Some of you have been asking what will be my next story and when will it be available. Well I am working on my next series which is Russian Royalty. Book one is Guard My Body; Tia's story and I wanted to give you all a sneak peek. Book one will be available in June 2012. I hope that you enjoy the sample and find it interesting as well as intriguing.
Love, Peace and happy reading!
Shelli Quinn
Russian Royalty Book One Tia’s Story
Guard My Body
Prologue
Olga Romanov was a descendant of royal blood, although at the moment she was not a well woman. She feared that her time was getting closer to the end, and she needed to get her affairs in order. She met with the Romanov family lawyer to finalize her last will and testament then sent for her only son Dmitry.
Olga was desperate to tell him the secret she’d been keeping from him for last twenty-six years before she took her final breath. She hoped with all her heart that he’d understand why it was necessary to take the action that she’d taken all those years ago.
She knew that he’d be heart-broken when he learned the truth, but she’d had no other options at the time because the alternative was unthinkable. Olga wanted to be certain that he understood the magnitude of the situation and what could happen once her secret was revealed.
When Dmitry arrived, he rushed to his mother’s side. He'd never seen her look so pale and thin. Her eyes that once shined with joy are at the moment dull and lifeless her bright smiling face was currently a pained grimace as she struggled to sit up even as he tried to stop her.
“Mama, please don’t try to get up it will take too much of your strength.” Dmitry pleaded as he sat in the chair beside the bed.
“Dmitry my darling son, will you please forgive me.” Olga asked softly as tears began to run down her pale, wrinkled cheeks.
“Forgive you, why would I need to forgive you mama?” He asked softly thinking that his mother didn’t really know what she was saying.
“Dmitry I want you to listen to me carefully. Everything that I’ve done for the last twenty-six years is because I love my family and wanted to keep all of you safe. I had to protect not only you and the boys, but your wife and daughters as well.” Olga said taking several deep breaths between her words. Her Russian accent thickened as she struggled to speak making her English harder to understand.
Dmitry thought that his mother must be delirious because his first wife the mother of his twin sons died the day she’d given birth. And his second wife Nicolette was killed in a plane crash almost twenty-six years ago while pregnant with their child.
“Mama, you should just rest for now you seem to be confused both my wives are gone, and I never had any daughters.” He said trying to soothe her troubled spirit.
“No Dmitry, I’m not confused your dear wife Nicolette is alive, and the two of you are parents of twin daughters; Katia and Natasha they’re so beautiful. They both have their mother’s lovely pecan brown skin color and your piercing grey eyes. They’re both smart as a whip and as tough as nails those girls have the best of you and Nicolette within them. Quite honestly they can be a real handful at times.” Olga said smiling proudly.
“Mama, it was just a dream. Nicolette died almost twenty-six years ago remember?” He said reminding her about the plane crash that had supposedly claimed the life of Nicolette and their unborn child. Tears filled Dmitry’s pale grey eyes as he thought about his second wife and the way they’d met.
Dmitry walked in on Nicolette robbing his safe. However, he didn’t know at the time that she was a security expert hired to test the security of his family’s home and multi-billion dollar company. She’d been able to breach the security of both in no time flat. Nicolette had also disarmed three of his bodyguards before taking him hostage all to prove that they seriously needed to retrain as well as upgrade their security.
Dmitry could remember thinking that Nicolette was the most beautiful black woman he’d ever seen. Actually, she was hands down the most beautiful woman of any color that he’d ever seen. Her smooth pecan skin-tone, hazel eyes and bright smile took his breath away and stole his heart making him fall completely in love with her. Even his young sons became smitten with the beautiful Nicolette Dubois and her carefree spirit.
Dmitry and Nicolette married within six months of their meeting. He and his sons only had three short years with their beloved Nicolette. They’d all been so excited to find out that she was pregnant. The day her plane had crashed was the most devastating day in his entire life. He’d give anything to have her back.
“Dmitry, Nicolette wasn’t on the plane that crashed we let everyone believe she died that day so that she, and the girls could live in peace. She didn’t want you to know about all the threats she’d received. I only found out because a staff member came across some of the letters that threatened to harm not only her but you and the boys as well if she didn’t leave the Romanov house and never contact this family again. Nicolette hadn’t been too concerned about any of the threats until then, she became terrified for your safety. It wasn’t until I questioned her about the threats that I found out she’d received a plane ticket along with the last letter. I had a bad feeling about her getting on that plane, so I came up with a different plan. However, when the plane crashed we knew that it wasn’t an accident, and that she couldn’t come back here.” Olga was out of breath and gasping for air as she finished telling Dmitry the secret she’d been hiding for all these years.
