Seduction's Stakes

by Claire Ashgrove

  "Maddie will like that, don't you think?” He tried to convey his interest with a subtle hint.

  Sybil shook her head. “Oh no. Maddie's afraid of heights. We'll get to enjoy the view all by ourselves."

  The look in her blue eyes told him just what she meant by that. He opened his mouth to protest, then snapped it shut quickly. What harm could there be in a balloon ride? He'd spent all of this morning reminding himself that he didn't plan on making things permanent with Maddie, and he'd be a fool not to take a willing woman up on so blatant an offer. Particularly since Maddie seemed indifferent about last night.

  She might talk a little much. But ... He raked his eyes down the length of her. She certainly had a body he could enjoy. As long as she was willing, he didn't have any promises to honor. This one though—he'd make sure she knew it was strictly entertainment. Although, judging from the easy way she taunted, he doubted she'd look at it any differently.

  "I need to take the horses up and breeze them. Care to join me, Sybil?"

  "I'd love to,” she almost purred.

  He could tell she didn't particularly care. Oh well. A woman didn't need to like horses. He beckoned to Scott.

  The boy pushed off his turned-over-bucket seat and ambled toward him. “Yes, boss?"

  "Ben's up at the track waiting on us. His wife wants him to hurry so they can take the kids down to the rides on the harbor. Grab Spoil, I'll take Jess. Let's get our work done early.” Riley flashed Sybil a smile. “I've got plans this evening."

  "Sure thing, Riley.” Scott disappeared into Mister Spoilsport's stall as Riley stepped into Jumpin’ Jess'. He bridled the filly quickly, and checked her leg wraps. Not too tight, not loose enough to fall down around her feet. Snatching a saddle pad out of a nearby trunk, he led the filly outside.

  "Ready, Sybil?"

  "Always,” she answered with a faint smirk.

  Somehow, he didn't doubt that. As the filly danced beside him, he gave her lead a sharp tug and corrected her with a firm, but gentle, “Aaat!” She settled with a snort, and Riley marched her toward the track.

  With Sybil following at his heels, Riley tried his best to make idle conversation. But the longer she rambled, the more agitated he became. This was time for work, not play, and where Maddie had the benefit of simply watching her trainer handle her horses, Riley didn't. He was their trainer, and these few short runs before Saturday were critical to his assessment of what Ben would need to do. Not that he particularly needed to instruct Ben, but if the horses weren't moving right, it was Riley's responsibility to notice anything that might lead to possible injury. He couldn't focus on his job with Sybil's constant chatter.

  Which brought Maddie right back to mind. He spied her near the rail, leaning on it beside Archie. She'd understand. She didn't yap at Archie while he studied Infidelity. She even watched with rapt interest. A sideways glance at Sybil found her gazing off at the handful of spectators, horseflesh completely forgotten.

  A sharp breeze whipped Maddie's ponytail in her face, and when it passed, she reached up and took down her wealth of blond hair. As the sunlight shimmered across it, Riley's feet stopped in place. He stared, enchanted. Her fingers raked through the long lengths, and unbidden, his gut tightened. Damn, what was wrong with him? It had been less than twelve hours, and the rush of desire seared through him like it had been days. As she twined the thick silk back into a ponytail, he looked away.

  He breathed a little sigh of relief when Sam pulled Infidelity up in front of Archie, and dismounted. She'd leave and he could think. Once Ben got on Jess, he could even tune out Sybil completely. She wouldn't like it, but it was necessary.

  Yet, as Maddie took her horse in hand and started toward the barns without either her groom or trainer, Riley couldn't ignore the fleeting opportunity. At that same moment, Ben jogged up to join them.

  Riley stuffed Jumpin’ Jess’ reins into Ben's hands. “She's got a rock in her foot. I left the pick back at the barns. I'll be right back."

  Scott opened his mouth, and as Riley glanced at the pouch around his groom's waist, he instantly identified a hoof pick. He silenced him with a sharp look of reprimand. Before Ben could point out the obvious, Riley jogged back to the barn.

