Seduction's Stakes

by Claire Ashgrove

  "Maddie.” He paused to lean back and look into her eyes. “The important thing I told Sybil after she kissed me was that I belonged to you. I told her about us."

  She clamped her teeth down on her lip as her chin began to tremble again. Oh, God, she'd been so wrong. It was etched into his expression, his sincerity glimmered in those brown eyes.

  "She got so upset, and she was so drunk, she ended up sick all over my floor, all over herself. She was absolutely horrified about her behavior. I helped her to the bathroom and she passed out leaning on the toilet."

  "But..."

  He pressed a finger to her lips with a shake of his head.

  "Sybil spoiled her clothes, and yes, I took her out of them. I threw them out with the trash in the morning too. I put her in the robe. I put her into bed and headed for the couch. But damn it all, I don't fit on that couch. I tried. I wasn't naked, angel. I still had my shorts on, and she was on top of the covers, I beneath."

  To her absolute humiliation, another tear slid down her cheek. Riley wiped it away with the pad of his thumb.

  "Why didn't you phone me? I'd have come taken care of her. Then I wouldn't have let myself in and walked in on what I thought I saw. I tried to call you. You didn't answer."

  "You were so tired when we said goodnight I didn't have the heart to wake you up. And, angel, I was out. I didn't hear the phone. Almost slept through my alarm. If you'd walked in here any other night, I'd have woken up the second the door opened. But, darlin', you wore me out.” He gave her a little grin.

  Her mind whirled back to where he'd started. She summoned a faltering smile. “You told her you belonged to me?"

  The side of his mouth pulled up with a soft smile. “Do you want me?"

  With a little chuckle she nodded.

  "Then darlin', you've got me. Don't ask me how, though. I might get cold feet if I stop to think about it too long."

  "I'm sorry,” she whispered as she laid her palm against his cheek.

  He nuzzled her hand and shook his head. “Don't be. I was just awfully damn confused about why you were so pissed off about a kiss I didn't even initiate."

  She leaned against him, quiet for a long while, content to bathe in the security of his embrace. Hers. Riley Jennings was hers.

  At length she let out a little giggle and asked, “Where's that leave our wager, handsome?"

  Giving her a playful groan, Riley pushed her back into the pillows, lying down beside her. “Do you ever stop thinking about that damn colt?"

  "Never,” she swore.

  "Five Hundred and...” He gave her a thoughtful look. “You go in partners with me, thirty, seventy."

  She punched his shoulder with half—hearted effort. “Only if I get the seventy."

  "Not on your life,” he laughed.

  "Good night, Riley.” She pulled herself to her elbows and planted a kiss on his cheek.

  As she settled back into the crook of his arm and flattened her palm over his chest, he whispered, “Good night, angel."

  * * * *

  Shortly after dawn, Riley awakened more aroused than he ever remembered being. Between all the mixed emotion of last night, and the shamefully naughty dream he'd had about Maddie in a shower, his growing erection demanded he wake up and do something about it. Only, as he shook off the last fragments of his erotic dream, a cool rush of air, accompanied by the light tickle of long blond hair, drove the realization he wasn't just dreaming home.

  Maddie's lips danced across his body, inching their tantalizing way closer to his hardening shaft. Each little nip of her teeth, each intoxicating flick of her tongue, sent short bursts of pleasure straight to his groin and had him standing at full attention faster than he could utter the words good morning. He lay there, unwilling to move, paralyzed by her slow descent.

  Her hands found him first, closing around his hard length with a little squeeze that stole his breath. She stroked him, working a path of perfect pressure from base to sensitive tip. His hips responded, lifting closer, and he breathed heavier. His balls fit neatly into her hand, and she massaged them as she gripped him.

  "Good morning, handsome,” she murmured just before her tongue seared across his swollen head.

  His breath came out in a hiss, and his hands fisted into the sheets.

  She took him into her mouth, raking her teeth along his length, swirling that wicked tongue and driving him perfectly insane with need. When she suckled, her fingers slid up and down his shaft, and his body jerked against the strain of laying still. He gave up, let his hips slide and push against her delicious mouth, edging closer to release. He wouldn't let her take him over the edge, but he'd let her get close.

