As Matt turned away from the table and started to walk away, Ross finally lost control of his temper. He jumped up and grabbed Matt’s shoulder roughly. Matt turned back and, without any warning, let a left hook with a good amount of power behind it fly and connect with Ross’s jaw. “You need to learn some manners, youngster. What’s your problem?”
Ross was stunned, but he didn’t go down. “You are you son of a bitch. I don’t appreciate your snarky reference to Bee, or your snide looks at Maddie.” He retaliated with a right intended for Matt’s face, but it was blocked by Matt’s forearm.
“This is not the time or the place…As for my dealings with Belinda, that’s none of your concern. It’s just business.”
Maddie bounced out of her seat and grabbed Ross’s arm. “Stop it this minute. What is wrong with you?” She shook her head.
Ross got a hold of himself and shook Maddie’s hand off his arm. “Sorry. I’m okay, Maddie. Sorry, Jackson. Something about you just makes me see red, but that was uncalled for…mostly.”
“Apology accepted, Hamilton…mostly. Anytime you want to take it outside, let me know.” He nodded politely to the women at the table and turned to go.
Ross turned to Maddie and said, “I’m sorry, babe, just a little bit of the Hamilton hot temper getting out. Sometimes I really have to work to control it. That guy is a royal pain in my ass.”
The other members of the party made an effort to return to their conversation and give Ross a chance to calm down. After a few minutes, the table had returned to normal.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I was going to mention this to you, but I got sidetracked by Jackson. There’s a small, local horse show next weekend, and I thought we might let Nickie participate. I think he’s ready for Tadpole Jumper over cross rails, maybe short stirrups, and a class or two on the flat.”
“Do you really think Nickie’s ready to compete?” Maddie looked a little apprehensive. “I guess I have to be a ‘Show Mom’ sooner or later. That’s a picture I’m not completely ready for.”
“Of course I think he’s ready. The kid’s a Hamilton. Do you think I’d set him up for a failure? He’ll be fine. Besides, Meatball has been there and done that—ad nauseam. Jacqui ran him through the show ringer. He can be counted on to have a good show. Maybe Nickie can stay over a few nights this week, and we’ll work on his show manners. I’ll pick up the show clothes he needs and make sure Meatball’s tack is in order. The kid’s seat has got superglue on it. No problem there.”
“Just like his dad’s.” Jason laughed. “I remember watching you at HITS a few times. You and that stallion of yours were unbeatable.”
The pain squeezed around his heart. He shook it off and said, “That’s right. We were unbeatable. There’s never been another horse like him.” Maddie flinched ever so slightly.
It was assured that the following Saturday Nickie would have a gallery of enthusiastic fans as everyone wanted to attend his first horse show at the arena.
* * * *
As the group broke up to go their separate ways for the afternoon, Ross took Maddie’s hand and bent down to whisper in her ear, “I have a surprise for you. I booked the Medieval Bedroom for the afternoon. We have to pick out costumes.”
Maddie gasped. She really had not thought he would instigate another role playing scene without her pushing the issue. “Really? I’m surprised.”
“What should we do? Do you have any fantasy you’d like to try?”
Maddie blushed and whispered in his ear. “Are you sure, babe?” Maddie could tell he was dubious.
She nodded. “It’s all those ‘bodice ripper’ romances I read when I was pregnant. They always turned me on. Especially that Johanna Lindsay! I must have read fifty of them at least. All her heroines get at least one good spanking per book. I wouldn’t want to live it, but it’s always been in the back of my mind…”
“A Scottish laird? I don’t know if I could manage the accent.”
“Don’t worry about the accent, that’s not the part that’s been nagging at the back of my mind all these years,” she grinned.
“Okay, but promise you’ll use the safe word if it gets to be too much for you. Remember, ‘Magnolia.’ Crying and all won’t get me to stop. I’ll just think it’s part of the scene.”
“No problem. I have a high regard for my hide. If it’s too much, I’ll safe word out.”
