7 Degrees of Alpha: a collection of seven new BWWM, Alpha Male Romances

by Allen, Sara

  Bradford started to laugh, but it was cut short when he was grabbed from behind, shoved up against the wall, and his arm was twisted behind his back.

  The wind was knocked out of him, and he was trying to catch his breath. When a deep, baritone voice came from behind him and snarled, “I believe the lady asked you to let her go. Now I myself won’t ask you; I’m telling you. Now if I ever see you even close enough to touch Sydney, I will rip your fuckin’ hands off and feed them to you.”

  To say that Bradford was shocked that it was Marco Bellomi that had him pushed against the wall in Sydney’s office was an understatement. Bradford wasn’t the only one shocked; Sydney’s face held the same look of surprise. She knew that she could handle herself with all the boxing and self-defense training, but she was relieved to see Marco, and how he manhandled Bradford, made her instantly hot. His muscles protruded and flexed through his shirt as he shoved Bradford up against the wall. Sydney’s body heated with desire. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

  Marco looked as if he was about to kill Bradford, so Sydney tried to calm the situation down.

  “Marco! It’s okay. Let him go, please,” Sydney begged.

  Marco looked into Sydney’s pleading, beautiful brown eyes, and reluctantly let Bradford go.

  Bradford immediately straightened his gray suit, trying to recover his composure. He narrowed his eyes at Sydney before looking at Marco. He had no idea what Marco was doing there, and he was going to find out if it was the last thing he did.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Bradford asked, his face still red and breathing hard.

  Marco took another step back, trying to control his anger. “What the hell are you doing here?” he growled.

  Marco was boiling; his body felt as if it was going to explode if he didn’t hit this asshole. He clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to regain control of his temper, but it wasn’t working.

  Marco was coming to the office to let Sydney know that he had found some information about her case that would definitely help; he’d found an ex of Thomas Moore’s that was actually willing to talk to him, and since he was in the neighborhood, he couldn’t help but take any opportunity he had to see Sydney again. The last thing he expected however was to walk in on Bradford-fucking-Murray with his hands all over Sydney and a look of fear in her pretty, brown eyes. Marco was most definitely about to put his size thirteen’s in Bradford’s sorry little ass.

  Sydney was so caught up in the scuffle between the two men that she failed to notice that they seemed familiar to one another. All she noticed was the anger radiating from Marco’s large, muscular body and the fear in Bradford’s eyes. And although Bradford tried to put up an act of being unfazed, she could see it in his arrogant face and beady little eyes that he was terrified of the huge Italian standing in the middle of her office seething with rage.

  Bradford turned, murmuring to Sydney where he thought only she could hear. “This isn’t over…”

  “The fuck it isn’t!” Marco growled, taking a step towards Bradford again.

  “No, Marco, don’t.…Please? Not here,” Sydney pleaded again, coming to stand in front of Marco and putting her small delicate hand against his massive chest.

  They looked deep into each other’s eyes, and the heat and longing passed between them. Marco immediately softened and took a step away from Bradford. He was still ready to pummel the little weasel for daring to touch Sydney, but Marco didn’t miss the look of desire that heated Sydney’s gaze, so he took a deep breath trying to regain his control.

  Marco snarled at Bradford. “Get the fuck outta here, man, and don’t let me catch you around Sydney anymore.”

  Bradford, with his smug façade securely in place, smirked and left the office without another word.

  On his way out of the door, Sydney noticed Rose and the security guard, Sam, coming towards her office.

  “Is everything alright Ms. Hamilton?” Sam asked, his round face red as he breathed hard, like he had just run a marathon.

  “Yes, I’m fine, Sam. Thank you. Could you make sure that Mr. Murray isn’t allowed in the building anymore, please?” Sydney responded, slightly embarrassed by the scene that took place in her office.