  When she nipped playfully, then eased away the prick of pleasure-pain with a flick of her tongue, his balls pulled tighter. Lord, if he didn't stop her, she seemed more than content to allow him to let go. Riley grabbed her arms and dragged her to his chest, embedding himself inside her, pleasantly surprised to find her every bit as ready as he was.

  That was all it took. The solitary plunge so completely captivated him, his world exploded in a shower of sparks. Holding her hips firmly in place, he pumped into her, spilling himself. How she managed to join him, he couldn't comprehend. But she did. Leaning over to claim his mouth, her flesh throbbed around his pulsing shaft, and she let out a little sound of pleasure as she shuddered against his chest.

  He kissed her with leisure. Brought his hand up to trail through her silken hair, awed by the power she had over him. She eased the kiss to a close and folded her arms over his chest. Setting her chin in her hands, she gave him a smile full of mischief.

  "The things you do to me, Maddie,” he mused with a chuckle.

  Her eyebrows lifted and she gave him a flirty little wink.

  Damned if she wasn't the most priceless woman he'd ever met.

  "I want breakfast,” she announced. “And I want to meet this dog of yours."

  "Aren't the horses leaving this afternoon?"

  "Don't we have grooms for that sort of thing?"

  She had a point. While he chose to accompany Mister Spoilsport everywhere, there was nothing stating he must.

  "Take me home, Riley. With you.” She batted her eyelashes in the most convincing fashion.

  "My, you're awfully demanding this morning,” he answered with a smirk, knowing full well he'd do exactly what she asked.

  "Oh, I don't know.” She let out a small sigh, and shrugged her shoulders. “I could swear I just earned the right to be. I guess I didn't work hard enough.” As the corners of her mouth twitched with humor, she wriggled her hips against his.

  Riley rolled her over with a playful growl, and tickled her until she panted for air. “I'll take you home with me, darlin'. But I'm not making any promises about what happens when we get there.” He nipped at her earlobe.

  "Please don't."

  The sigh she let out when he settled his mouth on hers, sent Riley's heart careening into his ribs.

  * * * *

  Maddie waited near the hotel exit while Riley handled their mutual check-out. The man the public knew differed so greatly from the one he let her see in private. Confident, in control, arrogant, and completely businesslike, from a distance he was the epitome of alpha male. When it was the two of them, he had a tender side, a side that seemingly loved to cater to her desires. His thoughtfulness continued to take her by surprise. Again this morning, he'd disappeared while she was showering, returning with not only breakfast, but also the most perfect red rose she'd ever laid eyes on. A man who brought flowers when he wasn't in trouble, was a rare find.

  She loved watching him. Found a thrill over her secret knowledge of his private side. Delighted in the fact he wanted her to share it with him.

  The colt, however, loomed between them. She didn't quite know how to separate business from pleasure, but she had to make Riley understand she was serious about buying his horse. At the same time, she didn't want to confess why it was so important, for fear he'd take pity
on her and sell because she shared his bed.

  When she'd hedged around the subject last night, he avoided it by teasing her. Had he decided he didn't want to sell? Or did he think it didn't matter now that they were officially involved? She hadn't been brave enough to explore the subject further.

  There had to be a way. Something she hadn't considered yet. One way or another, she would own that colt. She just had to convince Riley he wanted her to have it.

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  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Maddie lay in Riley's bed, contemplating the last two weeks, and waiting for him to finish with his nightly shower. In what amounted to fifteen days at home in Kentucky, they'd created a comfortable schedule, splicing their lives together with so little friction it was, at times, rather frightening.

  They started each day with breakfast, and Riley always cooked. He was a master at eggs—omelets, soufflés, fried eggs, poached eggs, scrambled eggs. She hadn't had such decent morning meals since before her sophomore year of high school when her mother decided everyone was old enough to fend for themselves.

