Seduction's Stakes

by Claire Ashgrove

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  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  "Hey, angel."

  The voice that beckoned to Maddie through her sleep was as soft as the body it belonged to, and the gentle shake given to her shoulder came with an accompanying brush of equally tender lips. Maddie protested, unwilling to open her eyes, and snuggled deeper into the thick wealth of a downy comforter.

  Riley curled around her, molding her back against his chest, the feel of his bare skin heavenly against the chill of morning. “Maddie,” he called in a hoarse whisper. “It's seven. You said we had to go to the airport this morning. What time does your friend's flight come in?"

  She groaned and tugged on her pillow, wanting to cover her head. But trapped beneath the weight of his elbow, it didn't budge. Not Sybil, not so early. She was too tired to deal with Sybil and John. Riley had made good on his promise, and exhausted her last night. Not that she intended to complain about it—no way in hell. She hadn't felt this kind of good in a long, long while. Still, waking up wasn't on her agenda.

  "Okay, darlin'. You sleep. I'll go for you, but I need the flight info."

  God, she loved the way the word darling drawled off his lips, laden with a touch of his southern roots. She snuggled back against him. This was too good to be true. She wasn't supposed to be curled up with Riley Jennings after a night of amazing sex. She wasn't supposed to like Riley at all. But something had gone drastically wrong with that plan, and damn it all, she liked him more than good sense said she ought to.

  With a groan of protest she wriggled onto her back, opening her eyes to look at him. A smile crinkled the corners of his soft brown eyes, and a touch of whiskers highlighted his chiseled features. His mouth was still as full and inviting as always, and she flatted her palm against his cheek, seeking it.

  He gave it to her freely, drawing her into a slow, leisurely kiss. Her arms stole around his neck, and he leaned down on his elbows, as she gave into a contented sigh. Unbidden, her heart beat a little faster. Not with passion as it had last night, but with a little thrill of delight. This gorgeous, tenderhearted man belonged to her. At least for a little while.

  When she eased the kiss to a close, he dropped his head to her shoulder and tugged her against his body. “What time does her flight come in?"

  "Nine.” She caught his hand in hers, lacing her fingers through his rougher ones.

  "Want me to go get them?"

  Yes. But she couldn't ask him to do that. He didn't know them, and Sybil would surely ask questions Maddie didn't feel like answering. “No, I'll go with you. I don't want to face the Sybil Inquisition just yet."

  She eased out from under his heavy arm and sat up. Her body protested as her right thigh threatened to cramp. She straightened it before the muscle spasmed. Lord, she ached. Her cheeks pinkened with a remembrance of last night, and she glanced down at Riley.

  The early morning sunlight spilled through the bedroom window, dancing against his hair. With the sheet pulled up to his waist, and one foot flat on the mattress so his knee jutted upwards, he looked more like he belonged in a magazine than sprawled out next to her. His powerful arms were behind his head, and he gave her a lazy smile.

  "I think I'm going to go soak in the tub. If I don't, I'm never going to make it through today."

  His mouth twitched with humor and curled into a teasing smirk. “Want company?"

  Her eyes widened before she could stop them. He couldn't possibly be thinking of sex after last night.

  He laughed, a rich baritone sound that rumbled from deep inside his chest and sent a shiver of delight down her spine. “I'm teasing, Maddie. I think you broke me."

  "That was your intention, as I recall.” Chuckling, she returned his humor. “Didn't you say something about coffee also?” She dropped her lashes, fluttering them in her best attempt at coyness.

  He nodded. “I did."

  Summoning her energy, she slid out from beneath the covers and headed toward the bathroom. She pulled a towel off the rack and dropped it on the marble step to keep the chilly stone from touching her as she sat down to turn the faucets on. While the water ran, she listened to Riley move about the bedroom, heard a drawer open and shut, recognized the zip of a suitcase.

  A little mystified by what had happened between them, she marveled over the last twenty-four hours. He'd promised her she wasn't just entertainment last night, but she couldn't convince herself he meant it. Everything just felt too good to be true. Like there ought to be a shoe falling out of the sky, and with it, the destruction of this contented, happy feeling.

