A Stallion Dream

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  He threw his leg up and over the horse’s back, mounting him easily. When Trapper brayed his approval, he reached his hand out to London. With strength that surprised her, he pulled her up so that she could mount the horse’s back behind him. She wrapped her arms around his torso, clasping her hands together over his chest. When Collin was certain that she was comfortable, he nudged the horse with his knees and they took off.

  They meandered slowly across the pristine fields to allow the horse to adjust to their weight. London pressed herself against his back, allowing herself to settle comfortably against him. As they both relaxed, the horse relaxed with them, the trio moving easily as if they were one singular unit.

  The air was heated, the afternoon sun sitting bright and full in a deep blue sky. London filled her lungs, then blew a heavy gust slowly past her lips. It was a beautiful afternoon to ride. They headed toward the edge of the estate, disappearing into the line of trees that skirted the property. As Collin guided them deeper and deeper into the brush, London enjoyed the ride, savoring the beauty of their excursion.

  Minutes later the trees parted, and they found themselves in a clearing whose beauty took London’s breath away. The grassy knoll was a plethora of blooming flowers that surrounded a small pond with a cascading waterfall. It was nirvana. Excitement bubbled like a fresh spring in her midsection.

  “This is beautiful!” she cooed as Collin helped her to dismount. She pressed her palm to his chest. “Absolutely beautiful!”

  Collin lifted the blanket from Trapper’s back. The horse began to graze, finding his own peace in the afternoon heat. He reached for London’s hand and guided her to the water’s edge. As London stood staring out over the landscape, Collin spread the blanket across the ground. He moved to her side and wrapped his arms around her torso as she leaned back against him, taking in the magnificent view. He nuzzled his face into her hair, inhaling the sweet scent of coconut oil and hibiscus along the strands.

  They stood together for some time, both enamored with the view, and each other. The moment was surreal.

  “I’m going to say something,” London started, “and if anyone ever asks me about it, I will deny it.”

  Collin gave her a look, glancing down at her. “What?”

  “I kind of like this boyfriend-girlfriend thing. In fact, I think I like it a lot.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’m making some serious progress.” Collin grinned.

  “You good with that?”

  “For now,” he said with a hearty laugh.

  London spun around in his arms to face him, clutching the front of his shirt as she leaned up to press a kiss to his mouth. He tasted sweet, like the sugared candy he’d been sucking on all afternoon. When he parted her lips with his tongue, easing into her mouth, the sensation wafted through her like an explosive device that had been detonated with full force. The kiss was passionate and possessive, Collin claiming her with his lips. She pressed her body tightly to his, aware that he had hardened in his jeans, an erection pressing urgently between them. The deluge of emotion had rocked them both.

  London pulled herself from him. “Have you brought all of your girlfriends here?”

  His mouth lifted in a sly smile. “I haven’t brought any girls here. You are the first, and something tells me that you will be the last.”

  London grinned. “So, what are the chances someone might walk up on us?”

  Collin shook his head. “Highly unlikely. What do you have in mind?”

  The smile on London’s face was teasing as she took a step back. She began to unbutton her shirt, slowly releasing the fasteners one by one. Collin watched her as she pushed the garment off one shoulder and then the other. He eyed her hungrily as she exposed a black lace bra and inch after inch of warm brown skin. She dropped the garment to the ground and then stepped out of her jeans. She stood naked before him, wearing nothing but a pair of boy shorts in black, and then those were lying on the ground, as well.

  Collin cupped his palm over his crotch, his male member feeling as if it were ready to implode with pleasure. The look in his eye was one of pure hunger. Had there been a roof above their heads his pulse and heart rate would have blown a hole through it. There was a knot in his throat and suddenly his mouth was dry as he broke out into a sweat.

  The beautiful woman stepped into him, her body so close to his that he could hear her breathing, each inhalation and exhalation fluttering through her lungs. Sliding one hand behind his neck, she pulled him down to her and kissed him again, capturing his lips with reckless abandon. She shivered uncontrollably when Collin dropped both hands to her hips, gliding her body against his own.

  London pulled at his clothes, unbuttoning his shirt and his pants, pulling frantically until he was free from his clothes. She kissed him again, gently at first, and then she opened her mouth to him, her tongue dancing excitedly with his. Collin clutched the back of her neck and deepened the kiss even more.

  Easing her down to the blanket, Collin kissed her neck, nibbling gently at her flesh. London moaned her pleasure into the late-afternoon air, the sound of it blowing in the warm breeze. She savored the sensation of his touch as he glided his hands up and down the length of her body.

  They rolled from one side to the other and back again until London was lying on top of him. Collin reclaimed her lips, one hand tangled in her hair, the other clutching the round of her butt cheeks. Both moaned at the skin-on-skin contact. Easing his hand between her legs he pushed his fingers into her, administering to the bundle of swollen flesh that pulsed beneath his fingers. It was almost too much to bear as London fell into a trance of sheer pleasure. She gyrated her hips, grinding her pelvis against his hand as she moaned his name over and over again.

