Pretending To Be His

Thu Bodyguard Talk

Nicole knew she had no choice so she did not argue when Marko once again took her elbow and led her to the elevators. Nor did she argue when they made it to the parking lot below the building where they found two huge men waiting for them.

“TT!” She exclaimed as she approached the huge man who had carried her like a sack of potatoes the other day. “Nice to see a familiar face.”

Clint gave her a small nod while the other man just frowned.

“TT?” asked the new face. “Am I missing something?” His eyes taking in the way Marko was standing behind the short woman to the bemused look on Clint's face. He knew exactly who the woman in front of him was, as he was the one who collected information on her. What he was not sure about was why she was here and why she seemed familiar with Clint. 

Marko shook his head, “Alex, this is Nicole.” He had his hand on the small of her back, guiding her forward. He shot her a look reminding him not to mention knowing who she was.  “Nicole, this is Alex. He is my chief of security and will be working on getting you some bodyguards.”

Nicole smiled at Alex before turning to Marko with a slight frown, “I don't need bodyguards."

"Really?" Marko folded his arms across his chest, shooting her a dark gaze. "And what was that happening outside just a few minutes ago?"

Nicole placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. "I was handling the situation just fine until some caveman decided he wanted to be the hero!"

Alex looked at Clint, who caught his eye, and shook his head. Seems this is not the first time these two had a go at each other.  

"Bodyguards, Nicole, or you are not going anywhere today!" Marko narrowed his gaze. He was not going to back down.

"Why do you have to be so darn stubborn!" Nicole raised her hands up in frustration. "Fine! I'll only accept TT as my bodyguard. I might as well be with someone I will be comfortable with.”

Marko turned to Alex and Clint, before nodding to Nicole, “of course. Alex, arrange someone for me instead.”

"Don't think you have won. I just need to head to work." Nicole turned to Clint with a smile. “You hear that, TT? You are going to be my bodyguard, so you are free to carry me at any time you deem necessary.”

Marko pulled her back and placed an arm around her waist. He bent down so that he was on a level with her ear, “you are supposed to be in a relationship with me, remember?”

Nicole turned and rolled her eyes on him. “Well of course. But he’s got the strength to carry me over his shoulder. Do you?”

Marko raised an eyebrow, “Is that a challenge?”

The two seemed oblivious to the other two people who were looking at them with confused faces. “What in the world is going on?” Alex mumbled to Clint.

“Seems as though the boss has found himself someone who doesn’t kiss his ass,” Clint mumbled back, a rare smile tugging on his lips as he watched the short woman huffing at his boss. “This is going to be quite interesting.”

“You are telling me!” Alex commented, his gaze still fixed at the two who were still arguing. “TT?”

Clint turned his gaze to his boss, “long story, boss. I guess none of us are immune to her wrath.” The two men looked up, their hands going to their weapons when they heard a scream, only to relax when they saw Nicole being carried over Marko’s shoulder.

“Let me down, you piece of log!” Nicole screamed as Marko moved the few steps to the car. “I swear to God I am going to slap your ass if you don’t put me down!”

“Go right ahead,” Marko drawled. “I like a bit of kink.”

Nicole’s mouth hung open at that, only a gasp escaping when Marko gently deposited her onto the car seat. He got in after her and turned to face her.

Placing his index finger on her chin and gently closed her mouth, “JUst so you know.”

Nicole recovered from her shock and with a flair of hands removed Marko’s finger from under her chin. “What does that suppose to mean? I don’t need to know such things.”

“But you are my girlfriend,” Marko supplied. “You are meant to know such. After all, we are in a loving and active relationship, aren’t we?”

“Certainly not!” Nicole retorted. “You! I think you were dropped on your head when you were born! I agreed to be your pretend girlfriend only!”

“But as my girlfriend-pretend or otherwise-you are supposed to take care of my needs. I have been known to have such an appetite when it comes to sex.”

Nicole gasped, her eyes widening. Her gaze went to the two men who were sitting silently in the front of the car before she turned to Marko, her eyes spitting fire. “You are not getting anything of the sort from me! I-you-if this is part of the charade then I am out!”

Marko could not contain the laughter anymore. His laugh filled the car, making Alex and Clint exchange looks. Marko, known as the cold cutthroat in the business world, was now teasing and laughing so freely. 

Alex had been working for Marko for more than five years, and in all those years he could count in his hands when he had heard Marko tease or laugh as freely. It was mostly when his mother came to visit or one of his sisters dropped by. But to see him tease and laugh with some woman whom he barely knew was totally new.

Alex stole a glance at the rearview mirror, studying the now fuming woman. She was definitely not Marko’s type but she seemed to bring out the best from their boss without even trying to. 

“You are so annoying!” Nicole mumbled under her breath. She huffed and crossed her arms around her, turning her gaze to the passing scenery.

Marko smirked, “and you are so cute.” He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her warm cheek.

Nicole turned her furious eyes on him. Before she could utter a word though, Marko placed a finger on her lips. His eyes captured hers as he shook his head. “We have to be comfortable with showing affection to each other. People know that I am a very passionate man, kissing and holding my partner is very normal to me. In order to make everyone believe we are a couple, we will have to do all of this, and more.”

Nicole closed her eyes for a second, “I knew I was going to regret agreeing to this! Okay, fine. But keep it to the bare minimum!” Nicole gritted.