Dmitry didn’t know whether he should believe his mother’s story or not. He’d been devastated when he learned of his dear Nicolette’s plane crash.
“Mama, what you are saying right now can’t be the truth. Nicolette wouldn’t have just walked away from me, and the boys like that she wasn’t that kind of person.” He said not wanting to believe a word of her story.
“Nicolette would have and still will do anything to protect you and your sons that is all she’s ever done protected her family even from afar. She has always been an extraordinary woman, and her love for you is just as strong now as it was back then, for twenty-six years, she’s remained faithful to you, Dmitry.
“Her only focus has been raising your daughters and training them to be strong, smart, creative young woman. Those daughters of yours are a force to be reckoned with.” Olga whispered with the smile of a proud grandmother.
Dmitry blinked back the tears that had gathered in his eyes for the last twenty-six years he’d mourned the loss of his wife, and now he was supposed to believe that she was alive, and she’d raised his twin daughters without him.
Although if she was alive, he’d finally be able to unlock the part of his heart that he’d sealed shut that day. If he could have his dear Nicolette back as well as the daughters, he’d never met; he’d do whatever it took to keep them safe.
“Where are they mama? I need to see them. I have to see Nicolette and meet my daughters.” He demanded before remembering that even if he was upset Olga was still his mother, and she’d loved Nicolette as if she’d been her own daughter. “I’m sorry mama. I know that you kept this secret to keep them safe, but that’s something I need to do now.”
“Yes Dmitry, it’s your turn now. However, you must be careful we still don’t know who was threatening her. You should know that the threats didn’t start until after you announced that she was pregnant.” Olga said.
“I promise to protect them with all that I am, and I know the boys will be happy to hear the news about Nicolette, and about the fact that they have two sisters.” Dmitry said with a slight smile.
Olga took a breath before telling Dmitry the rest of the secret that she’d been keeping. He listened quietly not saying a word as she told him about spending every summer with Nicolette and the girls since before they were even born. She told him about the recordings she’d made for him over the years as Katia and Natasha grew into the women whom they are today.
When Olga was done with her story, she told him everything he needed to know in order to go see his wife and daughters. She also told him about her will and how she’d made sure that the girls would get their fair share of the family company in the event she didn't get better.
Feeling exhausted and out of breath, she forced a smile on her face. “I know that they’re in good hands now that you know everything, so I can rest easy.” She said as her eyes slowly drifted shut and her breathing gradually returned to normal as she fell into a peaceful slumber.
Dmitry finally let the tears he’d been holding back fall as he got to his feet before bending over to kiss his mother on the forehead as he quietly thanked the woman who’d protected his wife and daughters for twenty-six years. “I forgive you mama.” He whispered.
Moments later Dmitry glanced up when his sons Mikhail and Valerik entered the room as
he quickly wiped away his tears. “Mama’s finally sleeping peacefully so please try not to wake her. Once I know that she’s feeling better the two of you need to pack because we’re going to California.”
“California, why in the hell do we need to go there?” Valerik asked.
“Yeah papa, I’d also like to know why we need to go to California, what’s so important that we have to go right away?” Mikhail asked curiously.
“We’re going to California to bring home my wife and your sisters.” Dmitry replied. His reply caused Valerik and Mikhail to star at him in confusion.
“Uh papa, I think you need to get some rest because it sounded like you said that we were going to California to get your wife and our sisters, which is impossible.” Mikhail said a bit worried about his father sanity.
“Yeah since neither of those things exists.” Valerik added sarcastically.
“Actually smart ass thanks to your grandmother it’s not impossible. Nicolette is alive and so are your sisters Katia and Natasha. I’ll tell both of you everything but for now stop asking questions and do as I say. Go pack!” Dmitry commanded losing his patience with his sons something that he did quite often.
“Hell papa if Mama Nikki is alive we don’t need to waste time packing I’ll buy everything I need when we get there. So what are we waiting for let’s go.” Valerik said as he turned for the door.
