Seduction's Stakes

by Claire Ashgrove

  Had she ever looked out across the ocean and felt small against its rolling expanse like he did? Had she ever ridden the Scrambler so many times in a row she puked up her day's feast of junk food? He grinned. Doubtful. Maddie didn't seem like the puking-up-her-guts-in-public type.

  He'd already decided if he had any chance of convincing her into a partnership on Ghost, he needed to show her he could be enjoyable to work with. She was entirely too tense around him right now, too much of a scared rabbit stuck in a trap. What better way was there to convince her to unwind than a street fair? No pressure, no strained moments. Alone, just lights, noise, and laughter.

  As the idea took hold, he turned Mister Spoilsport back toward the barns and picked up his pace to a brisk walk. Tomorrow, the hot air balloons made their annual ascent. Tomorrow night, they'd tether themselves to the ground and use their plumes of fire to illuminate their colorful silks beneath the fireworks display. He'd take her then. If she wanted, he'd even take her up in a tethered ride. Every woman he'd ever met had some fantasy about hot air balloons. Maddie couldn't be that different.

  Somehow, though, the idea of walking up to her and asking her to go with him to a fair sounded juvenile. He needed a different icebreaker—one preferably not as far away as tomorrow night too.

  Stumped, he led Mister Spoilsport back into his stall, threw him some more hay, refilled his water bucket, and stared down at the end of the shed row where Maddie and Archie looked like they were saying their goodbyes. She bounced her keys in her hand and kept backing away despite their conversation.

  Why was Archie staying with the horse? Where was her groom?

  "Scott?” he called to the young man mucking out Jumpin Jess’ stall.

  The boy poked his head out of the stall. “Yeah, Boss?"

  "I've got some business to take care of with Miss McCleery. Go down there, and offer your services to Archie. That man's too old to be bedding down with horses."

  For a moment, Scott looked like Riley had just asked him to put a saddle on backwards. But he snapped his slack jaw shut and narrowed his widened eyes as he cleared his throat. He bobbed his head. “Sure thing."

  Riley knew Archie wouldn't accept. He'd sleep near the horse out of devotion and duty. Just as Riley would have if Scott weren't with him. Still, it made Riley feel a little better about seeing a respected trainer sleeping in a stall, to know he'd offered.

  As Maddie backed farther away, Riley jogged down the row after her. Behind him, Scott's boots crunched against the fine gravel. Passing Archie, Riley tossed the esteemed trainer an acknowledging nod and hurried on into the parking area.

  "Maddie?” he called out.

  She stopped, but it took her a moment to turn around, as if she debated whether she would or not.

  Scared rabbit, he mused.

  When she did turn to face him, her bright smile sent whatever he'd planned on saying into oblivion. It went straight to his gut, turning it over on itself.

  "Where's your groom?” he managed. Brilliant. Yet another stupid question that made his inability to think entirely too obvious. What was it about this woman that erased his ability to function beyond cave—man intellect?

  Her puzzled expression said she hadn't anticipated that question either. With a slight frown she answered, “He's flying in tomorrow. He had some things to take care of."

  Riley slowed to a stop less than a foot in front of her and shoved a hand in his jeans pocket, doing his best to appear casual. “Archie's staying with your horse then?"

  She nodded.

  "Why don't you let me take you to your hotel. Leave Archie your truck in case he gets cold out here. He's too old to be sleeping in barns.” Better. His voice sounded indifferent, almost confident, to his ears.

  Her lips parted, but no sound came out. With a little laugh, her gaze skated across the narrow alley to her truck. When she looked back at him, her eyes flickered with apprehension.

  He cocked an eyebrow, waiting for her answer.

  "Ah,” she stammered.

  He'd have laughed if she didn't look so damned cute gnawing on her lower lip. As it was, the nervous gesture only reminded him of what a delightful little mouth she had. His gaze fastened on it as he added, “I'll bring you back in the morning."

  She shook her head. “I better not. I'm not so friendly in the mornings, and I have to pick up my groom and Sybil at the airport, first thing."

