Seduction's Stakes

by Claire Ashgrove

  She nodded and turned her soft green eyes up at him. For a passing heartbeat, she looked vulnerable.

  The need to protect her grabbed a hold and set roots in his gut. “Have you done anything you normally wouldn't when it comes to Infidelity?"

  With a shake of her head, she gnawed on her lower lip. “No, in fact, Archie watches him like a hawk. He's our prize. Well, until Mister Spoilsport came along."

  He couldn't hold back a chuckle at her annoyed tone. “We can't all win the same trophy, angel."

  "I know. Still, the farm hasn't been doing well lately. Echo isn't seeing a lot of mares, and his offspring are losing favor. Infidelity, even if he can't beat your colt, is new life for McCleery Racing. I don't take risks with him."

  Offering her a soft smile, he lifted an arm to rake his fingers through her long hair. “I don't know what to tell you. It sounds to me like it's just an odd dream. Perhaps the product of some repressed guilt—which you shouldn't feel. I can hold you if you're scared, but I don't have the explanation."

  She pressed a kiss into the center of his chest. “I know."

  "Why don't you try to get some more rest, angel. We've still got three hours till we're supposed to meet Scott and Sybil for dinner. Maybe if you relax and catch up on your sleep, your mind will unwind, and Nate won't bother you in dreams for a while."

  Stifling a little yawn against his body, she nodded. “You're probably right."

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  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Never one to nap long during the day, Riley couldn't go back to sleep. He waited until Maddie fell limp in his arms and eased himself out of the bed. Dragging on his sweats from morning, he meandered into the sitting room, debating calling room service for something to eat. He had a little less than three hours before they were supposed to have burgers at the corner bar, Pete's Place. While he could wait that long, the evening promised to be strained enough that he didn't dare start it with an empty stomach.

  A whole evening with Sybil. Sybil who couldn't know about his involvement with Maddie. A fact that still frustrated him. At least Maddie had conceded about telling her. That left him only having to struggle through this night. Unpleasant, but doable.

  He glanced back into the bedroom at Maddie and a smile played at his mouth. God, she was something. With a light chuckle, he grabbed his wallet and headed for the lobby. When he stepped out of the elevator, he rounded the corner and approached the front desk.

  "Can I help you, sir?"

  "I need to check in, please. Madison McCleery."

  The rotund older woman shoved her glasses back up her nose and peered down at her computer screen while her fingers worked the keyboard.

  "For two adults?"

  Riley nodded.

  Five minutes later, Riley had Maddie's room key in his pocket, and for the sake of easy check-in, had her billing arrangements transferred over to his credit card. He stopped at the coffee shop next, ordering two coffees, two small croissant sandwiches, and picked up a morning paper so he could read the racing news.

  With everything in hand, he returned back to his room. He dropped the paper in the sitting room, along with her room key, and took the sandwiches into the bedroom. Another glance at the alarm informed him he'd managed to kill thirty minutes. Hoping to erode a little more time, he set their food on the nightstand and ventured into the bathroom where he started the tub.

  As he watched the water rush into the oversized soaker, he let his mind wander through the events of the last several hours. After almost two years of half-serious pursuit, the one woman he'd considered an enigma, the one who rarely offered him the time of day, lay in his bed. In less than a full day he knew more about her body than he could remember ever learning about someone in such a short timeframe.

  He'd never been one who let desire rule his thoughts. Sure, he enjoyed women. What healthy man didn't? But he was more of a once a day, usually every other day, type of guy when it came to sex. With Maddie he couldn't get enough. Doubted he ever would.

  It was that ever would, that knotted his stomach. It told him loud and clear he'd crossed his own boundaries and wanted something he wasn't sure he could have. Maddie made it a point to let everyone know in the racing community she didn't get involved with anyone who shared her lifestyle. Would she come back to that conviction? How long would it take for her to realize they'd thrown themselves on a path that could end only one of two ways? Permanently together, or permanently apart?

  Matter of fact, was he ready for that, himself? Both ideas shook something deep inside him. Damn, he needed to distance himself a little. Get a hold of his thoughts. If anyone heard the back and forth battle in his mind, they'd not only think he'd lost his grip on reality, but that he was living in a fantasy world if he actually thought he could see a future with someone after one full day together and out of this world sex. They'd call him a fool.