“Stop right there boy, have you forgotten that grandmother isn’t well, and we need to make sure that she’s feeling better before we go anywhere.” Mikhail said a bit irritated with his brother for being insensitive.
“Don’t you think I know that, damn have you forgotten I love grandmother too.” Valerik said defensively.
“Well then why don’t you try acting like it, you insensitive jerk.” Mikhail yelled. Valerik didn’t appreciate being insulted and was about to let his brother know it.
“Would the two of you, please show some respect for your grandmother, she’s trying to sleep?” Dmitry said becoming a little frustrated with his bickering sons.
“Well he’s the one that started it papa.” Valerik said as he pointed an accusing finger at his brother.
“What are you twelve?” Mikhail said taunting his brother.
“My goodness thirty-one years old and the two of you are still fighting like children. I guess some things never change.” All three men snapped their heads in the direction of the doorway from which they all heard a strangely familiar voice.
Standing in the doorway was the woman who’d stolen their hearts more than twenty years ago Nicolette Dubois-Romanov. She looked just as beautiful now as she had all those years ago. Her smooth pecan colored skin showed minimal signs of aging, and those vibrant hazel eyes of hers were trained unblinkingly on the only man; she'd ever loved her husband Dmitry.
“Mama Nikki!” Mikhail and Valerik shouted in unison with surprise and excitement meeting her half way as she moved to the center of the room.
“It’s good to know that at least two of you are happy to see me.” Nicolette said hugging each of her stepsons while letting her eyes drift slowly to Dmitry as their gazes locked. “Hello Dmitry.” She said using her Russian accent instead of her usual French accent.
Dmitry walked slowly towards Nicolette watching as his sons greeted their beloved stepmother as if she hadn’t been MIA for the last twenty-six years. These two knuckleheads were acting as if she’d just returned from a weekend trip. Yes, he was just as happy to see her as his sons were, every cell in his body wanted to grab hold of her and never let her go, but he wasn’t going to let her off that easy.
Damn this woman, how dare she stand in front of him looking just as beautiful and sexy as she had the last time he’d seen her more than twenty years ago.
“I’ll reserve the right to be happy after you tell me, where the hell my daughters are.” Dmitry demanded.
Nicolette didn’t appreciate his tone and folded her arms across her middle as she arched a questioning brow at him. She curved her lips into a half smile as she glared at him.
“Are you talking about the daughters who are standing in the doorway behind you?” Nicolette asked sarcastically.
Dmitry turned to see two gorgeous young women standing in the doorway smiling mischievously both had their mother’s pecan skin-tone and his light grey eyes.
“What up Pops?” Tia said teasingly.
Chapter One
Tia Roman was known as the smart ass, quick tempered, fight for any reason twin, and she had no idea that her life as she knew it would change so drastically. It was exactly two weeks ago today that her life had changed forever.
That was the day she’d stop using the fabricated identity given to her by her mother and grandmother to keep her and her sister safe. She was now Katia Romanov a descendant of royal blood and the daughter of billionaire business man Dmitry Romanov. She’d finally met her father and brothers for the first time, as well as meeting the unsmiling grouch sitting next to her. The man who was now her permanent shadow, Viktor Borodin, he was her protector, her bodyguard and her spy. The man watched her every move; she could always feel those light-green eyes fixed on her.
It wouldn’t be so bad if he was a normal, average kind of man, but he wasn’t. The giant size man didn’t smile. He didn’t talk he just stood there watching her. He was there her every waking moment from the time she opened her room door in the morning until she went to bed at night.
Tia wasn’t even sure if the man slept because he was always there twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. He was driving her up the walls, and she’d only met him two weeks ago. It's a day she’d remember for the rest of her life.
Tia thought back to that day two weeks ago;
As long as she could remember her mother Nikki, and her twin sister Tasha was the only family she had. Well, except for her best friends, Zabrina and Jazmina Abbot. Oh yeah and her Russian Grandmother Olga, a descendant of royalty she was like a Baroness or a Duchess or something. She’d always come to stay with them every summer since before they could remember. Although this last summer Grandma Olga hadn’t come to be with them, a fact that made their mother very upset.
