Looking to the ceiling, Kara let out an uncomfortable chuckle and decided to shift the conversation. “Well, thank you for the drink, but you really didn’t have to. How are you feeling?”
“Why Doctor Davies, does the doctor in you never shut off?” She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “But to answer your question, I’m feeling very well, thanks to you. May have to get that done more often. My neck feels better than it has in a long time. You’re amazing.”
Kara rolled her eyes and laughed. “I do love it when women tell me I’m amazing.” An easy smile took shape as she returned the familiar phrase.
“Touché.” Sierra let out a melodious chuckle as she pulled out a twenty for their drinks.
Axel slid the glasses in front of them and gave Sierra a wink before quickly slipping away.
Feeling her confidence grow, Kara sat upright in her seat and met Sierra’s amused grin with her own. “Thank you for the drink. I’m glad you’re feeling better. And, yes, I can shut it off, once in a while. Since we’re not in the clinic anymore, please call me Kara.”
“Kara. I like that. So, is this your first time here? It’s my favorite place in town.” Sierra discretely slid closer as Kara turned and reached for her wine.
With her fingers around the delicate stem, Kara slowly brought the wine glass to her lips for a sip. She paused a moment to savor the dry, fruity flavor before turning back to answer. “I’ve been to Bend several times, but this is my first time at Taco’d.”
Sierra’s smiled in response and in the silence, Kara found her gaze drifting, starting at the black Fox brand ball cap turned backwards and covering dark hair that was neatly tucked behind Sierra’s ears. Then down, following the tan skinned trail laid out by her revealing dark gray V-neck. Unlike her, Sierra was comfortable in her own skin. She was certain the woman knew how to use her charms for good, or for evil.
“Oh?” Sierra leaned in closer, allowing Kara a better look. “Do you live nearby? Or only travel here for work…or maybe pleasure?”
Kara quickly returned the glass to her lips, relieving her now parched throat with another sip of wine. Trying to maintain her composure, she deflected to her comfort zone—the topic of work. “I’m not too far. That is, the company I do research for is not far. Sometimes I stop through when I work there. I love McMenamin’s. Having a beer while kicking back on a sofa in an old Catholic school auditorium is one of a kind.”
“It really is. It’s also unique with all the old school photos and the tiny elementary school-sized toilets.” Sierra chuckled.
“Very true,” Kara agreed with a grin. “But I do like this place too. The staff is wonderful, very friendly. I’ll have to come back.” She retreated to the safety of her wine glass while eyeing the dark-haired seductress.
Unfortunately, the heady mixture of entrancing eyes, abundant, unabashed cleavage, and alcohol were making Kara lightheaded faster than usual as blood rushed to places other than her brain. Distant places that had her wanting to do crazy, impulsive things.
“If you’re a chiropractor, then what kind of research do you do? And if it in any way involves needing test subjects to get some free treatments from you, I’m in.” Sierra touched Kara’s leg playfully as she laughed. This time, she didn’t flinch at the invasion of personal space and Sierra’s eyes sparkled.
Kara’s heart leapt into a full gallop, which only served to increase her feeling of unsteadiness. “Appealing to my scientific nature?” She raised a brow in jest. “I do actually have projects that could use a few more pro athletes. Measuring reaction times and gauging the effects on proprioception and mechanoreception in the cortex and cerebellum during sports related movement pre and post manipulation. Maybe I could help you shave a little off your time.”
Sierra’s eyes lit up and she grinned wildly. “I don’t know what the heck you’re talking about, but if you can help me win, I’m all for it.”
“I can’t make any promises, but every little detail helps. I’ll get you the information and put you on the list.” Kara indulged, downing the rest of her wine and then glancing around the bar in a poor attempt at avoiding Sierra’s gaze. The woman’s excitement had added to the shimmer in her amber eyes, effectively taking Kara’s breath away.
