Bareback

by D. Jackson Leigh

  Skyler had the afternoon off, so there were no lessons today and Jessica was taking the kids trail riding. It was a perfect day, probably the last brief warm spell they would enjoy before fall set in and winter was on the way. A warm September sun shone down from a blue, cloudless sky. Tall pines shaded the trails as they wound up one hillside.

  “Is Skyler out riding?” Jessica asked the kids.

  “I’ll bet I know where she is,” Scott replied smugly. “I’ll show you.”

  He took the lead and headed for a steep path up the mountain. When they neared the top, Jessica saw Con Air tethered under a shade tree.

  Scott stopped and turned to them. “You have to get off your horses,” he said with a conspiratorial smile. “And be quiet.”

  He led them to the cliff’s edge and peered down. On a ledge below, Skyler was sprawled nude on a blanket. She lay dozing on her stomach, bathed in hot sunlight, and with a book open at her side. I always wondered why she never had tan lines no matter what she wore, Jessica thought.

  “See that eagle’s nest,” Scott whispered, pointing out a large bed of twigs further along the cliff. “Skyler says the eagles come here every year. I started watching it for homework. Next thing, there she is, ripping off her clothes.”

  His grin made Jessica uneasy. Scott was thirteen and the first surges of testosterone had already begun to cloud his thinking. He obviously wanted to impress the group by sharing his discovery. Jamie and Charlie stared at him blankly before Jessica pushed them back from the ledge.

  “It’s not nice to invade someone’s privacy,” she scolded.

  Scott scowled. “She shouldn’t take her clothes off out here if she doesn’t want someone to look. Besides, why should she care? The guys say she’s not exactly a nun.”

  Charlie looked puzzled and Jamie stared at her shoes.

  “That’s enough, Scott,” Jessica said firmly. “You three mount up and ride back to the barn right now.”

  “Yeah, what are you going to do?” Scott sneered.

  Jessica grabbed the boy by his shirt and shoved him toward his horse. “Now, Scott. You don’t want to see me really mad.”

  He shot her a sullen look, but mounted up and followed the other two down the trail. Jessica looked for the path that led down to Skyler’s ledge. She left Summer tied to a tree at the top of the path, then crept around the last boulder that sheltered Skyler’s sunny ledge from the path. She contemplated kicking a few stones to signal her presence. But her eyes settled on the broad shoulders that tapered down to a very muscled backside, and she just stood there staring.

  When Skyler sighed and slowly turned over, Jessica ducked quickly behind the boulder. Her sharp intake of breath nearly gave her away as Skyler settled on her back and resumed her restful slumber. The warm sun kissed the small firm breasts and taut abdomen. Jessica’s mouth went dry, and other parts grew wet, as her gaze lingered on the triangle of light brown curls that began Skyler’s long, very sexy legs. It wasn’t easy to ignore the little voice telling her to strip off her clothes and fling herself on that incredible body, but she made herself look away. For a few seconds, she considered sneaking back up the path but she remembered Skyler surprising her in the hot tub and her qualms vanished.

  “Uh…sorry to interrupt.” She gleefully repeated the same words Skyler had used that morning.

  Skyler’s body jerked in surprise, and then relaxed as she recognized the voice. A small smile emerged as she shielded her eyes against the glaring sun. “You are interrupting, but it’s okay. How’d you know where I was?”

  “I didn’t. It seems that Scott knows about your sunning habit and his testosterone just wouldn’t let him keep it secret.”

  “Ah, I see. Well, he would have learned about female anatomy sooner or later.” Skyler looked toward the cliff top. “Where are they?”

  “I sent them back to the barn.”

  Skyler casually crossed her ankles and raised up to rest on her elbows. “Want to join me?”

  Jessica hesitated. She really hadn’t planned what to do after she surprised Skyler. She’d expected Skyler to jump up and put her clothes on. “I don’t know if that’s wise.”

