by Dani Wyatt
“Why no cats?” Minka asks, setting Miller Junior down with a half-smile, not sure what’s going on.
Carson leans over to whisper in her ear.
“Don’t.” Miller interrupts, but Carson is not swayed.
“Miller’s scared of cats.”
Miller rolls his eyes and closes the grill as I look at my handsome husband and wonder just how I got so lucky.
He gives me everything I could ever want. And I rarely even have to ask for anything, as he seems to anticipate my every need, fulfilling it before I can even kick up a fuss.
The alarm on Miller’s phone goes off.
“Okay. Ten minutes until the last episode comes on.” He turns serious as I cross my legs and feel the slippery remnants of the orgasm he gave me with his mouth when I excused myself to get a sweater from our bedroom.
I should act like I’m surprised that it happened, but I’m not. As ever, he was hot on my heels. Flipped my skirt up, bent me over the bed and ate my pussy until I shook. That man is insatiable and it’s one of a million things about him that makes me count my blessings every day.
“Okay. So...” Miller turns toward the cabin where Minka and Carson are staying. They arrived this morning when I was out at the store, a couple hours ahead of schedule.
I can’t help noticing the look in his eyes. When you spend as many moments with a person as I have with Miller, it becomes second nature. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Miller shoves his hands into his pockets. “Nothing’s wrong. It’s just that... there’s something in the cabin I need to grab. I’ll be right back.” He stomps off without another word, leaving me half giggling, unsure what’s gotten into him.
“What’s that all about you suppose?” Minka asks with a sly grin over toward Carson and I shake my head in response.
“I’m not sure.”
Minka and I are in the midst of some girl talk about water births and babies when I finally hear the crunch of Miller’s boots on the gravel, returning from the cabin. When I turn around, I see him standing there with the biggest smile I think I’ve ever seen on his face.
My heart nearly stops.
“I got you something.” He closes the space between us and tears flood my eyes.
“You did not.” I mutter, unable to be angry. My hands flying to cover my nose and mouth.
“Don’t worry. He’s from the shelter. But it’s time. Your show is over and when I walked in there this morning, well, there he was and I knew it was right. The way he looked up at me, like he was waiting for me... I just knew.”
Miller hands over the squirming puppy. His scrunched up nose and floppy lips are only the beginning of what has me instantly falling in love.
“I can’t believe it.” Tears wet my cheeks as Little Shit stirs and comes prancing over to see what this other four legged creature is all about.
In ten years I’ve not gotten another dog of my own. We’ve rehabbed probably hundreds here, but I’ve always found homes for them. But now, here in my lap, is the absolutely most adorable, crooked, drooling bulldog puppy I’ve ever seen.
“It’s the universe, babe. And you know, sometimes when the universe speaks, you better listen.”
Carson and Minka ooh and ahh as Miller Junior toddles over on his unsteady feet to stare in awe at the little fuzzy creature.
“I so wish April was here.” I look up at my husband.
“I know, babe. But sometimes things just happen when they happen. She’ll be home from camp in a week. We can send her pictures.”
April took a liking to horses almost from the moment she could walk. She started riding at five years old and she’s been on horseback every opportunity since. She’s away at horse camp for a month and we will pick her up next weekend.
The next hour we watch the final episode of my show and watch Little Shit try to make friends with the new addition to the family.
The sun dips lower in the sky and the breeze blows the shade umbrella in a slow, lazy circle.
When the closing credits roll, Miller leans over to kiss the tears from my cheeks.
“You happy, babe? Because if you’re not, we gotta fix that. I can’t have my baby sad. You know that by now. So tell me, you crying ‘cause your sad?”
“I’m happy.” I say. “It’s time. I want to see what’s next for us. All of us.” I look down to see Miller Junior kiss the top of the new puppy’s head.
“You have to give him a name. What’s big man’s name gonna be?”
I smile at Miller, fuzzy through the tears, and catch a glimpse of Minka’s grin as she settles herself against Carson, snuggling in, waiting to hear my answer.
After a long moment of thought a smile takes over and I feel my cheeks grow warm. I raise a hand to run through Miller’s hair, his eyes watching me.
“Shirley.” I say. “His name is Shirley.”
Reining Her In
C H A P T E R O N E
Reed
Pain comes in a feast of flavors, and there are few I haven’t tasted.
But this moment, looking at her, this is a beautiful, brilliant new sort of pain. It’s like a heartbreak for something yet to happen. A lurching, crackling monster in my chest, from the first time I spotted the turn of her head across the practice ring.
She’s mounted on an enormous chestnut gelding whose rusty brown coat matches the neat bun at the nape of her neck. The contrast between the glowing color of her hair and the translucent cast of her angel skin makes my mouth water. Her back is straight accentuating her front. I immediately harden at the sight of her.
I straighten my own back, unconsciously stiffen my walk, wanting to stand upright when I look at her. She guides her horse over to a waiting groom who gathers the reins in his hand as she gracefully dismounts.
My thoughts turn to catching her before she hits the ground. The way her soft curves would feel against the stiff erection filling the front of my pants. She smiles, and my knees nearly buckle. There is a lightness in her walk, an air about her that is unlike anything I’ve felt before. It’s radiating toward me, a gravitational pull latching onto my core, and I don’t even know her name.
