Guarded: Worth the Risk

Chapter 4

                                                                                        Natalia

            “Good Morning sunshine, wakey wakey”

            The sound of Dimitri’s voice echoed through my head like a someone was using a jackhammer. The plan last night was to not drink like I was a freshman in college again. However, that plan had failed, and I was walking into hangover territory.

            “NO” I grumbled. “Which guard let you in- they’re fired.”

            The sound of his laughter is like nails on a chalk board “Well happy Friday to you too. And I’m on the list remember- Bestie/ assistant here.”

            “Ugh- remind me to change it. What time is it anyway?”

            “5:30. I already let you sleep an extra hour and a half. So, get your ass up and moving. We Have some yoga to do.” He taps my butt twice before standing to grab my feet and pull me out of my bed “Plus new bodyguard will be here by 7 so you know you need to be looking smoking incase he’s a hottie like Lorenzo.”

            s**t.

            I almost forgot. Lorenzo hired his nephew as his replacement and today of all days must be his first day. I don’t know much about Lorenzo’s extended family-in fact, I never knew he had a sister to begin with. However, knowing my father he wouldn’t have approved it if he wasn’t a good man.

            “That’s right” I let out a loud sigh. “Give me 10 minutes to pull myself together and I’ll meet you in the foyer for my run before we head to yoga.”

            Out of the corner of my eyes, I see Dimitri roll his eyes. “Yuck. I almost forgot that you like to torture yourself with cardio before yoga.”

            Finally, able to usher Dimitri out of my room, I make my way to my bathroom splashing some water on my face to wake me up better. I throw my hair in a high pony before popping two Tylenols for the killer headache I had. I quickly throw on some workout clothes and by 6 I was off for my morning routine.

            Fridays tend to be a more relaxed day for work. I don’t require my employees to be there at the crack of dawn even though I still force myself to be there before everyone else. It’s very seldom that Dimitri joins me for my morning run and workout, but I guess his curiosity about my new bodyguard got the best of him and convinced him to join.

            I was on my last mile of my run when Dimitri came hustling up beside me. He had slacked off at the end of mile two and I could see him flirting with my grounds guard. He was never a fan of cardio, so I wasn’t surprised when he was out breath as he caught up to me. His loud pants stopped me as I saw he was holding up my phone while trying to catch his breath to tell me something important.

            “Mr. Windgate-“loud gasp of air “Is on-“ another loud gasp “phone-“

            Come on spit it out already.

            He took one last gasp of air before finishing his sentence “Important.”

             Finally.

            “Well, did he say what was so important?” I find myself growing a little annoyed.

            I watched as Dimitri shook his head. Now full blown annoyed that I had to delay my morning yet again, I snatch the phone from his hands and walk towards the house, Dimitri slowly trekking behind.

            “Mr. Windgate, what can I do for you?”

            Mr. Windgate has been a client with my family for years and whenever he called it was never a good thing. If he said jump, you asked how high and did it. When I first took over the corporation he was not at all please. He threatened to take his business elsewhere, which I would have been completely ok with considering the guy was a huge perv. But none-the-less when he called you made time for him, no matter what it was in regard to.

            As we reach the house, I give Dimitri the look. The look I only give when I know were in deep s**t. “Mr. Windgate, could you please hold on for a moment while I pull it up on my laptop.” I cover the phone with my hand and let out a loud sigh “Dimitri, this could take a while, he’s not happy. When Lorenzo arrives with the new guy, show them to my office.”

            I had been on the phone for a half hour with Mr. Windgate, and the conversation was getting nowhere. As I was finishing up, I made my way into the foyer in search of Dimitri and as always, he was nowhere to be found. However, a man I had never seen before was standing alone in my foyer. Weird, I don’t remember them buzzing me about any visitors. I make quick to get Mr. Windgate off the phone.

            “Mr. Windgate, I really feel that this is a matter that needs to be discussed in person. If you could please schedule a time to come in, that way I could better assist you. That would be best.” I pause for a moment taking a good look at the gentleman standing before me before speaking again “Yes, Monday at noon. We will see you then.”

