Bella Rose
I can’t believe I almost groped the security guard. I can’t believe he was going to let me. Except that I can believe it. Men always wanted to look and touch. Maybe it was the fact I was just lonely now and wanted attention. I’ve never touched a guy or a man like that. But I wanted to. But maybe wanting attention for my godfathers security guard who was probably twice my age wasn’t such a great idea. Especially after hearing Connor warn Nash of what Vaughn would do.
——
I don’t see my godfather for the rest of the day and I have trouble falling asleep in the new space. My eyes going to the camera I now notice in the corner of the room. Did Vaughn have access to the cameras? Did he see me strip down to nothing before putting on my sleep shorts and tank top? Did Nash and Connor really not have access to them? It wasn’t the cameras and the question of whether or not they were working or being used that kept me up. The house just felt so empty and too quiet.
I get out of bed in the middle of the night to use the bathroom in my room and then decide to go for another self guided tour.
There’s dimmed lights that light the halls at night as I peek into a few dark rooms but don’t go in , not knowing there the lights are to see inside of them. And I don’t like the pitch dark too much so I don’t go in.
I wander through the second level and then down the main stair case and to the kitchen. Grabbing a glass of water and inspecting the fully stocked refrigerators.
I walk back to my wing and to the library and there’s only a few dim lights on. But I find one of the light switches and turn up the dimmers to a higher level and then browse again through the books. Making my way over to the whiskey buffet again. I pour myself more than a few sips. I’m not sure why. I’m not even a drinker. But I hold the glass as I walk around barefoot and drag my finger along the spines of the books. I go back to the cart after finishing the whiskey I poured and decide to take a bit more and then walk up to the second level where the “normal” books are.
I come across a copy of Pride and Prejudice cause it’s one I know only because of the movie and then go over to the plush couch along the railing the overlooks the lower level and sit on the couch and turn on the lamp beside it. I only get a chapter or two in before finishing the whiskey and setting it on the table and laying on the couch and attempting to read the third chapter. Before I fall asleep with the book dropping to my chest.
I don’t know what time it is or how long I was I asleep , but I wake up from my body feeling like it’s falling upward. I stir wake and jolt slightly.
“Cmon whiskey lips” Nash says with a smile and a laugh as he carries me from
The library.
“Where?” I ask sleepily. My head nodding off and against his chest. Was I drunk? I was dizzy and felt a little spinny.
“I’m taking you to your room.” He says.
“I almost touched your dick” I say , feeling out of it.
A low laugh shakes his chest.
“Yes. I know.” He says.
“I think I’m drunk Nash” I say and he laughs again.
“I think you are too whiskey lips” he says and then I’m being lowered onto the soft covers of my bed.
“Stay” I say as he covers me up and tucks me in.
“Not a good idea darling” he says and leans over and kisses my forehead.
“I couldn’t sleep” I sigh and he strokes my face.
“Just lay with me” I say and sigh with my eyes closed. “For a little while”
He doesn’t respond , but a second later I feel his large body make the bed dip and I turn and roll onto my side and wrap my arm around him and he lets out a soft groan as he wraps his arm around me.
“You’re lucky you’re drunk and under these covers ,whiskey lips” he says and I hum.
“I’ve never touched a man before” I admit and he strokes my hair.
“You haven’t?” He asks and I shake my head.
“I’ve never even kissed a guy” I sigh as I drift off slowly.
With parents who moved constantly. It wasn’t easy to make friends, let alone meet boys or have boyfriends.
“Are you going to get in trouble?” I ask.
“For what?” He asks as he plays with my hair.
“For the security room….for this” I say.
“Connor won’t tell Vaughn about the security room” he says.
“You can kiss me if you want to…I’d like if you kissed me” I say.
“Mm” he hums. “I’d like it too, but maybe when you’re not drunk darling” he says.
“I’m tired” I sigh. He laughs a softly and kisses my forehead.
“Sleep” he says and I sigh , letting myself fall asleep in the arms of a stranger.
———
When I wake up , I recollect last night , slightly embarrassed by admitting I’d never kissed a guy and then asking Nash to kiss me and getting rejected. It’s a little humiliating but by the time I’ve showered and gotten dressed , I’m over it.
