Arranging a Lesson

“Maybe what you need, young lady, is to have someone straddle your back and use this crop on you, just as you've been using it.” Before her open mouth could manage a sound, he continued, “Wanting to move forward, being held back… Rising agitation…Turning to desperation…” He fought back a smile as he watched Janae’s eyes shine and her breathing stop.  “Learning just how it feels…” he continued in a low voice, “Having to be taught…”

 “Mr.  Ryder… my father…”

“Then he wouldn’t need to know, would he?”

“No?”

“Not if I was satisfied that you had learned your lesson– and you were, as well.  Do you think… we might… be satisfied?” Seldom if ever have I seen a heaving bosom, John thought, but the tight jacket of a riding costume displays it quite nicely, even in its understated proportion.

“I think… we might…” she breathed.

“Not a trivial undertaking,” John warned.

“No… of course not…”

“We’d need privacy.  And time.”

“I need to get Midnight back to the barn… no one else will be there…”

“No one else expecting you?”

“No…”

“Ride back to the barn – how far is it?”

“Two miles on the path.  By road you can turn in at the sign?” Janae asked, and John nodded.  “Right turn half a mile on and you’ll see it, though it’s a ways.”

“I should still get there before you, shouldn’t I?”

It was her turn to nod.  “If you could park behind the sports ute? You’ll see it.”

“You won’t need the crop, not going back – as you well know,” John scolded, pleased to see another blush.  “Not until we get to the barn, at least.  Now get going, and hurry – I’ll be timing you.”

“Yes, sir,” Janae whispered, and John sent her on her way with a solid slap on her firm seat.  Yummmm, he thought.

*****

Naughty little rich girl, John thought to himself as he headed barnward, shaking the accumulated mist out of his hair.  Would she show? Or was this an elaborate escape? He could always make good on his threat - though he’d never met the famous landowner, his company surely had a phone contact for him.  Not really his style and not very satisfying, though…

Once through the gate the road turned to gravel and he slowed, watching for the turn he knew was still a long ways off.  Switching on his fog lights, he slowed further, afraid he’d missed it – and felt foolish at how obvious it was when it appeared, a dirt road but wide enough for two-way traffic.  He scanned the green countryside for the barn, halfway expecting there to be none, but it, like the turning, was large and readily visible, the size of a small hangar.  Still, the chance that Ryder Farms had two horse barns was a very good one and he had no guarantee that she’d show up here – no guarantee other than her breathless attention, an almost palpable ache.  Palpable, yes.  He could almost taste her desire.

Approaching the barn John saw the front of the vehicle Janae had referred to – a late-model but very muddy SUV – and he navigated his way carefully around to park behind it, smiling as he realized that this left him hidden from sight in every direction.  Now if she just shows up, he thought, exiting the car with crop in hand.  She’d better hurry – my plans get more evil by the minute.

The clouds were clearing in the west, extending the light, and as he approached the corner of the barn he could see her approaching, lit by the low angle of the sun.  The black of the horse, her boots, coat, and cap left only the beige of her jodhpurs and the white of her blouse like a blaze on the massive beast’s forehead.  As he caught sight of the barn he broke into a gallop, his rider giving him free rein until even her pink face was visible and, closer in, John could detect the relaxed, confident expression of an expert fully enjoying her journey.  Have to handle this one carefully, John thought – she had hardly been confident under his stern gaze.  The right amount of scolding, the right amount of encouragement…

Though Janae must have seen him – even back-lit – from some distance off, she didn’t look directly at him on her whole approach – or if she did, John didn’t catch her at it.  She rode up almost as if he wasn’t there, stopping, dismounting, searching for keys before looking at John for the first time.  “I’m going to… have to… put him up,” she apologized.  “The stable-girl isn’t here right now.”

John waved the crop lazily as she blushed and dropped her gaze.  “Okay,” he said.

Though it was dry, inside the barn was not much warmer than outside despite what John estimated to be over fifteen horses, each seemingly more beautiful than the last.  Shed of her jacket and hat, John watched her as she worked, studying every stretch, reach and bend as her short thick ponytail danced counterpoint behind her.  She was not lacking in grace and did not shirk her duties, which she carried out with a practiced efficiency and economy of movement.  Rich or not, she’d been raised properly – or almost.  But we’ll correct that single deficiency, John thought.  His own jacket was quite damp and he briefly considered removing it but he expected that it gave him a formal air and would even moreso when she was naked so he kept it on.  Each time she came near she looked at him, returning his smile before self-consciously looking away.

He noticed as she slowed a bit, looking around more, moving with less purpose.  He moved in close, saying softly “Close enough” and smiling at the way his voice made her jump.  “Let’s find some blankets,” he suggested – the dirt floor might be fine on a warmer evening but the damp and chill limited its appeal – “and get you out of those clothes.”

“Out?” Janae squeaked.  She stood close, head and voice lowered.  John touched her throat with the tip of the crop and drew wide esses down into her blouse.  She looked at him quickly, as if startled, but didn’t move to stop him. 

“What did Midnight have on when you were cropping him, young lady?” John asked softly.

“Oh…”