Pas de deux Read online

  Table of Contents

  Synopsis

  Praise for the works of E. J. Noyes

  Other Bella Books by E. J. Noyes

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  Bella Books

  Synopsis

  Caitlyn Lloyd has the world at her feet. Or more accurately—under her horse’s hooves. With the 2016 Rio Olympics just around the corner, nothing is going to derail her long-held dream of winning a medal or two in Olympic dressage. Not even the reappearance of a childhood so-not-a-friend throwing her perfectly balanced life into disarray.

  Addie Gardner’s career is at its peak, and accepting a last-minute fill-in position as the veterinarian for the US Olympic Dressage Team was a no-brainer. The fact that her old crush from Pony Club is on the team is just a bonus. Not a distraction at all. And it might just offer the chance to be friends with the girl who wouldn’t even give her the time of day twenty years ago.

  But Caitlyn and Addie have very different memories of their time together at Pony Club and their first meeting as adults is less like a reconnection and more like a butting of heads. With the Olympics looming, they’ll need to set aside their history and learn to work together. And maybe Caitlyn and Addie will realize childhood memories aren’t always accurate, and that they have more in common than they would ever have thought. Maybe. Just maybe.

  Praise for the works of E. J. Noyes

  Reaping the Benefits

  The story is quite eccentric with its paranormal context but in fact is a pure romance at heart with a nice dose of humor. The book is written in third person, from the point of view of both protagonists, which is not common for Noyes, but it is executed perfectly. With all main elements done well, this makes an awesome read which I could easily recommend to all romance fans.

  -Pin’s Reviews, goodreads

  I’ve read many love stories that entertain the idea of soul mates, but this one does something even more interesting. This one explores the depth of love and its ability to transcend death. This story plays with the idea that love has no limits or boundaries. Its exploration provides a unique setting for this heartfelt romantic tale. At its core it remains a romance. The love story between Jane and Morgan is tender and sweet. It’s so cleverly and delightfully done; I’ve never read anything quite like it before. Noyes possesses the ability to see a story where others don’t and turn that into something unique and captivating. She uses rich storytelling and engaging characters to enthrall and delight us.

  It’s fresh and original. It’s everything you crave when you want to dig into a great romance. I highly recommended it.

  -Deb M., NetGalley

  I’m spectacularly smitten with Death, to be specific with E. J. Noyes’ personification of death as Cici La Morte in this new and most wondrous book. Cici is not one of the main characters but she is the fulcrum about which the whole plot rotates. She simultaneously operates as a beautiful symbol of our fascination with the theme of death and loss, and as a comedic but wise Greek chorus guiding Morgan through the internal conflict threatening to tear her very soul apart. All of E. J. Noyes’ previous books have had emotionally charged first-person narrative, so I was curious how her switch to writing in the third person would play out here, but it really works. Despite many lighthearted and genuinely funny moments I found that this book not only had E. J. Noyes’ signature ability to make me cry, but also fascinating ideas and philosophies about grief, loss, and hope.

  -Orlando J., NetGalley

  E. J. Noyes never disappoints and this book is another added to one of my favourites. What I love about Noyes is every book is different and unique from the other which is what makes her such a special writer. The way she has me completely entrenched into the story has me wanting to read or listen to her books over and over again, it’s addictive. I highly recommend the book.

  -Catherine C., NetGalley

  E. J. Noyes is an amazing writer. I have read all of her books and no two books have even a remotely similar plot. She constantly pushes herself to be a better writer. This book is no exception. This book was such a fun twist on what everyone normally thinks about life, death, and the afterlife. I loved the dialogue between the characters as well as the plot development. It was a lot of fun to read!

  -Jenna F., NetGalley

  This very unique story line turned into a beautiful story that had me experiencing a multitude of emotions, from humor to heartbreak and everything in between. The paranormal aspect works beautifully in the novel. Ms. Noyes made the supernatural aspect of the story seem like a normal part of life. The characters are well developed. The ideas of life, death, and the afterlife are handled in a manner I would have never thought about, but which works well in the book.

  -Betty H., NetGalley

  If you’re looking for a lesbian romance, but with a twist of something different, I recommend Reaping the Benefits. It’s sweet, sexy, and fun.

  - The Lesbian Review

  Wildly unique and completely unexpected, Reaping the Benefits wasn’t a hard sell given the expertise with which the author has been able to entertain me with every book published. The letting go of reality to fall into a paranormal underworld is a most unusual backdrop for a love affair but here we are, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Despite the uniqueness of the scenery and its characters, Morgan and Jane’s developing attraction eventually directs Morgan to contemplate everything. The intensity of her introspections coupled with her musings with Death is as bizarre as it is incredibly interesting. This author never fails to entertain me in the most unusual ways that leaves me ruminating over her words long after The End.

