“I don’t know how I’m supposed to…control myself. Pretty tough doing any job with a raging hard-on in your pants.”
Alison laughed. “Well, I wouldn’t know. But I suppose I can imagine.”
“I’m not sure you can, actually.”
“Look, the job will be hard at first—pun intended—but you’ll get used to seeing and touching the ponyboys up close. You’ll be amazed at how everything becomes business as usual in a few days. And if you remember you are doing a job and remember to be professional about your activities, you won’t have any problems, Jensen.”
“Yeah. Maybe.” The job requirements still felt intimidating as fuck.
“Well, the only way you’ll find out is if you try. Right?”
I finished my beer, stood the empty glass on the counter, and shrugged. “I just—”
“Look, let me ask you this. If you walk out of here, go back to Mr. Marsland, politely decline this position, and drive back to your little rental apartment in—”
“Ottawa.”
“In Ottawa. Where you do all kinds of boring, normal chores, day in and day out, and you get a run-of-the-mill job that kills a little bit of your soul every day, do you think you might regret not giving this place at least a shot?”
“You have a point.” She had a point.
“I’ve got plenty. I can tell you Marsland is a wonderful man to work for; the ranch is pretty fucking special, and the kind of men we attract who enjoy playing pony? They’re pretty fucking special too. You should think very carefully before you pass this up.”
Chapter Three
I walked back to the ranch with renewed determination and my decision made. I gave a nod to Connor as I entered the main building.
“Is Mr. Marsland free?”
Before Connor could reply, Adam came out of his office as if he’d been waiting for me. “Come on in, Jensen.”
I removed my hat. “I’ve decided to take the job. But I have some questions.”
Adam laughed. “I’m sure you do. Connor, can you put on some coffee?” He turned to me. “Do you drink coffee?”
I nodded. “I could use one.”
“Perfect. Connor, we’ll be in my office. Jensen has a few questions about the position but it looks like he’s going to work out. Kamal is impressed with him.”
Connor stood. “Kamal is impressed? Wow, that’s a first.”
As soon as I sat in the chair in front of Adam’s desk, I started to feel better. I took a few deep breaths and wiped the sweat from my brow before replacing my hat. “Do you mind?”
Adam’s forehead creased. “Hmm?”
“If I keep my hat on? It…comforts me. It’s familiar.”
Adam laughed. “I don’t mind in the least. I think you’ll find the cowboy hat attracts mostly positive attention here at the ranch. If my instincts are correct, and they usually are.” Adam crossed his arms on the wood desk and gazed at me. “You were right at home in there, helping Kamal,” Adam commented. “You have a steady hand.”
I shrugged. “When I’m dealing with real horses, I have to. Animals can sense a lack of confidence, and they will exploit it.”
Adam grinned. “Yes, well such a skill translates well to the human men you’ll be dealing with, believe it or not. Confidence is everything. A sure hand elicits obedience and respect.”
Connor came into the room with two mugs of coffee on a tray with sugar and creamer.
“Thank you,” Adam said as Connor placed the tray on the desk and pulled up a chair. “Connor worked as a stable hand for a while. Until I needed to fill the reception position, and he decided he was better suited to representing the BCR at the front desk. Connor, maybe you can help answer some of Jensen’s questions.”
“Sure. Let me get another coffee.”