  Skyler read Jessica’s uncertainty with satisfaction. It didn’t normally bother her to be nude in front of other women, but she felt exposed in front of Jessica and needed to reclaim control of the situation. She’d already lost her struggle against the blush that flooded her chest and rose to her ears. Maybe Jessica would think it was sunburn.

  “Wise?” She stood up and sauntered toward Jessica. “Do I seem like the wise type to you?”

  Jessica’s heart began to beat wildly as that tall, magnificently nude body approached. She remembered Skyler’s soft lips, that tender kiss in Rampage’s stall a few days before. Desire closed her throat and she held her breath as Skyler stopped only inches from her, then reached around her for the clothes lying on the rock behind. Skyler’s slow smile made even her good knee feel weak.

  “On second thought, we should be getting back,” Skyler said. “We can’t be sure Scott went back like you told him.”

  It was her intention to leave while Jessica was still off balance. She pulled her clothes on and started up the path toward Con Air, but she couldn’t resist looking back. The helpless desire on Jessica’s face matched the craving that burned hot in her. Skyler closed the distance between them in a few short strides and took Jessica in her arms. Her mouth was as hot and sweet as she remembered. Jessica’s hands dropped down to pull Skyler’s hips snug against her own. The kiss seemed to startle her at first, but she quickly recovered and her warm tongue asked entrance into Skyler’s hungry mouth.

  Skyler groaned. Ripples of heat ran through her. She struggled to slow her breathing. This wasn’t the right place for all she yearned to do, for the hours she wanted to spend exploring the woman in her arms. Easing back, she met eyes glowing with passion. “Race you back to the barn,” she invited hoarsely.

  Jessica barely hesitated before scrambling up the trail to mount Summer while Skyler quickly tightened her saddle on Con Air. They raced down the trail, knowing it was more than the barn they were racing to. But as they emerged at a full gallop, Skyler recognized Tory’s truck parked outside Creek Barn. Damn it. Her hormones were screaming with the anticipation of one hot, young rider, cool white sheets, and long, passionate kisses. She couldn’t stand it any longer, spending her days with Jessica within touching distance and her nights with the beautiful rider invading her dreams. She and Tory had been friends since they were teens, and they’d dated a lot of the same girls, but this was different. Skyler didn’t feel like sharing, this time.

  Tory greeted them with a smile, oblivious to her intrusion. “Hi, Jess. I called a while ago to see if you were ready to go to dinner. When Kate said you were out riding, I just decided to head on over here. You want to change real quick and head to town?”

  “Oh…I didn’t realize how late it was.”

  “No problem. I can wait.”

  Jessica turned to Skyler. “I told Tory that I’d go with her to check out a new restaurant tonight,” she said weakly.

  Skyler’s face was stony. Jessica dismounted and shifted from one foot to the other. There was really no way of getting out of this awkward situation. What could she say? Uh, Tory, thanks for the invitation, but Skyler and I were headed to her apartment to finally tear each other’s clothes off.

  Hoping they could reschedule, she said, “I still need to unsaddle Summer and rub her down. I haven’t taken care of Rampage’s stall either, or showered. Perhaps we should do this another time.”

  Tory swept a quick, perceptive glance from Jessica to Skyler and her smile grew tight. “That’s all right,” she said. “You go shower and change. I’ll take care of Summer, and I’m sure Skyler wouldn’t mind mucking Rampage’s stall this one time. I’ll pick you up at the house in about thirty minutes.”

  Jessica looked to Skyler for help. Bail me out here, please.

  But Skyler turned
away and began unsaddling Con Air. “I’ll take care of Rampage.”

  Her voice was flat and devoid of emotion, but Jessica had seen the disappointment on her face. She liked Tory. She really didn’t want to hurt her feelings. But she could sense Skyler distancing herself, and was suddenly afraid that if she let this chance slip away, she might not get another one. Maybe they would wake up tomorrow and decide they’d narrowly avoided making a big mistake. Training would resume, and life would return to normal.

  She moved to Skyler’s side and said very softly. “I don’t have to go. Just say the word and I won’t.”

  Skyler didn’t look at her. “Go. I said it’s fine.”

