Guarded: Worth the Risk

Chapter 6

                                                                                        Natalia

            If anyone could look more awkward in a nightclub setting, it would have to be Nico. He just seems so uncomfortable sitting at the table. As I watch him from where I’m dancing on the dance floor with Dimitri, I can’t help but notice how his eyes never leave me. Its like he’s studying my every move. A little uncomfortable, sure, but I his gaze does something to me that I haven’t felt in such a long time. It almost as if his lite my body on fire.

            We make our way back to the table and all I can hear is the loud squeal from Kara as she rushes towards our table. “AH! I knew you’d come.” I can’t help but laugh at her excitement. “This is Logan, the guy I met yesterday during our thirsty Thursday escapades. And this handsome fella is his brother Gage.”

            First glance at Logan and I can’t help but laugh. He’s the typical player Kara always goes for. I just wish she would learn from my mistakes and not get caught up in a guy because he lays on the charm heavy enough to get into her pants the first night. I extend my hand to be cordial when I notice Kara’s eyes staring directly at Nico. Before I even get a chance to speak, she’s bombarding me with questions.

            “And who is this fine creature tucked away in the corner over here?” She smiles mischievously at me like somethings up.

            “Who him?” I gesture towards Nico. I take a few steps towards him and he stands. “This is Nico- my new bodyguard.”

            Nico extends his hands toward Kara who completely ignores the gesture and goes straight for a hug. “So nice to meet you. I can tell you’re going to take very good care of our little Natalia here.” A smirk plays at her lips.

            “That what I said” Dimitri concurs.

            I can’t help but roll my eyes at how ridiculous the two of them are being. I can tell Nico is still uncomfortable, but he’s trying to be polite. He brushes a hand through his hair as if he’s trying to play it cool. “Nice to meet you.” He finally speaks.

            “Drinks” Kara yells out grabbing the attention of the server. “What are you drinking?” She asks Nico who has been nursing a bottle of water most of the night.

            “No- sorry, none for me. I’m on duty.” He kindly declines.

            “Oh, come on. I’m sure she can give you one night off.” Kara side eyes me.

            I give a nod towards Nico giving him the ok. “It’s your first night in town. Kara’s right- have a drink or two” or twenty I say with a smile.

            He orders a Coors Banquet, and I can’t help but smile. That was my go-to beer for years when Leo and I would go out after long hours cooped up in our office. As I watch him bring his beer to his lips, I can’t help wondering what his lips would taste like against mine. Wait- come on now Natalia, get a grip he’s your bodyguard. You should not be having these thoughts. As I try to push the thoughts of Nico from my mind, I’m interrupted by a hand in my face.

            “Would you like to dance?” Gage asks.

            I hesitate for a moment before agreeing. “I’d love to” I smile as he takes my hand in his leading me to the dance floor. As much as I wish it was Nico asking me, I’m not one to be rude.

            I follow Gage to the dance floor finding a spot close to Kara and Logan. Gage grabs my hips pulling me close just as the song changes from fast to slow. If you could get pregnant by grinding against someone while dance, I’m sure I’d have a few kids by now. Rubbing my ass against him, I feel the length within his pants grow hard. As much as I don’t want to give him the idea that he’s going to get an invitation to my desert buffet, I continue to grind against in an attempt to let loose for once.

            I turn around, making eye contact with him as he caresses my body as if we were making love. I can’t stop my mind from wandering, picturing it’s Nico’s hands all over me.

            “Kara mentioned you might be up for a double date sometime.” Gage yells over the bass echoing throughout the club.

            “She maybe.” I say referring to myself in third person.

            “Give me your phone.” I hand it to him, and he programs his number into my phone while we continue dancing to the beat of the music. “But until then- do you maybe want to go back to my place tonight” Gage asks pulling me closer to his body again.

            I push him slightly away. Before I get a chance to respond, a loud growl startles me from behind. “She’s not interested” the deep voice roars.

            His tone rough, makes my body react in ways I know it shouldn’t. I look over to our seating area for Nico, but he’s nowhere to be found. I should’ve known it’s him before I even turn around. Nico Gambini, looking hot as hell.

            And he’s pissed.

            “I wasn’t asking you.” Gage’s expression becomes hard when noticing the clearly pissed off expression on Nico’s face. “So, why don’t you go guard the table like you were before.”

            “Don’t f*****g think so.”

            Gage looks as if he wants to fight, but before he gets a chance Logan pulls him away. “Whatever, she’s not f*****g worth it anyway. Just another spoilt rich b***h begging to get laid anyway.”

            I think the f**k not. I draw in a deep breath trying to remain calm. I should have known Gage was like all the rest. I look at Nico noticing his tense stature, as if he was ready to pounce any moment. I grab his bicep, and what a firm bicep it is, trying to get him to look away from that ass.

            “It’s fine Nico, let it go.” I say in the best calm voice I can even though deep down I’m reeling.

