Seduction's Stakes

by Claire Ashgrove

  Maddie wound one leg around his waist as her emotions stacked on top of one another. Pleasure, desire, need and love all collided together with a dizzying effect that had her leg tightening, holding him inside her sheath as ecstasy burst through her body. She sank her teeth into his shoulder to stifle her cry. He slid an arm behind her back, molding her into him, as if he couldn't get close enough.

  With a shudder, he drove in deep, joining her in release.

  She felt light, as if she lay on a blanket of air, overwhelmed by the tightness in her chest. Her skin tingled as it washed first hot, then cold, then tempered into pleasant warmth. His arm eased, and lowered her slowly to the floor as he whispered her name against her throat.

  Opening her eyes, she gave him a soft smile and slipped one hand through his hair.

  He returned her smile as he brushed the tip of his nose across hers.

  "I love you,” she murmured.

  His shoulders tensed, and his lips nibbled their way toward her temple, silent for a suspended heartbeat. “I...” He dropped his mouth against her cheek. “Know, angel."

  The heat in her veins turned cold at his reply. She turned her head to the side, clamping down on her lower lip to curb a rush of tears. For a moment, she'd thought he felt the same, but he spoiled it all with his unfeeling response. The beauty of their loving now tarnished, she fought back the painful wrench of her heart. Pushing at his shoulders, she struggled to escape his hold. When he released her, she rolled on to her side, staring at the fire, fighting the urge to cry.

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  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Riley squeezed his eyes shut. Could he be any more of a goddamn ass? Lying beside her with his hand on her hip, he felt her shoulders shudder and knew she was crying. He wanted to make it right. Would have cut off limbs to take back his response. He'd have been better served by staying silent than saying I know. The only kind of asshole that came up with something so unemotional was one who felt nothing at all. And what he was feeling right now, surpassed nothing by leaps and bounds, and bordered on overwhelming.

  For half a second he thought he could succeed. But the reality of uttering something so revealing clamped his throat closed like a vice. Tonight of all nights. After everything had gone so perfectly, he ruined it.

  He tightened his fingers, squeezing her hip. “Maddie."

  She didn't move.

  "Angel, we should talk."

  "About?” she asked in a low whisper.

  Hell, he didn't know. He just couldn't leave her laying here like this. Couldn't let her cry when there might be a chance he'd fix it somehow. With a deep breath he bit out, “Us."

  When she still didn't move and her shoulders shook a little more, he tugged at her, rolling her onto her back and covering her upper body with his. He brushed away her tears with the pads of his thumbs, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. He couldn't stand to see her cry.

  "I know how you feel about me, angel. Every time you look at me, you tell me. When I make love to you, Maddie, I feel it."

  It was so easy to discuss her emotions. Now why in the hell couldn't he talk about his?

  "You never say anything.” She swiped at her cheeks, pushing away to sit up.

  Letting out a long sigh, he sat up beside her, and pulled the blanket over their legs. “I don't know what to say,” he allowed.

  She turned to look at him, her eyes pools of liquid emeralds. “Don't you feel anything, Riley?"

  "Of course I do. If I didn't, angel, I wouldn't be here."

  With a hiss, she grit her teeth. “That's not what I mean. Riley, I want more than just committed sex. With the exception of the first time, it's never been about sex with you."

  It wasn't with her, either, but goddamn, he didn't know how to say that. Frowning, he picked at the blanket fuzz. “Angel, I'm not very good with words. I feel things, but I can't say them. I don't ... I try ... hell, Maddie.” Frustrated, he punched his fist against his thigh.

  "Hell, Maddie what? If there's something you want to say, spit it out,” she snapped.

  "I can't, damn it."

  She drew back, glaring at him. “Because it might hurt me?"

  Shaking his head, he reached for her hand, but she jerked it away.

  "I want to know why you want me here, Riley. I've tried to keep my mouth shut, but you haven't even acknowledged that I told you I loved you. How's that supposed to make me feel?"

  All right, he was going to do this. It wouldn't kill him. Maddie wasn't the sort of person that would use his feelings against him later.

