Simon: Le Beau Brothers: New Orleans Billionaire Shifters with BBW mates Series (Le Beau Series)

by V. A. Dold

  He’d barely escaped from the clinging mob of estrogen when Marcus joined him.

  “What’s with the scowl,” his brother asked, gray gaze twinkling with mischief. “Poor, Stefan, already date all the women here?”

  Make that ex-brother.

  “Cute, go find someone else to annoy.”

  “No, he probably got turned down for the first time in his life and can’t handle the shock.” Cade said, coming up behind them. “Lose your mojo, Stefan?”

  “Up yours. I could get any woman in the room to go home with me, your wife excluded, of course.”

  Marcus grinned at Cade. “Shall we take bets?”

  “Hell, yeah! We’ll choose a woman in the room and Stefan has to get her to go home with him.”

  “Great idea.” They were both scanning the room when Cade spied Rachel. He tipped his head in her direction. “The woman in the…is that see through?”

  Stefan squinted to see whom he was referring to, the damn room was too dark all he could see was she wore a flesh tone and black lace dress. Oh, who cared? He would win regardless who she was. “You’re on. If I win you give me your house in the Caymans for a week.”

  “If we win, you clean the dog kennels for a month at Simon’s compound when it’s finished.” Marcus smirked. He could tell by the gleam in Cade’s eye, he recognized Rachel Jorgenson too. She had a reputation for avoiding men, especially handsome men like Stefan. This was going to be fun to watch.

  Cade and Marcus laughed and slapped him on the back before leaving him to mingle with the crowd. Stefan scowled at their retreating backs then said, “Bring it on, guys.”

  Left to his own devices he scanned for the woman who would be his lucky date of the night. Where had that gal in the see-through dress gone anyway?

  Rachel walked behind Stefan, making her way through the crowded room. Her heady scent grabbed him by the ears and swung his head around. She held her head high, confidence emanated from every pore. He couldn’t see the woman’s face, she had already passed him and all he could see was her backside. And what a sweet backside it was. Stefan’s mouth watered as her hips swayed. If her scent hadn’t been enough to cause and immediate raging hard on, one look at her curvaceous body would have done the trick. Shifting his stance, he was ready to burst the seams of his tuxedo.

  Stefan’s breath caught in his throat. It’s her, the woman his brothers had wagered he couldn’t seduce. As the spicy musk scented woman turned slightly, he finally caught a glimpse of her face. His heart accelerated. He had visions of this woman. He didn’t dream of her as often as he would like, but he had dreamt of her.

  In those visions he had recognized some of the locations they occurred in. It only made sense she might be real and living in the area. He had spent night after night visiting club after club on the off chance she might be in one of them, only to spot her at a charity auction? How bizarre was that? He almost didn’t believe it. Could he be that lucky? Cade and Simon had both dreamt of their mates before they met them. Here she was, standing across the room, his vision lover. His MATE.

  He set his scotch on the cocktail table next to his elbow and began making his way toward her.

  She leaned down in order to hear the woman speaking to her. The movement caused her thick chestnut hair to slide over her shoulder. The movement caught the light cast by the chandeliers in the room and made her sleek tresses shimmer. Ah hell, there went his pants again.

  As he neared her, he slowed and closed his eyes. He was enveloped in the warm soft cloud of her scent. His heart pounded so hard he expected to see it hanging from his chest.

  Slowly, she straightened and turned, frowning into the crowd. It looked as if she was searching for someone. She inhaled a quick breath. A small, rapid movement that was barely discernible. He began to step forward when he felt the sweep of her gaze and stopped in his tracks. He experienced that probing gaze as much as he saw it. Holding his breath, he stood frozen in place. Before he could convince his legs to work again, his mother took her arm and she move away from him. As he watched them cross the room he swore his mother glanced at him with a gleam in her eye. What was up with that?

