Bareback(33)

    Skyler’s face was tense with concern as she slipped into the stall. “Jess, hey, what’s the matter? Rampage is going to be fine.”

    She drew Jessica into a firm embrace and held her close. Something deep inside rejoiced that it was still her shoulder Jessica preferred to cry on. The young rider’s body fit perfectly against her own, and after a while, the sobs turned to sniffles. Skyler pulled a bandana from the pocket of her jeans and dabbed at Jessica’s face.

    Jessica took the cloth from her and blew her nose into it. “You must think I’m a real crybaby.” She inspected Skyler’s front. “I got your shirt wet…again.”

    “It’s okay,” Skyler said softly. “And I don’t think you’re a crybaby.”

    “I guess everything just closed in on me.” Jessica snuggled into Skyler’s strong embrace once more.

    God, she felt good. Stroking the dark, silky head, Skyler repeated, “It’s okay. Everything’s going to be fine.”

    With her damp cheek pressed against Skyler’s chest, Jessica realized the trainer was wearing nothing under her T-shirt. Her heart began pulsing harder as she felt the nipple underneath the thin material harden against her cheek. She tilted her head back. After only a split second of hesitation, she touched Skyler’s cheek and looked into her eyes. They were soft with affection and yearning, and Skyler’s breath was warm on her face. Their lips parted and barely brushed. It started as a soft thank-you kiss, but Jessica knew she had to have more. More of Skyler. More of the heat that tingled in her groin. More of the warmth that infused her soul and made her feel safe.

    Skyler stiffened when the hand on the back of her neck beckoned her down again, then she closed her eyes and gently complied. She opened to the tentative tongue that requested entrance. Their tongues slowly danced together, feeling and tasting. Skyler shut out the alarms that were going off in her head and instead listened to this dark-haired, blue-eyed siren whose call was becoming too powerful to resist. Jessica’s warm body melded to hers, and Skyler fell headlong into the abyss she’d been dancing around for months.

    When Jessica pulled away at last, her smile was soft. “Thank you,” she whispered, caressing Skyler’s cheek again. Without another word, she turned and limped away to the house.

    Dazed, Skyler put her fingers to her lips and stared at Rampage. Her mind raced. Did they just do that? Did she just let her do that? She couldn’t stop the blazing grin that grew as her heart began to slow.

    The big horse snorted at her.

    “Hey, don’t be so jealous.” Skyler chuckled. “All I got were her lips. You get to feel those beautiful legs wrapped around you every day. Want to trade?”



    When Jessica went looking for Skyler, she found Con Air’s stall empty. Since Rampage had a few days off, she’d been helping Skyler with the youngsters under her charge. Jessica found she really liked working with the kids. Charlie was just starting to take small jumps, while Jamie was showing real promise on the short cross-country course. Scott, who preferred Western riding, was working on reining patterns, the Western version of dressage.

    Skyler had the afternoon off, so there were no lessons today and Jessica was taking the kids trail riding. It was a perfect day, probably the last brief warm spell they would enjoy before fall set in and winter was on the way. A warm September sun shone down from a blue, cloudless sky. Tall pines shaded the trails as they wound up one hillside.

    “Is Skyler out riding?” Jessica asked the kids.

    “I’ll bet I know where she is,” Scott replied smugly. “I’ll show you.”

    He took the lead and headed for a steep path up the mountain. When they neared the top, Jessica saw Con Air tethered under a shade tree.

    Scott stopped and turned to them. “You have to get off your horses,” he said with a conspiratorial smile. “And be quiet.”

    He led them to the cliff’s edge and peered down. On a ledge below, Skyler was sprawled nude on a blanket. She lay dozing on her stomach, bathed in hot sunlight, and with a book open at her side. I always wondered why she never had tan lines no matter what she wore, Jessica thought.

    “See that eagle’s nest,” Scott whispered, pointing out a large bed of twigs further along the cliff. “Skyler says the eagles come here every year. I started watching it for homework. Next thing, there she is, ripping off her clothes.”