  A grin tugged at his mouth as a chuckle threatened to escape. She'd been pleasant enough the other morning, but he sensed she wouldn't be glad he pointed it out. “You don't have to say a word to me in the morning,” he coaxed. “I'll bring coffee, and we can pick them up together."

  Her gaze fell to her hands, and she turned her keys over, and over, studying them.

  Convinced she'd find yet another reason to refuse him, he goaded, “C'mon now, Maddie. You aren't afraid of a six mile truck ride with me, are you?"

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Afraid? Of Riley? She almost snorted. Instead, Maddie rolled her eyes and marched back to Infidelity's stall.

  "Archie?"

  "Yeah?” His voice floated from within the darkened stall beside Infidelity's.

  "I'm going to catch a ride with Riley and leave you the truck in case you need anything. I'll hang the keys out here on the bridle hook.” She jangled the keychain for emphasis.

  "Fine with me, Maddie. See you in the morning."

  "Night, Archie."

  She turned around, and her gaze settled on Riley. Still standing in the alley, he watched her expectantly, that lazy grin of his tugging at one corner of his mouth. She hadn't realized until now how handsome he looked today, and as twilight settled over the track grounds, the play of shadows enhanced his physique. Her stomach fluttered as she took a step toward him.

  She could do this. One ride across town. It wasn't like she hadn't been in a car with him before. Determined, she went to the bed of her rented truck and hefted her small suitcase over the side.

  As she approached him, he reached his hand toward her, silently inviting her to take it. Swallowing, she clasped hers together in front of her and dodged his attempt. Better not to touch him. Every time she did, she forgot who he was and why she shouldn't want anything to do with him.

  He chuckled, a soft sound that made the downy hairs along her arms stand upright at attention. Without missing a beat, he took her suitcase from her hand. When he settled his hand in the small of her back and guided her toward a white pickup, a shiver of delight rippled down her spine.

  Okay, maybe she was a little afraid of Riley Jennings. Just a tiny bit. So tiny it was insignificant.

  He pushed a button on his key ring, and the truck's headlights flashed twice, signaling the door locks’ release. Before he could open her door for her, she yanked it open, and climbed inside. His fingers brushed against her elbow, his assistance too late for her quick retreat. In their wake, her skin prickled with goose bumps.

  Still chuckling, he climbed in the driver's seat and turned the key. The engine rolled over without a sound, and Maddie hastened to fasten her seatbelt as he backed out of his parking spot, angling the vehicle south on Pimlico Road.

  "Where are you staying?"

  She winced. Damn, he had her distracted enough she'd assumed he already knew. Stupid, Maddie. “At the Harbor Court Baltimore."

  He turned his head, giving her a look of wide-eyed surprise. “Really? So am I. Guess we can check in together then."

  What was it about that simple statement that had visions of their sharing a room suddenly rushing through her mind. Lord, she needed to get a handle on herself. This was Riley. She did not want anything to do with him. Just his grey colt. Nothing more.

  "Yeah, I guess so,” she answered, hoping she sounded indifferent.

  He navigated the truck around a narrow one-way block and turned south once again on Park Heights Avenue. The traffic slowed to a crawl, the combination of rush hour and Preakness Week
activities clogging the road. Maddie sighed inwardly. So much for a quick ride to Inner Harbor.

  "You hungry at all?"

  "Me?” she squeaked, surprised. Then flinched at the ridiculous question. Who else would he be talking to?

  "No,” he answered on a chortle. “The invisible passenger sitting next to you. Yes, you. Are you hungry?"

  She hadn't eaten all afternoon, but if she dared admit that, then he'd likely suggest they get something to eat. She didn't want to spend any more time than necessary with him tonight. In fact, the sooner she could hole up in her hotel room and forget that earthmoving kiss earlier today the better. “Not really."

  Her stomach growled. Caught in the lie, she froze, staring out the passenger's window.

  "Relax, Maddie. I don't bite. Unless asked to."

  The humor in his voice did little to unwind her nerves. What the hell was wrong with her? It wasn't as if he'd asked her to come up to his room with him. He wanted dinner. Food, drinks, and a sturdy table to separate them.

