Pleasure Incorporated

Catherine and the Cowboy - Part 1

I tried to ignore the envelope in the front seat as I drove north west along the long winding country road. If it didn't have 'Catherine Griffin' written in elegant script smack dab in the middle of the thing, I could have pretended it was meant for someone else. No such luck.

I mentally slapped my wrist and pulled a fingernail out from beneath gnawing teeth, salvaging what was left of my manicure. I'd wanted a 'me' day. Why couldn't I book a massage or facial like normal people.

Overworked and stressed out, my latest client had wrung my emotions raw. Being a social worker had incredible moments, times when I felt I made a difference, but other days, I felt powerless, my hands tied. The job chipped away little pieces of my heart. What I needed was some time off. A break to mend the fissures.

My friend had slipped Pleasure Inc's card across my desk, telling me to get out of town for a proper release. A wink and a sexy saunter as she walked out of my office and back to her car was the only answer I got when I'd asked what Pleasure Inc. did.

I should have known better. Pamela was a wild, sex-crazed nympho. Bless her. I smirked and shook my head at the image she'd described about opening the door to discover twin plumbers. A shiver passed through me. The stories that woman had shared. I shifted in the seat, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.

I'd left the city two hours ago, barely noticing the wide expanses of wheat, soy, and corn waving in the breeze as I flew past endless farmer's fields, my eyes fixed on the road ahead and the GPS, which ticked off the diminishing miles like a time bomb. More than once, I'd considered turning around but curiosity and a burning desire that grew in proportion to the distance travelled kept me pushing that gas pedal to the floor.

I turned onto a narrow, paved lane, canopied by densely packed maple trees, their luscious leaves filtering the sunlight overhead, dappling the driveway in soft edges.

I wiped clammy palms on my leggings and eased my foot off the brake pedal. I'd come this far. The tree cover opened to reveal a sprawling ranch bungalow surrounded by horse paddocks and fields of emerald grass. I parked the car and was met on the front steps by a young woman, who extended her hand.

"Good afternoon, Catherine. We've been expecting you. I hope you had a good drive. My name is Elizabeth. I'll be your representative here in case you need anything, or have any questions."

I followed her inside, admiring the building's open concept created by thick beams of dark stained wood and vaulted ceilings. The décor was rustic with country accents and white upholstered furniture. We passed a comfy sitting area.

"Feel free to use this space to relax, read a book, or watch television." She pointed to a large pine cabinet. "The T.V. is just inside there."

I nodded, acknowledging her fine efforts at normal conversation, but we both knew why I was there, and it wasn't to watch Netflix.

She led me down a hallway and ushered me through a thick oak door. Curtains billowed around a colonial four poster bed. Open French doors led to a screened in porch, and filled the room with fresh air redolent of lilacs and apple blossoms.

"One of our staff will see to your bags and park your car. I'll just need your keys."

I handed them over, wishing I still had them to fidget with.

"Cole will meet you in the sitting room at 5:00pm. Does that give you enough time to settle in?"

I looked at my watch. Two hours. I'd seen a picture of Cole—an 8 x 10 glossy black-and-white head and chest shot. Who could possible settle in anywhere knowing all that stacked masculinity would be waiting for you in the sitting room. I swallowed and nodded. That was the most I could muster in response.

"Cole is a sweet, country boy. You'll be in good hands. In the meantime, feel free to stroll outside, take in some fresh air, enjoy the view." She winked and left, leaving me to consider her final words.

I waited until my luggage arrived in the room, then took Elizabeth's advice and wandered to the paddocks. I'd attempted riding lessons as a kid, but my experience had been limited to a tractor backfiring, causing the young sprite to bolt, leaving me clinging to the reins for dear life. After a good five minutes of death-defying antics, in which I managed to stay on the saddle, the horse finally stopped. I was so exhausted from the ordeal, I slid off and landed in a terrified, quivering heap on the dirt. I loved horses. From a distance.

As I approached the barn, I stopped and stared slack jawed. Cole stood in the middle of a training ring, running a striking chestnut stallion through its paces. Elizabeth's words popped to mind. "Enjoy the view."

Dusty cowboy boots poked out beneath tight faded jeans, a thick leather belt creating a striking boundary between fabric and tanned, sculpted flesh. Dirty blond locks curled beneath the brim of a well-worn cowboy hat, and a scruff beard framed high cheekbones and scrumptious lips. I licked mine in response, delighting in the tingle that ran through them at the thought of his mouth on mine.

His glossy photograph had whet the appetite, creating delicious fantasies in my head, but nothing could have prepared me for the real thing, knowing at some point this evening, I would have that hard-muscled body in my bed. Sweat trickled down my ribs.

I could count my lovers on one hand, and my experience with men wasn't terribly different than my dealings with horses—they typically ended in disaster and the incident left me unfulfilled at best. I'd fallen into a rut, and this adventure seemed like an innovative way to kick start my sex life. It had looked good on paper. Now standing there, watching Cole's muscles flex as he took control, coaxing the stallion to bend to his will, made me question everything I considered reasonable about this plan. What the hell was I supposed to do with all that?

While my mind grappled with semantics, my body knew what it wanted to do. Heat grew in my chest, and I gripped the wood fence for support as my legs trembled.

He caught my eye and smiled, impossibly adorable dimples winking, and my heart started, threatening to leap clear out of my rib cage. There was only one thing to be done. I turned tail and ran back to my room.