I start to realize he’s trying to keep me off balance. I make a mental note to watch him. Closely. Really closely
“What, no lessons or talk?”
“Talk is cheap,” he growls. “Always, this. Mount first. Discussions come after.”
What the F.
“Mount,” he commands me firmly. I pause. “Mount, then I will talk you through it. Do as you are told.”
Nervously, I let one of his hands guide my black leather boot into the stirrup. It is hot, but I am nervous. Nervous as hell.
His other hand helps me up, and I mount his large, powerful chestnut. Breathing deep, I force myself to calm and do it fast.
Charlie seems gentle, unlike Harry, and I pat his side. “Please, be nice.”
Without warning, Harry flips onto the big black horse. He does it like an athlete or a warrior. Confident, commanding, and sure.
The large black horse snorts and leaps about like a warhorse. He is almost wild, but Harry holds him tight and controls him with ease.
“Steady, Night, steady, boy.”
Harry’s horse jumps about and scares me. My heart pounds until, finally, Harry gets him in line.
He then takes Charlie’s reins from me and leads us out of the stables.
As he brings me up next to him, we ride slowly side by side. Gradually, I get used to the rocking, and my heart rate slows.
“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.”
I look over, and Harry has a wicked grin. I do not trust him at all. No f-ing way.
“It’s important you learn to ride, Samantha. And from someone who knows what they are doing.”
I watch him closely… My radar on.
“You do want that, don’t you?”
I blush, then mumble extra low, “Smug bastard.”
I make a mental note that, one day, I will punish him. Punish him for playing with my mind. And punish him for playing withmy body.
11
SAMANTHA
We walk slowly around the estate for a while, and then we start to trot. It’s hard to get used to the odd up and down, and my butt is getting pounded.
It is not a pounding I know or like much.
Finally, we reach a large riding ring with sawdust on the floor. It sits under oak trees, and it has a circular white fence and a raised spectator-like seating area.
As we ride slowly up, Harry drops confidently to the ground. He finds an extra-long leather lead and a long black stick-like whip.
I am unsure who will be whipped, but the idea excites me. And terrifies me.
Harry leads Charlie and me inside, and then he has us ride slowly around the outer edge.
With the long lead, now tied to Charlie’s bridle and the round wooden fence, we are forced to walk around and around.