  A look passed between Sam and Rose, and Sam nodded his head in the affirmative. “Yes, ma’am. You sure you’re okay? Do you need anything else?” Sam asked while eyeing Marco suspiciously.

  “No, I’m fine really. Thanks again. Can you handle that request immediately for me, Sam? Mr. Murray doesn’t need to be in the building for any reason,” Sydney stated firmly.

  “Yes, ma’am. Will do,” Sam replied, leaving the office in a hurry.

  “Is there anything you need me to do, Syd?” Rose asked, looking a little frightened and unsure.

  “No, Rose. Thanks,” Sydney replied with a small reassuring smile.

  ***

  Bradford left Sydney’s office in a huff. Why in the hell was Marco Bellomi in Sydney’s office shoving him around like he was some weakling?

  Bradford stalked toward the parking garage pulling his phone from his pocket.

  The call connected after the second ring. “We have a serious problem. We need someone to watch Sydney Hamilton. She is working with Marco Bellomi, and she didn’t take my warning seriously.”

  “My man will be on it ASAP.”

  The call was disconnected without another word.

  Chapter 8

  It had been over two weeks since the scene in Sydney’s office, and after what happened, Marco knew that things had changed between he and Sydney. He could see the fear in her eyes as that asshole Murray tried to manhandle her. Marco lost it, and to say he would have gladly snapped that little snake’s neck with his bare hands and not thought anything of it was putting it lightly. Marco didn’t really do feelings all that well, but in that moment, he knew that what he felt for Sydney Hamilton was way more than lust. He knew what lust felt like. He not only wanted to ravish this woman, but he also wanted to protect this woman with all of his being.

  Marco and Sydney had been spending more and more time together since that day. They weren’t just working on the case, but they found themselves just talking about mundane things for hours on end. He couldn’t get enough of this petite, mocha beauty with her wide, brown eyes, sparkling smile, and infectious laugh. He found himself saying and doing silly things just to see her smile and to hear her laugh. He never in his life wanted someone as much as he wanted Sydney.

  The more time he spent with her, the more he would imagine how he would make her his, how he would kiss her slow and sure until she surrendered to him, giving into his every whim and desire. He just couldn’t get enough of her, and at first, he would make up excuses to go by her office, or the center where she volunteered, just to see her, until one day he didn’t seem to need an excuse. She had come to expect him being around, and if he hadn’t stopped by or texted her, she was sure to call him to check on him.

  Marco reached for his cell as it began to light up with a photo of Sydney’s gorgeous smiling face.

  “Hey you…how’s your day going?” Sydney asked as soon as Marco picked up.

  He loved that she was so attentive and made him feel like he was the most important person in the world. “Hey, Bella, my day is great now that I’m hearing your sweet voice.” Marco flirted. “How’s your day going?”

  Sydney smiled shyly at his affectionate greeting. “My day is okay…better now.”

  “Just okay? What’s going on that your day is only okay?” Marco asked curiously, his protective nature to make everything for her better starting to kick in.

  “Oh, you know…the life of a lawyer,” Sydney didn’t want to talk about her stressful day. She just longed to hear Marco’s deep soothing voice to make everything better.

  “Well, I know just the thing that would really help you out…One of my famous massages. I’ll come by, pick you up, take you to dinner, and rub all your stress away.” Marco smiled devilishly. He wanted
her to get used to his touch because it was only a matter of time before they were more than friends. Marco loved to touch her in any way that he could, a brush of her cheek or a “friendly” massage. He just couldn’t help himself.

  “A massage sounds heavenly!” Sydney replied excitedly. “I can’t wait…you sure know how to spoil a girl.”

  “You have no idea how much I can spoil you.” Marco’s voice got even deeper, his craving for Sydney growing with their banter.

  Marco knew that his want for her was something he no longer wanted to control, so he was determined to make her his.

