Trainable

by Mary Winter

  ~* * *~

  An evening of cuddling and binging on their favorite television show didn’t change her unease. Unable to sleep, she’d watched an equestrian drama that was geared toward an audience much younger than she. Oh how easy her life would be if she just had to worry about winning the next big show or if she ought to ask someone to the dance. Those things hadn’t been much on her radar when she’d been in high school; she’d been too focused on her riding and earning money just to compete in the shows.

  In a way Jacob understood that. He, too, had spent his high school years focused on his sport. Except, his sport was fully recognized by most colleges and a lot more scholarships were given. Gym time could cost more than her horse, something she’d been shocked to find out as they’d gotten to know one another, but his family had been wealthy, able to afford it. She’d been a working student since before it had even been legal for her to work.

  She certainly wasn’t going to break up with him over their differences; she loved him. But they did make thinking about a future, maybe even marrying and having a family someday, difficult. He didn’t talk much about life beyond college, though he was starting his senior year as a political science major. He’d interned on a couple of campaigns, so there was work around here, but what happened after he graduated? And after she finally got her degree?

  Trisha rubbed her eyes and took another sip of coffee. Three hours of sleep just wasn’t going to cut it today. She’d promised Erin they’d meet up afternoon to finish going over Izzy’s training and show schedule. Pouring an extra-large cup of coffee into her biggest travel mug, she knew it’d have to do. There wasn’t time to ruminate over her and Jacob’s relationship or all the things that kept her up. She’d just have to trust that things will work out for the best.

  By the time she got to the barn her mood improved as it usually did. She found Erin in the barn mucking out her first stalls. Jack snorted and pranced in the arena, as if he hadn’t been turned out for weeks. The big gelding jumped and bucked, then stopped, blowing hard. Izzy stuck her head out of the top of her stall and stamped a hoof; she and Jack frequently were turned out together. “I know. Just a minute girl.” She set her coffee down on the table just inside the door and headed for her horse’s stall.

  “Morning,” Erin called, followed by the thump of manure hitting the wheelbarrow.

  The pungent aroma of dirty bedding, fresh shavings, hay and horses filled the air. Trisha breathed deeply, awakening even more with each step deeper into her haven. She supposed this was how Jacob felt about the gym. When she’d been there it had smelled of sweat and faintly of antiseptic and athletic tape. She’d wrinkled her nose and Jacob had laughed. The first time he’d stepped into the barn, it’d been his turn to wrinkle his nose, and she’d chuckled. Just thinking about the memory filled her with a warm glow. Perhaps she was starting to understand, she thought, and by the time she’d turned Izzy into the arena, grabbed a second muck rake and wheelbarrow, and started in on the stall, she already felt better.

  They finished their chores, grabbed a couple of diet sodas from the pop machine in the tack room, and then sat down to discuss training plans. An hour and two sodas each later, they had something workable that Trisha felt very good about.

  ~* * *~

  Jacob sat down next to Trisha on the couch, his arm stretched along the back, fingers lightly brushing her neck. She leaned into the touch, the gentle electric current sizzling through her body. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the sheer pleasure of just being near him, his hand moving lazily along the back of her neck. “Mmm, this is nice,” she said, snuggling against him even more. It’d been nearly a month since she’d finalized her training plan with Erin and she and Izzy had been busy preparing. Jacob had gone to regionals and then competed at nationals a bit more than ten days later. He’d won the individual pommel horse event, something she found interesting given her own equestrian pursuits, and placed second on parallel bars. The Stags hadn’t fielded a team; they’d lost at regionals by just a couple of points. But his performances had been the high points. She just wished she’d been able to travel to see him, but she’d had a show and nationals was too far away.

  “Coach told me to stay flexible during these few months off. Wanted me to try new things.” He spoke so nonchalantly Trisha expected he’d talk about expanding his yoga practice or something.

  “Oh?” She tried not to get her hopes up.

  “Yeah. I think I need to take up lessons again. But I need to make sure my trainer goes easy on me. I can’t afford any more injuries.” He flexed his foot, as if to punctuate with a reminder of his strained Achilles Tendon.

  “I think your trainer can be convinced. None of us want any injuries. They’re no fun.” She turned her head and was rewarded with the brush of his lips across hers. Reaching up, she cupped his cheek. “I don’t want to push you.” She’d given a lot of thought to things over the last couple of weeks. If he wanted to take more time, or even opt out of the barn completely, she wouldn’t blame him. He had a shot at the next Olympic team. She didn’t want to see him jeopardize that in any way.

  “You’re not. And I trust you.” He curved his hand over hers, then turned his face to kiss her palm.

