by E. J. Noyes
“Glad to hear it,” she murmured. “And how are you? Sorry, I forgot my manners. Too busy losin’ my mind over how incredible you look.” That indulgent gaze, as if she were committing me to memory, made my skin feel as if it were on fire.
“I know the feeling.” After a long, slow inhalation I felt controlled enough to continue, “And I’m great. Do we really have to do this? Now I just want to find a cozy restaurant somewhere and have dinner with only you.” And then plenty of things afterward that were not safe to verbalize unless I wanted to skip dinner altogether.
“That would be my Plan A too, but unfortunately we’re stuck with Plan B—make eyes at each other all night and hope nobody notices.” She grinned. “Well, nobody but Wren who apparently notices everything if her sly looks and offhanded comments are any indication.”
“Does that bother you? Is us a problem? I mean, pretty much everyone on the Big Tour circuit is either hooking up with someone else on the circuit or legally attached to them.” I smiled wryly. “Except me.”
“No, us isn’t a problem. It is the opposite of a problem. And technically I’m part of the circuit, so I’m sorry to say you’re no special snowflake, just hookin’ up like everyone else.”
“We’re not hooking up,” I pointed out, and saying it aloud made me realize just how much I wanted it to not be the case.
“No,” Addie mused. “We aren’t. Yet…” Then as if she hadn’t just said something that had my skin tingling, she took my elbow and turned me toward the restaurant door. “Ready for some team bonding?”
“As I’ll ever be. Which isn’t very much.”
“No?” Addie’s smile was naughty, which did nothing for the excitement fluttering around my body. “Well I’m very into bond…ing.”
I tried for a Did you really have to say that now? expression but had the feeling I just looked helpless.
Dakota’s approach was to flirt outrageously with Addie, despite the fact Addie wasn’t inviting it, and Dakota was married to her much-older-than-her oil-tycoon husband as she liked to tell everyone regularly. I wondered if she thought she and her horse might receive some sort of preferential treatment as a result of said flirting. Wren had been wrangled into a seat at the other end of the table, leaving me sandwiched between Mary and Ian like some goody-two-shoes sitting with the teachers. Never great at small talk or idle chat, I tried to keep my face from falling into resting-bitch face, which was its unfortunate default expression when I was trying hard to pay attention.
Addie, seated directly opposite, glanced my way occasionally in between being her usual friendly self with those around her. She managed to be interactive and friendly yet gave Dakota no leeway with her flirting. A fact Dakota didn’t seem to recognize if her constant attempts were any indication. Every now and then Addie would catch my eye, and either wink or make an expression that was clearly Can you believe this woman?
Yes, Addie. I certainly can believe that woman.
The others talked mostly among themselves and Ian. That left me to a riveting conversation with a tipsy Mary. I lost count of how often she whispered that I shouldn’t tell the others but I was their big hope for an individual medal. Thanks, Mary, because that doesn’t add to my pile of pressure at all… I’d employed my nod, smile, and murmured “I’ll do my best” routine for the third time when something cool touched my calf.
I almost jerked my leg away until I realized it was Addie. Or rather the incredibly sexy heel attached to Addie’s foot. Her look was deliberately innocent, and having clearly confirmed that her foot had met its intended target, she kept sliding it up and down my calf. The whole time her foot caressed my leg, she kept up a conversation that bounced between Dakota and the others around her. Talent.
With one elbow propped on the table she played with her drop earring, ran a forefinger along her jaw…down her neck…across her collarbone. I gulped a mouthful of wine and managed to avert my eyes before I embarrassed myself. I managed to keep them averted for about five seconds, before they were pulled back to her blatant display of sexuality. A rush of heat ran down my spine and spread outward at the sensation of her foot sliding up and under my dress to caress the soft skin just above my knee. Ahem.
If it wasn’t pre-dessert and still impolite to bail I probably would have shot Addie a very pointed look and politely made my excuses. Stupid social conventions. For now it was more small talk paired with excellent food and wine. I supposed it could have been worse. I could have been sitting next to Dakota.