Of course, the absences of Grandma Olga made them all very sad because she was always so much fun to be around. However, their mother Nikki really seemed to be taking her absences quite hard. Nikki a usually upbeat, easy going, fun loving woman had appeared to be almost depressed. The woman who always wore a smile on her beautiful face rarely smiled before they came here, and she appeared to be a little nervous and a lot worried, as they’d made the long trip to some unknown town just outside of Toronto, Canada. When they’d entered the massively large mansion, her mother seemed to be almost trembling.
Tia remembered the older man that had greeting them at the door. He was Yuri Babin, Grandma Olga’s attorney and personal assistant. They’d had the pleasure of meeting him on several occasions when he’d accompanied Olga on her summer visits. He was a nice enough man unlike the unsmiling monster size guy who had picked them up at the airport.
The man had to be close to seven feet tall and as wide as a building. Not to mention he was damn fine with his light-brown hair and light, glassy green eyes, he had a body like the hulk minus the green skin-tone. His stern expression made him look mean as hell, and she had no doubt that he probably was.
Tia had smiled at the man she now knew as Viktor several times and not once did he return her smile with one of his own. He’d looked away each time she’d caught his eye without so much as an acknowledgement of her existences. Well, that was fine by her admittedly he was handsome as all get out, not to mention that he was hotter than a freshly erupted volcano. However, she’d never chased a man, and she sure as hell wasn’t about to start now no matter how fine he was.
Tia had stood beside her sister and watched as their mother greeted two extremely handsome men who called her Mama Nikki. Her first thought was why in the hell are these two hunks calling her mother, Mama? Her second thought was damn this place is crawling with the finest men she’d ever seen in her life.
However, her attention was drawn to the face of the man across the room, a face, she and Tasha had seen in photos and videos on many occasions over the years. He was Olga’s son Dmitry, a man who was also their father.
Aw hell, that’s when it had dawned on her that if these two hunks were his sons that would mean they’re her brothers. That would be the reason they’d called her mother, Mama Nikki.
Damn, damn, damn…She instantly scratched those two off her list of prospects, but at least she has some really hot brothers.
Come to think of it she could finally understand why her mother never cared about dating anyone. Their father was a gorgeous man. Of course, he hadn’t looked too pleased when he’d demanded to know the whereabouts of his daughters.
“What up pops?” Tia had said hoping to lighten the mood in the room at the time causing Tasha to nudge her in the ribs with her elbow. “Damn girl, will you keep those bony ass elbows to yourself.”
“I tell you what I’ll keep my elbows to myself if you keep that big mouth of your shut.” Tasha had whispered not too quietly.
“I know you didn’t just tell me to shut up?” Tia complained sounding a bit annoyed at the time.
“Ding, ding, ding you deserve a cookie for catching that on the first try, sis.” Tasha teased with a smirk.
“You ain’t funny heifer!” Tia replied with a frown as she’d glared at her sister.
“Wow, those two must be our sisters they’re as bad as we are.” Valerik had said sounding amused.
“Actually I think those two may be worse than us.” Mikhail replied with a grin.
“Really, how do you figure that?” Valerik asked.
“Let’s see, because I’ve never called you a heifer at least I don’t think I have.” Mikhail said.
“No but you have called me plenty of other names.” Valerik replied as he’d narrowed his gaze at his brother.
“That’s true.” Mikhail said with a grin.
“I guess the four of us inherited our smart mouth from Papa.” Valerik said teasingly.
“I knew we had to get it from somewhere. Hey girl we have brothers this is going to be fun as hell.” Tia remembered saying as she’d bumped Tasha with her hip.
“Yeah, I can see this is going to be a laugh a minute, especially since I don’t ever remember anyone describing hell as fun.” Tasha murmured sarcastically as she’d rolled her eyes.
Mikhail glanced at Tasha before bursting into uncontrollable laughter causing the other three to laugh as well.
“I thought I‘d never live to see this day.” They’d heard Olga say from the bed behind them.
“Grandmother you’re awake!” The four of them had all yelled out simultaneously.
“How can I sleep with all of this racket going on around me?” She’d said happily.
“Sorry, grandmother would you like for us to leave so that you can go back to sleep?” Mikhail asked with concern.
“Leave? We just got here.” Tia had protested without thinking.
“Tia!” Tasha had said in a scolding tone.
“Sorry, Grandma Olga but we haven’t seen you in a long time and I’ve missed you.” Tia said as she’d kneeled beside the bed before taking one of Olga’s hands in hers.
