Then There Was You

XXVI

"Where are we going?" I ask Henry for the third time. He laughs at my impatience, the smile staying on his gorgeous mouth as he says, "I've told you. You'll see when we get there."
I huff at his response, but I'm secretly excited.
My brain coming up with a hundred ideas of where he could be taking me.
When I had been about to change my clothes, he'd advised me not to bother and hinted that I would probably need a shower afterwards.
So here I was, in the passenger side of his rented Mustang, in the same clothes I had came in.
Shockingly, the sun had come out. So we were driving leisurely with the the convertible top down, my hair blowing wildly in the breeze.

"Can I have another clue?" I ask hopefully, closing my eyes and letting my head fall back against the headrest. Enjoying the cool air on my skin. He doesn't answer immediately so I twist my head towards him, my eyes squinting against the sun to see him. He's looking at me appreciatively, his eyes focused on my throat and I feel myself flush in response.
"Hmmm..." he sounds, finally bringing those shocking blue eyes up to meet mine. His skin is ruddy and glowing in the sunlight, his dark hair wind tousled.
"It's one of the oldest and still to this day, one of mans most enjoyable sports."
I stare at him dumbfounded, suddenly apprehensive. I'm terrible at sports.
My face must be amusing, and I narrow my eyes at him as he laughs at me, the tendons in his neck moving attractively.
"Don't worry," his words in no way calm me, "You're going to love it."

The car journey didn't last long. In thirty minutes we were well out of the city, the dull grey stone giving way to lush green fields. The scent of the country side was strong and fresh. I could feel myself smiling despite my nervousness about what we would be doing. I loved being out in the Scottish wilderness. Of course, this simple farmland was nothing in comparison to the wildness of the Scottish highlands. But it was still beautiful in its own humble way.

"We're here," I almost couldn't hear his voice over the wind roaring in my ears. I turned to face him and the car slowly reduced its speed. His eyes were focused intently ahead. Curious, I shifted myself forward in my seat and followed his gaze. Up ahead there was nothing but open road and fields, but I could see a sign post- still too far away to read. As we got closer the words stood out easily against the brown signpost: Busby Equestrian Centre.
Equine? Horses.
I snapped my head towards him and let the excitement show clearly on my face.
"Are we going riding?!"
"Do you like horses?" He asked, his eyes still on the road but he was smiling, and I could tell he was pleased at my response.
"I love them!"

And I truly did. Like most little girls, I dreamed endlessly of having my own horse. When I was eight my mum finally gave in and let me take riding lessons. But my new found glee was short lived. Back then my parents were paying for my dancing lessons, my theatre school and horse riding on top of it all, was just too much. My family were never rich. But they always tried to give me everything I wanted. After six weeks of riding, I had to give it up. My mum let me choose: Horses, dancing or theatre. One had to go. And like most stubborn, spoiled young girls- I cried, complained and all out refused. And I guess we all know how that choice ended.

So you could imagine how thrilled I was that Henry had chosen this as our date. My stomach squeezed excitedly as we pulled into the bustling farmyard. Oddly, the smells were my favourite: grass, hay, dandelions and of course horse.
"Have you ridden before?" Henry asked. It wasn't until I turned to face him, opening my eyes, that I realised I must have closed them to appreciate the scents.
"A little," I said casually, keeping my face neutral. I wanted to impress him, so I'd keep my horse riding lessons a secret for now.

Henry parked the car smoothly- in the oddly attractive way that men do- one hand on the wheel, the other on the back of my seat.
He shut off the engine quickly, and turned his body towards me.
"Are you ready?" His eyes were sparkling with excitement, holding mine invitingly. I was suddenly distracted by how handsome he was.
My body leaned into his instinctively, I wanted to touch him; kiss him.
Damn the horses.
My skin tingled in anticipation as his hands started to move towards me. But suddenly he stopped, his mouth turning up into amused smile. Undeterred, I shifted myself even closer to him, my body straining against the seatbelt. I was close enough that I could smell him. I should have been embarrassed that his scent made my knees feel considerably jelly like- but I simply wasn't.

