Horseplay

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Derrick Landers sat transfixed, the world around him fading away until the only thing he saw was his riding instructor, Seth Winnow. Seth was gorgeous—if one was allowed to use that word when describing a man—from the faded blue of his eyes to the dimples that flashed every time he smiled. To say Derrick was smitten was an understatement. He was straight up, head-over-heels in love with the other man, so hopelessly lost that he often found himself daydreaming about Seth when he should have been working.

And the delicious fantasies he indulged in when alone in his apartment—oh boy! So naughty, every single one of them resulting in mind blowing orgasms coaxed forth by the touch of his own hand. He imagined the real thing would be even better. Earthshattering. Toe curling.

At that precise moment, Derrick was fixated on Seth’s ass, the way the black riding britches he wore accentuated the taut curve of both cheeks. What he wouldn’t give to be able to get his hands on them, give them a bit of a squeeze as he drew Seth close for a mind-shattering kiss. Thinking about Seth’s lips drew Derrick’s focus north, over sculpted abs and muscular arms to the mouth he longed to taste and to feel pressed against his skin. Seth was speaking to the other rider in the lesson, oblivious to the way Derrick studied him. Lush and pink, Derrick wanted to gently snatch Seth’s bottom lip between his teeth, sucking it into his mouth. He probably tasted of coffee and sweat.

Derrick began to slip from reality into the hazy red fog of his mind, imagining Seth doing something altogether spine tingling with those lips. A shiver worked its way slowly over Derrick and he shifted his position in the saddle, the fabric of his own britches becoming restrictive and verging on uncomfortable. His arousal was growing with each passing second, especially as Derrick envisioned Seth getting down on his knees, firm fingers wrapping around…

“Derrick!”

He crashed back into reality, blinking as the wash of spring sunlight hurt his eyes. The fantasy quickly vanished, leaving him bothered and longing for a cold shower, or at least some private time to take care of himself. Alas, such things would have to wait until later. He was forking over good money to Seth for these lessons, the least he could do was actually pay attention. The other rider in the ring, a middle-aged woman by the name of Cindy Snow, was directing her mare around the perimeter of the arena in a lovely trot. Seth stood center stage, as always, arms crossed over his chest, scowling in Derrick’s direction. Even with the baseball cap perched atop his head, Derrick could make out locks of luscious brown hair. The kind he wanted to run his fingers through, or better yet, just grab a handful of and hold tight while planting a hungry, passionate kiss…

“If at some point you decide to rejoin us here on planet Earth, Mr. Landers, please let me know,” Seth spoke, a hint of annoyance in his words. And yet, dare Derrick allow himself to dream it, a glimmer of amusement on his lips?

“Sorry,” he coughed out. Did his voice just squeak like an adolescent boy? Oh God, and was that the heat of a blush creeping into his cheeks? He ducked his head. Cindy snickered as she rode by.

Seth pointed at the nearby jump. “Take Moose over that twice, once heading towards the pastures and then circle him around and backtrack. Got it?”

“Yes,” was all he dared to try.

Giving his big bay gelding the signal to move, Derrick started off around the area, following in Cindy’s tracks. With the right cue, Moose broke into a ground-covering canter, ears flicking this way and that as he eyed the basic jump in front of them. A heartbeat later, the pair soared over it and in that split-second all desire for Seth faded away, Derrick enjoying the sensation of flying. This was why he was here, to chase his lifelong dream of being in the Olympics, of competing at all the big shows around the world and earning medals, prestige. He wanted to be a known name in the equestrian world, to be interviewed in magazines and to give tours of his barn.

Er, well, he didn’t exactly have a barn, but one thing at a time.

Seth was a top-notch trainer, at least a decade older than Derrick, and had his own medals to back up his methods. Seth was capable of helping him succeed. If he could get out of his head long enough to ignore the building attraction, the desire for…other things. So, Derrick fought to remain in the moment, shifting his attention to the way Moose moved under him, a bundle of muscles and raw energy. The spring breeze caressed his cheeks and the sun was warm on his skin. It took some doing, but he was finally able to chase away the naughty thoughts that always danced just out of sight.

And what a blessing, since riding with a boner was never fun.