  -Cathie W., NetGalley

  Alone

  E. J. Noyes is easily one of the most gifted writers pulling us into whatever world she creates making us live and feel every emotion with her characters. Definitely, loudly, vehemently recommended.

  -Reviewer@Large, NetGalley

  Alone is an absolutely stunning book. This book is not a 5-star, it is well above that. You don’t see books like this one very often. Truly a treasure and one that will stay with you long after the final page.

  -Tiff’s Reviews, goodreads

  For being one of my most anticipated books to read in 2019, this one sure had a lot of expectations to live up to! I can say with full authority that it met or exceeded every single hope that I had. Noyes has done it again, cementing her place as a “must-read” author. Alone lived up to all the hype, and is easily one of the best books of 2019!

  -Bethany K., NetGalley

  There are only a handful of authors that I will drop everything to read as soon as a new book comes out, and Noyes is at the top of that list. It seems no matter what Noyes writes she doesn’t disappoint. I will eagerly be w
aiting for whatever she writes next.

  -Lex Kent’s Reviews, goodreads

  There are only a few books out there so compelling they seem to take control of you and force you to read them as quickly as possible. You can’t put them down. You just want the world to go away and leave you alone until you can finish this story. Alone by E. J. Noyes is that book for me. This novel is absolutely wonderful.

  -Betty H., NetGalley

  Not only is this easily one of the best books of 2019, but it has worked its way onto my personal all-time top 10 list. There is not one formulaic thing going on, and it’s “unputdownable.”

  -Karen C., NetGalley

  I cannot give this anything more than five stars, but damn I wish I could. I would give it 15.

  -Carolyn M., NetGalley

  Ask, Tell

  This is a book with everything I love about top quality lesbian fiction: a fantastic romance between two wonderful women I can relate to, a location that really made me think again about something I thought I knew well, and brilliant pacing and scene-setting. I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.

  -Rainbow Book Reviews

  Noyes totally blew my mind from the first sentence. I went in timidly, and I came away awaiting her next release with bated breath. I really love how Noyes is able to get below the surface of the DADT legislation. She really captures the longing, the heartbreak, and especially the isolation that LGBTQ soldiers had to endure because the alternative was being deemed unfit to serve by their own government. I applaud Noyes for getting to the heart of the matter and giving a very important representation of what living and serving under this legislation truly meant for LGBTQ men and women of service.

  -The Lesbian Review

  E. J. Noyes was able to deliver on so many levels… This book is going to take you on a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs that you won’t expect but it’s so unbelievably worth it.

  -Les Rêveur Reviews

  Noyes clearly undertook a mammoth amount of research. I was totally engrossed. I’m not usually a reader of romance novels, but this one gripped me. The personal growth of the main character, the rich development of her fabulous best friend, Mitch, and the well-handled tension between Sabine and her love interest were all fantastic. This one definitely deserves five stars.

  -CELEStial books Reviews

  Turbulence

  Wow… and when I say ‘wow’ I mean… WOW. After the author’s debut novel Ask, Tell got to my list of best books of 2017, I was wondering if that was just a fluke. Fortunately for us lesfic readers, now it’s confirmed: E. J. Noyes CAN write. Not only that, she can write different genres… Written in first person from Isabelle’s point of view, the reader gets into her headspace with all her insecurities, struggles, and character traits. Alongside Isabelle, we discover Audrey’s personality, her life story and, most importantly, her feelings. Throughout the book, Ms. Noyes pushes us down a roller coaster of emotions as we accompany Isabelle in her journey of self-discovery. In the process, we laugh, suffer, and enjoy the ride.

  -Gaby, goodreads

  This was hot, steamy, even a little emotional…and I loved every second of it. This book is in first person. I know some don’t care for that, but it works for this book, really. Always being in Isabelle’s head, not knowing for sure what Audrey was thinking, gave me almost a little suspense. I just love the way Noyes writes. I know I am fan-girling out a bit here, but her books make me happy. All other romance fans, I easily recommend this. I just hope I don’t have to wait too long for another Noyes book.

  -Lex Kent, goodreads

  The entire story just flowed from the first page! E. J. Noyes did a superb job of bringing out Isabelle’s and Audrey’s personalities, faults, erratic emotions, and the burning passion they shared. The chemistry between both women was so palpable! I felt as though the writer drizzled every word she wrote with love, combustible desire, and intense longing.

