by Jenna Chase
I drove around the property looking for him. It took an extra five minutes but I eventually tracked him down at one of the other barns. I couldn’t help myself when I jumped off the ATV and ran at him waving my arms in the air. I could feel the tears already stinging my eyes as I approached him.
“Why are you where you said you would be!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. What’s wrong?” he said holding up his arms defensively. “Are you ok?”
“Why weren’t you where you said you’d be?”
“I ran over here for a minute, I needed to grab a different bridle. I was only going to be here for a second. I didn’t think I would need to alert you. Now take a deep breath and tell me what’s wrong,” he said as he wrapped his arm over my shoulder. I began to cry into his chest as I did my best to get the words out.
“There…something…bad. I don’t know. I think something happened to Cheeseburger,” I finally managed between my sobs.
“What do you mean?” he asked pushing me out to arm’s length.
“I don’t know. He didn’t come when I called him and Ruby is acting hysterically. I don’t know…I just don’t know…” I said with my hands outstretched before me shaking.
“Ok. Come with me,” he said grabbing my arm and pulling me behind him to his ATV.
“What about my…” I said gesturing towards the ATV I had ridden over.
“You’re in no shape to drive right now and we can come back and get it later. Tell me where you let them out to pasture today.”
“Just the…the pasture closest to the house. I didn’t have too many duties today and I wanted to be able to sit and watch them from the porch once I was done…but…b...b...but when I came to the fence and tried to call him he didn’t come and then I saw Ruby and I knew something was wrong,” I stammered uncontrollably.
“Shhh…its ok,” Shane said trying to soothe me. “You’ve found me, we’ll go and see what’s happened. I’m sure it will be ok.”
“I hope so,” I said as I clung tightly to his body. He started the ATV and took off. It was minutes before we arrived but it felt like an eternity. My heart was pounding and I could feel a wooziness in my stomach that hadn’t been there before. In my gut I knew something was very very wrong.
“Are you ok to hop off and open the gate,” he asked when we stopped just outside the fence.
“Yeah, I think so,” I said as I slid off of the ATV and stepped over to the fence. I unhooked the locking mechanism and pushed it open. I held it wide while he drove the vehicle through and then I closed and locked it again. Ruby was frantic and we didn’t need her running out of the pasture.
“Hop back on,” he said with a wave of his arm. He waited only long enough for me to get settled in the seat and then he was taking off across the grassy field. It took only another minute to get to Ruby and another fifteen seconds to turn off the ATV and get to her. Shane calmed her like only he could, with a few quiet words and a stern hand. He cooed to her and asked her what was wrong. While Shane worked with Ruby I walked to the edge of the property where a few broken fence boards jutted out awkward and broken. I fingered the edge of one of the boards and came away with a small thatch of Cheeseburgers dark red hair.
“Over here,” I yelled cupping one hand around my mouth for amplification. In the other I continued to finger the soft tuft of hair. Shaking I stepped past the fence and walked to the edge where the cliff face dropped off a good thirty feet. It wasn’t the worlds furthest drop but for a horse it could mean death. I closed my eyes for a second and took a deep breath. When I was ready I opened my eyes and looked down. There, far below was Cheeseburger. He was frantic but appeared to be otherwise unharmed. The crazy colt must have been prancing around when he hit the fence, broke through, and went over. Now, from the bottom, there was no way for him to get back up on his own.
Just when I began to ponder the rescue possibilities Shane stepped up beside me and cursed. “I know,” I said echoing his sentiment.
“Well, it could be worse,” he said taking my hand in his. “At least he doesn’t appear to be hurt, but getting him back up is going to be a pain in the ass. You wait here and I’ll go get the large tractor. I’ll walk back and take Ruby with me so I can go ahead and get her in a pen so we don’t have to worry about her getting in the way. I’ll be back soon. See if you can talk to Cheeseburger to calm him some. Let him know it’s going to be ok. He’ll listen, he’ll understand you.”
