Chapter Four
THE EARLY MORNING DEW
or
First Assignment in The Grooming Barn
I DECIDED, ATthe risk of appearing stand-offish, that I’d skip the communal supper.I checked with Adam, who said it was fine, since I’d met everyone of consequence already.But he hoped I’d avail myself of the experience most days, since my meals were included with my stay.
I honestly wasn’t that hungry.I was more excited than anything else.I had been prepared for the gear and the submission, and even for Kamal’s expert domination skills, though the entire enterprise was eminently impressive.
But I hadn’t been prepared for the raw sexuality and appeal of Puck in the paddock, bent over with his hands clutching the rough wood fence, while a butt plug horsetail was inserted unceremoniously into his rear.
I’d anticipated being blown away with it all.And I had been.
I was so impressed by the ranch and so excited about taking photos of these beautiful creatures for six weeks, I wanted to chart out the way I would approach my assignment and figure out a plan.
I’d start in the grooming barn tomorrow, because that was where the experience began for the ponyboys.In the afternoon, I’d get some shots of the ponyboys with their trainers.Maybe later, I’d take candids in the bunkhouse and the main house.None of these images would include faces or other identifying features.
I could hardly wait to get started.
*
IN THE MORNING, I rose early, showered, and dressed in tan cotton shorts and a blue short-sleeved button-down.I pulled on my white chucks, which I’d never be able to wear on an actual horse ranch, but they seemed perfect for a day at the BCR—comfortable and hip.I desperately wanted these cute ponyboys to think I was hot.Yes, my mind was on obtaining professional and artistic images of all the dirty details, but I wanted to present an alluring image myself.
Especially when it came to Puck.
I ran into Kamal on the main floor, a cup of coffee in his hand as he made his way along the hall.
“Good morning, Oliver.”
“Good morning, Kamal.”
“There’s fresh coffee in the cafeteria,” he said, with a smile.“And you’ll find cereal in the cupboards, and fruit and milk in the fridge.Help yourself.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll be in the front room if you’d like to join me?”he pointed a bit further down the hall.
“Sure.Thanks.”
I grabbed a banana and a cup of coffee and found the room Kamal had spoken of.It was actually at the back of the main house—or the front, I suppose, depending on your perspective—with large windows and comfortable furniture arranged in a pleasing way.Kamal was seated in an armchair by the window, sipping his coffee and making notes on a piece of paper which he folded and put in his pocket when I approached.
“Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day,” he said cheerfully, tossing his pen onto the wood and black-metal coffee table.
“Yes.”
I stood at the expansive windows, sipping my coffee and staring out at the green fields and paddocks.The sun glinted off the walls of the grooming barn and arena, and the bunkhouse was a small brown dot in the distance.
“I take it you’re a city boy?”
I smiled.“Yep.Don’t get out to the wilderness very often.”
“Hmm.I hope you don’t find this place boring.There’s not much to do but enjoy the beauty of nature and play with kinky young men.”
He winked.
I laughed.
