Bareback(35)

    Skyler groaned. Ripples of heat ran through her. She struggled to slow her breathing. This wasn’t the right place for all she yearned to do, for the hours she wanted to spend exploring the woman in her arms. Easing back, she met eyes glowing with passion. “Race you back to the barn,” she invited hoarsely.

    Jessica barely hesitated before scrambling up the trail to mount Summer while Skyler quickly tightened her saddle on Con Air. They raced down the trail, knowing it was more than the barn they were racing to. But as they emerged at a full gallop, Skyler recognized Tory’s truck parked outside Creek Barn. Damn it. Her hormones were screaming with the anticipation of one hot, young rider, cool white sheets, and long, passionate kisses. She couldn’t stand it any longer, spending her days with Jessica within touching distance and her nights with the beautiful rider invading her dreams. She and Tory had been friends since they were teens, and they’d dated a lot of the same girls, but this was different. Skyler didn’t feel like sharing, this time.

    Tory greeted them with a smile, oblivious to her intrusion. “Hi, Jess. I called a while ago to see if you were ready to go to dinner. When Kate said you were out riding, I just decided to head on over here. You want to change real quick and head to town?”

    “Oh…I didn’t realize how late it was.”

    “No problem. I can wait.”

    Jessica turned to Skyler. “I told Tory that I’d go with her to check out a new restaurant tonight,” she said weakly.

    Skyler’s face was stony. Jessica dismounted and shifted from one foot to the other. There was really no way of getting out of this awkward situation. What could she say? Uh, Tory, thanks for the invitation, but Skyler and I were headed to her apartment to finally tear each other’s clothes off.

    Hoping they could reschedule, she said, “I still need to unsaddle Summer and rub her down. I haven’t taken care of Rampage’s stall either, or showered. Perhaps we should do this another time.”

    Tory swept a quick, perceptive glance from Jessica to Skyler and her smile grew tight. “That’s all right,” she said. “You go shower and change. I’ll take care of Summer, and I’m sure Skyler wouldn’t mind mucking Rampage’s stall this one time. I’ll pick you up at the house in about thirty minutes.”

    Jessica looked to Skyler for help. Bail me out here, please.

    But Skyler turned away and began unsaddling Con Air. “I’ll take care of Rampage.”

    Her voice was flat and devoid of emotion, but Jessica had seen the disappointment on her face. She liked Tory. She really didn’t want to hurt her feelings. But she could sense Skyler distancing herself, and was suddenly afraid that if she let this chance slip away, she might not get another one. Maybe they would wake up tomorrow and decide they’d narrowly avoided making a big mistake. Training would resume, and life would return to normal.

    She moved to Skyler’s side and said very softly. “I don’t have to go. Just say the word and I won’t.”

    Skyler didn’t look at her. “Go. I said it’s fine.”

    Jessica turned away quickly, not wanting either woman to see the tears pooling in her eyes. Something had wounded Sky so deeply, she’d backed off. One day Jessica would ask her about that, but now was not the time. “Well, I guess I’ll go get ready,” she said with regret. “Thanks.”



    “So what’s going on between you and Jessica?” Tory asked after they’d unsaddled the horses.

    “I don’t know what you mean,” Skyler growled.

    “I get the distinct feeling that I interrupted something.”

    Skyler leaned her head against Con Air’s shoulder. “We were just out for a ride.” Shit, that didn’t sound very convincing. “I mean, I was out riding and she was out riding with some of the kids. We ran into each other and rode back together.”

    Tory stared at her. “Sky, I like her a lot. Kate told me everything she’s been through this year. Jessica really needs something stable to hold on to.”

    “What are you saying?” Skyler was getting really tired of hearing what she knew was coming next.

    “I’m saying that she’s more than just a roll in the sheets. And as much as I love you, your track record speaks for itself. Jessica doesn’t need her heart broken.”