I looked at him uncertainly suddenly feeling a doubt I hadn’t felt in weeks. He placed his hand on my cheek and stroked it. “You can do it. Don’t worry.” He kissed my forehead quickly and then was on his way. All I could do was wait, the minutes feeling endless as I did my best to talk to Cheeseburger.
“It’s ok boy, we’re here. Just a few more minutes, we’re going to get you out.” Whatever I could think of that I thought might work. The truth was I think the words were more for myself than they were for him. Silly words that I hoped were true. I had no idea what Shane had in mind but I hoped it was good.
A few minutes later Shane returned on the tractor with a long set of canvas straps with ends that could hook onto a hook or some other catch, and a shotgun.
“What is that for?” I said upon noticing the gun.
“Just in case,” he said swooping out of the cabin out of the tractor. One hand on the mirror as he swung out and landed easily on the ground.
“In case of what?”
“If he ends up hurting himself we’ll need to put him down quickly so he doesn’t suffer,” he said matter of fact as if it was simply the way it might have to be. I knew he loved Cheeseburger and it was hard to hear him say the words as if they were nothing. He must have seen the look on my face because he turned back to me, his own features softening. “I’m just trying to be strong for both of us,” he said as he brushed his thumb across my cheek. “We’re going to do everything we can.”
He climbed back into the tractor, dropped the bucket scoop to the side and then hopped out again. I helped him to attach the canvas straps to the latch and then he instructed me to help him get as close to the edge as possible.
“Are you sure the tractor can hold his weight?” I asked when I realized what he was planning to do.
“He’s still a little guy, he doesn’t weight that much yet. We should be ok. To get this to work, I’m going to need you to go down the embankment so that you can guide him and maneuver the straps around his midsection.”
I looked down over the edge. It was steep, if I tried to go down where we stood I would only end up injuring myself. I looked back to Shane.
“If you head over there,” he gestured to the right with his head, “there’s a slightly easier path. It’s still steep so you will still need to be careful, but it shouldn’t be too bad.”
I started to walk away towards the area he had indicated. I turned to get one last look at Shane when I noticed the small pathway.
“Be careful,” he said with a wink. “As much as I want to save Cheeseburger, I can live without him, but I can’t live without you.” I felt my stomach sinks as his words set in. Things had moved quickly between us but I felt exactly the same way. I couldn’t imagine my life without him in it. I glanced down the path and focused on decided on the best plan of attack. It looked safe if I could make it down the first five feet or so. Getting down those few feet was the main obstacle. I looked around for a tree or something to hold onto to steady myself and noticed a think rope vine hanging down over the edge.
I gripped the vine and gave it a few hearty tugs. It gave a little on the first tug and then seemed to stick. I wondered if it could hold my weight but it seemed my best option so I decided I would have to try my luck. I wrapped the vine around my wrist once and began to maneuver down the ledge. My feet slid a little but eventually found purchase and just when I thought it was safe to release the vine, the rocks beneath my feet dislodge and sent me spiraling. I only fell a few feet but it was enough to get my heart racing and my knees dirty
.
“Are you ok?” Shane said worried as he rushed towards the top of the path.
“I’m ok. Just a little dirty,” I said slowly standing back up and brushing the pale dust from my knees. “Really. I’m alright,” I said turning away from him to scurry down the rest of the incline. As soon as I made it to the bottom Cheeseburger came rushing over to greet me. “Hey boy! Let me look you over,” I said as I ran my hands over his body. “He seems to be ok,” I yelled up to Shane.
“Great! Bring him over here so I can drop the straps down and we can get him out of there.”
I walked with Cheeseburger until we were standing directly below the tractor. Shane slowly used the wench to lower the straps and then waited. I did my best to work one strap under the colt’s torso just before his back legs and then the other just before the front. I stroked his nose and told him everything was going to be ok. I hooked the straps back up to the hoist and then signaled to Shane that he was ready. He gave a quick salute and then went back to the tractor. I bit my lip nervously when the wench began to tighten the straps and then lifted Cheeseburger inch by agonizing inch.