  Maddie stepped out of her horse's stall as he ducked under the tin canopy. Following impulse, he snatched her up by the waist, and ducked inside the empty, neighboring stall. There, he set her feet on the ground, wound one hand into the hair at the nape of her neck, and fastened his mouth across hers. As he settled against the softness of her lips, he let out a sigh.

  She didn't protest, didn't struggle. Her lips parted beneath his, invitingly, and he traced the tip of his tongue across hers. Fire surged through him with the velvety contact. Slanting his mouth, he deepened the kiss, yearning for everything she offered. Her arms slid around his neck, and she clung to him, responding to his hungry assault with equal intensity.

  God, this was heaven.

  What the hell was he doing? Forgetting himself again. With a grunt of protest, he eased the kiss to a close, and disentangled himself from her. When he looked down into those vivid green eyes, they flashed with desire.

  "Have lunch with me, Maddie.” It wasn't a request.

  She shook her head. “I can't."

  "Then come up to the track with me while Spoil and Jess run.” He pulled on the cotton band that held her hair back, freeing her tresses so he could slide his fingers through them.

  With a grin, she teased, “And cheer on my rival in public?"

  "Damn it, Maddie,” he sighed as he leaned his forehead against hers. “Don't ignore me."

  Her bright expression faded a little, and the humor drained from her eyes. She stepped back, and for a moment, he thought he'd pissed her off. But she slid her hand into his, lacing her fingers tight.

  "Okay."

  He blinked, certain he hadn't heard her right.

  "I'll go with you, and I'll have lunch with you. But if you've got the bedroom in mind, handsome, I'm warning you now I'm sleeping."

  Lifting his free hand, he brushed his thumb across her cheek, then tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. With an impish smirk, he slipped his leg between hers and rubbed his thigh against her intimate center. “You sure sleep's all you want, darlin'?"

  She sank against him with a little shudder and whispered, “No."

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  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Maddie hit the bed, laughing, seconds before Riley's weight blanketed her. “You didn't really give Scott three hundred dollars to keep Sybil busy until dinnertime did you?” she asked as she tugged his shirt from his jeans, craving the feel of firm muscles.

  Always helpful, he pushed her sweater up and tugged it over her head. With a hearty chuckle, he dipped his head and trailed the tip of his tongue along the lacy edge of her bra. “Damned straight, I did."

  At her insistence, he wriggled out of his shirt. With a giggle, she pitched it off the foot of the four—poster bed. “She'll eat that poor boy alive."

  "He'll make it through okay.” He eased himself back down, and the pressure of his bare abdomen nestling against hers provoked her into a contented murmur. But as his teeth skimmed over the swell of her breast and tugged the lacy covering of her bra downward, she squirmed.

  Riley's mouth closed around her nipple and with a gasp, she arched her back. Her fingers found his hair, raking through it as she closed her eyes, lost to his tongue's slippery play.

  He nibbled his way to her other breast, and let out a mutter. “Sit up so I can take this damn thing off."

  He pulled her upright, frowned at her giggle, and in the time it took her to lift her hair, he had it unfastened, his fingers gently massaging naked skin. She sank back into the down-filled mattress. His hands, roughened from years of training horses, produced a subtle friction that spread warmth through her veins. God, the man worked magic with those hands. When the moist heat from his mouth blended with his caress, her senses threatened to snap.


  She lifted her hips in search of his, and he obliged, pressing his weight into her. “Riley,” she murmured.

  He released her nipple, long enough to look up at her and whisper, “What, angel?"

  Her answer got lost somewhere amidst the overwhelming sensations that rippled through her as he raked his teeth across a hardened nipple. Each touch, each flick of his tongue, each caress of his hand drove her insane. And still she wanted more. Far more.

  His breath washed across her skin, his lips following in its wake, searing up her throat to settle softly against her mouth. She slid her fingers from his hair and across his back, curling her nails into his strong shoulders. His kiss was heaven in itself, but her body ached with need. How he did this to her, drove her to the brink with just a few tender touches, she didn't understand. Didn't care.

