16. Ashlyn

16

ASHLYN

P hantom and I were in position- he had walked easily into his stall in the starting gates and I was grateful for that. I could feel the tension coiling in his muscles. We had practiced starts at home so many times- it can be as stressful time for horses.

The air was charge, the roar of the crowd echoing in my ears as we awaited the starting bell. I stole a glance at the other horses, their sleek bodies quivering with excitement. Their riders poised and ready for the race ahead.

The sun beat down on us, enveloping the racetrack in a warm glow. We prepared to embark on our journey. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies that fluttered in my stomach, reminding myself to trust in Phantom's abilities and in our bond as we faced this challenge together.

When the starting bell finally rang, signaling the beginning of the race and the gates opened, Phantom surged forward with a powerful burst of speed leaping out of the starting gates. His hooves pounded the ground beneath us, kicking up clouds of dust as we tore down the track, the wind at my face.

But as we approached the first corner, Phantom stumbled slightly, throwing us off balance and causing us to fall behind the pack. Panic threatened to overwhelm me as I felt him falter beneath me. I stayed calm and he regained his big strong stride.

I tightened my grip on the reins, my fingers curling around the leather as I urged Phantom onward with firm, yet gentle commands. I could feel his frustration mirroring my own, his muscles tense beneath me as he fought to keep ground with the other horses. With each stride, we gained ground, our pace quickening as we charged around the track. We were passing other horses now. The sound of our hoofbeats echoed in my ears, a steady rhythm that drove us forward with renewed determination.

The wind whipped past us, stinging my cheeks as we thundered down the straightaways. Phantom's powerful strides carried us closer and closer to the front of the pack. I could feel the heat of his

body beneath me, his breath coming in hot bursts as we pushed ourselves to the limit. As we approached the final stretch, I could see the finish line looming ahead. The cheering crowd urged us on and I asked for more from Phantom. The taste of victory was tantalizingly close, spurring us forward with every ounce of strength we possessed.

With a burst of speed in response, Phantom surged forward again, his hooves pounding against the ground as we stormed up the finishing straight. I could feel his muscles straining beneath me, his determination driving us forward with unwavering resolve. And then, in a flurry of motion, we crossed the finish line, the crowd erupting into cheers as we claimed second place. Exhilaration washed over me as I realized what we had accomplished, and Phantom's triumphant neigh echoed in my ears. We had won. A pretty easy win for Phantom's first race. I had known he was special. And I knew in that win he hadn't given all he had to give. He had more speed there that I would keep under wraps for when we really needed it.

We basked in the glory of our victory.

As our placement was announced over the loudspeaker, the crowd's chatter filled the air, a cacophony of voices swirling around me. I could feel their curious gazes on us, their whispers and murmurs blending together in a dizzying haze.

But I couldn't focus on any of it. My mind was still consumed by the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. The exhilaration of our victory tingled in every fiber of my being. All I could think about was the bond between Phantom and me. The undeniable connection that had propelled us to success on the racetrack.

I lead Phantom off to weigh out and get washed down, showering him with praise and affection, running my hands over his sleek black coat while whispering words of encouragement in his ear. He nuzzled against me, his warm breath tickling my skin as we reveled in the moment together.

The crowd's chatter faded into the background as I focused all my attention on Phantom, the world melting away as we shared a quiet moment of celebration.

Stephanie and Melody spotted us as we headed towards the unsaddling area, their faces lit up with joy and pride. They rushed over to us, their excitement palpable as they congratulated us on our incredible performance. Stephanie wrapped me in a tight hug, her warmth and affection washing over me like a comforting embrace.

I wanted her to never let go.

"You did it, Ashlyn," she said, her voice filled with pride. "I knew you two could do it."

Melody joined the celebration, clapping her hands and cheering loudly. "That was amazing!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration. "You and Phantom make quite the team."

I couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm, feeling a sense of camaraderie and belonging wash over me. In this moment, surrounded by my friends and colleagues, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

I pulled Stephanie close, savoring the sweetness of our shared victory.

Then, I caught a glimpse of someone in the crowd. For a fleeting moment, my heart skipped a beat. I could have sworn that I saw a familiar face, a young woman. Someone from my past at Brooks Creek.

My grip tightened around Stephanie as a surge of unease washed over me. Could it be her? Could she have followed me here, to this small Texas town? But then I shook my head, chiding myself for being paranoid. It had been ages since I left Brooks Creek, and surely she wouldn't have come all this way just to find me. As quickly as the fear arose, I pushed it down, burying it beneath a facade of celebration. I couldn't let my past haunt me, not now. Not when we were celebrating this momentous occasion. Feeling Stephanie's warmth beside me, I forced a smile, dismissing the nagging doubts that lingered in the back of my mind.

