Horsfall 2: Taste Test

I have a little teaser to share with you guys, an unedited excerpt from a story that I’m currently working on. No release information yet, but I’ll keep everyone posted.

Horsfall 2: Taste Test

What started out as a regular job assignment quickly escalated into something more for Oliver Philip when he met twin Shire horse shapeshifters, Bayard and Marshall Stoddard. The past few months have been filled with love and laughter, but stormclouds are gathering on the horizon. The three choose to take every opportunity to cement their growing bond, like an afternoon picnic that turns into a taste test of a different sort when Bay and Marsh show Oliver the delights of Horsfall Ranch.

Excerpt:

The ranch buildings were sprawled out before him, down a small hill, with the rolling foothills behind them. There were horses in the near pastures, and he could make out some activity going on near the main barn.

In the far distance, the Rocky Mountains marched in a row, standing out against the blue sky. He loved this place. Every time he came out here it felt a little like coming home.

Two figures stepped out of the main barn, stopping to watch Oliver pull up.

They both towered over Oliver by at least half a foot, wide in the shoulders and slim in the hips. Tanned and devastatingly handsome. The man on the right was wearing a black cowboy hat slanted low on his forehead, and his muscular frame was encased in dusty blue jeans and a worn green plaid shirt that was strained across a colossal chest. The man on the left had on a pair of faded denim so tight it was a miracle he was able to walk in them, with a red checked shirt over top. His long black hair was tied back in a braid and his face was creased in a wide smile hinting at something wicked.

Oliver licked his lips in appreciation. Damn, he loved coming here.

“Hey, baby.” Marsh stepped forward, that gorgeous smile getting even bigger.

With a happy little moan, Oliver sank into Marsh’s welcoming arms, squeezing the big bruiser tightly. He smelled like horses, but with an underlying spice that made Oliver want to just sink in and hold on. Nuzzling his cheek against Marsh’s chest, Oliver held out one hand, reaching for Bay. He ran his free hand over Marsh’s braid, loving the feel of his thick hair.

A chuckle rolled over him, Bay stepping up and running one considerable hand over Oliver’s back. “You look content where you are.”

“My back’s cold.” Oliver twitched his lips, trying to hide his grin.

“Well, we don’t want that,” Bay said, dryly.

Twisting away from Marsh, Oliver threw himself into Bay’s arms, laughing when Bay hitched him up, completely off his feet.

“Thought you were cold,” Bay murmured, his face shadowed by his black cowboy hat.

“I’ll risk it. So, you guys both have the afternoon free?” Oliver wiggled, pushing back against Bay’s shoulders.

Bay set him back on his feet, letting him go. “As it happens, we have a pretty nice boss.”

“Hey, me too. Fancy that.” Oliver rolled his eyes. “Are you sure you can spare it. I don’t want to bother the ranch if you have things that need to be done.”

“Nah, it’s a slow day anyway. Ed’s taken a few of the boys down to Montana and the horses have all been taken care of. We’re good. In fact, Bay and I put our heads together and came up with a great idea for how we should spend the day.” Marsh tipped his head toward the open door of the barn.

Stepping forward, curious, Oliver noticed they had three mammoth Shire horses saddled up. Okay, he wasn’t sure about this. “Ummm, what did you have planned?”

“We thought we’d take you out on the ranch, have a little picnic. You eaten yet?”

“Just breakfast. I figured I’d grab something here if you guys had already eaten.” He couldn’t stop staring at the big beasts. The horses, not his men.

“You look a little unsure.” Bay ran his palm over Oliver’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“They’re just so gigantic. I mean… I don’t know if I can ride something that big.”

“You had no problems with it last night.” Marsh’s words were filled with heat, making Oliver blush.

“Hey, that’s… okay, seriously, that’s different.” Reaching out, he ran his fingers over the bulge in Marshall’s jeans. “I had this to anchor me.”

“Oh, that’s how you’re going to play?” Marsh moaned, leaning down and licking a wet path up Oliver’s neck.

Written by Jade Buchanan

Jade Buchanan is currently trying to find balance between work, writing and grad school, which makes for some interesting conversations over the dinner table. Her writing is as eclectic as her reading tastes, with over twenty gay and bisexual novella's currently published, and she has been known to accept writing challenges from friends and family just to see their reactions. Jade lives in Calgary, Alberta, where she’s hard at work on her next story.
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