Dominance, Protected

Business, Casual #2

by Ajay Daniel

Sequel to Dominance, Threatened

Caiden Augustus

When my life was threatened by an unknown enemy, Vincenzo Bernardi was there to keep me safe. He put up with my narcissistic, better-than-everyone CEO personality and showed me there might be more to me than meets the eye. We spent every day together, and some nights as well, with Vincent protecting me while I tried to fight him every step of the way. I let him see some of the deepest, darkest parts of me, and he told me he loved me anyway.

I fell for Vincenzo Bernardi, my bodyguard, my best friend's younger brother, and I fell hard.

Then, in a classic Caiden Augustus move, I ruined it.

Vincent Bernardi

I know I am in dangerous territory. I know I have fallen fast and hard for Caiden Augustus, my client, my brother's best friend, despite the fact he may never go public with our relationship - if there is even a relationship left to salvage. He pulled away from me at the first sign of trouble, but I can't simply forget the comforting nights, intense moments, and deep secrets we've shared together. I can't let him leave before we have even begun.

Caiden has been pushing and pulling me since we discovered our attraction for each other, showing me his secrets one moment and turning into a stranger the next. He is setting up to ruin my fucking world, and I am practically begging him to do it.

I want him. I want his heart as badly as he's stolen mine, and I intend to take it and protect it with everything I have. Even if I have to protect it from him.

*** Dominance, Protected is the second installment featuring Caiden and Vincent from the Business, Casual series. It is recommended to have read book 1, Dominance, Threatened, before reading this one. It features an MM romance between a CEO and his bodyguard. It contains mature content, such as violence, explicit scenes, and brief mentions of BDSM. See inside for trigger warnings and trigger locations

Genres: M M Romance

379 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Ajay enjoys writing romance stories (with a sprinkle of steam, smutt, spice, or whatever word tickles your fancy) where the main characters fall in love. Sometimes the main characters are opposite genders, and sometimes they're the same. Sometimes there are two, and sometimes there are more. Ajay doesn't discriminate because, between consenting adults, love is love. It doesn't need a fancy definition or strict guidelines of what should and shouldn't be, and who is anyone to judge? When the characters appear and offer their story, taking over the author's thoughts be it day, night, during the work day, driving, or trying to accomplish chores around the house . . . Well, Ajay is just going to write it for them.

Reviews

[♡ cal ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I want this. I want you. I want pasta-making Sundays. I want pizza night Fridays. I want playing piano duets and home haircuts. I want you sitting on my desk at lunch and shared plate of pasta for dinner. I want to fall asleep in your arms every night and wake up in them in the morning. God, Vinz, I want you so fucking bad, it hurts."

weeks of reading the straight guys series from alessandra hazard, my queen, prepared me for this. closeted man denying not only his sexuality but also his hidden relationship with another man bc it will destroy his career? homophobic parents? love interest being a martyr for the sake of love? miscommunication (as a plot device for the year 20-fucking-23!!!)? i ate them all up. i devoured them. reading this duology only left me with two emotions: swoony and fucking frustrated. one chapter made me all giddy and then the next chapter made everything crashing down. i loved book 1 with all my heart and definitely the first half of this book. it took all the strength in me given by god to brave my way through last 35% chunk of this story. i just wish ajay daniel went with a different route for some scenes honestly. i mean my highly intelligent vocal characters started not communicating and i was livid with disbelief. maybe just me.

[asampe_tae · Rating 1 out of 5]

The annoyance and hatred I have towards this book is off the charts. I am not a fan of still-in-the-closet kinda romances but I do read it if it's done well. But this? I had so much hatred, I had to write a review to vent.
There was zero chemistry between them. Cayden was a pussy that should have cut ties with his family longest time or at least made his feelings known. It's not like they are going to care for you any less than they do now. Not like y'all have a relationship that could be destroyed! And I wanted Vincent to grow a backbone. Yeah yeah, love can be short-sighted. But Vincent boy, wear fucking glasses. Is this shit supposed to be angst? Cause I just rolled my eyes throughout. I got so pissed that I dropped at 89.6%. I just couldn't swallow the drivel anymore.

[Corina A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this duology.

What I liked:
1. So many details. Sometimes superfluous, but helped me get a clear picture about the MCs and their beliefs.
2. Intriguing second characters.
3. The beginning and the premise were great, but everything got mixed and lost along the way.

What I liked less:
1. Why would someone make a trigger warning list, if they won't include all the warnings? There is cheating, let's make it clear for everyone! Maybe not in the main romance (semantics), but there is.
2. "your"/ "you're" misspelling - where are those editors?
3. For a very detailed book, the ending was rushed.
4. The lack of substance and maturity of the MCs, the level of toxicity, the miscommunication and repeatedly broken commitment made me so frustrated.
5. The MMF scene. It was plain and so unnecessary.

[Robert DeLaune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell, what a ride!!! 5 starsss

Damn it, Ajay! After reading some of your other books, I was so thrilled walking into this one thinking it would have the same format. I learned very quickly that I was wrong. And two books!?! TWO!?! I about died at the end of 1 and have been living in a constant state of stress through the 2nd. Absolutely loved it! Al most every single emotion I could feel was felt. It was raw and painful and beautiful. Such a huge fan of your work, but don't do that to me again! My heart can't take it!

If you are wondering if you should read these books, just go ahead and get them. You will love them!

[Readingundertherainbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this series

I love when you stumble upon books that just blows your mind. I picked the first book up in book slump and devoured both books in no time.
They have everything spice, pining, plot twist and epic love!
I am definitely going to read more books by Ajay Daniel

[Darrius Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Match

This book should be made into a.movie!
Cadien and Vinz are a match made in heaven and hell. I truly enjoyed these two books, because it is better than anything currently on HereTV. Everything out there is so cheesy. Thank you Ajay Daniel.

[Rhys Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the first book but very rushed ending

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤

[Kwaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the proofreading misses in this book, which were many, I still found the underlying storyline to be an intense and captivating love story.