  He was starting to feel like one too. He'd gone soft somewhere. Lost his ability to hold on to his sensibility. How many times had he chided women he'd been involved with for doing exactly what he was doing right now? Warned them not to get attached—he had no interest in sharing the deeper parts of his life or himself.

  Yet, he already had with her. And damn it all, no matter how crazy it might sound, he wanted to share more with her. Which made him feel all that more foolish.

  Forcing the uncomfortable thoughts to a dark corner of his mind, he turned off the water and returned to the bedroom. Stretching out beside her, he propped himself up on an elbow and grazed soft kisses across her shoulder.

  "Time to wake up, angel."

  She stirred, snuggled closer to him, and muttered something incomprehensible.

  With a grin, he brought his hand up to trace the length of her elegant arm. “Maddie, time to get up. I've got a surprise for you."

  "So tired,” she murmured.

  She was absolutely adorable like this. He nuzzled the side of her neck and inhaled the lingering scent of almond soap. “Wake up, darlin', before I resort to desperate measures."

  With a little chuckle, she rolled over and, folding her hands beneath her cheek, lifted her gaze to him. “If you even think about it, Riley, I'll beat you. I'm so worn out I don't think I'll ever catch up on my sleep."

  He laughed and gave her a wink. “Darlin’ I'm always thinking about it. At least when it involves you."

  Her blush went straight to his gut.

  "C'mon, get up. Before I change my mind about letting you."

  With a protesting sigh, she pushed herself into a sitting position and leaned back against the pillows, pulling the sheet with her. She rubbed at her eyes, then flashed him a sleepy smile. “Did you say surprise?"

  He nodded. “I did.” Without looking away, he reached behind him and produced her coffee. Then, he grabbed the sack of sandwiches and dropped it in her lap. “I think lunch was what we escaped for, wasn't it?"

  Her light laugh enchanted him. When she nodded in agreement and her hair spilled forward over her shoulders to collect in her lap, his heart skipped a beat.

  "I took the liberty of checking you into your room. Your key's out there.” He inclined his head toward the sitting room. “The bathtub is awaiting your majesty's presence too. And I bought myself a paper to distract me so you can bathe in peace."

  Her eyes softened as she lifted one dainty hand to push her fingers through his hair. She leaned closer, brushing a soft kiss across his mouth. “What am I going to do with you, Riley?” she asked in a low whisper.

  He didn't dare answer. The range of gut responses went too far off the charts in both directions, from absolutely crazy to shockingly naughty. Instead, he gave her bottom a little pinch and rolled off the edge to stand. “Go get in that tub, before I can't let you out of this bed."

  The giggle she gave him in response was so light and playful he couldn't believe it came from the woman that dashed across the room, coffee in one hand, sandwich in another. When the bathroom door settled firmly
against its frame, Riley raked a hand through his hair, and dropped heavily into a chair, absorbing her.

  He was in trouble. Damned trouble. The kind that turned a man's world upside down and ended in I do, type of trouble. Sweet Mary, Mother of God, he'd lost his goddamn mind.

  * * * *

  "Where the hell have you been?” Sybil cried.

  Maddie separated herself from Riley and crossed the crowded lobby to join her and Scott. “Asleep,” she answered without pause.

  "Asleep? Are you sick?” Sybil's brows narrowed as she frowned.

  She laughed. “Not at all. Did you and Scott have a good time?"

  Filling with mischief, Sybil's eyes darted to the younger man. “I did."

  Maddie could only imagine what that answer meant. Although, knowing Sybil, she didn't have to imagine too hard. Judging from the way Scott's eyes were firmly planted on Sybil's ass and his self—satisfied smirk, Maddie guessed it went a little something like her afternoon with Riley had.

  She glanced over her shoulder at Riley, curious whether he wore the same look of possession that the younger Scott did. Instead, when she met his gaze, she shivered. No, he didn't look possessive. His ale-colored eyes lit with tender affection. An expression that went beyond possessive and spoke of something far more intimate. Far more dangerous.

