Seduction's Stakes

by Claire Ashgrove

  "Traveling. I follow Maddie around the track a lot. I've been trying to convince her to go overseas when I can, but she's too much of a homebody. Too addicted to horses. I suppose you can understand that, though."

  He nodded. “There's no middle ground when it comes to horses. You either love them or hate them. If you love them, you don't want to leave them. Like a lover you can't get enough of.” He gave Maddie's hand a squeeze.

  She brushed her thumb across his, and a strange tingle raced up his arm to settle at the base of his spine.

  Scott appeared at the same time their waiter did and slid into the seat beside Sybil. Riley used the sudden commotion to his advantage and sidled closer to Maddie. Evidently she'd thought to do the same. They ended up hip to hip. While Sybil gave her drink order to the waiter, Riley gave Maddie a wink.

  The waiter looked at Maddie, expectantly. “Two Sam Adams,” she quipped. “One for me, one for him.” She inclined her head toward Riley. As he blinked at her, he noticed the way she chewed on her lower lip to tamp down her laughter.

  Little minx. “Make that two Heinekens,” he corrected.

  "I can't stand Heineken, Riley,” Maddie commented in a low voice.

  The waiter gave him a harassed frown.

  "She'll take something berry and...” He glanced at her again. Her smile brightened her eyes a vivid green. “Blue,” he concluded. The drink last night had most definitely been blue.

  He looked up to find Scott staring at him like he'd grown two noses.

  "D'ya get the feeling we missed something, Scott?” Sybil asked as she set her head against Scott's shoulder.

  Riley glared at his young groom but gave the lad credit. At least he had the sense to change the subject.

  "Jess was a little warm in her left hind. I wrapped her up in ice. I'll have to go back after dinner."

  That sobered Riley. Beside him, Maddie tensed as well. Heat meant injury. Injury meant she couldn't run. “How warm?” he asked.

  Scott popped a peanut in his mouth. “Not very. Just a tad bit more than her right. She wasn't favoring it at all. I'll make sure she's bandaged up tonight just in case, but the more I think about it, Riley, that filly has a pattern. Her left leg heats up right before she comes in season."

  It sounded like nonsense to Riley. He'd never heard of anything as ridiculous. But, Scott wasn't the sort of person to jump to conclusions. If he noticed a pattern, chances were he had written records of everything. Meticulous to a fault, Scott was the best damn groom Riley had ever met.

  "That'd make breeding easier,” Maddie interjected without so much as a blink. Evidently she didn't think Scott's deductions were hogwash, either.

  "I hadn't thought of that,” Scott answered with a short laugh. “Oh, Doc Turnov'll get a laugh out of that. Here Doc, she's ready, check her leg not her ovaries."

  Riley found himself laughing along with the other two.

  When the waiter returned with their drinks and asked for their order, Maddie disentangled her hand from his long enough to accept and whisper at his shoulder what she wanted to eat. He liked that about her. His mother taught him a gentleman always ordered for a lady. The fact Maddie let him do so, gave him a rather odd sense of pleasure. Not too many women in this world let a man do the little things like that anymore.

  As she settled back down in the booth, her hand plopped into his lap, and those damn fingers of hers found their way atop his cock. He almost spit his beer all over Scott when she gave him a little squeeze. He shifted in the seat, hoping to dislodge her, but only succeeded in setting himself square in her palm, the tips of her fingers just beneath his balls. Oh, she would pay for this later.

  Yet, that hand didn't move. She didn't so much as twitch a finger. And the longer she cupped him, doing nothing, the more his blood pooled in his groin.

  The waiter looked to him, expectant.

  Riley cleared his throat, inadvertently bouncing himself against her palm. The shock that raced through him almost left him speechless. Struggling to keep his thoughts in line, he passed the waiter their menus. “I'll have the Texas Tom Tortilla Burger, and she'll have the Mushroom and Swiss, no green peppers."

  Sybil's gaze fastened on him. Her eyes narrowed a little, and he could have sworn one side of her mouth twitched. But Riley could care less about Sybil right now. He was too enchanted by what Maddie wasn't doing in his lap. His cock now stood at full attention beneath her hand, aching for her to touch him, to feel her fingers squeeze. Still, she remained motionless, as if she had no idea what she was doing. Only ... Riley knew far better. Maddie was back to her games, and enjoying this one a great deal. And she expected to sleep tonight—not hardly.