  Jessica turned away quickly, not wanting either woman to see the tears pooling in her eyes. Something had wounded Sky so deeply, she’d backed off. One day Jessica would ask her about that, but now was not the time.“Well, I guess I’ll go get ready,” she said with regret. “Thanks.”

  *

  “So what’s going on between you and Jessica?” Tory asked after they’d unsaddled the horses.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Skyler growled.

  “I get the distinct feeling that I interrupted something.”

  Skyler leaned her head against Con Air’s shoulder. “We were just out for a ride.” Shit, that didn’t sound very convincing.“I mean, I was out riding and she was out riding with some of the kids. We ran into each other and rode back together.”

  Tory stared at her. “Sky, I like her a lot. Kate told me everything she’s been through this year. Jessica really needs something stable to hold on to.”

  “What are you saying?” Skyler was getting really tired of hearing what she knew was coming next.

  “I’m saying that she’s more than just a roll in the sheets. And as much as I love you, your track record speaks for itself. Jessica doesn’t need her heart broken.”

  Skyler dug the toe of her boot into the dirt and fought the sick ache in her chest. What made her think she wouldn’t want to walk away once she had Jessica in the sack? Tory spoke the truth. Jessica deserved better.“I’m just her trainer,” she said miserably. “Go take her to dinner. She deserves a night out.”

  “Okay,” Tory said softly.

  After she left in her truck, Skyler turned Con Air out into the paddock and stomped up the stairs to her apartment.

  *

  Despite Jessica’s frustration at Skyler’s withdrawal, she found dinner a relaxed and enjoyable affair. Conversation with Tory was easy. They talked about horses at first, but later found they both enjoyed reading and women’s college basketball.

  After driving her home, Tory walked her to the door. “I had a really good time,” she said softly. “I think we have a lot in common. Kate will tell you I’m a pretty decent person, and I think you should know right up front that I’m interested in more than just your friendship.”

  Jessica met her eyes. “Tory, I’m just concentrating on Rampage and getting my leg well right now. I don’t know how much more I want to deal with on top of that.”

  Tory smiled. “I understand. I am a patient woman.” She placed a soft, lingering kiss on Jessica’s lips. “Good night,” she said softly before turning to leave.

  The house was dark except for the porch light Kate had left on. Jessica watched Tory’s truck head down the drive, then her eyes wandered to the Creek Barn, a dark hulk under the light of a nearly full moon. She started down the steps but hesitated, wondering if she should wake Skyler up. Maybe she was still pissed. Or upset. Or whatever it was that she felt. Why was life so complicated?

  Her throbbing knee ultimately made the decision for her and she went back up the steps and let herself into the house.

  *

  Over in the Creek Barn, Skyler stepped away from the window and took another long drink from the bottle of brandy that had been keeping her company most of the evening. The ache in her chest felt like it was burning a hole in her heart. More like a hole in my stomach. Her luck with women she actually cared about had never been good. When was she going to accept that?

  She heard a faint scratching at her apartment door and opened it for a fat orange cat. He shot through the gap and headed right for Skyler’s bed.

  “Oh well, looks like the best offer I’m going to get tonight.” Skyler stripped off her clothes and climbed into bed as the cat snuggled into the pillow on the other side of the bed. “I guess we’re just two old toms past our prime, Peach.”

  She closed her eyes, but the darkness couldn’t block out the visions of Jessica floating naked in the Jacuzzi. Her incredible pale blue eyes and soft lips would haunt Skyler’s brandy-induced dreams, but she was powerless to think of anything else. The images taunted her. She could have had so much more.

  Chapter Nine

  The memory of Skyler’s lips burned in Jessica’s mind the next day and she was anxious to have the sexy trainer alone for a few minutes. She was frustrated and puzzled when Skyler appeared chipper but somewhat distant toward her. Skyler seemed to be making sure they were never alone. She suggested that Jessica run Rampage through some light dressage exercises, and then progress on to his Saturday gallops. But Skyler didn’t take up her usual post to watch. Instead, she left Jessica alone with her task and spent the morning working with a new colt that was brought into her barn earlier in the week.

