“Why are you here?” Chad knew his voice was rougher than it needed to be, but he was still pissed aboutwhat had happened. He had been humiliated in front of the town because this guy didn’t know how to ride a damn horse.
“Why?” Chocolate brown eyes widened. “Why wouldn’t I be here? I feel so terrible about what happened! I can’t believe how badly Fluffy misbehaved. It was atrocious.”
“Fluffy?” Chad raised an eyebrow and let his gaze sweep over the man standing inches from him. He was cute. Lithe. Shorter than Chad, probably by about six inches. He had changed from his prince costume into a teal T-shirt and a pair of indigo skinny jeans. His dark hair was parted to the side and cut closeto the scalp. Those brown eyes were studying Chad and, despite his condition, he was surprised to feel his cock twitch.
“Fluffy is my brother’s horse.”
“Adorable name, but doesn’t quite match its behavior,” Chad pointed out.
“Not today. I’ll agree with you on that.”
“What’s your name? I can’t keep thinking of you as ‘Puppet-Guy’ or ‘Brown-Eyes,’” Chad said, not completely conscious of his words.
“Jeff. Jeff Garner,” he answered, another soft blush spreading across his face.
For a moment, Chad found himself wondering what Jeff would look like naked and aroused, under him. Would that flush spread everywhere?
His cock hardened and he averted his eyes, focusing on the hideous artwork hanging on the wall over the single green chair a few feet away. He wasn’t sure, but he thought it depicted an elephant…but if he tilted his head, it might have shown a swing set. He’d never really understood that kind of art. He gave up and returned his attention to Jeff, who quietly stood next to the bed. Chad’s breath caught in his throat at the look in his eyes.
Desire? Lust? Pupils so big, Chad could hardly see the chocolate brown around them. He wore a little eyeliner that made them pop. Normally Chad didn’t go for men with eyeliner. But, fuck, this guy…
But he’s the reason I’m here.
And just like that, he was pissed again.
Chad’s breath came out in a whoosh and he tore away his gaze. “Well, Jeff,” he began, drawing out the man’s name, “you’ve seen me. Found me still alive. Nice to meet you.” He gestured to the door in a dismissive wave.
Jeff stepped back and tried to smile. “I really am so sorry for what happened.”
He waited for Jeff to leave, and when he didn’t, he sighed. The guy obviously wanted to talk. “You said the horse belonged to your brother. So, I assume you’ve ridden him before. Why the hell was he freaking out so badly?” Chad glared at the cute guy still brave enough to be standing within arm’s reach. Having grown up around animals on his grandparent’s farm, Chad had a huge disdain for anyone who mistreated them. If he found out this guy did something to scare or hurt that horse, he would punish Jeff himself.
Jeff carded his fingers through his short hair and chewed his lower lip, and damned if Chad’s dick didn’t stand up again and take notice. What the hell was wrong with him? This guy wasn’t even his type.
“I’ve been trying to figure it out. I simply don’t know.” He shrugged. “I’ve ridden him for years. He’s boarded at the Apple Grove Stables and my brother and I ride him as often as possible. He’s a great horse. Never had any issues.” His gaze flew to Chad’s in desperation. “For God’s sake, he’s so gentle, the trainers use him with their youngest kids!”
Hmm, okay, so this wasn’t usual behavior. Chad cocked his head. “He was acting fine before?”
Jeff nodded, pacing. “Yeah. This isn’t even the first time he’s been in the parade. I’ve ridden him the last few years, too.”
So this was some weird fluke. Chad rolled that around in his head for a bit. “Do you think something stung him?”
Jeff stopped moving and stared at him as he clapped his hand across his forehead. “Oh, my God, that’s it! I saw a bee near the float in front of us and I worried about having Fluffy around it. He freaks out when he gets stung. But I thought I got rid of it, and anyway, that had been at the beginning of the parade. I thought we were in the clear.”
Chad nodded his understanding. “I grew up around horses. Makes sense. But, still…he really freaked out, didn’t he, Brown-Eyes?”
Jeff blushed again, and this time, Chad realized what he had said. But his pain meds had kicked in, and instead of feeling embarrassed, he grinned. God, Jeff was cute.