  * * * *

  Maddie met Sybil her freshman year of high school at summer camp. Despite going to different private schools, they were instant, best friends. In fifteen years of friendship, Maddie had never felt threatened by Sybil's magnetic way with men. Until tonight. There was something about the way Sybil flirted with Riley that set off alarm bells in her head. She couldn't explain why, either. At least beyond the fact that Sybil was prettier than herself. Sybil didn't hesitate to use her curvy body to her advantage, and Sybil's prowess was something Maddie suspected Madonna might envy.

  As dinner wore on, the more Sybil flirted with Riley, the more uncomfortable Maddie became. The urge to tell Sybil sat heavily on her tongue, threatening to escape every time she opened her mouth to answer some question one of her three companions threw her way. To keep it lodged, she said very little, contenting her fears by keeping her hand on Riley so he couldn't forget her amidst Sybil's whirlwind.

  She couldn't deny taunting Riley humored her, either. Every once in a while, he'd move forward in his seat, reaching for something across the table. When he did, he rolled his hips against her palm, and she gave him what he wanted—a little squeeze, a tug, a quick massage. But as a rule, she didn't move. She wasn't trying to drive him crazy like she had last night. She just wanted him wholly aware of her.

  The backlash of her game, however, was that she'd somehow managed to turn herself on as well, and the growing ache between her legs was starting to become uncomfortable. Except, the mere thought of relieving her desire only added to her present exhaustion.

  "Riley, I hate to cut things short, but I really need to get back to Jess and get her bandaged up for the night. I'm gonna beg off the carnival, if you don't mind.” Scott dropped his napkin to his plate and stood up. “Sybil, I apologize. Although, I hope we can get together again."

  Maddie just bet he did. At least he wasn't fawning over her as she'd expected him to. Most men Scott's age didn't know what to do when Sybil sank her teeth into them. And the almost indiscernible bruise at the base of his throat said she had.

  "Of course,” Sybil purred, flashing him a bright smile.

  Her lack of immediate invitation, coupled with the way she quickly turned that smile toward Riley, warned Maddie. Sybil's plans for the weekend didn't involve Riley's young groom.

  "Give me a call, Scott, if she's sore at all. We'll have the vet come look at her tonight. I don't want her running tomorrow if there's any question she's not sound."

  Scott agreed with a nod. “Nice to meet you, Maddie. Hope you'll come and cheer us on in the Black-Eyed Susan."

  Maddie smiled as she briefly tightened her hand around Riley's rock-hard erection. “Of course, Scott. I love to judge my competition."

  Scott chortled as he tossed them all a brief wave and strode toward the door.

  "Shall we go too, ladies?” Riley asked.

  "Yes, let's! I'm anxious for my balloon ride."

  Balloon ride? What balloon ride? Maddie's gaze cut to Riley, but the man refused to look at her. She turned then to Sybil, hoping for an explanation.

  Sybil didn't disappoint. “Riley promised me earlier he'd take me up on one of the tethered ascents."

  "Oh he did, did he?” This time, Maddie clamped down around his cock hard enough that he squirmed.

  "He did
,” Riley answered through a cough. “When he wasn't particularly paying attention. You're more than welcome to join us, though, ang—Maddie."

  She shuddered. “Not on your life. I do good to fly."

  "If you'll give me a moment, I need to use the restroom,” Sybil said, excusing herself.

  When she was out of eyesight, Maddie turned to Riley. “A balloon ride? That's awfully romantic, don't you think?"

  "Down girl,” he scolded with a chuckle. Leaning over her way, he brushed his mouth across hers. “Don't you worry a bit, darlin'. You've got me so worked up I couldn't possibly think of anything but you."

  With a light chuckle, she massaged him again, savoring the way his eyes closed with a soft gasp.

  "Maddie, you're going to break me, I swear,” he murmured near her ear. “You make me weak with wanting you."

  She shivered, but before she could respond, she spied Sybil step out of the restroom. With a quick nod, she warned Riley, and he slid out of the booth. As she scooted out into the aisle, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her in front of him. “Stay in front of me."

