The Daddy Dom

Part 22; Ride

"Charlotte," came a whisper in her ear, Charlotte?" He tucked her hair behind her ear and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. Charlotte opened her eyes and gave him a weak and sleepy smile. "It's time to wake up," he whispered again "we're going on a little adventure."

Charlotte opened her eyes fully, looking at him curiously, and slowly sat up.

He placed a plate filled with apple slices on her lap, and motioned for her to eat up before taking clothes out of her wardrobe and draping them over a chair.

"Please put on these clothes, brush your teeth, brush your hair and bring your plate downstairs when you're ready, I'll be waiting in the living room."

Charlotte nodded and took another bite of an apple slice as he left the room and closed the door behind him. Downstairs he took a pair of riding boots and pulled them on, placing a smaller pair by the door. He went to sit on the sofa and immersed himself in today's newspaper.

A few minutes later he heard Charlotte come down the staircase. She was wearing khaki jodhpurs and a navy blue polo shirt, her hair had been tied back.

"Well done, Charlotte, did you brush your teeth?"

Charlotte nodded.

"Well then I think we're ready to go! Please put on the boots I've placed beside the door, and follow me out into the garden."

Charlotte did as she was told, and they walked to a gate in the garden. He opened it and led her through it, out onto a little field path. Charlotte surveyed her surroundings with great interest; it had been a while since she had been outside of the property. Fields were spread out all around them, a cluster of trees was visible in the distance, sheep, cows and horses speckled the landscape in white and brown.

"This way," he said, pointing toward a cluster of buildings and paddocks that strongly resembled a ranch. He placed his arm around Charlotte's shoulders and they followed the field path. "When we arrive at the stables you are to talk to no one, are we clear?" Charlotte nodded, feeling somewhat intimidated as she remembered the events of the previous night. Her body stiffened and he began to gently massage her shoulders and neck as they walked, until she again began to relax. He had informed the head of the stables that he wished for privacy on his morning outing with the horses, and so he was sure that the staff would have structured their day around his coming.

When they reached the property he led Charlotte to a cluster of eight stables, two of which hosted horses, leaning curiously through the bars to look at the two of them.

"You will be riding this chestnut," he said, stroking the neck of the horse on the right, "her name is Daisy, and she has a sweet nature. I will be riding this Irish Hunter, his name is Nightshade."

Charlotte reached out to touch Daisy's face, beaming at him. She had loved riding as a child but had had to give this hobby up when her family had moved into the city. He left her there to get to know the horse while he fetched her saddle, reins and grooming gear.

When he returned he placed the saddle down beside Charlotte, who backed away in surprise.

"What's wrong with that saddle?" Charlotte asked, confusion settling in her features. The saddle had a series of awkward bumps on the seat, which had clearly been created on purpose, but to what purpose? Comfort was surely not it.

"It's a saddle especially for little girls like you, Charlotte. It will be less slippery so you will feel more secure - we'll be riding without stirrups - and it will make you feel the way I need you to feel."

Charlotte looked at him dubiously.