  It was well into the afternoon when Jessica finally saw her head for her studio apartment in the loft of the barn. She waited a few minutes in case it was the bathroom that Skyler was headed for, then knocked on the door.

  Skyler answered with a sandwich in one hand. “Everything okay with Rampage?” she asked, blocking the doorway.

  “He’s fine,” Jessica replied. She could have guessed Skyler would ask about the horse first. She waited a heartbeat or two for an invitation, then asked, “May I come in?”

  Skyler shrugged and stepped back, leaving Jessica to follow her to the kitchen bar where she resumed her lunch. The small apartment was neat and orderly. The bed was made. Two partially open doors next to it gave a glimpse of a bathroom and a walk-in closet. A tiny kitchen took up one corner, and in front of the bar where Skyler sat was a recliner and an end table angled in front of a television. Just enough space for one.

  Jessica wanted to throw herself into Skyler’s strong arms and take up where they had left off, but Skyler had erected a wall between them. “I want to talk about yesterday,” she said.

  Skyler made a show of chewing slowly, staring at her plate and refusing to look at her. “It’s none of my business if you’re dating Tory.”

  “I’m not dating Tory. We went out one time for dinner.”

  “Well you’re not dating me either.” Skyler shoved her plate away and stood. But instead of moving toward Jessica, she backed up to lean her back against the wall and stuff her hands in the pockets of her jeans. “You should date Tory. She’s a really good person.”

  “You’re a good person, too, Sky.”

  Skyler appeared to give that some thought. When she spoke, she sounded as if she was thinking out loud when asked to give her opinion of a horse. “No, I’m not all that good. I’m a good trainer. I’m a good rider.” Her tone turned soft. “I can be a good friend, Jess. That’s what we need to be. Friends.”

  “What about the rest?”

  When Jessica took a step toward her, Skyler pulled her hands from her pockets and folded her arms across her chest, a clear signal for her to keep her distance. “Sexual attraction doesn’t always last. Our friendship could.”

  Jessica stopped her advance, but her eyes bored into Skyler’s. “What about the fact that I want to throw myself into your arms every time I hurt? What about the fact that we couldn’t wait to get back here yesterday to tear each other’s clothes off? You know that’s where we were headed if Tory hadn’t shown up.” She softened her tone. “I can still feel your lips, Sky. I can still taste your mouth on mine. I still want to see where that was going.”

  Skyler stared at her boots, the f
lexing muscles in her smooth cheek giving away her turmoil. When she finally spoke, she didn’t look up and her voice was low. “Well, you see now, that’s where I’m not so good. I have a really short attention span when it comes to women. Don’t know why, but that’s just the way it is.” Her eyes pleaded with Jessica. “We’ve got a good working relationship, Jess, and an important goal ahead of us. You are right about Rampage. You two are Olympic material. This is my career, hell, both of our careers at stake. I don’t want to do anything to mess that up.”

  Jessica was stunned. It was obvious that she felt there was more between them than Skyler did. She was nothing but a career opportunity to her. An angry retort rose to her lips, but the sadness in Skyler’s eyes confused her and kept her from lashing out. She composed herself before she spoke. “If that’s the way you want it.” She gave Skyler a weak smile. “I would like to think we’re more than rider and trainer, Sky. I’d like to think we are friends, too.”

  Skyler looked relieved. “Definitely friends. You can never have enough friends.”

  Jessica left without another word. The door closing behind her opened up an emptiness inside, the like of which she hadn’t felt since she woke up in that hospital more than a year ago with a cast on her leg and Racer gone.

  *

  Tory showed up in the late afternoon and invited Jessica to take in a movie with her in town. Still stinging from Skyler’s rejection, she accepted the invitation.

  The movie was a romantic comedy, but Jessica didn’t laugh.

  Afterward, Tory took her to a very upscale women’s bar, the patrons white collar and a single performer playing tunes on a baby grand in the corner. Jessica sipped on the wine Tory placed before her and watched several women dancing.