“I can think of other things I would like to do other than sleep,” he teased.
He picked up one of my feet and started massaging it. He applied steady even pressure to the arch of my foot, and I had to suppress a moan.
I closed my eyes, and I could feel Riley watching me.
“Never mind,” I said. “I want this, all night.”
Referring to the foot massage.
“I will get tired of the feet eventually, and I have so much more to offer you,” he said suggestively.
“We’ll see,” I said, secretly hoping that he would make good on his word to massage more than just my feet. My back and shoulders, among other things, could use some attention.
Riley switched to the next foot after a few minutes, and I already felt undone. I had no doubt that Riley was very experienced with everything involving a woman’s body. Was I ready for him to show me everything?
No, it would be too much too soon. I was content with our open flirting now that we didn’t have to pretend it was a ruse.
Riley did relent to my request to take a nap. He carried me back to the bed we would have to share. He laid down and tucked me into his side. I fell asleep pretty quickly after that.
?
Today was the day of Riley’s race with Athena. I got her saddled up and prepared. I gave her my normal pep talk. I didn’t think she understood my words, but she understood my tone:Be a good girl. Run hard.
I gave Riley a kiss for good luck and moved to where the crowd was watching and waiting for the competitors to do their thing. I was perched at the edge of the fencing to the left of the starting gate. I would have the best view of them throughout the whole course.
I watched as the first rider and horse took off from the starting line. They were good and moved as a team, but that horse was not Athena. The next rider and horse moved through the course, almost knocking a barrel over, which would have added to the time. Their mistake was that the horse wasn’t on the correct lead.
Next was Riley and Athena. The time started, and they shot across the course like a rocket. Riley did exactly as I instructed. He kept his body loose, leaned with her, and let her do her thing.
The crowd, the lights, she had blocked it all out. I could see the focus of my horse; I could see her desire to finish this course and fast. The power in her legs as she propelled herself forward, the control that she exercised as she turned around the barrels, it was amazing to watch from afar. It was even better when you were on her back.
On her way to the finish line, I saw her looking my way, and she pushed even harder, desperate to please.
“Thirteen point six!” the announcer called. “That’s the best score of the evening so far, by a whole second, folks. That will be extremely tough to beat.”
I cheered from the edge of the area and was pushing my way through the crowd to go greet my horse and my boyfriend, in no particular order. I was equally proud of them both. I was in a great mood and floating on air.
“Emma, right?” someone asked as they grabbed my wrist to stop me.
I looked in disgust at Marly, who was still holding onto my wrist.
She was wearing tight, holey jeans, a large belt with a pink studded belt buckle, a pink flannel with matching pick cowgirl hat, and studded boots. This was notMean Girls, and it wasn’t Wednesday. She went a little overboard on the color coordination.
“Can I help you?” I asked.
“Is that your horse Riley is riding?” she asked.
“I don’t see how that’s any business of yours,” I said, placing my left hand on my hip, showing my disdain for her.
“I would like to buy her. That horse is fast!” Marly said, getting excited.
“She is not for sale,” I said immediately with a cold voice.
Shut this down and move along.
“Come on, name your price,” she said.
“She is not, and will never be, for sale. If you will excuse me, I have better things to do than speak with you. My boyfriend and my horse need to be congratulated.”
