Chapter 1

Ophelia

   My body shivered as he ran his hands across my naked form. He wrapped his hand around my throat, gently kissing the sensitive spots of my neck.  Moving down, he took my nipples into his mouth, licking and sucking them gently. I moaned out his name as his hands brushed across my sensitive clit, "Damian” I screamed, as he slipped his finger inside – 

    

  The sound of my alarm clock pulled me from my dream, "Dammit," I hollered, as I leaned over to slam the snooze button. I have got to stop dreaming about my bodyguard. But it’s not that easy. Being around him day after day is torture. It’s like being half aroused all the time. Damian Blackman is the definition of alpha masculinity. From defined forearms covered in tattoos, to his bulging biceps, and a chiseled jawline that holds a perfectly trimmed stubble at all times. Everything about him screams pure confidence. How is it possible for a man to look so damn hard on the outside, yet his ocean blue eyes betray him and tell of a softer, gentler side. 

To top it off, his deep voice holds a thick Texas accent that has the power to send the most erotic thoughts running through my mind. I probably shouldn’t think about him that way though. He’s been working for my dad for almost two years, he’s friends with my brothers and I’m fairly sure he probably sees me as just the little sister. Which sucks. But dammit to hell if I can’t help but fantasize about what it would sound like hearing his deep voice groaning in pleasure against my skin. It would be as tantalizing as having his hands tangled in my hair guiding my mouth around his cock. 

After lying in bed for a moment, trying to calm the storm that was building in my core, I decided to push those thoughts away. There was no way in hell he would ever see me as more than the little brat he protects on a daily basis. 

I got out of bed and pushed back the curtains to my private balcony. My room was on the east side of the house that overlooked the pool and the massive flower garden dad had planted for me and mom when he had our house built. 

 This is my favorite time of year; the flowers were in full bloom and everything was coming back to life after the harsh winter. I wake up early most mornings to watch the sunrise, it was something my mom and I used to do when she was alive. From the time I was young, she would wake me up early in the morning and we would go out on the balcony to watch the sunrise together. She said that was her favorite time of day. My dad and the boys would still be sleeping, and we would sit together talking and watching the sunrise. As I got older, we would talk about life, my boy problems and what I wanted to do after high school. 

Unfortunately, mom never got to see me graduate high school. My junior year she was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. No matter how much chemo and radiation she tried, it was too late. 

She died the summer before my senior year. I miss her so deeply, there has been so much I wish I could share with her. Every night I still set an alarm and wake up to watch the sunrise.  

    After sunrise, I walked back into my room and closed the balcony doors behind me. Going into my bathroom, I turned on the water in my walk-in shower, undressed and dropped my clothes in the hamper. I washed my long curly brown hair, scrubbed my face, and soaped up with my favorite lavender body wash. Once finished, I rinsed off and stepped out of the shower grabbing a towel off the warmer to wrap up my hair. Wrapping a towel around my body, I walked into my massive closet to pick out clothes for the day. Damian and I would be going to Montreal to go shopping with my friends. My twenty first birthday is coming up in a few days and I still haven't found the perfect dress. 

I walked over to the island and opened the top drawer and grabbed a pair of white lace panties and a bra to match. I put on a pair of ripped skinny jeans, a long white sleeve crop top, and a pair of nude strappy caged high heel sandals. Walking over to the display cases, I put on my rose gold Tiffany bracelet and my matching Rolex watch with a white Mother of Pearl diamond dial.

Pulling the towel off my head, I went back into the bathroom and took a seat at the vanity. Using my fingers, I got out any tangles, applied my curling mousse, gel, and thermal treatment, giving it a quick blow dry and left it to hang. I decided to go with a natural look for my makeup, only putting on a little foundation, eyeliner, and mascara. 

I got up from the vanity and picked up my black Louis Vuitton handbag, walked over to my nightstand, grabbed my phone and wallet, and put them in my bag. I stopped at the mirror to admire my outfit and my toned hourglass figure, walked out the door and made my way downstairs to the kitchen.

Henry, our personal chef, was already cooking breakfast and dad was sitting at the bar talking to him. Dad was not your typical 60-year-old guy. He was 6'4 and was still very physically active. He could still hang with my brothers when it came to working out in the gym or going down to the range to run drills. Everyone thought of him as intimidating because of his alpha personality, but to me, he was like one big ass teddy bear.

Walking over to dad, I gave him a kiss on the cheek, “Good morning dad!”

He put his arm around my waist and returned my kiss, “Good morning sweetheart.”

I walked over to Henry and gave him a quick side hug, "Breakfast smells awesome." 

"Thank you, Ophelia." 

I set my purse down next to my chair at the table and walked over to the cabinet. I pulled out my favorite mug and poured myself some coffee. I added sugar and vanilla cream and took a seat at the island to talk to dad.

"What's on your agenda today?" 

"Well, I'm flying to Newark today. I have a meeting at the office, then I am going over to the shipping port. I'm also going to the club to see how the renovations are going and to talk to Liam about some business. I'll probably grab some dinner while I'm down there and be back later tonight."

"Damn, you have a busy day. When you see Liam, tell my big brother I said hi. It's been a while since he has been home."

Liam is my older brother, he lives in New York City, and takes care of a few of dad’s night clubs in the city. He’s not big on coming home very often. 

"Yeah, I know, but he has a lot going on with the night club, so go easy on him. Anyway, what time are you meeting your friends in Montreal?”

“I’m going to leave after breakfast.”

He looked at me sternly, "You’re taking Damian, right?”

I rolled my eyes, hating the fact that I even had to have a bodyguard in the first place, but with Damian it wasn’t too bad, “Yes dad, I’m taking Damian.”

