Page 22

CHAPTER 22

Henry

If you’ve never been on a horse before, nothing can truly prepare you for the experience. For starters, I was surprised at the sheer size of the horse before me, and the way he looked me in my eye, snorting and huffing, I couldn’t deny I was panicking.

“Have you ever ridden a horse before?” Grayson asked as he came up behind me. I watched as Lane helped his partner up on her horse, watched as she threw her leg over the saddle.

Mia and Giselle spent a lot of time together as teens, and I’d heard the stories she’d told about Giselle’s horse. I even remembered when she asked our parents for a horse for her birthday, which they clearly denied.

Though she hadn’t bought her own horse yet, she regularly visited the barn where Giselle used to board her childhood horse, and once in awhile, I knew she would take a ride.

But I had no such experience, and therefore, I felt out of my element.

“No,” I said with a sigh, turning to see Grayson’s intense gaze roving over me once more.

“I can just... sit this out. Wait for you guys to come back.”

“Absolutely not,” Grayson shook his head, just as Mia came over to us, on her horse.

“I’m so excited for you!” she beamed.

“Don’t be, I was just telling Grayson I think I’m going to sit this out.”

“And I told you that is not an option,” Grayson said, crossing his arms.

“What did I tell you about new experiences , Henry?” Mia said with a scolding glare.

“Yeah, well some new experiences are clearly not for beginners.”

“You do as I say and I promise you you’ll be master of the saddle in no time,” Grayson said, smirking at me with that delicious pout of his, stirring up all the desire and pent up frustration all over again.

“I don’t have a choice, do I?” I sighed.

Grayson shook his head, his smirk widening. “Fast learner,” he said as he motioned for me to follow him to the open stables where Julie and her date were getting ready on their horses, leading my horse to a spot that looked open enough we could have space for me to embarrass myself fully and probably fall off.

This was a nightmare.

“Okay, so first things first... the horse can smell your fear,” he said as he looked at me.

“I’m not afraid—” I lied.

Grayson only had the audacity to raise an eyebrow at me.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. The horse is a gentle creature. He only responds to your insecurity, your fears. You are in control, and he will follow your lead. So, trust yourself.”

I swallowed harshly as his words fell on me.

“If only it were that easy,” I mumbled.

Grayson ran his hand along the horse’s hide, until he came to the saddle.

“It is easy,” he said as he patted the saddle. “When you have a good teacher,” he said warmly. “Besides, once you’re up there, on top—”

It was his turn for his cheeks to redden for once, but I wasn’t entirely sure it wasn’t due to the wind.

“Once you’re holding the reins, you’ll know what to do.”

I watched Grayson adjust my saddle, like a true master. It was both shocking and interesting to see him in his element, doing something he was clearly passionate about. His confidence with the horse was much different than the Grayson I’d seen thus far.

“Now, step here,” he said as he motioned for me to place my foot in the stirrup. “Set your hand on me if you need to steady yourself, and swing your leg over the saddle until you’ve found the stirrup on the other side.”

I did as he requested, knowing everyone was waiting on me, and not wanting to hold anyone up. I pursed my lips as I set my foot in the stirrup, bracing one hand on his shoulder, and using the other to hold the handle of the saddle. I hoisted my leg up —rather ungracefully—just as he instructed, fumbling with the stirrup on the other side. But I managed, nonetheless, turning to look at Grayson, who was smirking at me again.

“Very good,” Grayson said. “It’s good to know you can be broken too.” His tone was dark, gravelly, and made my cock stiffen just the slightest. Despite being uncomfortable, I was glad the saddle and my vantage point hid such things.

Before I could bite back at Grayson’s sexual innuendos, he cleared his throat and left me to my own devices. Mia and her horse trotted over to me, as I attempted to grab my reins.

Grayson had been right, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. Being on top of my horse felt... nice. The vantage point was pretty, but also there was a peacefulness I didn’t know I’d experience. My sister tried her best to give me tips, and I tried my best to listen, but I couldn’t focus entirely because the sight of Grayson—who was wearing tight, riding pants and a form-fitting long sleeve—was too much to tear my sights from.

I watched the way he mounted his horse, in one fell swoop, knowing he’d probably done this before a million times. But something about watching him felt like it was the first time. And I was captivated by the way he administered his control. How boldly he gripped the reins, his commanding voice.

He trotted up next to his sister, only looking over his shoulder once at my sister and I, his dark eyes commanding me the same way he did his horse.

Let me lead.

My cock and I were powerless to resist, and so I gripped my reins and followed Grayson into the woods like a lamb to the slaughter.