”
We look at each other for a moment too long and I feel it again—that energy. The air sizzles with electricity, and every instinct tells me to melt into Hunter’s arms. To give into the desire pulsing through my veins. But I hold myself back. Part of me still feels ashamed. Only yesterday, I was engaged to another man. Sure, the man in question was a total jerk, and I don’t feel a shred of loyalty toward him. But part of me feels like I’m doing something wrong. Like this is all too easy…too good to be true.
I swallow down my emotions, about to suggest we move on to our next task, when suddenly the sound of a roaring engine shatters the gentle atmosphere of the ranch. I whirl around to see a sleek black sports car racing at full speed toward Hunter’s farmhouse, barely braking in time.
“What the hell…” Hunter mutters with a scowl.
My stomach lurches unpleasantly as I squint at the vehicle. I recognize it. A Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport. The most expensive car in my ex-fiancé’s collection, and one of only sixty of its kind in the whole world. I should know. He told me about a thousand times.
“Is that who I think it is?” Hunter asks darkly as the car door opens.
“Yes.” My heart turns to ice, and my voice is barely a whisper as I say, “That’s Edmund Fontaine.”
4
Hunter
Trying to work on a ranch alongside the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen is pretty damn hard. I’ve been insanely distracted all morning and trying not to let it show. Seriously, how the hell can I not be distracted by Avery in her adorable overalls and flannel shirt, her glossy chestnut hair tied back in a ponytail as she works. She hasn’t complained once. She tackles every task like a champ, like she’s genuinely enjoying every second of working on the ranch. It’s cute as hell. I’ve worked with paid ranch hands who don’t have half the enthusiasm Avery does.
It’s the best day at work I’ve ever had until my happiness is punctured by the sound of a sports car’s engine. I watch as a sleek, black vehicle speeds up to my farmhouse, almost slamming into my pick-up truck as it screeches to a halt.
When Avery confirms that it’s Edmund Fontaine getting out, I see red.
What the fuck is he doing here?
Instinctively I look toward Avery, and my heart sinks at the worry on her face. She looks like she wants to throw up, and as Edmund marches toward us across the pasture, I move to protect her, shielding her from view.
Edmund Fontaine looks like shit. His left eyelid is swollen up and purple, like somebody socked him in the face, and his angular features are twisted into an ugly grimace. By the time he reaches us, his pants are ankle-deep in mud, and he makes a noise of disgust.
“Avery,” he snaps once he’s a few feet away. “I’ve been looking all over for you. What the hell are you doing here?”
Something fierce and furious thrums through my veins at his tone.
How dare he talk to Avery like that?
“It’s none of your business what she’s doing here,” I growl. “Get off my property. You’re trespassing.”
Edmund turns to face me, his one good eye glaring. “Trespassing? Do you know who I am?”
“Yeah. A jackass,” I snap.
Edmund ignores the slight. “I’m Edmund Fontaine. I’m part of the most important family in this whole damn county, so you better show me some respect.”
I sneer at him. “My respect is earned, and you haven’t done shit to earn it. Now get out of here.”
He ignores me. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to bring my fiancée back to Fontaine House where she belongs.” He looks past me toward Avery. “Come on, darling. We’re leaving.”
I feel Avery take a step forward, and for one awful moment, I think she’s about to go with him. But when I glance at her, I see her fists are clenched, her jaw set with anger.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she says firmly. “I’m not your fiancée, and I never should have been in the first place. I don’t want anything to do with you, Edmund.”
He rolls his one good eye, sighing impatiently like he’s dealing with a bratty kid. “Darling, I know you find it hard to be rational sometimes, but I know what’s best for you. So come with me now and we’ll forget about all this craziness. I can forgive you for running out on me. I can move on from what you’ve done.”
Avery makes a noise deep in the back of her throat, like an angry tiger. She strides past me until she’s standing right in front of Edmund, her whole body taut with rage.
“You can forgive me?! You’re the one who framed my sister for something she didn’t do! You’re a manipulative, lying, calculating scumbag, and I wish I’d never met you. Now get out of here! I never want to see you again!”
