Silks and Sand

by K. Rowe

  “That’s good to hear.” He reached over and took her hands. “I think you have a lot of greatness inside you. The horses seem to know it. But I need you to ride solid, clean, safe races for me.” Evan gave her hands a little squeeze. “Can you do that?”

  Ginger sniffed a few times. “Yes, I can do it. I’m so, so sorry.”

  Evan bent down, lifted her hands and kissed them. “Good. Now go get changed. I should hear something from the steward by tomorrow.” He stood and walked off, completely unaware that Suzanne happened to be watching from around the corner. She could only see Ginger’s back, but what she saw, or thought she saw, fueled her jealousy even more.

  “I don’t believe you!” Suzanne said, her voice coming out in more of a low growl. She tried to keep her voice down, Cindy was in the next room. They were back at the hotel.

  “What?” Evan replied. She’d caught him off guard.

  “You can’t keep your hands off.”

  “What? What on earth are you talking about?”

  “I saw you with her. I saw you kiss her.”

  He frantically tried to figure out what she was talking about. “Ginger?”

  “Yes! How dare you!”

  “Suzanne, honey, I only kissed her hands. Is there something wrong with that? She was upset, and I thought it polite to console her…Honestly, there’s nothing between us.”

  “You expect me to believe that?”

  “Yes,” he said, softening his voice. “Ginger is my employee, nothing else.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Do I need to drag her in here to confirm that?” He rubbed his face. If it weren’t for the fact he really loved Suzanne all those years ago, he would’ve never married her if he’d have known about her jealous streak.

  It seemed now, every time he came home from a race meet, she would grill him on who he was with and where he went. Evan wondered how much longer he could put up with it.

  “I want a divorce,” she barked.

  “What?!”

  “You heard me. I want a divorce.”

  “Suzanne, I think you’re going overboard with this.” He put his hand on his chest. “I swear to you that I’ve never had an affair with anyone while married to you.”

  “You expect me to believe that? Your father cheated.”

  “Once! He only did it once, and he felt so bad it nearly killed him.”

  “I see. It runs in the family.”

  “Suzanne!”

  “It’s over, Evan. I’ve put up with your lies long enough.” She grabbed her purse and stormed out. He stood in the room in complete shock. It felt like the worst day in his life. His whole world seemed to turn upside down. He wondered what else could go wrong.

  The next morning, Evan waited outside the track steward’s office. Suzanne had taken Cindy back to the farm. He didn’t know if they’d be there when he got back, or if she’d go to her mother’s in Louisville.

  In a way, he didn’t care. If Suzanne couldn’t trust him when he was gone, how could she ever trust him? Still, he loved her, and he loved Cindy. It wasn’t right to have his daughter in the middle of it all, but unfortunately, she would be.

  “Mr. Stoddard?” the steward said.

  “Oh, yes.”

  “Please, come in.”

  Evan went in and sat down in front of the desk. The steward took his seat. “Upon a thorough review of the tape, the racing commission found the jockey of the number two horse did indeed foul your jockey at the top of the stretch…In fact we have a very good camera angle of the offense.”

  “She did say that’s where it happened.”

  “We also saw her foul near the finish line.”

  “Ginger apologizes for her behavior, although it’s inexcusable, and she promised me she wouldn’t do it again.”

  “She can apologize all she wants, but a foul is a foul. I’m afraid the punishment stands.”

  Evan felt a hard lump form in his throat. Tomorrow, three of his horses were scheduled to go to post in stakes races. Now he had no jockey. Only a stroke of pure luck would get him out of this bind and he didn’t think his luck was too good right now.

  If yesterday was bad, today was worse. “Thank you for your time,” Evan said, standing. “I’ll let her know.”

  He left the office and headed to the barn. Tom came from Ziggy’s stall. “How’d it go?” he asked, grabbing a hay net and hanging it.

  “It didn’t. She’s still suspended.”

  “Shit.” He leaned against the wall. “You want me to see if I can find another jock?”