            I hang up the phone and take a quick glance around to see if he was with anyone. As I make my way closer to where he stood, I can’t help but do a once over of the man standing before me. He’s very attractive- built like the rock, his sleeves are rolled unveiling muscular forearms and tattoos, and his dark hair is disheveled as if he just finished hooking up with the housekeeper. God I sure hope he wasn’t fooling around with Mrs. O’mally. You can see his chiseled jaw peeking through what appears to be a five o’clock shadow, which for some reason is sending my lady bits into overdrive.

            Seriously, what the f**k are you doing Natalia, you don’t even know the guy and your already thinking of was to f**k him six ways till Sunday.

            “Can I help you?” I finally choke out.

              My appearance clearly made him feel uncomfortable because the sound of my voice made him stand a little taller. Maybe he noticed you staring him up and down like he was a piece of meat- way to go Natalia.

            He clears his voice before speaking “Um-I’m here to see Mr. Mezzanotte.”

            My father, why?

            “I’m his new security detail- You must be his assistant-“

            I quickly cut him off before he can finish his sentence “Natalia” I hesitate to reach my hand to shake his. He thinks I’m my fathers assistant, I’ll play along. For now. As our hands touch, I can’t help but notice all the hairs on my arm stand. I quickly pull away hoping he didn’t notice. “You’re here to see Mr. Mezzanotte? And you are?”

            A bit of uneasiness has settled in the room and I can see how uncomfortable he’s becoming. Before I have a chance to speak again, Lorenzo enters the foyer with Dimitri following shortly behind.

            “Ah- perfect. You two have met” Lorenzo can’t hide the smile growing on his face.

            I look at Lorenzo and Dimitri waiting for an interruption before the still unidentified hottie directs his attention to Dimitri.

             “Mr. Mezzanotte, It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you again for giving me this job opportunity. I’m Nicholas, but you can call me Nico.”

            I glance at Dimitri and I can see the amusement on his face. He’s eating this s**t up.  Dimitri extend his hand for a handshake, but not before taking a good glance at his stature.

            “Charmed, but I’m not Mr. Mezzanotte” his lips curling into a slight smirk.

            Down boy.

            Lorenzo clears his throat breaking the awkward silence “Nico- this is Ms. Mezzanotte. She’s the one who hired you.”

            I can see the surprise arrive on his face and can’t help myself from blushing. As he makes complete eye contact with me, I can’t help but notice his deep brown eyes looking into mine. In fact, if no one were around I’d probably be on the ground due to how weak my knees are feeling at this very point in time. Pull it together Natalia, he’s your employee for Christ sakes.

            “Well actually it was my father, but I guess I can take the credit for now.” I try to hide my flirtatious smile.

            Jesus, Natalia. Keep it in your pants.

            “Apologies, Ms. Mezzanotte. Thank you for this opportunity.” He flashes a smile which makes my heart skip a beat I think.

            “Nice to meet you too- Nicholas was it?” I can’t stop the little laugh that comes out of my mouth a little to flirtatiously. “Please excuse my attire, we were just about to head to the gym for some yoga.”

            Nice Natalia- real subtle. I glance at Dimitri giving him the look before turning to quickly walk away. But before I can get far enough away from my new employee/ housemate, I stop and turn to speak with him once more.

            “Sorry Nicholas, Lorenzo and Mrs. O’Malley can show you to your room. Then once your settled, Lorenzo can show you to the gym.”

            He nods his head in understanding before Dimitri and I turn to walk away. As we get a little further from the foyer, Dimitri links his arm through mine pulling me in close to whisper in my ear.

            “What a HOTTIE!” he blurts out. “You are going to be in trouble with him. I can already see it.”

            I nudge him with my hip “Not happening. He’s my bodyguard and this is a professional environment. Strictly business.” Business that I would like to mix with pleasure.

            “Uh huh. I’ll believe it when I see it.” Dimitri sings out as we enter the gym.

            “Seriously. Nothing is going to happen between us.” Are you trying to convince him or yourself? I find myself wondering what Mr. Hottie looks like naked.

            “Time to break that dry spell princess. 500 bucks- you two will be sleeping together in no time.”

            I shake my head in disagreement “Are you done? We have to be in the office within the next two hours- so less talky and more yogi.”