  "I want you here because...” Because I can't imagine being without you. That sounded stupid. “You and I make a good team. A good partnership. Like a strong business arrangement where both vested parties earn significant returns."

  Her gaze narrowed.

  Shit. Wrong thing to say. He winced even before she opened her mouth.

  "A business arrangement?"

  Her incredulous stare cut through to his gut.

  Rising in pitch, her voice hardened. “A business arrangement? If I wanted a goddamn business partner, Riley, you can bet your ass it wouldn't involve orgasms."

  Shit, shit, shit. The only other time Maddie swore at him and meant it was after she'd spent two hours making dinner, and he showed up three hours late. Her salad had wilted, her noodles stuck together, and the champagne had lost its fizz. Think, Riley. Think!

  "That's not exactly how I meant that."

  With an arched eyebrow she asked, “Just what, exactly, did you mean?"

  "I meant ... When I'm with you ... I can't think straight. I've already told you this, Maddie. I want to touch you, and it doesn't seem like it's enough. At the same time, it seems like it's everything. Damn it, Maddie, I don't know what I'm trying to say! It's all tangled up inside, and I can't sort it out."

  She pursed her lips, leapt to her feet and grabbed her clothes from the floor. “I guess you better figure it out. I can find a business partner and orgasms elsewhere. Damn it, Riley, I want your love. The whole goddamn package that comes with Christmas in Tahiti!” As her voice caught once again, she stormed from the room.

  He squeezed his eyes shut stifling an oath and flinched as the bedroom door slammed shut. Way to go, asshole. This was precisely why he avoided commitment as a general rule. Yet, this time, his heart wouldn't have anything to do with avoiding Maddie. He had to fix this somehow. Had to get it right this time.

  Kicking off the blanket he followed her, but found the door locked, barring his way. Swearing some more, he grit his teeth and knocked. “Let me in, Maddie."

  "Go away,” she mumbled.

  "We've been through this scene before. I'm not going away. Let me in."

  "Not tonight, Riley,” she answered with a sigh.

  "Then give me my damn shorts."

  He listened to her shuffle around, heard a drawer bang shut. The door opened and her hand darted out, a pair of grey boxers dangling from her fingers. “Maddie, let me in,” he tried again.

  She dropped his shorts on the floor, closing the door once more. As the latch clicked into place, he leaned against the doorframe, aching with something he couldn't quite comprehend.

  * * * *

  Maddie woke up sweating, Nate's words an eerie echo in her head. Instinctively, she reached for Riley, then remembered she'd barred him from their bed. Grabbing up his pillow, she clutched it to her chest, and rocked herself back and forth, trying to forget the foreboding dream.

  One day left until the Belmont, and where she should be anxiously awaiting Infidelity's run, the event only filled her with dread. If Nate would stop haunting her, she could relax. If Riley were beside her, she might find sleep again.

  God, she hadn't realized how much she depended on him to wake up when she did, be there to hold her until she stopped trembling, talk to her, and focus her mind on other subjects.

  Tonight ranked at the top of awful things she could experience. What had started as so perfect,
ended in disaster. He'd asked her, not more than two days ago, to have patience with him. And what did she do? Push a little harder.

  Sighing, she leaned back against the headboard. She hadn't intended to lock him out all night. Meant to let him in after she cooled off. Instead, she fell asleep.

  She kicked back the covers, shivered against the chilly air, and yanked his t-shirt over her head. He was the one who had to get up early, gallop horses, spend the afternoon preparing for the race. Her job consisted only of observing. Damn it though, she didn't want to cave. Didn't feel like extending the olive branch. Business arrangement—she let out a little snort.

  Still, she couldn't leave him out there either cramped up on the couch or on the hard floor. Such was the problem with love. Even though she hurt, it pained her more to see him suffer.

  With a mutter, she went to the door and stuck her head outside. Her heart lurched a little, and she drummed her head against the doorframe lightly. She shouldn't have looked. Should have just opened the door and hollered.

  Curled up almost in a ball, he lay near the fire, the thin blanket pulled up almost to his ears. A wine glass lay on its side not far from his reach.

