Bareback

by D. Jackson Leigh

  But Skyler held her firmly, pulling her away from the horse. “No. Right here. I don’t have much time.” She took Alexandra’s hands and placed them on the feed trough fastened in the corner of the stall. “Keep your hands there.”

  “Sky, God, you make me so hot.”

  Skyler pulled the tight jeans down to reveal Alexandra’s milky white hips. Stroking her fingers through the wet heat, she commanded, “Tell me what you want. I want to hear you say it.”

  Alexandra moaned. “Please fuck me, baby. Fuck me hard.”

  Skyler slid her fingers quickly inside and began to thrust. She hated herself for needing this, for feeling she had to prove something to herself. She reached around to roughly massage Alexandra’s clit. Alexandra stiffened and convulsed as she quickly peaked. On impulse, Skyler dropped to her knees and bit hard on the trembling haunch.

  Alexandra whirled around to face her. “Jesus, Sky. Did you have to mark me? How am I going to explain that at home?”

  Skyler’s low chuckle echoed in the stall. “Tell Eddie the horse bit you. He won’t know the difference.”

  “He’s going to make me buy a new horse. Christ, you didn’t even kiss me,” Alexandra complained.

  “You didn’t ask to be kissed.” Smiling, Skyler brushed a quick kiss across the other woman’s pouting lips.

  Alexandra pulled her face close. Her urgent hands tangled in Skyler’s hair. “Oh, baby, you have a very talented mouth.”

  “Oh, you like this, huh?” Skyler kissed a path along the delicate jaw line and traced the outline of Alexandra’s small ear.

  “Please, Sky.”

  “Please what? Please stop?” Skyler traced her fingertips in a teasing dance down Alexandra’s soft abdomen to glistening curls. She nudged the redhead’s legs apart to insinuate her hard thigh between them and press against the hot apex that wantonly opened to her. Nipping at Alexandra’s hard, pink nipples, she rolled her knuckle against her clit. Alexandra’s red manicured fingernails raked down her back, drawing a low growl. She gasped as Skyler’s strokes grew harder and faster.

  “Oh, Sky! Sweet Jesus!”

  “Come for me, Alex,” Skyler demanded as the red nails dug into her narrow, muscled hips. She abandoned her stroking and plunged her fingers, two then three, deep inside. Using the thrust of her hips, she drove her fingers hard and fast as she bit down on the pulse that hammered along Alexandra’s straining neck. Alexandra’s body arched and Skyler felt the muscles tense around her ramming fingers as she reached the edge of her orgasm.

  “Oh! Oh, Sky.” She convulsed into a screaming orgasm.

  “I love how wet you are.” Skyler slowed, but continued the stroke of her hips and the thrust of her fingers until Alexandra fell limply against her, gasping for breath.

  “Twice! I hardly ever have even one orgasm with Eddie.” Alexandra’s hot, hungry mouth found hers. After a greedy kiss, she pulled up her jeans and said, “I could get used to this.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m afraid I only give equestrian lessons. If your husband needs lessons in the bedroom, you’ll have to find another instructor.” Skyler straightened up and tucked her shirt in. “I’m going to take a quick shower. I’ve got horses to work and lessons to give. I don’t need the stallions smelling sex all over me.”

  Alexandra pouted. “Well, you’re not totally unlike my husband. That’s it? Get your rocks off and you’re done?”

  “The difference between me and Eddie, my dear, is that you were the one who got your rocks off,” Skyler said. “Sorry about that bite mark on your neck. You’ll have to think of something to explain that to him.”

  Alexandra’s hand flew to her throat. “Bitch!” she muttered.

  Skyler grinned. “Seriously. Eddie doesn’t deserve you. Thank you, Alex.”

  Alexandra ran her fingers through her auburn locks. “Any time, stud.”

  Would there be another time? Maybe, maybe not. The truth was, Skyler would really rather just take care of her needs herself. But she enjoyed being in control. She was empowered each time she passed the test to her satisfaction, taking everything offered to her and then being able walk away without a twinge of emotion or regret.

  She would never be hurt again. Not as long as she could still pass the test.