Instead, I wrapped my arm around Stephanie, pulling her close and pressing my lips to hers in a fervent kiss. In that embrace, I found solace and reassurance. My mind still raced, flickering with paranoia, but I forced myself to stay in the moment. This was supposed to be a celebration, a moment of triumph for us both. I couldn't let my past cast a shadow over our happiness.

Stephanie's laughter rang in my ears, her smile lighting up her face as she pulled away from our kiss, her eyes sparkling with joy. "We did it," she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

"Yeah, we did," I replied, my own voice tinged with relief. But even as I spoke the words, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the depths of my mind. As we basked in the afterglow of our victory, I made a silent promise to myself: I wouldn't let my past dictate my future. I would face whatever challenges lay ahead with courage and determination, knowing that as long as I had Stephanie by my side, we could overcome anything together.

With that thought in mind, I turned my attention back to the celebration, determined to savor every moment of this joyous occasion. And as the cheers of the crowd echoed around us, I found myself smiling, the fear and doubt slowly fading away in the warmth of Stephanie's embrace.

As Melody nodded and started to load Phantom into the trailer, I turned toward Stephanie's Bronco, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips. "Well now, darlin'," I drawled in my best fake Southern accent, "you reckon there's room for two in that there truck of yours?"

Stephanie chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she opened the passenger door. "I reckon we can make some room," she replied, her own accent slipping into a Texan twang. I slid into the truck beside her, the familiar scent of leather and hay enveloping me as I settled into the worn seat. The engine rumbled to life beneath us, the sound comforting in its familiarity as Stephanie pulled away from the race track.

We drove along and the tension of the day began to melt away, and was soon replaced by a sense of contentment and ease. Stephanie's presence beside me was like a warm blanket, soothing and reassuring as we made our way back to the ranch. We chatted idly as we drove, sharing stories and laughter, the miles passing by in a blur of scenery and conversation. It was moments like those, simple and unassuming, that I treasured the most—the quiet moments with Stephanie, free from the chaos and uncertainty of the outside world.

"So, what happens now with Phantom?" Stephanie asked, breaking the silence as we drove. "What's the plan?"

I glanced over at her, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I reached over to gently brush my fingers against hers. "Well, first things first. We'll need to get him settled back at the ranch," I replied,

my voice soft. "Then we'll start working on his training regimen, getting him ready for the next race."

Stephanie nodded, her gaze fixed on the road ahead as she listened intently. "And what about you?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity. "What's next for Ashlyn Beech?"

I took a moment to consider her question, my thoughts drifting to the future. "Honestly, I'm not sure," I admitted, my fingers tracing idle patterns on the fabric of her jeans. "But for now, I'm just happy to be here, with you."

Stephanie's smile softened. Her hand found mine and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm happy you're here too, Ashlyn," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm happy you're here

too."

My fingers continued to trace gentle patterns along Stephanie's thigh, and I felt the tension between us building with each passing moment. The warmth of her skin beneath my touch sent a shiver

down my spine, igniting a fire that burned with a fierce intensity. Leaning closer to her, I felt the electricity crackling between us, the air thick with anticipation. Our eyes locked in a shared moment of silent understanding, the world around us fading into the background as we become lost in each other's gaze.

Suddenly, Stephanie spotted a secluded place by the side of the road, the perfect place to pull over and steal a moment alone together. With a quick glance, she guided the truck to the side of the road, the engine rumbling to a halt as we came to a stop.

Turning to face her, I found myself lost in the depths of her gaze, the desire in her eyes mirroring my own. Without a word, I closed the distance between us, capturing her lips in a searing kiss that left us both breathless and wanting more. Time seemed to stand still as we lost ourselves in the heat of the moment, the world around us fading away. Our kiss deepened, the tension between us reaching its peak as we gave in to the desire that had been building between us all day.

"You were incredible." Stephanie's words washed over me like a warm embrace, her praise filling me with pride and satisfaction.

Breaking away from the kiss, I gazed into Stephanie's eyes, emotion welling up inside me. "I did it for you," I whispered as I caressed her cheek with the back of my hand.

My hand reached down, sliding between her knees and then pushing further up between her lovely thighs under her skirt.

Her moan was a clear encouragement as she tipped her head back and parted her legs to allow me access and before I knew it, the lace of her panties was in my hand. I pressed against it and felt her wetness even through the panties. I played around them, toyed with the now damp fabric between my fingers, enjoying every second of her moans and shudders as my fingers teased her.

I watched as her nipples hardened beneath the thin fabric of her dress. Pleasing Stephanie was always such a pleasure for me. Watching her enjoy my touch drove me crazy. I felt my own desire pulsing in my jeans.

