Seduction's Stakes

by Claire Ashgrove

  "I don't feel a thing wrong. You weren't here today, Maddie. Your horse, however, didn't take a single misstep. If he were my horse, I'd feel comfortable putting him up for the night without second thought."

  She nodded and nibbled on her lip once more.

  Riley moved closer and leaned back against the wall. Near enough that if she wanted to call a truce and touch him, she could, but far enough away he didn't invade her space. “You had the dream again?"

  Another barely noticeable nod.

  "What makes you think it has something to do with Infidelity?"

  "Nate said it did."

  Riley felt the air rush from his lungs as an eerie sense of foreboding drifted down his spine, lifting the hairs on his arm. “What did he say?"

  Maddie stared at the rafters above Infidelity's head and recited, “It will ruin Infidelity."

  "I'm not much for superstition or the like, Maddie, but I'm not going to tease you. If you believe this, I'll help how I can."

  She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, falling silent for several long moments. When she opened them again, she turned around and started for the stall door. “You help the most, Riley, by disappearing."

  Damn.

  He hadn't prepared for that sort of response. The sting worked its way slowly through him until it eventually settled somewhere in his heart. It hurt more than he wanted to admit. Goddamn, it burned like fire.

  If that's the way she wanted things, fine. He stalked out of the stall, back to his end of the barn. “Scott?"

  "Yeah?"

  "You make sure Spoil's fed early tomorrow morning. We've got a race we have to win."

  Maddie might be mad, but he still had a wager hanging over his head. A wager he didn't intend to lose.

  * * * *

  Maddie lay awake in bed, unable to find sleep. If her mind wasn't on Infidelity, it drifted to Riley. With Sybil gone, she couldn't help but wonder if he slept alone. She wanted to believe he did. Even now, as angry as she was, and as deeply as he'd hurt her, she craved the feel of him. Ached for the pleasure he gave.

  He'd been the only one of the three men who looked at Infidelity to treat her with consideration. Doctor Brighton, as professional as he was, didn't hesitate to tell her multiple times he thought she was overreacting and wasting his time. He hinted it again when he called to confirm he saw no injury to Infidelity's legs. John made his feelings perfectly clear in front of Riley. But Riley—Riley looked at Infidelity like he believed her. Took the time to really pay attention. Of all the men there, she valued his opinion the most.

  His confident remark about putting Infidelity up without concern soothed her worries a little. But not quite enough to let her find sleep. Now, she just wanted to curl up with Riley Jennings and listen to the sound of his heartbeat beneath her ear.

  She rolled over, miserable. Was he sleeping? Did he regret what he'd done?

  Tomorrow loomed over her like a dark cloud. Infidelity had to win. Ghost was hers if he did. If he didn't, would Riley still insist on this ridiculous bet? She couldn't afford to take that risk. Tangling with Riley now only left her vulnerable. At the same time, letting go of Ghost when she was this close felt like the coward's way out. Wholly unacceptable. She'd never let a one of these men in this industry intimidate her into running, and she damn sure didn't intend to start with Riley.

  There was only one way to go about resolving this. Infidelity must win.

  * * * *

  Riley flopped onto his back and stared out the window, shifting beneath the covers to try and alleviate the discomfort in his groin. He'd been thinking of Maddie ever since he got back here. Imagining how he intended to seduce her into giving him what he most wanted—her, naked, and in his arms, murmuring those addictive little sounds of pleasure.

  Mister Spoilsport had to win tomorrow. It was the only chance he had to put this mess with Sybil behind him. Maybe he wouldn't succeed in winning Maddie for the long-haul, but he didn't intend to let her go angry. He'd rather her leave remembering the magic they shared in bed.

  He couldn't help but wonder what she might do if he showed up outside her door. Half of him wanted to go up to her room and bang on the door until she let him in. Then, he intended to kiss her until she couldn't see straight. After that...

  He groaned softly. All laying here and thinking about her earned him was a rock hard cock that throbbed painfully with want. What in the hell was wrong with her? Sure, he expected she'd be angry about that kiss, but punishing him like this? Good God, the woman evidently didn't understand the meaning of torture.