  He raked his fingers through his hair in agitation. The auction was about to begin and everyone was being called to take their seats. Damn it, why did his mother have to show up right when he was about to introduce himself. Signaling a waiter for another scotch, he was going to have a long night and he needed all the help he could get.

  A throat cleared, drawing everyone’s attention to Simon standing at the microphone with Rose.

  “Welcome to the first annual dinner and ball for The Unforgotten Hero Foundation or TUHF (Tuff).” A chuckle rolled across the room. “Please, let me introduce a few key players in the organization. My beautiful Rose is the vice president of events and promotions and the driving force behind tonight’s event.”

  Rose stepped forward and waved to the crowd.

  “My old commanding officer Mark Anderson has agreed to be my vice president of operations. Mark, come on out here.”

  Mark stepped from behind the right side stage curtain and bowed.

  “Most of you are aware of my tour of service with the Marines. What you may not know is I had a long road to recovery once I was stateside. The unrelenting love of my family and an incredible woman...”

  He drew Rose to his side. “Brought me back to the land of the living. Not all returning veterans are so lucky. My personal experience and the need of these veterans is what fueled the creation of this charity.”

  He waved Mark onto the stage.

  Mark walked to him head held proud. If you didn’t know he lost his right leg from the thigh down you wouldn’t even catch the slight limp.

  As he approached, Simon went ridged, tall and proud, chest out in a perfect salute.

  Mark saluted him back then drew him into a back thumping hug.

  “Before the evening festivities begin, I would like you to know a bit more about what this foundation provides. I have asked Mark to explain what your donation dollar will offer. Mark, they’re all yours.”

  Mark took the microphone and quietly scanned the crowd, making eye contact here and there. Men began to stand and respectfully salute this retired hero. Slowly, one by one, the room stood and gave a standing ovation to the proud warrior before them.

  “Thank you, thank you. I appreciate the warm welcome. So, why are we asking you to loosen your purse strings tonight? What exactly could a dog possibly do for a soldier suffering PTSD? We believe the animal-human bond is an absolutely indisputable part of emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical healing. We are seeking to make this healing available to everyone, regardless of financial or other challenges that might discourage them from seeking this invaluable resource. A service or therapeutic companion dog as they are sometimes called, can help a soldier recover and adjust back into civilian life easier if they are experiencing panic attacks, anxiety, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, or agoraphobia.

  “So how will the dog help with these things, you ask? The dog travels beside their owner in public places such as restaurants, grocery stores, buses, etc. helping to ease any anxiety the owner may experience. When in a crowded environment the dog will stay between its owner and any person approaching too close, creating a calm, yet friendly, ‘barrier.’ The dog will awaken its owner from a nightmare and then calm him. Should the dog sense fear or anxiety, it will try to redirect its owner’s thoughts elsewhere.”

  A dog in a service vest calmly walked onto the stage and stood next to Mark. When he didn’t continue the dog nudged his hand to get his attention.

  “Pardon me, this is my service dog, Rizzo.”

  The crowd gave a rousing applause for Rizzo.

  “What I’ve described is just the tip of the iceberg of what a service animal can do for the victims of PTSD. Studies show that up to eighty percent of patients show marked improvement once they receive their dog.”

  He paused for a moment to take a sip o
f water. “So, how long does it take to train a dog to do incredible things like I have laid out? Generally nine months. This includes: twice-a-week training for six months, followed by supplemental mentoring sessions. Both dog and man will need a bit of training.

  “I was going to recount a success story of a friend of mine but perhaps I’ll save that for another day. I’d like to leave you with the knowledge that for every forty thousand dollars raised, we can provide one soldier with a quality of life they would otherwise never have. These men sacrificed for freedoms we take for granted every day, it’s our turn to sacrifice for them. Thank you.”

  Mark saluted the crowd and walked off the stage with Rizzo.

