Page 55 of Innocence Tamed
“First, the saddle pad,” he instructed, showing me how to position it properly onÉtoile’s back. “Then the saddle itself. Gently—we don’t want to startle her.”
I helped as best I could, following Pierre’s directions carefully. He showed me how to secure the girth, explaining the importance of checking it was neither too tight nor too loose.
“And finally, the bridle,” he said, removingÉtoile’s halter and skillfully slipping the bit into her mouth before securing the headpiece. “There. She’s ready.”
I stepped back to admire our work, feeling oddly proud of having helped prepare the horse. “When do I get to ride her?”
Pierre’s smile changed then, becoming something more predatory that sent a shiver down my spine. “Very soon. But first, I need you to take off your dress.”
I blinked, certain I’d misheard him. “I’m sorry?”
“Take off your dress, Audrey.” His voice remained calm, matter-of-fact, as if he’d asked me to hand him a brush. “You’ll be ridingÉtoilewith nothing between you and her but the saddle.”
My face flushed hot with instant humiliation. “Here? But… anyone could walk in!”
“That’s the point,” Pierre replied, his voice taking on that silky, dangerous quality that always made my insides quiver. “Etiennemight come to check on the horses. Or perhaps Aimee will bring us refreshments. Or maybe a neighbor will ride by.” He stepped closer, his gaze intense. “Did you forget what you consented to last night?”
The memory flooded back with terrible clarity—my desperate agreement to be disciplined and used in front of the Duboises, spoken in the throes of overwhelming need. I hadn’t truly believed Pierre would follow through. Even with what he’d done that morning, I realized I’d kept telling myself it was just bedroom talk, the kind of fantasy people entertained in the heat of passion but never actually enacted.
“I didn’t think you meantthis,” I whispered, my voice barely audible above the soft sounds ofÉtoileshifting in her restraints.
“I always mean what I say,ma petite,” Pierre replied, reaching out to trace my cheek with his fingertip. “And you agreed. Now, the dress.”
My hands shook as I reached for the hem of my sundress. The stable door was partly open, allowing sunlight to stream in through the gap. Anyone walking by could glance in and see me. The thought made my heart race with fear, but beneath that fear lurked something else—a shameful excitement I couldn’t deny.
Slowly, I lifted the dress over my head, feeling the cool air of the stable caress my naked skin. Pierre took the garment from my hands and folded it carefully, placing it on a nearby bench. His eyes traveled over my body with undisguised appreciation.
“Beautiful,” he murmured. “Now come here and let me help you mount.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to preserve some modesty as I approachedÉtoile’s side. The mare turned her headslightly, regarding me with what seemed like curiosity. I felt absurdly self-conscious under the horse’s gaze, as if the animal somehow understood my humiliation.
Pierre positioned himself besideÉtoile, his hands forming a step for my foot. “Left foot here,” he instructed. “Then swing your right leg over.”
With Pierre’s assistance, I managed to clamber awkwardly onto the saddle. The leather felt cool and smooth against my bare bottom and inner thighs, the sensation both alien and oddly sensual. I gasped as I settled into position, acutely aware of my nakedness astride this magnificent animal.
“Sit up straight,” Pierre commanded, adjusting my posture with firm hands on my lower back. “Shoulders back, chin up. A proper rider maintains good posture at all times.”
I complied, fighting the urge to hunch forward and hide myself. The position thrust my small breasts forward, making them even more visible. Pierre nodded approvingly, then gatheredÉtoile’s reins and handed them to me.
“Hold them like this,” he demonstrated. “Not too tight, not too loose. Good.”
With that, he untiedÉtoilefrom the post and began to lead her toward the stable doors, the mare moving docilely at his guidance. I clutched the reins tightly, terror seizing me as I realized he meant to take me outside—naked, exposed to anyone who might be in the vicinity.
“Pierre, please,” I whispered desperately. “Not outside. I can’t.”
He stopped, looking up at me with those penetrating hazel eyes. “You can,” he said simply. “And you will. Remember what wediscussed about the nature of submission, Audrey? About how your body knows what it needs even when your mind resists?”
I bit my lip, unable to deny the truth of his words or the wetness gathering between my legs despite my mortification. The leather saddle beneath me was already becoming slick with my arousal, the evidence of my shameful excitement impossible to hide.
“Trust me,” Pierre added, his voice softening slightly. “I won’t let any harm come to you.”
With that reassurance—small as it was—I nodded minutely. Pierre smiled and continued leadingÉtoileforward, out into the brilliant sunshine of the early afternoon.
CHAPTER 27
Audrey
The paddock adjacent to the stables was enclosed by a white fence, the grass within lush and green. As Pierre led me andÉtoilethrough the gate, I glanced frantically around, searching for any sign of the Duboises or other observers. The grounds appeared empty, but the terrace where we’d had lunch was clearly visible from our position. Anyone standing there would have an unobstructed view of my naked form astride the horse.