Once the last plates had been cleared, the group relaxed into drinking mode and plans were being made to check out some of the local bars. Mary reminded everyone of their obligations, and our flights to Brazil the day after tomorrow. It probably would have been more effective and less hypocritical if not for the bottle of Moët she’d consumed.
By the time it seemed things might finally move on around nine thirty p.m. I was still mostly sober, and watching everyone get drunker had become tedious. But Addie was still at the table and I was not leaving before she did. Or without her, a little part of my brain helpfully added.
Addie’s quiet, “Excuse me” cut through the white noise of chatter. She stood, gave me a look, then walked off in the direction of the ladies’ room. I watched her departure, admired the sensual roll of her hips as she made her way through the restaurant, and hoped fervently that my face didn’t look as hot as it felt.
After a minute, I excused myself too, ignoring Wren’s arm flick as I passed her. Only one stall of the bathroom was occupied, by Addie obviously, and the moment the bathroom door had closed behind me I felt a sudden wave of uncertainty. What if I was mistaking all this for my own wishful, lustful thinking? What if here and now was all she wanted?
Feeling conspicuous about just standing around in the ladies’ room, I washed my hands while studying myself in the mirror. A pang of anxiety flared, that familiar kind that always came whenever I thought about romance, intimacy, sharing myself with someone. The anxiety fueled by the fear that I wouldn’t ever be enough, that they’d realize my selfish priorities left little room for anything or anyone else.
The toilet flushed and the door behind me opened, and I raised my eyes to find Addie and that dress in the mirror. Her smile was slow, her gaze sliding lazily downward to check out things below my waist.
I turned. “Enjoying all the attention from Dakota?”
“Not at all.” She gently pushed into my personal space and washed her hands. “It’s not attention from the person I want.” After a pause, she smiled at me, her expression both knowing and incredulous. “Are you jealous?”
“No,” I said immediately. “I’m amused.”
“Good. There’s nothing to be jealous about.” Her voice was a low, lazy drawl that made me think of honey trickling from a spoon. “Because I don’t want her. Not at all.”
Excitement pushed that anxiety aside and I fought to moderate my voice so it didn’t sound rushed and squeaky. “Who do you want?”
“You really have to ask me that?” She took a step forward until we were toe to toe. One of Addie’s arms snaked around my waist, holding me in place.
“No. I just want to hear you say it.” Needed to hear it and have it out in the world where I’d know it to be true.
“You, Caitlyn. It’s only ever been you.” Addie’s fingertip traced the bare skin of my chest, dipping lower until it skimmed the neckline of my dress. “The day we saw each other again for the first time since Pony Club, you asked me why I’d pushed you into the water trough.” She smiled. “I realized just now that I never answered you.”
“You didn’t? Honestly I’d forgotten I’d asked that. So,” I prompted. “Why did you do it?”
“Because I wanted to see your boobs through your clinging wet shirt.”
“I see. And did you see what you wanted to?”
“Yes.”
“And did you like what you saw?”
“Yes.”
I stepped even closer until out bo
dies lightly touched. “I’d imagine they’ve filled out a little since then.”
Addie’s tongue flashed out to swipe over her lower lip. “They have,” she whispered, those two words a hoarse, strained admission. “Quite a lot and quite well in fact.”
“Would you like to see them again?” My boldness surprised me. Normally I’d have waited for the other woman to make the move, never pushing until I was entirely sure of the answer. But her undisguised want not only made me certain and pushed away all my fear, but had my insides turning liquid with need.