When it became clear that he was going to make it to the top alright I went back to the small path and worked my way back up to the top. It took a couple of minutes and I had to use the vine again but I eventually made it and could see that Shane had already lowered the colt back to the ground. He had brought a small brindle and had put it over his snout before working the straps free. It was obvious that Cheeseburger was happy and relieved to be safe again and keeping him still to remove the straps was proving difficult.
I walked over and did my best to help and once free I pulled him to the side while Shane backed the tractor up. He waved quickly and then began to drive it back to the house where it was stored. I walked Cheeseburger slowly across the field and then penned him with Ruby in the barn.
I stomped to where Shane stood and I backed him up against the still warm tractor. I wrapped my hand around the back of his neck and pulled him down to meet me. I kissed him hard, harder than I’d ever kissed anything before. I snaked my other hand around his waist and I pressed myself against his body. I needed him desperately. I could feel him responding, the hardness already growing in his jeans as it strained the fabric and pushed into my stomach. He attempted to pull away but I held him steady and I kissed him again. When I finally released him he looked at me with a mix of shock and lust. I could see it on his face, he wanted me.
Shane sighed, a heavy weighted sigh that told me his struggle. “We can’t,” he said, “We’re in the middle of our week.”
“I don’t give a shit about your “delayed gratification”. I just had one of the scariest days ever and I need you. I need you now!”
“But…,” he began but I stopped him with a scorching glare.
“But nothing. I’m a person. We’re in a relationship. I get to have my say. I’ve gone along with your “delayed gratification” tactics and they’ve been fun, and rewarding, but right now, in this moment, I need you. I don’t want to wait another three days. In fact, I can’t wait another three days. I need you inside of me and I need it now,” I said taking a step forward. I grabbed his hand and pushed it down the front of my jeans. “Right there,” I said as I pushed my hand down over top of his. He stood still as my entire body shook. I threw back my head and used my own hand to push his middle finger into me. I gulped and shudder as he began to work his hand. “Yes,” I cried out. “Please...,” I begged.
Finally, he stepped forward and leaned down and began to kiss my neck. He started where my shoulder ends and worked his way up to my ear, he teased it lightly with his tongue and then worked his way back down as he continued to drive his finger inside of me. Bringing his lips to my ear he breathed, “Let’s go in,” and then bit down lightly on my earlobe. My knees began to go week so he wrapped his arm around my waist and clutched me tightly against him. “You win, I’m yours. I’ll give you anything you need,” he said his lips grazing my flushed cheek.
We walked slowly to the front porch and then I stopped him, his arm outstretched at full length, his hand in mine. He turned and looked at me and then walked back the few feet between us. I tilted my head up and he met me with a kiss. It wasn’t hard, rushed, or driving, it was tender and slow and soft and everything you dream of when you’re a young girl. It was like the perfect kiss from the prince charming you’ve been dreaming of your entire life. He bit my lip gently and then pulled away with a grin.
He stepped away from me until he was at arm’s length again and then he pulled me after him. “Wait here,” he said dropping my hand at the door.
“Wait?” I asked feeling like the very thought was nearing impossible. “I don’t think I can,” I moaned.
“Yes you can,” he said still smiling. “It will only be another minute,” he continued as he pushed open the front door and disappeared inside. From behind the door he called back, “Don’t move!” I could hear his footsteps echoing throughout the house and I wondered what he could be up to.
I know he told me not to move, but standing felt excruciating after the excitement and worry of the day. I moved over and sat on the porch swing and swayed gently as I watched the wind blowing across the fields. It looked peaceful and perfect. Shane only took a few minutes and when he returned he had a bag full of who knows what.
“Ok, let’s go,” he said grabbing my hand again. He yanked me from the swing and had me following him back to where the ATV sat from earlier. “Hop on,” he said patting the seat as he stretched his leg over the machine.
