Beneath the Velvet Guard A forbidden romance between the woman who rules a fashion empire—and the bodyguard paid to protect her, not want her. Aria Valen doesn’t lose control. Not in the boardroom. Not on the runway. Not even when the threats start coming in. But when Kai Mercer walks into her world—tall, unreadable, and sin in a suit—her rules begin to crack. He’s her bodyguard. Hired to protect her, sworn to keep his distance. But in Milan, under paparazzi lights and thunderous skies, distance turns into heat—thick, breathless, and utterly off-limits. She tempts him in silk robes and stolen moments. He resists with cold stares and clipped words. Until he doesn’t. Until a kiss nearly ruins them both. And when he rejects her—when he says she deserves better—Aria does what any woman scorned in heels would do: she says yes to the wrong man. Engaged to her perfect, powerful childhood friend. Watched over by the only man she’s ever truly wanted. The air between them turns electric. Dangerous. Because while Kai may be trained to guard her body, it’s her heart he’s always been at war with. And when the truth finally breaks free, someone’s going to get burned. Slow-burn. High heat. One hell of a forbidden fall