Page 13 of Taming Mika

The smug Italian spendthrift thinks he can own me simply because he bought the stables where I work. I won’t let him.

He’s gettingmarried.How is he not bothered by that? Does faithfulness mean nothing to him?Or maybe he’s one of those men who only considers it cheatingafterthe wedding ceremony.

But the jolt of electricity that blasted through me when we kissed still tingles on my lips. And as I force my muscles to unwind, soaking up the tub’s warmth, I can’t help but think about the intense heat that radiated from his body as he pressed it against mine.

Fire trickles through my veins at the memory of his touch. My fingers slide down the line of my hip bone, as if taking on a life of their own. My pulse flutters with the urge to touch myself. And as Irelive our kiss, I find wet heat between my thighs that has nothing to do with the bath water.

The demanding force of his lips. The soft stroke of his tongue dancing with mine. A pulse throbs in my clit. And I’m shocked by the sudden, unexpected curiosity of what it would feel like to have Alfie touch me there. I shouldn’t want to know. But I can’t seem to help the aching need for relief after just a taste of desire he ignites in me.

My fingers test the question, stroking along my slit as I send ripples across the water’s surface. I gasp at the slick arousal already urging me onward. I can claim that I dislike everything about the entitled Italian bastard, and I do—but his kiss most definitely turned me on.

And now that I’m perfectly alone, hidden away in my house, I can finally face the truth. I want Alfie, too. I want to know what it’s like to have him take command of my body. To feel the pleasure his eyes promise every time he looks at me, because something in the heat of Alfie’s gaze tells me his kisses are just the beginning.

Two of my fingers ease inside my entrance, almost as if they’re being manipulated by the puppet master himself. An electric jolt of excitement follows, racing up my spine as my breasts arch above the surface of the water.

I guide them in and out, before rubbing over my clit. Excitement blooms in my stomach, seeping into my arms and legs. It feels dangerously good to do something about the pressure that’s been building deep inside my core since today’s meeting. A surge of relief washes through my veins as I stroke my fingertips over my swollen clit, gasping at the pleasure that floods me.

Alfie knew exactly what he was doing. In my office, the way he stepped confidently between my feet—it was as if he was claiming that space as undisputed territory,histerritory. Then again, when he trapped me between his arms in Fate’s stall. He’s using that magnetic pull to draw me in until I can no longer escape. I don’t doubt that he knows what he’s doing ineveryrespect.

I don’t like the sense of power he holds over me.

At the same time, my pulse quickens every time I picture the heatin his eyes. His bold confidence tells me I have nowhere to run, no way to escape. He’s set his sights on me. And he’s going to take what he wants—regardless of his promise to another woman.

It’s the same story I’ve played out before, only this time, I’m not going in blind. And I refuse to fall victim to another man’s charms. No matter how attractive he is. No matter how much I might want him.

Shoving my conflict over Alfie from my mind, I focus on the pleasure that will ease my tension. My fingers stroke between my folds again, the sensation building, my fingers stroking feverishly as I push myself to the edge. I need this, and I no longer want to draw it out. I want to take control of my desire again, give myself what I need, and move on from this afternoon.

Throbbing with the need for release, I circle my sensitive clit, adding pressure until my excitement builds into a hot ball of anticipation in my core. I pant, and my hips roll, allowing the hot water to envelop me up to my neck. The surging sense of pleasure makes my knees weak, and my thighs quiver, sloshing water as my mind goes blank, the intense euphoria overwhelming my senses as I gasp, my toes curling against the hard porcelain. My fingers circle more urgently, and a tingling relief floods my belly as I reach my peak.

Then, just as I reach the pinnacle, toppling into oblivion, Alfie’s strong, chiseled features, those daring hazel eyes, and wolfish smile burst into my vision. Groaning, I try to think of something else, but I can’t. I’m too far gone. And ecstasy surges through my veins as I reach my climax with the image of my new boss burned into my mind’s eye.

Collapsing back against my tub, I let the relief saturate every throbbing inch of my body.

But, as I relax into the wet warmth, guilt and self-loathing follow closely behind.

8

ALFIE

“Put us down here, Salvatore,” I command into my aviation headset.

My pilot’s head snaps in my direction, a show of momentary surprise as we hover over the south pasture of my new estate. The green grass ripples below us, mimicking the airwaves caused by the metallic bird. Salvatore knows better than to question my orders, but even with his eyes covered by dark lenses, I can see the unspoken question in his glance, considering we’re still a good distance from the barn.

“Yes, sir,” Salvatore confirms belatedly, facing forward once more.

A moment later, the helicopter starts to descend toward the uncut grass.

I hired a contractor this morning to install a helipad in the south pasture, as Mika requested. The work won’t begin until they can get the materials delivered—something my contractor assured me will happen within the next day or so. Once it’s installed, I can leave a car parked for the drive to and from the barn. In the meantime, it won’t hurt to land in the pasture and walk.

The seat jostles minimally beneath me as Salvatore makes an expert landing on the unpaved ground. Then the propellers slow, thethrumming whomp ebbing as the motor shuts off. It’s another bright day in a sunny week, and the heat of the morning seeps through the open helicopter door as I step down to the ground.

Marco and Vincent follow, falling into step behind me without a word.

In the distance, I can just make out the dark roof and white eaves of the barn that peek over the rolling hills between me and my destination.

A slow smile creeps onto my face when I think of Mika—and the fiery temper I’m sure to be met with. She doesn’t know I’m coming. This is the first time I’ll be dropping in unannounced, and I get the distinct impression that Mika does not like to be caught by surprise.

But I couldn’t stay away, so I’m here to discuss my new horses’ racing schedule. It’s a weak excuse to spend time with her, though I do need to decide when I’m going to reveal Nina’s surprise, and I think race day will make the news extra special. So, in that regard, my visit is as legitimate as it gets.

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