Yet.
I shake my head. Yet? Where did that come from? I have to adjust myself as much as possible without drawing attention. The growing length under my black dress pants will not yield to my thoughts of control, and I bring my cane around, centering it in front of my rising dick. I cup both hands on the top of the cane in hopes it will shield any passersby from the clear outline of my stiff cock.
My professional demeanor is the standard upon which my training program and reputation are built, and I’ve never reacted to someone like this before. I’m known for my reserved manner, my exacting standards, and my results in bringing former equestrian champions back to the ring after serious trauma. Be that physical, mental or more often a combination of both.
I don’t think the sight of my pants tented is quite the image people have of me.
For a moment, I lose myself looking at her again. The nagging thought that I’m needed elsewhere taps inside my brain. But tearing myself away from her feels wrong.
But, my own student is counting on me. I grind my teeth together until it hurts, fighting to pull my eyes away from the young woman across the riding ring – a young woman who seems to have some wire attached to my heart. Because every time I try to look away, there is a sharp pain in my chest.
I’m not sure how much longer I stand there watching the young woman walking through her routine again. She’s the perfect blend of curved softness and impeccable sophistication. I watch as her lips move, she’s talking to herself and more than anything I want to listen to every word. Know all her secrets.
I nearly jump out of my skin when Nancy appears on my right.
“Mr. Sawyer?” My student is nearly thirty years old, and an experienced, professional rider. Her brunette hair is neatly twisted at the base of her helmet. This is appropriate and expected at this level. She’s dressed
in her tailored jacket and high neck white shirt, leading her mount next to my place at the gate of the indoor practice ring.
“Yes, Nancy.” I shift again, giving her a reserved smile and holding my cane close in front of my out of control erection. I make sure her eyes are with me before I continue. “You can do this. I believe in you. Training meets preparation meets success.”
“Thank you.” Her eyelids flutter. “I’m nervous.” She leans a shoulder into Grand Teton her enormous bay gelding’s neck who answers her by curving his head around her.
“Close your eyes and remember who you are. You are the leader; your horse wants to trust you, but first you have to trust yourself.” I swallow, fighting the urge to look back into the ring.
Nancy does as I say, shuts her eyes and her horse lets out a low snort, dropping his head a few inches as he stands calmly by her side.
“You cannot simply say the words. You need to believe it. In the deepest part of you, you have to believe that you are the leader. Grand Teton will feel that and follow you anywhere. You’ve done the work. I’m proud of you.” I’m uncomfortably warm even though the day is cool. A temperate breeze breaks through the open doors of the massive riding arena bringing with it the sounds and smells of the beautiful day outside.
Nancy sighs as her chest fills, and her shoulders move back. My body ignites in another flash of heat when I see movement out of the corner of my eye in the ring. My skin ripples and tingles and I am baffled by my visceral reaction to this unknown young woman. I’ve barely set my eyes on her for more than a few seconds, but she’s known to me in other ways. Ways I didn’t understand until right now.
“Thanks.” Nancy speaks and I flinch, so lost in my lustful thoughts. “I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for you.”
I shake my head and give her a controlled smile. I should lay a hand on her shoulder, give her some physical touch to sooth her, but I never touch students unless it is to adjust a leg or correct a movement. It’s nothing personal, keeping things strictly professional serves both student and teacher.
When I see her take a deep breath, I continue. “You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.” I nod at her. “When you came to me six months ago, do you remember?”
She bites her lip and nods. She leans her face into Grand Teton’s shiny, perfectly groomed neck and inhales. “I was a mess. I remember shaking so bad you just sat with me for over an hour on the bench in the ring. Just talking about this and that. Then just when I thought you were going to make me get on a horse, we went for a walk. It was a great day.”
“Yes. Well, you could call it that. It was a new beginning. Now look at you? Ready to rise up and show everyone what it means to fight your way back to the top. Who said a shattered pelvis, five broken ribs, and a collapsed lung would keep you from competing again?” I fight the grin that is threatening to take over my face. I’ve been known to curve my lips upward, but a full smile for me is rare, especially with my students.
She wraps one hand around Teton’s snout, moving in to give the enormous bay a kiss on the side of his cheek. Then she chuckles in agreement. “It wasn’t the broken bones, you know.” She speaks softly into the horse’s face. We both know.
This is a precarious sport, full of powerful beauty and unexpected outcomes. Persuading a thousand-pound animal to do as you wish is a thrilling honor but they are still unpredictable, and Nancy didn’t just take a horrific fall during her warm up at the Dublin International Eventing competition. She also landed in the path of an oncoming horse who couldn’t avoid her and whose front two feet landed on her when he came down off a jump. She’s lucky to be alive.
“I know.” I nod. “Now go get your head right, get in there and bring that first place ribbon back with you. You deserve it. You are the best. Keep your eyes up, your heart and your hands soft. Imagine the perfect ride in your mind’s eye and then follow through. Go!”
