Free Winner Takes All - Book 1 (An Erotic Romance) by Sherilyn Gray

Chapter One
     
    Barely two minutes
until the starting gun. Sasha’s heart pounded in her chest as her eyes swept
over Churchill Grounds. Like the other jockeys behind the starting gates
alongside her, she was waiting. Nervous. But her hands were loose and easy on
the reigns of the bay colt under her. Heavy Impact snorted, tossing his head as
if he too was anticipating the biggest race of his life. The Kentucky Derby.
Out in the stands, the voices rose and fell like an ocean’s surf, bringing
goose bumps to Sasha’s skin. People from all over the world gathered in
Louisville for what was arguably the biggest horserace in the world. And the
most important one of her career.
     
    Sasha felt the other jockeys in the starting gates beside
her, but she ignored them. Focusing instead on herself, on Heavy Impact. On the
race. She drew in a swift breath, even now hardly believing that she’d come
this far, escaping her misery of a childhood to sit perched atop one of the
fastest horses she’d ever ridden, and at the most famous race in the world.
Sasha Cormick. At Churchill Downs with the smell of the dirt track in the air,
a thousand pounds of powerful horseflesh shifting between her legs. Incredible.
     
    Nearly a year ago, Sasha had been in disbelief when she
was first courted by two well-known stables. When Linc Stratton, the head
trainer from Taylor Stables, had approached her, shown her the gorgeous Taylor
property— the white washed buildings and vast green pastures, the clean and
bright facilities with the all the modern amenities, even inexplicably the
burned ruins of an old stable showing in stark contrast in the background—she
had been very impressed. That day, Linc introduced her to Heavy Impact and
Sasha had just about fallen in love. The choice between the two stables had all
but made itself.
     
    Now, after over two dozen wins together, she and Heavy
Impact were together, finally at the Run for the Roses. She quivered in
excitement. In reaction, Heavy Impact snorted beneath her, tossed his
magnificent head. She patted his sleek neck.
     
    “Steady boy.”
     
    The announcer’s voice blared over the speakers. Her heart
pounded even harder. It was mere seconds until the gate flew open. An arctic
calm descended over Sasha. The drumming of her heart faded away as if it had
never been.
     
    It all happened at once. The starting gun exploded. The
bells rang out. The starting gates flew open with a wild clang.
     
    Heavy Impact leapt forward with an effortless movement of
his powerful legs, and they were immediately in the middle of the controlled
stampede. Hooves pounded against the ground, dirt flying up, thundering sound
as the crowd roared, cheering for their favorites. On both sides of her, the
other horses bumped close, shoving at Impact as the horse pounded across the
dirt, threatening to overturn each other. Impact breathed easily, his heavy
body effortlessly in control. Fast. Faster.
     
    Then they were in the lead, Impact and Sasha both
breathing heavily now. Another bay jerked ahead of them. But Impact quickly
regained the lead, his legs working like pistons. Sasha tightened her hands on
the reigns but allowed him to set the pace. After a space of five drumming
heartbeats, she reined him in just enough so he wouldn’t tire himself out. They
thundered around the track to the symphony of shouts in the stands. The smell
of horse and sweat and the hot day rose up around Sasha. Sasha rode on,
bouncing in the flimsy saddle, her butt in the air, chin nearly buried in
Impact’s short mane. They kept their lead, breathing controlled, pace steady.
     
    He wanted more. Hooves flying, sides heaving with his
effort. Not yet. Not yet. Then they reached the final stretch. Sasha gave him
his head and she could almost feel his joy. Unfettered, he leapt even farther
ahead, sides heaving, the sound of his hooves like music. Sasha felt a wild
grin on her face, adrenaline singing through her body as they flew toward