I pulled her panties to the side and gave her more direct contact and I thought for a second she might jump off the seat with excitement. Her body responded and she felt wetter and I adjusted my position as best as I could within the confines of the truck, leaning across as best as possible so I could angle my wrist. She didn't need asking to shift her hips forwards to allow me access, she did it instinctively. We were always in tune sexually, as though our bodies were made to make music together.

My fingers pushed into her deeply and firmly.

"Oh, god… oh… Ash…" she cried out as I began to fuck her deeply and slowly to start with, my fingers curled up to her G spot, teasing at her clitoris with my thumb as I went.

She raised her hips to move with me and she met me with hips that wanted more.

I felt so high from the events of the day, sex is always something I like following winning and this was no different.

Except, it was actually different. Sex with Stephanie was actually always different because I felt something beyond pure lust. I felt pure lust for her, of course. But I also felt a connection. An other worldly connection as though our souls were meant to be joined.

I added another finger and increased the tempo of my thrusts. Of course it wasn't easy in a vehicle, but I wanted her so badly and it couldn't wait.

"You are amazing," I whispered to her and she opened her eyes for a second, her eyes glinting navy blue in the dark. "So beautiful," I said and we connected and were still for just a second, my fingers so deep inside of her. I could feel her body pulsing around my fingers.

"I love you," she whispered, her eyes glazed with lust.

"I love you, too, " I smiled at her and held her like that for just another few seconds longer as I kissed her lips, tenderly.

"I'm going to make you come so hard all over the seat of this Bronco," I said, wickedness in my voice and we both laughed.

"Go on then," she challenged and I went back to work, thrusting into her harder, faster, just how I knew she wanted it.

Her breathing quickened and her cheeks flushed in the dark and I knew she was close, very close.

"Come for me, my darling," I said and it took only those words to tip her over the edge as her orgasm overtook her and I felt her body go rigid before relaxing into post orgasmic bliss. I felt the wetness of her orgasm in the palm of my hand.

God, it was always so satisfying, fucking her.

I felt a sense of deep satisfaction within me as she came back to life and smiled warmly at me.

"You are so good at that," she said. "Well, I know you know that. I don't know why I am telling you, but you are."

I smiled. It wasn't the first compliment my sexual skills had had but it was the first time it meant so much more, coming from her lips. I started to think that maybe I could be the woman she needed me to be. With her, maybe things would be different.

A car drove past, its headlights casting fleeting shadows across our faces, and we broke apart with a shared giggle. Our laughter mingled with the gentle rustle of the evening breeze. Despite the interruption, the warmth of Stephanie's hand in mine filled me with a sense of contentment as we continued our journey back home.

Stephanie drove and I leaned back in my seat, my hand intertwined with hers, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. The soft hum of the engine had lulled me into a state of tranquility as she navigated the familiar roads that led back to the ranch. Our conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter and shared memories. Stephanie's presence was a comforting anchor, grounding me in the moment and

banishing any lingering doubts or fears. With each passing mile, our connection deepened. Our hands remained entwined as we moved through the twists and turns together. In that moment, there was only Stephanie and me, our bond growing stronger with each passing moment.

Eventually, we pulled into the ranch, the moon dipping just above the horizon in a blaze of bright white and gold. Stephanie cut the engine and we sat in comfortable silence for a moment, savoring the peace of the evening. "Thanks for the ride," I say softly, breaking the quiet.

Stephanie smiles, her eyes soft and warm in the fading light. "Anytime, Ashlyn," she replied, her voice gentle and reassuring. "Anytime."

Later that night, I was naked and bathed and in Stephanie's bed and Stephanie got out the bath and padded naked across the floor to me.

She look ethereal in the dim golden lamplight. Her skin and hair shone golden and I thought again how beautiful she was.

She didn't speak, she just pulled back the comforter and made her way between my legs on her knees, parting my legs as she went and she smiled at me just before she dipped her head to my pussy to please me.

I felt her tongue move in long slow strokes as though enjoying me, as though savouring every moment and I felt myself relaxing entirely, my head back on the pillow and my legs parting further to give her easier access.

Her mouth was leisurely in its pleasuring of me. As though we had all night. (and we did.)

I enjoyed it in a way I can't remember ever enjoying sex before. I was enjoying the feelings and the sensations rather than chasing a climax as fast as I can.

My hips moved with her head pressing forwards, pulling back. Her tongue, long firm strokes, then gentle licks. We danced together with her head between my legs taking me to places I had never been.

Things built and built slowly in a way that I never saw coming. When my orgasm did tear through me it was in a way I have never felt before. More intense than anything I could ever have imagined and I felt it in every single part of me that thrummed and buzzed with the thrill of it.

When I opened my eyes, she was lying on top of me, her face inches from my own. I felt tears in my own eyes, I was crying. She kissed my face, kissing each of my tears away and when she kissed my mouth I tasted my sex and my pain on her tongue.