  Sybil leaned forward to whisper, “Jennings looks like he's got you on the menu, not burgers and beer. Be nice to him tonight, Maddie."

  Maddie lifted both her eyebrows as if to ask, or, but said nothing. Riley already had breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack. Whatever menu he might be imagining—she'd already informed him he was fasting tonight. Even with her nap, her limbs still hung heavily, and her eyelids felt like lead.

  "Well, ladies, shall we?"

  Speaking of Riley.

  Maddie looked up to find him grinning and his elbow offered in her direction. Very first-date appropriate. Just like they'd discussed. She accepted, giving his corded forearm a little squeeze.

  "Hey, Riley, I need to run over to the track and check the horses. I'll meet you all back at Pete's in a little bit,” Scott announced.

  At Riley's nod, Scott kissed Sybil's cheek and disappeared. Yep, Sybil had added yet another to her ever-growing list. Maddie covered her chuckle with a cough.

  Riley offered Sybil his other arm, and although Maddie knew he did it only to downplay their involvement, she stiffened when Sybil accepted and batted her lashes.

  "He's charming, Maddie. Don't you think?"

  Maddie forced herself to smile at her best friend. “That's not quite how I'd put it, no."

  "And how would you put it, dar—Maddie?” Riley caught himself. His eyes sparkled, and the corners of his mouth tugged with humor.

  "Hm. I think I'd have to go with compellingly stimulating. My mind is fascinated over his inability to listen to no, and I'm afraid his charm only makes me think of owning a dog."

  Sybil's lips pursed at what Maddie knew she perceived as an insult. But Riley's eyes flashed darkly, clearing hearing her double meaning.

  With a little snort, Sybil patted his arm. “Pay no mind to her, Riley. Maddie's not so good about appreciating the finer things in life."

  He didn't miss a beat. With a chuckle, he retorted, “My hide's thick, Sybil. Though I suspect the queen of racing just has different ways of showing her appreciation.” He punctuated his remark with a wink.

  Damn, he was good. Maddie's belly fluttered and she tightened her fingers around Riley's arm. Blissfully unaware of their private exchange, Sybil tittered with laughter as if he'd just shared some special joke with her.

  As he escorted them down the street to Pete's, Sybil flirted shamelessly, and Riley returned her banter with ease. Almost too much ease. If it weren't for the fact he occasionally undressed Maddie with a simple look, she'd have believed he meant to charm her best friend. Sybil, on the other hand, ate his flirtations up like chocolate drizzled over ice cream. She also didn't hesitate to let Maddie know she was more than prepared to run full gamut with him, if Maddie intended to let him slip through her fingers.

  Sybil's flirtations never bothered Maddie before today. Then again, Sybil rarely ever found the men Maddie dated attractive, and she'd never been confronted by watching her best friend work her magic on a man she wanted. She ought to just tell her. But, she'd spent so much time disavowing Riley Jennings, she couldn't figure out where to begin. The conversation would take hours, and she didn't particularly care to have it in front of Riley. Back off, I'm sleeping with him, wouldn't answer Sybil's endless questions.

  Pete's lobby was crowded with people, which made it impossible for them to stay joined at the elbows. Sybil flashed Maddie a look, urging her to turn Riley loose. With no good reason not to, she let go of his arm, allowing the people to jostle her behind him.

  There, while Sybil chattered away about her recent trip to Cairo, Maddie indulged. She let her gaze wander over him, picturing the way he looked without clothes. His broad shoulders, the powerful muscles along his back, the way his waist tapered in above his sinfully sexy butt. Even dressed, she could see the hard lines of his well—maintained body. Lines that made her want to touch.

  Stepping a half step closer to him, she slid her hands inside his rear jeans pockets, palms against his buttocks, and gave him a firm squeeze. Mischief dared her to laugh as his shoulders stiffened. She tamped it down by chewing on her lower lip.

  He reached his free arm back and batted at her, but Maddie evaded his hand, keeping hers exactly where she wanted them. Tonight might be kind of fun, after all.

