Undercover (Billionaire Bodyguards Book 2)

by Via Mari

  Jenny

  Chase and Kate say their vows in front of only their closest friends and family, and I see her dad, head of the East Coast crime syndicate, discreetly wipe away a tear from her mom’s face as the bride and groom exchange rings. When the officiant pronounces them husband and wife, Chase draws Kate into his arms and kisses her with a passion that leaves me slightly embarrassed before the room bursts into celebration and cameras begin to flash.

  The tall man standing next to me grins, showing a perfect set of bright white teeth, and claps Chase on the back as he and Kate join us a few moments later. “Congratulations,” he says.

  “Thanks, Brian. I’m glad you were able to make it,” Chase says, smiling widely.

  “Sorry it was so late and I couldn’t be at the dinner last night. Negotiations were a little more difficult than anticipated,” Brian says.

  “Congratulations, you look so happy and absolutely beautiful,” I say to Kate as Chase relinquishes his bride for a moment so that I can hug her tight.

  “I know its cliché, but I really couldn’t be happier and you look gorgeous yourself. The sapphire color of that gown looks amazing with your long dark hair,” she whispers before Chase returns his arm to his new bride’s waist.

  “We were just about to sub you with one of Katarina’s uncles. The big burly bald one,” Chase says to Brian, motioning to the other side of the stairs.

  Brian smirks at Chase and turns to Kate. “You look absolutely lovely,” he says, kissing her cheek.

  “Thank you. Pretty sure Chase is just teasing. We probably would have picked Uncle Vito to stand in. Same height, look, well, you know, and then you would owe him your right arm,” she says, amusement lighting up in her eyes. Uncle Vito must be extremely tall to be any match at all for this intimidating man who wears the themed black suit and sapphire tie comfortably. He must be at least six foot two or three with a full head of dark jet-black hair, but it’s his eyes that make it hard for me to turn away.

  Brian laughs at Kate’s joke, but as if he can sense my gaze, he turns the full concentration of those shocking blue eyes on me as Chase officially introduces us. “Brian, this is Jenny Torzial, Katarina’s best friend and the maid of honor, and Brian is my best man and currently the chief operating officer for Prestian Corp,” Chase says.

  Brian levels me with his gaze. “That Jenny. Well, it’s nice to meet you in person, Ms. Torzial,” he says, extending a well-manicured hand. His fingers close around mine, and his touch creates a tingling sensation that causes my skin to heat.

  “Likewise, Brian,” I say as he lets go of my hand. The band begins to play the first song and Chase excuses himself to lead Kate across the great room of the Larussio mansion, which has been turned into a vast marble ballroom for the event.

  “I’m glad everything is working out so well for them. I never thought Kate would let anyone get close enough to even develop a relationship, much less get married,” I say.

  “I have to admit, Chase settling down was quite a surprise, too,” Brian says.

  “It’s heartwarming that her dad could give her away. She never even knew him until a few months ago,” I say, trying to pull my eyes away from the blue intensity of his.

  “That’s what I understand. I’m glad to see Chase met someone that makes him happy,” Brian says, breaking our gaze as we turn to watch Kate’s dad step in for a dance with his daughter. They sway to the music for the majority of the song, but as he spins her for the last chorus, I see him gently wipe a tear from her eye.

  “Our turn,” Brian says, leading me onto the floor as the MC announces the best man and maid of honor dance. The song is embarrassingly slow, created for lovers, and I feel my breath hitch and skin quiver as he draws me close, the fresh scent of his soap and musky cologne filling my senses as he skillfully guides me across the floor. The pull of his crystalline gaze makes me look up, and my cheeks warm at the intensity reflected in his twinkling blue eyes as I try desperately to ignore the electricity his thumb is creating as it circles the inside of my palm.

  “You’re stunning. I’m the envy of every man in this room right now,” Brian says, slipping his hand underneath my hair and around the nape of my neck, causing my pulse to race. The warmth of his breath against my hair and the fingers gently caressing the back of my neck before settling at my waist cause goosebumps on my arms and send a tingling sensation down my spine. It’s clearly been too long since I was this close to someone of the opposite sex.