  Simon returned to the stage. “Thank you, Mark, and how about his awesome dog, Rizzo.” The crowd clapped their appreciation. “Now it’s time for the auction. Twenty-one local professionals and celebrities have volunteered to be our auction items tonight. If you are the lucky bidder, you’ll win a dinner date with your prize. You’ll also have a dance partner for the ball, if you so desire. Let me be very clear, there is no hanky panky favors involved in winning one of the singles.” A chuckle rose from the audience. “With no further ado, I give you our auctioneer, Isaac Le Beau.”

  Isaac took the stage to a rousing standing ovation. “Thank you, you’re too kind. Let me start the auction with a man you have already met tonight, Mark Anderson.”

  The crowd applauded for him again then settled down for the fun and serious business of one-upping their neighbor. Mark was won by a pretty fifty something woman and seemed very pleased with his date.

  The auction continued and an hour into the bidding the woman in the see through dress took the stage. Stefan couldn’t breathe. YES she’s mine! It didn’t matter if bidding went to a million dollars he was winning this beauty.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce Rachel Jorgenson. Rachel owns the Shadow Hill Stables. She is also a respected large animal veterinarian. Who will start the bidding at ten thousand dollars?”

  A man in the front raised his hand.

  “I have ten, now eleven to the man in the back, twelve to you.” He gestured to the man in the front row.

  The gentleman nodded.

  “I have twelve, now thirteen to the man by the wall. Who will give me fourteen?”

  Stefan couldn’t take it, “Twenty thousand,” he yelled from the middle of the room.

  Rachel gasped and wobbled on her skyscraper high heels.

  “I have twenty from my son, Stefan, who will go twenty one?”

  The man in the back raised his hand again.

  Shit! He would not let another man win his mate.

  “Twenty one to you, Sir, twenty two?”

  The man along the wall raised his hand and stared directly at Stefan defiantly.

  Oh hell, no. “Fifty thousand,” Stefan yelled while never breaking eye contact with the dandy along the wall.

  Rachel had to grab Isaacs arm to steady herself. What is he doing?

  “Sixty thousand,” came from along the wall.

  Rachel’s head was swimming.

  “Are you okay?” Isaac whispered. “Here, take a sip of water and a deep breath.”

  She took a deep breath and a large gulp of water. Nope, didn’t help.

  Stefan growled at his nemesis across the room. Cade patted his arm, “Cool it, brother, not in public.”

  “One hundred thousand,” he challenged.

  Rachel stumbled and Simon rushed unto the stage with a chair. She sat shaking in front of three hundred people. Just shoot me and get it over with.

  “I have one hundred, bids to you, Sir.” Isaac gestured to the man along the wall.

  He glared at Stefan for a few seconds then shook his head.

  “I have one hundred, going once…going twice…”

  “One hundred ten,” the stranger in the rear of the room yelled.

  Stefan literally snarled in frustration. He wasn’t used to being denied what he wanted. Having finally found his mate, experiencing the happiness his brothers had was within his grasp. This bidding war was frustrating as hell.

  Stefan stood and slowly turned to face the man, “Two hundred thousand,” he said in an eerily calm voice.

  “What are you doing?” Rachel yelled at him. Then clapped her hand over her mouth.

  Isaac chuckled, “I have two hundred to, Stefan, do I hear three?”

  The audience chuckled.

  “Two hundred once…two hundred twice…two hundred thousand to Stefan Le Beau.”

  The crowd cheered and clapped loudly.

  Isaac looked to his wife standing in the wings and gave her a triumphant wink. He watched as Emma clapped happily.

  Rachel hid her face in her hands. She jumped when Simon touched her arm to help her from the stage. Emma was a dead woman.

  Forty five minutes later the auction was finally over. Thank god, she could finally go home. Her feet were swollen and something was doing a tap dance on the inside of her skull. The Tylenol she took fifteen minutes ago hadn’t kicked in yet. She rubbed the edge of her sole, should she chance taking the shoe off? Crud, I might not get it back on. Then what? Go bare foot in this gown? That wouldn’t be embarrassing, not at all.

