Page 83 of Stable Hand

“And Jensen?” He said more loudly, while not meeting my gaze.

“Yeah?”

“If you ever pull something like that again, I don’t know if I’ll be able to forgive you.” Noah blinked back tears. “I know we’ve only known each other a few weeks, but I fell hard for you. And Luke…I’ve never seen Luke want something so bad.”

“Okay,” I said. “I’m sorry.”

Noah turned and opened the door to the grooming barn, stepping inside as it shut behind him.

*

Having been permitted this intimacy with the man whose heart I’d stomped on and spat out earlier, I put everything I had into preparing Noah for the show. Noah was sweet and fragile, and I’d treated him terribly.

I scrubbed him down and washed him clean, dressed him in the prettiest of show-pony gear, including a butt-plug tail and a leather bridle with stand-up leather pony ears, and a steel bit sitting between his teeth.

The last item gave me pause because, although the bridle looked incredible on him, I could only imagine how uncomfortable the bit must be. But when I placed the piece of metal into Noah’s open mouth, he flicked his tongue out and licked my fingers, winking as if to put me at ease. I smiled and winked back, relieved to know I had restored his faith in me.

The final piece was an elaborate black-and-gold face mask, like the masquerade pieces seen at Mardi Gras parades, with two fine gold ribbons hanging down from each corner and silver sparkles and sequins sprinkled over the surface.

As I finished and stepped back to make sure everything was in place, I couldn’t help a startled curse escaping my slack lips.

“Holy shit,” I said, looking Noah over from his leather ears, face mask, and bridle to the collar and body harness, to his semi-erect cock in the metal cage, to his shiny Doc Marten boots.

“He is one sexy, motherfucking ponyboy,” Liv said, gazing with admiration at Noah and putting her arm over my shoulders. “Wait until you see him in the ring. If you haven’t fallen completely in love with him yet, you will then. Trust me.”

“I think it’s already too late for me,” I commented softly, winking at Noah, which made him blush and shake his head with a neigh.

Liv laughed as my heart dissolved into mushy pieces.

*

I had time after the performing ponyboys were ready and warming up with their trainers to return to the bunkhouse for a shower and change into something more appropriate for the afternoon show.

The off-duty ponyboys lounged about the bunkhouse, reading or watching TV. Callum sat at the top of the ladder to the loft, long legs hanging over the edge, reading a mystery novel. He looked up when I came in.

I felt the heat of shame in my cheeks. “How’s your jaw?” I asked. “I’m sorry I hit you.”

“It’s fine. Only a big fucking bruise. You didn’t hit me so hard.”

The sight of the mottled skin of his face made me sick to my stomach, knowing I’d caused his injury.

“Uh-huh.”

“Peace?” he said, eyebrows lifted in a cautious query.

I nodded. “Peace. But please keep your mouth shut unless you’re saying something nice. Or at least funny.”

Callum grinned. “Deal.”

I pulled some clothes out of my duffel bag and laid them on my bunk. I had no idea what to wear to a human pony show.

“Those dark jeans will do,” Callum said. “You want to borrow a shirt? I have an extra white button-down I’ve ironed.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“Might be a bit big on you,” he said, climbing down the ladder with the shirt.

“I’ll manage. You’re not much bigger.”