“I would, very much. But this time I don’t want it to be sneaky.” Addie drew a finger along my collarbone. “I want you to show me.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. The implication of the words, that delicate knowing touch, hit me like a freight train. Then Addie’s lips were on mine, a furious, possessive kiss that stole my breath. A teasing tongue, the gentlest nip of teeth. Some distantly rational part of me recognized we were in a bathroom where anyone could walk in, and that doing what I most wanted wasn’t a good idea. But that thought wasn’t enough to make me want to stop. I pulled Addie into the stall furthest from the sink and locked the door, but before I could do anything, she’d spun me around and pushed me backward. A thigh slid between mine and her body pressed me to the wall. I clutched her back, groaning as she sucked my neck.
Addie stilled. “Too far?” she whispered.
“Not far enough.” I leaned in and kissed her again, slicking my tongue along her lower lip.
She opened her mouth to me and for a second I didn’t know what to do. My whole life was about reading nuance, feeling for things that weren’t visible, understanding rhythm and balance. But right now I was utterly lost. Luckily, Addie knew exactly how to lead. She drew me in, stroked my tongue with hers and kissed me so deeply I felt like I was falling.
Addie pulled away first, inhaling a sharp breath that didn’t help to steady her voice. “I think we should go.”
I nodded my agreement, unable to find words with all the thoughts and sensations flooding me.
The two words she spoke made me quiver. “Where to?”
“Unless you want to have sex on a very narrow bunk bed and risk Wren bursting in at any time, it’ll have to be your place.”
“Narrow bunk, yes. Interruption, no. I want you all to myself until the morning.”
I had to swallow before I could answer, “Good. Then take me to bed.”
Chapter Sixteen
Addie
Thankfully nobody batted an eyelid when Caitlyn and I made our excuses and slipped out in the middle of post-dinner drinks. Actually, Dakota did, but it was more of a drunk eyelash fluttering in my direction than an I know you’re sneaking away to have sex look. Wren’s pointed look, however, was just that—a smug, sly nod coupled with a knowing wink at both Caitlyn and me.
The moment we’d rounded the corner out of sight, Caitlyn took my hand. She twined our fingers together, her grip firm as if she was afraid I’d disappear and yet at the same time there was softness in the touch. Caitlyn pulled me to a stop at the host stand and had a quick conversation with the young woman about ordering a car.
We were silent as we exited the restaurant and she let her fingers carry a conversation for her. The way she kept moving her thumb along mine and the gentle squeeze of her fingertips made my nerves tingle, and by the time we were standing on the sidewalk I felt entirely undone.
Caitlyn peered down the street. “Car should be here in five minutes. Too long,” she murmured.
“You can do a lot in five minutes…”
“Yes, you can,” she agreed. Leaning in, she whispered against my ear, “Unfortunately, what I want to do to you might get us arrested for public indecency.” Her hand slid down my back, stopping just above my ass.
My body was still humming from our kiss in the bathroom and this touch, her casual words, sent a shudder down my spine. “If you’re trying to stop us doing things that might get us arrested, then maybe we shouldn’t touch. It’ll only lead to…things.” I backed up a step and stayed there until the car arrived.
Caitlyn and I sat at opposite ends of the rear seat and in the dim light I could barely make out her expression. I stared out the window as we drove, trying and failing to grasp the thoughts zinging around my brain. I’d been thinking about taking Caitlyn to bed for so long and now that it was on my doorstep, I realized anxiety was knocking as well.
The light from the small office at the far end of the box stalls was on—there were two horse-savvy security guards on night watch—and one of them peeked out the door as we walked past. Apparently satisfied he knew who we were, he waved and popped back inside.
“Do you want to look in on Dewey?” I asked. I really didn’t want to delay, but I also knew where Caitlyn’s priorities lay.
She glanced at the dark building. “It’s fine. But thanks. They haven’t called to say anything’s amiss and Wren will check him when she comes home.”
Caitlyn stood behind me on the tiny porch as I searched through my clutch for the key. And searched. And searched. The anxiety of being unable to find what I needed coupled with the press of her against my back and the barely-there touch of her lips on my neck and shoulders had my hands trembling, and I couldn’t focus on the basic task. When her hands wandered down my stomach, I decided I’d better do something about finding the key before this got completely out of hand. I snatched a handful of stuff from the bag. Phew. “Got it,” I said inanely.
