Poppy walked into the room. “It’s time to go and hear what Jasim has to say. Are you coming?”
Bela hopped onto the bed and Ru stood up. “I’ll just put my boots on.”
When he got outside, all the grooms and stable hands were there, not just from Benning Park, but those who were currently staying there until the match. Ru stood at the back of the group.
“Hello everyone,” Paolo said. “Most of you will know that Mike and Kirstie were dismissed today. Apart from trying to blame someone for something they didn’t do, bullying will not be tolerated here. Physical assault is unacceptable. Diego will be the new head groom. We’re looking to replace Mike and Kirstie from the waiting list so until we have new people in, you’re going to have to share the load. Ru will take over from Mike at the game and be in charge of Jasim’s ponies. Poppy will help him. Kirstie didn’t take an active role in the game so we can cope without her. Now I’ll hand you over to Jasim who has something he wants to tell you.”
Paolo stepped back and Jasim moved forward. “Thank you, Diego, for agreeing to take over as head groom. I’m sure you’ll do an excellent job.”
Diego nodded, looking pleased.
Jasim caught Ru’s eye and Ru looked down. “When Mike was dismissed, he made a threat and I’m going to tell you what he intended to reveal about me. I’m gay. And I’m in a relationship with Ru.”
For a long moment, Ru thought he’d added that last part himself in his head, but when Poppy nudged him and widened her eyes, and others turned to look at him, he realised he hadn’t. Jasim had said it. Ru gulped.
“That does not mean I won’t be on his back any less than I will be on any of yours,” Jasim said.
Rodrigo was the first one to laugh, Poppy’s snort followed and then Ru joined in. Jasim froze for a moment, then he laughed too. “Assume I’ve rephrased that.”
“I’m gay too,” Seb said and was instantly hugged by his friends.
What?Ru was shocked. He turned to look at Jasim to find Jasim staring at him.
“Right. Finish your work and you can use the pool until eight.”
Everyone moved away to leave Ru and Jasim on their own. Ru could barely breathe. Jasim held out his hand and Ru walked towards him. When Jasim wrapped his arms around him, Ru finally took a breath.
“So you’re going to be on my back?” Ru whispered.
“Would you like that?”
Ru nodded.
“The house is too full of people. Pool house at ten. Okay?”
“Have you told everyone?”
Jasim laughed. “About the pool house? No.” He let Ru go. “You and I are together. Everyone here knows.”
And finally, the hope inside Ru blossomed into a brightly coloured flower.
By the time ten o’ clock came round, Ru was almost levitating with excitement. He’d been up to the pool to watch the others but not gone in the water. It might have been his imagination, but he thought everyone seemed more relaxed now that Mike had gone. Ru definitely was. Seb had come over to talk to him and confessed that he’d not come out to the others as gay because Mike was such an arsehole. Apparently, Mike’s brother was gay and had been thrown out by Mike’s parents. Seb said that Mike blamed his brother for wrecking the family.
Had that been it? The reason for Mike’s behaviour? It was probably a lot more complicated than that, but Mike was no longer Ru’s problem. Ru wished he’d known sooner about Seb because he could have asked him stuff. Possibly. Assuming he’d been able to pluck up the courage.
Most people went straight to bed when they got back. Ru had made time to shower and shave, and tried to prep himself the best he could with his fingers and Vaseline. He’d started to look online about what to do and it had freaked him out, so he’d stopped looking. If he’d been able, he’d have cycled to town and bought lube and something to stretch himself.
Well, no, that hadn’t been going to happen. No way could Ru have walked into a sex shop, assuming there was one in Dorchester, and browsed the selection of dildos. Maybe he should have ordered something online, but it was too late now. He wasn’t worried about Jasim hurting him, but it was going to hurt. How could it not?Oh God.He trusted Jasim, but he was still anxious.
Ru crept out of his room with his heart pounding and headed for the pool house. There was no one in the water, but the glass doors to the main house were open and he could hear people chatting. Ru moved silently around the edge of the water and the moment he slid into the pool house, he knew Jasim was there.
“Lock it,” Jasim said.
Ru turned the key and swivelled round to find himself in Jasim’s arms, pressed up against the door with Jasim hard against him, being kissed and kissed.
“Please,” Ru heard himself say over and over when Jasim’s mouth was not on his lips. “Please, please, please.”
He couldn’t articulate what he wanted, but he needed more now.Now!Jasim took his hand and tugged him up the stairs. The light was already on but dim, and the bed was there, and this was it, it was going to happen, and Ru wasn’t going to take no for an answer. His heart already lay there on the bed, waiting for Jasim’s to join it. Jasim lifted Ru’s hand and kissed his fingers one by one, sucking the tips as he stared into Ru’s eyes.
