Racetrack Romance BOX SET (Books 1-3) (125 page)

“Don’t pretend to be disappointed,” she said. “I’m just not used to getting dressed up and going out. It’s no big deal.”

“I’m disappointed too,” he said quickly but his groin felt heavy, and he didn’t want to admit he’d been thinking of breasts. “But we’ll go for dinner sometime down the road.”

She smiled but looked skeptical, as though she guessed it wouldn’t happen, and he figured she was probably right. However, he couldn’t drum up much disappointment about food, not when his brain kept streaming images of that dress peeled to her waist.

“Here, sit down.” His voice was husky. “We can make the most of the night. I’ll grab another chair.”

He strode to the office fridge, pulled out two beers and a chunk of cheese, rummaged further until he found a glass and a box of crackers. Switched the music from country to classical, turned off the video and dimmed the lights. Walked back down the aisle, balancing the food, drinks and chair.

She smiled as he poured. “I’ve had more beer this month than in my entire life.”

“That’s right. You like wine.”

“Only because Martha served it whenever she had a dinner guest, and usually that guest was Ted. Those dinners were horrible.” She wrinkled her nose, carefully arranging cheese on a cracker. “He’s not much fun.” Her voice lowered as though she shared a little-known fact, and he smiled in sympathy.

“Ted’s coming to the races tomorrow, so you better stop grinning,” she added. “You’ll have to deal with him too.”

“Only for a couple minutes though,” he said, cutting more cheese, feeling a pang of guilt as she eagerly picked up another slice. Small substitute for a fancy dinner, yet she hadn’t complained. “You can hang out with me on the backside,” he said. “Ted won’t be able to get past security. He doesn’t have an owner’s pass—not yet anyway.”

“And he doesn’t want one. He plans to sell the property and every horse on it once Martha moves.”

“What will you do?”

“Find another nursing job close to Martha, maybe in a rehab center. But I’m hoping she stays in her home.” She smoothed her dress over her thighs, avoiding his gaze. “What about you?” she asked.

“Find another big owner.” He topped her glass with the rest of the beer, surprised at how fast she was drinking. “And buy a couple broodmares, breed some runners of my own. The bonus tomorrow is a kick start.”

She rose and walked to the front of Lyric’s stall, her bare shoulders gleaming under the muted lights. The dress was really quite tiny. He could see the graceful sweep of her backbone, her slight shiver. Damn, she was cold. He rose, intending to give her his jacket, but she swung around. “So you’re already making other plans?”

“Well, yeah, I’m looking at a few offers.”

Her face blanched. “You’d just leave Martha. Even though she no longer has Slim. Ted would use that—” Her voice broke and she turned away.

He stepped forward and gently turned her around. “Hey. I won’t live here any longer but I’m not leaving Martha, so long as she has horses to race. I promised Malcolm to deliver winners.”

“Really? You won’t leave her?” Her lips trembled as she searched his face. “That’s good. I worry about her.”

“I know.” He leaned down and kissed her, surprised she looked so skeptical. Malcolm had always been fair, and he certainly wouldn’t desert the man’s widow. Of course, he’d be living at his own ranch, wouldn’t need the Conrad guesthouse, but he’d still train—if Martha had any horses left to train.

He’d intended only a quick kiss, something to reassure her, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed closer, and he stopped thinking about Martha and horses and driving distances. She tasted good, her skin so soft, dress so silky. And with just the right touch he could free those breasts.

He flicked the top of her dress with a finger, exhaling with pleasure as her bare breast filled his hand. He lowered his head and wrapped his mouth around her nipple. She arched against him with a groan, her leg curving around his calf, and he swelled with desire.

His hands splayed around her rear, pressing her against his throbbing erection. “I’d like to spread you on the office desk,” he said, raising his head in frustration and checking for Cody. “Tomorrow we’ll—”

“Okay,” she said, reaching between his legs.

Goddammit. Sweat broke out on his neck as she stroked him. Groaning, he slid his hand under her dress and beneath her panties. Dragged his finger over her until she was creamy wet and quivering. “You going to complain to the manager,” he muttered, “if I fuck you in the stall?”

“You are the manager,” she breathed, her eyes half-lidded. “I have to do…whatever you want…where ever you want.”

