9. Mika

9

MIKA

“ I can put together a document of the race tracks we’ll go to and their corresponding acronyms,” I add as I round my desk to take a seat and spread out documents, trying to ignore the anxious tremble in my stomach. But that’s nearly impossible with Alfie’s arm almost touching mine.

Heat radiates from his body, and he’s so close as he leans in next to me that it feels like someone’s wrapped me up in a soft blanket. I can feel him even when he’s not touching me, and it sends my heart into overdrive. Suddenly, my pulse is roaring in my ears, and I swallow hard as my mouth goes dry.

“That would be wonderful,” he says softly. “But I’d still like you to go over the schedule with me now,” he insists, his hand sliding across the paper until it’s nearly covering mine.

I can feel the electrical current in the air. It’s the same buzzing energy that fills the space between me and Alfie every time he gets too near. As much as I hate to admit it, I know it’s because my body is highly attuned to his. I’m so intensely aware of him, it makes me dizzy. Inside, I’m trembling with nerves, though I refuse to let him see it.

It must be because of the rumors I keep hearing around the barn— the terrible things the men have said Alfie has done. Not that I’ve participated in any of the gossip. But after Alfie bought the barn—and came on to me so aggressively, I thought it best to get a better measure of who my new boss is.

From what little information I could drum up online, it would seem the rumors floating around the barn are likely true. Actually, as far as I can tell, Alfie’s far more dangerous than even the grooms realize. No evidence can back up his suspected involvement in the numerous violent crimes he’s been accused of initiating, of course. But that doesn’t make the news articles about him any less terrifying.

If he’s anything like the man I read about online, my new boss is likely one of the most powerful men in America. And one of the deadliest.

I’ve been telling myself I need to keep my temper under control when I’m around him. But that’s a lot easier said than done, especially when he blindsides me by showing up unexpectedly, like he did today. And I don’t quite know what to make of the fact that he walked in from the far pasture to avoid scaring the horses with his helicopter like I asked. And he did so just to hear about the racing schedule I have planned for this summer?

The considerate act is wildly at odds with the other, more dominant side to him—the very forward, demanding, sexually charged side that makes me feel like he’s more than willing to cross whatever boundaries I might lay down. It’s that side of Alfie Bonetti that terrifies me most—even more than the violent gangster. Because I seem to have absolutely no control over my own actions when that side of him comes out.

Still, I can’t bring myself to just walk away. I’ve worked a lifetime to get where I am now. I’m following my dreams, and I love the horses I train. So I have to find some way to make this work. I refuse to let any man take that away from me. Not even Alfie Bonetti.

I square my shoulders and prepare to stand my ground. Deliberately ignoring the tension building in the narrow space between our bodies, I turn my attention to the calendar. And I move my hand away from his, tapping the first brightly colored line .

“The blue highlighter is Cosmic Fate,” I explain, swallowing hard to stifle the lingering quiver in my voice. “I have her running several of the longer stakes later in the summer so she can get a feel for endurance races. She’s proven very effective at short distances, so I started her there this summer to boost her confidence.”

“Makes sense,” Alfie says, his warm breath washing across my face and tickling the hairs at the nape of my neck.

“I’d like her to get in a few more wins,” I continue, trying to gather my scattered thoughts, but it’s difficult to focus with him breathing down my back. “We’ll go to Saratoga next—before we take her out of state. If we keep her training sessions focused on endurance, she’ll be ready for the lengthier Triple Crown races by next year.”

“Mm-hmm,” Alfie acknowledges, the low hum of his voice vibrating from his chest and making goosebumps rise along my arms. But he sounds distracted, like he’s not actually registering what the calendar means, even though he asked for an explanation.

I track my finger along each of the details I point out, but while I keep my eyes fixed on the calendar, I can sense Alfie’s gaze lingering on my face. I doubt he’s even glanced at the paperwork. And though I know I shouldn’t, I can’t help but glance up at him to confirm my suspicion.