  “Thank you,” I say somewhat breathlessly, finding it difficult to respond as his hand gently tightens around my own. I try to concentrate on the dance steps as he holds me close and all sense of time is gone as he guides me effortlessly to the popular ballad and begins twirling me for the final chorus. As the song finishes, he places his arm around my waist and guides me from the dance floor to the full-length bar on the other side of the great room.

  He holds out my chair and orders drinks for both of us. I hold my tongue at his presumptuousness, and as the flavor touches my lips and swirls around my tongue, a murmur of approval escapes me. “This is wonderful,” I admit, letting the taste resonate before swallowing. It is a crisp white wine with a wonderfully sweet although complex balance.

  “It has a layered quality, full-bodied and elegant. Carlos has a palate for great wine,” he says as his eyes wander from my glass lower.

  “Do you know him well?” I ask, feeling the heat his eyes on my chest is creating.

  “Our families have mutual business interests, but I don’t know him well,” he says.

  “I’ve met Jenny’s mom several times over the years, but like Kate, just met Carlos earlier in the year,” I say.

  “Chase tells me you’ll be working on all of his facilities and some for Carlos, too,” Brian says, swirling his drink as he regards me.

  “Yes, we’re currently under contract for the expansions of the Prestian Medical Facilities, and Carlos is looking for assistance with some developments in Vegas as well,” I say.

  “Your company’s work in lean and efficiency methodologies is good. I’ve been extremely impressed with the forecasting analytics,” he says.

  “Thank you,” I say, taking another sip of my wine, trying desperately to focus on something, anything other than my rapid pulse.

  He uses one finger to raise my chin, leaving me no choice but to look into his crystalline blue eyes. They are the most intense color, smoldering and smoky, now holding my own completely captivated. “Dance with me,” he says, setting my wine glass on the bar before guiding me onto the floor as the band extends an invitation to everyone.

  Brian pulls me close and with his hand, places my head on his chest. I can feel the strong beat of his heart against my cheek and the warmth of his breath in my hair. He skillfully weaves me around the dance floor now dotted with family and friends. “I like the way you feel in my arms,” he says quietly while his finger continues tracing a circular pattern on the small of my back.

  “Me, too,” I say, my cheeks flaming as I feel my nipples harden against him through the thin material of my dress.

  He keeps me pressed close. “I can feel how turned-on you are. What’s the flushed little face about? Are you embarrassed?” he whispers in my ear.

  I feel myself moistening and only contemplate a moment before responding. “Yes,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

  “Why does it embarrass you?” he asks, his eyes holding mine as he looks down at me.

  “Maybe I thought I was the only one who felt it,” I say breathlessly.

  “You can’t feel my cock pressed against your thigh as I guide you around the dance floor?” he asks quietly.

  I look down and away from him, feeling the warmth of my cheeks deepen further. “Yes,” I say, now completely focused on the feel of it against me.

  “Your downcast eyes are exciting, all submissive-like, but right n
ow I want to see those deep green eyes looking at me so I can tell what you’re feeling,” he says, lifting and tilting my chin.

  “Are you always this forward?” I ask.

  “Yes. I have no desire to play games. So we’ve cleared up that you’re not the only one aroused?” he asks, his mouth quirking to the side as he awaits my answer.

  “Pretty sure you’ve covered that,” I say, mesmerized by the seas of blue that feel like they penetrate right through me.

  “Good,” he says, guiding me off the dance floor to our seats at the bar.

  “So are there any best-man and maid-of-honor protocols we need to adhere to this evening?” I ask as I reach for my drink.

  “In terms of responsibilities to the bride and groom, or to each other?” he asks.

  “My question was more related to the wedding as a whole,” I say, taking a sip of my wine and trying not to look up as I feel the intensity of his gaze upon me.

  “No protocol that I know of, but I’m pretty certain a kiss is almost always commonplace between the best man and maid of honor,” he says.

  I look up at that and see the amusement in his eyes. “You’re having fun at my expense.”

  “No, I’m letting you know what to expect. A shot across the bow, if you will,” he says.

  “Are you always so presuming?” I ask.

  He levels me with a look. “As before, I have no interest in games. You’re gorgeous, you feel the attraction, too, and before the end of this evening, I do plan to kiss you,” he says.

  My breath catches. It’s been months since I’ve been with anyone physically, and it’s impossible to deny the attraction. I find it difficult to look away from the heat of his gaze. “Since we’re not playing games, I’d like that very much,” I say softly, immediately appalled that I’ve managed to express this aloud without a shred of embarrassment.