  "I could eat,” she relented.

  "You ever been to the hotel's Explorer Lounge? I hear they've got live jazz music and the sandwiches aren't bad.” He shot her a sideways glance.

  She grinned. The lounge was one of her favorite places on the harbor. “They've got wonderful food. I love their crab cake sandwiches. I could live off them for days.” Glancing down at her dusty jeans, she frowned. “I'd have to change though."

  His eyes sparked with impishness. “Think you could tolerate my caveman manners long enough to join me?"

  Sometimes the man could be simply irresistible. She laughed. “I think I can manage."

  Finally clear of the traffic, Riley eased the truck beneath the brick-laid front awning and shut off the ignition. With surprising grace for his powerful frame, he jumped out of the truck and tossed his keys at the waiting valet. Then, as Maddie climbed out of the passenger side, he hauled his suitcase, and hers, off the back of his truck and joined her at the curb.

  She reached for her belongings.

  He shook his head. “My mother raised me better than that."

  With a flush, Maddie stepped back and let him open the door for her, then fell into step beside him as he headed for the front desk. He wandered to one desk clerk, while she approached another.

  "Madison McCleery. I've got reservations through Monday morning. Junior suite.” Digging through her small purse she fetched her i.d. and her confirmation slip and tossed them on the smooth marble counter.

  The woman behind the counter bobbed her short red hair in welcome. “Good evening, Miss McCleery. Are you here for the Preakness?"

  Maddie smiled with a nod, accustomed to the usual chatter. Every year they asked the same thing. Perhaps this year Infidelity would win, and they'd actually remember her.

  "Who's your favorite contender?” As the redhead's fingers clicked across the computer keyboard, she peered through tiny wire-framed glasses, scrutinizing the screen.

  Maddie's smile widened with pride. “Infidelity. Yours?"

  Bent over with her nose inches from the monitor, the receptionist answered, “I always bet on the Derby winner if he runs."

  "Mister Spoilsport then?"

  "Is that his name?"

  Clearly not a racing fan, Maddie mused. “Ah, yes. His owner's right over there.” She inclined her head toward Riley.

  The young woman looked up from her screen long enough to glance over at Riley, and Maddie couldn't help but notice the way her eyes widened a little. With an appreciative tsk-tsk of her tongue, the redhead turned her attention back to her work.

  Another woman drawn in by Riley's good looks. Maddie almost rolled her eyes.

  "There seems to be a problem, Miss McCleery."

  Maddie arched a blond eyebrow. “Oh?"

  "I can't find your reservation."

  Maddie blinked. She'd been in the room with Archie when he made them. He'd booked hers here, and his down the street at the less expensive Hyatt where most of the other trainers usually stayed.

  "Try under Archie Blake."

  The woman shook her head. “No, that's not the problem. I have a suite booked for you, but not until tomorrow night, and it runs through Monday night."

  "Well, just give me a room for tonight, and I'll move my belongings in the morning,” Maddie answered with a sigh.

  The redhead clicked a few more keys. “I can't. We're all full. We usually book full this close to race day. I don't have anything open until tomorrow night."

  Maddie's temper surged. The last thing she needed was trouble with her room. Racing stress would have her in fits by tomorrow as it was. “I made the reservation for tonight. I know you tend to over-book too, and I expect a room of some sort."

  The woman's face filled with pink color. “I'm afraid there's nothing I can do, Miss McCleery. I don't have a bed."

  Drilling her nails against the counter, Maddie checked her snappish response and tempered her words. “I'd like to speak to your manager, please."

  "Is there a problem?” Riley asked as he joined her.

  Giving the desk clerk an irritated frown, Maddie mumbled, “They've screwed up my reservations."

  "I'll get my supervisor, Miss, but it won't do any good. I can't rent a room I don't have open."

  "I'd like to speak with him anyway."

  The woman retreated, her heels clicking on the inlaid marble floor as she disappeared behind a dark cherry door.

  "Maddie,” Riley said in a quiet voice.

  "You might have to run me down to the Hyatt. Maybe I can call over to the track and get a hold of Archie and stay in his room tonight."

