Winner Takes All (A Full Length Erotic Romance Novel) Read Free

her.
     
    He led her into the building, past the concierge who
waved to him with a wide smile, and to the elevator. She released his arm as he
pressed the button for the penthouse, suddenly conscious of the small space.
Conscious of how her pulse raced when she was with him. It was one thing to
fantasize about him while he remained aloof and far from her reach; but to have
him so close, the smell of him teasing her, the recent memory of his strong
warmth under her hand. Sasha drew a single, silent breath.
     
    “You were wonderful out there today,” he said after a
long moment. “It was truly a magnificent ride.”
     
    “Thank you,” she said, desperately grabbing at inane
piece of conversation. “High Impact is a champion. He was born to win. It
didn’t matter if it’s with me or someone else.”
     
    “I doubt that very much. That horse loves you. He’d fly
to the moon for you. I understand now what he sees in those honey-colored eyes
of yours.”
     
    Another blush claimed Sasha’s cheeks. She hadn’t turned
red this much since her sunburn two summers ago. What was this man doing to
her? She drew a quick breath of relief when the elevator bell sounded and the
doors parted. Sounds of the party flooded into the small elevator—classical
music, conversation, laughter, the clink of glasses. Her mouth literally
dropped open as she saw the penthouse.
     
    The elevator door had opened into a gleaming palace.
Signs of extravagant wealth surrounded the elegantly dressed people parading
through the posh space. Gleaming hardwood floors. Marble busts arranged on
pedestals and facing the guests with their scowling, aristocratic faces. Two
glass walls made into an L-shape which allowed in the blazing sunset, a
gorgeous spectacle that everyone at the party mostly ignored. And why should
they care that nature was doing what she did every night when so much was
happening in here?
     
    Waiters in black trousers and white, long-sleeved shirts
walked between the guests with silver trays held aloft in their capable hands.
The trays the waiters carried held champagne, mint juleps, tumblers of whiskey.
     
    Among the beauty and opulence, she felt suddenly out of
place, a black-eyed susan in a field of orchids. She felt herself wanting to
shrink up against Damien. But he belonged here too among these glorious beings.
She did not. Just as she was contemplating making her excuses to Damien and
running away like a coward from the big bad rich people, a woman sauntered
toward them from a nearby entryway.
     
    She was flawless. Five-inch black heels, an orange dress
that looked like it had been painted on her tall, fashion model’s body. Her
black eyes were hawk-like under a swoop of frosted blond hair that looked
shocking against her teak skin.
     
    “Damien! You made it.” She kissed his cheek a moment
before she was looking down from her over six foot height at Sasha. “And who is
this?”
     
    She opened her mouth to introduce herself, sure that he
didn’t remember her first name.
     
    “This is Sasha. She is the one who handled High Impact so
well this evening.”
     
    The woman’s glance grew even more interested. “Oh, a
female jockey. How delicious.” She offered her hand. “I’m Amelia, my dear. You
must let me take you around the room and introduce you.”
     
    Without waiting for Sasha to accept or decline her
invitation, the tall woman—Amelia—curled her long fingers around Sasha’s arm
and drew her deeper into the penthouse. The woman introduced her to what Sasha
felt was nearly everyone in the cavernous and beautiful place. Surprisingly,
Damien kept pace with them, offering tidbit about her that she did not think he
knew—“Yes, she became a jockey at sixteen. Sasha was a very precocious young
lady,” while continuously fetching her champagne, and making sure she never ran
out.
     
    His presence soothed her. It pushed the nervousness to
the back of her consciousness until she could almost fool herself