Cassidy felt a wave of relief flood over her. "Hi, Tracy. I'm Cassidy."
"Come on, let's go up by the fence," Tracy said warmly. "I'll explain what's going on. It really is an exciting game."
As they watched the next chukker, Tracy made comments from time to time. When the players came thundering by close to the fence, she felt her heart pound. It really was exciting.
At the same time, she kept wondering how Tristan could have a Polo pony. She knew they were very expensive. She'd seen some documentary on television and remembered just keeping one cost at least $2,000.00 a month plus vet bills. Tristan must be a lot richer than she thought. His absent parents must give him a huge allowance or he had a substantial trust fund. He was most certainly more than a good photographer.
When the match was over, people said cheery goodbyes. Tristan and Cassidy walked over to the horse area where Antonio supervised a stable boy washing down Bellissima. She was tossing her head in delight after the energetic afternoon. Tristan looked very happy. He congratulated Antonio and gave the horse a last pat on the withers.
He took Cassidy's hand.
"Let's go for a walk. I'm feeling good." They strolled along a path under the trees and Cassidy breathed in the scents. Sharp, soothing, and such a contrast to her city life.
They walked in silence. Whatever Tristan was thinking, Cassidy was processing the afternoon with society and whether she had held her own.
As if in answer to her thoughts, Tristan turned, his tossed locks glistening in the late afternoon sun. "You were the most beautiful woman there."
"I was?" Cassidy was in disbelief. She'd seen the expensive garments and smelled the exclusive perfumes. "Don't patronize me."
"No, Cassidy. You won't get away with self-effacement this time. Truly, your simple silk dress showed off every quality of your beauty. Your curls glistened in the sun. You were not just beautiful, you were gorgeous."
He led her off the path into a copse of trees. The sunlight filtered through the leaves and cast leafy shadows on the ground. It was like being in a cave made of leaves.
"Come here," Tristan said. He leaned against a large tree trunk. He reached out his arms and pressed Cassidy against his full length. His hand ran up and down her body following her curves. "Look at you. Your body is like a goddess. Power and perfection."
Cassidy felt her body begin to stir under his caresses. "I feel like a goddess when I'm with you. Your personal goddess." She reached up and touched his cheek.
Tristan's lips touched hers with a soft kiss. Anticipation stirred in her body. She felt the heat rush to her groin. She responded with a deeper kiss as his lips became firm and pressed against hers.
His hands moved to her breasts. She felt her areolas pucker as her nipples pushed against the soft silk. Tristan moaned.
He ran his hand up her thigh under her dress. "So soft," he murmured. "Your skin is so soft."
His fingers reached under her panties and found the slit. Cassidy sucked in her breath as waves of fire burned against his fingers.
She felt his shaft harden against her thigh.
"I want you. I want you in me," she whispered.
Tristan found her nub and began making little circles with his thumb as his fingers probed deep into her. Waves of passion consumed her as her hips moved against him responding to the rhythm of his fingers.
"I'm cumming," she cried. She realized they were out in the open and softened her voice. "I'm cumming," she whispered breathily. "Cum inside me."
He pulled the crotch of her panties to the side as his shaft found her opening. He pushed in then pulled back. Cassidy felt the desire build as his shaft pulled away. "No, no," she breathed. "In."
Tristan pushed back in pulling her close to his body. She arched and bucked with his thrusts, but his arms held her steady against him. She brought her leg up to his waist and felt his shaft go deeper.
His thrusts became rhythmic. His face was lost in the power of the moment. He grabbed her tight and moaned into her neck. She felt him push against her pulsing walls. Waves consumed her as she moved with his rhythm. With one last vigorous thrust, they came together.
"Tristan," she murmured his name.
"We seem to go together," Tristan said with that laughing smile on his lips.
Cassidy thought about the afternoon and wasn't so sure. She didn't know what to say. He was the only man who made her feel so complete. He brought out her best and encouraged her to be herself. How could she not like that combination? But the reality of all those wealthy strangers made her uncomfortable. How could a girl from Alabama fit in? Was it wishful thinking on his part?
She didn't answer. Instead she snuggled into him, feeling his strength as he leaned against the tree. She knew she would never forget this day or the wild, immediate passion of their lovemaking under the leafy bows.
Chapter Six
"What's wrong?" Tristan asked, reaching for her hand.
Cassidy didn't realize her hands were clenched together in a tight fist.
She didn't want him to know about her dad's phone call early that morning. Her mom's cancer had progressed, and the doctor recommended doubling the chemotherapy. Dad's insurance couldn't cover the additional expense and frantically called to ask for her help.
"Nothing, I … I … I just don't want to be late for work," she stammered, trying to put a carefree smile on her face.
"Okay, if you don't want to be late, why don't you let me drive you all the way to the coffee shop? Why do you have to get off a few blocks and walk the rest of the way?"
"Because … ugh … we've been through this before. I'm not ready to introduce you as my boyfriend. Do you know what a commotion you will stir up if I reported for work in this car? I'll never hear the end of it."
Tristan glanced at her like her explanation was the dumbest thing in the world.
"Are you ashamed of me?"
"Ashamed? God, no! Of course not."
Cassidy stared at him, mystified that he would even think that. Was he blind? He should be thinking that about her. He was a prize catch - every girl's dream - and he was hers. That was the root of her insecurity and the reason she preferred to keep their relationship a secret. The girls would all be wondering what she did and what he ever saw in her.
Tristan was the dream boyfriend. He was solicitous, very sweet, and had a knack for reading her mind. After seeing the luxury where he lived, Cassidy was embarrassed about bringing him to her place. He must have had an inkling. She remembered that conversation so clearly.
"Um, err … this place is so big and I'm alone. I was just wondering … and only if it's okay with you … would you mind staying here with me? I mean, my folks won't be around for months, you know … "
All the while giving her a sheepish grin.
Cassidy was only too willing to say yes.
"Of course, if you want me to," she replied with delight, melting into his arms.
"Yes, I do."
It wasn't like he was asking her to live with him, was it? And her apartment was always there to go back to, if she needed to do so.
But it was what he suggested after that blew her mind.
"Can I buy you a car? I mean … nothing fancy. I just want to make sure you get to work fine when I'm away, and the bus doesn't run this side of town."
Of course it didn't; this was Upper East Side, after all.
"No! Absolutely not," she replied with horror.
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not some ho. Besides, when you're not around, I can go home to my apartment."
Tristan looked at her and decided not to pursue the subject, but Cassidy had a feeling that wasn't the end of it.
That was six weeks ago, and everything had been paradise since. They made love like there was no tomorrow. Tristan was insatiable and would catch her in the most unexpected places. If his parents went through the house with a UV light, the place would light up like the Fourth of July.
He took to driving her to work every morning, and never asked why he had to drop her off three blocks away from the café … until now. He seemed content to accept tidbits about her life that she was willing to share with him. Cassidy, for her part, never pried into his. She concluded he was a rich kid with rich folks that could indulge his passion in photography.
"See you tonight, then?" Tristan asked, idling at the curb a few blocks away from the coffee shop.
"Okay."
She was glad to escape his scrutiny and made a move to open the door. It wouldn't budge. She tried again and looked towards him. His finger was over the power lock. Did he expect her to scramble out the window? It was bad enough he had the convertible top all the way back and she was hunkered down to avoid being seen.