That might have been the worst idea she had ever had, but Kara couldn’t deny that she was equally as excited. And scared. And aroused. And…she would have to search a thesaurus later for more words, but basically, their working together could lead to any number of things happening and not all were good. The scientific possibilities had clouded her mind every bit as much as the desire radiating off of Sierra. Seemed work’s foothold in her cerebral cortex was getting some competition from the most beautiful woman she had ever laid eyes upon.
As the evening wore on, Kara enjoyed learning more about the nuances of the sport, which would help her create more precise tests, not to mention some tidbits about Sierra. She had come up with the crankset tattoo on her own. Having gotten the ink after her dad had passed a few years back, she said it “just made sense.” Downhill may have been her passion, but he had been her heart—a daddy’s girl to the end.
Following her third glass of Riesling, she became acutely aware of Sierra’s close proximity as the subtle brushes against her skin left her flushed from head to toe. The light mandarin orange musk overwhelmed her senses. It was a unique scent, not like the oft used vanilla or flowery perfumes. And it was subtle—very unlike the woman wearing it. Rather than be caught staring, Kara fought to focus on Sierra’s words, nodding when it seemed appropriate and smiling even though she had missed what had been said.
“See that girl over there?” Sierra pointed to her Aussie rival, the angle forcing their shoulders to meet.
“Mhm.” Kara swallowed hard. It was taking an iron will to follow the line of sight rather than admire the sculpted profile of the woman leaning against her.
“That’s Camryn. She seems to think she can scare people off by giving them ‘the look’. It’s supposed to put fear into her competitors and knock them off their game or something.” Sierra shrugged indifferently. “Hasn’t worked on me or Ronni, but a lot of the newbies sure do get rattled. She can be cool too, but you never can tell what you’ll get with her. The woman to her right, the one with straight black hair and way too much jewelry, that’s Evie. She owns Team Comp and acts like she owns everything else,” Sierra said in a tone that clearly stated how irritating she found the woman.
They both laughed. Kara gave in to her urge, shifting her gaze from the women across the room to the one beside her, landing on a smile directed at her that was brighter than all the oversized diamonds on Evie’s fingers combined. Kara bit her lip and returned a beaming smile of her own. She marveled at the way Sierra’s eyes lit up at the gesture. No one had ever looked at her that way—so honest and without intention. There was plenty of desire flickering in those sparkling eyes, but also the truth that Sierra simply enjoyed spending time with her. It was easy and fun and quite uncanny, considering the almost stifling amount of sexual energy keeping her on edge.
Having gotten the scoop on several of the other riders in the room, Kara returned the conversation to Sierra in an insatiable need to learn as much about her as possible. “Well, there is certainly an interesting collection of personalities here. What about you? How did you get started in downhill?”
“I did it to piss off my mom,” Sierra said with a laugh.
Kara smiled. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
Sierra shrugged and took a sip of her beer. “I can’t imagine.”
They shared a glance and then Kara dug a bit deeper. “It is dangerous. I can see why she wouldn’t approve.”
“It wasn’t that at all.” Sierra paused, seemingly drifting to another time and place. “She wasn’t around much, but when she was, she had a dream for a perfect little socialite princess. That was never me, as much as she tried. Anyway, when Ronni’s family started mountain biking, my dad got me a bike so I could
go with them. It didn’t take us long to become hell on wheels.” A fond smile shaped Sierra’s lips.
Kara’s eyes were once again drawn to that amazing smile—her heart making a quick skip as she laughed. “Oh, I have no doubt and how old were you?”
“Twelve. We didn’t start riding downhill until we were about…fifteen. But I was instantly hooked the from the very first trail ride. The freedom, the speed, the exhilaration, the oneness with nature. There’s nothing quite like it, whether you’re out for an easy ten mile an hour ride or screaming down a mountain.”
The fondness with which Sierra spoke of her sport was endearing. Kara could relate. That was how she felt about chiropractic and her research. “Then, that begs the question, what team do you ride for?”