“Good,” she said. Then a longer kiss to my neck as I pushed the key into the lock. “I was about to give the security guys a peep show,” Caitlyn mumbled against my skin.
It was all I could do to open the door and usher her inside. I locked the door again and when I turned around Caitlyn was a breath away from me. “Are we really doing this?” she quietly asked.
“Yes, I think we are. If you’re sure.” I paused to give her every opportunity to tell me she didn’t want this, that she wanted to slow down and back up a step. She did anything but. Gripping my hip with one hand and my arm with the other, she pulled me to her and kissed me. My anxiety fled, replaced by excitement as she let me know just how much she wanted this.
If I’d thought she was hungry before, she was ravenous now. She was a little taller than me, but not stronger and she let out a squeak of surprise when I pushed her backward until she was against the wall. The bed was too far away—we could get there later. Right now I just had to have her. I knelt and pushed her dress up to mid-thigh, kissing my way up her leg until I was too impeded by fabric to go any higher. Her breathing rasped out, loud and erratic, and a restless hand tangled in my hair.
Caitlyn helped me yank down her panties, kicking them away before pulling my hands to her skin. If my grip on her thighs was too rough and my mouth too hungry, she didn’t tell me to stop. Instead, she kept urging me on with barely coherent words and frantic hands. Her leg was slung over my shoulder, the heel of her shoe digging into my back as I slicked my tongue through her heat. She was completely bare of hair and the sensation of smooth, warm skin against my lips made my stomach tighten with need.
Caitlyn’s breathing hitched and grew shallow as I sucked her clit, and she took a fistful of my hair, guiding me to press my mouth more firmly against her. I took my time exploring her, tasting her and with every sweep of tongue and touch of lips her muscles grew tighter, her breathing even shallower. She exhaled a disjointed, gasping, “I—yes, that’s…yes…there.”
I tried desperately to focus on her pleasure, on giving her what she wanted and not the torturous pressure between my thighs. The problem, of course, was that Caitlyn’s quivering and moaning had my arousal building until it was hard to concentrate on the delicious woman I had in my mouth. Her head hit the wall with a soft thud and she hissed out something that was either pain or pleasure. The flood of wet heat in my mouth reassured me it wasn’t the former. The grip on my hair tightened.
“Mercy,” she begged. “Please.”
I wiped my mouth on her inner thigh and couldn’t help going back to place a lingering kiss against her wetness. She twitched and pushed me away, exhaling a moan. I stood, but before I could press my body to hers, she placed a hand on my shoulder to keep me in place. Caitlyn’s grin was pure devil as she reached behind to unzip her dress and unfasten her bra. She pulled the garments from her shoulders and let them fall, leaving her utterly naked.
Caitlyn unclothed left me incoherent. I managed a kind of squeaky gurgle then a moany kind of gasp which she thankfully seemed to take for what I was trying to say, which was something along the lines of “You’re gorgeous, I’m speechless.” Her mouth turned upward in knowing smile as I let my eyes wander.
She was long and lean, supple and muscular from so many hours on horses, with endless legs, small firm breasts and a wondrous landscape of curves and swells. She had an intoxicating combination of confidence and an obvious vulnerability, as if she truly didn’t understand just how much I wanted her. Just looking at her had my stomach quivering with anticipation, my skin goose pimpling.
Caitlyn toed out of her heels which brought us almost eye-level. “Now,” she murmured, “I believe I said take me to bed, not to the wall.”
“Okay.” I had to swallow and after an eternity of trying to find something sexy, something clever, got out a husky and not-at-all-clever, “I want you to sit on my face.”
Her mouth quirked. “Oh really? I thought maybe you could sit on mine.” The tip of her forefinger traced a line from the base of my throat to my navel. “It’s been a while since you’ve…ridden anything, hasn’t it?”