  After breakfast, she usually spent the next hour in his lap, sipping coffee, reading the paper with him. They deviated from that more frequently than not, often winding up back in bed again, where Riley did amazing things to her body.

  The rest of the morning, once they got up and moving, Maddie went to her stables to handle Archie's concerns, the horse's needs, and what was an increasing amount of phone calls about Infidelity's stud availability for the coming year. She already had him booked almost full, and could have easily commanded over a million in his stud fees. But after discussing it with Riley, she opted for a more reasonable five hundred thousand and a limit on mares. Infidelity's days on the track were over after this season.

  While she tended to McCleery Racing needs, Riley spent his afternoons training his youngsters and exercising Mister Spoilsport. He met frequently with Ben, lining out schedules for all his racing stock, and evaluating their progress. He too, had a backlog of phone calls regarding Mister Spoilsport, and in a surprising conversation one evening announced to Maddie he'd like her to take over handling the colt's stallion season. She'd accepted, thrilled with his desire to involve her more.

  After an argument one evening last week, Riley made a point of returning to his house by six each night so he would be on time for the dinner Maddie insisted on putting together when Riley wasn't in the mood to take her out. That night, Maddie learned how fulfilling make-up sex could be as well. Although, she also learned how painfully unpleasant arguing with Riley made her feel. She couldn't stand being mad at him.

  Normally, they spent the rest of the night curled up at home on the couch, relaxing, watching a movie or two, sometimes reading a book—just being near one another. They'd gone out twice, but Maddie learned with a little relief, that like her, Riley preferred to stay at home. Neither particularly cared for crowded restaurants, loud music, or the hassle of getting dressed up for a night on the town. The symphony, however, she discovered they both shared a passion for.

  Riley showered somewhere between ten and eleven. Normally she joined him, either directly in the shower with him, or in her own bath at that time. Which, inevitably, he ended up in if she chose to wash alone.

  Tonight, however, she was too preoccupied with Ghostly Persuasion to give Riley the attention he deserved. She couldn't get Riley to budge off his four hundred thousand and forty-sixty partnership proposal.

  Frustrated, she rolled over and curled her fingers into the yellow Labrador Retriever's fur. “Buster what's a girl to do?"

  He thumped his tail against Riley's pillow.

  Maddie absolutely loved the dog. The only other argument she'd had with Riley was about giving Buster people food. She couldn't help but cave to Buster's sad brown eyes and slide portions of her food his way. Riley had insisted she stop. Claimed he'd get fat. Professed he'd start to beg. Now, she only filtered snacks his way when Riley wasn't looking, and Buster only begged from her. Since she didn't mind, she failed to see the harm in her arrangement with the dog.

  "Do you think he's holding out cause he knows something I don't?” she said with a light laugh as she gave Buster's belly an affectionate scratch.

  Buster rolled over, stretching his hind legs, asking for more.

  "Or are we just waiting on Belmont? If he wins there, he doesn't need the colt. You're a guy, tell me what I'm doing wrong."

  The lab merely panted.

  "Figures. Just like a man. Sex. Well, let me tell you, in case you haven't noticed, Riley gets more than his fair share of sex."

  When she stopped rubbing his belly, Buster edged his nose under her hand. With one more affectionate pat, Maddie got up, pulled her lightweight robe around her and wandered to the open window. The light spring breeze gently rolled across her body, and she stared out at the thick green paddocks, watching Ghost romp in his night turnout.

  She hadn't answered Riley on his last offer, but each time she hinted, that was his immediate response. Truth was, while she didn't mind a partnership entirely, she was too afraid to accept it from Riley. Too afraid he might break through every bit of her barriers and creep into her heart more. She wasn't secure enough in their relationship to be thinking about forever. There were too many conversations Riley didn't include her on, too many times he didn't consult her for her to think he particularly looked at a life with her.

  He was happy now, so was she. But the only way she'd go in partners on any horse was if she married someone. While she was more than willing to spend the majority of her time with Riley, she really wasn't certain she could ever marry someone who lived for racing. They'd never have time at home—Riley more than anyone. As trainer, his presence was required at every race he went to, and after the Belmont, he'd be on the road more than not.