  Evan shoved his hands in his pockets. “If you can. Otherwise, I’ll scratch and we’ll go home.”

  “That doesn’t sound like you. Something wrong?”

  “A lot’s wrong.”

  “Come on, let’s take a walk.” Tom gave him a nudge. “You can talk to me, you know that.”

  He nodded and followed along. “I’m regretting hiring Ginger now.”

  “Why? Over this incident? Come on, we all make mistakes, and she promised she’d never do it again.” They stopped at a bench near the saddling paddock.

  “Yes, I’m sure she won’t…But things have gotten complicated…”

  Tom regarded him. “What do you mean?”

  He sat down. “Suzanne believes Ginger and I have been having an affair.”

  “What?!”

  “Yesterday, she saw me with Ginger. For God’s sake, I only kissed her hands; I was trying to be politely supportive. Somehow Suzanne saw it differently…She wants a divorce.” He buried his head in his hands.

  “You’ve gotta be shittin’ me.”

  Evan looked up and shook his head. “No, she took Cindy and left.”

  “God…How could she think that? I mean there’s no way you could be having an affair with Ginger…”

  “How are you so sure of that?”

  Tom stood silently for a few moments. “Because…”

  It didn’t take much for Evan to figure it all out. “You and Ginger?!”

  He sat down. “Evan, I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think it was my idea.”

  “You’re telling me Ginger came after you?”

  “Uh, yeah…Surprised the hell out of me…Shit, her first night at the farm she practically raped me.”

  Evan folded his arms. “I find that hard to believe.”

  “It’s true, I swear. Come on, you know me well enough to know I’m a lousy liar.”

  “She jumped you?”

  “Yes!”

  “Great, my trainer is fucking my jockey. Can this day get any worse? Oh, wait, please don’t tell me you got her knocked up?” He stood and walked in small circles. His world was crashing down around him and there wasn’t much he could do about it.

  “No, she says she’s on the pill.” Tom stood and stopped Evan from his pacing. “Look, I was gonna tell you when the time was right.”

  “Now wasn’t it.”

  “I’m sorry, really, I am.”

  “Let’s get the horses ready to ship; we’re going home…I need to find a way to salvage my marriage. I don’t wanna lose Suzanne and I certainly don’t wanna lose my daughter.”

  11

  Evan pressed on with his life and the racing season. With Ginger riding, his horses were doing well; the incident at Charles Town was all but forgotten. She worked hard to stay in Evan’s good graces. Despite everything he’d gone through, he still managed to maintain his character.

  They were now in the off-season of racing, where horses returned to their farms to train throughout part of the winter. War Monger would make his start as a three-year-old, and some of the veterans would take to the track again. The Kentucky winter proved to be a tough one.

  Tom rolled over and looked at Ginger. She lay on her side, facing away from him. Now that the cat was out of the bag, he didn’t care where he slept. Some nights he stayed in the grooms’ quarters, others, with Ginger.

  Tonight, he decided to spend in her be
d. He felt horrible about what happened to Evan. Suzanne clearly didn’t want to accept his vow of fidelity. Evan would never cheat; Tom had known him all his life. There were never any questions of his love for his wife.

  Suzanne filed for divorce, but didn’t immediately push it through. Instead, she decided to remain separated. Perhaps she still loved Evan.

  Tom debated if there might be some way to bring them back together. The cold gloomy winter and Suzanne not in his life, made Evan a miserable man.

  Ginger rolled over and saw Tom staring at the ceiling. “What’s the matter?”

  “I just can’t believe Suzanne left Evan.”

  She snuggled up with him. “Jealous woman. I saw it the first day I met her.”

  “She’s always been like that. If Evan didn’t love her so much, he probably would’ve never stood for it all these years.” He rubbed his face.

  “I don’t know how he did.”

  “He’s a good man. He loves his wife, daughter, his horses, and the people who work for him.”

  “Too much love spread too thin?” She caressed his chest.