  That was it. He was going to win tomorrow, and he'd take Maddie up here tomorrow night and remind her what she'd walked away from. If the fool woman still wanted to be rid of him, then at least he'd have the satisfaction of spilling himself inside her one last time.

  If Infidelity won...

  Mister Spoilsport must win.

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  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Maddie woke to the buzzing alarm at eight in the morning and leapt out of bed with more vigor than she'd had in the last several days, despite her lack of sleep. Preakness day had arrived. Her heart beat a little faster, and she couldn't stifle the smile that danced at her lips.

  She hurried to her closet to pull out the dress she'd brought for today. Though the Preakness wasn't nearly as formal as the Kentucky Derby, as an owner she'd need to speak with the media today and didn't dare wear the casual attire afforded to spectators. Sage green, and cut in an A-line fashion, it fell to just above her knees and was overall rather plain in design. Tastefully simple as her father would have called it. She carried it to the bathroom and flipped on the shower.

  Taking less than fifteen minutes to shampoo her hair and wash, she jumped out just as quickly and flipped her hair over her head to dry it with a towel. At nine o'clock she would meet Archie and the rest of who's who in racing for a quick continental breakfast. Not a required event or formal gathering even, it was still expected. She didn't dare be late.

  Makeup came next, a slight dusting of eye shadow, a touch of rouge, and a dash of mascara. Then, she wiggled into the dress and appraised her appearance.

  Form—fitting through the waist, it gathered beneath her breasts, and a large silver ring accented the tauntingly deep V-neck. The wide straps wound up behind her neck to criss-cross over her back, and the skirt fell away in soft folds. Tastefully simple according to her father, perhaps. Riley, however, would call it something far different given the alluring neckline and the way it complimented her eyes.

  She hoped he choked.

  Raking a brush through her damp locks, she twisted her hair into a loose bun and spiked three pearl-tipped pins in to hold it into place. She left her neck bare, but fixed a pair of dainty gold hoops into her ears and slid on a matching bangle bracelet. Last, she added a touch of earthen lipstick topped with shiny gloss.

  She grabbed her small clutch, slipped her feet into a pair of strappy heels, and walked with purpose to the elevators. Her steps felt light and confident. Undefeatable. Today, nothing would rattle her. She forbade it to happen. Today, she would win.

  On the ride down to the lobby, she checked her watch. Eight forty—five, right on time. Just enough time to get to Pimlico.

  Archie had the truck, and she hailed a cab. As Baltimore passed by the window, she tried not to think about running into Riley today. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to him.

  * * * *

  Riley pushed open the screen door to the clubhouse and entered the small gathering of trainers, owners, dignitaries and sports officials. Several others filtered through the door, grabbing a doughnut or croissant on the way, and the activity created a cacophony of noise. Noise Riley found comforting.

  Nodding to several familiar faces whose names he couldn't remember, he made his way to the small buffet table laden with pastries, coffee, tea and juice, and plopped two chocolate covered doughnuts onto a paper plate. He filled a cup of coffee and tu
rned around to survey the gathered competitors. A brunette in the far corner of the room caught his eye, and Riley almost choked on his coffee. Stephanie Laslow—what in the hell was she doing here? Daughter to Fred Laslow, former Preakness winning owner, Riley had spent last year's Preakness sampling her finer qualities. The sex was good. The girl—slightly psychotic. She'd quite literally stalked him for the rest of the summer. But he'd managed to finally get rid of her in the fall when he introduced her to Jimmy Denton.

  The Laslows didn't have horses entered today, and she'd been the last person he'd expected to see. Last he'd heard, Jimmy had no complaints about her overbearing, possessive, nymphomaniac ways. He'd never smooth things over with Maddie as long as Stephanie was around. Damn it all, couldn't he get a break once in a while?

  Archie beckoned to him from a small table in the corner of the room. Yes, he could get a break once in a while. Thank, God. He hurried over just as Stephanie's gaze settled on him and dropped into a chair, hoping she'd think he was discussing business.

  "Where's Maddie?” Giving Riley a frown, Archie took a sip of his coffee.

