Page 24 of Dangerous Stakes

The past year had been an exciting one for Rory and Susan. They had worked to hone her skills and Tank’s training in preparation for her grand prix ride in the Olympic trials. They were an odd pairing. Rory was the ever serious and scowling dressage master. Susan was the spirited and playful rider who didn’t give a damn… until she rode into the arena. Then she was as cold as any warrior headed into battle; the big roan gelding her weapon of choice.

Rory’s dedication to reclaiming his former Olympic glory by taking Susan and Tank to the top had taken the dressage community by storm. They were a polarizing trio. People either adored them and considered them to be a breath of fresh air or they were seen as the upstart rider, her mutant horse, and the disgraced coach.

Neither Susan nor Rory much cared. They had set their goal in mind and were known to be devoted to one another. They shared their lives both in and out of the ring.

The most recent brouhaha had come from a freestyle class on their anniversary. The ride had been nuanced and sensual. Tank and Susan had not placed in the freestyle class as the last part of the routine was a spectacular display of the forbidden and dangerous Airs Above the Ground.

Susan was disqualified for maneuvers that were not allowed. The crowd had voiced their disappointment at the judge’s decision and roared its approval of her skill and daring. Not many had noticed the simmering anger on Rory’s face. He was not amused; a fact which made Susan all the more pleased with herself and her ride.

As they walked back to the barn, the young riders under Rory’s tutelage crowded around the woman they now considered to be their big sister, their confidante, and role model—something their mothers were not always pleased about.

When she arrived back at their barn, she threw a leg over Tank’s neck and slid to the ground.

“He’s pissed,” said Bridget, one of their grooms.

“Probably, but did you see him? God, he was magnificent.”

The grooms seemed unusually restrained and quiet. They were well aware of the argument that had taken place before.

“You will not perform those maneuvers,” Rory had ordered.

“Oh, come on, people need to see a show. So many of these riders are so afraid they’ll screw up, they’re afraid to try anything,” she’d countered. “Besides even if they DQ me on my freestyle, we’re still on the list for the Olympic trials. It doesn’t matter.”

“I don’t give a fuck about the trials. There’s a reason the Airs Above the Ground aren’t allowed. They’re dangerous.”

“Not if you know what you’re doing… and we do.”

Her flawless execution of the highest level of riding had given evidence that she had practiced the routine and each maneuver. An assumption that Rory shared. The young girls gathered around her, hugging her and telling her they were thrilled at her exhibition.

One of the mothers with whom Susan was quite friendly whispered to her, “If looks could kill, you’d be dead.”

Susan laughed and said, “Nah, it’s our anniversary, and the Irishman wants to get laid.”

The mother laughed, as well, saying, “Doesn’t he always get laid?”

Susan grinned at her. “Point taken.”

Rory put his hand around her arm. To look at it, it seemed like a loving gesture, but Susan could feel the steel in his grip. “Can you give us a moment?” he said as he drew her away from the growing crowd. “What the hell did you think you were up to?” Rory hissed.

“I was doing a freestyle that few people would dare to do, and the crowd loved it. Tank was great! Did you see him? The lift he got …”

“And what if you’d come out of the saddle? What if he’d landed on you? What if he’d fallen and broken a leg? What if one of the little girls who idolize you decides to try that?”

“They wouldn’t. They know those are Grand Prix maneuvers. And they are all really good at only riding above their level if you are there to observe and spot them. They won’t even attempt them if I’m in the ring with them. Only with you.”

He kissed her with all the pent-up anger and frustration he was feeling. “When I get you home Susan …”

She grabbed his face with both hands and kissed him with just as much fire and passion. “We’re going to celebrate our first anniversary and you are going to fuck me soundly and repeatedly.”

Rory swatted her behind.

“Aye, love, I’ll do more than that when we get home.”

She tried to read his face as he slipped back on the mask of the faithful coach and lover.

As they came out of the tack room, the head judge approached them. “I just wanted to say, Ms. Rogers, that even though I had to DQ your freestyle ride, I thought it was spectacular and brilliant. I can see why the U.S. Team is thought to have a real shot at the Gold Medal at the next Olympics.”

She shook the judge’s extended hand. “Thank you so much. I understand the disqualification. I knew going in those maneuvers weren’t allowed, but I wanted to give the crowd something to wow them and something for Rory to remember for our first anniversary.”

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