Page 21 of Stable Hand

“Jensen, come over here.”

“Excuse me,” I said to Noah, who nodded.

I walked over to Kamal, removing my hat and nodding. “Hi.”

“Nice hat.”

“Thanks,” I said as I replaced it on my head. “This looks like a good spread.”

Kamal nodded. “The guys treating you okay?”

I shrugged. “Sure.”

“They’re a little excited and nervous about you.”

“Nervous about me?”

Kamal nodded. He winked at me. “You may not realize exactly what’s in store for you tomorrow, but they do.”

I looked down at my boots, blushing. “Oh. Right. Shit.”

“You’ll do fine. But you and the other stable hands will be in charge in the grooming barn, in case nobody’s mentioned that pertinent fact. You have any trouble, you call me, or one of the other trainers.”

I nodded, glancing over to the group of men who would be submitting themselves to my treatment tomorrow. Yeah, no wonder they were teasing me. Was their behaviour because I was new? Or did all the stable hands get ribbed when they weren’t under the protection of the trainers? Was the teasing a natural defense mechanism for the men to take advantage of the close living quarters?

I cleared my throat. “So…what exactly are my duties when I’m on the day shift?”

I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and glanced around, to find myself staring into the vibrant green eyes of a small red-haired woman. “You come with me and I’ll fill you in. You’ll be working with me and Brian this week.” She moved beside me and offered her small hand. “Olivia Muir. But you can call me Liv.”

I found myself grinning without effort at the attractive redhead as I doffed my hat.

She was the second female member of the BCR I’d encountered, and I felt a good amount of relief. Thank God, there were a few women here. Adam had referred to some female trainers, and now I saw Adam speaking with a tall brown-skinned woman beside one of the grills.

I shook Liv’s hand. “Jensen. Nice to meet you, Liv.”

“Same. You’re quite the celebrity this evening. News travels fast.”

I blushed and shoved my hands in the pockets of my jeans after replacing my hat. “Celebrity?”

Liv took my elbow and steered me away from Kamal, who was now speaking to someone else. “Rumor has it you have more experience with four-legged animals than you do with the world of human pony play.”

“Is that what it’s called?”

Liv nodded, regarding me curiously. “Yeah. That’s what it’s called. Jesus, you are a greenhorn.” She stared at me for a moment. “Are you kinky at all?”

I was taken aback. Here was the least intimidating person I’d met so far, yet she had put me on the spot.

I coughed. “I mean, sure. Yeah, I can be kinky.” Can I? I certainly hoped so. I was about to get very kinky with a group of ponyboys tomorrow.

Liv raised her eyebrows.

I said the only thing I could think of, out of desperation. “I mean, I know my way around a rope and some knots.” This was true. I’d never tried using those skills on a guy. But I couldn’t deny I’d imagined roping a wrist or two to my bedposts.

Liv barked out a laugh. “Yeah, I bet you do. These guys would be all over the boy scout skills, by the way.”

I blushed. “Anyway, I’m a quick study, and I have an open mind.”

Liv stared at me, her green eyes filled with sudden humor. She laughed and clapped me on the back. “I think we’re gonna get along fine, Jensen. Why don’t you grab yourself a burger and come sit with me. I’ll fill you in on a few things so you’re not completely blindsided tomorrow.”