  "Funny, I was hoping you might tell me the same thing."

  "Jesus, boy, what's the matter with you?” The old man leaned forward in his chair. “I give you the name of her hotel, I screw up her reservation, and you still manage to fuck things up?"

  Riley did choke this time, spluttering coffee all over the table. Shooting Archie an incredulous look, he swiped at the mess, then dabbed at his shirt. He blinked at Archie in disbelief. “What do you mean you screwed up her reservations?"

  "I mean I picked up the damn phone and changed her dates."

  Unable to find words, Riley worked his jaw and swallowed down a bite of doughnut.

  Archie leveled him with a frown. “So why aren't you with the goddamn girl?"

  "Ah, we had a little bit of a misunderstanding."

  The salt and pepper eyebrows beside him arced up in a severe line, and Archie's weatherworn features plied him for information.

  "I don't quite understand it myself, Archie. Believe me, if I did, I'd fix it. Don't worry, I've got things under control."

  "Ya do, eh?” His mouth twitched with humor, and he leaned back in his chair, chewing on the end of a cigar. “That's why she's here with you, right?"

  At that moment a hush fell over the small crowd. Riley didn't have to look up to know. His skin tingled, wholly aware.

  The door pushed open, and Maddie stepped inside.

  Something deep inside Riley rolled over and surrendered. He hardly noticed the way his cock jumped to attention, he'd become so accustomed to the reaction, but what he couldn't ignore was the way every part of him screamed at her to look his way.

  She did, and his heart skidded to a stop. Her smile faltered for half a second, but she corrected it quickly, so quickly he almost believed she meant it.

  When she turned to give burly owner Dirk Bettans a light hug, everything around her reverted to normal—except Riley. A pang of jealousy seized him. All he could think about was how he needed to have those lips press that kiss against his cheek.

  He couldn't take his eyes off her as she crossed to the buffet table, filled a plate, and grabbed a glass of orange juice. She looked around, searching for a place to sit. Riley noticed the empty chair at the same moment her eyes fastened on it. The only one left in the room was right beside him.

  Two breaks in one morning. This was asking for too much.

  Sporting a little smile that said she wasn't at all pleased, she eased herself down beside him.

  "Morning, Maddie,” he said as casually as he could.

  "Damn, you didn't choke to death,” she muttered as she took a drink of her juice.

  Back to the Maddie he'd known before the Derby. Cold, unfriendly, and quite often rude. He smirked. “No, darlin', I didn't.” Leaning closer to her, he lowered his voice and added, “I'll be happy to tell you what I did do, in detail, if you'd like. Or, you can put that dainty little hand in my lap and find out for yourself."

  Not missing a beat, Maddie narrowed her eyes to mere slits and scowled at him.

  He chuckled as he lifted his coffee cup in mock toast. “As I said, good morning."

  With a sugary—sweet smile, she replied, “Good morning, Mister Jennings.” Setting her elbows on the table, she looked around him. “Archie, how's our boy this morning?"

  "He's doin’ just fine, Maddie. He knows he's got a job to do today."

  "Good. I think he'll look pretty in that wreath of Susans.” She slid a coy look Riley's way.

  Riley couldn't resist the opportunity to goad. “That's assuming Spoil doesn't steal them from him."

  "He won't. I've put too much time into planning my new colt's arrival for him to lose,” she quipped.

  Ghost. She hadn't forgotten. Perfect.

  "And I've put too much time into planning my bottom line for Infidelity to win."

  That got her attention. Her smile faltered a moment, and her eyes flickered with apprehension.

  Beside him, Archie broke out in raspy laughter. “You two'd accomplish a lot more and turn more heads if you'd just get it over with and go screw the shit out of each other. Ya make an old man's head hurt listening to your damn arguing."

  Maddie spluttered her juice all over her plate and gaped at Archie.

  Riley would have laughed. Only, he was too stunned to do much more than stare. In all his years on the track, he'd never heard Archie be so crude in front of a woman.

  "Oh, don't look at me like I've been smoking something fishy. For two years I've been watching you play a game of cat and mouse. I ain't stupid, and it amuses the hell out of me to think about how many heads would spin if the two biggest racing rivals finally admitted what they've been trying to hide.” His gaze narrowed on Maddie. “Better yet, what Maddie's been tryin’ to avoid."