“Yes, ma’am!” Marko replied. He then took her hand in his and kept it there until they reached the bar. Getting out first, he waited for Nicole to join him on his side before they walked into the bar together.

“Oh look, Nic is here!”

“Hey, rookie! Where’s bossman?” Nicole smiled at the blushing boy in front of her.

Jason pointed behind him with a thumb, “back office. He has been asking for you.”

“I bet he has,” Nicole mumbled as she turned to Marko. “You coming with?”

Marko nodded.

Nicole could have laughed at the widening of eyes from Jason as he finally laid his eyes on Marko, but instead, she hooked her arm into Marko’s and dragged him to the back office.

“Why does it feel like you want to hide me?” Marko teased as he let her lead.

“Because I do. This is my sanctuary, I don’t need some hounds to be poking their heads here.” She knocked once and then opened the door. “Bossman, you were looking for me? Sorry, I had some urgent matters to take care of this morning.”

“Of course you did,” Jake replied as he stood up. His gaze was not even on Nicole, but on the man standing behind her. “Mr. Sauntino, a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Marko took the extended hand and shook it gracefully, his other hand was still on Nicole’s back, gently rubbing it.

“I take it the tabloids were telling the truth then?” Jake’s eyes jumped to Nicole before moving back to Marko. He motioned for them to sit down as he took his seat.

“Well,” Nicole started only to be cut off by Marko.

“Nothing is hidden from those bloodhounds. We wanted to take it slow, get to know each other but they seem to have beat us to it.”

“It has been rather sudden,” Jake’s eyes trained on Nicole. “From pointing a gun to him to dating him?”

The blush came naturally, as Nicole tried to fight the embarrassment she felt, “I-well-after I stormed to his office, we got talking and well-he couldn’t resist my charm.”

Marko gave her a small squeeze for support and turned his gaze to Jake, “she is right, I couldn’t.”

Jake was quiet for a few minutes, studying the couple before him. He had known Nicole for a while and he was proud to say that he could always read her emotions and her lies. But as he looked at them now, he could not detect anything, bringing a frown to his face. Nicole was way out of her league with Marko. Even though she had spunk, it required a backbone made from titanium to survive the world Marko lived in. He will have a chat with her once they were alone.

“So what does this mean about your work here?” Jake asked, changing the subject.

“Well, we had a chat around that. I could continue working here until things become super crazy. I mean no one knows where I work so we are safe,” Nicole’s gaze was hopeful.

“And I have one of my guys here to keep an eye on her in case something happens.” Marko supplied.

Nicole turned to him and rolled her eyes, “how do you expect TT to mingle with the people here? He’ll stick out like a sore thumb!”

Marko narrowed his eyes on her, before leaning down and whispering so that only she could hear, “Roll your eyes at me one more time and you will find yourself across my knees with that tight ass of yours saying hi to my hand.”

Nicole gasped and moved back. She stole a quick look at Jake before ducking her head and hiding the blush that for the second time that morning took over her face. “You are impossible!”

Marko leaned back and chuckled, for a few seconds forgetting where they are until a throat being cleared brought them back.

“And who is TT?” Jake asked as he moved his gaze between the two.

“His real name is Clint Lowton, but Nicole here calls him Tree Trunk.” Marko supplied. “He is one of my security people and the one that will be in charge of Nicole’s safety from now on.”

“You should see him, bossman Jake. He is huge! Bigger than you.” Nicole stated. 

Jake leaned forward and placed his hands on the table, “as in Clint Brutus Lowton?”

“You know him?” Marko frowned, suspiciously.

Jake nodded, “I served with him in the military nearly thirteen years ago. Then that is easily solved. Bru-I mean TT can come through as our new bouncer. We have been looking for someone of the sort. That way he can keep an eye on Nic without causing any suspicion.”

Marko nodded, “that sounds good to me.” He glanced at his watch. “I have to leave now. Anything else just let Clint know and I will sort it out.” Marko stood and offered his hand to Jake. “It was nice meeting you, Bossman Jake.”

Jake smirked, “Just Jake will do, Mr. Sauntino.”

“In that case, call me Marko,” he turned to Nicole. “Walk me out, babe?”

Nicole fought hard to keep from glaring at him and gave Jake an apologetic smile, “will be right back!” 

She stood and let Marko lead her to the car. “Gosh, this is going to be so hard!”

“How?” Marko asked as he leaned on the car door and looked down at her.

Nicole turned slightly and pointed at the door they had walked out of, “Jake is like a big brother that I never wanted. He knows me so well. Pretending and lying to him is going to be hard for me.”

Marko reached for her hand and pulled her into his arms, giving her a gentle squeeze, “but you were a natural in there. Keep going like that and all will be well. I have to go. I will drop by to take you home once you are done.”

Nicole shook her head, “we close at eleven during weekdays. Won’t that be too late for you? TT can take me home.”

Marko shook his head, and leaned forward, “I will come and pick you up. Don’t argue.”

Nicole pushed on his chest, “ok, ok-shish! Stop doing that whispering thing, why don’t you!”

“Why?” Marko raised an eyebrow at her. “Does it turn you on?”

Nicole rolled her eyes, too late remembering what Marko had said. Before he could do anything she jumped back away from his reach and stuck her tongue at him.

“What are you, five?” Marko asked as he looked at her.

Nicole shrugged, “get used to it buster! See you later,” not waiting for his reply, she walked back into the bar and straight into Jake’s office.