Chapter Three
Alexandra
Since the reluctant deal I’d come to with my dad a few days earlier, I’d been frantically trying to organize my trip. With money no longer being an issue, I didn’t really have to plan the whole four months travel out in one go. So I decided to just get to Europe, and then Daddy’s Amex Black card would handle the rest.
The first thing I did was have a frantic search for any of my friends who weren’t still studying, knocked-up, or working full-time. Surprisingly, even with the promise of a no-expense spared luxury trip, only a few showed interest.
Then again, I thought to myself, I do sometimes forget I went to a damn expensive school and Ivy League College. Some of those girls are probably richer than my dad already...
Luckily, I’d managed to find two who were at least somewhat interested in joining me on my epic adventure. I’d managed to persuade them by promising it would be more of a sex-venture, sampling the finest Europe had to offer--and maybe beyond if we weren’t quite satisfied.
Olivia and Lucy were the kind of girls I knew would be down for this kind of trip.
In reality though, if I met a guy, then sure, I planned on enjoying myself. But truthfully, I wanted to experience new cultures, see the sights, and try the food.
I had to admit though, I found myself warming to the white lie I’d used to reel in the more promiscuous duo. They were shallow and selfish, but good fun nonetheless. Still, they also bored easily, and I knew there was a chance they would likely lose interest after the first couple flights or so. I wasn’t too bothered by this though, because with my big scary bodyguard protecting me, I suspected I’d be able to travel on alone if necessary.
“Shit!” I shouted angrily at my huge suitcase. I slumped down on my bed in defeat, wearing nothing but some small white panties with my chin in my hands and elbows on my knees. I had been absentmindedly arranging my clothes while daydreaming, and somehow, the suitcase was already stuffed despite there still being a pile of clothes on the bed that I simply couldn’t bear to leave behind.
But then my frown lifted. “I’ll just buy another suitcase,” I said out loud. “I won’t be carrying them anyway, right?”
Feeling better, I jumped up, punching the air as if I’d just had a major breakthrough and made a life-changing decision. I felt my boobs bounce as I jumped, catching sight of myself in the full-length mirror opposite the foot of my bed.
Damn, when did they get so big? I’m gonna be beating these Euro guys away with a stick!
I stood there, pouting with my hands on my hips, my long blonde hair cascading down my shoulders, testing what I imagined were a few different sexy poses. I was halfway through my second pose when the doorbell rang.
Shit, great timing.
I figured it was probably someone delivering one of the expensive accessories I’d ordered for the trip, knowing it had to be someone trusted or wearing a uniform in order to get past the guards on the gate.
Could be those bikinis, I thought excitedly.
I put on a large fluffy pink dressing gown, leaving it a bit looser than necessary just in case the delivery guy was hot, even though that sort of thing only happened in pornos or crappy movies.
I ran down the large spiral staircase, lightly gripping the handrail along the way. I reached the front door in what was probably record time, spurred on by the anticipation of unwrapping an expensive item or four.
When I opened the door, I found myself staring chest-level at a hulking figure that almost filled the whole doorway, muscles bulging visibly beneath a black t-shirt that was clearly too tight. I raised my gaze, passing well-muscled arms and shoulders on the way up. My visitor was standing with his arms politely held behind his back in an almost military-like pose. I wasn’t too short at 5’6”, but this guy was a good foot taller than me.
My girlish glee evaporated in an instant and I froze like a wide-eyed deer in the headlights.
Slowly, my brain unfroze.
Ah…so this must be the bodyguard, I thought. But then it occurred to me that the guards at the gate wouldn’t have had a chance against this guy, so there was really no telling who he was.
Well, I thought absurdly, if I'm being kidnapped, at least he’s hot. Massive and slightly scary, but super hot…
“Ma’am,” the figure nodded, his calm and softly spoken deep voice oddly hypnotic. “You must be Alexandra. Sorry if I, ah, got you at a bad time. Your father… Well, he said you’d be in. So, here I am.” He shifted his weight from one leg to the other and I could tell by his posture that he was favoring his left knee. I then noticed a scar running down one side of his face as he frowned. “Shit. Sorry,” he continued. “I’m going to be your bodyguard. Guess I should have started with that.” His frown softened. “Ain’t too good at this bit. The protecting part, though—that’s the part I excel at, ma’am.”
No shit. You look like you could shrug off bullets.
I did my best to regain my composure, remembering that this guy was going to be working for me effectively. I looked at his arms again, thinking about him carrying my suitcases…
“First of all, stop calling me ma’am,” I said, putting on a face and crossing my arms, the gesture slightly parting my dressing gown and partially exposing my cleavage. “My name’s Alexandra, as you well know. I’m not sure why my dad sent you here already. I’m not nearly ready. I haven’t even booked a flight yet.”
His hand was suddenly in front of me, held out in greeting. How such a big man moved so quickly was astounding.
“Pleased to meet you, Alexandra. I’m Cruz. Cruz Miller.” I shook his huge hand briefly, the exchange slightly awkward due to the size difference. “And that’s fine. I’m on retainer, fixed fee. I’m ready whenever you are. Need anything done, just ask. Or you need me to fuck off into the shadows, same goes. Any sign of trouble though, you won’t need to shout. It’ll be over before you even know it.”
I looked again at the figure standing awkwardly in front of me. A brief moment before the handshake, I’d thought I’d seen a flash of softness in his eyes--a glimpse behind his well-rehearsed ‘I’m a fucking badass’ facade. But now it was completely gone, leaving me to assume I might have imagined it. Still, I suspected there was a normal guy in there somewhere.
Besides, I couldn’t blame him for looking, seeing that I wasn’t wearing much.
Well, if the trip went to shit, I’d have my own personal project to work on.