Page 39 of Trussed In Hope
“I enjoy seeing the world in motion,” she whispered back, voice soft and teasing. “And watching you try to keep up? Priceless.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Don’t tempt me. You might regret how competitive I can get.”
“Maybe I want you to be competitive,” she countered, leaning just slightly closer, our shoulders brushing.
The evening closed with more laughter, some storytelling, and an unmistakable warmth that came from being surrounded by people who cared—not just about the holiday, but about each other.
As we cleared the table, Raya wrapped me in a tight hug. “I’m glad you’re here, Hardison. And you too, Emberlynn. This is exactly how Christmas should feel—full, messy, and perfect all at once.”
I glanced at Emberlynn, and she grinned back. “I couldn’t agree more,” she said.
The house was settling into quiet after dinner, the hum of conversation and laughter fading into soft murmurs and the occasional clink of a dish being put away. Emberlynn and I exchanged a glance across the room, unspoken agreement passing between us.
“We’re going for a walk,” I said casually, loud enough for Raya and Tia to hear. “Get some fresh air before the night gets too cold.”
Emberlynn raised a brow, matching my smirk. “Walk? That’s what we’re calling it?”
“Walk,” I said, grabbing my jacket. “Just a little night stroll.” I reassured her before motioning for her to follow me outside.
The cold hit as soon as we stepped into the night air. The crisp breeze carried the scent of pine and Christmas Day. Diesel shifted in his stall as we approached, nostrils flaring at our presence. I ran my hand down his neck, checking the saddle and bridle one more time after I put it on him.
“You ready?” I asked Emberlynn, letting her peek at the horse.
She nodded, a thrill in her eyes I couldn’t resist. “I trust you,” she whispered, and the words made my chest tighten.
I lifted her carefully into the saddle, steadying her as she settled onto Diesel’s back. Her hands brushed mine as she adjusted herself, and an electric charge slid straight through me. “Good,” I murmured. “That’s what this is about—trust. You’re going to follow my lead. Listen, feel, respond. Understand?”
“Yes,” she breathed, her voice almost lost in the night.
I swung up behind her, my body close enough to feel the heat radiating off her. Diesel shifted, hooves crunching softly against the gravel path. “Good girl,” I murmured in her ear. The closeness, the tension, the control—it was all part of this dance we were building.
We moved into the fields, the moon casting silver shadows over the pasture. The air was sharp but clean, and the quiet night seemed to stretch around us like a protective cocoon. Emberlynn’s hands found the reins with careful trust, and I guided her subtly, letting Diesel carry us at a steady pace.
“How did you enjoy your Christmas?” she asked, voice low, leaning slightly against me as we trotted.
“Good, the best one I’ve had in forever. I got exactly what I wanted,” I said softly, hand brushing along hers—not quite touching, just enough to remind her who led, who protected, who guided. “Now, all I have to do is show you how to enjoy being treated the way you deserve.”
Her breath hitched, a subtle shiver running through her. “You make it sound… easy.”
“Easy isn’t the point,” I murmured. “Trust is.” I tilted her body slightly with mine as we slowed, pressing her just enough to remind her of the power I held—but only with her consent, only with her trust.
We stopped in a small clearing, moonlight filtering through the trees. The night felt alive, like it had been waiting for us. Diesel shifted, sensing the tension, and I leaned close, our breaths mingling.
“You’re safe,” I whispered, hands grazing hers again, fingers brushing the inside of her wrist, testing, grounding. “With me.”
She let out a soft laugh, almost a sigh, and tilted her head back. “I know. I feel it.”
One thing led to another—the closeness, the moon, the warmth between us—and soon we were exploring more than trust. The night swallowed us, Diesel standing patiently nearby as our hands and bodies found each other. Every touch, every moan, every movement was a lesson in giving and taking control, in surrendering while remaining fully present. I madelove to her under the stars, filling her with me until she whimpered and fell apart in my arms.
By the time the stars burned low overhead, we were both trembling with exhilaration, bodies entwined and minds sharper, bound tighter by trust than by anything else. I lowered Emberlynn gently back into the saddle, fingers lingering on her jaw, her hair, the nape of her neck.
“Lesson learned?” I asked quietly, leaning close, the world narrowing to just us and Diesel.
“Yes,” she whispered. “And I think I’m ready for the next one.”
The ride back was slow, hands occasionally brushing, eyes locking in ways that said more than words ever could. By the time we returned to the house, hearts pounding and cheeks flushed, the night had claimed us—and left us utterly, completely together.
HARDISON
