Racetrack Romance BOX SET (Books 1-3) (26 page)

“The magnets are no joke. Just try it.” She took a step closer. “There’s no bad effect either, and they might really help.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?” She tilted her head in surprise. “You mean you'll try it? Don't you want to talk to Sandra first?”

“I'd rather talk to you. I want to apologize for the way I acted yesterday. Sort of…withdrawn.”

“Withdrawn!” She crossed the small room, her voice rising. “Bullshit. You were rude and mean.”

“Maybe,” he said. “But at the time I thought we should step back, especially since I won’t be here long—you know, since Lazer isn't panning out. I don't want a permanent relationship. You're very inexperienced—I'm not.” Her eyes narrowed, and he rushed to deflect her. Didn’t want her asking tough questions, didn’t want to make up any more lies. “But I'd really like to see you while I'm here,” he said quickly. “What do you think? Can you handle that, knowing I’m leaving soon?”

The corners of her lips quivered.

Shit, she was going to cry. Nothing made him run faster than tears. Yet he moved forward and instinctively wrapped her in his arms. Dipped his head to find her lips, comforting her in the easiest way he knew.

Damn, she felt good. Her mouth moved under his, and he scooped her closer, drinking in her taste. This was much better than talking anyway. She wasn’t even angry, thank God. She’d slid her hand beneath his shirt, skimming her fingers over his chest, dipping along the barrier of his jeans, caressing, teasing.

He closed his eyes wondering where her little hand might explore next. Things were definitely looking up. He’d been nuts to pass this up—

Shit! He jerked his eyes open. Those sweet fingers had just twisted his nipple. Hard. He stared at her, incredulous, unwilling to believe she’d faked that kind of response.

But no, she clearly was all huffy, hands on her hips, eyes blazing and so angry she sputtered. “So you wonder if poor inexperienced me can handle seeing you. For a short while? Gosh, this is such an honor. Now let me think.”

He raised his palms and edged back. “I didn't mean it like that.”

“Oh?” She stepped forward, rapping a finger against his chest and backing him against the wall. “Exactly how did you mean it?”

“You hadn’t had sex for a long time,” he said cautiously. “You don’t sleep around. That made me think—”

“That I wouldn’t fit in with your stable of willing women?”

“There are no other women, willing or otherwise,” he muttered, perturbed he couldn't read her quite as well as he'd thought.

“Really. Then why did you say you always had sex with anyone willing?”

His hands felt sweaty. He didn’t like the way she chipped away at his feelings, cracking him open, leaving him exposed.

“Look,” he said, “I was just talking. You surprised me, okay. And I didn't expect it, wasn't looking for it, don't want it.” He crossed his arms, hiding behind a belligerent glower.

But she wouldn’t back off and even had the gall to give a scornful snort. “You need to change your method. That bad-eyed scowl doesn’t work anymore.”

“All right.” He lowered his arms. “What method do you want?”

“Honesty, that's all. A little attention. And no mood swings. That's the woman’s job.” She rose on her tiptoes and gave his chest another saucy jab. “And I'm going to be angry a lot longer than this. You have some major sucking up to do.”

His arms snaked out, making her squeal as he pinned her against the wall. “This
is
my major sucking up,” he said. “But if you want more attention, I'm prepared to work on that. Quite diligently.”

“Diligently?”

“As diligently as you'll let me,” he said. “That’s a promise.”

Her suspicious expression tore at him, but he had to admit her instincts were excellent. He wasn't the kind of man she needed or wanted. However, his attraction to her was potent, and he didn’t intend to waste any more time. Time was already in short supply.

“Let's start again,” he said quietly. “Just see where this thing takes us. Are you free for dinner tonight?”

She paused so long, he stopped breathing. Finally. “Yes, I’m free.”

He blew out a relieved sigh and dipped his face in her hair, hiding his expression as he sucked in her familiar smell. “You don’t know how much I want you,” he whispered.

“I feel the same when you kiss me,” she said. Her voice was so certain, so honest, it frightened him. Good thing she was with him and not that steroid-stuffed Cody.

“Jesus, Julie. Never tell a man that.”

“Except for you.” She gave a teasing smile.

“Exactly. Now you understand.” He stroked a possessive finger over her cheek, watching as her expression turned pensive.

“I'm not sure,” she tugged at her lower lip. “Well, I’ll probably go right home after dinner.” Her words came out in a rush, but he understood what she meant.

