Guarded: Worth the Risk

Chapter 7

                                                                                          Nico

            What the f**k was I thinking.

            The moment I saw that asshole defy Natalia’s pleas, I snapped and sprung into action. Yes, she’s my boss, and what I did may have been a little out of line, but I was not about to stand back and watch this douche try to take advantage of her. I can remember back to high school, when Chase’s little sister Jessica, she’s two years younger than us, went to a party we were at. Matt, the captain of the football team, who was also a piece of work and roofied a few girls in the school, try to take advantage of her. He didn’t stand a chance when Chase and I got a hold of his ass.

            I just felt as if it was my unspoken duty. I have seen so many cases in my day where this type of s**t happens, and I wasn’t about to have another one of those on my watch. Natalia seems like a girl who can handle herself, but I’m not about to take any chances.

            As she leans her head against the cold glass, I can’t help but think about the way my body reacted to her tonight on the dance floor. We haven’t even known each other for 24 hours, yet I can’t help but feel some type of way towards her. The way we danced on the dancefloor tonight, our bodies pressed against one another. I couldn’t stop myself from undressing her with my eyes, as she did the same to me.

            “We are home Ms.” Vincent say’s.

            I get out of the passenger seat and open the door for her. “Thank you, Vincent. You are free to go.” She slurs while stumbling after taking a few steps forward. I grab a hold of her elbow., pulling her to my chest to make sure she doesn’t fall.

            The intensity she has as she stares in my eyes, causes my d**k to harden in my pants. I know she probably won’t remember any of this in the morning, but I know I sure will.

            “You got it?” I say, as I release my grip allowing her to get her footing.

            “Just a little too much to drink,” She slurs “I just need to get to my room and in bed before my new bodyguard thinks I’m a sloppy, hot mess of a drunk.”

            I let out a low chuckle, she’s certainly a hand full when she’s drunk, but I find it refreshing and cute. It’s nothing like when Elizabeth got drunk, she would be happy one moment, then would pick a fight with me next, then end up crying in the back of the car while puking. Something I had become accustomed to over the years.

            We finally make our way into the house; it was certainly a task getting her up the front steps without falling and waiting for her to find her keys buried somewhere deep inside her enormous purse of hers. She stumbles through the door, taking a seat on the bench  that sits in the foyer. She slips off her heels and lays on her right side closing her eyes. Though I’m exhausted from the never-ending day, I have to ensure that she’s tucked away safe before hitting the hay myself.

            “Nico…” She mumbles out with her eyes still closed.

            “Natalia?” I repeat taking a step towards her so I can hear her better.

            “Your one hot guy.” She laughs. “I’m so glad I got a hot guy as my bodyguard.” She continues laughing to herself.

            Though flattered, I know she’ll forget all about this in the morning. I hope.

            “I’m glad. Now let’s get your drunk ass into bed so I can do rounds before calling it a night myself.” I say with a chuckle.

            “Oh, so serious about your job” she mocks. “So hot too.” She repeats herself as I pick her up bridal style carrying her to her bedroom.

            I lay her down on the bed, hoping that my job here is now down. The more I touch her, the more the electricity I feel between us grows. I make my way towards her bedroom door in hopes to escape when she sits up and turns to face me.

            “Thank you, Nico.” She says as she pulls the hem at the bottom of her dress, lifting it above her head.

            I bow my head unable to ignore the hardening length in my pants. f**k me. “Um, maybe you should wait till I’m out of the room” I chuckle.

            “Well, maybe I wanted you to stay?” She says matter-of-factly as a hint of pink plays at her cheeks.

            I shake my head turning to leave the room. “Well, Ms. Mezzanotte. You and I both know that would be a bad idea.” I reach for the door handle of her bedroom door to pull it shut behind me as I walk out. “Good night, Natalia.”

            I wait outside her room for a few moments catching my breath. Christ she’s trying to kill me. She was wearing a black lacy bra and panties to match. I took all I had in me to not take her up on her offer and stay in her room tonight, but that would be wrong of me. Just thinking about it though has my d**k hardening in my pants.

            There’s no denying that I feel something when I’m close to her, but she’s my boss and mixing business with pleasure has never been a good idea. Pushing my thoughts to the back of my mind, I do a quick sweep of the house ensuring everything is locked up as tight as fort Knox before settling into my new room. I glance at my cell and see its 4:30am.

            Sleep these last two days have not come easy to me unless I’m plastered of course. I unlock my phone, sending a text to Chase. If I’m correct, he’s probably working the graveyard shift, so having him to talk to would certainly stop my mind from racing.

                                                Nico: You got some time to chat?

            Not a moment sooner my phone rings.

            “Hey! Miss me that much that you couldn’t go a full 24 hours without talking to me?” He laughs.

            I can’t help but chuckle. “Ha you wish man.”

