by Belle Ami
They spent most of the day making love, taking catnaps in between and replenishing their energy with small bites of food and conversation. Miles was inexhaustible, relishing the foreplay that, time and again, brought her to an earthshaking climax. In the aftermath, as she lay wet, satisfied, and seemingly spent, her vulnerability drove him to new heights of excitement, hardening him like a rock as he again penetrated her. The more submissive she became, the more he enjoyed impaling her beneath him, until finally she cried, “Stop! Please stop. I can’t take anymore!”
Thrusting even harder and faster, he ordered her, “Tell me you want more. Tell me not to stop. Tell me you’ll do anything for me not to stop!”
“Yes, yes, don’t stop. More, fuck me more!”
She clung to him as he shuddered, releasing within her. Remaining within her, he kissed her breasts, suckling her nipples. They lay in a languorous state of bliss, their bodies entwined, and she sighed with contentment. “I feel sinfully good,” she said, giggling. “Or maybe I should say sinfully bad.”
“Me, too, although a little worn for wear. We’ll sleep for a couple of hours, Princess, and when you wake, I’ll be gone. I have to catch a plane to New York. I should have left already.” He kissed her gently. “I’ll have Karolin call you and make all the arrangements for next week. My plane can pick you up here at the airport in Santa Barbara.”
“A week seems like such a long time. You’ve thrown off my training schedule, Mr. Bremen; in fact, you’ve thrown off my life. Instead of my horses being ridden, it’s me who has been ridden.” Laughing, she wrapped her arms around his neck as she purred, “But I wouldn’t change it for anything!”
Chapter 9
When Adelia woke, Miles was gone, leaving only the scent of their sex. She dressed for riding without showering. She wanted to keep Miles’s taste on her skin for a little while longer. She dreaded having to face Lucas and steeled herself for the confrontation.
Lucas wasn’t in the stable, so she saddled up Prince herself. Outside in the ring, she walked, trotted, and cantered Prince until he shimmered with sweat, while she replayed in her mind the last twenty-four hours with Miles. It seemed like a dream, how he had entered her life so unexpectedly. In a matter of hours, Miles had filled the emptiness that losing her parents had left in her life. She wondered if she would find love and fulfillment in the arms of this man.
“You look like you’ve had quite a night, Delie.” Lucas’s arms rested on the top rail of the fence. His cowboy hat was pulled down, shielding his eyes from Adelia. “Fancy car too. He sped out of here like a bat out of hell.”
Adelia’s cheeks blushed beneath her helmet. “I didn’t see you in the barn, Lucas, so I tacked up Prince myself.” She tried to stall and gather her thoughts as Lucas stared intently at her. “The horses fly next Friday with Rodrigo, and I fly to New York on the following Tuesday. I just want to flat them until then, no jumping until the show.”
Lucas chewed on a piece of straw, waiting for her to say more.
“I know you’re expecting some explanation of my behavior, but you’re going to have to get used to it. I’m an adult and quite capable of making my own choices. I don’t have to explain myself to you or anyone else.”
“I didn’t say a word, but it seems a bit unusual for a man I’ve never seen or heard of before to suddenly show up and have marathon sex with my goddaughter. Let’s see, Faye and Lars are dead…what, less than two months?”
Adelia’s face turned crimson as she flushed with guilt and embarrassment. She knew that last night was an anomaly, something she would never have dared to do had her parents been alive. “Lucas, I’m sorry. I should have introduced you to Miles. I should have prepared you, but I wasn’t prepared myself. I met Miles at Showpark with his twin sister, and we sort of connected.”
“That’s an understatement.”
“I hadn’t heard from him since then, so I kind of blocked him out of my mind. Then he showed up here Friday, unexpectedly, and things just progressed from there. I really like him, Lucas. What’s so terrible about that?”
“He’s a stranger. What do we know about him? I don’t have to tell you, Adelia, that you are a perfect target for opportunists.”
“Lucas, Miles is rich and successful. He’s not after my money. He’s after me! You’ll see. You’re going to really like him. He’s into horses and green energy, just like Dad. Dad is his hero!”