"Good. I honored your request and assigned him as your bodyguard, so I don’t want to catch you ditching him. You hear me?” 

I put my head down, “Yes sir.”

When Henry finished cooking breakfast, he fixed dad a plate and refilled his coffee cup. Dad took his seat at the head of the table, as Noah, Oliver and James came into the kitchen. Noah and Oliver are twins, and the man whores of the family. They are just as tall as dad and have the same athletic muscular build and the same personality. Growing up with those two was like a daily wrestling match. They were always trying to outdo each other. As they got older, they realized what one lacked, the other one had. They started working together and relied on each other's strengths.

They joined the Army together and served three tours in eight years. When they got out, they decided to stay around the house and help Jax, dad's head of security, train the team that stays on the property full time. They even built their own firing range and training site at the back of the property. James is a few years older than me and he is nothing like Noah and Oliver. He was a little nerdy, tall slender figure, and he keeps to himself mostly. He takes off to Paris every chance he gets to stay with his girlfriend, Emily. I’ve come to the realization that the gene pool must have run out by the time it got to me. I was the shortest one in the family at only 5'6.

Noah walked over to me and patted me on top of the head, "Good morning O!”

I hollered at him and slapped his hand away from my hair, “DON’T TOUCH MY HAIR!” 

Oliver started laughing while pouring himself a cup of coffee, "Get him O." 

Dad chuckled and shook his head, “Leave your sister alone Noah.”

I looked at Noah, crunched my nose up and stuck out my tongue. He narrowed his eyes and stuck his tongue back at me. 

James walked over to the counter and pulled out his coffee mug, “Morning," he mumbled.

I was excited that he was back home, but knew it probably wouldn’t last too long, "Morning James, how was your trip to Paris?” 

“It was good. I’ll be going back in a few weeks.”

I pouted my lip, “Aw really? You’re going to leave me here with these two buffoons?” 

He moved closer to me and whispered, “Why don’t you come with me when I go back?”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I think it would do you some good to get away from here for a while. Plus, I know Emily would love to finally meet you.” 

“I might do that.” 

I picked up my mug, walked over to the table and set it down, went over to the counter and fixed myself a plate. I grabbed two biscuits and spread butter and jelly in the middle. I got two pieces of bacon, a piece of sausage, and took a seat next to dad at the table. My brothers each fixed themselves a plate of food, a cup of coffee and took a seat at the table as well.

I noticed Noah was staring at me, "Can I help you with something?”

Taking a bite of his biscuit, he looked at me confused, "Why the hell are you all dressed up? Where are you going?" 

"If you must know, I am going to Montreal to meet my friends."

"You taking Damian?" 

I rolled my eyes, "Yes. I’m taking Damian."

He shook his head in approval of my answer, "Good. Just making sure." 

"Why does it matter anyway?" 

"Because it does. If you don't like it, we could always go with you.”

"Oh, God no,” I said in disgust.  

"That's what I thought." 

As we had finished eating our breakfast, Jax came into the kitchen and walked over to dad.

    "Mitch, the plane is fueled and ready to go whenever you are."

    "Thank you Jax, tell the pilot I'll be ready in about an hour." Dad got up from the table, looked at me and my brothers, "I will see you all tonight. Sweetheart, have a great day.” He said, kissing me on top of my head.  

“I will dad. Have a good day!”

As dad and Jax walked out of the kitchen, Damian walked into the kitchen. He had on a long sleeve grey shirt, a pair of dark jeans, and his brown boots. He walked over to the table and took a seat next to me. I felt my face become hot and my pulse increased as I tried hard not to look at him, especially since the dream was still fresh in my mind.

He looked at Noah and Oliver, "Morning." 

"What's up dude?"

"I want to go down to the range tonight. I got a new revolver and want to test it out." He said to Noah and Oliver.

Oliver dusted the biscuit crumbs off his hands, "Fuck yeah man. Let's do it."

He turned and looked at me, clearing his throat to get my attention, "What are we taking today?" 

"Let's take my truck. It has more room for shopping." 

Damian smiled with his crooked little grin, "I'll bring it around front."

There it is. That crooked little grin that gets me every time and I couldn’t help but blush. 

He held my gaze, and I became lost in his eyes. He has the most beautiful blue eyes; like the sun shining off the ocean kind of blue. His eyes roamed down over my body before meeting mine once again. I was frozen, helpless to move. 

I faintly heard Noah clear his throat, but I was lost; I couldn’t take my eyes off Damian’s. Noah cleared his throat a little louder and finally pulled me from my trance, “Oh hell no!” he said loudly. 

Completely embarrassed, I turned my head away from Damian and put my hand over my face. Damian chuckled, got up from the table and walked out the kitchen.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you embarrass me like that?" 

"Me? Are you asking what's wrong with me? You're over here making googly eyes at my boy."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Oh my God! You are such an ass. I cannot believe you."

Noah looked at me, took a deep breath, and sighed, "It’s really cute when you try to act mad. You're like an inch fucking tall and your mad face is adorable." 

Unfortunately, my brothers liked to poke fun at me when I was mad.  They were all bigger than me and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t pull off a convincing mad face around them, "Are you seriously making fun of my mad face? What the fuck is wrong with you?" 

Noah and Oliver busted out laughing and started imitating my mad face. I tried to hold a straight face but the more I tried the more they laughed.

I picked up the uneaten biscuit off my plate and threw part of it at Noah and the other half at Oliver. 

“Well thank you. I wanted another biscuit anyway.” Oliver laughed. 

I huffed and rolled my eyes, “I’m so over this conversation. I’m leaving."