“No one. I ride for myself,” she responded with pride. “Many riders are just like me, finding a few local sponsors while working a job to fund their dream. It’s hard, and there are a lot of women who either don’t make it or they are forced to cut their race schedule down. I’m lucky. My job giving mountain bike tours is flexible and I’ve been placing well enough to garner attention. People say they love my ‘reckless abandon and epic saves’, or whatever.” A wide grin took shape, but then fell away as she continued, “There are only a few big teams that will pay you to focus on riding, but there’s always a catch. My goal is to win a championship and then become a World Cup contender.”
Kara nodded her understanding. Female athletes always had to work so much harder than men’s, even though the talent was equally as strong. Of course, they had come a long way, but there was so much farther to go and she admired those who kept pushing their sport for bigger prize money and contracts. Yet, it didn’t seem like that was what Sierra was after. “But it sounds like you don’t want one of those teams.”
An impressed grin formed on Sierra’s lips. “Ya got that, did you?”
Kara nodded again.
“I’ve been approached and after some soul searching, I decided no, that wasn’t what I wanted. Ronni rides for Team Traxx and keeps nudging me to sign on. Sometimes they lend me some parts in a jam. It would make life easier for sure and I’m definitely grateful they’re here. We need big money teams to keep building the sport and giving women the chance to compete, but,” she shook her head, “I want to create my own success, my own brand. One of these days I’ll stand on top of the podium at season’s end as champion and I’d have done it my way. No one telling me where to be, what to do, or how to do it. Reckless abandon, epic saves, and all.” A laugh escaped, but determination burned in her eyes.
“I have no doubt you’ll succeed.”
“Thanks. Maybe your help will put me over the top,” Sierra said.
The statement was laced with hope, but not pressure, and Kara found herself wanting it to be true. She wanted to help this woman achieve her dreams and for the first time in her life, she wasn’t just thinking of what her research meant to her. Kara felt as if she were a partner in this endeavor, even though she was keenly aware no such relationship existed. Still, if she could help Sierra improve her times, then she would have used chiropractic research for something more than a professional journal entry. Instead of numbers as proof of success, she would have a real-life success story for a very deserving woman.
“Hey Sierra.”
An overly-sweet, honeyed voice was all it took to pull Kara from deep thought. She turned toward the sound to find an attractive blonde with silvery-gray eyes laying her hand on Sierra’s arm. She didn’t like it. The sight gnawed at her gut and bristled her cheeks, but she swallowed it down. She had no place.
“Hi, Harley,” Sierra responded. Their interaction spoke of an intimate familiarity.
“What’re you doing over here?” Harley looked Kara up and down in a less than friendly way before turning her attention back on Sierra. “Why don’t you come back with me and I’ll buy you another round?”
“I’m fine right here chatting with the new clinic doctor. Harley, meet Doctor Kara Davies.”
Harley gritted her teeth and politely shook Kara’s hand. “Pleasure,” she said with a snake-like smile and then immediately turned back to Sierra. “So, you coming back with me?”
Sierra gave her the stink eye. “Uh, maybe later. I’m quite comfortable here. I’ll be back in a little while.”
With a huff, Harley stomped back to her table.
“Don’t worry about her. We dated for a while and now she acts like we’re mated for life.” Sierra chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
Kara shifted in her seat, trying not to seem too interested in the ex-girlfriend, but couldn’t help herself. “You could do better.” There was no mistaking the hint of jealousy in her voice.
Sierra smirked, but withheld a response. The women locked eyes. Kara was the one to break the stare, opting to finish her wine, then she stood to leave.
“Thank you for an interesting evening, Sierra, but I must be getting back. I have a long day tomorrow.” She pulled out a pen and scribbled a phone number on a napkin. “Here’s the number to the lab. Call me and I’ll get you started. Try to take it easy tonight.”
“I’ll do my best. Thank you for an enjoyable evening. And I gotta tell you, when you geeked out about your work, it was a total turn on.” Sierra flashed a stellar smile and bit her lip.
Kara’s body responded. She needed to get away before she did something she would regret, like sending the wrong message. “Good night, Sierra. See you soon.”