“That’s fine. Just dinner will be perfect,” he said, and to his surprise, he meant it. “Let’s get the horses.” He pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead.

“You’re riding Cisco today?” she asked.

“I want to give Ace a horse to chase and afterwards go for some paddock work. Cisco’s company will steady him.” And he didn’t plan to let Julie out of his sight.

Hooves clattered, oddly close, and they both turned toward the door.

“Sounds like a horse is coming right into the tack room,” Julie said.

“That’s Ace. He swings his right front out. You can hear a slight hesitation when he walks,” Kurt said. “One of the reasons he was cheap.”

Julie pressed her ear to the door, eyes bright with interest. “I hear it now,” she said in a conspiratorial whisper.

“Martin probably heard you squeal and is rushing to the rescue. If he wasn’t such a good hand, I’d fire him.” Kurt squeezed her hand, feeling absurdly happy. “Trainers should be able to ravish riders whenever they please,” he added with a grin.

She rolled her eyes and turned to the door. “Martin’s a good groom, and he’s already learned a lot from you. He even had his hair cut like yours.”

“Yeah?” Kurt tried not to look too pleased. “Well, he’s a dependable kid. I want to find someone to hire him—”

He plugged himself with a mental groan. Already he’d dropped his guard, a dangerous thing he needed to watch.

“When what?” She pounced on his mistake.

“We better go,” he said. “We’ll talk about it later.” But not much later. With any luck the case would wind up smoothly. For now, though, he planned to enjoy her company. She made him happy, and he hoped to return the favor.

Kurt pushed open the door of the tack room, almost hitting a restless Ace who stood only inches away. “Glad you got him ready, Martin,” Kurt said mildly, “but next time keep him in the stall. That’s why we have tie rings.”

Martin nodded but didn’t move, his concerned brown eyes locked on Julie. Kurt blew out an exasperated sigh. Adam, Sandra, Blue, now Martin. He couldn’t fault the boy's taste, but Julie had more than her share of protectors.

“Saddle Cisco for me please, Martin,” he said, as he legged Julie onto Ace. “I’m riding today.”

Within minutes he joined Julie, and they guided their horses toward the track. A bushy-faced terrier darted from beneath a feed truck, yapping indignantly. Ace leaped sideways but Julie didn’t move, her seat so still she seemed glued to the saddle.

“Glad you like the wild ones, Julie,” a familiar voice called. “Can you take my young horse out next?”

Kurt glanced over his shoulder and saw Cody leaning by the rail, a white cup wrapped in his hand. Probably not coffee, judging by the man’s too-wide grin.

“Sure, right after this guy,” Julie said as they walked the horses through the gap and onto the track.

Possessiveness drove Kurt. He edged Cisco closer to Ace, so close his leg rubbed Julie’s knee. “Just getting Ace used to some jostling,” he said when she shot him a puzzled look. Cody could bring coffee and doughnuts every morning, but he wasn't going to touch her. No way. Not while Kurt was around.

“After we warm up, I’ll put Cisco a few lengths in front,” he went on, “and you and Ace can chase us down. I’ll come back on the outside and run with him. What’s wrong?”

. “Think you can stay with us?” She shot a dubious look at Cisco who plodded along, head low and relaxed, oblivious to the racehorses pounding past.

“Don’t let the spots fool you,” Kurt said. “Up to four furlongs, Cisco can run Ace into the ground.”

Julie laughed. “Now I admit he’s smart—unusually smart—and he is pretty good on a trail.” She shot the horse a look of grudging approval. “But he's just an App. With your weight and western saddle, there’s no way he can keep up with a Thoroughbred.”

“You just concentrate on putting Ace on the proper lead,” Kurt said, grinning back. “Help him stay balanced, or he’ll blow the turn. I’ll worry about my poor little App.”

They were both trash talking as they cantered in tandem around the track. She made one final adjustment to her goggles. “Now we’ll see if Easterners can ride as well as they talk,” she called over the gusting wind.

Her voice lifted in challenge, and Kurt felt a rush of adrenaline as he asked Cisco for more speed. Both horses accelerated into a gallop. Ace didn't seem intimidated by Cisco’s presence, and his stride was steady; he was clearly up in the bridle and eager to run. But let's see how he reacts when he feels some dirt, Kurt thought.