  "I'll be back in a few minutes, angel,” he called.

  "Okay."

  And where did Riley Jennings come up with this chivalrous side? Sure, he was Southern, but if he spoiled every woman he dated this way, she didn't understand why someone hadn't grabbed a hold and refused to let go. She never would have dreamed the arrogant racehorse owner she'd come to know over the years could be so ... thoughtful.

  overShe stepped into the tub and eased herself down into the steamy water. She'd soak a while, let the heat seep into her sore muscles, while she replayed their last tumble across the bed. It was her favorite. Slow, sensual, Riley drew everything out with masterful control. He'd commanded her silently, bent her to his wishes without her even realizing she hadn't created the idea in the first place. He brought her to release from behind, but hadn't been finished with her then. While she was still spiraling down from unspeakable pleasure, he rolled her over and loved her unlike anyone had. Murmured soft endearments, promised the days ahead held more of this sweet splendor. When he let go, the power of his release heightened her own.

  And then Riley Jennings told her no woman had ever had such an effect on him. That he'd never get enough of her.

  That had been more arousing than any caress of his hand.

  Question was, did he mean it?

  Somehow she had a feeling all that would change with the next lovely lady that refused to acknowledge his advances.

  She wouldn't let him go to her head. Riley was too much of a gambler to ever think of the long-term. Everything was for the moment, to carry him through to the next big meet. Just like all racing men.

  The rush of cool air washed across her face as the bathroom door opened. She opened her eyes and found him gazing down at her, two tall cups of coffee in his hands. Dressed in sweat pants and a loose cotton shirt, he looked as sleepy as she felt, and his mussed hair only made him more handsome.

  "For you.” He handed her one as he dropped to the edge of the tub's step and pulled one knee up to his chest. Although he smiled at her, it didn't meet his eyes. In them she read trouble.

  Here it came. The speech. He'd reconsidered, had a different interpretation of what he meant when he said she wasn't entertainment. He liked her, but now that morning had arrived, he didn't want to leave her with the impression this went deeper than a mutual enjoyment of each other.

  She took a sip of the hot brew, took a deep breath, and asked, “What's the matter?"

  He tipped his head sideways, regarding her with the hint of a frown. “I've been thinking on the elevator."

  Her stomach twisted with dread. She held her breath. The other shoe hung heavily above his head. “And?"

  "And Maddie,” he said as he reached out and captured her other hand. “I won't be your dirty little secret. I want more than that."

  The shoe didn't fall. It came flying at her.

  * * * *

  Riley wanted to kick himself for putting her on the spot. He hadn't intended to. Hadn't even planned on telling her what had started to pick away at him as he waited in the coffee shop line. Had, in fact, planned on riding things out for a little while and seeing if the uncomfortable feeling resolved itself. He'd even reminded himself that he had no intentions of settling down.

  Yet, the damned words tumbled out uncontrolled, and as she spluttered, he absorbed the truth in them. He didn't want to be the man whose bed she crawled into when she though
t no one was looking. He wasn't certain he wanted to keep Maddie over the long haul, but he damn sure didn't want to be a secret. Not after last night.

  What he meant by ‘more than that’ he couldn't begin to answer. He had a sneaking suspicion if he analyzed it too deeply he'd scare the shit out of himself. So he ignored it, reminding himself he had no intention of making promises to her about commitment. But by God, if she was going to share his bed at night, she wasn't going to pretend he didn't exist by day. It had nothing to do with exclusivity either—if she wanted to see someone else, he'd let her. He just didn't intend to be the nonexistent pool boy.

  "L-l-let me get through this weekend, Riley,” she stammered. “I've got a lot more at stake here than you do. You might look at Saturday like another walk in the park. My stable's future rides on this race. I've got to find a winner somewhere. I can only handle one major event at a time."

  "Fair enough.” In the meantime, he'd use the distance to get a hold of this ridiculous possessiveness. By the time the weekend came to a close he'd feel more like himself. She was right. The little bit of space would make the whole thing easier, more comfortable. Logical Maddie. Maybe he could learn a little from her.