“Where are we going?” I asked as I positioned myself behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist.
“You’ll see.” He started the ATV and took off towards the far reaches of his property. I knew there was a small creek that ran along the northern edge but I’d never bothered searching for it. He drove until he reached a wooded area and then he killed the engine. “Come on, it’s not far,” he said as we held hands and he took as deeper into the woods. Within twenty feet we came to the edge of a small creek with a sandy embankment. “I had been saving this place but since you insist on not delaying your gratification, I figured now would be the perfect time.” His grin was infectious and I couldn’t help but smile with him.
“It’s perfect,” I agreed as he went to work unfolding a blanket. He tented it in the air and then let it flutter down to the ground. I thought he would lay down and maybe we’d make out for a while or who knows, but he immediately began to remove his clothes. I stood starring, dumbstruck as he pulled off his shirt and then his jeans.
“Are you going to join me?” he asked once he was down to his boxer briefs.
“I…uh…I just wasn’t expecting you to be so gung ho,” I said with a laugh.
“Oh, ok, I hear ya, you need me to help you,” he said as he stepped forward and reached for the bottom of my shirt. “I can do that,” he said as he pulled the light cotton fabric up. I reached my arms to the sky and let him pull the shirt from my body. He tossed it over onto the bag he’d brought and then leaned forward and kissed my shoulder while his hands reached for my pants. He teased my shoulder and then my jaw as he unbuttoned and pushed down my pants leaving me standing in nothing but my bra and panties. “What are we going to do about this,” he teased before biting down on my bra strap. He used his teeth to pull each strap down my shoulder and then reached behind me and unsnapped the latch letting it fall to the sandy ground.
I watched almost breathless as he went down onto his knee and kneeled before me. He leaned forward and ran his tongue up the inside of my thigh forcing a shiver through my entire body. He pressed his face to my growing wetness and inhaled deeply. His dexterous hands looped a single fingertip into each hip of my panties and pulled them down in a single quick tug.
“Do you know what I want?” he asked with a growl.
“No...,” I replied uncertainly.
“I want to taste you,” he said before nibbling my thigh. My legs went weak
and I fell to my knees in the sand. He gripped my shoulders and guided me to the blanket. He gently laid me down on my back and began to kiss down my body. He started at my sternum and planted light kisses that grew hungrier the further south he went until he was pushing my legs wide.
He teased my thighs and then planted his face between my legs, the one thing I’d never let anyone do and here I was succumbing to him to it was nothing. I’d always been fearful and afraid of someone being that intimate with me, but I found myself wanting him there, to be that close to me. He spread me wide with his tongue and began to eat me like he’d been hungry for years. He wrapped his hands around my thighs and kept his pressure steady as he flicked his tongue as deep as he could go. He would work me that way and then alternate it with careful teasing of my clit. I was writhing and begging for more within minutes.
I couldn’t stop myself when I began to arch my back and my hand fell to the back of his head. I worked my fingers through his hair and then fisted as much of it as I could in my hand.
“Oh god,” I cried out when the pressure began to build. A steady low heat that soon burnt with the fire of a furnace. “Don’t stop,” I pleaded as I ground myself into his face. Shane didn’t stop for a second, instead he picked up his speed and had me moaning with pleasure.
Suddenly he pulled back and laughed a little. “Maybe I shouldn’t let you finish.”
“Ugh…no…I can’t take it.”
“Maybe if you ask me nicely.”
I could feel myself throbbing, I was so close, just a few more seconds and I’d have exploded. “Please. Please, please, please…”
“Ok,” he said still grinning as he dove back between my thighs. He latched onto me tightly and continued the careful and calculated teasing with his tongue. Within seconds the tingling heat returned and thirty seconds longer my entire body tensed and then released in a wave of intensity as electrical volts shot through every vein in my body. I cried out loudly and fisted his hair tighter as I felt my orgasm ripping through my very being. He continued to lap me until he was certain I had finished and my back returned to the blanket.