Page 30 of Taming Mika

Tingling relief washes out to my fingers and toes, turning my feverish skin cool as I throb and twitch, jerking against my restraints. I couldn’t be quiet if I tried, and as my cry dies on my lips, I bury my face in Alfie’s neck to muffle the sound.

He releases a deep, reverberating groan, and his thrusts grow desperate, slamming my hips back against the wall. “Fuck, fuuck!” he grunts as my walls clamp down around his thick length.

I feel him swell and burst inside me as heady waves of euphoria seep through my veins. My body clenches, rippling along Alfie’s cock. I sag against Alfie, leaning into the lead rope around my wrists as my strength leaves me. “Next time,” he gasps against my ear, “I’m going to make you say it.”

We breathe heavily as he throbs inside me, matching my pulsing release. “Goddamn,” he murmurs with a breathy laugh.

I join him, the intense relief from my orgasm making me giddy. “What?” I ask, leaning back against the wall so I can meet his eyes.

“That was not what I had planned when I dragged you in here.” His charming smile makes his eyes dance.

“What were you planning?” I ask, another soft laugh tightening my core.

He groans deliciously, his eyes closing as his cock twitches inside me. Carefully, he eases out of me and sets me back on my feet before getting to work, untying my hands. “I intended to talk some sense into you,” he growls playfully.

I snort and stoop to collect my clothes from the floor as he removes his condom and tucks away his impressive cock. “Well, I guess you fucked it into me instead. But I really wish we didn’t have to leave. These racesareimportant, no matter what you think. We only have a small window of opportunity to expose the younger horses at the optimal age. After that, they’ll be more inclined to fear the racetrack than to enjoy the challenge of winning.”

“You really have a one-track mind, don’t you?” he asks.

My head snaps up as I glare at him, only to find a playful smirk curving his lips, and my heart flutters as I realize he’s teasing me. “Yes, well, that is what you pay me for.”

“I know, and I hear you, Mika,” he says, growing serious. “I didn’t mean your strategy—or these races—aren’t important. Only that they aren’t nearly as important as keeping you alive. It won’t matter if the horses race today if you end up dead because of it.”

Cold dread trickles into my veins, chasing away the heat of our passionate moment. “Nikolai is really that dangerous?” I pull my jeans up over my hips and button them.

I pause, tensing as Alfie’s fingers capture my chin, and he tips it up so I have to look at him.

“He’s the only man in New York who might be more dangerous than I am.” His eyes are filled with a darkness that sends another child racing down my spine.

“Okay,” I murmur. “Let’s go home.”

His shoulders sag with relief, and warmth floods his gaze. “Thank you, Mika.”

The sound of my name on his lips sends tingling warmth through my body, and I find myself smiling, despite our precarious situation. “See? I can be reasonable sometimes,” I tease.

“Thank god, because I was ready to throw you over my shoulder and carry you home.”

Laughing, I quickly finish pulling on my clothes and fix my hair. I try not to think about what Piper and the barn hands will think of me as I open the tack room door and step back out into the alley. To my intense relief, everyone is still busy putting Alfie’s orders into action. His Men in Black guard either end of the alley, looking out across the grounds to ensure no one’s headed our way. Two more stand expressionlessly on either side of the door, and though I know they must have heard me, they show no indication that they did. The grooms move quickly as they break down our setup and pack our temporary accommodations.

Taking a steadying breath, I head toward the door to bring the gooseneck around from the trailer parking lot. It’s at the far end of the property, so I’ll need to pull it closer to load it.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Alfie demands, catching my arm gently.

“I have to get the trailer.” I jab my thumb toward the door, and he frowns.

“Alfie, come on. If you don’t want us to stay, then the trailer is how we get the horses home,” I reason.

He nods but still doesn’t look happy. “I’m coming with you,” he states. Snapping his fingers, he gestures for one of his men to join us.

It doesn’t take long, and we all squeeze into the cab for the shortride from the parking lot into the loading area. After the hay, tack, and grooming supplies are loaded, it’s time for the horses. One at a time, I lead them out of their stalls and walk them up the trailer’s ramp. Hector and the hands encourage the horses from behind when one of them hesitates, which seems to be happening a lot—more than usual. They must know something is off today, because not one of them seems eager to cooperate.

Am I really so predictable that the babies are disturbed by the change in their routine?

We start with Missy— the calmest of the lot. And once she’s on board, Flash, Mickey, and Blaze are a little more willing to comply.

Then it’s Fate’s turn.

She follows me willingly down the alley, her hooves striking the cement with sharp, decisive clicks. But as we step outside and the trailer comes into view, her head lifts.

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