The cook arrives not long after Sacha left for work. It's the same lady who prepared my lunch and dinner yesterday morning.

Molly, that's her name. I don't usually make an effort to get to know the staff, but I figure, in this situation, it will be to my advantage to make nice with the cook. Besides, I'm bored.

The problem is, as soon as she arrives, the two guards make it their business to stand inside the apartment, right by the door. I can't believe how very paranoid these people are and here I thought I look very trustworthy.

"So, how long have you been working here?" I ask Molly from my perch on the barstool. My arms and elbows are resting on the quartz countertop in front of me.

"Here? Not long... I used to work at Mr. Gauthier's penthouse in Seattle. He flew me here on Saturday. I suppose it's easier than hiring someone new. This is my first time in New York City," she explains while her hands are busily and expertly chopping the bell pepper, onion, and tomato.

Ahhh... I see. So he flew her here because of me? "I suppose that makes sense. He doesn't usually spend too much time here in New York to need a full-time cook," I comment casually, trying not to sound as if I'm fishing for information.

"Yes, he's here only a few days a month, a week at the most," she agrees, nodding her head as she heats up the pan. "But even in Seattle, he spends a lot of time at his family home, so most of the time, the food I prepared went home with me..."

One of the guards clears his throat and Molly immediately seems to catch herself and stops talking. After that, no matter how hard I try, she remains polite but less forthcoming with the information on Sacha.

I eat my breakfast that Molly prepared which consists of a piece of toast with orange marmalade, a tomato and green pepper omelet, some fresh cut fruit with yogurt, and a glass of mango juice.

The day starts to get warm and the sun is shining up in the sky by noon. So, I go back into my room, rummage through my drawer of bikinis, and pull out a yellow ribbed set. It's the skimpiest that I own, so it doesn't cover much.

I put the bikini on, fix my flaxen hair up into a messy bun on top of my head, and swipe a chapstick with SPF 30 over my lips.

I spend a few minutes in front of the mirror admiring myself. What can I say? I look good. I still have that glowing tan that I acquired from the time I spent in Costa Del Sol this summer. The buttery yellow of the bikini looks good against my golden skin.

Before I leave the room, I slip on a white crochet cover-up over the bikini. I also grab a tote bag and put in the sunscreen, a pair of sunglasses, and a towel.

Molly is still busy in the kitchen when I stroll by on my way to the front door.

I notice her pause from her work to look at me from the corner of my eye. I try to tamp down the wicked smile on my lips when the two guards shoot me a wary look when I approach them.

"I'm going to the swimming pool. You boys can come up with me if you want." This toddler is going out to play. I give them a wink as I slide past them to open the door.

The elevator goes up to the rooftop swimming pool but I opt to take the stairs. It's only one level up anyway.

I give the two men who are following me a closer look before I open the door to the staircase at the end of the hallway.

They are handsome but not as good-looking as Sacha and god, they are huge! They're as tall as Sacha, but while Sacha has a lean, muscled body of a swimmer, these men have roped of muscles upon muscles, like a fighter or a bodybuilder.

"What's your name?" I ask the younger and friendlier looking man.

"I'm Micheal," he replies. "And that's John," he adds, pointing to his surly and stern looking friend with his thumb.

"Nice to meet you, Micheal," I tell him. "And you too, John. I'm Danica."

Micheal nods good-naturedly while John totally ignores me and that makes me smile even wider. Very few men ever ignored me if any.

"Does everyone call you Mike?" I ask Micheal.

"Yes," he answers. "My friends call me Mike."

"Okay, then I'm going to call you Mike. You don't mind, do you?" I shoot him a flirtatious smile. "What about you, John? Can I call you Johny?"

He doesn't answer me but his scowl deepens and I hear Mike coughs behind me.

