Page 45 of Taming Mika

“What are you doing here?” I ask, trying to crush the tremble in my stomach, but it’s nearly impossible as a fresh dose of adrenaline rushes into my veins from the heady combination of fear and anticipation. I’m confused by why he would be back so soon and why he looks so mad, but as he slams the office door behind us and turns on me, I know it must be something I did.

“The men are here for your protection, Mika. You can’t just command them to stay at the barn while you go riding off. What if something happened and they couldn’t reach you in time?” Alfie looks furious, but his voice is low and even—so low it sends a shiver up my spine. He grips my upper arms, giving me the slightest of shakes in his frustration as he towers over me.

My heart hammers against my ribs, and the inviting scent of eucalyptus and patchouli makes it hard to think straight as Alfie crowds my personal space. Like a Pavlovian effect, I feel hardwired to get aroused by his proximity, and I press my thighs together as my core starts to ache. I need to pull myself together if I’m going to win this argument.

“They were spooking the horses.” Jerking my arms from his grasp, I turn my back to him and walk to my desk. I need to put some space between us and get my thoughts in order. I rest my hips against the edge, leaning my palms against its surface to give my tired legs a break. “And the racers need exercise.”

Alfie’s eyes rake over me, making my mouth go dry as he studiesme appreciatively, even though he’s angry. When my tongue darts out to wet my lips, his gaze flicks up to catch the motion.

He stalks slowly across the office toward me. “My men said you’re riding the horses yourself with just one groom going to the track with you,” he says, his voice almost a growl. “Why?”

“I gave the riders the day off. I—thought they might need it after yesterday, and I don’t want them to see the barn in this kind of upheaval.” The grooms I couldn’t spare. There aren’t enough hours in the day for me to take care of all these horses by myself, but if I can avoid losing a jockey by shielding them from the conflict, I’ll do what I have to because good riders are rarely available for hire.

“So, you just decided to disregard the instructions I gave you when I left this morning and ordered my men to do the same?” He steps between my feet, and a spark of energy ignites the air.

I tip my chin up to glare at him. “They were getting in the way. They clearly know nothing about horsemanship, walking right up behind Fate. She could have kicked one of them if I didn’t tell them to back off—and they pace. That kind of energy makes the animals nervous. How am I supposed to teach your horses that people are a positive thing with all that going on?”

“Damn it, Mika.” Alfie grasps my jaw as he leans in to plant his other hand on the desk beside my hip. It brings his face level with mine, and my breath catches as he peers deep into my eyes. “I get that you care about the horses, but why do you always have to fight me? Can’t you take a second to think about your own safety for once?”

It’s hard to focus on my argument with his lips just inches from mine, the heat from his body warming my skin, and my pulse quickens. “Iwasthinking about my safety—considering I’m the one riding the horses your men keep spooking. I don’t want them around the arena because I’d rather not fall off when they do something to make one of the babies bolt. I let them be there for Fate’s run, and even she had something to say about them, so don’t tell me I’m overreacting. I’m being reasonable here, Alfie.”

“And it wouldn’t be reasonable to just let the horses have a day off?” he asks, his nostrils flaring.

“No,” I insist stonily, crossing my arms defensively over my chest. “These are serious athletes who deserved care and respect—Fate ran a race yesterday. Or did you forget? How would you like it if you had a hard workout and then someone made you sit in a small room all day with no ability to stretch your legs? Besides, can you even promise me this will be just one day?”

I can tell my words are getting through to him, and he doesn’t like it. His jaw clenches, the tendons popping beneath his dark five-o’clock shadow.

Why is he so sexy when he’s pissed off?Maybe it’s because it’s such a genuine emotion, but I can’t help noticing that his hazel eyes seem to turn a molten gold when he glares at me, and his proud lips curve into what could almost be a smirk if he didn’t look so furious.

“I’ll speak with them about setting up a perimeter that will make the horses more comfortable,” he concedes, and the tension in my chest starts to loosen.

Arms relaxing, I let them fall from my chest, and my shoulders drop. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Silence stretches between us as our argument comes to an end, and my pulse flutters as Alfie doesn’t step back—or remove his hand from my jaw. Instead, his thumb traces an absentminded bath along my cheek, making my skin tingle. In place of the anger, a different kind of charged energy fills the space, and a shiver of anticipation races up my spine.

“Was that the only reason you came all this way?” I sound breathy and swallow hard to rein in my growing arousal. “To scold me?”

“No, I also came here to punish you for disobeying me,” he growls, and my stomach plummets.

“Punish me?” I huff, my exasperation too much to contain, but I immediately regret the sound when Alfie’s eyes spark dangerously.

“You think I’m joking,vitale?” His voice is terrifying in its softness, and cold fear trickles through my veins. Alfie straightens, his hands going to his tie as he slips it free of its knot. “Take off your clothes.”

Heat creeps into my cheeks, and shock mingles with myembarrassment as I realize I want to find out what kind of punishment he has in mind. Trying to hide the shaking in my fingers, I’m slow to do as he says, leaning down to remove my half-chaps and barn boots before stripping off my shirt. Alfie watches me closely as he lays his suit jacket and tie across the wooden back of a chair, then he unbuttons the sleeves of his burgundy dress shirt and rolls them up to his elbows.

Heart racing, I hook my thumbs into the tops of my jeans and slide them down my legs. I feel almost as if I’m hovering outside my body as I obey him without question. This isn’t like me. I don’t take risks, I don’t just do as I’m told, and I definitely don’t strip naked for my boss in my office while the horses are waiting for their exercise and the grooms are just on the other side of the door. But the curiosity that Alfie’s unlocked in me—this dark, untamable desire—is too enticing.

I step out of my jeans and straighten, fighting the urge to cover my exposed body with my arms. Alfie’s gaze slides hungrily over my naked flesh, and the smile that curls his lips makes my heart stop for just a moment.

“Good girl,” he praises, the words unleashing an unexpected rush of arousal deep inside my core. “Now, bend over your desk for me.”

“Alfie—” My eyes flit to the door as I start to second-guess what we’re about to do. With my whole world falling apart around me, I don’t think now is the time I should be doing anything to confirm Francisco’s suspicions that I’m sleeping with the new barn owner.

“Do as I say, Mika, or I’ll bend you over the desk myself, and then I’ll have to punish you for disobeyingtwocommands.”

Anxiety coils in my stomach at the promise in Alfie’s words. The air feels cool and electric, raising goosebumps across my skin as I pad silently past him to the edge of my desk. I keep the surface well organized and clean, so there’s not much in my way. Still, I hesitate, my heart in my throat, and I debate whether or not I can actually do as he says. I glance over my shoulder, hoping I’ll find some compromise in Alfie’s gaze. Instead, I see him reach into the forgotten bucket of colorful riding crops tucked into the corner of my office. With asmirk, he pulls one out with a hand-shaped leather keeper, and he tests it on his palm. He gives a low chuckle before seeming to decide against it. Slipping it back into the bucket, he pulls out a more traditional crop with a flexible brown leather tip.

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