  At that, she giggled.

  "All right, I'm ready. Shall we go?” Sybil asked with breathless excitement.

  Riley motioned her ahead, and Sybil started for the door. When Maddie made to follow, Riley's hand fell into the small of her back. She looked over her shoulder to give him soft smile.

  "You all right, angel?” he asked quietly.

  "I'm exhausted, Riley. I can hardly keep my eyes open."

  His fingers massaged the base of her spine, but Sybil lurked too close for any further response.

  When they stepped onto the harbor walk, the cool night air hit Maddie full force, and as Sybil beckoned for them to hurry up, the effort of walking felt suddenly overwhelming. She tried to keep up, and Riley didn't seem to have any difficulty matching Sybil's quick pace, but she couldn't find her energy at all. The heavy dinner, combined with the alcohol, only added to her earlier exhaustion.

  "I can't do this, Sybil, Riley,” she announced as they neared the hotel.

  Riley stopped, his brows pulling together with a look of concern. Sybil, however, looked only too happy to have her bow out of the evening. It wouldn't surprise Maddie at all if Sybil had hoped she might excuse herself.

  "Do what?” Riley asked.

  "I'm too tired. You two go on ahead. I hate to spoil the night.” Hated to send Sybil off with Riley alone. However, she couldn't think of another solution. She needed sleep. Badly. “I'll just duck in here and go up to our room. You have a key, right, Syb?"

  "I do.” She reached into her purse and waggled it about.

  Maddie nodded.

  "I'll see you to the elevator.” The insistent look behind Riley's eyes warned her not to argue. “Sybil, wait here for me, I won't be a moment."

  "Hurry up, Riley, I'm anxious to have you all to myself."

  If Sybil laid one hand on Riley, Maddie vowed she'd never speak to her again.

  Riley pushed open the heavy glass doors and ushered her into the hotel's foyer. Once inside, his hand found hers, and he pulled her toward the row of elevators behind the stairs. He pushed the up button, then turned to her.

  Before Maddie could blink, he pulled her against his chest, bringing his mouth down hard against hers. The kiss was quick, deep, and laden with fire that seared into her.

  "Never, ever, do that when I can't escape and bury myself inside you, Maddie,” he warned as he raked his hands down her back to gave her bottom a little squeeze.

  "It's so fun, though,” she protested with a chuckle.

  His expression said he didn't agree. With a quick kiss to the top of her head, he fished out his wallet and handed her a plastic keycard. “I expect to find you beside me in the morning. Deal?"

  She grinned as she snatched the card from his hand and stuffed it in her pocket. “Deal."

  The elevator doors opened with a ding, and Riley let her loose. “Get some rest, angel."

  With a quick nod, she stepped inside the doors.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Maddie let herself into her vacant room and flipped on the light. It was identical to Riley's, only two floors above. Her suitcase sat near the sofa where she'd dropped it earlier, and she crossed to it, intent on unpacking before she collapsed in the bed she'd have to share with Sybil. Sybil never rented her own room. Largely because Sybil always managed to find somewhere else to stay. As a result, Maddie rarely had to share her space, even when they traveled together.

  She dragged the lightweight case into the bedroom, tossed it on the bed, and unsnapped the latches. As she flipped up the lid, the dress she'd worn last night greeted her, and it occurred to her there wasn't sense in unpacking. Tomorrow, she'd relocate up to Riley's room, only to unpack all over again. With a soft smile, she picked up the filmy black material and held it up to her cheek. It smelled like Riley. Spicy, clean, utterly masculine.

  Riley. Who was with Sybil. She wrinkled her nose and dropped the dress back into the suitcase before rummaging for a t-shirt and shorts. When she found them, she took her clothes and her toothbrush into the oversized bathroom and stripped out of what she had on. Once dressed for bed, she began her usual routine—washed her face, brushed her teeth, dragged a hairbrush through her hair, and twisted it up into a loose ponytail.

  Wandering back into the bedroom, she stuffed her dirty clothes into the suitcase, snapped it shut and pushed it to the floor, too tired to actually pick it up and relocate it. She slid beneath the crisp linens, snatched up the remote control, and clicked on the flat-screen TV. Prime time comedy greeted her.

