Chapter 1: The long night

With my heart still pounding, I run back to the house and take refuge in my bedroom.  That man is one of the new hires, how did I not notice him earlier?  He is so tall, tanned and more handsome then Brad could ever be.  Not to mention, the muscles on him.  

Laying on the bed, I remember staring into those hungry green eyes, thinking that I wouldn't mind if his eyes looked that way at my naked body and his hands caressed my skin.  There is something to say for a hard working man.  Compared to Brad's soft perfectly manicured nails and fingers, his are rough and callused.

I wonder how that would feel against my soft delicate skin.  To feel the strength ooze from his finger tips as he grabs my hips and makes love to me with my back up against the wall.  I long to wrap my petite legs around his waist and feel him grow against me.  Something I have yet to ever feel.

When I had the brief affair in Los Angeles, it was nothing special.  He lacked imagination and I could tell that he was only in it for the sex, so it didn't last very long.  Unimpressed with men in general I haven't repeated it since, but there is something about this man that sparks my interest.

Why is he here?  Brad only hires older men and ex-cons, because they are cheap labor who can't go anywhere else.  He doesn't seem to fit either one.  So once again, why is he here cleaning out horse stalls, shoveling crap out onto the dung heaps?  Curious, I lay there and try to figure out how I can find out more about him, without Brad knowing.  

Later in the evening, Marissa comes in and asks me if I want anything before she leaves for the night.  Shaking my head, I have a thought.  Maybe she has heard something about the new hires.  Usually, she knows all the gossip about the workers and fills me in on what has been happening.

Marissa, a 24 year old from Italy, started working here about a year ago.  When she moved to the U.S. she didn't have a cent to her name and her cousin set her up with this position.  Her cousin Tonya, also from Italy, got married and her husband forced her to go back to Italy with him, leaving the position open for Marissa to take over.

"Marissa, do you know anything about the new hire that is about 30, tall, dark, handsome and doesn't say much?  He is mysterious and I have been wondering why a man like him would be working in the stables.  We both know that Brad only hires ex-cons for that job usually.

She looks back at me, as I play with the pillows on the bed.  "I heard that he murdered someone and was put away for 8 years.  I sure wouldn't mind though, if he slipped a bit of steel deep in me."  She winks at me, laughing.

Trying not to show that I care, I giggle and roll my eyes at her.  Commenting to her, "I'm sure you would, but if you get pregnant you wouldn't be able to do your job.  Brad is clear on that."

"I think it would be worth it.  We would make beautiful children together, don't you agree?"  She starts laughing even harder and it makes me incredibly jealous.

Rolling off the bed and standing up, I say, "What if he doesn't want you?"  I stare her down and immediately wish I didn't say it.  Her smile turns to a frown and she looks at the floor downtrodden. 

Searching for words to make the situation better, I settle for, "I'm so sorry Marissa, I didn't mean anything by it.  It has just been a long day and it's wearing on me."

She starts to walk towards the door and turns, "Goodnight, ma'am."

Taking a step towards her, I tell her, "Goodnight, Marissa." 

I watch as she leaves and shuts the door behind her.  Walking to the window, I fold my arms and stare at the pane of glass.  The rhythm of the rain reminds me of something.

Tap.  Tap tap.  Tap.  Tap. Tap tap.  Tap. 

It echoes throughout the room and I realize what it reminds me of, horses trotting on a brick road.  Remembering when I was a child, my dad never wanted me to ride by myself.  One day, I snuck out to the stable and took off with Mable.  The two of us were free for a short time and we rode to the nearest town, where they had a brick road.

Just shortly after that expedition, my dad put a lock on her stall so I couldn't take her out by myself anymore.  I hated it.  There were so many times that I tried to bribe the hired help to look the other way, that eventually my dad just gave in and let me ride her again.

Turning in for the night, I shut off the lights and slip under the covers.  When my head hits the pillow, I fall fast asleep.