“It’s alright my little Katia. I've missed you as well. I’ve waited so long to have all of my grandchildren in the same room. I’m truly excited I couldn’t go back to sleep even if I wanted to which I don’t.” Olga said as tears of joy rolled down her cheeks.
Tasha dropped down beside Tia as they both leaned over the bed smiling. Mikhail and Valerik moved to the other side of the bed and kneeled as well. Seeing the four of her grandchildren made her feel better than she had in a long time. Her heart swelled with joy at having them all at her side.
“So I take it that the four of you have met?” She asked.
“Well not exactly, grandmother.” Mikhail replied glancing across the bed at his newly acquired sisters.
“What are the four of you waiting for?” Olga asked.
“Right sorry grandmother, I’m Mikhail and this is Valerik.”
“I can speak for myself thank you very much.” Valerik said.
“Could you maybe not start right now?” Mikhail asked sarcastically.
“I’m just saying I could have introduced myself, why did you have to do it?” Valerik complained.
“Are you serious right now? You are such a baby sometimes.” Mikhail replied.
“Good gracious you boys are really too old to be acting so childish.” Dmitry said irritated with both of his sons’ behavior.
“Well you just wait if those two are getting on your nerves right now, the other two will have you pulling your hair out by the roots.” Nikki said.
Olga laughed quietly. “They aren’t that bad Katia and Natasha are a lot like Mikhail and Valerik. All four of them have spunk and determination that alone makes me proud to be their grandmother.”
“It’s nice to meet you both Katia and Natasha.” Valerik said with a smile.
“Hey the name is Tia Grandma Olga is the only one that calls me Katia, Rik.” Tia said politely.
“The name is Valerik.”
“Not anymore besides Rik is a lot easier for me to remember, worry you’ll get use to it.” Tia said with a sweet smile.
“Well I guess calling me Rik is better than calling me Val.” He said with a grin.
“Before you start shorting my name to something like Hal most people call me Misha.” Mikhail said.
Tia and Tasha exchanged glances. “Misha, aw hell naw I’m not calling any brother of mine Misha.” Tia said with a frown.
“Tia, didn’t you use to beat up on a girl name Misha back in high school?” Tasha asked trying not to laugh.
“I sure as hell did three times a week all through senior year, and she deserved every single ass kicking I gave her.” Tia said sounding very proud.
“What did the girl do to make you to beat her up so much?” Valerik asked.
“Let’s just say that she didn’t care for my skin color, and I didn’t care for her anything. After some of the things, she called me and Tasha, she’d better be glad that I let her keep that evil tongue of hers instead of ripping it out of her filthy mouth.” Tia said as her nostrils flared in anger.
“I’m sorry that the two of you had to go through that, so what would you like to call me, and remember I am your big brother so be kind.” Mikhail said teasingly.
Tia laughed. “That’s okay big brother besides Tasha hacked into the school computers and changed all of her grades so that she couldn’t graduate with the rest of us. By the time they figured out what happened, we’d already graduated. Anyway how about if we call you Mik? Would that be alright?”
Mikhail pretended to think about it for a minute before smiling. “That sounds good to me.”
Valerik rolled his eyes. “I can see how this is going to go. The two of you are going to have everyone within breathing distance wrapped around your little fingers.”
“We have no idea what you’re talking about Rik.” Tasha said shyly.
“Have you girls said hello to your father yet?” Olga asked interrupting their playful exchange as she’d glanced across the room at her son.
“We haven’t officially greeted him yet Grandma Olga.” Tasha replied letting her gaze drift to Dmitry.
“Well don’t you think that it’s about time that the two of you officially met your father? Nicolette I think you need to introduce your daughters to their father.” Olga said shifting her gaze in her direction.
“I’d love to introduce our daughters to their father Mama Olga. However, it seems that every time I open my mouth it causes Dmitry to cringe. So it might be best if I just stand over here and keep my mouth shut.” Nicolette said stubbornly as she once again folded her arms over her middle.
“Dmitry, I know it’s not easy to get over us keeping the girls from you all these years, but I assure you it was the only way to keep them safe. Nicolette missed you and the boys more than you’ll ever know. Now stop being an ass to the woman who has stayed faithfully to you for twenty-six long years.” Olga demanded sounding stronger than she has in quite awhile.