  . ***

  Sydney loved all of the time that she and Marco were spending together. She loved being around him; his personality and humor were unlike anyone she had ever been around. He was so masculine and to look at him, you would assume he was an extremely serious, uptight man, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. He would make silly jokes, and do silly things and have Sydney’s stomach hurting from the laughter. Marco would just show up sometimes to just check on her and see how things were going. In the beginning they would talk mostly about the case, but as time went on, they began to talk about everything. Sydney found herself telling Marco things that she didn’t tell anyone. But she just felt so comfortable with him, like she had known him for years instead of weeks. But it wasn’t just her mind that felt she knew him; it was her body as well. Sydney would heat up as soon as she got one good look at Marco. Being around him every day was a test of her self-control that she was slowly losing; with the little brushes of her hair away from her face, slight caresses of her cheek, and the random massages.

  Those damn massages had her on edge; the way his big hands soothed the knots out of her tense back and shoulders and how he would slowly rub and caress her was slowly driving her insane.

  Sydney thought she would explode if he touched her in any intimate way. She would imagine how his hands would feel stroking her breast or lightly fondling her sensitive nipples. She could visualize how his deep voice would sound whispering in her ear, giving her body chills and making her core weep with need.

  She had been celibate for the last year and a half. It was by choice because she felt like sex sometimes clouded her judgment in a relationship. But since she dated Bradford for seven months without having sex and it still took her about six of those months to see what a jerk he really was, she was starting to think that maybe having sex with Marco wasn’t a bad idea. Besides, the connection they had was more than just physical. They also connected during the conversations they had and how he seemed to always find a way to take care of her when she needed it. He was a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, and he was always there to make her smile when she had a stressful day.

  “Hey, mister,” Sydney said, answering Marco’s call on the second ring. “Are you coming by my office today?”

  Marco chuckled. “Yea, little lady. You want to grab an early dinner? I know you’re heading to the center later.”

  “Of course, I do. That sounds great! I actually haven’t eaten a real meal all day,” Sydney responded cheerfully.

  Marco frowned into the phone. “Syd, you really need to stop skipping meals, but I will take care of you.”

  Sydney smiled. Marco had a way about him; he always made Sydney feel like she was well taken care of.

  “Well, I can’t wait to see you,” Sydney replied coquettishly.

  “You already know that I can’t wait to see you.” Marco replied, his voice growing husky.

  Sydney sensed the change in the conversation, and before her panties were ruined, she decided that she should probably change the subject.

  “So, when are you coming, or do you want me to meet you?”

  “I’m already here, sweetheart. Come downstairs when you’re ready and we’ll grab a bite to eat. Then I will drop you off at the center, and pick you up.”

  “Okay, but what about my car? Are you just going to play chauffeur to me all day?” Sydney questioned.

  “Sweetheart, it’s not like you have a million places to go. I have a light day today, and we have a lot to discuss…. about your case, so it’s better if we’re in one car. If you need to go anywhere just call me, and I will be there.”

  Sydney met Marco downstairs in the parking garage. He had a big grin on his handsome face, and she knew he was up to something. But with that mischievous glint in his eye and that welcoming hug as she got into the car, Sydney could care less about what he was up to.

  Sydney also noticed that his terms of endearment were coming her way often. They were still getting to know each other, but their flirting definitely soared to new heights. Sydney felt special when he called her sweetheart, honey, and her favorite, Bella Donna. She loved when he spoke Italian to her; it made Sydney’s heart nearly pound out of her chest.

  “So, sweetheart, where are we off too this lovely evening?” Sydney asked, smiling mischievously.

  Marco smirked at her. “I thought I would feed you some authentic Italian,” he replied, raising his eyebrows up and down suggestively.

  “Mmm, Italian; my favorite,” Sydney responded flirtatiously.

  Marco winked. “Glad I can oblige.”

  Ten minutes later, they pulled up to an extremely nice condo in an exclusive building in the middle of downtown not far from Marco’s office.

