7. Stephanie

7

STEPHANIE

I kept up my work on the ranch that day, but my mind relived the unexpected kiss I had shared with Ashlyn. The memory was like a flickering flame, dancing at the edges of my consciousness.

It refused to be extinguished, despite my best effort to focus on the tasks at hand. I knew I should be thinking about Phantom and about how well he had responded to Ashlyn as a rider.

About the progress they made together.

Instead, all I could remember was how Ashlyn's lips had felt against mine—soft and warm. How it had felt when her tongue pressed into my mouth. Oh, I wanted that again, and so much more. A fleeting moment of intimacy had left me breathless and wanting more. With a sigh, I shook my head, trying to banish the memory from my mind. This was no time for daydreams and distractions, not when there was so much work to be done on the ranch.

But try as I might, I couldn't shake the feeling of longing that tugged at my heartstrings, my desire to be near Ashlyn once more. To feel her touch and to taste her kiss. As I tended to the horses, my movements were mechanical, my thoughts consumed by the memory of our stolen moment of passion. I could feel a blush creeping into my cheeks as I replayed the kiss in my mind, each sensation seared into my memory with crystal clarity.

But amid the swirl of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me, there was a small voice of reason, reminding me of the risks of getting involved with Ashlyn. I knew the dangers all too well—the potential for heartache, for betrayal, for loss. And yet I couldn't deny the pull of attraction that drew me to her.

I wondered for a second if I was just one of many. If that was the effect she had on women. I had known women like her before, in the army. Of course I had. We all know a lesbian like her. Effortlessly charming. Strikingly beautiful, with a smile that melts hearts. All the women want her, of course they do. And she wants (and takes) all of them. Then she leaves a trail of broken hearts behind her.

I certainly did not want to be one of a trail of broken hearts, that was for sure.

Yet, here was someone who excited me in a way that I hadn't felt in so many years. Would it be so wrong to pursue that?

With a shake of my head, I forced myself to focus on the present, pushing aside the lingering thoughts of Ashlyn's kiss. There would be time enough for contemplation later, time enough to unravel the mysteries of my heart. But for now, there were horses to tend to, chores to be done, and a ranch to run.

I made my way up to the house, my thoughts still swirling with memories of our kiss, finding myself faced with the practical realities. Melody was waiting for me in the kitchen, a stack of paperwork spread out on the table before her.

"Hey, Steph," she greeted me with a warm smile. "I've got everything ready for Ashlyn's paperwork."

I nodded, taking a seat opposite her as she began to explain the details of the arrangement we had agreed upon for Ashlyn's employment. As Melody spoke, I couldn't help but feel a pang of unease at the thought of bringing someone new onto the ranch, especially someone as enigmatic and unpredictable as Ashlyn.

But despite my reservations, I knew that Ashlyn's expertise could be just what Phantom needed. And if it meant putting aside my own misgivings for the sake of the horse, then I was willing to do whatever it took.

As Melody outlined the terms of Ashlyn's employment, I couldn't help but notice the absence of any references or paperwork from Ashlyn herself. It seemed strange, given the importance of such

documentation in a professional setting. However, I pushed aside my concerns, trusting my gut instinct that Ashlyn was the right choice for the job.

Phantom had kicked off in the way he was so prone to when things didn't go exactly his way. His whole body had twisted as he bucked and leapt and I knew for a fact had it been me in his saddle at that time he would have thrown me off again. I was far too old for falling off horses. My right hip still ached with the memory of last time. But the way Ashlyn had been on him, her beautiful athletic body sitting easily aboard him, moving with him, adjusting her balance constantly to stay in motion with him. She was a calm and quiet rider- there was no harsh discipline for Phantom, just a quiet welcome for him when he calmed down and Ashlyn was still there- completely unphased. Her face looked just as calm as ever and that passed down to the horse. Horses sense things in people. Phantom especially.

"Everything looks good," I said, forcing a smile as I signed my name on the dotted line. "Let's hope Ashlyn feels the same way."

Melody nodded, her brow furrowed with worry. "I'm just not sure about the pay, Steph," she admitted, her voice tinged with concern. "It's not much, and Ashlyn might not be willing to accept it."

I sighed, knowing that she was right. The salary we were offering was far from generous, especially given Ashlyn's reputation as a renowned horse trainer. But it was the best I could afford. I sensed that Ashlyn had her reasons for wanting to move out here and I figured money wasn't the motivator.

"We'll just have to wait and see," I said with a shrug, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "If Ashlyn is as passionate about horses as she seems, then hopefully she'll understand that this is about more than just money."

I stirred from sleep, my heart still racing from the vivid dream that had consumed me. I found that I was bathed in a sheen of sweat, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The memory of Ashlyn's kiss lingered on my lips, and the sensation still tingled against my skin as if it had been real.

I sat up in bed, disoriented and flustered, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream that had felt so achingly real. In the darkness of my room, I could still feel the warmth of Ashlyn's touch, the weight of her lips against mine, and I couldn't help the surge of longing that rose up within my chest.

But once the fog of sleep began to lift, reality came crashing back down upon me. It was a harsh reminder of the boundaries that existed between us. I knew that what I had imagined in my dream could never be—a fleeting moment of passion, a stolen kiss in the darkness of night.

