Nathaniel #2
“I’m gonna let y’all get out of here. Thank you for looking him over, sis. I wouldn’t trust him with anyone else.” I hugged her and she gave me a squeeze.
“And there goes the charmer. But I know I’m damn good at what I do so I will absolutely take the compliment since I’ve earned it.”
“Ain’t much here but I know that Charmy put some snacks in the house for the crew. I don’t know if y’all are hungry are not—”
“Nate, are you being hospitable? That’s precious. I just know Charisma is the one who influenced this.”
Sampson just gave Yzzy that look which meant he didn’t give a damn about that food. “We bout to head out so we can pass. If you need any help getting this done—”
I folded my arms as Pistol came over to lean his head against me again. I don’t know how I ended up with a codependent horse but he definitely was.
“I can make an appointment on my own, Sampson.”
Yzzy’s eyes narrowed before her face broke out into a smile. “You’re going to have Charisma do it aren’t you?”
The three of us laughed because she knew me well and my ass would forget. Besides, I didn’t want Aleesha’s ass to think this was anything more than a business call. “Get off my land.”
“Felt good to say didn’t it?”
I smiled again because he was right. It did feel good to have something that paid homage to our family but I could call my own. “Maybe a little.”
He slapped me on the shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “I’m proud of you, Bucky. You’ve turned this place around well in the last few months.”
“Thanks, I needed to hear that.”
“Well, hold on to it. You know I’m not going to say it again for a minute. Gotta make you earn it and keep you on your toes.”
“That sounds abusive as hell. I would ask Yzzy to blink twice if she needed help but since I’ve seen her in action—”
She covered her face with her hand like she was embarrassed. That big ass curly bun flopped around her head as she shook it. “You’re never going to let me live that down are you?”
Yzzy was funny thinking that I wouldn’t remind her of how she helped us send a man to hell with no nuts. It was my way of cheering her on despite how gruesome that shit was. It was the most G shit I’d ever seen a woman do.
“I will. Just keep away from me when you’re angry and holding that emasculator and we’ll be fine.”
“Oh, he’s a handsome boy isn’t he?”
I nodded awkwardly at the woman who was speaking since she was staring at me and not my damn horse when she spoke.
I’d had the unfortunate luck of drawing attention of grown women since I was thirteen.
The shit was creepy then because I had a mama and a brother who let me know early on that women who did that were weird as fuck.
I was familiar with the coy way I’d get complimented when they were trying to be slick in front of others.
It didn’t stop Maureen from snatching up a bitch or two when it came to her sons.
That’s how I knew this lady was going to be a problem I didn’t want to have.
Riot’s dirty dick ass is about to get me in trouble and I ain’t even do shit.
I wished Charisma was out here with me but instead she was doing what I paid her to do inside.
Aleesha Martin had been curt when I heard the way she was speaking to Charmy inside of the office.
But when I stepped through the door she was all smiles and good manners.
If this had been BC- before Charisma — she might have been someone I’d enjoy spending time with.
At least physically. White women weren’t my preference but contrary to the image society tried to give them, a lot were out here wildin’ on the regular.
She was several inches taller than Charisma who only stood about 5’5.
She looked as though she had to be greased into her jeans cause the seams were praying for mercy.
I hadn’t seen her work anywhere else before but I would bet my land she didn’t go to other jobs with her nipples playing peek-a-boo through a low-cut shirt and non-existent bras.
This can’t be my damn life.
I wanted Charisma to take me seriously especially since I wanted her to ditch that nigga she had back home.
But with women walking up to me like I was an easy fuck, she never would.
The disapproval on her face and the way she turned her back to us when Aleesha wound her arm through mine to be shown the patient showed she was pissed.
Don’t even know what kind of ass kissing I need to do but I know it’s on the agenda for the day.
“He’s got a great line so I’m fairly proud of him.”
I attempted to keep my words as professional as possible so she would get a clue that I wasn’t interested. Fate wasn’t really on my side with that.
Aleesha flashed me a smile with a quick nod like she knew what I was up to and was more than happy to rise to the challenge.
“Nate, you know you’re famous for a lot around these parts.”
“Is that right?” I couldn’t help but let the sarcasm seep into my voice for multiple reasons.