  Damn and double damn.

  She crept out of the bedroom and went to his side to give him a gentle shake. When she set her hand on his shoulder, his skin felt chilly. Her heart twisted even more. Setting her jaw against what logic said she shouldn't do, she nudged him.

  His eyes opened in an instant, but he didn't turn her way.

  "Come to bed,” she said on a sigh and extended her hand.

  He didn't look pleased as he hauled himself upright. In fact, he looked more than a little annoyed. Determined not to feel guilty, she wagged her fingers, inviting him to take her hand. He grabbed hold, and she helped him to his feet, then led him to the bed.

  As he joined her beneath the covers, he kept his distance. To Maddie, it felt as wide as a gaping cavern, dividing them where they'd never been anything but connected. This was how they belonged, where they belonged—couldn't he see that?

  Riley let out a long, harassed sigh and fit his hand into her waist. His fingers gripped her firmly, pulling her back against him, settling his arm around her as her back melded into his chest. God, he felt so right.

  "I'm sorry, angel."

  Maddie hid her sad smile and refused to look at him, answering, “I know."

  * * * *

  Stepping out of the cab, Maddie avoided taking Riley's hand. She fell into step behind him and followed to Belmont Park's stables. Without a word, she turned down the aisle opposite his and meandered toward Infidelity's stall. Brush in hand, John stood at the colt's side, sweeping the shavings off Infidelity's rump.

  "How's he doing this morning, John?"

  "Seems to be just fine, Miss McCleery. Archie's getting ready to take him up for a gallop. Last time around the track before tomorrow."

  "Oh good, I'm not late then."

  "Not a bit. I don't suppose you might know what Riley wants to talk to me about, would you? Scott dropped in this morning and gave me the message to drop by.” He moved around Infidelity's rump to brush the colt's other side.

  Maddie blinked at him. “Ah, no. I didn't even know he wanted to talk to you. He's down at Spoil's stall when you're finished."

  A few more flicks of his wrist down Infidelity's neck, and John dropped the brush into his grooming apron. Leaning against the stall doorway, she watched as he tossed a saddle pad over Infidelity's gleaming coat, and then positioned the small racing saddle atop it. He buckled it like he could do it in his sleep, then threaded Infidelity's lead rope through the heavy iron loop, tying him in place.

  John leaned out of the doorway and glanced down the aisle toward Riley's stall. “I guess I better wait on Archie."

  "Oh, go on. I can put a bridle on when Archie gets here."

  "You sure?"

  She gave him a teasing frown. “Sure I can put a bridle on, or sure I don't mind if you leave?"

  In a rare moment, his face filled with chagrin. “Sorry, Miss McCleery. I didn't intend to insult your capabilities."

  Chuckling, she waved him on. “Scoot, John. I was teasing."

  When he disappeared outside the stall, Maddie remembered something she'd neglected to tell him. She darted after him. “John, wait!"

  Thirty feet away he stopped, turned around, and started back in her direction. “Yeah?"

  "We've been at Belmont several times, my family and I. Although we've only been in the Belmont Stakes four or five times, we have a tradition. Every year, on the day before the race, we go over to Taddie Mae's for lunch. You're welcome to join us if you'd like."

  "Us?"

  She answered with a nod. “Archie and I. Although this year Riley and Scott are likely to come along."

  "Sounds fun. I'll be back here in a few minutes."

  Maddie turned away as he started back down the aisle. What in the hell could Riley want to talk to John about? Riley didn't like him, last she knew.

  Archie's hearty good morning spun her about, and knowing how he hated to be kept waiting, she hurried to bridle her horse before he could complain.

  "What are you doing, Maddie-girl? Where's that John?"

  "Talking to Riley.” At his frown she hurried to add, “Don't ask. I don't have any idea why."

  "Hm.” Archie shrugged. “Want to come up to the track with me? See how he runs? I'm keeping it light today. Don't want to wear him out before tomorrow. We've got a good position, and our odds are increasing."

  "They are?"

  Archie nodded. “Course that might have something to do with the fact that Sound And Fury pulled up lame yesterday. Abscess in his front left."

