Jasim was trying hard not to stare at Ru’s face, instead he was staring at his fingers and listening to his voice, except that was hardly any less compelling. “I can see you do.”
“Horses like the tang of toothpaste. It helps them salivate and makes them more responsive to the bit. Though I’m in two minds about bits.” Ru put the bridle back together so fast that Jasim was impressed.
“I thought you needed my help with that.”
“Not really. I’ve been doing them all day.” Ru set that bridle bundle aside and picked up another.
“Is everyone being okay with you?”
Ru kept his gaze down. “Uh huh.”
So they’re not?
“They’re shocked I know so little about polo. I read a lot online, but I know it’s not the same as being involved. They’re wondering why you gave me this job.”
“What did you tell them?”
“Because you knew I needed one and that you’re kind.”
“No one’s going to believe that.”
Ru widened his eyes. “They’re not?”
“We have a lot of people applying to work here and I’m not known for my kindness.”
“Then they don’t know you very well,” Ru said indignantly.
Oh God.“Maybe you’re teaching me how to be kind.” Could that actually be true?
“I’m not sure I could teach anyone anything.”
“I think I’ve got the hang of cleaning a bridle now.”
Ru chuckled and Jasim felt as if Ru had slid his hand into his trousers and caressed his cock.
“I wish I could watch you playing polo,” Ru whispered.
“My team will be here tomorrow. Everyone who’s not working will be watching.”
Ru’s face lit up.
“Let me show you how it works.” Jasim used reins to lay out a polo field. “Imagine this is the area of play.” He put a strip of leather down the middle. “The halfway line, just like in football. Each team has four riders. No goalie. There are two mounted umpires and one referee. When a goal is scored or it’s the end of the period of play, the chukka, the direction of play changes, that’s so each team has an opportunity to start off with the ball on their right side. You can only play right-handed.”
“I’m right-handed.”
“That’s a good start.” Jasim shot him a smile. “So either end are goalposts. They’re tall, collapse upon impact, and there’s no crossbar ornet. Too dangerous otherwise.”
“Does it matter how high you hit the ball?”
“Not as long as it goes through the posts or where the posts would be. We use a wooden mallet, but hit the ball with the sides, not the ends.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Full game rules have seven or eight chukkas, depending where it’s played but only four or six in club play. Each chukka lasts seven to seven and half minutes and we change ponies after each chukka, usually. Slide from the back of one to the other without dismounting.”
“Is the time period short because it’s hard on the ponies?”
Jasim nodded. “It’s a dangerous game for them and us. The balls can travel up to 100 miles per hour, riders swing the mallets haphazardly, and the horses bump and run at top speed with riders leaning from their saddles.”