  Luck, however, decided to step in and assist with her teasing game. Someone stumbled into her from behind, sending her tumbling forward with a little squeak of surprise. Using the moment to her advantage, she flattened herself against Riley's back, kneaded her fingers into the muscles beneath her hands, and gave her hips a little push. Even standing behind him, she heard his sharp intake of breath.

  She lingered a little longer than she should have, thrilled with her newfound freedom to touch, and just managed to pull her hands out of his pockets before Sybil turned around.

  "Don't you, Maddie?"

  She blinked, avoided looking at Riley, and answered, “Don't I what?"

  Sybil rolled her eyes with an exasperated sigh. “For heaven's sake, Maddie, pay attention. I was telling Riley he'd enjoy Italy, and how you went there every Christmas."

  "Oh.” Maddie nodded, but shifted her weight, uncomfortable. “Since Daddy died, yeah.” She shrugged, hoping to appear indifferent. Truth was, she hated Christmas. Hated the aloneness of the holiday and tried to escape by going to Italy.

  From the corner of her eye, she caught Riley tip his head to the side and felt the weight of his stare. She chanced looking at him, swallowing as those ale-colored eyes pierced through like they could read the secrets of her heart.

  "You spend Christmas, half a world away, with strangers?"

  Summoning a brave smile, she quipped, “It's better than spending it here, alone."

  Riley's brows pulled with the touch of a frown, and he held her gaze for a heart-stopping moment. A little spark arced between them, and deep inside, she knew that simple retort told him far more than she'd wanted it to.

  "Maybe this Christmas will be different."

  Maddie's stomach bottomed out as her knees went suddenly weak. She cut her gaze to her feet, but not before Sybil's head snapped toward him, sensing she'd just missed something.

  Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God. Maddie's head spun. She felt dizzy, hot, and her throat was so dry she couldn't swallow. His words had a lot of commitment laced in them. A hell of a lot. The little suggestion blew his dog ownership remark into a million pieces, and carried twice as much power. Christmas was one of those ... family ... things. Not something designed for a casual date.

  Slowly, she brought her eyes up to meet his. Taking a deep breath, she willed her voice to come out normal, prayed Sybil couldn't sense the erratic beat of her heart. She let the
energy that leapt between them settle around her and replied, “Maybe."

  Riley's eyes glittered coal black.

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  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  A pock-faced waiter, dressed in a turquoise shirt, purple suspenders, and black pants, showed them to a booth near the bar. Hanging on the window, a Heineken sign washed the scratched table with neon green, and here, in the back of the restaurant, the noisy din died down somewhat. Pete's wasn't a place to take someone you wanted to impress. It was, however, a cozy bar with good food and an atmosphere designed for old friends, casual relaxation, and despite all the guests, it felt intimate. It was the kind of place Riley had frequented in college.

  Maddie scooted in one side and hugged the window. Sybil slid in opposite her but patted the seat in open invitation. After last night, and given Maddie's present taunting mood, he didn't dare sit across from her. The last thing he wanted was an erection that Sybil believed she provoked. He dropped in beside Maddie, picked up his napkin and laid it in his lap. Then, he splayed his hand on the vinyl seat where Sybil couldn't observe, and waggled his fingers.

  When Maddie's fingers laced through his, the heat from her hand seeped into him and journeyed all the way up to his shoulder. If Scott didn't get here to distract Sybil soon, Riley was going to go out of his mind. Touching Maddie felt natural. Forcing himself not to was nothing short of torture.

  "So, Riley, tell me, what have you been doing since high school?” Sybil cut into his thoughts.

  "Women,” Maddie answered for him, with a smirk.

  He frowned at her. “I went to college for a while, but then my folks died, and the farm fell to me. I've been in racing since, Sybil. What do you do?"

  Maddie chuckled, and took a sip of her water. Somehow, Riley imagined her tempered retort wouldn't have pleased Sybil. What Maddie saw in this outrageous flirt, he couldn't fathom. They were as different as night and day. Sybil was loud and ostentatious. Maddie, demure and elegant. Sybil left nothing to the imagination. Maddie, however, was all mystery. Although, he had to admit, Maddie made the right call when she said Sybil was like whiskey. This morning, she'd been annoying. Tonight, he found her amusing.