  *

  Skyler quickly washed up in her apartment, then hurried downstairs. She whistled softly to herself as she made her way down the center aisle of the barn, pausing to throw a wink at Alexandra as she passed Shoshanna’s stall. Alexandra blew a kiss at her, and then went back to braiding the Thoroughbred’s mane.

  The office door was open, but Jessica leaned against the wall outside of the doorway, arms folded and a distant expression on her face. Skyler quickly shut out the image of the naked woman standing in front of her by the hot tub. She concentrated instead on the milky white buttocks from moments before. Yeah, that worked.

  “Ready to plan out some training schedules?” Skyler asked.

  “If it’s not an inconvenient time for you,” Jessica snapped.

  Skyler raised an eyebrow, but before she could reply, she felt Alexandra’s hand brush across the seat of her riding breeches.

  “Just got to get some more rubbers, um, rubber bands for Shoshanna’s mane,” Alexandra purred as she gently insinuated herself between Skyler and Jessica. Directing an insincere smile at Jessica, she added, “And, honey, no time is inconvenient for Eveready here.” She brushed a fleeting caress across Skyler’s cheek before disappearing into the office.

  Skyler glanced at Jessica, and then looked quickly away, unable to meet her eyes. She flushed with embarrassment. This was what she wanted, wasn’t it, that Jessica would know she was bad news, like everybody said?

  “See you later, sugar.” Alexandra breezed back through the office door. Trailing a possessive hand across Skyler’s belly as she passed, she headed for her horse’s stall.

  The look on Jessica’s face said it all. She wouldn’t flirt with Skyler again, not after this. Skyler stared at her boots. She felt sort of sick. For some reason, it mattered what this beautiful woman thought of her.

  Jessica watched a myriad of emotions swirl in Skyler’s dark eyes. A moment ago, she’d felt only disgust when she entered the barn. The moans she’d heard were loud enough to leave no doubt what was going on. Skyler hadn’t noticed her, but Alexandra’s gloating expression was like a slap in the face. Jessica had been almost breathless with anticipation walking down from the pool, looking forward to being alone with Skyler and having her complete attention. She felt foolish now, yet she saw something in Skyler’s expression that surprised her almost as much the trainer’s awkward stuttering by the Jacuzzi. She saw pain and self-loathing.

  “Jess, I feel like I owe you an apology,” Skyler said gruffly. “I thought you’d be a while in the gym.” She rubbed at some dirt on her hand. “We had an appointment. I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”

  “No harm done,” Jessica said. She reached out to still Skyler’s fidgeting hands, but Skyler jerked away.

  Jessica stared at her. Something just didn’t fit. This woman was arrogant and insufferable, and obviously thought she was God’s gift to women…and horses. But Kate had seen something in her, enough to entrust her with Jessica’s career. And Jessica kept glimpsing someone entirely different from the player she’d heard about. This seesaw of bad girl versus noble trainer was enough to give her whiplash.

  “Let’s get to work,” Skyler said, ducking into the office.

  Jessica followed her, still angry over what she’d seen but determined not to show it. The next hour was all business. They evaluated Rampage’s strengths and weaknesses. Then they charted his training schedule for the upcoming months, right up to the competition. The challenge of the competition ahead fed a need they shared, to test themselves and win. It was a comfortable common ground that allowed Skyler to relax and be herself.

  While Jessica reviewed the chart they’d made for Rampage’s training, Skyler studied her softly sculpted profile. S
he’d never seen a more beautiful woman. ButJessica Black was out of her reach, just like Sarah. To women like them, Skyler would always be a stray from a screwed-up blue-collar family. The really sad thing was, she didn’t need Kate to tell her she wasn’t good enough for Jessica. She already knew that herself. She’d known it from the moment she laid eyes on her.

  “I think we’re done here,” she said, rising from behind the desk. “See you at the indoor ring as soon as you get Rampage saddled.”

  “Okay.” Jessica stood.

  Skyler strode to the door, then paused. “My personal shortcomings have nothing to do with my abilities as a trainer,” she said, dropping all pretense that they were talking about anything but the incident with Alexandra. “I’ll make sure they won’t be a problem in our professional arrangement.”