  “Come with me,” he says, guiding me with a hand on the small of my back past the throng of dancers spread out across the marble floor, down the hall, and into an empty study. The door has barely closed before he pulls me into his arms. My breath shallows and body tingles as his hand cradles the back of my neck, holding me still for a moment, his eyes wordlessly asking before his mouth descends and connects with my own. His tongue circles my lips, teasing me until I open for him. He is not gentle but instead demanding. My tongue entwines with his of its own accord, welcoming the sensual feel of the intimate connection, enthralled with a passion I’ve always longed for but never felt. His hand cups my breast, his thumb instinctively finding and caressing the aroused nipple poking through the thin material. He takes the captured nub between his thumb and forefinger, squeezing until I moan with the feel it creates in my center. I hear myself softly moan again, pushing against the arousal that’s firmly pressed against my lower belly.

  “Still think you’re the only one that feels the attraction?” he asks, repositioning himself so I feel the entire length of his cock along my hip bone.

  I shake my head, my own body moistening at the feel of his desire pushed against me. He takes my hands, sliding them up the wall, holding them securely above my head as his tongue continues its exploration. As the constriction of my wrists resonates in my brain, my pulse accelerates, and I am suddenly overcome with mind-gripping fear. My heart begins to beat wildly and survival instinct takes over. I yank my wrists as hard as possible at the same time my knee connects with his groin, allowing me to free myself from the strength of his hold.

  I use that moment to bolt, yanking open the door, and all I hear is “Christ! What the hell” as I tear out of the study, making my way down the empty hall to the back stairs, taking them two at a time all the way to the top, slamming the door behind me before sinking into a sobbing pile on the floor. I don’t know how long it takes before my breathing and heart rate slow down, although finally they do, enough for me to make my way to the queen-size bed and bury my head in the comforting depths of the feather pillow. I wipe the tears, which continue to fall for the next hour or so before I’ve completely calmed down and nothing is left but mortification and embarrassment for my behavior.

  Brian must think I’m seriously unstable, and maybe I am. I don’t know how to put it into words but I know he deserves an explanation. I finally grab my phone and begin typing an email, deleting the first few drafts before settling on the final version and hitting the send button.

  Shattered is available now!

  About the Author

  Via Mari was raised in both the United States and United Kingdom and travels extensively. As a child she spent uncountable hours traveling and always enjoyed reading to pass the time and this pattern has continued in her adult life.

  In fact, you can still find her curled up in an overstuffed chair, when the wood fire is crackling and popping, reading a page-turning novel until the early hours of the morning, especially during the harsh winters of the Midwestern United States or engrossed in a book as she travels from place to place researching for her own novels, or attending conferences.

  Via’s inspiration to publish stemmed from research as she began writing love scenes for her own novels. It became apparent there seemed to be a cultural divide between what people believed was normal or vanilla sexual behavior and that which people considered BDSM and she felt compelled enough to write about the differences, similarities, and extreme feelings and levels of trust individuals in dominant and submissive relationships must have, and the desires that are at the heart of these relationships.

  Via has been partnered for a multitude of years with her soul mate and when not writing enjoys spending time with their family, including an adorable fur-baby, gardening, or walking for exercise in town or around a big city to research her next novel.

  A Note From the Author

  A sincere thank you for reading and to everyone for all of the words of encouragement received along the way. If you liked the story, and think others may also, a review on Amazon would be much appreciated. It is a perfect way to share your opinions with others who may be looking for a novel to read from an author they do not yet know. If you are interested in following my work, keeping apprised of new contests, title announcements, cover reveals and release dates, please feel free to connect with me on:

  My Newsletter

  Facebook @ViaMariAuthor

  Twitter @ViaMari_Writer

  Instagram @viamari.inc

  My Amazon Author Page

  My Website

  Books by Via Mari

  The Prestian Series

  Degrees of Innocence

  Degrees of Acceptance

  Degrees of Control

  Degrees of Power

  The Torzial Affair

  Shattered

  Bound

  Claimed

  The Billionaire Bodyguards

  Wayward

  Undercover

  The Larussio Legacy

  Rule

  Rise

  Reign