Everyone knew who the fuck I was before anyone knew me for bull riding.
Now my fame amongst the people who knew my sport couldn’t be denied.
Her weak attempts at flirting were getting on my nerves but I needed her so I shut the fuck up.
“You should hear the way women brag about spending the night with you once they’ve done it.” She was eyeing me and rubbing Riot’s back like she was trying to be seductive.
My arms folded over my chest as I stared at her blankly. “Well, they’re lying to you.”
“You mean to tell me that your infamous stamina is only good when you’re trying to last on a bull?” Aleesha had the nerve to pout like she was truly disappointed to hear this news.
“No. I mean I enjoy my time with someone and then put them out. I’ve never spent the night with a woman. That’s not something I do.”
“Well, there’s always someone who could get you to change.”
“You’re right. And it ain’t you. I called you over here to check on my horse.
My sister-in-law recommended you professionally, not personally.
If your only desire is to discuss the latter, I’m more than happy to get your truck pulled around and call someone else to do this.
” I nodded toward the parking lot making it clear I’d kick her narrow ass off this property if she kept on.
Her ass was unaware of how thin a line she was walking and rolled her damn eyes at me.
“I’m the best there is in the area and frankly no one would get out here so quick.
Do you know how many people would love to see you knocked off your high horse?
To have a reason that you can’t come back and keep winning?
Folks were thrilled when you couldn’t compete last year. ”
My brows shot up because this revelation was news to me. I had haters, everyone did, but this seemed like something more. “Oh, they were?”
“Yeah. They hated to see you hurt but I know several people who thought you got what you deserved.” She shrugged off the accident that could’ve killed me had that fucking bull stepped half an inch closer to my damn head like it was nothing.
“That’s wild. I still think that bull was tampered with.”
“It’s possible. You never know what people are willing to do in order to win. Let’s be honest, Nate. You do have enemies.”
“For more things than I care to even think about. That’s the past and I’m back so whoever doesn’t like it can choke. You gonna get to this exam now that we’re done gossiping?”
“And to think people called you charming. That accident must have changed your personality.” She stuck her tongue out playfully but it didn’t get me to change my demeanor.
She didn’t know it but I’d picked this barn for the simple fact that it was wired for audio and video.
Most of the people on this property were Black and I wasn’t about to have us being accused of impropriety.
I felt dumb not having one of my trainers out here dealing with this instead of me but since Riot was mine I wanted to ensure he was good.
“The exam?”
Her eyes rolled when her attempt didn’t work before running her hand along Pistol’s back. “Has he been eating fine?”
“He get’s premium food, I try not to do too much feed since it can slow him down. We make sure he gets light exercise in between the days that he’s training and during the off season. This cropped up a few days ago so I had the vet check him out.”
“You mean your sister in law.”
Her tone was sarcastic and I wasn’t about to let that slide. “Yeah. Why you say it like that?”
“Nothing. Just wondering if any of the Chisholm-Love men are going to pick for homegrown girls or just settle for whoever is at hand.”
I had to laugh off her words or else I would really be getting her ass up outta here. She was gonna hear my mouth though. “If you think my brother settled for my sister-in-law I know you’re blind, deaf and dumb. Final warning before you get kicked out of here.”
Them eyes rolled again and I was hoping them shits got stuck. “Lighten up it was a joke.”
“You’re jealous but if I were a woman who wanted what Yzzy had I’d be jealous too.
Anyway he was fine but lately he’s far less highhanded than he used to be.
I’m good at what I do but no horse has changed personality that fast. The woman that you’re talking shit about actually recommended you.
I guess I gotta tell her to stop doing that. ”
As I spoke she had been caressing Riot trying to get him used to her but stopped when I said that last line.
Her eyes met mine and I gave her a pointed look, hoping she felt like shit.
He hadn’t taken anything that she’d offered to him and I almost called Charisma’s ass out here.
She was the only one that he seemed to perk up for at all and even then he wasn’t his usual self.
“He’s probably got a bean and it’s just gotten too big for him to tolerate. Has he been bred before?”
“No. There’s no need for that.” She was way too interested in my horses’s dick and the way she was stroking him had me uneasy as fuck.