  *

  The dressage session at the indoor ring started smoothly enough. Rampage was initially nervous and danced impatiently. Jessica expertly quieted him and worked the reins until he yielded to the bit and settled down to work. Skyler called out advice from the sidelines and occasionally stopped them to demonstrate a specific technique that would improve their performance. It didn’t take long to see that her advice was already making a difference. Jessica moved quickly to correct herself and the horse when they misread each other. The stallion slowly began to relax and his confidence in his handler grew. Skyler watched silently as they glided by. Jessica’s lips were pressed together in concentration. Focus wasn’t going to be a problem.

  They worked on the dressage patterns for well over an hour before Skyler waved her in. “Let’s give him a rest, then try him over the jumps in the outdoor ring after lunch. Not a bad workout,” she allowed.

  “Well, he’s too tight in that end turn and tensing during the crossover.”

  “Stop right there,” Skyler said sternly. “At the end of each session, I want him to pick up nothing but positive feelings from you. This horse wants to please you. He doesn’t need to work hard for an hour, and be left with the feeling he just didn’t measure up.”

  Jessica’s knee had been screaming with pain for the last half hour of the session and the abrupt lecture grated on her raw nerves. “Are we talking about the horse or your ego?”

  Skyler ignored the question. “At the beginning of each session, we’ll talk about the things that need improving and immediately work on them. We’ll saddle back up at one. I’ve got a horse to ride myself right now.” Skyler started to leave, but looked back at Jessica. This power struggle between them wasn’t going to work. “If you don’t want my advice, then I can’t be your trainer. I promised Kate I’d do this, so you’ll have to be the one to ask for someone else. You know…a trainer who lets you tell them how to do their job.”

  Jessica stared at the retreating back. Of all the egotistical, infuriating women. Right when she’d started thinking Skyler might just be okay. You’re not getting rid of me that easy. I’ll show you, you arrogant horse’s butt. No, horse’s butt was too good for her… Pig butt. Yes, that was it.She was a pig’s butt.

  Rampage tossed his head as he sensed her irritation.

  “Whoa, boy. That’s not directed at you. Okay, Ms. Reese, we’re only thinking positive thoughts. Happy thoughts, Rampage. Good boy.”

  She stroked the strong neck and turned the steed toward the barn for a good rubdown. The afternoon would be their real test. She needed to ice her knee and grab a pain pill before tackling those jumps. Maybe that would take the edge off her anger.

  *

  Jessica hummed softly to herself as she entered the barn. What she saw made her stop dead. Skyler already had cross-tied Rampage in the aisle and was nearly finished saddling him. She checked her watch to see if she was late. No, ten minutes early.

  “You didn’t have to saddle him for me.” She prepared herself for another lecture.

  Instead, Skyler offered a tentative smile as she pulled the irons down the stirrup leathers. “Consider it a peace offering.”

  Jessica couldn’t hide her surprise. “Does this mean you’ve changed your mind about trying to get rid of me?”

  “Maybe we need to quit reacting to each other based on some preconceived ideas. I was wrong about Rampage. He’s very impressive. And…you’re an exceptional rider.” Skyler paused. “But you have a tough road ahead.”

  Jessica chewed her lip, waiting for the whiplash again. But she was wrong this time, too. Skyler’s tone was matter-of-fact.

  “I could tell your leg was hurting you this morning, but you never complained or let up. You don’t need to fight me and the pain at the same time.”

  Jessica sighed. She knew she needed Skyler if she was going to make this bid for the Olympic team her best effort. She also knew she could prove to Skyler that she had what it takes to be a winner. “You’re right. And it was good advice…this morning. I guess I get grumpy when the pain gets too bad. But Rampage shouldn’t suffer because of it. I know I snapped at you, but I do want you to call me on my mood again if you see it affecting our workout.” She extended her hand. “Let’s start over. Hi, I’m Jessica Black.”

  Skyler grinned broadly and returned a firm handshake. Rampage nodded his head and pawed at the dirt as if to punctuate the truce. Laughing, Jessica waited as Skyler unclipped the crossties, then followed her and the stallion toward the jumping ring.

