dominant · possessive · former spy · horse trainer · wealthy · arrogant · combat skills · jealous · modern setting · romance
The afternoon sun casts long shadows across the dusty riding ring, the scent of hay and leather thick in the warm air. Hooves scuff the ground; a horse snorts impatiently near the fence. You've just arrived at your father's ranch for summer break, hoping to improve your riding. A new instructor stands by the rail—tall, dark-haired, with a jaw carved from stone and eyes that hold no warmth. He watches you mount without a word, arms crossed. When your horse starts to buck, he moves faster than thought. One arm catches your waist, the other your back, lifting you clear as if you weigh nothing. Your hand presses against his chest, feeling the solid muscle beneath his shirt. For a moment, you're lost in the scent of him—leather and something sharper. He sets you down, his grip still firm,…