“Have a good night, Doctor Davies. You’ll most definitely be seeing me again soon.”
Kara’s stomach fluttered at the thought as she took her leave. Shaking her head as she pushed out the door, she had no idea what she was in for, but given Sierra’s persona, it was bound to be one hell of a ride.
CHAPTER FIVE
Monday morning arrived and Sierra wasted no time picking up the phone. By nine o’clock she had already made an appointment with Kara at the research facility. Excitement bubbled in her chest and trickled down into her legs. The same wonderful twitchy feeling she would get before a race. Not only would she see the doctor again, but she could possibly unlock the key to winning a championship, though she was cautious not to get too wrapped up in the latter. Winning the title took season-long mental stamina and a bit of luck here and there. Then there was the dedicated training and diet regimens, which she had been skimping on. Still, she had spent Sunday resting and searching the internet for information on the benefits of signing up for such an endeavor.
Apparently, sports science was a popular thing. Many of the greats around the wide world of sports had signed on, anxious to have their every move analyzed in the pursuit of maximum performance. Her head had spun at the complicated medical jargon, but she did get the gist of it all, and it was amazing the things they were learning through the scientific measurement of movement and reaction times.
This step made Sierra feel like a big dog. She was going to take her game to the next level, like the millionaire football and baseball players. Sometimes, all it took was hitting a tree to open a world of opportunity. Only time would tell, but meeting Dr. Kara Davies might have been the best thing that had ever happened to her…in more ways than one.
With jacket in hand, Sierra bounded down the steps from her room and headed to the kitchen. “Hey Ron, I’m headed to the lab to check it out. Wanna come with?” As confident and excited as she was, there was also a brontosaurus-sized ball of nerves twisting in her stomach. Trying to woo someone was not her usual style. Usually they came to her.
Receiving no response, she glanced up from pouring her coffee. Her best friend was camped out in her gaming chair wearing pajamas, immersed in a session of Assassin’s Creed.
“Ron,” she called out again, louder this time.
With a groan, Ronni hit pause and looked up with a contemplative expression. “Hmmm…and watch you fawn over Doc McHottie like some tween Bieber fan? I’ll pass. It might ruin the image of the bad ass Wiley I know. Besides, I’m
saving the world right now. This is some serious shit,” she said as she resumed her game.
Sierra abandoned her coffee and positioned herself in front of the television screen. A look of ire blazed from her best friend. Giving the best pouty look she could muster, she kneeled down and pleaded, “Come on Ronni, please? I need your insight here. I’m into her and I think she’s into me, but I need your help in this. It’s been a long time since I’ve tried the ‘get to know you’ thing.”
“True. Your time with Harley could hardly be called ‘getting to know you.’ Unless you were talking about in-depth knowledge of one another’s lady parts. I was starting to think you’d give up racing and become a gynecologist.”
Sierra rolled her eyes, unamused with the brutally honest relationship assessment. However, it only served to validate her request. “First off, gross. Second, you see? That’s why I need you.”
“Ugh. Since you’re wanting my expertise in the matter, I can’t see how I can say no. You’re gonna owe me though.” Ronni frowned, then pushed up from her chair and stomped toward her room shaking her head. “I still don’t know why you’re so obsessed over this one. She’s got a hot bod, sure, but she’s as cold as my pint of mint chocolate chip and way too vanilla for your appetite.”
Ignoring the negativity, a brilliant smile lit up the room as Sierra rushed over and wrapped Ronni into a big hug. “Thank you. You’re the best.”
“Don’t you ever forget it,” Ronni choked out, breathless from the force of the bear hug.
“Never.” She kissed her on the cheek and then shoved her through the door. “Now hurry up and get dressed.”
***
The address led them up Highway 126 toward Redmond. Sierra veered her blue and black, partially restored, 1970 Plymouth Barracuda off the exit for Smith Rock. As they approached the entrance of the large, modern building framed with reflective glass, steel beams, and white concrete, she read the sign out front and frowned.
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