Darque Wants (15 page)

“You know you’re the only person I’ve ever told,” she said, attempting to turn her palm in his.

Dustin dropped it, almost as if it had burnt him, stating, “I don’t believe that.”

She folded her arms and lent her shoulder against the stall wall. “You’re the only one, Geoffrey suspects something but he does not know, doesn’t need to know, his motives are enough not to have anyone trust him.”

“Yet you ride for him.” Dustin replied.

“Of that I am guilty, but I have my reasons for it.”

“Like?”

“It gives me the opportunity to see the circuit, meet new people, possibly find something better.”

“And you think that cheating others is going to put you in anyone’s good graces.”

“I don’t cheat, okay, It’s not cheating, it’s using skills I was given. I’m not going to pretend that I don’t have them, I do and I enjoy using them, it makes it easier on the horses who would otherwise have to settle with ineffective riders.”

“It’s cheating, you have a distinct advantage over the other riders.”

“No more so than you have with him,” she said pointing to Calico. “I may be able to guide them better, even get them to perform better, but I cannot make them like what they are doing, give it their all, when they have no interest in the first place.”

Dustin had no idea how to respond to that, mostly because he had no idea what the limitations her talent had, however he knew she’d used it on him, had made him lust for her to the point where he thought he would lose his mind if he did not have her.

“He’s so calm, for a stallion, so at ease with things, much like you. There is no stress, no discontent in him, he knows he’s in good hands.”

“Is that what you’re getting from him?” he asked, thankful she’d pulled him from his musings. “You pick that up from him?” Dustin asked, surprised, at the same time weary of her intentions.

“Yes. It’s nice to be in the company of one so calm, he’s so different from them.” When she spoke her head moved in the general direction of Geoffrey’s crowd. “The horses there, they’re all sad. It’s draining.”

“What is?”

“Him, them. It’s always the same routines, different riders. There is little peace little affection for the animals. It’s numbing at times, I don’t want to be numb, I want to feel alive, content, but alive, they way you make yours feel,”

Her tone lowered considerably as she added, “The way you made me feel.”

Dustin fought the desire to pull her close, all throughout the week he’d been aware of her, had spent enough of those evenings reminiscing their past, and enough mornings jacking himself off to preserve his sanity. He could not, not then, he could not allow himself to again lose focus, which was possibly what she and Geoffrey were bargaining on. So he thought to turn the tables on him.  

“If you’re not happy with Geoffrey, why stay? Why ride for him?”

“Because he made it possible for me to be here, besides he needs me.”

“Needs you, how?”

“He thinks I don’t know, that I’m naive, and I prefer it that way. But let’s just say his reputation has gotten the better of him, there are not as many clients willing to part with boatloads of cash in order for him to travel around the country parading their kids at various shows. Even his sponsors are threatening to pull out, if he doesn’t start performing better.”

“So, coming here to ensure your win tomorrow would go a long way in securing your terms with Geoffrey.”

She looked at him, shocked, “You cannot mean… that I would do something…”

“You have the incentive and the means.” Dustin said folding his arms, looking pointedly at her as he continued, “As likely as your story could be, Geoffrey has always found the clients, there are droves of them around, blinded by appearances. He has risen many times.”

“You should know that in this industry you get a rep, and that often it precedes you.”

“You should take note of that,” he deadpanned.

She seemed to brush it off, “And what should I do, quit? Go back to Vegas, to a two-bit job training little kids riding basics. That does not even cover my bills let alone allow me to purchase a horse or compete. To me this is an opportunity of a lifetime, it may not be the best, but it might land me a better job someplace.”

“The good ones don’t poach staff, and even less likely Geoffrey’s.  He uses people, if not to rake in the prizes, to keep his bed warm. And if rumors of the bets made this week are true, I’d say Geoffrey has the upper hand in this one. You won’t be making any worthwhile contacts here. Most of these guys will see you as trouble, the kind of trouble they don’t need on their ranches. And if you do find one, you can be sure they expect another kind of work from you. No, I’d say he has you right where he wants you.”

“No, he doesn’t.” she countered, “I told him I won’t be one of his sluts.”

“You haven’t” Dustin asked, not that the thought had crossed his mind, but since she mentioned it he could feel his anger rise, he did not like the possible meaning of it, or the sense of relief that flushed over him. He knew that it was something that needed deeper reflection, but at the same time was not something he could do in her presence – just as he couldn’t afford to lower his guard around her.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “My bringing on the youngsters keeps him at arms length, but I know he’ll push the issue if I don’t bring in the prizes, which is why I’m looking for something else.”

Dustin shook his head, “He may need you now, and you may think you’re in charge now, but He’ll do whatever he needs to, to keep you. He knows how to play dirty. And in a few months you’ll be old news, and when you have served your purpose he will drop you in some two-bit town and continue without you.

“How do you know that?”

“Because he’s done it before.”

Marcella remained silent for several moments, “Why are you telling me this? I’m your strongest opposition tomorrow. Why warn me of something like this”

“Because nobody deserves what that man dishes out once he’s finished with someone. For now you’re his sweetheart, the one that increases the value of his horses, because you’re winning. He’s gotten several queries on the horses your riding, he’s not talking prices, because he knows that if you do well tomorrow, he can push all their prices. But if you tank tomorrow, he’s gonna make you feel utterly incompetent.”

“You speak as if it’s a given, that you will win tomorrow.”

“Win or lose, you should go home, and not look back.”

“And why should I do that?” She angrily demanded.