            I don’t immediately cut to the Chase, but I know he senses something is on my mind. “Everything ok? Chicago treating you alright?” he teases.

           “Chicago’s great man, but I don’t know how I’m going to survive this new job man.”

            “The guy working you that hard already?” He mocks.

            “Woman.” I say matter-of-factly. “But she’s not like any women I have ever met.”

            “Ah, so she’s a hottie” He jokes. “So, what’s the problem man?”

            How do I come out and say this, Natalia is not the ordinary spoilt rich girl you’d expect. She doesn’t have a face full of botox, or lips full of filler to make her hot. In fact, I don’t know if you could classify her as hot.

            Julianne Hough- Hot.

            Margot Robbie- Smokin’ hot.

            But, Natalia Mezzanotte- She’s absolutely stunning, take your breath away stunning. How am I to explain to Chase that my boss is literally the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on and she’s given me an invitation to sleep in her bed tonight.

            “She’s trying to f*****g kill me man.” I chuckle. “I can’t even begin to tell you what my d**k is thinking man. Every time I’m around her, it’s like I want to lose control. For God’s sake, I haven’t even known the woman for more then 24 hours and she’s already stripped down naked in front of me and invited me to sleep in her room.”

            “I’m still failing to see the problem here.” He says in a mocking tone. “Your single man, enjoy yourself.”

            Typical Chase, thinking with his d**k and not his brain. “She’s my boss. I am not about to cross into dangerous territory. Plus, she has some sort of baggage that I feel like everyone is keeping from me.”

            “You used to be a cop, you remember, that right?” he says sarcastically. “Look, I can run her name through some databases here. If she has anything on her, I’m sure I can find it.”

            “Thanks man. I appreciate it.”

            “Don’t let your trust issues affect your job, or future relationships. I’m sure everything will check out.” He’s right, my trust issues may be getting the best of me. “I’ll call you when I have some information.”

            Chase and I talk for a little while longer before saying goodbye and hanging up. I don’t know what I would do without him, he’s like a second brother to me, always has my back. I plug my phone on the charger and roll onto my back. As I try to drift off to sleep, images of Natalia rush to my mind. Just as I feel myself giving into sleep, I’m awoken by a loud noise coming somewhere within the house.

            I grab my phone from the charger and the gun Lorenzo gave me just incase and head towards the noise to investigate. The sounds grow’s louder as the kitchen comes into view, my gun drawn, prepared for what I am about to see. I turn the corner and see a frazzled Natalia cussing as she picks up items she’s knocked to the floor.

            “Shit.” She mutters as I stand in the doorway lowering my gun to take in the site of her. She’s now wearing a silk nighty set, leaving little to none to the imagination.

            I clear my throat slightly startling her. She jumps to her feet turning on her heels holding a metal tin in her left hand.

            “I have a weapon and I’m not afraid to use it” She blurts out before coming to the realization that its just me. “Holy s**t Nico. You scared the piss out of me.”

            I can’t help but chuckle at how cute she looks when she’s scared. If she thinks a metal tin is going to stop an intruder from getting to her, then I can see why she needs me. “Put the tin down, kung fu panda. I come in peace.”

            She lets outs a loud sigh, lowering her hands to her side. “I could have killed you, sneaking up on me like that.”

            Doubt it, but I won’t tell her that.

            “I think you’ll need a little more then a metal tin to accomplish that.” I tease. “Can’t sleep?” I question closing the gap between us a little.

            She takes a step back as her breath hitches a little. I can see her n*****s standing at attention, just begging for me to use my teeth to play with them. My gaze works it way down her body taking in the sight her. I know it’s looks bad, but I can’t help it, she’s absolutely gorgeous when she’s not put together.

            Natalia’s perfectly toned body has just enough curves that I could explore for days. Her hairs pulled up into a mess bun at the top of her head with a few wispy pieces framing her heart shaped face. The traces of some mascara and eyeliner lingers on her olive toned skin.

            Get a grip Nico, she’s your boss.

            “I maybe having a little trouble.” Her tone goes up an octave as she tries to make avoid eye contact due to our closeness. “I’m entering the realm where tipsy is beginning to meet hungover. I was about to make some tea; would you like some?”

            Tea, the drink brew by the Devil. It doesn’t matter is it’s iced or hot, green or chia. That s**t is nasty, but I can’t help myself from resisting. She fills the tea kettle with water before placing it on the stove then turning on the burner.

            The silence fills the room as she turns around and makes eye contact with me. It’s not before long that a bit of uneasiness fills me. I watch as her eyes take me in like a drink of water, her eyes zeroing on the bulge quickly growing in my boxers.

            s**t. I’m standing in my employers’ kitchen, in nothing but boxer briefs. Boxer briefs that have tiny cat heads all over them.