A shiver races down my spine at the blatant desire in his hazel gaze. He’s not even trying to hide the fact that he’s staring at me. The heat behind it makes my stomach tremble. My back stiffens as I realize just how close we are. When I turned my face toward him, it brought our lips dangerously close to touching. I straighten from leaning over my desk, and the movement puts fractionally more space between us. But before I can take a breath, Alfie closes that distance once again.

His hand rises, one finger curling beneath my chin as the pad of his thumb brushes softly across my lower lip, and tingling anticipation races across my skin. Excitement coils in my belly, warming me from deep within, as I try to crush the unwanted arousal, making my blood rush through my veins .

“Do you have any idea what I could do to you?” he murmurs, his voice so soft and sensual it’s almost a purr.

My heart skips a beat, and I don’t immediately know how to respond to his question. Is he threatening me? And just like the last time he was in my office, it suddenly feels like all the oxygen has been sucked from the room.

“What are you insinuating, Mr. Bonetti,” I ask him sharply, hating the breathiness in my voice as I pull back until his hand falls to his side. I sound like I just finished running a lap around the arena, and my heart is hammering just as intensely as if I had.

Alfie’s body shifts as he turns away from the calendar and gives me his undivided attention. “Only that it’d be in your best interest to stop resisting. ”

It's obvious he wants me because I’ve never had a man look at me like he is right now. Like he’s spent his life in utter darkness, and I’m the sunshine that just lit up his world. And I must admit he’s good. He’s really good. Threatening me and flattering me all in the same breath.

“I don’t see any harm in having some fun, Miss Harper. I can make it worth your while and still keep things professional,” he teases, his handsome lips curling into that smug smile. And he takes a step closer, removing the last bit of space between us.

My lips part, but I don’t know what to say to that. What Alfie’s proposing would be the exact opposite of professional. And once again, I find myself trapped between a rock and a hard place. He just won’t take no for an answer, and with every inch that vanishes between our lips, I find my body more inclined to agree with him.

Heat races up my neck and into my cheeks, making me suddenly flushed and feverish. My skin tingles, as it feels oddly tight across my muscles. Shivers race up and down my spine, and I can’t tell anymore if they’re out of fear or desire. I feel giddy with indecision, lost in a sea of doubt and desire.

Alfie reaches forward slowly, as if he thinks I’ll bolt if he moves too fast. On the contrary, in that brief window of escape, I hesitate, strangely torn between the urge to stay or go. Then his hand finds the small of my back, warmth seeping from his palm and through the thin fabric of my shirt as his fingers splay across my spine. And as his light touch cuts off my retreat, my feet root me to the spot.

He steps forward, bringing our hips together. I can feel the iron rod of his arousal trapped between us. I bring my hands up to press my palms flat against his firm, broad chest, but I can’t find the strength to push him back. Instead, I register the steady, powerful beat of his heart beneath my fingers. Every inch of Alfie Bonetti screams of strength, dominance. He’s not violent or forceful with me, but then, he doesn’t have to be. He has effortless command over my body. I don’t think I could run if I tried. And right now, I’m not sure I want to.

The masculine scent of patchouli and eucalyptus fills my nose, making my muscles weak with giddy excitement. And like some Pavlovian response, my tongue darts out to wet my dry lips. His body curves around mine as my back arches, and sparks erupt between us the moment he leans in to steal a kiss.

I freeze as an electric jolt slams through my core, incapacitating me as it wipes my mind blank. Then, crackling excitement races through my veins, bringing my body to life. At this moment, I can’t say who I am or why it’s a bad idea to kiss Alfie. Right now, kissing him feels like the best idea in the world.

He tastes like lemongrass and fresh spearmint leaves, and his soft lips tempt me to invite him in. His soft facial hair tickles my chin even as his tongue strokes out to trace the seam of my mouth, and I part my lips without thinking.