  Collin sat upright and flipped her onto her back. He reached for his jeans and a condom hidden in his pants pocket. He sheathed himself quickly, then slid his body into hers, dipping into the puddle of wetness that had pooled between her thighs. His strokes were long and slow as he caressed her inner lining with the length of himself. They loved each other as if it were the first time, the magnificence of it sweeping waves of pleasure through them. Collin captured her mouth one more time, his mouth dancing against hers as he savored the taste of her.

  He could feel her orgasm building, every nerve ending sliding toward the edge as her body began to convulse around his. His own orgasm suddenly ripped through him. She screamed his name, the lilt of it echoing through the air. Tears of joy washed past her lashes, her words melting into an incoherent jumble. Collin’s own spasms rippled through every muscle in his body. They were both swept away, everything feeling bigger and brighter. Sensation swept through the open air, the coloration of the flora and the sound of the waterfall vibrating through every fiber of their beings.

  When Collin collapsed above her, they were both spent with exhaustion. They lay side by side for some time, trading gentle caresses and light kisses as the sun began to settle low in the brilliant blue sky.

  Collin lifted herself up on an elbow to look down at her. “I love you, London,” he said softly. “I know you heard me when I said it to Mr. James the other day. I also know why you didn’t mention it and we never discussed it. But I do, London. I’ve fallen head over heels in love with you.”

  London felt her heart begin to race. Because she hadn’t been ready to talk about his feelings. Or her own. And even in that moment the thoughts suddenly racing through her head petrified her. The joy hanging onto the tailwind of her feel-good was playing hide-and-seek with a whole host of emotions.

  Collin seemed to understand. He leaned down to kiss her one more time. “I love you. And when you’re ready to say it back, I will be right here.”

  She lifted her eyes to his. “And you’re good with that?” she whispered, expectation lingering in her tone.

  “For now,” he whispere
d back and then he kissed her one more time.

  Chapter 10

  London’s good mood had lasted through the night and well into the morning. The early alarm she’d set pulled them both from a night of sweet dreams. They’d made love before rising to shower, dress and head to her family’s church. Even now she could still feel the warmth of him covering her body. His touch still burned hot, the pressure of his hands feeling as though they’d never left her skin and London was amazed that she was still so acutely aware of him even though they sat in different rooms of the modest family home.

  Collin and her father were enjoying an old movie, laughing hysterically at the 1995 film Friday with Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. Despite her own intense dislike for the movie, she was thoroughly amused by how amused the two of them were. To her surprise, the two men had taken to each other, coming together like long-lost friends who were reunited. Collin had hit it off famously with everyone, the old women of the church smitten by his good looks and dazzling smile. He’d charmed the entire congregation, including her parents, and now it was as if he’d always been one of the family.

  London sat at the kitchen table, watching her mother as she puttered between the counters and the stove. The aroma of fried chicken wafted through the air and the matriarch was putting the final finishes on a broccoli salad while she waited for an oversize pan of macaroni and cheese to be finished in the oven. London rose from her seat to peek in on the men. Both were laughing, completely enthralled by some joke that she knew she wouldn’t find funny. She turned back to her mother.

  “Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do to help?”

  “No, dear. The table is set and as soon as the macaroni’s done we’ll be able to eat. Just sit back, relax and talk to me. Tell me about you and your young man. How long have you two been dating?”

  “It hasn’t been that long. He started working with the firm a month or two ago and we’ve been seeing each other for just a few weeks.”

  Her mother grinned. “Your daddy and I only dated for a month before we got married. We knew we were in love the first time we saw each other.”

  “Daddy says he wasn’t sure until you told him.”

  He mother laughed, “And he’s been the happiest man in the world since,” she said matter-of-factly.

  London smiled. Her parents’ love story had always fascinated her. How her prim and proper mother had fallen so quickly for the aspiring musician who’d become a high school music teacher. Friends and family had placed bets on how long the couple would last, losing with each anniversary they celebrated. Since that fateful Saturday afternoon, they’d celebrated forty-five years of marital bliss.

  There’d been a time London had imagined that for herself. A love so fanciful that it would have been fodder for a romantic fairy tale. For a brief period, she thought she’d found that with Victor, and then just like that their relationship had gone dark, fueling the cruelest nightmares. After surviving that hell, London hadn’t allowed herself to imagine a future with any man. Now Collin was making her rethink what she had once refused to allow herself to ever believe in or hope for. He’d professed his love and every word of it had been like a sliver of light shining in the shade she’d taken shelter beneath. Her mother interrupted her thoughts.

  “Your daddy and I really like him! And he’s quite taken with you. He looks at you like you’re the best thing since white bread!”

  London laughed, “We’re just friends, Mom.”

  “Okay. It’s your lie. Tell it any way you want.”

  There was a moment of pause. London dropped her gaze to the tiled floor. “I’m scared.” She lifted her eyes back to her mother, who had turned to stare at her. “I’m scared. Is that crazy?”

  “You’re scared of Collin? Has he hurt you? He hasn’t hit you like Victor did, has he? Because if he has he’ll need to leave this house right now! We’re not going through that again, London.” Her mother had bristled, ready to rage with indignation.