  One less horse on the field, and the scratch put Brimstone right in the middle of Infidelity and Mister Spoilsport. Just like the Preakness. An eerie chill wafted down her spine. Had fate come to give her a second chance?

  She glanced at Infidelity, torn between wanting him to win and wanting Mister Spoilsport to claim the Triple Crown.

  "Think you can help hold him while I get on? Or you want me to wait on John?"

  She gave Archie a smile and quipped, “I can hold a horse. It hasn't been that long, Archie."

  "Well it's been long enough. Damn kids. Hibernating in a bed.” His hearty laugh echoed through the expansive aisle and bounced off the metal roof.

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  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  As Infidelity rounded the far side of the track and slowed down to a jog, Maddie beamed. He didn't just look ready, he looked breathtaking. Riley would have loved to see this gallop. Infidelity fairly soared around the practice track, and Archie hadn't done anything but give him his head.

  They pulled up near her place on the outside rail, and as she reached up to stroke his velvety nose, he snorted, spraying a fine mist all over her arm. She laughed as she ducked under the rail and grabbed hold of his reins, assisting Archie back to their stall.

  "He looks beautiful."

  "He's ready. Haven't felt him be this ready in a long while. Maybe he'll upset your Mister Spoilsport after all."

  She wasn't sure she wanted to see that, but flashed Archie a bright smile and nodded. If she dared confess she'd like to see Spoil win, he'd rant and rave for days.

  "Are we doing lunch again this year, Maddie-girl? Or do you and Riley have different plans?"

  "No, no, we're doing lunch. I invited John and had intended to ask Riley and Scott to come with us."

  "Didn't see Riley with you this morning. How's he holding up? Is he getting antsy about tomorrow morning?"

  "No, he's not too worried.” She grimaced inwardly. How could he be? She'd forced him to think about other things. “Concerned as anyone would be, but he handles races with amazing cool. Although, I suspect tomorrow, he'll be a basket of nerves."

  The short walk came to an end. As Archie swung off Infidelity's back, John rushed forward to take the reins from her hands.

  "Did you fi
nd out what Riley wanted?” she asked.

  "No, he wasn't there. Back in a bit—off to cool him out.” John marched away with Infidelity.

  Riley not there? That didn't sound like him. She glanced down the aisle, searching for some sign of him. His stall area was quiet. She made out Scott sitting in a chair, his feet propped up on a cooler as he read a magazine. Odd indeed. Riley had seemed anxious to get here.

  "I'm going to go ask Scott if he wants to come with us, Archie."

  He waved her off with one hand. “Go on then."

  Lifting her shoulders a little straighter, she started down the aisle. If Riley was there, she didn't know what she'd say beyond extending the lunch invitation. She didn't want him getting the impression everything was fine. It wasn't fine. Even if she did let him back into their bed and didn't fight him when he held her.

  "Hey, Scott,” she called as she approached.

  "Morning, Maddie. Stop by to view the competition?” He flashed her a mischievous grin.

  "No, I came up to see if you and Riley wanted to join all of us for lunch. It's a McCleery Racing tradition."

  "I'll come along, but Riley isn't here."

  She furrowed her brow. “Isn't here? Where'd he run off to?"

  "Not real sure, Maddie. He was pretty distracted. Said he had some things to do and caught a cab a few minutes after you two pulled up."

  She understood the distracted part. But he hadn't hinted at anything he needed to do, not even earlier in the week. As far as she knew, today was wide open for him.

  "Didn't say when he'd come back did he?"

  Scott shook his head. “I imagine he won't be real late. He said something yesterday about dragging you to the parade tonight."

  He hadn't said anything to her about that, either. Then again, she hadn't exactly given him a lot of opportunity. They'd been pressed for time to get ready for the ball, and after ... Well after was something she wanted to forget.

  "Hm. All right. Well, we're going to Taddie Mae's as soon as John's finished cooling out Infidelity."

  "How'd he run?"

  "Ran good! I think he heard the noise from the main track and got a little excited. He was flying over that practice field. Is Spoil going to run today?"