  Maddie's jaw fell open then clamped shut. She pushed away from her chair, attempting to rise.

  "Oh, stop, Maddie. Sit your pretty little ass down. I ain't said anything that should offend you, and don't you be getting all uppity on me. I've known you since you were knees high to a cricket. Don't think I'd set out to humiliate you."

  She dropped back into her seat and picked up her doughnut, muttering.

  "I think now would be a good time for me to go see how Spoil is doing.” Riley cleared his throat and dropped his napkin.

  "You ain't going nowhere, Riley Jennings. I knew your Pa, and he'd spin your head for tucking tail and running."

  Suddenly uncomfortable, Riley studied his plate.

  "All that aside, kids, you got trouble coming.” Archie nodded his head at something behind Maddie.

  When Riley's gaze lifted over her head, he groaned inwardly. With a sultry smile, Stephanie marched straight for him, her eyes glittering in the way they always had when she intended to proposition Riley. Damn it all, what happened to Jimmy?

  Maddie turned to look, and Riley couldn't help but hear her mutter. So she knew about Stephanie as well. Then again—no one who'd been in the racing industry for more than a year, didn't.

  "She's been watching you since you walked in, Riley,” Archie continued. “Came in here asking about you loud and clear."

  Riley swore beneath his breath.

  "And, sweetheart,” Archie turned a kinder expression on Maddie. “It'd be mighty kind of you to bail out Riley here if you can put your ego aside. Ain't a man alive deserving of that kind of crazy."

  Maddie's eyes widened. Her mouth dropped slightly at Archie's suggestion before she stammered a protest.

  Behind her, Stephanie blew Riley a kiss.

  Shit. She'd cornered him. He couldn't even get up and leave without her following him outside.

  In a flash of complete desperation, Riley did the only thing he could think of. He slid his fingers up the back of Maddie's neck, drew her closer, and kissed her.

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  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Maddie set her hands o
n Riley's shoulders, bracing against the hard assault of his mouth, hoping to dislodge him. Stephanie, or no Stephanie, she was not going down this road. She knew where it led and wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. Not when he wasn't capable of keeping his pants on.

  Yet, Riley didn't let go. His mouth softened, and the tip of his tongue danced across her lower lip. Intoxicatingly perfect. The scent of spice and soap seeped into her mind, transporting her back in time to where she couldn't remember why she was angry with him. Her fingers relaxed as she surrendered, parting her lips in open invitation.

  His tongue swept inside to brush against hers. With slow enticing pleasure, he deepened the kiss, coaxing her into an embrace that went beyond sexual to something far deeper. The portion of her heart she'd barricaded from him gave a little, and she responded, savoring the taste of him, the heat in his embrace.

  Riley.

  The quiet plea echoed in her head. Her hands tightened against his shoulders as her heartbeat accelerated. As if he heard her, his mouth demanded a little more, and his fingers curled into the hair at the nape of her neck. He flooded her senses, consuming her, stirring the pleasant sensations into liquid fire that pooled in her belly.

  "Maddie, we better go see to our colt,” Archie's voice broke through her haze, jerking her back to reality.

  She pulled away from Riley and wiped at the corner's of her mouth as her cheeks burned hot. In front of everyone she respected, she'd just kissed Riley. And it hadn't been any ordinary kiss by any means. A blind man would know they'd been lovers from that kiss. Judging from the ripple of murmurs that drifted her way, several people already caught on.

  With effort, she swallowed, and ducked her gaze to him. His eyes glittered near—black, and in them, she read fierce hunger. She shivered beneath the intensity.

  After everything that had happened, she couldn't stop her reaction to him, and that filled her with shame. She shouldn't want Riley like she did. Should have more control over her body. It was nothing less than mortifying the way she melted like butter so damn easily.

  For courtesy's sake, she allowed Riley a tiny smile. Then, summoning her courage, she slid out of her chair. Archie took her elbow, steering her out the door, his body shaking with unspent laughter.