  Her breath caught. With a smile, he slipped his tongue between his lips to taste her, moving along her hand until he drew the tip of one finger into his mouth. He swirled his tongue over the end, then drew it deeper.

  Trisha moaned. Each swipe of his tongue seemed to echo on her clit, and she sensed her body tightening, getting ready for more intimate contact. With her free hand, she reached for him. His soft, worn t-shirt bunched under her hand and she tugged on it. She craved touching his skin, needed to feel his smooth, muscled flesh beneath her fingers. He must have sensed her need because he released her hand and pulled his shirt over his head. Cupping her leg, he turned her so she sat facing him, tugging her so that her thigh aligned along his hip. She leaned forward and pushed him back against the arm of the couch.

  She took the advantage and flattened her hands on his chest. Shifting her position, she settled closer to him, nestling herself right over his hard cock. She rocked against him. Delicious friction centered on the junction of her thighs. Leaning forward, she kissed him with an open mouth, licking and sucking along his lips, delving inside to slide her tongue along his. She flattened her body on his, arms sliding up to twine around his neck, and rub against him.

  Jacob grabbed her ass. He arched his hips and pulled her against him. His forceful thrust only made her crave him more, and she slid her lips from his mouth to suck along the column of his neck. God, he tasted so good. His hands worked along her back, sliding beneath her shirt, and she pulled away long enough for him to strip it from her body. Her bra, too. His hands caressed her spine, and she arched like a cat, her breasts thrust toward him like an offering he couldn’t resist.

  He drew a nipple into his mouth and tongued it gently. Closing her eyes, she savored the sensations, the pull from breast to pussy. His warm hands roamed over her chest, cupping her breast, then sliding down to stroke her hip. His fingers dipped beneath the waistband of her jeans.

  She undulated against him. Her pussy tightened, the need to be filled nearly overwhelming. Jacob’s hands at her waist pulled her up over his body until he could work on the waistband of her jeans and shove them and her underwear over her hips. “I want to taste you.” His ragged whisper undid her control, and she shifted enough to shove her clothes away. Two kicks of her legs and they fell away.

  “Yes!” She crawled him, her breasts at face level, her hands braced on the back of the couch. His warm breath was an intimate caress as she moved until his head was level with her pussy.

  He touched her. “You’re so damn wet.” He nuzzled her mons, tongue flicking out to find her clit.

  “Jacob!” She clenched her fingers on the back of the couch, the muscles in her thighs trembling as she widened them. Jacob settled himself between them, his breath warm against her
labia, his fingers and tongue working magic on her clit and opening. He penetrated her with two fingers, pumping them in and out of her tight channel. She rode his digits, hips moving up and down, his finger brushing her swollen nub with each stroke. Her muscles tightened. She wanted to last, wanted to hold out until she came with him. She couldn’t. Each stroke brushed against the rough spot inside her that drove her pleasure higher. He knew how to touch her in just the right way to make her come, and she let herself go, crying out as release slammed through her body. Her inner muscles spasmed around his fingers, her juices soaking his hand.

  “Fuck, you’re beautiful.” He slid his fingers from her, and without looking, she knew he was unfastening his pants and pulling out his cock. She wanted to suck it, to feel him thrust into her throat and taste his sticky salty come. She wanted to make him as wild as he was making her, and she couldn’t. Not now, not with this driving need to feel him inside her. They moved together until he poised her above him, his cock brushing against her opening.

  “Do it,” she moaned. “Fuck me.” She didn’t know if he was trying to hold off and be gentlemanly by having her come again, but it frustrated her. All she wanted was his cock inside her, and with a tilt of her hips, he must have gotten the message.

  He thrust upward, pulling her down at the same time, and she moaned as he filled her in a single stroke. His answering groan made her tighten her muscles around him, and they moved together. She leaned forward, crushing her breasts against his chest and kissed him. Their tongues dueled as their bodies came together, and she lost herself in him.

  How long they moved together, she didn’t know. Her body tightened again, the building passion seeking a release. She cried out as she came, the waves of ecstasy flowing through her body. A moment later Jacob stiffened beneath her. His cock pulsed inside her, and she felt his seed filling her. He held her tight, pulling her down onto him, as he came.

  She lay there feeling the sweat cooling on her body, listening to his heart thudding beneath her ear. More than a month ago, he’d fallen off of Sadie, and she feared that they wouldn’t be able to share her love of horses together. Now, she had no doubts that they’d make it work. It seemed both of them were trainable, and she couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

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  About The Author

  Mary lives in the Ozarks on a homestead with her spoiled horses, a flock of highly entertaining chickens, a not-so-itty-bitty-kitty-committee, and her husband. Her first published novel, Ghost Touch, was released in December 2002–back when you had to explain to people what an ebook was. Since then she’s written more than the fifty novels/novellas in multiple genres of romance under a few pen names, as well as nonfiction books under yet another pen name.

