Seduction's Stakes

by Claire Ashgrove

  And that realization was both new and shocking to himself as well. It ranked right up there with the fact he couldn't think about the one thing he loved more than racing—food. Even as the waiter escorted them to their table and Riley stared at the menu, he found himself thinking about Maddie, not the entrees.

  "What are you getting?” she asked before she took a long drink from her water glass.

  "Hm, I don't know. You said the crab cake sandwich is good, didn't you?"

  "It's excellent."

  "Maybe I ought to try it. Though that Angus burger looks good too."

  She flashed him a bright smile. “Archie likes it."

  A waiter appeared at their table, his hands clasped behind his back. “Good evening. What may I get for the both of you tonight? Would you care to start the evening out with a cocktail?"

  Riley watched as Maddie turned her smile on the young man and almost laughed out loud as the boy's eyes raked over her. Damned if she didn't affect everyone.

  "I'll have one of your Black and Blue Mojitos, please."

  A what? He scanned the drink menu, but couldn't find anything except their wine list.

  "For you, Sir?"

  "I'll have a Talisker, on the rocks, please."

  Maddie cocked her head, lifting a dainty eyebrow.

  Riley folded his menu and passed it to the waiter. “She'll have your crab cake sandwich, and I'll take your Explorer Burger."

  "All right. Fries or onion rings?"

  Riley looked to Maddie.

  "Fries,” she answered, holding his gaze.

  "For me also."

  "Okay, we'll have that right out for you.” The waiter collected their menus and disappeared toward the bar.

  "Talisker?” Maddie asked. “I didn't picture you as a Scotch kind of guy."

  He grinned. “What did you picture me as?"

  "Oh, I don't know. A Sam Adams guy, maybe."

  He let out a low laugh. He couldn't stand Samuel Adams beer. “You know your Scotch too, from the sound of it, angel."

  He liked the way she blushed when he used that particular endearment. It sent heat rushing through him. Although he'd never admit it, his heart tripped a little each time her cheeks pinkened.

  "Daddy loved Scotch. I can't stand the stuff, but I guess it isn't really a woman's drink."

  Daddy. Not my father. Not Dad. But Daddy. Like she was still a little girl. Another thing that made Maddie irresistible.

  The waiter returned with their drinks, and Riley took a sip, rolling it over his tongue before he remarked, “I remember your dad used to scare the shit out of me."

  Her eyes grew a little wider. “Why?"

  "Any time we guys used to get near you and your friends, your dad was always there, always watching with this look that said ‘Touch her and die.’ The only other time he looked at anyone like that was when someone got near his horses."

  She laughed, and the sound of her amusement went straight to his gut. “I guess it was a good thing I didn't tell him about that afternoon in the lake, huh?"

  Riley almost choked on his drink. She remembered that? Damned if he hadn't tried to forget that afternoon. He'd been too busy trying to be cool that he let his mouth get the better of him.

  "Maddie, I, uh,” he stammered, feeling the heat rise to his face. God, he'd said so many terrible things to her. No wonder she'd avoided him.

  She shook her head. “It's in the past."

  "No, no it's not.” Not if she still remembered it enough to bring it up. The way she swirled her deep purple drink confirmed his thought as well. “I'm sorry. I was an ass back then."

  "Do you dance, Riley?” she asked.

  He blinked, surprised by the question. “It's been a while, but yeah, I can dance."

  With another bright smile, she tipped her head toward the small dance floor where a handful of couples swayed to the sound of the live jazz quartet.

  When she offered her hand, he took it, and accompanied her across the lounge as the quartet struck a soulful melody. She stepped in close, laced her fingers behind his neck, and nestled her slender form into his embrace. Sliding one hand around her narrow waist, he inhaled the soft fragrance of almonds and marveled at how perfectly she fit. He'd never imagined just holding her could be so compelling.

  He tugged one of her hands free and laced his fingers through hers, holding it as he guided her into the beat. Though he forgot the lessons long ago, his feet moved instinctually, and she followed with polished skill.