“You tell him Grandma Olga.” Tia said feeling defensive of her mother.
“Tia your grandmother doesn’t need any help from you.” Nicolette scolded.
“Grandmother may not need any help Mama Nikki but Tia is right Papa shouldn’t be acting like that.” Rik said.
“Yeah, I think we’ll save the introduction until after papa makes peace with mama, so while grandma sets them both straight I’d like to get something to eat.” Tasha said getting to her feet as her sister and brothers did as well.
The four of them had left the room for something to eat only to return a couple of hours later to find Dmitry and Nikki in an embrace so tight even air couldn’t flow between the two of them. Their mother had smiled more that day than she had in the twenty-five years they’d known her.
She and Tasha had officially met their father and they both cried for the first time since they were could remember. They were so happy to finally have a family that actually included men.
But then her parents and grandmother just sucked all the joy out of that day when they’d appointed mount Viktor as her bodyguard. And now here they were sitting in the backseat of her chauffeured driven Bentley on their way to meet the rest of her family.
Back to present day;
Tia glanced at Viktor from the corner of her eye. He was just sitting there like a stone pillar with his light-brown short-cropped hair, sexy green eyes and stern expression. His shoulders were so wide that he occupied more than half the seat not to mention that one of his thickly muscled legs was a mere few inches from rubbing against hers. In fact, if she were to move her body the slightest little bit in his direction, they’d be touching from shoulder to knee.
Yeah and if she did he would almost break his neck getting away from her. Each time she’d come close to touching him; he'd moved so fast that she thought he’d hurt himself. Being around Viktor was frustrating, and frankly, she was getting sick of his rude attitude. Maybe it was time she let him know just how fed up she was with him. However, Tia was pretty sure that it wouldn’t do any good.
Knowing him he would just pretend not to hear her the way he always did when she was talking to him. No she thought it was time to ask her father for a new bodyguard one that wasn’t such a drag. Viktor may be cute and fine as hell but being around him was as fun as walking barefoot through hot sand.
Tia sighed loudly as she folded her arms and crossed one leg over the other accidentally brushing it against one of Viktor’s large legs. Then she watched with great irritation as he sat up straighter in his seat and moved his leg away.
“Oh good grief, my touch isn’t deadly you big ox.” Tia yelled angrily before turning her body away from him.
Viktor glanced in her direction catching a glimpse of the hurt expression on her lovely
face. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her feelings or make her feel bad. He didn’t know what she was thinking, but it sounded as if she had some crazy thoughts in her head about him. He wasn’t stupid he knew that one touch from her could mean big trouble for him.
Viktor had been attracted to Tia from the moment he’d saw her at the airport. When he’d
caught a glimpse of her smiling face it had made his heart race wildly the way her grey eyes
sparkled when she laughed. She seemed to affect him in ways that no woman ever had. And
all that went through his mind was why oh why did this have to happen with a woman who was
Dmitry’s daughter?
He’d never felt this drawn to any woman in his life every time she was near him all he wanted to do was make her his. However, he also knew that she was off-limits because she was his boss’ daughter. It didn’t matter how badly he wanted her because he also wanted to continue breathing, and putting his hands-on Tia for any reason other than protecting her would end that.
He’d figured out pretty quickly that if either of them was to touch the other, it could
cause a spontaneous combustion between the two of them. And he feared that there would be
only one way to stop it and that was a situation that could prove to be deadly for him if he
angered any of the Romanov men.
Viktor let his gaze drift downward over Tia’s legs and had to take several deep breaths to calm his body from the automatic response it caused. Why on earth did she have to wear a suit with a skirt that short, she was showing way too much leg for his peace of mind?
His gaze almost refused to leave her long, shapely brown legs, although it took every ounce of his will-power, he finally forced his gaze to move on. However, he wasn’t sure if that was the smartest decision he’d ever made as his gaze came to rest on her peek-a-boo cleavage.
Viktor was fairly certain that the only thing she was wearing beneath her suit jacket was a push-up bra. His mouth watered uncontrollably as he gazed at the smooth mounds of sexy brown skin that were visible in the opening of her jacket. He wished with everything in him that he could close his lips around one of her plumb breasts and draw it deeply into his warm, wet mouth.