            Take away my man card right now please.

            I quickly make my way to a stool on the opposite side of the breakfast bar hoping to put some space between us. I clear my throat bringing her attention back to me. She has a slight smile across her face and blush playing at her cheeks.

            “Is that your cats head printed all over your boxers?” she teases. “I took you for more of a dog guy.”

            “No- not my cat. Truthfully I’m not quite sure whose cat that even is.” I let out a nervous laugh. “They were a gift from my mother.”

            I can she her cheeks reddening even more.  “Well, they seem to suite you, and I can’t really complain about them.”

            My c**k growing even more at this topic of conversation. I quickly change the subject before I find my c**k having its way with her p***y.

            “So, I have to warn you, I’m not much of a tea fan.” I say.

            “Figured as much. Lorenzo wasn’t fond of it either, so I always have a special stock of hot coco, I’ll just make that for you instead.”

            “Good ole Uncle Enzo, doesn’t surprise me.”

            The kettle on the stove begins to whistle, she removes it than turns off the burner. She takes two mugs from the kitchen cabinet, one with a tea bag and the other with hot coco powder, than pours equal amounts of water in each.

            She stands across from me at the breakfast bar sliding the mug my way. How did we end up drinking tea and hot coco in the kitchen half naked?

            Awkward? Yes.

            I guess I have to be thankful that she’s not running away from me mortified at the situation we found ourselves in. However, I think it’s the alcohol still lingering in her system that has helped the situation.

            “So, tell me Nico. What’s going on in that mind of yours?” she leans against the breakfast bar as if she’s interested.

            Her. The questions I have as to what Dimitri meant by baggage or why the real reason why she lives all the way out here.

            “The unfinished bullshit I left behind at home.”

            I lie. 

            “Girl friend or Fiancé you left behind giving you a hard time for coming here?” Her eyes widen with curiosity.

            To be honest, the drama with Elizabeth hasn’t even crossed my mind since I’ve arrived here and spotted Natalia. I could care less about anything going on at home at this very moment, but I wasn’t about to let her know what I was really thinking.

            “I had a fiancé, but tings kind of ended before I came here.”

            She offers me a sad smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. Just wanted to know why you seemed to be so uncomfortable around me.”

            Not uncomfortable, just caught off guard by her bluntness, and not to mention I’m extremely attracted to her.

            “Uncomfortable?” I ask. “I wouldn’t say it like that. I would say more cautious.”

            “Cautious? I’m not a dangerous person if that what you’re thinking.” She scoffs.

            “I don’t know you or anything about you.”

            “Exactly.”

            “But I’ve heard enough to make act that way.” I stress.

            She scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Well, what you may or may not have heard is bullshit.” She say’s annoyed. “I don’t have to defend myself to you. It’s clear you’ve made up your mind about me. So, here’s what we’ll do. You keep your opinions to yourself and do the job you were hired to do.”

            There’s that rough exterior Uncle Lorenzo was talking about.

            Her face and tone turn serious, her eye’s darkening a few shades. Damn she’s sexy when she’s in boss mode. I man do I love me a woman who can take charge.

            “Well lucky for you, my mind has made no such assumptions, “I correct. “I used to be a cop, so by nature I play any situation as cautious. I’ve been burned in the past.”

            “A cop?” She raises an eyebrow. “Your not on some under cover, mission to get information out of me are you?”

            A small smile flashes over my lips.

            She’s not the only one who can have a bit of mystery to her.

            “I said I was a cop, not the FBI. You have nothing to worry about, I’m here to protect you and that’s it.” I say taking a sip of my hot coco. “Unless you have something that your hiding, then I would advise you to share with the class. To make my job a little easier.”

            She stares at me blankly. “It’s almost sunrise, we should both get some shuteye before the gala tomorrow night.” She say’s quickly changing the subject.

            “Gala?” I question.

            “It’s an annual benefit my father throws every year to raise money for the nonprofit he started after my mother passed. Didn’t Dimitri tell you?”

            “Nope. Must have forgotten with all the flirting he’s been doing” I say shaking my head.

            “So, I’m assuming that means you don’t have any black-tie attire since he didn’t tell you.” I nod my head giving her a small smile. “No worries, I have Kara pick you up something and messenger it over. Now get some rest.”

            “Good Night, Natalia.” I say as she walks back towards her room.

            I place my mug in the sink before turning off the kitchen lights and heading back to my room. I lay in bed and stare at the ceiling hoping sleep consumes me soon, but it doesn’t. Images of Natalia flash through my mind and Dimitri’s warnings of baggage echo. I’m not quite sure what she has to hide, but I can only hope she opens up to me, otherwise keeping her safe is going to be harder then I thought. Popping in my air pods, I open my music playlist, listen to music has always helped me sleep. Three songs later and I finally doze off.