Chapter 16
Quint
She hasn’t said a word to me about our conversation at the restaurant last week. It’s the last day before the film crew arrives, and I’ve got her in the ring for her last lesson.
She’s jogging around at a steady pace, back nice and straight, hands steady. It’s amazing how quickly she’s picked up on everything. But she’s in great shape, very flexible, and I bet learning new skills is a big part of her job.
“Looking good. Just lower your hand a little, give her some space.”
She nods, nibbling on her lower lip as she resets.
“And shoulders back. How are you feeling up there?”
“Good. There’s just so many things to remember.”
Flash swishes her tail, slowing her pace a touch.
“Give her a bit of a squeeze, don’t let her get lazy. You think you’re ready for a lope?”
Aura nods.
“Okay, go on then. Remember to give her space with the reins and let your hips follow along with her movement.”
She gives the horse a nudge with her heels, clucking her tongue.
Flash speeds up a bit, but it takes a little more convincing to finally get her to pick up a lope. The old girl hasn’t worked this regular in a while, but I think she’s enjoying the attention.
She eases into a slow and steady lope, rocking back and forth with an easy gait.
Aura settles in too, letting herself move with the horse.
She’s looking way more comfortable at the faster gait than she did even last week.
It’s hard to believe she’s progressed so fast, but I guess she’s got that experience as an actress. And she’s been working so dang hard.
I let them loop around a few more times, switching directions and practicing some stops and transitions before directing them to slow down to an easy jog and then a cool-down walk.
I stroll over to give Flash a big pat, keeping pace with the pair as they cool out.
“You think I can pass?” Aura asks, relaxing a bit and giving the horse a scratch under her mane.
“Definitely. You’ve totally got this. You said there will be stunt doubles for anything fast or risky anyway, right?”
She nods.
“And they didn’t ask for you to be an expert rider?”
“Nope.”
“Then you’ve got this in the bag.”
“Perfect.”
When I go to help her dismount, I step in too close as she’s swinging a leg over the horse’s rump, and she slides right into me.
I lose my balance, reaching out to steady myself.
But of course, the only thing to grab is her, so now here I am, gripping her at the waist, while her entire back is pressed up against me.
I groan, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Have you thought any more about our conversation at dinner?” I ask, my voice low. “Maybe a reward for being such a good teacher?”
She laughs, a husky sound that shoots straight to my dick. “I thought you didn’t want any payment?”
“Not payment. Maybe a bonus.”
Flash stomps a foot, anxious to get back outside with her friends.
“Those weren’t the terms we agreed to, Cowboy.”
“Contracts can be amended. Come on, you can’t keep me hanging like this anymore,” I plead, my fingers on her waist pulling her closer to me so she can feel the effect she’s having on my body.
“Everyone else is starting to arrive tomorrow. This is our last day together.” I know it’s not really the last day.
She hasn’t said anything about moving out of my place, even though she’ll have a room at Chicory Crossing with the rest of the cast. I’ve been afraid to mention it to her.
She glances at me over her shoulder. “I know we went over this, Quint. I’m in charge, and that means I say when and where.”
That sounds like a promise that there’s going to be a when and where and my dick responds. I shift, trying to ease the tightness of my pants. “Fine then. You do know I’m going to last about five seconds at this rate. You’ve kept me waiting so long.”
“Good. Then I’ve got you right where I want you.” She twists in my arms, tilting her head up. Her eyes are sparkling, and there’s a little smirk on her face.
I bend down, hoping she’ll at least kiss me. And just when I think she’s about to, Flash butts me with her nose and I stumble forward.
Aura immediately turns away to address the horse. “Oh, you poor girl, let’s get you undressed and brushed down.”
“Untacked. Not undressed.”
“Right. It’s you I’ve got to get undressed.”
And she leads the horse away, leaving me suffering once again. I shake my head and follow along.
As Aura is brushing down the horse, I remember the surprise I got her and duck away to grab it.
She studies me curiously when I rejoin her, both hands behind my back.
“What have you got?”
“A little surprise for you. Call it your reward.” I pull the hat out from behind my back. It’s a simple tan cowboy hat, with a black band and brown-and-white speckled feather.
“Is that for me?” It’s her happy smile. The genuine one, not the practiced, camera-ready one.
“Yes, I think you’ve earned it, Hollywood. You’ve earned your hat.”
“Awww, thank you.”
Her ponytail slides free as she pulls off the blue baseball hat she swapped out to cover her helmet hair and reaches out to grab the hat.
“I could have just stolen yours,” she says.
I let out a low whistle, snatching the hat from her and plopping it on her head. “You might not want to do that unless you mean it.”
She snaps the lead rope onto Flash’s halter and we start walking side by side out to the pasture.
“Haven’t you heard the saying about that. ‘Wear the hat, ride the cowboy.’ So unless you’re ready to ride the cowboy, you’re probably best off sticking to your own hat.”
Her mouth falls open. “Oh, ohh, really. Does it work the other way?”
“What do you mean?
“I mean, if you wear the hat, do you ride the cowgirl?”
My dick twitches and a bolt of need surges through me. “I’m going with yes on that.”
“Good to know.”
We let the horse out into her field, latching the gate after her, and she immediately dives into the lush spring grass, tearing away at it.
“Hungry girl,” I say. “How about you? Should we head in for lunch, too?” My body may be begging for me to satisfy a different kind of hunger, but that seems unlikely in spite of the earlier innuendo.
She’s been teasing me all week like this.
Getting me revved up and then walking away like it’s nothing.
“Well, we have to put her tack away first. Come on.”
I trail along behind her, not even offering to lift the saddle for her this time. I know I won’t win.
Once she’s got the tack settled into its place she turns around and stalks toward me, hips swaying as she goes. Once she’s nice and close, she snatches the cowboy hat off my head and swaps it out for hers.