"Lara..." his voice was soft, I could tell he was trying not to laugh. I pouted slightly, annoyed that he was speaking instead of kissing me. He laughed loudly then, breaking my lust filled trance slightly.
"There will be plenty of time for that later," he chided playfully.
I doubled the enthusiasm of my pout- I was mostly feigning disappointment now, but part of me wish he'd change his mind.
"Come on, let's go," he opened the car door and got out in one smooth movement. I hadn't even noticed that he'd taken off his seat belt.
I groaned loudly, but gave myself a firm shake.
Get a grip of yourself and stop acting like a hussy.

The stables here were immaculate.
Henry was given a rather large, energetic and handsome Friesian. Where I was given a smaller and much calmer Appaloosa. Fitting of my height and apparent lack of riding experience. Her name was Candy. She was beautiful, sweet natured and she barely flinched when I mounted her and settled into the saddle.

Our guide introduced herself as "Helen" and I couldn't help but notice the way her eyes focused mainly on Henry when she was speaking to us. Who could blame her though?
I quietly watched them both converse about horses and experience. Helen was clearly impressed by Henry's extensive Horsemanship, and to be honest, so was I.
"Do you mind if we take the trail alone this afternoon?" Henry asked her ever so politely. "I know this trek like the back of my hand and I could easily handle Lara's mare if she plays up." He turned and winked at me playfully. I simply raised my eyebrows as to say "oh will you now."

Helen looked a little disappointed at Henry's request but I could tell she would let him get his way. "I'm not supposed to... But... Since it's for you. I'll keep it our secret," she said flirtatiously, placing her hand gently on Henry's arm. A little too familiar for my liking. I felt myself grind my teeth rather than deciding upon the action.
"Will you be able to handle her alright on your own?" Helen finally turned to address me.
"I'll manage fine, thank you. You don't need to worry about me," I said nonchalantly, forcing a wide smile on my face.
"Very well! I'll leave you both to it! Henry, you have my number if you need anything while you're out there," she gave Henry another warm, special smile before she lead us out of the stables. A hot flash of jealously shot through me as I wondered why Henry had her number, all the while I was still smiling manically.

I couldn't help but compare myself to this Helen. She looked older than Henry, maybe late twenties- early thirties; blonde, slim, big brown eyes. Was she his type? I wondered as I watched her retreating form, her hips moving rather enticingly.
"How does Helen have your number?" I tried to ask casually, and failed.
He laughed loudly and looked at me pointedly.
"Are you jealous?" His voice teasing.
"No," I scoffed, sniffing slightly in embarrassment.
"Mmmhmm..." he mused, narrowing his eyes at me.
I set my eyes on my horses mane, pretending to be engrossed with stroking her- waiting for my blush to subside.
"I've been a member of this stable for years. Helen's always been the person I've contacted when I'm planning on paying a visit," he explained matter of factly, "Did you think we had some sort of romantic history?"
I shrugged, my eyes still set firmly on Candy's mane. "She is very pretty," I mumbled.
"Of course she is," he said, my head snapped up to look at him, "but she's not my type."

His head was slightly cocked, watching me carefully, probably enjoying my embarrassment.
"You're very cute when you're jealous," he said to me, his mouth pulling up in a crooked smile.
"I am not jealous," I said unconvincingly, feeling my blush intensify. I couldn't even look at him. I shouldn't have asked him about Helen. Now I just felt like a jealous girlfriend- which I was not.
"Sure," he chuckled.

I watched in my peripheral as he set his horse to walk, then stopped close beside me, causing Candy to jerk her head excitedly.
"Lara?" His voice was tender, all traces of teasing absent.
I peeked up at him shyly.
"You don't ever have to be jealous of other women," he told me- his voice quiet and serious, "None of them could ever compare to you. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
A rush of pure satisfaction flowed through me, warming my entire body. He was looking at me with such warmth and candour, it was impossible to doubt the sincerity of his words.
He leaned over in the saddle and very gently kissed the top of my head. I sighed happily, my eyes fluttering shut at his touch.
"Now let's go have some fun!" He said, pulling away from me and kicking his horse into a trot.
I watched in awe for a moment, as he moved gracefully up and down in the saddle, before urging my own horse after him.