What on earth did he just say to me?
And why did it affect me so?
My heart raced, my breath caught in my throat, and I felt a deep ache between my legs. An ache that I was starting to think they would be able to help me with.
Daddy.
The word echoed through me, hot and humiliating and thrilling all at once. He couldn't have meant it the way my mind leapt to interpret it. Surely not.
It was just a tease.
Right?
And yet, my pulse wouldn't slow. My thighs pressed together, shamefully seeking friction that wasn't there.
I shoved away from the chair and paced the room, tugging at the sleeves of my gown. If I thought sleep had been impossible the night before, it was hopeless now. Every nerve in my body felt alive, every thought knotted between desire and disbelief.
When the next knock came, I nearly tripped over my own feet.
The door opened before I had time to gather myself, and Magnus stepped in. He didn't bother with permission. Of course not.
Magnus strode into my room as though it were his by right, his eyes cutting immediately to me.
"Not you, too," I bit out. "Leighton just left. He's already given me my orders."
Magnus moved closer, his stride slow, predatory. "Is that really the tone you want to use with me, love?"
I scowled. "Is now truly the time to come in here and give me more reasons to run away?"
He glowered, and I could swear there was a growl in it.
Why on earth was that so attractive?
When he spoke again, his voice was deceptively low and calm, the kind of calm that prickled over my skin like static. "Love, do you remember what I told you at the stables?"
I kept my chin lifted, refusing to answer.
"That's fine. I'll remind you." He leaned against the wall, looking perfectly at ease, though every line of him radiated a calm control. "A horse, especially a wild one, needs a firm hand. They need to be reined in and shown who their master is. They need to be broken in."
My heart hammered.
"Dear girl," he continued, his eyes narrowing with dangerous amusement. "I've plenty of experience showing a wild filly who's master, bringing them to heel. I've made an art form of it."
I lifted my chin higher, defiant, pretending to be much braver than I truly felt.
The cad smirked, as if he'd been waiting for it.
"I've never lost against a wild horse before," he said, each word deliberate. "And taming them?Thatwas just a hobby. You—" He pushed off the wall, closing the space between us with grace and ease. "You are so much more than a simple hobby.Which is why I'll never let you get out of hand. And I'll certainly never let you run."
Magnus's words lingered in the air.
I swallowed, hating the way it made my pulse race and how I felt itchy all over with how he was watching me.
"So," I said, my voice rougher than I intended. "Would you expect me to call you Daddy, too?" I wanted to get a reaction out of him, and perhaps establish if Leightonwasbeing serious.
For the first time, Magnus stilled. His jaw flexed, his eyes darkening until they were nearly black. "Expect?" he repeated, his voice a low rumble that made my stomach flip. "No, little filly. I don't expect." He lifted his hand, brushing a knuckle down the side of my cheek. his touch feather-light and terrifying in its restraint. "I demand."
My breath caught, and his mouth curved into a wicked smile.