  "How's our time?” she asked.

  "It's not even eight."

  She leaned back, holding her paper cup above the water, and closed her eyes. Damned if she didn't look beautiful sitting in that tub with her hair piled on top of her head. “If you invite me in there, I'll wash your back,” he suggested in a quiet voice.

  "Mm.” She smiled, but didn't open her eyes. “I think you might be the death of me if I invite you in here."

  He chuckled again as he set his coffee on the tub's edge, stood, and tugged his shirt over his head. “No, darlin', I'm gonna behave. I'm as worn out as you are.” Dropping his pants, he stepped into the water, nudging her forward to sit behind her. He stretched his legs out around hers, reclined against the cool marble and drew her back against his chest. Tucked up in his arms where she belonged.

  He groaned inwardly. Maddie didn't belong anywhere. He just liked her close.

  The comfort ended long before he was ready. Left on evidently by a previous guest, the alarm clock went off in the bedroom at exactly eight, shattering the quiet they enjoyed. With a sigh, she pushed out of the water and draped a towel around her. Riley mirrored her and followed into the bedroom where he pulled out a pair of jeans and a lightweight, long-sleeve shirt. This close to the harbor, and this early in spring, Baltimore was still quite chilly.

  He skipped shaving. No reason to do so yet. Mister Spoilsport and Scott didn't give a damn whether he shaved or not. He'd come back here around lunchtime and clean up properly. Maybe even take a nap. He stuffed his feet into his paddock boots and laced them tight, then, rose and shook out his jeans legs until they fell over the ankle-high leather.

  When he turned around, he found Maddie sitting in an overstuffed chair, watching him. Dressed in jeans and a thick sweater, she'd pulled her hair back again, and he itched to tug it free. She clutched her coffee like a prized treasure, regarding him through heavy eyelids. She looked tired. A pang of guilt washed through him.

  "Ready?"

  She nodded, pushed herself out of the chair and grabbed for her suitcase. His hand closed around the handle before hers could, and he caught her fingers into his. She covered a yawn. He escorted her out into the hall and squeezed her fingers while they waited on the elevator. “Say, Maddie, how long has it been since you've been to a carnival?"

  With a grin, she answered, “A long time."

  "Want to go tonight?"

  A tiny frown pulled at her delicate features. “I can't. Sybil."

  "Bring her with us. It's not like I intend to seduce you behind the fun house.” He tossed her a wink.

  Her expression paled. “Oh, God, you don't know what you're inviting. Sybil is...” She paused with a thoughtful look. “Sybil is like whiskey. You have to have an acquired taste to enjoy her."

  "Hm. Well, you can't acquire the taste without first sampling it. Bring her along."

  She grumbled, but she nodded her head. “All right, we'll go."

  A strange flicker of excitement rolled through him.

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  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The quiet hours before lunch had always been Maddie's favorite time in the barns. While they were by no means empty, or even inactive, the trainers, owners, grooms, and other hands were all too focused on preparing their horses to disrupt the subtle hum of activity with loud conversation, laughter, or even the all-too-frequent argument. Voices wouldn't break through morning's spell for another few hours.

  Yet, this morning, Maddie couldn't find the escape the shed row always offered. Sybil made that impossible, and Riley's constant presence at the end of the stall aisle kept distracting her.

  "I still can't believe you managed to convince Riley into playing taxi,” Sybil gushed as she flounced down atop a tack trunk. “God, Maddie, he's even more tasty up close. What the hell is wrong with you? He looks at you like he'd die to lap water off you."

  Mm. He'd done that quite well. She turned away from Sybil before her best friend noticed the way she blushed. Walking toward Infidelity's stall, she leaned against the barn and pretended to watch John ready the colt for a jog around the track with Sam.

  "Just look at him down there, would you?” Sybil swept her arm toward Riley's end of the barn.

  Against her better judgment, Maddie let her gaze follow Sybil's indication. With his back to them, Riley bent over Mister Spoilsport's front hoof, presenting her with a fascinating view.

  "Look at that ass, Maddie. That should be against the law."