  In addition, she runs Unscramblet Author Solutions, helping authors unscramble their “to do” lists and their promotions. Learn more at http://unscramblet.com

  Visit her website at http://marywinter.com and sign up for the newsletter to receive free stories, including an exclusive story to her subscribers, and coupons and news.

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  Like to review? Love spreading the word about great books? Mary is always looking for members to be on the street team. Learn more at the website.

  Have you read this book from the 2 Hearts Rescue South series?

  Erin Salcietto focused on one thing--dressage. In high school her horses were her refuge, as an adult they allowed her the work she loved training and raising horses, as well as operating Two Hearts Rescue South in Missouri, the counterpoint to the main Two Hearts Rescue ranch in Wyoming. She hadn't thought about her best friend's brother, high school quarterback turned assistant football coach at the local college, Bryan Dent, but when he shows up at one of her shows, the sparks fly.

  Bryan had always wanted Erin, but had thought she was too smart, too focused for him. In high school he'd been the jock, coasting by on his good looks and football skills. Now that he was an assistant coach with a winning football team, he'd achieved all his goals--or so he thought. A chance encounter with Erin reignites old flames, and soon, this jock is wondering how he fits into the Dressage Queen's world, because he really wants to. And it's important that he proves to her that he's more than just a former high school jock.

  A portion of the proceeds from this book is donated to animal rescue causes and animal rescue efforts.

  Get this book for 99 cents or free on Kindle Unlimited.

  Excerpt

  His sister dismounted and led Pokey in his direction. “It’ll be a bit before they announce the scores,” she said. “Let’s go back to the barn.”

  “Okay.” A few moments later, he heard his sister’s name over the loud speaker followed by a score. She smiled and threw a hug around her horse’s neck, who to his credit managed to look bemused. “Is that good?” He smiled at her. Three years younger than his thirty-seven, she had her long blonde hair gathered in some sort of net beneath her black helmet. In her black jacket, white breeches and knee-high boots, she looked smart and kind of English. She reminded him of Erin Salcietto from school. She’d been all about her books and her horses, way too high brow to spend time with the quarterback of the three-time state champion winning football team.

  “Very good. It’s our personal best.” Lindy beamed at him.

  That he understood, about making a personal best during an outing. “Great. I’m happy for you.” As if his thoughts conjured had conjured ghosts of the past, he heard Erin’s name over the loudspeaker. “Just a moment.” He turned and strode toward the arena, just catching his sister’s bemused expression.

  She was through the opening part of the test from what he could tell when he took his place by the rail. Her big grey horse moved effortlessly through the movements; Erin made it look so easy. He was afraid to say it, but she looked better than his sister in a couple of places. Her circles were rounder, her transitions more precisely on the letter. He may not know about this sport. He did know sports and such things mattered, whether it was football or equestrian pursuits.

  Her caramel blonde hair was pulled back with a small silver clip and attached hair net. He supposed it created a clean and polished look, though it made him want to remove the helmet and the ribbon tie and see if her hair spilled over her shoulders. Her stern look could be called resting bitch face. He called it laser focus and admired it in an athlete. From white gloved hands to a c
oat with polished silver buttons, white pants and knee-high gleaming boots she gave an air of perfection. He remembered that from school too. She’d accept no less from herself, and he supposed from those around her, which was why she’d been mostly alone.

  He’d longed to muss her up. That she didn’t go to prom or other social events only whetted his appetite. He hadn’t seen her at sporting events, either. The ice princess who would rather play with her horses than football players, or at least that’s what a few members of the team had called her. The ice princess. She’d grown up, and if anything, she was an Ice Queen, and he wanted to thaw that frozen exterior to see what lay beneath.

  She finished her test. He didn’t see anyone at the gate, no trainer or groom, or even a friend waiting for her. He moved to the gate and smiled at her as she exited. “Need someone to hold your horse while you get off.” He knew he didn’t use the right term and vowed to pay more attention to his sister.

  She stopped and glanced down at him, shocked. “Um, sure. Thanks. It’s Bryan, right?”

  That she’d remembered him made him happy, because he sure hadn’t forgotten her. “Yeah. I’m here with my sister.” He moved to the horse’s head, who thankfully looked completely bored with the situation, and gently grabbed the reins.