I know John is always averting his eyes from looking directly at me but I caught Mike's admiring gaze a few times during the last couple of days. I'm pretty sure that Mike is enjoying the view of my butt right now too. Who could blame him? My butt is glorious and ravishingly sexy if I do say so myself. I add a little more sway to my hips as I climb up the stairs.

When I open the door to the pool area outside, I almost whoop and dance in delight.

Right there, in a corner of the rooftop is a good size infinity pool where the water flows over the edge. Surrounding the pool area are greeneries- grass, small trees in huge pots, and flowers.

It's like a slice of heaven with a panoramic view of the city. This place is gorgeous and it's currently deserted.

I drop my tote bag on a lounger and spread the towel over another one beside it. Next, I slip my cover-up off, put my sunglasses on, and lower myself on the towel-covered lounger. Finally, I pull out the sunscreen and look at the men who are now standing by the door.

The urge to roll my eyes is strong. Not that anyone can see it behind my Prada sunglasses. Are they really that worried that I'm going to make a run for it?

"Hey, Mike!" I call out. I crook a finger, signaling him to come near.

"Would you mind helping me with the sunscreen?" I ask him when he's standing beside my lounger.

"Umm... I don't think I'm allowed to do that, Miss Danica," He swings his uncertain gaze back at Johny who's still standing like a statue by the door.

"Ohhh..." I pull my lower lip out into a pout. I let out a long, heavy sigh before I say, "Well then, I guess I have to do it myself."

He lets out a sigh of relief but before he could walk away, I sit up and whip my bikini top off.

"There, no bikini lines," I murmur before I stretch out like a cat waking up from a nap.

What can I say? I'm comfortable with my body. My breasts aren't big but like my butt, they're oh, so glorious. They're a handful and delightfully perky.

Well, everyone should be comfortable with their bodies, in my opinion. Not that you have to flaunt it just to prove that you do, but when you're trying to stir up trouble like I am...

Immediately, I notice that John is on the phone.

I smooth the sunscreen over my skin while wondering if my crazy protege, Naomi Walsh has started causing trouble for Sacha yet.

*****

My time in the sun by the rooftop pool is glorious...for about fifteen minutes.

I hear sharp, rapidly approaching footsteps before a shadow is blocking my sunlight. The air feels heavy like it does before the thunderstorm. When I open my eyes, Sacha Gauthier's silhouette is looming over me against the bright blue sky.

Oh, good! I thought I might have to harass Mike and Johny some more or take my bikini bottom off soon too.

"What are you doing?" he growls, peeling his jacket off. "Cover yourself up!" He swoops down to grab my upper arms and in one swift movement, I'm on my feet with his jacket draped around me. "Now let's go, Danica!"

"Go? Go where?" I ask, not moving an inch. Oh, boy, he's angry. I can feel the heat of his anger coming off him like tidal waves.

I notice that his men are both gone too.

"Back to the apartment where no one else can see what's mine," he grits out through clenched teeth. His nostrils flare. His chiseled jaw is ticking and his narrowed eyes are blazing bright, fierce and possessive. Right now, they are very striking and more gold than hazel green. "Now move, Danica."

I can sense the air of danger swirling around him but I can't seem to stop. "No!" I growl back. "You said I could use the pool! Oh, and I'm not yours, so you can..."

"Stop," he hisses. His hands tighten around my arms and he leans down until I can feel his chest brushing against mine and his breath fanning over my skin. "With the day I had today, I am so tempted to put you across my knee and spank you. Right here, right now."

He wouldn't dare...would he? He sounded very serious, though.

I look at the windows of a couple of buildings that are higher than ours and my feet move on their own accord.

A second later, my feet are off the ground and I'm draped over Sacha's shoulder, yet again. Apparently, I'm not moving fast enough for him.

****************************************

Hello dear readers!

My next update is going to be on Tuesday evening (est). If you want to read three chapters early, go to:

https://Inkitt.app.link/RA_NicoleRidd3y

Have a great weekend and stay safe!

Much love,

Nicole♥