  Yes, it should. Indeed. God, had he really spent all night wrapped around her? A shiver danced down her spine. She said nothing, merely closed her eyes and let her head rest against the aged timbers.

  Sybil sighed. “You aren't even looking. Okay that's it."

  Maddie cracked open one eye. “What's it?"

  "He introduced himself this morning, he's not a stranger any more. And, he's taking us to the carnival tonight. If you aren't going to snatch that prime piece of man up, I am."

  No! Maddie almost screamed it at her as she shoved away from the barn. But Sybil was already walking toward Riley, her hips swinging, her size D's proudly preceding her.

  Maddie's stomach clamped into a hard ball. There wasn't a man alive who could resist Sybil when she set her teeth on one. Even if she made no attempt to hide the fact her target wasn't the only man on her never-ending list, they all fell victim to her generous curves and her openly sexual overtures. She groaned when Riley dropped the horse hoof and turned to greet Sybil with his intoxicating smile.

  She told herself she wasn't going to watch. Yet, she couldn't tear her eyes off the unfolding scene. She knew Sybil's routine by heart. The false laugh that rang tones deeper than her normal voice. The way she nibbled on a perfectly manicured fingertip as she batted her eyelashes. Her stance, a slight lean backwards that accented her breasts and somehow flashed the length of her leg all at once. The way she reached out and traced that finger down a man's chest...

  Maddie scowled. Sybil had no right to touch Riley. Then again, she did. At least in her mind. Maddie had done everything she could to ignore Riley on the ride to the racetrack. She'd even pretended to sleep just so she wouldn't be tempted to reach across the console and lock her fingers with his. She'd done absolutely nothing to give Sybil any indication Riley was off limits.

  She swallowed. All that aside, Riley wasn't supposed to respond to Sybil. Her gaze riveted on him. Although he was too far away, she could hear his rumbling laughter. His hand reached across, just as Sybil's had, and he caught one of her fiery red curls between thumb and forefinger, twisting it around. Sybil's hand fell atop his, and Maddie spun around unable to watch any longer.

  At once, the ridiculous urge to cry slammed into her. Riley hadn't promised any sort of commitment, yet everything he had said,
hinted that was his plan. Ten minutes alone with Sybil, and he was the same pig she'd believed him to be. How foolish she'd been to believe his declaration she was more than just entertainment.

  She stormed into Infidelity's stall. “Is he ready yet? Archie's already at the track waiting on us,” she snapped at John.

  He drew back, startled by her unprovoked anger, and nodded. “We're ready."

  "Good then. Let's go."

  She didn't look over her shoulder as John led Infidelity toward the track. Instead, she marched with deliberate purpose, determined to ignore whatever scene played out behind her.

  * * * *

  A flash of blond at the opposite end of the barn drew Riley's gaze down the aisle. His eyes settled on Maddie as she followed her groom and horse out of the shed row. Watching her go, something inside him pulled tight. Something he couldn't quite explain.

  She hadn't spoken more than polite words to him since they'd left the hotel, and although she warned him she wasn't ready to explain everything to Sybil, he'd half-expected a little more friendliness from her. Not this cold indifference as if last night meant absolutely nothing to her. It shouldn't matter to him, yet he couldn't ignore it did.

  "Don't you think so, Riley?"

  Lord, what was the woman saying now? He'd had enough of her coy game and her attempt at ignorance that was meant to flatter his ego. She spent enough time with Maddie to know the different colors of horses that he shouldn't have had to show her with a lock of her hair what chestnut was.

  He tempered his annoyance for Maddie's sake, responding with a polite, “Ah, sure, Sybil."

  "Really?” she almost squealed. Her hand fell atop his arm again. “I've wanted to go up in a balloon since I was a little girl. It'll be so fun, Riley—I can't wait."

  He blinked. Oh shit. Had he...?

  She beamed up at him.

  Checking a groan, he winced. He had. Now how in the hell was he going to explain to Maddie that he really hadn't wanted to take Sybil on a balloon ride tonight? Damn it, he'd wanted to take Maddie up in the air.