Read Her Billionaire Bodyguard Bridegroom for Free Online

shielded her from their father’s alcoholic rages. When the cancerous addiction had claimed Peter Reynolds’s life, he’d stepped in to fill the paternal void. No matter how capable Lauren had become, he’d always think of himself as her protector.
    When it came to fretting about siblings, Lauren was as guilty as he was. He’d heard the worry in her voice when he’d told her he’d agreed to guard Philip Dimitriou’s newly discovered daughter. He couldn’t blame her for being a bit shocked. He’d surprised himself when he agreed to take on the assignment. He hadn’t planned on letting another spoiled heiress into his life again—for any reason, personal or professional. His experience with Tanya had been enough.
    When he’d first met Tanya, he’d been instantly captivated. So captivated that he’d been blind to her headstrong, playgirl ways. His wealth hadn’t mattered to her, because she already had a steady supply of Benjamin Franklins flowing her way, courtesy of a hefty trust fund from her uber-wealthy and doting parents. The notoriety dating him afforded was what she’d been interested in.
    The society papers had pounced on their blossoming relationship, delighting in linking the handsome billionaire editor-in-chief of one of the hottest outdoor magazines in the country to the lovely heiress. The public had lapped up their story, and the interest had placed Tanya directly in the limelight—right where she wanted to be.
    As the months passed, her endless clubbing and partying wore on him. Because he cared about her, he’d allowed himself to believe she would change. That she’d settle down. At a stage in his life where he was ready for a serious relationship, it soon became painfully obvious Tanya wasn’t. Knowing there was no point in trying to build a future with her, he’d decided to break things off.
    He’d planned on telling her they were over the night she was murdered, but she never made it home.
    And it was his fault she hadn’t.
    He wasn’t about to tread the same path with Brianna Atwood. He couldn’t bed Philip Dimitriou’s illegitimate daughter—no matter how badly he wanted to. With a wry shake of his head, he twisted the shower knob to cold.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
    Immersed in a tub full of bubbles, Brianna attempted to wash away the imprint of Luke’s touch. Of all the places to run into the man, what were the odds of seeing him here? She had more important things to concern herself with than her current sensory overload or the amazing male specimen responsible for it.
    She needed to focus on making a good first impression at tonight’s meeting with her new client. She was already in danger of blowing the opportunity. Trevor had advised her that the elderly CEO of Intrepid Explorations was a stickler for punctuality. She’d lost track of time at the pool, so now she only had twenty minutes to pull herself together before her dinner meeting.
    Stepping out of the tub, she dried off before quickly slipping into the outfit she’d chosen for the evening. She fastened her hair into an elegant topknot and added a light touch of makeup. She finished with just a minute to spare.
    Checking her reflection in the mirror on her way out the door, she experienced a moment of panic. The black dinner dress Amy had insisted would look competently professional was anything but. It hugged her figure like a lover’s embrace. Its V-neck drew attention to the curve of her breasts while a high side slit revealed her legs in a sensual peekaboo with each step she took.
    Kicking herself for not trying the dress on before buying it, she dropped her key card into her purse with a resigned shrug. She’d have to be bold and pull the look off. There was no time to change.
    A hostess greeted her as she entered the restaurant. “Are you dining alone, or are you joining someone?”
    “I’m meeting Mr. Bryant,” she said, smiling warmly.
    “Oh, yes. Right this way.”
    Brianna followed the hostess to a