  London shook her head vehemently. “No, nothing like that. Collin’s been incredible! I’m just afraid to trust that it won’t blow up on me.”

  “Are you still seeing your therapist?”

  “Not as often since I started seeing Collin.”

  Her mother hugged her tightly. “You need to keep doing the work, London. Your mental health is important.”

  “I know that.”

  “Good. I don’t want your fear to get in the way of you living your life to the fullest. I don’t want you missing out on what might be the single greatest experience of your lifetime because you’re still fighting the ghosts of your past. That’s why your father and I insisted on you seeing a therapist. It’s why it’s important that you have unbiased counsel to advise and guide you.”

  “I know, and I haven’t stopped seeing the therapist. I’ve just been really happy and haven’t needed to as much. That’s all.”

  “Well, that says a lot about Mr. Stallion, then, doesn’t it?”

  “He’s really incredible, Mom. He makes me laugh. He’s attentive, generous, loving. He’s pretty damn special!”

  “And he makes you happy?”

  “He really does!”

  “Marry him! When you find a good man, grab him and hold on tight. Marry him!”

  London laughed.

  Her mother dropped down onto the wooden seat beside her. “Trust your intuition, London.” She pressed her palm against her daughter’s stomach. “Trust what you feel in your gut. You know if it’s right. Just like you knew Victor wasn’t right. Even before he became abusive, you knew! But you were desperate to have that happy ending even though you knew he wasn’t your Prince Charming. Don’t be scared to follow your heart if it feels right!”

  Her mother leaned to kiss her cheek as she stood up and moved back to the oven, sliding the macaroni and cheese from inside. “Go tell the men to wash up for dinner. The food’s ready to eat.”

  London nodded and stood up. She eased her way into the other room. Collin and her father were still sitting and enjoying the end of their movie, giggling like little boys. Amusement danced out of her eyes and lifted her lips in a full grin. She dropped down onto the sofa beside Collin. As she leaned into his side he wrapped his arms around her torso and hugged her tightly.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Mom said for you two to come eat. The food’s ready.”

  Her father practically jumped out of his seat. “Collin, my wife makes the best fried chicken this side of the Mississippi! It doesn’t last long with this one home,” he said as he gestured toward London, “so you better come on quick and get you some!”

  Collin chuckled, “Yes, sir.”

  “We’ll be right there, Daddy,” London interjected.

  She dropped a hand to Collin’s thigh, stalling his trek to the dining room. He eyed her curiously.

  Her father gave them both an all-knowing look. He nodded his head, blessing them with a warm smile. He pointed his index finger toward London. “I like this one. I think he’s a keeper.”

  London grinned. “I think so, too, Daddy!” she exclaimed.

  They watched as the patriarch headed toward the door, throwing them one last glance over his shoulder before disappearing out of the room.

  “I really like your dad,” Collin said. “In fact, both your parents are really great.”

  “They both like you, too.”

  “That’s a good thing. I didn’t want to be a disappointment to them. I know they have high expectations for the man who’s going to marry you.”

  London laughed, “And you’re going to be that man?”

  “Of course. You’re not planning on marrying anyone else, are you?”

  She reached up to kiss his lips. “No. Something tells me you’re going to be around for a good long while.”

  “That’s what I told y
our dad.”

  “You did?”

  Collin nodded. “When I told him I was in love with you.”

  “And what did he say?”

  “He said I might want to give it some serious thought because you’re just like your mother. Then he swirled his finger in a circle by his forehead. I think he was trying to warn me. But I told him I wasn’t scared. That you were well worth the risk.”

  London rolled her eyes skyward, a soft chuckle easing past her lips. “I love you!” she exclaimed. “I really do love you!”

  Collin grinned. “I know!” he said. He cupped his palm beneath her chin and kissed her lips. “I know!” He hugged her again and pressed a damp kiss to her forehead. “So, are you ready to eat? I’m kind of hungry and your mom’s chicken is smelling some sort of good!”

  London laughed. “Let’s go eat, then,” she said.

  * * *

  Riding home from her parents’, London couldn’t help feeling like she’d won the lottery. A multi-million-dollar purse with a double-digit payout. Collin had her laughing with his corny jokes and stories about his past and family. She was giddy with joy, and for the first time in months, she felt like she’d finally found her way. Being with Collin felt like everything she trusted and believed in. It buoyed her confidence and had her flying like she was on cloud nine. He was the best memories and all the good times rolled up into the prettiest package with the biggest bow. He was love personified. He was home.

  “People are going to think we’re crazy. That we’re rushing into things.”

  “Is that what they thought about your mom and dad when they married?”

  “No. They thought mom and dad were crazy as hell! Who gets married after only knowing each other for three weeks?”

  Collin laughed, “Then we’re golden. It took you three weeks to have a civil conversation with me.”

  “I was not that bad... Well, not really... Okay, maybe a little. But I slept with you on our first date!”

  “You did do that! And you did it very well if I may say so.”