  As the song faded, and the quartet moved into a livelier tune, he glanced over the top of her head toward their table, noting their food now waited.

  "Our dinner's getting cold,” he prompted in a low voice.

  She stepped back and away, keeping her hand in his, and lifted her lowered lashes to look up at him. Those green eyes shimmered a deep emerald hue, as they had less than an hour ago in the bedroom. His breath caught as his gut tightened. A spark of electricity arced between them as he held her gaze, the hint of an unspoken promise. It occurred to him then with startling intensity, what they'd shared earlier wasn't just passing desire. Maddie wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  Dear, God, what had he gotten himself into? A woman like her had the power to make a man consider things long-term, and settling down wasn't anywhere on his list of things to do. He'd gotten himself into a damned mess, that's what.

  With a faltering smile, he led her back to their table.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  CHAPTER TEN

  Emboldened by their earlier intimacy and three more Black and Blue Mojitos, Maddie slipped her foot out of her high heel and tucked it between Riley's legs. Time to treat him to the distraction he'd given her at Weatherson's Derby dinner. Hidden by the long white tablecloth, she curled her toes against his cock, gently stroking him, resisting the urge to giggle as he sucked in a sharp surprised breath.

  "You were saying?” she urged, waiting for him to continue his thoughts on why Infidelity couldn't beat Mister Spoilsport.

  His gaze sparked, his eyes darkened, and she watched as he took a deep breath. She could almost see him tighten his muscles, set his jaw a little, and grit his teeth with the determination to ignore her. Beneath the ball of her foot, he stiffened, his arousal evident.

  "It's your jock, Maddie. You use the same one time and again. Any time your..."

  He clamped his mouth shut as she pressed a little harder then slipped her toes under his balls and lifted ever so slightly upwards.

  "Anytime your ... horse...” he managed on a hissing exhale. “Gets boxed in, your jock loses his nerve."

  His hand ducked beneath the table and fastened around her foot, lifting it onto his knee. But Maddie didn't intend to give up so easily. With a twist of her ankle, she slipped out of his grasp and set her big toe against the inside of his knee. Straightening her leg, she slowly trailed her toe up his inner thigh, delighted by the accompanying heat in his gaze.

  He leaned forward, lowering his voice, and murmured, “Darlin', you have no idea what you're provoking."

  Oh, but she did. She knew exactly where this would land her. Back in his bed, beneath his expert touch, and dizzy with desire. Desire she knew he shared. Every time he danced with her, he rose against her thigh, and the kiss he'd stolen not long ago betrayed his obvious restraint.

  "I think I have a pretty good idea,” she returned as she lifted her drink and took a long sip.

  She wanted him so aroused he couldn't control himself. There was something dangerously exciting about a man who didn't show restraint. Riley had given her a glimpse of that earlier, only it wasn't nearly enough.

  Slipping out of her other heel, she brought her other foot into his lap and caught the hard length of him between her feet, gently massaging. He closed his eyes, drew in a tempered breath, and exhaled with slow deliberateness. Her body answered with its own rush of desire, as heat pooled in her belly.

  She steered the conversation back to racing. “Sam rode for D
addy many times. I can't believe it's his fault."

  Riley took a deep drink of his Scotch, and the corners of his mouth twitched. “Let's not bring your father up right now. Somehow I don't think he'd approve of our ... conversation."

  Laughing, she shook her head, dropped one leg back to the floor and squeezed her toes around him once again. Beneath his trousers, he jerked against her touch.

  He leaned forward once again, and she pressed into him firmly. This time he visibly ground his teeth together as he caught her hand and brought the back of it to his lips. “If you don't stop, darlin', I'm not going to make it upstairs."

  She eased the pressure in her toes for a moment, long enough to watch his shoulders relax, and then crimped her toes around him once more, only to let up immediately. Repeating the fleeting touch, Riley's fingers bit harshly around her hand. A shiver ran down her spine. She was pushing him, pushing herself too. Already she felt the dampness against her thighs, the ache of longing between her legs.