I stay in my room for a little bit and then grow hungry and make my way to the kitchen. There’s a woman there , older and cutting up vegetables on a cutting board.
“Hello Miss Rose, are you hungry?” She asks.
“I…uh. Yes.” I answer and she smiles.
“I’m Anna, I’m here during the week, I’m the chef. Nice to meet you.” She says with a warm smile.
“Nice to meet you too.” I say. “I don’t mind cooking for myself.”
She waves a hand in the air. “It’s my
Job. What would you like sweetie?” She says and there’s something about that makes this empty house feel warmer. I decide I like her instantly.
When I tell her I’m not picky. She makes me an omelette and fixes a small bowl of fresh fruit and small glass of fresh squeezed orange juice.
I devour every bit of it , and decide I want this woman to cook for me for the rest of my life. It’s the best omelette I’ve ever had.
“Mister Vitale is gone for the day , Conner is here though.”
“Where’s Nash ? I ask and she doesn’t answer right away.”
“He’s ….well….he’s been given temporary leave.”
My jaw drops. “What?”
She clears her throat.
“Not sure Miss Rose” she says and wipes
Her hands on a dish towel and flings it over her shoulder and looks at me.
“He should be back at some point, he’s been with Mister Vitale , I can’t imagine he won’t return. Mister Vitale just needs time to simmer down.” She says.
Shit. Was it because he was in my room? Or did Connor tell Vaughn about the security room? I swallow and Anna smirks.
“Can’t say I blame mister Vitale. It’s only normal to be protective of his god daughter.” She says and it’s confirmed. She knows why Nash has been removed and it has to do with me.
“He didn’t…nothing happened” I say.
Anna shrugs. “That may be, but mister Vitale takes his security and yours seriously. He can’t afford for Nash to be distracted. I assume her also doesn’t want a grown man in his goddaughters bed at night.” She says and my jaw still hangs.
Did he come to my room and find Nash with me?
“We we’re just sleeping. I wasn’t able to sleep. All he did was put me to bed and hold me.”
I say and Anna lifts a brow.
“Again, that may be, but I can’t say I would trust a grown man to simply…sleep beside my goddaughter without other motives” she says and frown.
Who’s business was it anyways? Just because he was my godfather didn’t mean he got to tell me what to do.
“When will Vaughn be home?” I ask and she grabs my plate , clearing my dishes from in front of me.
“Probably this evening.” She says and I nod.
“Thank you for breakfast Anna” I say and she smiles.
“Enjoy your day sweetie”She chirps as I walk away.
I search for Connor , Bones and Killer following me as I leave the house. I find Connor outside walking the perimeter of the house.
“What happened with Nash?” I ask him the second i see him and he stops
“He was given temporary leave.” He says and I cross my arms.
“He didn’t do anything with me.” I say and Connor cocks his head.
“Because I walked in.” He says.
“And because you were drunk.” He says.
“How did Vaughn even find out?” I scowl.
“Not from me if that’s what you’re wondering.” He says and starts walking again.
“How did he know Nash was in my room?” I ask.
“He probably saw him on the cameras. Taking you in there and not coming back out.” Connor says.
“I asked him to stay because I couldn’t sleep. It’s my fault. He shouldn’t be fired. He didn’t do anything Connor.” I say and he stops and turns.
“Again. His leave is temporary, he wasn’t fired.”
He says.
“Still. He didn’t do anything.” I say and Connor lifts his brow.
“And if you weren’t drunk? You don’t think he would have?” Connor asks.
“What does it even matter ? What I do isn’t Vaughn’s business” I answer and he laughs.
“Youre seventeen. And he’s your legal guardian for the next two months. So yes. It’s very much his business.
“Our job comes first. He can’t do his job if he’s distracted my a seventeen year old.” Connor says and I cross my arms.
“So let me guess , his leave is for two months?” I ask.
Connor smiles. “Smart girl.”
“That’s not fair to him.” I practically whine. I didn’t want him to be in trouble for comforting me.
Connor shrugs. “Take it up with Vaughn. Let me know how that conversation works out.” He laughs and keeps walking.
“Oh I will” i huff and Connor laughs.