She was full of surprises. “Exactly,” he growled. He scooped her over his shoulder, unlatched Echo’s stall and booted the door open. Swung it shut and pushed past the surprised filly. Propped Becky against the back wall and yanked down his zipper. Her breasts were bare, her dress rolled to her waist, and she stared at him with dark eyes and lips that were slightly swollen.

“You drive me crazy, honey.” He fumbled with a condom then slid his hand between her legs, not even pausing to remove her panties, just yanking them aside, making room for his needy cock as it bee-lined into her silky warmth.

He yanked her legs over his hips, angling her against the wall. Pushed deeper. Her head tilted back, throat long and exposed, breasts bared. All his. His senses filled with her scent, her earthy groans, the way she clenched around him, and nothing existed but her loving warmth.

“Jesus, Becky,” he groaned when she convulsed around him. One last thrust and he joined her, gripping her as they slumped against the wall.

Slowly their breathing steadied. Straw rustled and something tickled his neck.

“We have an audience,” she whispered as Echo nuzzled the back of his head.

“She doesn’t seem too shocked.” He gave the filly a pat before pushing her head away and easing Becky’s legs back down. He carefully adjusted the top of her dress but kept an arm looped around her waist, reluctant to let go.

“The horses have probably seen this type of activity before,” she said quietly.

“Maybe. But not from me.” He stroked her bare shoulder. “You surprise me, honey. Weren’t you worried about the cam?”

“I know you’d delete it…if it was even on.” And the trusting smile she gave him made his chest puff. God, she made him feel good. Maybe four hundred miles wasn’t all that far. “And Martha said I should have more fun,” she added, her voice slightly muffled as she adjusted her dress. “So I’m trying everything, everywhere.”

The warm feeling in his chest disappeared, and he stared at her bent head, fighting his indignation. Really, he should be delighted. The evening had provided the perfect result. No need for a time-consuming drive and expensive dinner, just good sex with a woman he liked. Yet as he adjusted his jeans, he felt oddly pissed. “So that’s all you want? Love on the rail?”

She glanced up, cheeks still rosy from a post coital flush. “What do you mean?”

“Just an expression. You’re walking back from the clubhouse, it’s dark and you’re drinking. Maybe even celebrating a win. The rail is the perfect height.”

Her eyes widened, but she didn’t look dismayed, jealous or even surprised. She just glanced back at the wall and grinned. “So that’s where you perfected your technique.”

“Jesus, Becky. I don’t find this a bit funny.” His voice sharpened and he glanced over the stall door, checking for Cody. “You shouldn’t do everything Martha says. Going wild, trying to catch up on life by banging the first interested guy.”

“It’s not like that.” She crossed her arms, her face pinched.

He couldn’t seem to shut up. “You deserve more than that wall. More than this stall. Christ, I didn’t even buy you dinner. We could have ruined your dress,” he added lamely.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m going to check on Cody.” She flounced past him, opened the door and swept down the aisle. Didn’t even look back to make sure Echo didn’t escape.

He pushed the filly back and closed the door.

Lyric stuck her head over the adjoining stall, no doubt disappointed she hadn’t been offered the same opportunity. Good thing. She would have barged through an open door and galloped for the highway. Would have kicked their heads off if they’d had ten-minute sex in the back of her stall.

Goddammit, what had he done? He dragged a hand over his jaw and walked down the aisle. Turned the monitors back on, listening to Becky’s low murmur as she spoke with Cody. Some sort of apology was in order, but he didn’t know exactly what he wanted to apologize for. He’d never thought much about double standards, but hell, she was taking advice from an old lady and she could land in a lot of trouble listening to Martha.

He grabbed his dinner jacket and arranged it over her chair. It wasn’t that late, but the air had chilled and she was probably cold. He’d warm her up and feed her properly. Should have thought of ordering something, the least he could do.

He called the local diner, ordered enough food for four, and even cajoled the lady on the phone until she promised to include a bottle of wine and send the food by taxi.

He closed his phone, eying Becky warily as she walked back down the aisle.

“Cody’s feeling better,” she said, “but isn’t ready to leave the bathroom.”

“That’s okay. We can watch the horses.” He reached down and picked up his jacket. “Here, put this on. I ordered some food. Should be here soon.”