“Because if you up and leave, it will be on your terms. And you would have proven something far more important to everyone else- that you don’t need him, that you won’t stand for his tricks. Your prizes and achievements will also mean, more because you left a winner and people who know him will respect you for it. Where with him, you will just be a very good puppet that keeps his show running.”

“I already feel like that.”

“If he sells those horses tomorrow, take your cut and go home. I promise you within a week someone will go looking for you. You’ll have a much better shot.”

“Yeah they might, but it won’t be the one I want.”

“We don’t always get what we want, and there’s good reason for that, it keeps us pushing for more.”

Marcella moved to lean against the wall, remaining silent for several moments before she spoke. “Okay, I’ll make this fair on both of us, we’ll make a side wager.” Dustin made to object but she silenced him by lifting her hand, continuing “No money, no earthly goods no horses.” The way she said that got him concerned. “If I win tomorrow, you spend the night, with me.” She flatly stated.

“I would have thought that would be the man’s side of the bet,” he countered, not liking the way his body responded to her challenge, or the way his mind leapt to images, reminding him of how good it was between them.  “And if I win?” he finally challenged,

“Name your stakes.” She challenged, “I know you well enough to know an evening with me would not be enough of an incentive no to blow it tomorrow.”

He fought against the response to the word blow, his mind conjuring up images of her lips around his cock.

“But it must be something that will entice you to win.” she stressed.

“I’ve got eight thousand reasons not to blow it, you really think I need another?” he countered, uncertain whether he should engage in another bet, although the stakes were not as high for him, this time, he could happily fuck the night away with her, get her out of his system.

“True,” she challenged him, “…but that’s not stakes here.”

“Fine.” he said, her challenge had again triggered his defiant nature, just as the challenges she’d set him last time; to see how long or how hard he could fuck her. “…if I win, you quit his team and go home.”

She appeared to think it over. And while he knew the stakes were high for her, he was willing enough to back out of the whole thing, actually hoping she would. The temptation was too great and he had no idea if Geoffrey was in any way behind it, but if the man was, then she would back out.

She finally nodded and stuck out her hand, “It’s a deal.”

He hesitantly took it, “You certain?” he asked, while a thousand tingles again ran up his arm, the hairs on his arm standing at attention, he touch has always done that.  

“Oh, I’m gonna kick your ass tomorrow. And then I’m gonna ride you like an express pony.” She said stepping away from him, “I’d better get my beauty rest, and some extra sleep, I’m gonna be needing it tomorrow night.”

He watched the doorway for several moments after she’d left, before looking at his horse that was patiently munching on his hay. The familiar crunching sound soothed Dustin some as he spoke, “Well Calico, what did I get us into this time?” He asked as he lowered himself to the ground. “She’s a piece of work, that one.”

The horse just snorted.

He left the stall some time later, only to spend the remainder of the evening brooding over their bet, how she seemed so certain she’d win, and if she did what it would mean for him. It’s not that he had any problem with her, or doing her, it was the fact that their roles were reversed. Everything seemed upside down.   

The following morning, the first thing Dustin did was to check his horse, all over. However Calico appeared unchanged. He ate at the same speed. Moved the same way. His color and temperature were unchanged, and Dustin took longer than usual to groom him. Darkened his hooves and banded his main. Part of him brooded over the possibility tat they could falter, could misstep and throw the class, and that she could win.  Yet, every time he thought of the horse she rode, his mind rejected the possibility. He fought to remain focus, to push their bet to the back of his mind, for no matter which way it went he was unlikely to lose, well anything other than the prize money.  

There were six finalists, who were to enter the arena in reverse order. Which meant that he – the highest qualifier – rode last, by which time the cattle would likely be tired. They’re were three phases to the ranch horse finals, the first was the dry run or reining pattern, followed by the steer run and then finally the cutting. Although his horse was a master at gutting and working cows, the loops and spins of the reining course often unsettled the stallion, who preferred cow work. 

He warmed up his horse, keeping well clear of the others. She was there, he could sense her, and if he looked about he would see her, although he didn’t have to, to know where she was. One only had to listen to the boastful Geoffrey, who was prancing around like a proud peacock, voicing loud proclamations of her brilliance, to know where she was. For a moment he wondered if she took exception to it, but then let the thought slide.

The suspense was high since unlike the other competitions their scores were not announced at the end of a run, neither their rankings, which lead to great speculation from everyone.

Dustin watched as the cattle were moved into the arena, and some time later brought out again. Saw her go in and several long minutes later come out, her sorrel blowing hard.

He was tempted to ask her how her run had gone, but did not think he could stomach the answer, since from the horse’s appearance, she’d pushed him hard, possibly using every trick she knew, since even she seemed exhausted.  

As he entered the arena, Gareth called, “Everyone else cut two.”

Dustin looked at the size of the arena and understood why. It was a full size to allow for the pattern work, which made it harder to box a cow.

He started the reining pattern, working through the various loops and circles. Felt his horse hesitate, for a split second on the one spin. It had never been his strong point, although he executed and them well enough. He proceeded with the leg changes. The one was too soon and he reminded himself to calm down, before he mucked it up completely.

Calico ran full tilt, before hitting the breaks in a spectacular sliding stop that ended slightly off center, sending the dirt flying and hiding them momentarily in a cloud of dust. He counted to five before cueing the horse to move on again, into a steady lope. Dustin had a good idea as to what their score could be when they came to a halt for the final backup.

The judges would have noticed the previous slips, and that they would not be as lenient on him as them as they would be with a lesser experienced pair.