  “Maybe so.”

  “Do you think if we told her we’ve had a relationship from the very beginning that it’d help?”

  “I dunno,” he replied running his finger over her shoulder. “I suppose we could if we had to. But I don’t think Evan would allow such help…And she probably wouldn’t believe us.”

  “Perhaps you’re right.” She let her hand wander farther down, giving him a gentle stroking. “If it won’t make a difference, then let’s not worry about it.”

  He grunted, feeling the blood surge to his loins. “Uh…”

  She moved her hand more. “Well, since we’re both awake…”

  “Trying to warm me up on a cold night?” he teased.

  “Oui, I am.”

  Tom rolled over until he was nearly atop her; Ginger’s hand busily stimulated him to arousal. He sought out her lips, his tongue almost forcing its way into her mouth. She stirred a primal passion inside him he never thought possible.

  As he greedily smothered her lips, his hand moved between her legs, finding her wet and inviting. His finger found her lovely sweet spot and he teased her to even greater arousal. Ginger moaned and writhed under him, her body willingly surrendering to his attentions.

  When she could stand it no more, she pulled him to her. Tom eagerly wanted inside, but instead, he shifted away.

  “Hey!” she grumbled, trying to get him back.

  He looked at her in the dim light shining in through the curtains. Never in his life did he think he’d find himself in bed with such a beautiful woman. He figured he was an average short guy that most women walked by on the street, never giving the time of day.

  But here he was, with a woman who wanted him, sought him out because she liked that one, un-redeeming physical attribute of his undersized stature. It still blew his mind.

  Without a word, Tom slid under the covers, almost disappearing from sight. Ginger giggled at his antics, wondering what he would do. She quickly found out as he snaked his way between her legs, his chin meeting with her curly mound.

  “Oh,” she gasped, spreading wider for him. He lowered his head, his tongue seeking her out. The taste and sheer heat of her body sent tingles through his own.

  His rock-hard arousal grew more uncomfortable by the moment, but he would wait and enjoy the glorious release.

  By the unfortunate rigors of his profession, Tom wasn’t the most experienced in the ways of love. There had been a few women, but nothing that lasted. Many nights he’d dreamed of being with a woman who could excite what lay deep inside him, and Ginger more than excited those inner desires. She lit a fire that burned so strong he hoped it would never be extinguished.

  Edging a little closer, he let his lips close over her lovely, firm, sweet spot. He tickled the end with his tongue.

  Ginger moaned louder, arching and rising to meet him. The musky perfume of her body and the heat coming from her thighs made it almost impossible to continue. Tom longed to ram himself home, to give her everything he had, but he would tease a little longer.

  Gently, he sucked and tantalized; his hands caressing everywhere they could reach. He reached up and found one of her breasts, his fingers playing over the nipple. It didn’t take but a moment before the flesh beneath his fingers became a firm button, pert and wanton of more attention.

  With more determination, he moved his tongue and lips, pushing the boundaries of pleasure farther yet. Ginger moaned louder, her hands stretching across the bed, grabbing the sheets; the tension in her body building higher and higher.

  He knew she was close to climax. His discomfort neared critical, but he ignored it in favor of giving her every ounce of pleasure. She threw her head back and let out a loud gasp; her body shuddering as she climaxed.

  Tom smiled to himself; he’d never been able to bring a woman to fulfillment like that. He rose up on his elbows and gazed at her, the taste of her musk still fresh in his mouth. His loins ached terribly, the throbbing of his arousal a constant reminder that he’d yet to be satisfied.

  “C’était fantastique. Maintenant, puis-je retourner?” she said, letting the words roll off her tongue. Truly she found his actions fantastic, and she wanted to reciprocate.

  “Huh?” he replied, still not understanding all that she chose to say in French.

  “Vous pleasured moi, je souhaite au plaisir vous.”

  He frowned. “You know that’s not fair.”

  “What?”

  “Talkin’ in French. You know I don’t understand it.”

