“I know.I was only taking shots of the building.”
Puck assessed me, and I think if it hadn’t been strictly forbidden on ranch property, he’d have pulled out a pack of cigarettes and smoked one.He looked me over slowly, not saying a word, his expression stony as I stood there.I tried to think of something else to say since he wasn’t exactly rushing to fill the silence.
“It’s a beautiful morning” was all I came up with.
Puck didn’t take his eyes off me as he responded.“I guess.I shouldn’t be up this fucking early.”
“Oh?”
“I don’t have to be in the grooming barn until one,” Puck said, scratching beside his freckled nose and yawning.“I should have slept in.”
“Why didn’t you?”I asked, trying not to be seduced by this man’s arresting physical form which seemed to belie his ornery soul.But he was fucking sweet-looking, with his soft black hair that curled at the edges in the summer heat, and his delicate, freckled nose, lean stature, and full mouth.The jewelry in his eyebrow and lower lip glinted in the sunlight.
He didn’t answer right away.Then, miracle of miracles, the hint of a grin and the words, “Really?If you don’t think putting nine guys together in a communal space is going to make for noisy sleeping arrangements, then you’re dumber than I thought.”
I held onto that grin like a lifeline and ignored the derogatory comment.
“Good point,” I said.“Well, since you are up, and I’ve got my camera, would you allow me a few shots?”
He narrowed his eyes.“I don’t want to be identified.”
“Of course,” I nodded.“I only want you from the neck down.”
It took a second for both of us to register what I’d said.Puck smiled slowly, and I felt the heat rise in my cheeks as I scrambled to dissemble.I cleared my throat.
“I mean, I’ll only photograph you from behind or from the neck down.That’s all I meant.”
He regarded me curiously, and again I saw an invisible cigarette dangle from his lips.He was that cool.He radiated it.Although, I had the feeling it was an intentional deflection from more unstable emotions.
“Are you sure?”he asked.There was no teasing this time.It seemed like a sincere inquiry, and I struggled to answer it with the same honesty.
“No,” I said, “But as far as my photographic license goes, I’m not allowed to take a photo of your face.”I hesitated, looking at the ground, then glancing back up.“As much as I’d maybe like to.”
We gazed at each other for several moments.Then he shrugged.
“Whatever.Do what you want.I need to take a piss.You can shoot that if you want.”
“Um… Isn’t there a bathroom inside?”
Puck laughed, turning only slightly to the side as he unzipped his fly and dug his cock out of his pants.“It’s crowded right now with the morning crew.I thought it would be more private out here.”He held my gaze as a jet of bright yellow piss arched out and landed in the grass, steam rising from the shock of heat on the cold morning dew.
I don’t know what possessed me, but I had promised to capture life at the BCR, and Puck had given me permission.So I lifted my camera and took a few shots of Puck emptying his bladder onto the ground, as my heart beat hard in my chest.
“Wow,” he said when he’d finished.“You’re dedicated.”
“Yeah, well, you’re gorgeous.Even while pissing onto the ground with a crappy attitude.”I grinned at him in order to temper my words.It was all so true.
He stared at me—I think surprised by my forthright compliment.
“Hmm,” was all he gave me by way of a reply as he tucked himself in and zipped his jeans.He turned away and stepped up to the bunkhouse door, and I figured that was it.But he turned back as he grabbed the handle.
“The crappy attitude comes and goes, and the rest is just good genes.How old are you, anyway?”
My mouth went dry as I melted under the fire of his gaze.“Just turned thirty.You?”
He looked me over.“Notthatold.”He opened the door and went inside, where I heard the sounds of other men speaking and laughing before the door shut behind him.
Fuck.He’d known right where to hurt me.Whether he’d intended to or not, I didn’t know.Anyway, I was older than he was, obviously.Maybe too old to be interesting.We’d have to see, then.