  Rachel stood and limped to the door leading to the ballroom. She groaned as she looked at the crowd she had to walk through to get to her truck. This was going to be a thousand times worse than a walk of shame. She giggled at her bad pun. Yeah, she was losing it.

  “What’s so funny?”

  The deep timber of his drawl had no business sending her pulse racing. “Nothing.” She squared off with Stefan. “Were you dropped on your head as a child?”

  He frowned. “No.”

  “Is there a history of insanity in your family?”

  “No.” He scowled. “What are you getting at?”

  “No one in his right mind would bid two hundred thousand dollars. That leaves one conclusion, you’re insane.”

  “Oh, I’m insane all right. Insane for you.”

  “Right. Go fishing with those lines somewhere else, this woman isn’t biting.”

  “Oh, cher, you wound me.” He laid his hand across his heart.

  “Shut up, Le Beau.” She tried to push past him but he didn’t budge. “Please move out of the way.”

  The band began to play a romantic waltz.

  “I do believe they’re playing our song.” He presented his hand to her.

  “What are you doing now?”

  “I’m asking the single woman I won at the auction to dance. That is my right as the winner.” He winked.

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “I’ve never been more serious, I assure you. Now, may I have this dance?” His hand remained extended as he waited for her response.

  “Oh, all right. I suppose I have to.”

  Stefan led her to the dance floor and took her into his arms. She was perfect. His wolf howled in triumph. Now if he could only get her to actually like him.

  About the Author

  V.A. Dold is the author of the Le Beau Brothers series, New Orleans wolf shifter novels. A graduate of Saint Cloud University, she majored in marketing with a minor in reading romance paperbacks.

  Prior to becoming a full time writer, she was Publicist to the authors, owning Innovative Online Book Tours and ARC Author & Reader Con’s (ARC NOLA) (ARC Phoenix). Still is. The companies mesh well, much like PB&J.

  Her idea of absolute heaven is a day in the French Quarter with her computer, her coffee mug, and the Brothers, of course.

  A Minnesota native with her heart lost to Louisiana, she has a penchant for titillating tales featuring sexy men and strong women. When she's not writing, she's probably taking in a movie, reading, or traveling.

  Her earliest reading memories are from grade school. She had a major fixation with horses, and the Black Stallion was a favorite. Then junior high came along and teenage hormones kicked in. It became all about the Harlequin Romances. She has been hooked
on romances ever since.

  Connect with V.A. Dold:

  Visit V.A.’s website http://www.vadold.com/

  Like on Faceboook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/VA-Dold/1404660546458551?ref=hl

  Follow on twitter at https://twitter.com/

  Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5356266-v-a-dold

  Read on for an excerpt from

  V.A. Dold’s

  Next book:

  Stefan

  Book 3 of the Le Beau Brothers

  The Plan

  Anna Le Beau knocked on her mother-in-law's back door then absently began wringing her hands again. Her heart was in her throat, brow glistening with sweat. Ever since her sons Thomas and John James requested to be converted, she’d been on an emotional rollercoaster.

  The door swung open presenting Emma Le Beau’s gorgeous smile. “Anna! What a wonderful surprise. I was pouring a cup of tea, would you like one?”

  “Good morning. Yes, a cup would be lovely.” It would give her hands something to do, anyway. Anna took a seat at the kitchen table to watch Emma pour the tea.

  Emma gave her a long look. “They finally asked didn’t they?” Her bangles tinkled as she set the cups on the table.

  “You know, it is truly creepy sometimes. You know everything before anyone says a word.”

  “Oh, darlin’, not everything. Them boys of mine got away with plenty.” Emma patted her hand.

  Anna shivered. “I can imagine. No, don’t tell me. I’m not sure I even want to know.”

  Emma threw back her head and laughed. “So, what would you have of me, sweetheart?”

  “My boys came to us last night. They’ve thought it through and would like you to petition the goddess for their conversion. Tell me this isn’t dangerous.”