Skyler raised an eyebrow, but before she could reply, she felt Alexandra’s hand brush across the seat of her riding breeches.
“Just got to get some more rubbers, um, rubber bands for Shoshanna’s mane,” Alexandra purred as she gently insinuated herself between Skyler and Jessica. Directing an insincere smile at Jessica, she added, “And, honey, no time is inconvenient for Eveready here.” She brushed a fleeting caress across Skyler’s cheek before disappearing into the office.
Skyler glanced at Jessica, and then looked quickly away, unable to meet her eyes. She flushed with embarrassment. This was what she wanted, wasn’t it, that Jessica would know she was bad news, like everybody said?
“See you later, sugar.” Alexandra breezed back through the office door. Trailing a possessive hand across Skyler’s belly as she passed, she headed for her horse’s stall.
The look on Jessica’s face said it all. She wouldn’t flirt with Skyler again, not after this. Skyler stared at her boots. She felt sort of sick. For some reason, it mattered what this beautiful woman thought of her.
Jessica watched a myriad of emotions swirl in Skyler’s dark eyes. A moment ago, she’d felt only disgust when she entered the barn. The moans she’d heard were loud enough to leave no doubt what was going on. Skyler hadn’t noticed her, but Alexandra’s gloating expression was like a slap in the face. Jessica had been almost breathless with anticipation walking down from the pool, looking forward to being alone with Skyler and having her complete attention. She felt foolish now, yet she saw something in Skyler’s expression that surprised her almost as much the trainer’s awkward stuttering by the Jacuzzi. She saw pain and self-loathing.
“Jess, I feel like I owe you an apology,” Skyler said gruffly. “I thought you’d be a while in the gym.” She rubbed at some dirt on her hand. “We had an appointment. I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”
“No harm done,” Jessica said. She reached out to still Skyler’s fidgeting hands, but Skyler jerked away.
Jessica stared at her. Something just didn’t fit. This woman was arrogant and insufferable, and obviously thought she was God’s gift to women…and horses. But Kate had seen something in her, enough to entrust her with Jessica’s career. And Jessica kept glimpsing someone entirely different from the player she’d heard about. This seesaw of bad girl versus noble trainer was enough to give her whiplash.
“Let’s get to work,” Skyler said, ducking into the office.
Jessica followed her, still angry over what she’d seen but determined not to show it. The next hour was all business. They evaluated Rampage’s strengths and weaknesses. Then they charted his training schedule for the upcoming months, right up to the competition. The challenge of the competition ahead fed a need they shared, to test themselves and win. It was a comfortable common ground that allowed Skyler to relax and be herself.
While Jessica reviewed the chart they’d made for Rampage’s training, Skyler studied her softly sculpted profile. She’d never seen a more beautiful woman. But Jessica Black was out of her reach, just like Sarah. To women like them, Skyler would always be a stray from a screwed-up blue-collar family. The really sad thing was, she didn’t need Kate to tell her she wasn’t good enough for Jessica. She already knew that herself. She’d known it from the moment she laid eyes on her.
“I think we’re done here,” she said, rising from behind the desk. “See you at the indoor ring as soon as you get Rampage saddled.”
“Okay.” Jessica stood.
Skyler strode to the door, then paused. “My personal shortcomings have nothing to do with my abilities as a trainer,” she said, dropping all pretense that they were talking about anything but the incident with Alexandra. “I’ll make sure they won’t be a problem in our professional arrangement.”
The dressage session at the indoor ring started smoothly enough. Rampage was initially nervous and danced impatiently. Jessica expertly quieted him and worked the reins until he yielded to the bit and settled down to work. Skyler called out advice from the sidelines and occasionally stopped them to demonstrate a specific technique that would improve their performance. It didn’t take long to see that her advice was already making a difference. Jessica moved quickly to correct herself and the horse when they misread each other. The stallion slowly began to relax and his confidence in his handler grew. Skyler watched silently as they glided by. Jessica’s lips were pressed together in concentration. Focus wasn’t going to be a problem.