  "We're leaving,” he managed on a ragged breath. He scribbled his room number on their bill and almost jumped to his feet, giving her barely enough time to retrieve her shoe before he pulled her out of her chair.

  With calm determination he led her out of the bar to the elevator. The moment the doors closed, he crushed her against the wall, ravaging her with a demanding kiss. His hips ground against hers, and one hand drew her leg up to his thigh. Through the thin material of her dress, his arousal pressed against her clit, rubbing away her logical thought with each hard press. Oh, God, he'd turned the tables once again. She was going to orgasm right here, right now. Her hands came down, clenching into his buttocks, holding him close.

  The elevator stopped, and Riley jerked himself away from her, just in time for the doors to open. An Asian woman stepped inside, and as Maddie glanced sideways at Riley, he stared straight ahead, his gaze fastened on the silver doors. He worked his jaw, grinding his teeth together.

  * * * *

  Riley breathed deeply, concentrating on inhaling and exhaling, trying to push aside the burning need to feel Maddie wrapped around him. In all his years, all the women he'd dallied with, no one had pushed him to the brink of total abandon as Maddie did. He couldn't remember ever attacking a date the second the elevator doors closed. Couldn't recall a time he didn't believe it couldn't wait a moment longer.

  As the elevator came to a stop on his floor, he ushered her into the hall. He didn't dare look at her as they started for his room. If he did, he'd take her against the wall. And right now he didn't care who witnessed it. From her reaction, neither did she.

  He said nothing as he slid his keycard into the lock and pushed the door open. Safe inside the room, he gave in. Tugging her rather roughly against him, he caught her mouth and drank from her rum-sweetened lips. The taste of berries danced against his tongue, enticing him even further. He edged her backwards, until the wall stopped him, and there, he braced himself against her, pulling her leg up to his waist once more. This time, however, she cocked her ankle around him, fastening herself close. Her short dress gave him access to her soft skin, and its loose material let him trail his fingertips along the underside of her thigh.

  When he traced the underside of her dainty buttock, she trembled a little, and her hips arced forward, driving into his. He leaned his weight into her, fastening her in place, and slipped a finger into her womanly softness. She was wet, ready for him. He groaned against the discovery. Her teeth nipped his lower lip, and when she suckled on it, his cock strained painfully against his trousers. God, she drove him crazy.

  "Need to be...” he grit out through a ragged gasp. “Inside you. Now."

  Maddie's hands slipped between their bodies, and she plied at his button. He sprung free, the cool air a blessing against his inflamed skin. He leaned away long enough to let her pull his trousers down, and then he withdrew his hand. Holding her with one arm, he pushed her dress up, and buried himself inside her swollen flesh with one swift thrust. She gasped and locked her gaze with his.

  Withdrawing slightly, he delved again, pinning her against the wall. He wouldn't last long—she'd pushed him too far with her playful game. And this wasn't about never-ending pleasure. This was raw need.

  He braced himself against the wall and drove his hips into her. She answered with equal vigor, a soft cry of delight escaping her parted lips and drowning inside his mouth. Oh, God, she was perfect, so hot, so soft, so ... He gave in to a low moan.

  Her flesh quivered against him, pulsing around his cock, and he thrust once more, pouring himself into her, rocking his hips against hers as he came with her. “Maddie,” he murmured against her mouth.

  The leg she'd wound around his waist began to tremble, and he slid his hand down to support it. He eased their kiss to a soft close, and tipped his head back to look at her. Her features were soft, her eyes closed, her lips swollen from his assault. She fluttered her long eyelashes open, lifting her liquid emerald eyes up to look at him.

  "I'm sorry,” he whispered as he brushed his thumb across her lower lip.

  She shook her head with a faint smile.

  He tucked a lock of her long hair behind her ear. “Are you okay?"

  "I think I might faint,” she answered with a light laugh. But the way her body sagged against him warned him she might not be joking. He slid one knee between hers, supporting her weight while he tugged his trousers up. Then, he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

  "I warned you, darlin',” he said with a chuckle.