I toss my head in the direction of the open door of the practice arena urging her to move away, and she pats Grand Teton on the neck before turning him firmly. She walks him to a mounting block where one of our grooms is waiting. I watch her mount up then walk outside where she will move into the que to ride her course.
Finally I’m able spin around, anxious to make sure the beauty in the ring is still there. A flash of anger courses through me for letting her out of my sight at all.
My heart sinks when I find the practice ring empty. I swivel my head around, but there’s nothing. Shutting my eyes and clenching my teeth together, I tell myself to let it go. After all it was just a look. One look.
But I know better.
There hasn’t been a woman in my life for a long time. Over ten years now. Truth is, I don’t know if there will ever be a woman in my life again. The last time I had someone in my life, it ended when I saw my then best friend pulling his dick out her. Let’s just say I haven’t been back in the game since.
The worst part of that situation was they’d started up together when I was still in the hospital after my injury. Laying there with my leg in traction, not sure I would walk out of that hospital with my leg at all.
It’s the invisible injuries that are hardest to heal, as I tell all my students now. The rebuilding of trust.
After my injury, there was no question my competition days were over. Warner, the owner of the barn where I rode, offered to make me head trainer and I produced three world champions in the next few years. That’s where I’ve stayed all these years, although now I specialize in re-training and rehabbing riders and horses. But I have a world class staff that work under me producing some of the best amateur and professional riders in the world.
After the incident with my former best friend Travis, I made sure he figured out he was no longer welcome on the team nor in the barn, and Warner backed me up. Travis made his way to another facility about fifty miles north of where I now still train. Our sport is a small world, and I’ve made peace with seeing him, but my trust was shattered that day, and I’ve never had the desire to take that risk again.
It wasn’t even that I cared all that much for the girl, it was the fact that the closest people in your life can make the choice to hurt you in your most vulnerable times.
Besides, this business is just that – business. And I don’t like things messy. Or complicated. I spend eighteen hours a day working, and this is my life. I’m comfortable with the way things are.
A low groan rumbles out of me as I spin on my good leg to start in the direction where my own student headed off. She’s on deck next, and I need to be standing in my usual spot so she can feel my support. Licking my lips and squeezing my eyes shut for a moment to block out the vision of the beauty in the ring, I flip my cane up and around and step forward.
I open my eyes just in time to hear someone cry out just as my cane smacks her in the face.
“Oh, dang it! Holy cow.” A pained voice cuts through me like a diamond blade to my heart. Her hands cover her nose, and she nearly doubles over.
It’s her. The throbbing in my cock returns with a fervor.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” There’s that pain in my chest again, but this time, it fills my entire torso and trickles down to pool in places long forgotten.
When I turned, I flipped my cane up and spun it around. It’s just one of the bad habits I seem to have picked up. Usually it’s just annoying, but this time I whacked her right in the nose with the solid, sterling silver horse’s head that tops the carved walnut stick. “Are you okay?” The words come out in a horrified burst.
There are people milling around outside, going on with their day, while inside me a conflict of epic proportions rages. She’s right here –I can reach out and touch her– but I’ve hurt her, and that thought is twisting inside me, causing my stomach to tighten and lurch.
She’s still holding her nose, and I think if I see a trickle of blood come out I may just die. Whomever she is, I’ve hurt her, and that is unforgivable. No one should hurt her. Ever.
Of all my senses, it’s her scent that brands me first. A near mind-numbing blast of some magical perfume, defying definition, runs through me like an electric current. It’s not just sweet either, more like fresh ginger and lilacs, and my skin ignites with a palpable energy.
“Are you okay?” I repeat because I need to know. The words come out in a husky grunt between the thumping of my heart into the wall of my chest.
When her eyes finally come up, I’m gone. The swirling inside my head is now a tornado inside my body. Her eyes must be spun from turquoise and sapphires, but right now they are filling with unshed tears, and I hate that I’ve caused this.
A high-pitched, unsteady moan comes out of her, and my heart beats so fast I’m about to keel over. The pained sound mixes with a stifled giggle and my eyes pin on her face.
“Travis said this would be a tough event” Her voice hits me in places I didn’t know were still alive, and the sudden urge to pull her against me is almost stronger than I can fight. “You studied at the Tonya Harding School I guess.” She drops her hands from her nose with another musical giggle.
She straightens up, and I lean in, trying to make sure her nose isn’t bleeding or swollen, and she smiles at me.
“Here.” I reach to my back pocket, producing a perfect white square of folded cotton. It’s an old gentleman’s custom, carrying a handkerchief, but one I am happy as fuck I’ve continued even as this century has forgotten some of the subtleties of being a true gentleman.
Suddenly, I process what she just said.
“You train with Travis?” The horror that I may have injured her has now multiplied a hundred fold and a river of fire runs over my skin. “You’re his student?”
“Yes.” She wiggles her nose, pinching it between two fingers before shaking her head and dropping her hand to her side. “I’m new. Sort of. This is my first international level event. I’m not off to a great start.” She brushes both her hands over her chest, and she must be brushing away some invisible dust because she is immaculate. The dark, fitted blazer is cut perfectly around what has to be the world’s most stunning set of tits.