“Really? I’d like to check him out anyway, if it’s all the same to you. What’s old Miles’s last name?”
“Bremen, his name is Miles Bremen. His company is Green Way Funds, and his horse farm is Green Way Farms in New Hope, Pennsylvania. I don’t know his rank and serial number off the top of my head, but I’m sure with a little Internet investigation you should be able to obtain a lot more juicy tidbits on him,” Adelia sardonically quipped.
Lucas backed off; he knew the girl could only be pushed so far. Her stubbornness was an inherited trait that she had come by honestly. Both Lars and Faye had possessed that same singular belief in the righteousness of their actions. This argument was like a replay of countless disagreements that Lucas had railed against during the years in which he and the Lindstroms had collaborated. Adelia had been schooled and lauded for having an independent spirit. Better to appease her headstrong ways and quietly investigate this new wrinkle in her life. Masterfully, Lucas changed tactics. “You’re right, Delie; I have no business interfering in your love life. You know I’m just an old, protective bear who wants the best for you. I’m sure your young man is deserving of your affections.”
“Lucas, let’s not argue over this. I know that when you meet Miles you’re going to like him. As soon as the show is over, we’ll all have dinner, and you can deliver your parental sermon and warn him of the repercussions coming his way if he isn’t on the up-and-up with your goddaughter.”
“You’re damned straight I will.”
Miles powered the Porsche down the Coast Highway and headed for Van Nuys Burbank Airport, where his jet was prepped for takeoff for New York. He smiled to himself as he thought about Adelia. He had to admit he had thoroughly enjoyed himself; the girl was a sexual tigress with a supermodel’s body. Sex with her was sensational. In fact, he couldn’t wait to see her again. There was something fragile about her that brought out his instinct to protect.
He hit the speed dial on his phone and waited for Karolin to pick up. “Hi, I’m on my way to New York. You leave a week from Tuesday from Santa Barbara with Adelia. I’ll meet you on Friday in the Hamptons.”
“Veni, vidi, vici!” Karolin could not hide the acidic edge to her words. “You sound well rested, brother darling. Did she fulfill your fantasies?”
Miles ignored the innuendo. “Everything is on schedule, if you can just control yourself. I’ll see you Friday.” He hung up, not waiting for her reply.
Adelia sank into the steamy, scented water and washed away the hours of sweat-soaked riding and the biting conversation with Lucas. They had agreed to a truce of words and had returned to the easygoing amiability of their relationship. However, she well knew that Lucas would not be swayed by her pronouncements of apologies and endorsements of Miles’s good character. Lucas was like a trained watchdog; a piece of meat would not throw him off the scent. He probably was already arranging a thorough investigation of Miles. Lucas, she could deal with; however, her longing for Miles was something altogether different.
The hours of passion with Miles had awakened in her a newfound eroticism. She could feel her pulse quicken and her body respond to the memories of the last twenty-four hours. She sank below the bubbles, hoping to extinguish the aching that seized her at the mere thought of him. She hoped he, too, was feeling the emptiness of her absence.
She touched herself beneath the water, hoping to release some of the pent-up longing that her thoughts of Miles had aroused. Within moments, just picturing his body and face as he
made love to her had her breath coming in short, rapid gasps. She was near satisfaction when the phone rang.
“Damn!” Adelia jumped out of the tub, splashing water all over the floor as she grabbed for her towel and the receiver. “Hello!”
“Hello, Adelia, this is Detective Weiss. I hope this is not an inconvenient moment. I’d like to talk to you…about the case.”
“Oh, Detective Weiss, of course, umm…Could I call you right back? I just got out of the tub, and I’m dripping all over the floor.”
David tried not to imagine Adelia on the other end of the line, with beads of water snaking down her naked body. “Uh…yeah, sure. I’ll be waiting for the call.” He hung up and felt his gut tighten. Maybe he was imagining the whole thing. The girl had definitely gotten to him. He closed his eyes and tried to banish the vision of her.
Ten minutes later, the phone rang.