A soft groan of anticipation vibrates from his chest as Alfie’s arms tighten around my waist. Heat sears across my skin where his soft, expensive suit brushes my exposed flesh. I can feel his cock, hard and erect, as it presses adamantly against my abdomen.

Excitement pools in my belly as my mind runs wild, flashing visions of what he could do to me. It’s been far too long since anyone’s touched me—and never like this. It’s tearing down my defenses at an alarming rate.

“God, what I wouldn’t give to explore this perfect body,” he hisses darkly, his lips brushing across mine as he speaks. “I could make you feel pleasure like you’ve never known if you’ll just say yes.”

One strong arm wrapped like an iron band around my waist, Alfie lets his other hand explore my curves. Following the line of my waist, he runs his fingers beneath my shirt to find the top of my jeans. And for one heart-stopping moment, he pauses when he finds the top button.

Then he flicks it open.

I gasp, but before I can speak up, his lips come crashing down on mine once more. He swallows the sound, his tongue delving into my mouth as his fingers slip inside the elastic of my panties.

I’m trapped somewhere between numb and overwhelmed with sensation. My skin buzzes with excitement. My pulse is racing so quickly, that I can’t seem to catch my breath. And all the while, it feels like time stands still.

I’ve never wanted someone to touch me so badly in my life. And at the same time, my brain is screaming for me to stop him. Alfie takes his time, his fingers slipping inch by inch inside my jeans. And every time he slides a little farther, fresh arousal soaks the fabric clinging to my oversensitive flesh.

He’s dangerously close to acting out my fantasy from the tub. And despite all the reasons I shouldn’t want this, I do. I desperately want to know the pleasure he can show me. It’s been so long since a man has touched me like this. And I believe Alfie when he says he can make me feel things I’ve never felt before.

Soft fingers brush across my clit, and zinging pleasure crackles up my spine. I cry out, the sound vanishing down his throat. And Alfie groans, the sound deep and animalistic as his fingers stroke the seam of my slick folds.

“I knew you wanted me,” he growls, the arousal in his voice making the taunt gruff. “You’re so fucking wet for me already.”

My core tightens, my clit throbbing at the dark passion in his tone.

“Say you’ll be mine, Mika,” he urges.

Alfie swirls two long fingers around my clit, using my slick excitement to make the sensation explosively euphoric. But his words blast through my lust-filled haze and bring me crashing back to reality.

What is wrong with me?

I’m so turned on, I can barely think straight. But that’s no excuse for the fact that, somewhere along the line, I seem to have forgotten that Alfie’s engaged. He has a bride waiting for him back in New York City. And here I am, melting into a puddle with his hand down my pants.

My excitement vanishes, turned off like a light switch. And I jerk backward out of his arms, at the same time shoving forcefully against his chest to put as much space between us as I can.

Fire blazes in his eyes, and his perfectly styled locks of dark hair fall recklessly into his eyes. Heat climbs up my neck and pools in my cheeks when I see my own arousal glistening on his fingertips. I can’t believe I let it get that far.

“I am not your plaything,” I snap, reaching down to button my jeans as I take another step back. “You might not respect your marriage bed, but I have more self-respect than to let you use me like that.”

“Mika,” Alfie says, his voice straining out my name in a warning, and I shudder involuntarily.

He takes a step closer, and I take another step back.

“No, Alfie,” I command, forgetting to call him Mr. Bonetti in the heat of the moment. “You need to start treating me like the professional I am, or?—”

“Or what,” he responds, cutting me off, and for once, there’s no smirk on his face.

Despite his tone, my body is screaming in protest at being so aroused and stopping short of satisfaction. I need to get the hell out of here before I do something more I’ll regret.

Turning on my heel, I storm out of the office before he can see how conflicted I am.

Because even with all the reasons I shouldn’t want Alfie Bonetti, I can’t deny I’m still attracted to him.