Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

approached the farm.
    "I know, but you love me." He kept up the harmless flirting until they pulled into the driveway and up to the barn. Jasper pulled out the hated wheelchair, and Preston maneuvered himself into it. "I'll be so happy when I can burn this thing," he grumbled as he wheeled himself away from the car and through the packed snow into the barn.
    Huge, majestic heads peeked out of stalls and watched as he glided down the aisle and then out through the passage into the indoor riding arena. He saw Joey and Stable Boy. He suppressed the thought--Stone, his name was Stone. "Hey, guys." He put on his best smile and wheeled himself over to where they were standing. "Are you ready for me?"
    He saw Stone nod his head to Joey and then walk back toward the barn. "Sorry." Joey got closer. "We got a little behind, but Stone will be right back with Belle."

    Preston's first instinct was impatience, and he worked to push it away. It probably wasn't their fault, and it wasn't as though he had some pressing appointment, so he sat back and relaxed.
    "No problem." He smiled up at Joey and watched as the person in the ring finished up his ride.
"Who is that?" The man looked like he'd spent his whole life on a horse.
Joey smiled. "That's Eli. He and Geoff own the farm."
Preston let his attention focus on the handsome man and the sleek black horse he was riding.
    The man was beautiful, and Preston watched his lithe form maneuver the horse with masterful precision. "It looks like they were made for each other," Preston commented, as a jolt of desire shot through him.
    "He won't let anyone but Geoff or Eli ride him." Joey turned to look at him. "Thunder's a stallion and tends to be a little aggressive. Most farms only use them for breeding, but that horse would do anything for them. I think he's grateful he's still got all his bits." Joey laughed and Preston joined in as Eli pulled the horse to a stop and dismounted, leading him out of the ring and waving as he disappeared into the passage.
    The younger man appeared leading Belle, the horse Preston had ridden the last time, slowly walking her to the base of the ramp. "We're going to try a little more activity this time. I want you to use your legs as much as you can. I know you can grip the horse but can't stand yet, and that's fine. We'll ride a little longer today, and if you're comfortable, you can even steer," Joey instructed.
    "You mean like really ride?" Preston wheeled himself up the ramp with Joey following.
"Sure, that's the whole idea. Teach you to ride. It takes longer because of your legs, but you can learn if you're patient and willing to spend the time."
    With Joey's help, Preston shifted himself onto the horse, and after getting help putting his feet in the stirrups, Stone led the horse on their slow walk around the ring. Preston kept his legs tightened around the horse, and he could feel the animal's power beneath him. "Could we please go a little faster?" Preston made a point of asking nicely.
    Stone turned and looked up at him. "You'll have to ask Joey. I'm just the stable boy, remember?" The kid looked so hurt, and Preston looked, really looked at him for the first time.
    His hair was long and wavy, flopping into his big expressive eyes. The kid was attractive, and that vulnerable look he had made him even cuter. "I'm sorry about that. I should never have called you that." Preston kept watching Stone as they continued around the ring. "Yeah, okay." Stone turned around and Preston felt let down, like he wanted Stone looking at him.
    "I mean it. I should never have treated you that way. Here you're trying to help me walk again, and I acted like an ass." It was suddenly important that Stone forgive him. Maybe it was because he had the face of an angel, but Stone's opinion of him suddenly mattered.
    "Thanks." Stone looked at him again, and he felt a funny fluttering in his stomach and an urge to do anything he could think of to keep that gaze on him. "I shouldn't have said what I said, either." Stone's eyes flashed up at him for a few seconds and then returned to the task at hand. He also started walking faster.
    Stone turned around again. "Let your body move with the horse. Use your legs to keep yourself steady and let your body flow with her movement." Preston followed Stone's advice, and the ride became much easier and a great deal more pleasant.

    "That's it," he heard Joey call from the other side of the ring. "You're doing great." They continued walking,