“Hi, Detective Weiss. How are you?” Adelia’s voice was crisp and clear, without the sensual overtones of the previous call.
“I’m fine. Sorry to have called at such a bad time. I got the report back on the Cayenne. As we suspected, it was brake failure. In the initial analysis, there doesn’t seem to have been any tampering or other cause for extraordinary concern. So the case seems open and shut.”
“Well, that’s it, then.”
He could sense her tears through the line.
“Thank you for your time and effort, Detective Weiss.”
“Before I hang up, Adelia, I want you to know that I’m personally not done with this. I’ve been around long enough to know when something doesn’t feel right. Someone is to blame for this, and I don’t think it was a careless mechanic. It may take some time, and I don’t want to raise your hopes, but I’m going to keep the file open. You’ll hear from me again. I’d like to keep the communication lines open, too, just in case I have any questions…about the case, of course. And if you think of anything that might be helpful…”
“Thanks, David; please call me any time.” She hung up, trying to make sense of the call. There was nothing unusual, yet David also felt the facts weren’t adding up. She made a mental note to begin the arduous task of sorting through her parents’ papers after the show. Perhaps a clue lay among the piles of unfinished business that still cluttered their desks and files.
Chapter 10
Nine days later, the Learjet 85 soared toward the western horizon with a thrust of power. The aircraft dipped its wing and circled back toward the east, the Pacific sparkling below. Behind, a white luminescent contrail of crystallized ice lingered in the morning sky, marking the path of the speeding jet.
Inside the plush cabin, Adelia and Karolin sat opposite each other. The jet rose rapidly to its cruising altitude and leveled off on its direct course to East Hampton. The captain came on the intercom and estimated their landing time at East Hampton Airport to be around four thirty in the afternoon, Eastern Daylight Time. Adelia reclined against the cream-colored buckskin-leather seats, enjoying the novelty of flying private. Karolin picked up the intercom. “Susan, please bring the usual and omelets. I’m starving.” Turning to Adelia, she said, “It’s amazing how easily we become spoiled. It feels sinful, doesn’t it?”
Adelia stared out the window. “It really is the ultimate treat, flying like this. It was nice of Miles to arrange it.”
“My brother is a very determined man. He’s very good at getting what he wants.” Karolin reached across the aisle for Adelia’s hand. “I’m just glad that what he wants is someone who I want, someone who is worthy of him. I’m looking forward to us becoming really good friends.”
Adelia squeezed Karolin’s hand. “I’m happy you feel this way, Karolin. Miles spent a lot of time sharing with me how close you and he are. They say you can know a man by the way he treats his mother. In this case, I would say the way he treats you says it all.”
“Yes, we’re very close. Shall we celebrate with some champagne with our breakfast?”
The flight attendant entered the cabin carrying a silver tray with two crystal champagne flutes. “Ms. Bremen, I have your favorite, chilled and ready. I’ll be back with the omelets. Enjoy!”
After two bottles of champagne and lunch, the two women were lulled to sleep as the middle states fell away beneath the speeding jet. On arrival in East Hampton, they were greeted by a late afternoon thunderstorm that cooled the muggy air and made the humidity almost tolerable. The limousine stood ready and, after being loaded, sped away in the direction of the horse grounds. Adelia wanted to check on Prince and Roxy before checking into her hotel. Karolin would drop her off and then continue on to the beach house that Miles had rented for them on Meadow Lane, better known as Billionaire’s Lane.
As Adelia walked toward the stables, Karolin called from the idling limo, “I’ll see you for dinner at eight o’clock at the Meeting House Restaurant. You can walk from the inn. I’m getting a massage at the house. Call if you need me. Ciao!”
Adelia turned to wave good-bye as the limousine sped away. Karolin and Miles’s luxurious lifestyle left her feeling a bit out of her element; besides, she was sporting a significant headache from too much champagne. She hurried to the stables, anxious to see her horses and return to the familiarity of the horse-show world. She hoped she would learn with time to appreciate the benefits of living large. Miles certainly had worked hard to achieve his lavish lifestyle. She had no right to question his enjoyment of the fruit of his efforts.