  Riley gave her a stern frown. “You know you won't reach anyone in the office this early in the week."

  She looked up as a short man, sporting glasses similar to the receptionist's, stepped out of the door and straightened his tie. “Well, let's see what the manager says."

  "Is there a problem, Miss?” he asked with a polite smile.

  Maddie nodded. “I booked my room weeks ago. Tonight through Sunday night. Here's my confirmation ticket.” She passed him the folded computer print out. “You can see the dates are correct."

  The stocky man perused the receipt, folded it neatly in half, and passed it back to her. “Indeed."

  Narrowing her eyes, she gave him a displeased frown. “Your computers have me staying tomorrow through Monday night. Now, I need a room for the night."

  He pushed a hand through his buzzed black hair and then rubbed the beginning of an evening-shadow beard. “There's an error, and I'm sincerely sorry. But I don't have a bed to offer you tonight. We're booked solid. Race week and all."

  Maddie ground her teeth together. “You'll have to find something. I'm sure you've overbooked at least one other room that hasn't checked in yet. I don't care if it's a standard room, just a bed and a place I can bathe."

  "I'm sorry..."

  "I'm in a suite, Maddie, with plenty of room. Why don't you bunk down with me? I'll sleep out on the couch in the sitting room,” Riley suggested.

  For a moment, Maddie couldn't breathe. Stay in Riley's room? No way in hell. That'd be about as smart as walking into a cave and waking a sleeping bear.

  He bent a little closer to her ear and whispered, “I'll behave. I have to win a bet first, as I recall."

  She flushed, felt the heat sear across her cheeks. How in the hell could he read her so well? It was uncanny.

  A glance at the hotel manager told her he waited for her to make some sort of decision. She lifted her chin and turned her best no-bones-about-it look on him. “I expect you'll make the appropriate compensations?"

  "Indeed, Miss McCleery. I'm terribly sorry for your inconvenience. I don't quite understand how the records are so wrong, but my hands are tied."

  Sure they were. She didn't believe for a moment he didn't have a room reserved just in case someone with more money, more influence, more status than she had, showed up unexpectedly. The Harbor Court did attract the r
ich and famous.

  She glanced at Riley again. Did she dare risk it? What happened if she agreed, and Riley decided not to honor the terms of their bet? Then again, the Hyatt was several blocks away. She didn't want to trouble him further tonight by asking for a ride. “Fine,” she muttered.

  "C'mon then, I've got the key."

  "Enjoy your stay, Miss McCleery. I'll put the appropriate credits on your account. Could I offer you a bottle of wine for your trouble?"

  Annoyed, Maddie shook her head, then turned her back on the portly manager. “Lead on, Riley,” she instructed.

  Toting both their suitcases, Riley headed for the elevators behind a sideways sweeping staircase with an ornate, red-carpeted runner.

  As the doors rolled open with a bright ding, she vowed, if he so much as even thought of kissing her, she'd run for the Hyatt as fast as possible.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Riley set Maddie's suitcase on the bed and dropped his own near the sofa in the attached parlor, then glanced at the clock.

  "It's a quarter after six, Maddie. How long do you need to clean up?"

  She perched one hip on the sofa's arm and pulled her ponytail loose. Her long blond hair spilled around her shoulders like strands of fine silk, and Riley stared at them, fascinated. She so rarely wore her hair down, seeing it loose felt like she'd confided an intimate secret. He swallowed to wet his suddenly dry throat.

  "I'd like to bathe. Half hour? Forty-five minutes?” she asked with lifted brows.

  "Okay. I need a ten-minute shower, myself. Go ahead.” He inclined his head toward the bedroom and attached bath.

  She unfolded her long legs and disappeared into the bathroom, toting an armful of personal items. When the sound of running water drifted through the door, his stomach growled loudly. An hour before dinner, at least. God, that seemed a lifetime away. He couldn't wait that long for food.

  Moving to the bathroom door, he rapped lightly, then cracked it open a fraction. “Maddie?"

  Something plunked into the water, punctuated by a little squeak of surprise. “Yes?"