  Arching closer to him, she ground her hips into his, and tore her mouth away. “Want ... more ... of ... you,” she whispered between light kisses.

  His groan went straight to her core and shot sparks through her blood. His hand slipped between them, and before her head cleared enough to help him out, he had both their clothes in a careless tangle on the floor.

  He lowered himself slowly, and when she tried to pull him closer, he caught her hands in his, holding them above her head, refusing her. With one never-ending thrust he eased himself inside, and Maddie's world flipped upside down. Even last night, was nothing compared to this ... this...

  With Riley buried to the hilt, she gasped when he rocked his hips against her sensitive spot, and she writhed against him, aching for more. He withdrew, almost completely, then delved once again. She locked her legs around his waist drawing him even deeper. He rolled into her, taunting her swollen flesh, and she let out a little cry of delight.

  His mouth claimed hers, hot and fierce, joining them as intimately as she could ever imagine. The thrusts of his tongue matched the slow and deliberate way he plunged himself into her. Desire mounted, threatening to steal her senses, warning if he pushed her further she'd shatter into pieces.

  Another push and the sensations he provoked built on top of each other. She trembled with the intensity. When his soft sound of pleasure drifted to her ears, she nipped at his shoulder to stifle her cry.

  "Look at me, Maddie,” he instructed.

  Her eyes fluttered open, locking with his darkened gaze. In those near-black portals she read the depth of his desire. It was her undoing. With one hard thrust, he slammed into her and her release ripped through her soul. Consuming. Gratifying. Overwhelming.

  He joined her climax with a ragged gasp, and he curled his fingers so tight his nails bit painfully into the backs of her hands. He never broke their gaze, and as she stared up at him, mesmerized, his ecstasy crept into her heart. It rolled over, tumbling against her ribs.

  In that moment, Maddie realized she'd let him in. She didn't surrender just to the pleasure he created. She shared a piece of her very soul. He'd done the same. His understanding was etched into his tender expression.

  Swallowing thickly, she offered him a trembling smile, accepting that what they'd just shared went beyond simple sex.

  * * * *

  Riley loosened his grip on Maddie's hands and sank down against her, breathless and panting. As he felt her flesh twinge around his cock, he savored the last fragments of their passionate union. In sixteen years of sexual experience and two fairly long-term relationships, he'd never given a woman a part of himself.

  Until now.

  Maddie just claimed something he didn't quite understand. And the power of that realization left him shaking. Her fingers danced through his hair, pushing its damp ends away from his face. Her simple touch did amazing things to his system. At once he felt alive, invigorated and ... cherished in some peculiar way.

  He was still joined with her, and the idea of separating left him cold. If it were possible to sleep this way, without suffocating her, he'd do so in a heartbeat. But Maddie needed sleep. He'd used her body to convince her into this amazing encounter, and to keep her awake further would only be selfish.

  "Riley?” Behind the hesitant question, he heard the trembling quality of her voice.

  Unexplainably, he understood her question. Maybe because it raced through his mind as well. What just happened?

  Lifting his head from her shoulder, he gazed down into her liquid green eyes. “I think you better tell Sybil your room is hers for the weekend."

  She pushed a stray wave of his hair out of his eyes and smiled up at him. “I'll hand over the keycard tomorrow morning. I'll talk to her tonight when we get back."

  So she wouldn't be here with him tonight. A touch of regret pulled at his gut.

  Her fingertips danced across his cheek, and he closed his eyes to the pleasant sensation.

  "I don't suppose you can explain this, huh?” she whispered.

  "I don't think I want to know why,” he admitted. It was far easier to just accept there was something strange, and extremely unique between them.

  With straining effort, he slid out of her slick sheath and maneuvered their bodies into the bed the correct way. Maddie pulled the comforter over them and snuggled up close, fitting her backside against him with perfect precision. He turned slightly to set the alarm so she'd have time to dress for dinner, then rolled toward her, draping his arm around her narrow waist.

  There was something he needed to say, but damned if he knew the words. They formed on his tongue, refusing to connect with his brain.

  "I have a dog,” he blurted out. Grimacing, he gave himself a mental kick. Could he possibly find anything more stupid to say?