He shook his head to clear it of the crazy thoughts that seemed to be running rampant in his mind. “Huh uh, I apologize if I unintentionally offended you, I didn’t mean to.” He said with a heavy Russian accent.
“Whatever!” Tia said as she continued to gaze out the window not bothering to look at him.
Before he could respond they arrived at their destination, and the driver quickly rounded the car to open her door. She hopped out of the car so fast that she lost her balance thankfully the driver was there to keep her falling.
However, the young man took his time releasing his hold on Tia, which angered Viktor greatly. Viktor also didn’t like the look in the man’s eyes as he stared at Tia in that short skirt and tight low-cut jacket. Before he could stop himself, he reached out and grabbed Tia by the upper arm pulling her from the young man’s grasp.
The moment he touched her, he felt the hot electrical current that jolted through him like being hit by lightning on a clear day. Viktor ignored the sensations for now in order to deal with the young man in front of him.
Viktor stared down at the young man who had been hired as Tia’s driver. “You’d better watch those hands of yours before you end up looking for a job that doesn’t require the use of any.”
His threatening words aimed at the man who’d stopped her from falling angered Tia more than she already was. “Excuse you, if he hadn’t used his hands to catch me, I would have fallen flat on my face.”
“Catching you isn’t the problem as soon as you were no longer in danger of falling he should have removed his hands from you that is the problem.” Viktor said.
“Say what oh, so I guess because you have a problem with touching me, you think that everyone else should as well?” Tia asked angrily through tightly clenched teeth.
“Oh don’t worry I have no problem with touching you, Miss. Romanov.” The driver said with a smile.
Tia felt a bit creepy, by the way, he’d said that. However, she smiled at the man anyway, which only angered Viktor more.
Viktor glared at the man. “You might not think you have a problem touching her, but I promise you that if you touch her again you will definitely have a problem breathing.”
He watched as the man quietly walked around the car and slid into the driver seat before turning his gaze back to Tia. “And in case you hadn’t noticed little Miss-pouts-a-lot I happen to be touching you right now.”
Tia glanced down at the large hand that was currently wrapped around her upper arm. She could feel the warmth of his touch through her jacket, and the heat caused tingling sensations to dance up her arm and spread rampantly through her body.
She shifted her gaze back to his handsome face. “Yeah I can see that, and this is definitely a first. So now what, should I give you a lollipop for finally touching the black woman whom you’re supposed to be protecting?”
Viktor’s eyes widened at her words. “What did you say to me just now?”
“Don’t you dare stand there trying to act all deaf and dumb, damn it. You heard me.” Tia yelled as she uselessly struggled to free her arm from his strong hand.
Viktor continued to stare down at her. “Is that what you think? That I have a problem with you being black?”
“Yes I do and just so that you know that’s your problem not mine. Now get your big ole’ meaty paws off me blockhead, because as soon as I see my father, I’m going to ask him for a new bodyguard. What would I want with a bodyguard who's afraid to touch me because of my skin color?” She yelled up at him.
Not wanting to argue with her on the sidewalk in front of her family’s building Viktor glanced around before quickly pulling her into the lobby and down the hall to one of the empty offices. Once they were inside, he closed the door keeping a firm but gentle hold on her arm.
“If you’re planning to kill me, It probably wasn’t a good idea to drag me into my family’s building to do it. You could’ve just pushed me into the street in the path of a large truck or something.” Tia said as she saw the unreadable look in his light-green eyes.
Viktor maneuvered her around so that her body was pressed against the wall beside the door. He placed both hands on the wall behind her trapping her between his arms.
“Oh stop being so dramatic I’m not planning to kill you. I thought since you thought that I have a problem touching you because of your skin color that I’d show you just how ridiculously absurd that is.” He said with a smirk surprising her because it was something she’d never seen him do.
“Really and just how do you plan to do that?” She asked curiously. The last word was barely out of her mouth when he bent his head forward causing her to tilt her head back. When she was gazing up at him, he gently closed his lips over hers in a warm wet kiss that was filled with desire.
Tia felt her knees buckle, and just as she thought she was about to clasp into a heap on the floor at his feet; he pressed his body against hers to hold her up. The heat from his warm body pressed against hers was so hot that she was afraid it would burn holes in the front of her suit. She released a quiet gasp when he slipped one of his large hands around her waist at the small of her back and the other at the nape of her neck.
