The Ballerinas Billionaire Bodyguard

CHAPTER 11

After Frankie had told me what was happening today, I had run to my room and locked myself inside, not wanting to go and meet Grayson. Ever since this whole stalking situation happened, and Will has left for Italy, Grayson has been around more and I didn’t really know how to cope with that a hundred percent. I mean, for most of my life he's been around, yeah, sure, but lately it has been more intimate for me, and it won't end up well for me if I throw myself at a man who doesn't feel the same.

"Violet, we're leaving in five minutes. Do not make me break down this door and drag you with me to the car." Frankie's calm and steady voice carried through the door.

"I don't want to learn from him, why can't you just teach me?" I was super frustrated with this whole situation.

"Mr. Salvatore taught me everything I know, and he will be a better teacher than I could. He knows way more that I ever will, so it'll be better for you if he teaches you." I roll my eyes, and unlock the door to open it and peek my head out. Frankie is standing right outside the door, his arms folded over his chest. I look up at him and frown.

"Please don't make me do this..." He doesn’t budge, his stern exterior remaining in place.

"I agree with Mr Salvatore that this is a good idea." I was no glaring at him. "You need to be able to protect yourself, even if it is just the basics. You are very small and petite so it would help you to be able to defend yourself from someone bigger." I scoff at his words.

"I'm only small and petite compared to you because your the size of a boat!" Him and I both know that I was not insulting him when I said that.

"Look, I'm starting to like you Violet, you're a really great person and working for you has been awesome. I would appreciate it if you would learn some self-defense since it would make me feel better if you do." He level his stare with me, not backing down. Dammit, he's right. I have also come to really enjoy Frankie's presence over the last few weeks and if the roles were reversed, I know I would make him take self-defence lessons too. Having someone you care for in danger is not a great feeling, and the stress could eat you alive. I cave and give a big sigh.

"Alright, fine. You win you big tree." Frankie laughs at my playful insult and leaves me to get dressed. I decided to put of leggings and a tight fitted tank top. I fix my hair into a french braid, put on my jacket and meet Frankie at the car. It was a quiet drive, and with my nerves racing so much I didn't bother trying to strike up a conversation from my side. The quiet was helping me sort through my thoughts, or so I hoped. Instead of thinking things over clearly and calmly, my mind seemed to be creating new and embarrassing scenarios of 'what ifs...' that could happen during the combat lesson. What if I get hurt? What if I can't throw a punch? What if I suck so bad Grayson laughs at me? Worse...What if I fart?

My brain was going at this non stop until the car came to stop in front of Salvatore Security. As I get out, I lean my head back and look up at the very top floor where I know Grayson's office is situated. The entire building's windows has that one way mirrored glass, meaning I can't see through them from the outside, but some gut feeling has me thinking that I am looking straight at Grayson, and he is looking straight back at me.

"Come on, Violet." Frankie snaps me out of my daze, by grabbing my elbow to lead me into the building. We don't stop at the receptionist desk this time, instead heading straight for the elevators. Frankie has me step in first, and follows swiftly pressing a button for the seventeenth floor. Salvatore Security had a total of twenty one floors, not being the biggest company building out there, but the work they did made up for it. I may not know a lot about this type of stuff I do read about it a lot in the papers and online. Salvatore Security is constantly getting praised for their excellent security teams, their cybersecurity network and their magnificent young mind behind it all, Grayson Salvatore. The amount of times I had seen Grayson’s face plastered on an article cover was insane, but I had to give it to him that he deserved it. This company did not happen overnight, and I still remember him and my brother spending countless amounts of late hours in the kitchen, coming up with more business strategies and more ways to grow their dream. At least after all that the hard work paid off and both Grayson and my brother are able to live comfortable lives. Apart from still working late, and now having targets on their backs constantly, but I guess you win some and you lose some. When the elevator door dings open, we step out into a very spacious gym room filled with lots and lots of different equipment. In the corner of the room was a boxing ring set up, where Grayson was currently wrapping his hands in tape.

"Mr. Salvatore." Frankie salutes him once again and then sits down outside the ring.

"Frankie, Violet, nice to see you. Get in the ring." I raise one eyebrow at him and his way of ordering me around, but step in regardless. I didn’t know the first thing about fighting or defending myself, and I did not want to anger a man who does this for a living.

"So, what do you want me to do?" I look around the ring, unsure of how to proceed next, feeling very uncertain of myself. Grayson steps over, pulls my hand forward and starts wrapping my hand with the same tape as his. His fingers skim over my skin so gently it sends tingles up my arm. With the gentle way he was handling me now, I couldn’t imagine him actually hurting me in a few minutes.

"Don't worry, Violet. I'm not going to break you." I try to laugh him off, but the only sound that comes out is a nervous little giggle.

"Worried? I'm not worried, no I'm...very confident." Grayson doesn't look up at me, but I still see the smirk playing on his lips.

"Then why is your pulse racing so fast?" As he says this his thumb traces little circles on the inside of my wrist and my body decides to react by turning my skin flaming hot. I hold my breath as our eyes meet, my mind reeling and my heart pounding. What was this man doing to me?

"Are you then saying that I am the reason for your racing heartbeat?" My mouth tries to speak, but the words don't come out and I end up looking like a blubbering fish out of water. His thumb stills, resting on my jumping pulse. He takes a step closer, his body nearly pressed right up against mine. He smells of musk and spice, and I nearly lean closer and sniff him. Get yourself together woman!

"Do I make you nervous, Violet?" This was all too much, my body completely compelled by the lilt of his deep husky voice. I want to take the last step and close the distance between us, I want to wrap myself around him and taste his lips on mine. He was so close, it would be so easy to cross that line. Grayson lifts my wrapped wrist into the air, and right before I can comprehend what is happening, my legs are kicked out from under me, and I am tumbling to the floor.