“I never treated you like that. You know that as well as I do.”

“Go ahead, say it. I was your whore. That’s all I was. That’s all I can give you.” Because if she gave him anything more, he’d just hurt her even more. Already, she’d given more than she’d ever given a man. And the feelings he’d awakened within her, he’d crushed later. His Italian sweet-talking in bed was part of the entire show. And she’d been so stupid to fall for it all, while all the while he’d lied to her.

“That’s not true. Look at me! That’s not true. You’ve given me so much more. We’ve given each other so much. You can’t deny what’s happened to us, please tell me you feel it too. I know you do. Sabrina.” Daniel moved toward her, stretching his arms out, but she stepped back.

“Don’t touch me!” Sabrina knew if he put his hands on her and pressed her against his half-naked body, she’d lose all her senses and give in to him.

She had to stop this now and for good. Nothing could come of this. How could he ever respect her, knowing what she’d done, that she’d slept with him for money? Like a common prostitute. He’d wake up tomorrow when his lust for her had died down and would come to his senses. But she wasn’t going to stick around to see the contempt in his eyes.

“You had your fun. Quit while you’re ahead. It will make a great story to tell your buddies back home. If you didn’t get your money’s worth I’ll reimburse you.”

“Why are you turning this into something sleazy? What are you afraid of?”

Sabrina shot him a hunted look. She was afraid of her heart being broken. “Consider the booking cancelled.”

“The hell I will! Sabrina, you belong to me.”

She stared at him. “No. I don’t belong to you. I never will. Hannigan was right. Even I spread my legs for the right price. And you can’t pay my price, not anymore.” Her price was his love and respect, something he could never give her. What man would ever respect a woman who’d done what she’d done? She was better off cutting her losses now.

Sabrina snatched her handbag and ran for the door.

“Sabrina,” Daniel yelled after her. “This is not over. You hear me?”

It was over. All she’d hurt was his pride. But her own pain went deeper. She’d fallen in love with the man who’d slept with her thinking she was a prostitute. He could have no real feelings for her. She’d only been a shiny new toy for him, something different. Something to amuse himself with. Tomorrow, he’d realize it and be grateful she gave him a way out.

12

The vintner’s daughter had taken pity on Sabrina and offered her a ride back to San Francisco. Sabrina had been too much of a mess to refuse the kind offer.

She slammed the door to her flat shut behind her, the noise alerting Holly to her premature return. Seconds later, she appeared from the kitchen.

“What are you doing home so early?” Holly greeted her with a truly surprised look.

“I’m not talking to you!” Sabrina snapped and headed for her room.

Holly visibly flinched. “What happened?”

She turned in the door. “Why don’t you tell me since you know everything else?”

“Sabrina, please—”

She interrupted her. “Don’t! I don’t want to listen to any more lies today. I’ve had enough already. I wouldn’t have expected this from you of all people. To betray me like this. How could you tell him? I hate you!”

She entered her room and closed the door behind her. Now she didn’t even have anybody whose shoulder she could cry on. To know that her best friend had betrayed her was more than she could bear.

On the drive down from Sonoma, she’d already cried more than her fair share of tears. She wouldn’t shed another tear, not for him and not for her best friend either.

She opened the door again and stormed into the kitchen. As soon as she opened the freezer, she realized that except for a half-eaten bag of waffles, it was empty.

“Where the hell is my ice cream?” she yelled furiously. Holly made the smart decision not to reply to her.

Sabrina needed her comfort food, and she needed it now before she went into major meltdown. She knew she was holding on by a mere thread. Grabbing a twenty dollar note from her purse, she ran for the door. She could make it down to the corner store and back. Just a few more minutes.

After running down the stairs, she yanked the building door open and froze. She hadn’t expected him to come after her, not this fast anyway.