He shook his reins, and Cisco burst into high gear, passing Ace and kicking up a spray of dirt. Julie yelled something, but her words splintered in the wind. He glanced under his arm and saw her tap Ace on the shoulder. Her horse smoothly changed leads. Kurt stopped worrying, knowing Ace wouldn’t blow the turn if he were on the left lead.

The red and white quarter pole was a blur. Ace's nose edged up; Julie slipped past on the inside, but Cisco was much too stubborn to let a horse gallop by and he fought back, inching up to Ace's shoulder. Kurt leaned forward and let him run, relishing the speed, knowing Cisco loved a good fight as much as he did.

Julie’s arms pumped with determination, and it was clear she didn’t like to lose either. She pushed Ace down the stretch, rising in the stirrups as they crossed the finish line, half a length in front.

Ace hauled at the bit, ears pricked, looking like a winner as he searched for another horse to challenge, but Cisco galloped steadily beside him and both horses soon slowed to a long-reaching trot. A perfect work, Kurt thought. The duel would freshen the gelding and make the horse more aggressive for his first race.

Ace had made it around the turn without any trouble too. Julie might only need to give him a shoulder tap and remind him to switch leads.

“Good job,” he called, more than happy with her riding. “We’ll go over to the paddock and let Ace mellow out.” He stiffened when he saw her flat mouth. “What’s wrong?” Maybe she thought Ace wasn’t ready. Maybe the gelding hadn’t handled the turn as well at it had appeared. But her solemn question surprised him.

“Could Cisco have caught us?” she asked.

Ah-ha. So that was it. “What does your horse say, Julie?”

“Well, Ace thinks he won. He’s still strutting.”

“And that’s what we’re working on today,” Kurt said. “It’s all about attitude.”

“It’d be nice to have some speed with the attitude.” Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Cisco. “We should have beaten you by a lot more. Please tell me you painted on those spots and that Cisco is really a Thoroughbred.”

Kurt’s lips twitched. Cisco was seven-eighths Thoroughbred, but his appearance and personality were all Appaloosa. “You’ll do fine in the race,” he said, keeping a straight face. “Cisco had to work hard—really hard—considering he's only an App.”

“Guess I underestimated him,” she said, leaning forward and giving Cisco’s neck an approving pat. “He’s an awesome horse. Doesn’t seem to be anything he can’t do.” Her dimples flashed with mischief when she looked at Kurt. “So you could have beaten us but realized I’d be a sore loser?”

He reached over and tugged her ponytail but didn’t deny it.

They passed the grandstand and walked into the saddling enclosure. She stopped grilling him about Cisco’s bloodlines; the conversation shifted to the best places to eat. He preferred steak over sushi, but with Julie racing tomorrow he knew she’d want a lighter meal.

“Sushi would be great,” he said, enjoying her open expression, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke, the contentment he felt when she smiled. He didn’t care where they went. Would have been happy with a hot dog.

“There’s a Japanese restaurant in the south end. You’ll be happy to know they also serve an excellent rib eye.” She gave him a perceptive smile and slowed Ace. “Want me to dismount?”

He shook his head. “Just ride him around the walking ring until he's seen everything. Martin and I already schooled him in the paddock.”

Julie guided Ace around the small ring while Cisco rested a hind leg, happy to relax. Kurt dragged his gaze off Julie and tried to concentrate on the two-year-old. Ace seemed braver now, making no objection when Julie rode him away from Cisco. A maintenance man clanked a garbage can, and the gelding didn't even react. So far Ace was training nicely, much better than Lazer—

“Kurt!” A sultry voice sounded behind him.

He placed a hand on Cisco's rump and swiveled in the saddle, watching as Tiffany rushed across the concrete, her spiked heels rapping a keen staccato.

“I thought that was you.” She pressed against the rail, and it was apparent she favored low-cut blouses. “Is that your horse, the one you entered yesterday?”

“Yes, and that’s Julie West riding him,” he said.

From his vantage point in the saddle, it was impossible not to notice Tiffany’s generous cleavage, but Julie shot him such a mocking smile he averted his head and cemented his eyes on Tiffany's face. Cisco had no such inhibitions, however, and shoved his head into her chest; Kurt snapped a rein and straightened his nose.

“Your horse must be male.” Tiffany giggled up at Kurt, turning her back on Julie. “About your earlier dinner invitation, turns out I’m free tonight.” She had a lovely dulcet voice that carried beautifully, much too beautifully.

“I’m sorry,” Kurt said, “but I’m busy now.”