“No, thanks. I’ve had enough. Gotta go.”

He jerked in surprise. He’d assumed she’d stick around, talk at little, at least for a couple of hours. After all, they had a date so she must be free. But maybe it was better if she went home. It would give him time to check Echo’s wraps, figure out tomorrow’s schedule, think about who he’d hire to replace Slim.

Still, he was surprised she wanted to leave. Christ, they’d just had sex. Usually women liked to talk and cuddle and talk some more. He was always the one edging out the door. He gave her what he considered his most persuasive smile. “Okay. But wait a bit. Once Cody is up, I can walk you to your car.”

“That’s okay. Just concentrate on Echo. Like you explained earlier, you’re very busy this week.” She blew an airy kiss but didn’t slow, didn’t look back. Her shapely legs disappeared out the end door—leaving him lonely, aggrieved and abandoned.

Chapter Thirty

Becky swiveled on the truck seat, taut with anticipation. She loved hauling a horse to the track, relished those hours before a race when it was still a mystery who’d win. The sun hadn’t risen yet, but she could make out Cody’s cheerful grin as he waved goodbye. Clearly his food poisoning bout had passed.

“There’s coffee in the thermos. Doughnuts too,” Dino said as he edged the truck and trailer past Slim’s darkened windows.

“Wow, and I was thinking it couldn’t get any better.” She grabbed two cups and carefully poured the steaming liquid.

“You like getting up at four?”

She heard the skepticism in his voice and laughed. “I was awake at three. Couldn’t sleep. Kept worrying how Echo would run.” And the prospect of driving with Dino had made her heart thump. Even though Martha called Dino her interim guy, she still thrilled to his smile, his voice, his touch.

She couldn’t imagine that the next guy—her keeper guy—would make her feel the same way. Maybe she was wrecked for other men. She tugged pensively at her lower lip.

Dino’s gaze lingered on her mouth. “You should have stayed longer last night, instead of leaving me alone with Cody.”

He still wanted her even though she’d gone a little wild last night. Relief warmed her, and she stopped biting her lip. It didn’t matter how long this thing lasted, she was going to enjoy every minute. Didn’t matter what they did or where they did it. Being with him made her come alive. And he may have spoiled her for other men, but at least she was over her naked hang-up.

“Were you lonely?” she asked, remembering how he’d tossed her over his shoulder and made her feel like she was the most desirable woman on Earth.

“Sure was. Why’d you leave so quickly?” He scowled. “I didn’t like it.”

She sipped her coffee, stalling for time. It would be foolhardy to admit she’d wanted to tuck into his big chest and stay forever. Those old cravings for family and security always heightened after their love making—sex, she corrected, which to him was all it was.

She forced a smile. “I thought we were finished, you know, after the stall thing.”

“Stall thing!” His voice rose along with the truck’s speed. “Well, we’re definitely not finished. And just so you know, this exclusiveness works both ways.” He scowled at her for a long moment and the truck clipped along the highway. “You can’t be running around the track, going crazy, trying new things with other men.”

“Of course not,” she said, aghast.

“You want to try something new, you come to me.”

His scowl made her heart kick, but she gave a cool nod as though his possessiveness was not in the least surprising. She stared out the side window, pretending an interest in a red mini-van, trying to hide her smile. Martha claimed men were like horses. Maybe Martha was right.

She sneaked a sideways peek. He was still frowning, looking like a sulky but gorgeous sex god. A sex god who wanted exclusivity.

He glanced over at her, his scowl deepening. “And be careful with Shane or he might get ideas.”

She blinked, momentarily startled. Dino sounded almost jealous. “I’m not really his type,” she said.

“He doesn’t agree with that,” Dino said, not looking at her. “He’s a good guy but young and…a bit of a player.”

She couldn’t contain a snort. “Gosh, that’s rich, coming from a guy whose bathroom is stocked with ten brands of shampoo.”

“What’s the big deal about that?” He gave a dismissive shrug. “None of it’s mine. I don’t use that stuff. Look, when I’m not around, I just want you to be careful.”

He totally missed the point. Despair welled deep in her chest, and she pressed her arms together, trying to contain the ache. He didn’t even look at things the same way. It was crazy to hope he’d ever want her as anyone other than a pillow friend.