  Maddie lay silent for several long minutes, but the way she trailed her nails up and down the length of his forearm told him she hadn't fallen asleep. She ran her fingers across the back of his hand before entwining them with his.

  "I've always wanted a dog,” she murmured.

  Riley's entire body sighed. Despite the nonsense, she understood.

  * * * *

  With a loud gasp, Maddie bolted upright, flinging Riley's arm off her waist in the process. His eyes jerked open to find her clutching the comforter beneath her chin, her chest heaving, her eyes as wide as saucers.

  He lifted himself up on an elbow and set his hand atop her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze. “Maddie?” A quick glance at the clock told him she hadn't been asleep much longer than an hour.

  She sank back against the pillows.

  He pulled her close, cradling her against his chest. “What's wrong?” he asked as he nuzzled her cheek.

  Squeezing her eyes shut, she shook her head. But as Riley held her close, he felt her shudder. She was scared. With a frown, he tightened the arm about her waist, hoping to allay whatever had frightened her. “Tell me, angel."

  "It was just a dream. I'll be okay in a minute."

  She wasn't. Nor was she relaxed five minutes later. At ten, she still stared wide—eyed at the ceiling, and Riley couldn't tolerate not being able to comfort her.

  "Darlin', I can't make it better if you don't tell me,” he murmured into her hair.

  She let out a deep sigh. “It's just a dream, Riley. I have it all the time. You'd think by now I'd be used to it."

  Progress. “What happens in it?"

  He felt her stiffen and pushed on her shoulder to roll her onto her back so he could look at her.

  "This is terribly inappropriate to discuss while I'm lying naked in bed with you, Riley."

  With a chuckle he shook his head, arguing. There wasn't much she could say that would be inappropriate after all they'd shared. “Tell me."

  Sighing once more, she tossed an arm over her head and turned to look at him. “Remember the jockey you asked me about? The one who died when Desperate Echo threw him?"

  All right. Dreams about other guys might push his limits. His gut twisted uncomfortably. “Yeah."

  "His name was Nate. Nate and I were ... close."

  Nope, he didn't want to hear another word. Th
e flush that crept into her cheeks said more than he needed to hear. “Uh—huh."

  "I've dreamed about him on and off since his death."

  Absolutely not what he wanted to hear after mind-numbing sex.

  "It's almost always before a big race. But in the last year or so, since Infidelity has been running, I've dreamt of him more frequently."

  He tried to temper his scowl and managed to curb it into a slight frown. One he hoped looked more curious than annoyed.

  "You'd have to understand,” she said as she rolled onto her side and set her palm against his chest. “Nate was always telling me to not be afraid of taking risks. He'd be the first person to tell me that you're the best thing that could have happened to me, right now."

  He arced his eyebrow. Maybe this wasn't going the direction he'd assumed it would. Gritting his teeth, he tamped down the urge to ask her whether she believed that or not. He'd come back to that subject later.

  "Anyway, in my dream, Nate's fallen off Echo, and I'm there. His head is in my lap. Only, he's not dead yet. Not the instant death he suffered at Saratoga. He looks up at me and says, ‘Sweetheart, the risk isn't worth it. It's in the blood. It will ruin you.'” She shivered again, and Riley slipped an arm beneath her to bring her closer. “I get this overwhelming feeling he's trying to tell me something important.” She chuckled. “It sounds so harmless now, telling you what he said. But in the dream, Riley, I feel ... threatened. Like there's something waiting in the shadows."

  He ran his hands down her back, and dipped his head to kiss the tip of her nose. “Waiting for what?"

  "That's what I don't know. You know how in the movies they always play the eerie music when the killer's about to do something awful?"

  As he nodded, he gave her a grin.

  "That's the feeling I have. And the fact Nate is telling me not to take a risk—that's completely against his nature. I know it means something, something that my subconscious is trying to tell me, but damn, Riley, I can't begin to understand it. If I did, it wouldn't scare me like it does."

  "You said you've had it more frequently since Infidelity's been running?"