  “I thought you were feeding me authentic Italian? May I ask where we are? I don’t see an Italian restaurant,” Sydney pouted as she turned to look at Marco.

  He had that suspicious grin on his face again as he responded, “I decided that it’s time for me to show you my cooking skills. This is my place. I hope you don’t mind.” Marco looked at Sydney with a blinding white smile.

  Sydney couldn’t help the blush that came over her face. This man that she was so into, that made her feel so at ease, was going to cook for her! She couldn’t contain herself. No other man had done such a thing for her before, and knowing Marco’s family background of owning a restaurant, she was honored that he would share this with her.

  As they exited the car, Marco grabbed Sydney’s hand and held it. They looked at each other and smiled, both of them knew that after that night, things would never be the same.

  ***

  A man sat watching Marco and Sydney as they entered Marco’s downtown condo. He was seated in a dark colored four-door sedan. He looked like any other average Joe who was going about his night running humdrum errands. But he wasn’t an average Joe; he was a professional who was very good at his job. In fact, he was so good that the one man that could do his job almost as good as he could had no clue that he was being watched. However, it wasn’t Marco Bellomi that the man was following; it was Sydney Hamilton. Yet, Bellomi was so distracted that he hadn’t even noticed the pair of eyes that were constantly on the two of them.

  He understood why Bellomi was distracted; Sydney Hamilton was a beautiful woman with a lot going for her. Hell, if he was Bellomi, he might have been distracted too.

  If only Sydney had kept her nose out of other people’s affairs, he wouldn’t be there.

  The man shook his head. He really hoped that Sydney would mind her own business, and that she would stay away from the Moore’s, because he would really hate to have to make her disappear; it would be such a waste. The man shook his head again. He was beginning to develop a conscious, which wasn’t a good thing in his line of work. He would have to be even more focused for this job because Bellomi was one of the best.

  Chapter 9

  Marco and Sydney walked hand-in-hand to the large elevator. The sexual tension radiating from the two of them was palpable. The connection they shared was so strong that it was almost scary.

  Marco leaned down and tucked a loose strand of Sydney’s hair that had escaped from her ponytail, behind her ear. Goosebumps broke out on Sydney’s skin just from the slightest contact of Marco’s large hand. Their eyes locked onto each other, and in that moment, Sydney knew that Marco was going to kiss her, and she couldn’t wait! The anti
cipation of his beautiful soft lips pressed up against her plump, juicy lips was causing a stir in Sydney’s core .

  She squeezed her legs together tightly, trying to stave off the slow thrumming in her core. Her pulse rate sped up, and her heart was beating so loud in her own ears that she just knew that Marco could hear it beating too. She felt like a teenage girl when she was around him. It was as if this was the first man that she was attracted to, the first man to show her some attention. She thought that it was silly to feel like this because she was a twenty-eight-year-old woman who had had plenty of boyfriends, but none ever made her heart race and her panties wet with a simple touch. Hell, Marco didn’t even have to touch her; one look from his mysterious hazel eyes and she was a goner. Sydney was very much aware that this was not a usual feeling. She and Marco hadn’t even shared more than a friendly hug, some handholding, and a small peck here and there. She wasn’t even sure that what they were doing was even dating. It wasn’t anything emotional; he was being paid by her to do a job. And although their time spent together lately seemed more than work related, they were still just doing a job.

  Sydney knew that her rule of dating and getting to know one another before sex was completely out of the window if Marco kissed her. At this point, she was hoping that if he did kiss her, they could make it to his condo before she ripped his clothes off and jumped him in the elevator.

  Sydney giggled at the thought.

  “Something funny?” Marco asked, his eyebrow raised with a bewildered expression marring his handsome face.

  “Ummm, no. Sorry,” Sydney responded shyly, looking away from his smoldering hazel eyes.

  “Well, you just giggled, so it had to be something. You know I like to laugh, Syd, so why not share,” Marco replied, standing straight up and looking at her with a knowing smile.