The Bodyguard – (1992)
When famous singer Caroline Forbes starts receiving unwanted attention from a stalker, her management team hire a highly skilled bodyguard for protection. The problem is she resents him being there and he doesn't really care what she thinks.
Thank you to the lovely and talented Jo fanfantasticworld for the beautiful cover art! I am completely overwhelmed by your talent (as usual).
I Have Nothing
New York City
"Will you grab that jacket for me? The red one."
"I'm here to keep you alive, not help you shop."
"Oh please! Enough with the heroic platitudes," Caroline growled from behind the changing room door. "You look stupid, I thought if I gave you a job you might look less awkward just standing there."
"Explain how I'd look less awkward with women's clothing in my hand?"
"You really need to work on your people skills, Mikaelson," she muttered, opening the door and reaching out for the jacket hanging nearby, clad only in her lacy, black bra and skinny jeans. He didn't flinch, just continued to stand there looking completely disinterested and, not to mention, out of place. Caroline was really beginning to think her bodyguard was gay.
"My job is to get the bad guy, not wine and dine him, Ms Forbes," he said, emphasising her name for extra effect.
"I thought I asked you not to call me that?"
"What would you prefer?"
"I don't know, maybe my name?" She huffed, buttoning then straightening the red jacket she'd decided to purchase. "That might be a good start."
"I don't know, what would people think if did that, Ms Forbes?"
"That you actually have a personality hidden under all that brooding hostility," she suggested, placing her handbag over her shoulder and striding purposefully towards the front counter.
"What would I be without my brooding hostility though? Now I'm definitely not going to use your given name, Ms Forbes."
"I am going to kill Katherine and my mother for forcing you upon me," she scowled, handing over her credit card for payment.
"I'm surprised you never considered a career in acting given your drama queen like tendencies."
"And here I thought you didn't have a sense of humour?"
"Look, you've been saying the same thing every day for the past seven weeks and yet I'm still here, it's probably best you get used to it."
"Have you met you?"
"I like to think I'm charming."
"I think you'd be the only one," she replied, deadpan, signing the receipt and sending the sales assistant a brief smile before pushing open the door and walking onto the street.
"What did I tell you about exiting a building?" He hissed, immediately by her side. "Especially one located so publicly on Fifth Avenue."
"Not to do it before you," she shot back, monotone. "I was still pissed about the jacket, what can I say?" Before she could continue towards her waiting limousine, Klaus grabbed her arms forcefully and pulled her towards him, his crimson lips within mere inches of hers, his sudden touch rendering her almost breathless.
"This isn't a game," he scolded, his hot breath tickling her face. "Some crazy, obsessive maniac is after you and if you're not more careful and follow my rules he will succeed. Okay?" She nodded, unable to do much else with him in such close proximity.
Los Angeles
Caroline threw off the covers in frustration, it was 3am but she couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes all she could see was blonde curls, dark, blue eyes and hypnotising dimples that had a way of throwing off her concentration.
He'd been her bodyguard for three months now and after the initial resentment about the arrangement had worn off she was left with an annoying crush. Yes, Caroline Forbes, who could have any man she wanted, had a big thing for her bodyguard. She could already hear the media reporting on just how clichéd that scenario was.
The worst part was Caroline knew just how committed Klaus was to his responsibilities and no matter how hard she tried to penetrate that protective shield, he wasn't budging. She realised just how futile her attraction was because there was no way Klaus would ever consider her in that way. She was fairly certain he thought she was an immature, spoiled princess and Caroline couldn't really blame him after their initial time together.
She sat up, deciding that maybe some hot cocoa might help, well it always did when she was a child anyway. She threw on the nearest hoodie over her tiny shorts and singlet combination, thinking it was probably best to cover up given the increased security detail she'd recently acquired.
Before she could leave the room, Caroline heard a faint noise at her window. She turned towards it, initially curious about what it was. She inhaled sharply noticing a shadow through the glass. She shook her head, thinking she was imagining things at first, it was only when the shadow moved and knocked mockingly on her window that she realised something was seriously wrong.
Caroline reeled backwards as the fear consumed her, realising that someone was outside her third floor, bedroom window. She let out a strangled cry racing towards her bedroom door and throwing it open, an obviously disturbed Klaus standing dutifully on the other side.
"The window," she croaked, her paralysing fear not allowing her to elaborate further. He raced past her and threw open the window, searching frantically outside. Obviously whoever was there had now left. He growled into his radio.
"We have a breach on the third floor, please tell me you've got this son of a bitch?" There was a brief delay before the guard outside replied.
"We're searching the grounds now."
"Are you kidding me," he spat. " You should have caught him by now, I want every inch of the grounds searched, you hear me?" Knowing the immediate danger had passed, Caroline finally found some words.
"What is it?"
"Caroline, I think it's best you stay away," he murmured his shoulders hunched and his gaze still firmly trained on the garden below.