Her quiet gasp parted her soft lips allowing him the chance to slip his tongue inside her mouth deepening their kiss. Tia was helpless to stop her arms as they involuntarily went around his neck. The last thing she’d expected was for him to kiss her with such passion, more passion than she thought he was capable of.
This was a delightful surprise at least now she knew that he wasn’t bothered by her skin color, which was a big relief.
Viktor gave in to his passion for a brief moment as he enjoyed the feel of Tia in his arms. He knew that these few stolen moments in this empty office were all that they could or would have. He was her bodyguard and protector that’s what he’d been hired to do, and even if it killed him, he was going to do just that.
However, now that he’d stupidly sampled a taste of her sweet mouth and found her luscious lips to be quite tasty he knew with certainty that the temptation would be greater than ever. And that was the reason he’d worked so hard not to touch the woman in his arms.
Viktor suspected that the heat between the two of them would be almost explosive upon contact. And he’d been right Tia stroked a flame of desire in him so strong that keeping it contained would be anything but easy.
As incredible as it felt to have her in his arms, he knew that he needed to put an end to this before it became impossible to let her go. He slowly began to end their kiss withdrawing his tongue from her mouth to swipe it across her lips before lifting his head to gaze down at her.
Tia took her time opening her eyes and when she saw the look in his sexy green eyes stole her breath away. She inhaled deeply giving her air deprived lungs some much-needed oxygen as she waited for her senses to return.
“Wow that was not what I was expecting from you.” Tia whispered softly.
“I just wanted you to prove to you that I do not have a problem with the color of your skin.” Viktor said as he continued to gaze down into her beautiful grey eyes.
“Well you definitely proved that.” She said.
“I’ve wanted to do that since that first day when I picked you up from the airport.” He said.
“It certainly didn’t seem that way, the way you avoided making eye contact with me.” Tia replied.
“Avoiding your eye wasn’t the only thing that I was trying to avoid. I knew that getting to close to you would cause this to happen.” He said gently.
“My only question is what took your ass so damn long to kiss me if you wanted to, why didn’t you just do it?” She asked in confusion.
“Let me see maybe it’s because I work for your father he’s also a man whom I don’t want to piss off. And the way to do that is to keep my hands off of you, so this can’t happen again.” Viktor told her politely.
“What? Why can’t we do this again?” Tia asked loudly.
“Didn’t you hear what I said? I work for your father, and I do not want to make him mad, especially since I want to continue breathing.” He responded.
“Oh please, now who’s the one being dramatic? Dmitry isn’t that bad.” Tia said sarcastically.
“You have no idea just how powerful your family is, do you? Dmitry can be a very
dangerous man if he’s pushed not to mention the things your brothers are capable of. So whether
you believe it or not, you and I together would definitely push him to the limit.” Viktor said in
a serious tone.
“So in other words we can’t get involved because you’re afraid of my father and brothers? Well let me give you a piece of life-saving advice, if you ever tease me like this again my father and brothers will be the least of your worries.” She replied angrily.
Viktor saw the angry glean in her grey eyes and knew that just like the rest of her family she could be just as dangerous if she needed to be. “Tia, I’m sorry if I’ve upset you yet again because that was not my intention.”
“Yeah it seems that it’s never your intention but yet here we are again. Look whatever I’m done playing your stupid little game, now move your big ox.” Tia yelled as she turned around and yanked the door open before storming out of the empty office and down the hall. She’d made it halfway to the elevator when he caught up with her in just a few long strides.
Viktor wrapped one of his large hands around her upper to stop her. “Hold on little Miss-pouts-a-lot.”
“Why should I, you made your little point. You're attracted to me, but nothing can ever happen between us because you’re afraid of the men in my family. Now get your hand off of me my family is waiting for me.” Tia said in a sarcastic tone.
He sighed loudly becoming frustrated with her as she seemed not to understand how dangerous a relationship between them could be, mainly for him. “I’ll get my hand off you when I’m sure that you understand why we can’t get involved with each other.”
Tia glared at him with an arched brow and displeased expression. “Oh I understand perfectly. However, if you don’t remove your chunky paw from my arm, I’ll drop your big ass like a freight train off a cliff.”
I hope that you’ve enjoyed this sneak peek at the first book in my new series. Don’t the rest of Tia’s story coming in June 2012!!!!