They picked out costumes in Wardrobe. Maddie chose a low-cut, blue and black plaid gown with white lace trim. The ticket on the gown said it was a “McLeod” plaid. Ross could not be coaxed into wearing a kilt. The furthest he would go was tight, black leather pants with high black boots and a plaid sash which had been marked as a “McDonald” plaid. It wasn’t perfect, but she was happy with the compromise. Maggie was impressed. The wardrobe mistress and her assistant really did a lot of research to make the costumes authentic as well as utilitarian with easily ripped seams and fastenings.
As they walked toward the Medieval theme room, Ross asked, “Do you want to go over the scene before we go in?”
“How about if I’m a captive of the laird being held for ransom or to be forced into marriage to cement an alliance. I try to escape by trying to ride one of the war horses out of the castle courtyard and get caught. You, the Laird, drag me back to your bedchamber. I think we can take it from there.”
“Okay, got it. Are you sure? You really want a ‘good spanking?’”
“I’m sure. Let’s do it.”
Ross unlocked the theme room door and they entered. Maddie went into the bathroom to change while Ross put on the plaid sash, black leather pants and boots. When he was ready he said, “I’ll wait for you outside, so we can make our entrance.”
“I’ll be out in a minute. All this lacing takes time. I don’t know how they lived without zippers and buttons back then.” The bodice was tight and emphasized her breasts which were pushed up to the max.
Maddie was almost speechless when she saw Ross in the tight black leather pants and high boots. He was just gorgeous. His arms and chest rippled with sleek muscles and the arrow of black hair running down his abdomen under the waist band caught her eye and wouldn’t let go. He looked like the cover of one of those racy novels she had so loved and used to escape the reality of her life all those years ago.
Once Maddie had come out of the theme room, Ross wasted no time. Grabbing her upper arm roughly, he forced her back into the room. “Your escape attempt is going to cost you Lady Madison. You know I am going to have to punish you. Not only did you endanger your life by riding Thunderbolt, my war horse, but you tried to steal my best mount. You could be hung for that offense if you weren’t such a valuable hostage and going to be my wife.”
“I’ll never be your wife. And I’m perfectly capable of riding Thunderbolt. I was trained by my father as a warrior since he has no sons.”
“That remains to be seen. But be that as it may, you are under my protection now, and I’ll not have my woman riding a war horse astride. Disrobe and come here. I am going to paddle your backside.”
Maddie made a horrified expression, but inside she was grinning. She made a run for the door, but Ross caught her. He dragged her roughly to his chest before he plundered her mouth with a savage kiss. Her heart was pumping a mile a minute as he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her down across his lap. He raised the voluminous skirts and petticoats of her gown and bared her bottom as she squirmed and tried to escape. “Be still or I will double your punishment, wench.”
“I’ll never give in to you,” she said as she continued to struggle. She was determined to give him a run for his money.
The first stinging smack came down dead center on her upraised butt, and it was a revelation. Maddie had a moment’s doubt about the advisability of the idea, but as the sting spread out and lessened, she knew it was something she had always wanted to try, and she was determined not to wimp out. She felt the spike of desire run straight to her pussy. As she continued to struggle, Ross landed sever
al more hard, stinging smacks.
“You are a beast. I’ll never marry you,” she gasped. She could feel the hand prints on her tender bottom and knew it must be getting as red as it was sore.
“Oh, but you will, Lady Madison. I need an alliance with the McLeod, as well as your very plump dowry. I rather like your very plump ass as well,” he leered as he delivered another stinging slap to her defenseless bottom. “The longer you struggle, the longer I will continue to beat your butt.”
Several more slaps followed before Madison gasped and said, “All right, my Lord. I concede. I’m sorry I tried to steal your horse.”