  -The Lesbian Review

  Gold

  This is Noyes’ third book, and her writing just keeps getting better and better with each release. She gives us such amazing characters that are easy for anyone to relate to. And she makes them so endearing that you can’t help but want them to overcome the past and move forward toward their happily ever after.

  -The Lesbian Review

  This book is exactly the way I wish romance authors would get back to writing romance. This is what I want to read. If you are a Noyes fan, get this book. If you are a romance fan, get this book. I didn’t even talk about the skiing… if you are a skiing fan, get this book.

  -Lex Kent, goodreads

  If the Shoe Fits

  When we pick up an E. J. Noyes book we expect intensity, characters with issues (circumstantial and/or internal), and a romance that builds believably. Considering this is Ask, Tell #3 we expected all of the above layered with epic seriousness. We were pleasantly surprised and totally floored by the humor in addition to what was already expected!

  -Best Lesfic Reviews

  www.BellaBooks.com

  When you shop at Bella, more of your dollars reach the women who write and produce the books you love. Thanks from all of the authors & staff at Bella!

  Blog: Bella Media Channel

  Facebook: BellaBooks

  Twitter: @bellabooks

  Instagram: TheBellaBooks

  Other Bella Books by E. J. Noyes

  Ask, Tell

  Turbulence

  Gold

  Ask Me Again

  Alone

  If the Shoe Fits

  Reaping the Benefits

  About the Author

  E. J. Noyes lives in Australia with her wife, a needy cat, aloof chickens and too many horses. When not indulging in her love of reading and writing, E. J. argues with her hair and pretends to be good at things.

  Copyright © 2021 by E. J. Noyes

  Bella Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 10543

  Tallahassee, FL 32302

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  First Bella Books Edition 2021

  Editor: Cath Walker

  Cover Designer: Judith Fellows

  ISBN: 978-1-64247-245-5

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Acknowledgments

  I suppose you could say this book has been twenty-five years in the making. Though Pas de deux is definitely a work of fiction, the idea came to me when I was (yet again) telling the story of how my wife and I met in Pony Club and were SO not friends. You could say it was a kind of Juliet and Juliet scenario of two girls from rival riding schools, both of whom were afflicted with social awkwardness, meeting again as adults where I’d grown out of my social awkwardness and into some pretty good outrage that this person who’d been so mean and standoffish to me as a teenager had reappeared in my life. But it all worked out in the end and the real story is a pretty fun story to tell.

  Epic thank-yous to Kate, who not only shared her Americanness with me at all hours of night and day, but trawled through close to 120,000 words of barely edited first-draft mush and emerged from the other side to not only tell me the story was good, but helped me make the words bette
r.

  Claire, in case you didn’t know, your well-timed GIFs and encouragement always pick me up when I’m suffering a bout of Tortured Artiste™.

  Christina, I don’t know how you do it but your eternal optimism and seemingly casual suggestions like “Why not Rio?” turned this from a panic project to a pet project.

  My eternal gratitude to Dr. Paula Williams (alphabet soup of degrees and qualifications and smart stuff after her name) who helped me make Addie sound like a real vet. Paula, not only are you the bestest equine veterinarian we know—and the Real Dewey’s most favourite—but you’re also an amazing friend and we’re so hashtag blessed to know you. Is this day one?

  Cath – every time we work together I send silent clumps of gratitude to whoever allocated you to edit my work. I’m sorry this was so wordy. And! I know I keep promising but I really am going to try harder with not using (abusing?) serial commas…

  Bella Crew, you’re great. Thank you.

  Pheebs, I’m sure you recognise the story of how we met and our teenaged stand-offish animosity in here. This one’s for you, babe, but I just made our story a little (lot) more exciting. I’m so glad it turned out that you weren’t actually the mean bitch I thought you were when we were at Pony Club together.

  Chapter One

  Caitlyn

  The Dutch voice coming through my headset hit maximum intensity. “No, stop, walk!”

  My sweat and fatigue both muttered, “With pleasure” and Dewey relaxed to walk like a balloon deflating. The moment Lotte Bakker strode across the sand of her indoor arena toward us, my horse reinflated and I could feel the tense choppiness of his stride. He probably hadn’t forgiven her for yesterday where she’d made us work on our transitions from piaffe to passage to piaffe over and over until I thought Dew was about to collapse or lie down in protest. He wasn’t one to hold a grudge, but I was pretty sure Lotte would be at the top of his list if he had one.