  Content to listen to bad jokes and elementary plots, she fluffed the pillows and leaned back to stare at the picture. Her mind drifted to Riley.

  She liked him, no question about it. Tonight, when Scott mentioned Jumpin Jess’ leg, she'd been as concerned as Riley was. As far as she could recall, she hadn't felt that kind of worry over someone else's horses, and the fact she had, alerted her that he'd already set his teeth into her heart.

  When he'd suggested Christmas, despite his casual reference, for a moment she'd glimpsed sitting before a crackling fire, the colorful lights of a decorated tree dancing behind them as they cuddled together on the couch. The last time she'd even entertained the notion of Christmas with a man had been with Nate. Their first, and only, Christmas together as a couple found them retreating to her apartment after dinner with her parents. He'd died five months later.

  Now, Riley challenged her to consider what might be. Could he really be thinking that far in advance? Had she read the look in his eyes appropriately? She wanted to believe she had. But, her fear kept one foot firmly rooted in reality, and she reminded herself Riley had never been the kind of man to stay with one woman long. She'd be foolish to think she could change that.

  Particularly with Sybil throwing herself at him.

  Stop it, Maddie. If you'd opened your mouth and fessed up to Sybil, you wouldn't be worrying yourself right now.

  When it came down to things, Maddie knew she was one big chicken. She hadn't wanted to tell Sybil because she feared Sybil's inevitable lecture. Didn't want to hear her I told you so's. Didn't want to have to explain how she'd let Riley seduce her, and then after an incredible night of sex, was fantasizing about the long-term. Sybil would lecture for hours. She'd remind Maddie that sex was one thing. Commitment entirely another, and they didn't necessarily go hand in hand. Something Maddie knew, but couldn't give up her faith the two might actually function symmetrically at some point.

  As a rule, Sybil was a good friend. When it came to the important things, Sybil never let her down. Sure, she had a crazy obsession with men and seemed hell-bent on experiencing as many as she could, but beneath it all Sybil had a heart of gold. However, it had been a long, long, time since Maddie had seen Sybil this interested in someone, and she couldn't shake off her apprehension.

  Have faith in Riley.

  If only
it were that easy. Although he'd never been unfaithful, even Nate had confessed he wasn't entirely immune to Sybil.

  She let her thoughts wander to Nate. What would he say right now? He'd probably ruffle her hair and preach, “Life's about taking chances, Maddie. If you plan everything out so you can't possibly fail, where's the excitement of success? You already knew how it would end before you ever got there."

  Nate. Always pushing her to live a little freer, dream a little larger, embrace failure with as much passion as she embraced success.

  So why was he telling her some unknown risk wasn't worthwhile?

  She frowned a little. It wouldn't be the first time she'd had prophetic dreams. While they didn't occur on a nightly basis, more than once she'd dreamt warnings of things to come. She had the same sense of apprehension about this reoccurring dream with Nate as she had through every other similar experience. But what was it this time? What risk was he talking about? Riley?

  No, that didn't feel right. Nate wouldn't come to her in dreams, nor would her subconscious summon Nate, if the subject dealt with Riley. Something else. Something about Infidelity.

  The colt maybe? He'd been born about the time Infidelity started running, which put the events in line with Nate's appearance in her dreams. Maybe she should forget about Ghostly Persuasion.

  Behind her eyes, her head started to throb, and Maddie pushed the questions from her mind. Tonight wasn't the night to delve into deep thought. She was too tired for the journey.

  Better to think of Riley. To recall the feel of his hands gliding over her body, exploring, caressing, arousing.

  * * * *

  Sybil gazed down at the ant-size people scattered across the harbor walk and hiccupped. Up here, the view was beautiful. Especially when she looked at Riley. Illuminated by the gas flames and the deep red silk of their hot air balloon, the man looked good enough to eat.

  Damn shame he wasn't interested in her. Damn frustrating shame.

  She'd pulled out every trick she knew and managed to find herself giving him a dissertation about Maddie. Maddie's favorite color. Maddie's favorite food. Maddie's reasons for going to Italy. Maddie's involvement with Nate. One thing after another. Maddie was all he talked about.