Then the ponyboys were brought outside the paddock to pose for photos with any of the guests who paid for the privilege.A lineup soon formed in front of Tempest in his golden mask, and I couldn’t get anywhere near him.
I ended up hanging back and watching from a distance to make sure he was doing okay.Kamal stayed close to Puck and ensured the rules were followed.Nobody was allowed to touch a ponyboy, although they were permitted to stand close for a photo.
How people were able to be near Puck in that get-up and be forbidden to touch him seemed like torture, but I was very glad those rules existed.
He caught my eye several times and we stared at each other while he had his photo taken with various enthusiastic men and women.He looked so majestic and beautiful, and this was only the beginning.In future shows, he and the other ponyboys would wear the full bridles with the metal bits and the flowing tails.I swallowed, recalling how Puck had looked with the black horsehair cascading down the backs of those strong and shapely legs.I wasn’t sure I could handle him in full show gear, when seeing him like this was like a physical blow to the heart.
I was thankful I had the use of the tripod during the show since my hands had only recently ceased trembling.It had been a relief, in a way, to be able to capture the sexy ponyboys in full without worrying about identifying features, since they all wore the beautiful masks that disguised their faces and transformed them into fantastical creatures from another universe.
By the time the audience had thinned to only a handful of people speaking with Adam, Kamal caught my eye and beckoned me over.My gut wrenched at the thought of going closer to the object of my extreme desire whilst keeping my true feelings suppressed, but Kamal was difficult to ignore.
When I got there, cradling my camera in sweaty palms, Kamal gestured to Puck.
“So?What do you think of Tempest?”
I cleared my throat.“All the ponyboys looked amazing.”
“Yes, but Tempest, my sweet scene-stealer.What do you think of him?”
I blinked, scrambling for something to say that wouldn’t betray my true feelings, but would express how stunning Puck really was.Apparently, my wordless answer was enough.
Kamal laughed.“Yes, I can imagine it’s difficult to find the words.He performed beautifully.I’m very impressed with how he did today.”
I risked a glance at Puck to find him staring at me.Our gazes locked as my body responded to the intensity in his green eyes.
Kamal’s gaze drifted back and forth between us.
“Hmm.Something going on here that I’m not aware of?”
I tore my gaze away and acted dumb.“Hmm?”
Kamal examined me and smiled.“That’s a good act, Oliver.But you can’t fool me.”
I shrugged, the heat in my face betraying to Kamal exactly how I felt about his prized ponyboy.
Then Puck said “Leave him alone please” in such a soft voice that we stared at him in surprise.
“I don’t want everyone to know.Not yet.”
Kamal lifted a hand to touch the edge of Puck’s pretty mask and glanced my way.
“So, thereissomething going on between the two of you.”
I looked at the ground, feeling guilty, although I had every right to pursue something with Puck.“Yeah.”
“Kamal, please don’t tell anyone.Let us keep it quiet for a little while,” Puck said.
“Why?You’re not violating any rules.”
“I think,” I said, glancing at Puck who seemed uncomfortable with Kamal’s scrutiny of, and interest in, his private dalliances.“I think that Puck wants us to fly under the radar for a little while.”I ran a hand through my hair, recalling Lincoln’s comments from earlier.“Even though I’m not sure we’re fooling anyone, to be honest.”
Kamal grinned and chucked his ponyboy under the chin.“I hate to tell you, but anyone who watches the two of you together can see the chemistry.And I can fuckingfeelit.”
Puck and I swivelled our heads to gape at Kamal, who laughed and passed me Tempest’s lead rope.
“Here.Have a moment with him, then take him to the grooming barn.I’m going back to the house.”
I stood there, staring at the rope in my hand for several moments as Kamal walked away.Everyone else had gone into the arena or were headed back to the resort, so Puck and I stood alone together in the field.
