Page 56 of Mister Stark

“What? No way.” I grumbled as I shook my head and waved my hands in front of me.

“I’ll teach you how to ride.” Daxon offered as he held out his hand and offered to help me on the horse. “I won’t bite. I’ll even let you sit at the front.”

I just shook my head repeatedly. “This is a bad idea.”

“We need to get this picture for Dylan. What choice do you have?” Daxon urged as he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the horse. “Come on, daddy’s orders.”

Daxon meant business and hoisted me up onto the horse’s saddle in one swift motion. He lifted me like I was a feather and I gasped at his strength. I sat on top of the white creature and held on tight. I was frightened I’d fall, but Daxon hoisted himself up behind me and wrapped his powerful arms around me. He grabbed the reins and held them up towards me. He used one hand while the other wrapped around my waist and held me close so I wouldn’t fall. I felt safe and protected within his embrace.

“I taught Dylan how to horseback ride when he was just a kid.” He breathed in my ear as he steered the magnificent white creature out of the barn and into the snow.

The warmth of his breath against me made me relax into him and I loved the way his body felt up against mine. I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help it. He was so close, and everything else melted away.

The horse trotted slowly through the snow, and Daxon directed it where he wanted it to go. I noticed he pulled the reins to instruct the animal on which direction to take. He was very good with the horse and a decent rider. I had to give him credit for where it was due. I knew absolutely nothing about horseback riding, but I was sure Daxon would teach me.

Daxon made a short clicking sound and gently kicked it with the back of his heel. The horse kicked into a higher gear and took off. My head jerked, and I held onto the reins with Daxon. The body of the horse moved below us as it galloped through the snow. It was unlike any other feeling I had experienced before. The wind whipped through my wavy hair and blew it back behind me. It moved faster as the trees went by and the speed was remarkable. Daxon still wrapped his arm tightly around me and held me close. His solid form was flush up against my back and our bodies moved like one with the rocking horse.

“Pull the reins to the left, princess.” He breathed in my ear and put his hand over mine. “We’re going to go deeper into the woods.”

I did as he instructed and laughed as the wind changed direction as we moved. The horse picked up speed and its white coat moved with the wind speed. Not a single snowflake was in the air, but snow fell from the branches above. I wasn’t afraid anymore and quickly got the hang of it.

“How do I make it go faster?” I asked over my shoulder.

He ran his hand up my thigh. “You squeeze your legs together and whip the reins.”

The sensation of his hand on my thigh made me look down. He ran it along my inner thigh and stopped just before my sweet spot. He let his arm curve around me once again, and I did as he instructed.

My legs squeezed against the creature, and I whipped the reins. The horse picked up pace, and the world flew by. I did it again because my adrenaline raced and I couldn’t get enough. The horse let out a short neigh, and I felt in complete control.

Daxon tightened his grip around me and gave a stern warning in my ear. “You’re going too fast! Slow the damn horse down or else I’m taking over!”

But I refused to listen, and the reign took over. “Not this time, daddy. I’m in charge now.”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a deer cut out of the woods and spooked the horse. My eyes went agape as the deer got out of the way in time, but the horse wasn’t so lucky. It halted abruptly and threw itself up onto its hind legs. Thrashing its forelegs up in the air with fear as I lost my grip and fell from the horse. I fell in slow motion with no time to think and nothing to grab onto but air.

And I hit the snow with a hard thump.

---