Another smack did not follow. Madison felt him run his big hand over her very hot bottom, stroking and soothing the abused flesh that would probably still be tender from the spanking tomorrow. He spread her legs and slid his hand down to her very wet pussy. This experience was powerful and evoked emotions she couldn’t explain to herself. Maybe it was a way to expiate her guilt over their many issues, or maybe it was just an erotic urge she had for years. I guess there’s a reason they write this stuff. He ran his finger through her wetness as he stroked her aching clit. She tried to hurry him along by raising her hot bottom to his touch, but he would not be rushed. He kept her splayed over his lap as he played with her sex, keeping her just on the edge of fulfillment as she squirmed with want. Finally, he loosened the fastening over his bulging cock. As she looked over her shoulder, she watched it spring free from the constriction of the tight leather. Apparently, the scene had affected him as strongly as it had affected her.
He lifted her off his lap and turned her around facing the bed. “Bend over the bed, Lady Madison. I am going to make you mine.”
“Yes, my Lord. Claim my virginity.” She was desperate for him, hot and twitchy with need.
Her pussy was burning as she complied. He positioned her at the edge of the bed, and pushing the crotch of his pants open further, he plunged into her hot pussy from behind. She strained back to take him in as deeply as she could as he started to stroke his massive erection into her tight channel. The feeling was exquisite. She was burning up from the inside as well as from the outside. As he plunged relentlessly into her, she relished the increasing need until it burst forth in a soaring orgasm that rocked her world and left her spent. He followed her over the edge as his balls convulsed, and his seed burst into her waiting womb. She felt some of the guilt she had been carrying inside her slide away. Maybe there is something to be said for a good spanking.
* * * *
Ross was shocked at his own response to the scene. He had thought a few times after he had learned about his son and first seen Madison again that he would like to spank her butt for all she had put him and herself through by not letting him know she was pregnant. He had never expected to be aroused by the act of actually paddling her bottom until it was a very satisfying red. When he had seen that first red handprint on her butt, his arousal had skyrocketed. Maybe the scene had reminded him of the time after the accident that took Flashfire so many years ago. Or maybe it was just the catharsis of the spanking that released the anger he had been harboring, but he felt the relief well up in his chest as some of his deeply held rage dissipated. Regardless, he had been hot, emotionally and physically. He wasn’t surprised that he had not been able to wait to bury his steel-hard shaft in her tight, slick pussy.
He held his position inside her as their pulses came back to normal, and then he pulled her into his arms and fell back on the bed. “That was amazing, Lady Madison. I have to say, I’ve never done that before, but I might be talked into doing it again.”
“Well, my Lord, I’ll have to see just how long my butt stays sore before I decide if I want to try that again. But I have to admit, it was pretty intense.”
* * * *
Wednesday afternoon, Maddie packed up Nickie’s necessities and dropped him off at the farm. Ross would be taking him to school and picking him up each afternoon. Maddie had seen the look on Ross’s face at breakfast on Saturday. Although the remainder of the weekend had gone smoothly, and they had a fabulous time, she was concerned. She knew he had never completely gotten over the loss of Flashfire, but she had hoped the pain had been dulled by time. Apparently, that was not entirely the case. She knew Ross no longer blamed her, but she still felt the guilt of that long ago day acutely herself. The old guilt, pain, and loss ripped through her heart all week as she anxiously waited for Nickie’s show debut. She knew Ross and Nickie were going to enjoy the few days of father-son time, and she was glad they would have the opportunity to be alone together. She had some thinking to do.
Ross drilled Nickie on proper show ring etiquette and exactly what would be expected of him and his pony as competitors. He explained that the rules in the short stirrups classes Nickie would enter were a little more relaxed, but unsportsmanlike behavior was frowned on and would not be acceptable. Explaining to the little ones why they could not win every class was a challenge. Winning and losing were a part of life and had to be accepted.
* * * *
Saturday morning, Madison could see that Nickie was excited, and Meatball had been groomed to within an inch of his life. He had been bathed, had his mane pulled, bridle path and ears clipped, whiskers shaved, and tail braided. He looked gorgeous. Jacqui had helped Nickie get the pony ready. She was a horse show veteran and gave Nickie some of the scoop his parents neglected to tell him. Meatball was a good sport and had been down the show trail many times. Madison arrived at the farm in time to help Ross and Nickie load Meatball into the three-horse trailer, the smallest one the farm owned. Tack and show clothes had been put in the trailer’s tack room the night before, and all was ready for the trip to the show grounds. Nickie was primed and talked nonstop, leaving the adults to their own thoughts.