  She motioned for him. “Come here.” He climbed up and lay on his back next to her. “I said that you pleasured me and I want to pleasure you.” She wiggled down into the bed. “You suck, I blow,” she teased, leaning over, grasping him firmly.

  Tom grunted, it wasn’t going to take much to send him to climax. The more adventurous their relationship got, the harder it was to hold back.

  As Ginger played her tongue around his length, he moaned, fighting his urge to come. Taking him in her mouth, she tasted his salty essence, feeling his heat on her tongue. He growled lowly, the battle raged on. She moved her head up and down, doing her best to drive him insane.

  “Ginger,” he gasped.

  She stopped and looked at him. “Oui?” Her mouth still on him.

  “You keep going, you’re gonna get a surprise.”

  Letting her mouth slide off, she rose up and straddled him, taking him in. She reveled as he filled her depths—a fit seemingly made in heaven. Leaning forward, she caught his lips and kissed him with zeal. Drawing away, she sat up and began to move. Tom took her breasts in his hands, feeling their petite fullness that suited her body to perfection. He played his thumbs over her nipples, watching them rise at his touch.

  Rocking her pelvis forward, she tightened her muscles, squeezing him tightly. Tom clenched his teeth as she moved faster, the sensation quickly bringing him to great heights of ecstasy. He ran his hands over her chest and flanks, enjoying the sensation of her smooth, creamy skin under his hands.

  Clasping her around the waist, he moved her in time with his desires: faster, harder. Ginger responded, the delicious tension once again building throughout her body. She felt like she was riding a wild stallion down the homestretch to a glorious finish—a strangely errant thought that only spurred her passion.

  She slammed her body harder against his, and he drove deeper into her until they cried out and became one in a frenzied climax.

  Ginger flopped forward onto his chest. Both were out of breath. Tom put his arms around her, nuzzling her lavender-scented hair. He wanted to stay this way forever. In his arms he held a rare beauty, a woman who loved him for who he was; he never wanted to let her go.

  She lay there for a few long moments catching her breath. It seemed nothing to ride horse after horse, day after day, but making love always tired her out.

  Ginger sat up slowly, resting her h
ands on his chest, feeling the firm muscle under his hot flesh. “Well, one horse down, five more to ride.” They laughed.

  Evan wandered out to the exercise track. The late November morning was icy cold. Tom sat on Rusty watching four horses being worked. Ginger blew by on War Monger; the chestnut colt reaching with his legs, devouring ground with every stride. His breath came out like a steam engine pumping away with hard work.

  “So, how’s the crazy one doing?” Evan asked.

  “Not so crazy now…His fractions are getting faster every day.”

  “Think he’ll be ready to race again soon?”

  “Soon? What are you thinking of?” Tom kept his eyes on the horses.

  “Mmm, maybe a race at Turfway Park in January.”

  “Distance?”

  Evan leaned his arms on the rail. “What do you think?”

  “I’d give him a trip at seven furlongs and see how much horse we have left. Anything less than that is a joke.”

  “All right, I’ll start looking for a race.” He turned to go back inside. “Uh, what about Wanderer?”

  “I have the boys doing light jog work with him. I’m still not feeling his tendon is one hundred percent.”

  “More time?”

  Tom turned in the saddle. “I’m not sure that’s the answer.”

  “Retirement?”

  “Perhaps.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ll let you be the judge of that…He’s a good runner and I’m willing to invest more if he can run. But if the risk is too great, he’ll have to find another job.”

  “Well, Rusty is getting kinda tired. Shit, he’s twenty-four and still chasing down colts.”

  Evan laughed. “Wanderer a track pony? Hardly!”

  “Then what are you going to do with him?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “I hoped he’d be a good horse for Cindy…But now since she’s not here, that option’s kinda shot.”

  “The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation?”

  “Mmm, that’s a possibility…But I like the horse, he’s part of our little family…I swore to my pappy I wouldn’t get attached to ’em, but that doesn’t seem to have worked.”