With a sigh, I pushed aside the tangled sheets and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, the cool air of the room washing over me like a balm. I knew that dwelling on my dreams would only lead to trouble.

With a shake of my head, I forced myself to focus on the present, pushing aside the fantasies that danced at the edges of my consciousness. There would be time enough for contemplation later,

time enough to unravel the mysteries of my heart. But for now, I had a ranch to run.

I stumbled into the kitchen, my mind still reeling from the remnants of my interrupted dream. I was surprised to find Ashlyn already there, seated at the table alongside Melody, signing paperwork. Seeing Ashlyn sent a jolt of surprise through me and my heart skipped a beat at the unexpected encounter. I hadn't expected to encounter her so early in the morning, especially not after the previous day's events.

"Good morning," Ashlyn said, greeting me with a warm smile. Her gaze met mine and a hint of amusement danced in her eyes. "I hope you don't mind, but Melody and I thought we'd get a head start on the paperwork."

I blinked in confusion, still trying to process the sight before me. It was clear that Ashlyn had accepted the job offer, despite the low pay and the uncertainty of our arrangement. And yet, there was something in her demeanor that seemed different, a sense of determination and resolve that I hadn't seen before.

"Of course I don't mind," I replied, my voice tinged with surprise. "I'm just . . . I'm surprised to see you here so early."

Ashlyn shrugged, her expression casual yet determined. "I wanted to get started right away," she explained, her tone firm. "I'm eager to get to work with Phantom and see what we can accomplish together."

I nodded, unable to hide the sense of relief that washed over me at her words. Despite my reservations and despite the risks, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of working with Ashlyn.

As we gathered around the table, Ashlyn wasted no time in diving into her plan for Phantom. Her demeanor was focused and her tone confident as she outlined her observations and the strategies she wanted to try.

"So, here's what I've noticed," she began, her voice firm yet measured. "Phantom is a strong, powerful horse with a lot of potential. But he's also highly sensitive, stubborn and resistant to authority, which is why he's been so difficult to train."

I nodded, acknowledging the truth in her words. Phantom had always been a challenge, his rebellious spirit proving to be a formidable obstacle.

"But I believe that with the right approach, we can make some real progress," Ashlyn continued, her gaze steady as she met my eyes. Her green eyes were intense.

"First and foremost, we need to establish trust and respect between us and Phantom. Without that foundation, any attempts at training will be doomed to fail."

I listened intently as Ashlyn outlined her plan, her words painting a vivid picture of the challenges that lay ahead and the strategies she proposed to overcome them.

"We'll start by working on ground manners," she explained, her voice firm. "Phantom needs to learn to be calm around us on the ground. That means reinforcing basic commands like ‘halt,' ‘back up,' and ‘stand.' We don't want anyone going in his stall and being at risk of being kicked."

I nodded in agreement, recognizing the importance of establishing clear boundaries and expectations with Phantom before attempting to tackle more advanced training techniques.

"Once we've established trust and respect on the ground, we can start re-introducing him to the saddle," Ashlyn continued, her tone confident. "But it's important to take things slow and steady, he needs to be calm and willing at each stage. It is pointless starting a war with him every time we get on him. Pointless having to try and cling on each time when he starts his antics. If he carries on like this, someone will get seriously hurt."

I listened intently as Ashlyn outlined her plan, her words filled with wisdom and the experience gained from years of working with difficult horses. It was clear that she was passionate about her craft.

"And of course, we'll need to address any underlying physical issues that may be contributing to Phantom's behavior," Ashlyn added, her voice tinged with concern. "I'll need to conduct a thorough

examination to rule out any pain or discomfort that may be causing him to act out." I nodded in agreement, but also felt confident she would find no physical ailments. Phantom's problems were all in his mind- I was confident of that.

"Let's start with his daily schedule," she began, her voice firm and authoritative. "I need to know exactly what Phantom's routine looks like, from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed.

Consistency is key when it comes to training, and I want to make sure we're providing Phantom with the structure and stability he needs to thrive."

I nodded in agreement, recognizing the importance of establishing a consistent routine for Phantom to follow. His schedule had always been somewhat haphazard, with tasks and chores often taking precedence over any kind of routine for the horses.

On another level, my body was reacting to Ashlyn's presence. I couldn't help but feel a flush run through me when I heard her speak in such an authoritarian manner. Maybe because I was so used to military direction, or else my own slightly submissive nature when it came to intimacy, I found that her words and the intensity of her green eyes sent heat right through me like a lightning bolt.

"Next, I'll need to know about his diet," Ashlyn continued, her tone serious. "What does he eat? How much, and how often? Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining his health and energy levels,

but being careful not to feed foods that will make him too buzzed."

I rattled off the details of Phantom's diet, from the type of hay he preferred to his favorite treats and supplements. It helped to get my mind back on track.

Sort of.

Because there in front of me, temptingly close was Ashlyn Beech. Her full lips- the ones that kissed me- taunting me.

I wanted her to kiss me again.

I wanted to hear that direct authoritative tone of her voice in the bedroom.

Heat flooded between my legs.

It was going to be one hell of a challenge to remain professional around her.