  If she had any worries about jumping Rampage, they quickly vanished. He approached the course with eager confidence and “jumped big,” clearing the obstacles with inches to spare.

  “He’s impressive, all right,” Skyler said as Jessica reined the prancing steed in and walked him over. “I find it hard to believe that he’s only been training as a dressage competitor. He’s got the power and timing of an exceptional jumper.”

  Jessica grinned down at her from the saddle, flushed from the success of their jumps. “He loves to jump. You just tell us what to do, and he can do it.”

  Christ, she was beautiful. The unbidden thought startled Skyler. She looked away and cursed herself for letting her attraction to this beauty seep into her conscious thoughts. A deep breath helped her refocus.

  “We need to work toward three goals,” Skyler said. “Condition him for the stamina he’ll need for the three-day event competition. Condition your leg to hold up. And help the two of you get to know each other’s cues.”

  Jessica listened carefully as Skyler described a couple of revisions to the training schedule they’d mapped out. The daily dressage would be shortened so he could get more jumping experience and conditioning. As a stallion, Rampage already had an advantage in the strength and stamina departments. But Skyler wanted them to work on his control over the jumps.

  “The more he jumps, the more excited he gets and the less he listens to your cues,” she explained. “We have to teach him to focus his entire attention on you.”

  Jessica patted the big horse’s neck. “We’re ready, aren’t we, boy?”

  Her enthusiasm was contagious. Skyler squinted against the sun and returned her smile. Just for a few brief moments, they both let down their defenses and shared an unguarded admiration for the big horse.

  “Why don’t you turn him out for the rest of the day and let him relax?” Skyler suggested. “But, don’t forget. You get to clean his stall.”

  Jessica shrugged. “I don’t know why everybody makes such a big deal over your stall, Rampage. You’re just a big, misunderstood pussycat.” She smiled down at Skyler as she turned the stallion toward the barn.

  Pussycat? Skyler let out a breath she found herself holding. She meant the horse, right?

  Chapter Six

  It wasn’t even noon and already it was hot, unseasonably hot and humid for the end of May. A drenching rain the day before had kept them inside, so Jessica had taken Rampage out for his conditioning trots first thing. Now they were enjoying Rampage’s cooling bath in the outdoor wash stall. She hummed softly to herself as she used a hard plastic wand to scrape the excess water from his gleaming coat.
/>   “How’s the next gold medalist doing this morning?” Kate’s teasing voice sounded behind her.

  “He’s doing just fine,” Jessica responded, knowing Kate was referring to her, not the horse. “We worked out early because of the heat.”

  “Excellent!” Kate grinned back. “I heard a couple of riders who might be at the trials are showing today near Richmond. It’s only a little over an hour away, so I thought you and Skyler would want to go check out the competition.”

  Jessica cocked her head, running through her mind which riders may be there. Over the past few weeks, she and Skyler had settled into a comfortable training pattern. Rampage was an incredible horse and the three of them were quickly bonding into a championship team. She and Skyler had decided not to enter any of the intermediate shows leading up to the trials. Rampage had enough experience showing, and she and Skyler relished the thought of being the mystery team at the trials, rather than risking injury to show what they had all across the countryside beforehand.

  “Have you asked Sky yet?”

  “No, and I’m not traipsing all over Cherokee Falls to find out who she bedded last night,” Kate said. “She never seems to sleep in her own bed anymore.”

  “Don’t believe everything you hear,” Jessica said stiffly. “She’s always at the barn when I go looking for her.” She didn’t know why she felt she had to defend Skyler’s honor. Her reputation was earned, but Jessica still didn’t like the jokes and insinuations she heard about the woman she was quickly learning to respect and trust with the most important thing in her life, her quest for the gold.

  “I’ve known her for a long time,” Kate said.

  Jessica knew she was being warned off, and that Kate meant well, but she wasn’t willing to believe everything she heard. “I think half her reputation is just gossip. People expect her to be out somewhere and spread rumors no matter what the facts are.”