The horses were adjusting well to the time change, different feed, and unfamiliar shelter. Just as she had requested, their stalls were plush with extra shavings. She called to them, and they extended their necks over the stall doors, whinnying with pleasure and eager to receive the treats that she always delivered to them. She rubbed their forelocks as they vied for her attention. She whispered endearments to them, reminding them of the important competition that lay ahead. “Tomorrow I’ll be here early, and we’ll have a good workout. You two get a good night’s sleep.” She kissed them on their noses and patted their cheeks. She stopped to check the feeding and the training schedule on the whiteboard and then headed out to the limousine that had returned to take her to the inn.
The cottage at the inn, with its white-pine cathedral-ceiling bedroom and chic, understated living room was cozy and welcoming after a long day of travel. She couldn’t help but imagine herself and Miles together in this love nest. She hoped they would find some time just to relax and get to know each other better. She would have preferred to order room service and snuggle in, but she knew that it wouldn’t be right to disappoint Karolin.
The streets were crowded with vacationers, many of whom were there for the Classic, the premier event of the season. Even with the competing scents of food and people, Adelia could still taste the salty sea air. The ocean breeze carried a faint chill, and she was grateful that she had thought to wear a light cashmere sweater. Inside, the restaurant was bustling with people as she looked around for Karolin.
“Adelia, over here!” Karolin waved to her from the bar, where she sat chatting with a man who looked like a model for Ralph Lauren.
Adelia eased her way through the crowd. The blond Adonis jumped from the barstool, offering it to her. “Hi, I hear you’re one of the favorites in the Grand Prix! I’m Todd DeVries.” He shook her hand enthusiastically. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Hardly a favorite, but I’ll do my best. I’m Adelia Lindstrom—nice to meet you. No on the drink. I have a headache from the flight. Karolin plied me with a little too much champagne.”
Karolin unsympathetically eyed Adelia as she spoke. “Adelia, you really are going to have to build up a tolerance for flying and champagne. It really is de rigueur.” She flashed a devilish smile. “Miles is taking a helicopter from the city on Friday, Todd. Why don’t the four of us have dinner Saturday night?”
She rose and turned, leaning over the bar as she signaled to the ba
rtender for the check. The skintight dress that hugged her curves allowed Todd an advantageous view of her many assets.
“Karolin, why don’t you girls go eat? I’ll get that. I’ll book us a table for Saturday night.” He grinned impishly at her.
“You’re a dear, Todd.” Karolin demurely kissed him on the cheek and sauntered away, the crowd parting for her like the Red Sea for Moses.
They were shown to a VIP table, where seeing was as important as being seen. “Sorry, Karolin, I don’t think I’m going to be too much fun tonight. I need to get a good night’s sleep and then get to the barn early to work Prince and Roxy. I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to eat and run.”
“No worries. You are clearly a lightweight,” Karolin teased. “We’re going to have to build up your tolerance for the good life. Speaking of the good life, I heard from Miles. He seems very excited to get here and see you.”
Adelia glowed at the mention of Miles. “Your brother is a very interesting man. I’m looking forward to seeing him, too.”
“Budding lovers, huh?”
Adelia blushed. “Speaking of lovers, I noticed that Todd seems pretty taken with you.”
Karolin flashed a smile. “Yes, he’s a divine specimen, don’t you think? I’m looking forward to investigating all of his attributes. You know…seeing whether or not he’s as hot without his clothes as he is with them on.”
Adelia shook her head with laughter. “You are incorrigible, Karolin.”
After dinner, Adelia excused herself, leaving Karolin at the bar with Todd. The night air refreshed her as she walked the flower-bordered paths back to the inn. The long travel day had taken its toll, and she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
The next three days passed with lightning speed. She spent several hours each day working the horses. Sunday was the FTI Grand Prix and World Cup-qualifying event, and she and her trainer and groom had numerous details to attend to. The horses were her first priority, and she easily slipped into the tasks that prepared her and them for Sunday’s challenge.