            He doesn’t say anything as we stare at each intensely. He grabs my hand soon after and pulls me deeper onto the dance floor. He grips his fingers around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest as we sway along to the hypnotic beat. I know it should feel right, but it’s as if we were made for each other. It’s like my body and mind are betraying me.

            Jesus Natalia. Get it together here.

            He leans down and whispers in my ear, the warmth of his breath brushing across my skin which I’m sure is now flushed. “I was getting bad vibes from that guy. He was practically f*****g you.”

            He pulls away, our eyes making contact, his expression stoic and firm. There’s a sense of seriousness to his tone, but gentleness as well.

            Between the alcohol and dancing, I feel myself getting lost in his eyes. Ready to kiss him, but I don’t. I know all of these thoughts and feelings are wrong. He’s my employee and there are just some lines that should never be crossed.

            “Are we not doing the same thing?”

            His jaw clenches and his body tenses. “He was being a creep. He wanted one thing and one thing only. I was just doing my job.” His eyes trail down my body as if he’s trying to make a point at what Gage was wanting.

            I don’t remember warding off random hook ups being in the job description, it’s a little overkill if you ask me. But I can see how serious he takes his job so I guess I should be thankful.  

            I know I shouldn’t admit this but being close to him makes my mouth go dry and ignites something deep within me. Maybe it’s just because he’s an extremely attractive man and I haven’t been laid in months, but I can’t ignore these feelings much longer. I just need to go to the bar and get a stiff drink because these emotions running through me right now are dangerous and could be the result of my unraveling. We continue to move together to the beat of the music, and I feel myself easily getting lost in his embrace. He takes control as we move in sync to beat. It’s Tantalizing. I feel my will to walk away getting weaker, but I have to put a stop to this before we cross the line, I swore I wouldn’t cross. But I ignore all the warning signs, and so does he, as we continue to lose our selves in the sensual music.

            Kara, looking as if she’s a kid who’s just walked in on her parents doing the dirty deed, pulls us away from the trance we were so caught up in. “Sorry to interrupt, but Logan and I are going to get out of here. Gage is pretty sloshed right now, so we should probably get going.” I pull away from Nico realizing that what just happened was the very thing I was so desperately trying to avoid. I shake my head in understanding following her off the dance floor, Nico closely behind.

            “We should probably head out too.” I mention to Nico who hasn’t taken his gaze off me. “I just need to find Dimitri to make sure he has a ride home.”

            I leave Nico standing at the table as I find Dimitri flirting yet again with another bartender at the bar. He has a s**t eating grin on his face as I capture his attention. “Were you secretly f*****g your bodyguard on the dance floor or was I envisioning things? You want him babe, just as much as he wants you, whether or not you want to admit that to yourself or not.”

            I scoff “Yeah, right.” I order a bottle of water for the road. “Do you need a ride home? Nico and I are about to head out.”

            “Well see about that.” His tone is dripping with sarcasm. “No- I’ll be ok. I’ll have Jimmy here give me a ride home, if you know what I mean.” His tone is playful as he winks at me.

            “Are you sure?” I ask.

            “Yes hunny. Now go home with your hot bodyguard and I’ll call you in the AM. I want all the dets.”

            I take a sip of my water before walking away. “Well, you’ll be disappointed because nothing is going to happen.” I flash him a drunk smile, because I’m finally starting to feel the effects of the alcohol running through my veins.

            I make my way towards Nico, linking our fingers together and pulling him towards the exit of the club. “Time to go.” I slur out.

            We stand in the sidewalk outside the club as we wait for Vincent to bring the car around. The chilled fall air begins to sober me up a little. I glance down at the time on my phone and see it’s almost two in the morning, and we still have an hour drive back to Fox Lake. I’m really going to be kicking myself in the ass tomorrow morning for how much I drank tonight.

            Vincent pulls up to the curb and Nico stops him from getting out before opening my door for me. His eyes lock on mine as I slide in the backseat. The connection I feel between us is electrifying, but I know it can never happen. I blurred the lines once, let my guard down and the worst happened. I buckle myself up and lay my head back against the head rest. I’m definitely going to regret the amount of alcohol I drank tonight in the morning.

            “Can I ask you something Natalia?” I hear him mumble under his breath.

            I look at his reflection in the rear-view mirror, so he knows I’m listening. “Why do you live so far away from Chicago if your entire life is basically in the city?”

            I bow my head for a moment taking in his words. “I didn’t always live in Fox Lake, but I like my privacy.” I can see he wants to pry more but doesn’t and for that I am grateful. “Why did you leave Idaho?” I blurt before I could stop myself.

            “Small town, figured it was time for a change and some privacy.” Touché. He may no longer be looking at me, but I see the corner of his lips tilt up into a small smile.

            The rest of the drive home is a bit of a blur, as I place my head against the window feeling the cold against my cheek. Nicholas Gambini, what a mystery he is to me, yet somehow, I feel this connection coursing between the two of us. Maybe its just the alcohol talking, but I know what ever it is, it could end up being a deadly combination.