I glanced up to look for Puck every now and then, but he seemed to have disappeared.I tried to concentrate on the topics of conversation at the table and enjoy the delicious meal.
Eventually, supper was cleared away and various dessert options, as well as carafes of coffee and tea, were placed on the buffet table.
“You’d better get dessert if you want any, Oliver,” Lorraine suggested.“It tends to disappear rather quickly.”
“Good idea,” I said, standing and taking my dinner plate to the recycle bin.I grabbed a dessert plate and approached the rectangular table.As I reached for a fudge brownie, a hand slipped in front of mine and grabbed the one I’d been going for.
My gaze tracked Puck’s slim fingers as they lifted the brownie to his parted lips and pushed it inside.He chewed, with a slow grin, watching me as he devoured the dessert with astonishing efficiency.Transfixed by the motions of his jaw and throat, I barely noticed as he reached for another, larger square and dumped it onto my plate.He leaned close and said, “You want something even tastier in your mouth?Meet me at the bunkhouse tomorrow morning, seven sharp.”
I blinked as the blood in my body headed immediately downwards.“Okay.”
Puck cocked his head.“You better be there.If I get up that early for nothing—”
“I’ll be there.”
He saluted me and then he was gone, striding over to the group of ponyboys gathered several metres away.
I stared after him, but he didn’t make eye contact again.He joined in their conversation and effectively ignored me.I grabbed another brownie off the serving platter and added it to my plate—if I wasn’t going to have my carnal hunger quenched until morning, I needed more chocolate.
*
I FELL ASLEEPas soon as my head hit the pillow but woke only a few hours later and tossed and turned for the rest of the night.Images of Puck in the paddock and how he had looked first thing in the morning, sleep-tousled and soft-eyed, appeared whenever I closed my eyes.I gave up at five and got up to shower and then went downstairs for something to do.
The main floor of the house was quiet, so I used the kettle in the cafeteria to make a cup of instant coffee and took it, and a breakfast bar and banana, into the front room.I stood at the expansive window gazing at the BCR grounds as the sky lightened, enjoying the peace and quiet as I swallowed my emergency caffeine.I planned to enjoy a cup of the better stuff once the staff had made it for the morning meal.
Seven o’clock seemed an eternity from the present moment and by six thirty I had become so agitated I couldn’t keep still.I worried that someone would come downstairs and I’d have to explain why I was getting such an early start.With my Nikon strapped around my neck, I could use the old photography excuse, but I imagined I might nevertheless look suspicious, especially if Puck’s subtle stalking of me at supper the previous evening had been noticed.
I managed to wait until six forty-five before heading out.
The ranch was so tranquil at this time of day.It soothed my soul if not my agitated heart and body.I didn’t know what to expect from my meet-up with Puck, although he had alluded to somethingtasty.I couldn’t dwell on what that could possibly mean, or I’d combust from excitement.
I’d dressed in a pair of faded denim shorts, Bermuda-length with frayed edges, my white chucks, and a worn Bowie T-shirt.
The bunkhouse sat quiet at the edge of the trees, although I could hear the muffled sounds of movement from inside when I got close.The morning shift of ponyboys would be preparing to head to the grooming barn.
There was no sign of him, so I wandered around photographing the grasses, trees and foraging wildlife while I waited and my gut swirled with anticipation.I only hoped he remembered our plan, or that it hadn’t all been a silly prank.
A latch clicked, bringing me out of my head.I lowered my camera and turned to see Puck slip out the door, raising his hand to shield his eyes from the bright morning light.
Thank God.
“Good morning, Sunshine,” I said, throwing him a relieved smile.
He grunted and yawned, then jerked his head in the direction of the trees.“Come on.”
I lifted the camera from my neck and followed him, gaze drifting over his slender form in faded skinny jeans rolled at the hem, slip-on purple Vans and a bubble-gum pink T-shirt.He looked fucking delectable.He checked behind him to make sure I was following and looked me over, giving me a one-sided grin before facing forward again without another word.
“Where are we going?”I asked, keeping the volume of my voice low in the hushed dawn although there wasn’t anyone else around.
“Into the woods, and through the trees.”
I recognized the quote from the Disney musical, even though he hadn’t sung it.If he had, I would have had confirmation he was a magical sprite come to tempt me.
“All right?”he asked, angling sideways and extending his hand without slowing down.
“Yeah.”
I laced my fingers in his, and he pulled me along, until we were winding through the forest on a narrow, leaf-covered path that was barely there.
