Skyler dug the toe of her boot into the dirt and fought the sick ache in her chest. What made her think she wouldn’t want to walk away once she had Jessica in the sack? Tory spoke the truth. Jessica deserved better. “I’m just her trainer,” she said miserably. “Go take her to dinner. She deserves a night out.”
“Okay,” Tory said softly.
After she left in her truck, Skyler turned Con Air out into the paddock and stomped up the stairs to her apartment.
Despite Jessica’s frustration at Skyler’s withdrawal, she found dinner a relaxed and enjoyable affair. Conversation with Tory was easy. They talked about horses at first, but later found they both enjoyed reading and women’s college basketball.
After driving her home, Tory walked her to the door. “I had a really good time,” she said softly. “I think we have a lot in common. Kate will tell you I’m a pretty decent person, and I think you should know right up front that I’m interested in more than just your friendship.”
Jessica met her eyes. “Tory, I’m just concentrating on Rampage and getting my leg well right now. I don’t know how much more I want to deal with on top of that.”
Tory smiled. “I understand. I am a patient woman.” She placed a soft, lingering kiss on Jessica’s lips. “Good night,” she said softly before turning to leave.
The house was dark except for the porch light Kate had left on. Jessica watched Tory’s truck head down the drive, then her eyes wandered to the Creek Barn, a dark hulk under the light of a nearly full moon. She started down the steps but hesitated, wondering if she should wake Skyler up. Maybe she was still pissed. Or upset. Or whatever it was that she felt. Why was life so complicated?
Her throbbing knee ultimately made the decision for her and she went back up the steps and let herself into the house.
Over in the Creek Barn, Skyler stepped away from the window and took another long drink from the bottle of brandy that had been keeping her company most of the evening. The ache in her chest felt like it was burning a hole in her heart. More like a hole in my stomach. Her luck with women she actually cared about had never been good. When was she going to accept that?
She heard a faint scratching at her apartment door and opened it for a fat orange cat. He shot through the gap and headed right for Skyler’s bed.
“Oh well, looks like the best offer I’m going to get tonight.” Skyler stripped off her clothes and climbed into bed as the cat snuggled into the pillow on the other side of the bed. “I guess we’re just two old toms past our prime, Peach.”
She closed her eyes, but the darkness couldn’t block out the visions of Jessica floating naked in the Jacuzzi. Her incredible pale blue eyes and soft lips would haunt Skyler’s brandy-induced dreams, but she was powerless to think of anything else. The images taunted her. She could have had so much more.
Chapter Nine
The memory of Skyler’s lips burned in Jessica’s mind the next day and she was anxious to have the sexy trainer alone for a few minutes. She was frustrated and puzzled when Skyler appeared chipper but somewhat distant toward her. Skyler seemed to be making sure they were never alone. She suggested that Jessica run Rampage through some light dressage exercises, and then progress on to his Saturday gallops. But Skyler didn’t take up her usual post to watch. Instead, she left Jessica alone with her task and spent the morning working with a new colt that was brought into her barn earlier in the week.
It was well into the afternoon when Jessica finally saw her head for her studio apartment in the loft of the barn. She waited a few minutes in case it was the bathroom that Skyler was headed for, then knocked on the door.
Skyler answered with a sandwich in one hand. “Everything okay with Rampage?” she asked, blocking the doorway.
“He’s fine,” Jessica replied. She could have guessed Skyler would ask about the horse first. She waited a heartbeat or two for an invitation, then asked, “May I come in?”
Skyler shrugged and stepped back, leaving Jessica to follow her to the kitchen bar where she resumed her lunch. The small apartment was neat and orderly. The bed was made. Two partially open doors next to it gave a glimpse of a bathroom and a walk-in closet. A tiny kitchen took up one corner, and in front of the bar where Skyler sat was a recliner and an end table angled in front of a television. Just enough space for one.