When they arrived at the show grounds, Meatball was unloaded and put in a temporary stall which would be his for the day. Maddie got Nickie outfitted in his show attire and warned him to “Stay Clean,” probably a hopeless request. Maddie had a few teary moments as she realized she was now officially a “Show Mom.” My boy is going to be in his first horse show. This is a milestone moment. After the many years of showing herself, this was a rude awakening! Maddie could see that the two grandmothers, Mom Mom and Grammy Barb, had the same emotional moment. They were now “Show Grandmothers” instead of “Show Moms.”
Grammy Barb took Maddie aside in the barn and said, “I know I’ve been a little cool to you, Maddie. I just couldn’t help being angry over missing so much of Nickie’s life. But I want to say thank you for the wonderful job you did raising our boy and for not taking the easy route and terminating your pregnancy. That would have been the expeditious thing to do, and I know many young women are forced to make that choice. I’m glad you chose differently and that we can all have the opportunity to love Nickie and be a part of his life. Seeing him here today, doing the same thing his daddy did twenty years ago, made me realize how lucky we really are.” She took Maddie into her arms for a strong hug. “Welcome to the family. I’m glad you’re here. I hope you can forgive me for my initial misgivings.”
“Grammy Barb, Nickie’s lucky to have such wonderful grandparents, and I’m glad to be a part of this family, too. I understand your feelings, but I hope you realize I never meant to hurt any of you. I was young and didn’t know what to do. I was lucky to have a supportive grammy of my own. I don’t know what I would have done without Grammatha.” They hugged again, each of them sniffling a little.
Before long, however, everyone was all smiles as they, and their friends from the club, proudly watched Nickie get ready to enter the arena. He looked adorable in his riding britches, English show jacket, shirt and tie, and black velvet riding helmet. A million pictures were taken. Maddie could see that Grammy Barb was particularly moved. She would be remembering how her son had looked in a similar outfit so many years ago. Ross had taken to show jumping like a fish to water, and it seemed Nickie may have as well.
As each competitor enter
ed the ring and rode the course of small X jumps, Maddie became more nervous. Nickie’s turn was approaching. Ross continued to coach Nickie in what was expected as he held her tight against his side. He gave her hand an encouraging squeeze as Nickie entered the arena for his first ride. He was out there all alone, and it was a wrenching moment for her. She was anxious, first for his safety and second for his success. A successful first experience was to be hoped for as it set the tone for future excursions.
“He’s going to do great, Mom! Don’t worry so much. Everything will be fine,” Ross assured her.
As Maddie and Ross held their collective breath, Nickie and Meatball flew around the arena, clearing the small jumps with a foot to spare. Nickie had the self-assured and comfortable posture on a horse that Ross had exhibited as an open jumper. He was just a natural. Also, as Ross had promised, Meatball was a pro at it. The little X jumps were nothing for him. It would be interesting to see how they did on the slightly higher jumps and flat classes coming up later in the program.
Nickie placed first in his Tadpole class and was extremely proud of his first blue ribbon. “And first place in Tadpole Jumpers goes to Nicholas Ross Snow-Hamilton riding Spaghetti and Meatballs! Sounds good to me, folks! Good job, Nicholas!” the announcer said over the loudspeaker broadcast over the entire show grounds.
Nickie threw his arms around Meatball’s neck and hugged him—they were a team. Maddie dreaded the time that Nickie would outgrow this fabulous pony and have to give up riding him. She knew it would be wrenching, but that was a long way off and not to be worried about today. The one good thing was that Meatball would always have a home at Eden Creek and would never have to be sold down the road. He would enjoy a comfortable retirement there when the time came and hopefully would have other children to love him into old age. Maddie was delighted with Nickie’s first-place ribbon but stressed the need for good sportsmanship and humility. They advised him that he would probably not win all of his classes. That warning was for naught, however, as Nickie took first place in all his classes, much to the dismay and slight grumbling of the other competitors.
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