  Besides, in a fleeting conversation she knew she shouldn't dwell on, Riley had confessed he wasn't particularly interested in ever getting married. It had been a casual remark, shortly after they came home to Kentucky and had nothing to do with the context of their involvement. Yet, she hadn't forgotten it.

  Partnering on Ghost was out of the question. Not as long as she understood one day, Riley would tire of their relationship and move on.

  The colt bucked in his paddock, let out a loud whinny and sped down the fence line, racing another two-year-old on the other side. Damn, he was something. Absolutely breathtaking.

  Fingering the lightweight curtain, she leaned against the glass, fantasizing things she had no right to dream about. Things like hearing his name over the loud speaker and hers following it.

  Behind her, the bathroom door opened, and she heard Riley enter the bedroom.

  "It should be criminal to let you stand in front of the window with the moonlight making that robe completely worthless.” His voice was low, husky, and sent her heart skittering.

  She turned around with a smile, settling her gaze on him. Dressed in nothing but a fluffy white towel, his broad chest was flawless, made for her hands, and oh, how she loved to touch him. His wet hair fell in a disheveled mass of soft waves that gave him a youthful quality—especially combined with his breathtaking smile.

  Her heart rolled over, and an unfamiliar feeling tugged deep inside. In that moment, as he stood there unmoving, something passed between them, and Maddie understood exactly why she couldn't accept partnership on Ghost. It welled up inside her, choking off her air. Her lips parted, gasping against it. Her fingers tightened in the curtains as she let the reality flow through her until her very toes tingled in its wake and left her belly fluttering.

  "I love you, Riley,” she murmured in a near whisper.

  The way his hand curled and uncurled was the only sign he gave he'd heard her. He didn't move. Neither did she. He stood there staring at her, and she held his stirring gaze.

  Then, before she could fully exhale, he was in front of her, framing her face between his hands, carrying her away to the special heaven his ten
der touch created. Her body sighed into him, and she brought her arms up around his neck. His hands fell to her shoulders, nudging aside her gauzelike robe and letting it tumble to the floor. He gripped her waist, lifting her feet off the floor to lay her on the bed.

  The mattress gave beneath his weight as he eased himself down on top of her, his glorious body blanketing her. Still damp from his shower, the ends of his hair dripped with moisture, and when he dipped his head to catch her breast in his mouth, the droplets fell against her skin. He licked them away, with slow strokes that left her soft orbs taut and sensitive. When he took one nipple between his teeth and tugged, sparks shot through her. She arched her back, as heat flooded between her legs.

  Riley inched his way lower, raking his teeth along her side, stopping to nip at her belly button. She let out a little mewl of delight, anticipating the one pleasure he had yet to share with her. Anticipation that made her crazy with wanting him, and Riley seemed more than content for her to wait.

  His fingers kneaded the inside of her thighs, spreading her wider. The rush of cool air on her flesh sent a tremble rolling through her. He nibbled at her inner thigh, enticing her with each caress of his mouth, each flick of his tongue. Her breath came in ragged gasps, as her thoughts ceased to function. God, if he didn't touch her she was going to come apart beneath his hands, and the anxiety of waiting was such splendid torture she didn't know whether to urge him on, or let him take his time.

  Her fingers curled into the down-filled mattress, holding on to anything that would ground her, help her keep a hold on her senses. His breath wafted across her skin, and she turned her head to the side, biting down on her lip. This was too much.

  And then he touched her.

  One agonizingly slow lick of his tongue from her moist center up to her clit.

  Maddie moaned against the shocking pleasure. Her hips thrust forward, unbidden, seeking more.

  Riley's arm fell across her belly, fastening her in place, and he swirled his tongue around her sensitive nub, driving her sublimely insane. When he suckled, she bucked against him. She didn't just want more, she needed more. The tip of his tongue delved downward, slipping inside her quivering flesh, and Maddie's breath came out in a long hiss. Why hadn't he shared this with her sooner?