  "I wanted you that way,” she replied on a ragged whisper.

  Sitting her down atop the down mattress, he slipped out of his clothes and pulled the dress over her head with a gentleness he didn't know he possessed. He tended her with the care he'd give a wounded bird, apologizing for his pathetic lack of control by showering every inch of her delectable body with light kisses. She gave him a lazy smile and raked her fingers through his hair.

  "Are you thirsty, angel?” he asked in a low voice.

  "I could use some water, I think."

  With a nod, he disappeared into the bathroom, grinning inwardly at the water still pooled on the marble floor. He peeled off the cellophane wrapper covering a crystal glass and filled it. When he returned, he found her sitting up, the pillows behind her back, her blond hair spilling over her shoulders and pooling in her lap. Climbing into the bed beside her, he handed her the glass and covered her free hand with his.

  Taking a long drink, she handed the glass back to him. He set it on the nightstand. With a little sigh, she leaned her head against his shoulder, and his heart fluttered. He chuckled, amused by his reaction. He'd never thought a man's heart could flutter. But his definitely had. Damn it all.

  "You tried to distract me earlier, but Maddie, I'm truly sorry for the things I said to you that day at the lake. I was too busy trying to be cool to admit I thought you had the hottest body of any one of the girls our age."

  Her head came up, and she blinked at him. “What?"

  "Really, I did."

  She laughed. “You're just saying that, now that you've got me all light headed and melting like putty in your hands."

  He caught her chin with two fingers and tipped her head up to stare into her eyes. “No, I don't lie. Ever. I thought you were hot back then. Now you're just ... pleasantly aged. Like wine."

  Her cheeks filled with color, and she cast her gaze sideways. He turned her head and swept his mouth over hers. “A man could lose himself in you, you know?"

  She sighed and sank down into the bed, tucking her head against his chest. Her fingers danced across his belly, and his skin jumped in response to the tickling touch.

  "Why don't you spend the weekend here with me, Maddie?"

  Her answer came so quietly he had to strain to hear her. “I don't think I have it in me to be a weekend plaything. I'm not even sure I have it in me to be a one-night entertainment. Guess it's a little too late for that, though.” She chuckled softly.


  He frowned. She didn't really think...? Placing one hand on her shoulder, he eased her onto her back, and leaned down over her. “Is that what you think this is, angel?"

  Her eyebrows lifted, and she gave him a little shrug.

  Damn it, he hated it when she wouldn't look at him. Again, he caught her chin with his thumb and forefinger and turned her head so she couldn't help but meet his gaze. “Darlin', I don't know what this is, exactly, but I can promise you it isn't entertainment."

  Now why in the hell was she frowning at him? He peered at her, narrowing his gaze with a puzzled expression.

  "Riley, I don't date race horse people,” she explained with a harassed sigh.

  He chuckled then, amused by the conflict etched into her vibrant green eyes. “Seems to me you are now. So what do you say, angel? Stay the weekend here with me?"

  She turned another one of her heart-stopping smiles on him, and he couldn't resist the temptation to kiss her once more. Damned if he couldn't kiss her all night long. She was so willing. Her body always seemed to melt into him, even when she lay beneath him, when he indulged in the pleasures of her soft lips.

  Drawing it to a close, he gathered her close and tugged her back atop his chest, so he could play with her long hair. It slipped through his fingers, softer than he'd imagined it was, and shimmered in the dim light.

  "I can't. Sybil will be here."

  "Let her have your room?"

  She shook her head. “It's complicated. I need a little time with this, all right? I can't go from claiming you're a pig, to staying the weekend with you in just over a week without Sybil giving me hell."

  His laughter burst out, shaking the bed. “A pig?” Amused, he tickled her.

  Squirming away, she let out a little squeal and pushed at his hands. Her laughter joined his as he wrestled her onto her back and pinned her against the mattress. But the more she wiggled away from his hands, the more aware of her he grew. What started as play swiftly concluded in a kiss meant to stir her very soul.