Page 271 - Demo

271mate him with one of his mares. She knew Mark well. They had gone to the same school, and he had tried, unsuccessfully, to try and date her. He had taken over the main running of his parents horse-breeding business, enabling them to retire.It took her about half-an-hour to saddle up Henry. She had skipped breakfast as she was already running late. Mark%u2019s business was close and she arrived in good time, just ten minutes late. Mark greeted her with a warm hug and said, %u201cIt%u2019s lovely to see you, again, Hazel. You are looking as beautiful and as desirable as ever.%u201dShe knew Mark could be overly forward and had expected a more suggestive greeting, but so far, he had exercised restraint.%u201cThank you, kind sir. And how are you managing now you have taken the business over?%u201d she said.%u201cTo be honest, I find it a lot more work than I had anticipated. I hadn%u2019t realised of course, both mum and dad worked at it, so I%u2019m doing the work of two of them.%u201d%u201cBut you%u2019re coping?%u201d she asked.%u201cYes. But I could do with a wife to help me manage. I%u2019m not getting much free time to find someone to date. And besides, I only have eyes for you, Hazel,%u201d he said with a smile.%u201cYes, I know you do. And I%u2019m flattered. But, sadly for your desire, I%u2019m not looking for a mate for me, just for Henry,%u201d she replied.%u201cI know this is inappropriate, but I often wondered, you know, if you%u2019re gay?%u201d he said.%u201cYou and half the village,%u201d she said, shaking her head. %u201cNo, it%u2019s not that. I%u2019ve never wanted the responsibility or the emotional issues of being with someone else.%u201d%u201cDon%u2019t you miss sexual encounters?%u201d He asked, now being the outright, blunt Mark, she knew him to be.%u201cYou don%u2019t miss what you%u2019ve never had,%u201d she told him.He was surprised. %u201cMy god. You%u2019re a virgin? I hadn%u2019t realised.%u201dHazel wasn%u2019t ashamed. She simply smiled and said, %u201cMe and the mother of Christ.%u201d%u201cWell, if you ever fancy finding out what joy it is to have sex with someone else instead of your finger, I%u2019m happy to help,%u201d he replied, The Equestrian