"There's no sign of him, looks like he got away," a voice wafted through his radio eventually. What happened next she wasn't expecting, his usually calm demeanour spiralling into an expletive riddled rant about total and utter incompetence to the security detail downstairs. She'd never seen him lose control like that and Caroline knew something wasn't right.
"What's wrong?" She asked, ignoring his instructions and moving towards him. It was then she noticed a single stemmed red rose perched precariously on the window sill, her breath catching in her throat. It was her stalker's recognisable and creepy calling card."It was him again, wasn't it?"
"I said stay away," he ordered, finally turning around to face her, his grim expression not lost on Caroline.
"No, I deserve to know what is going on, god damn it! Stop sugar coating everything for me. Let me guess, there's a note attached to it like the others?" He paused momentarily and Caroline could tell he was weighing up his options. "Tell me." He didn't reply just held it out wordlessly for her to read.
"We'll be together soon, I promise." She read aloud, determined not to show any fear in front of her bodyguard. "Seriously, this guy is really starting to piss me off. How am I supposed to take this threat seriously when you won't be honest with me?"
"Oh, so now you care about the threat? It's only taken three months."
"I'll admit, I thought this whole thing was an unnecessary circus at first. I detest having my freedom restrained, so yes I'll admit I acted out."
"That's an understatement."
"Not that it is any of your business, but there was another reason I did it," he looked up, his blue eyes boring into hers curiously. "I also hate feeling helpless and needy. No matter what you think of me personally, I consider my pride to be my most resilient trait and I don't like being beholden to anyone, annoying English bodyguards included."
"I'm not that annoying am I?" He smirked.
"Do you really want me to answer that?"
"So, what would make you more cooperative then?"
"I don't want to be a victim anymore, I want to be able to fight back if needed."
"So, a bodyguard and full security detail isn't enough for you?"
"Last time I checked the bad guy just got away," she shot back, knowing he couldn't argue with that logic. "Teach me how I can protect myself. Please?" He closed his eyes, obviously considering a solution.
"Fine," he confirmed, finally opening his eyes. "We're flying to Vegas tomorrow for this concert, right?" Caroline nodded, she was due to perform at Caesars in a few days and they were arriving early for rehearsals. "Your room, tomorrow at 4pm."
"I never knew you were so forward," she smiled, even with all the drama that had transpired.
"It will get sweaty so I suggest you wear something practical," he offered, walking towards the door. "Also, if we're going to get along, I suggest you find a better hoodie to wear."
"Why, what's wrong with this?" She asked, looking down at her Bradford City FC sweater. "Zayn gave this to me while we were dating, it's his favourite soccer team."
"Don't ever use that word in front of me, ever again," he replied gruffly, his back still facing her as he powered from the room.
"What, Zayn?" She smiled, hoping his unfavourable reaction was motivated by jealously.
"No, soccer," he shot back and before she knew it, he'd vanished.
Las Vegas
"Hi," she greeted Klaus, letting him into her room, whilst trying to ignore the sensations he was causing to pulse through every fiber of her body. Why did he have to be so damn cute? It didn't hurt that the grey singlet he was wearing over black, sweat pants was emphasising every single muscle. He usually wore suits so seeing him more casually attired was definitely an unexpected and added bonus.
"Glad to see you dressed appropriately for the occasion," he murmured, his eyes straying a little too long on her cropped, white top and black legging ensemble. "Are you ready?"
"Well, to be honest, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be ready for."
"You want to protect yourself? Welcome to self defence 101, Ms Forbes," he smiled, causing ripples of desire to wash over her, damn him.
"Promise me that after I whip your ass, you'll call me Caroline?"
"Someone is certainly cocky," Klaus observed.
"I'm incredibly competitive and hate to lose, what can I say?"
"Well, if you're so talented Ms Forbes, try and attack me then?" He teased. "I dare you?" Those three words were like a red rag to a bull and before she knew it, Caroline was advancing towards her bodyguard not sure how she was going to overcome him but given her uncontrollable desire, not really caring. Before she knew it she was on the floor, Klaus kneeling over her body.
"What just happened?"
"Someone obviously thinks they know everything. You know it's more than okay to be scared about what's been happening, I won't judge you."
"Sounds like someone else who knows everything," she muttered ignoring his other comment, her head beginning to throb from the contact with the floor. "I'm beginning to think this was an ambush on your part."
"I'm just trying to train you, grasshopper," he said, finally relinquishing her leg. Caroline had to admit she missed the warmth from his touch when he did it. "Has anyone told you that you're entirely too opinionated and impetuous for your own good?"
"Thank you," she shot back, her heart rate trying to return to normal but failing miserably with him on top of her. "I pride myself on keeping people like you in check."
"And how are you going to do that exactly?" He scoffed arrogantly, before he could react Caroline had managed to take advantage of his inattention and had rolled him over and was straddling him possessively.
"Like this," she responded but before Caroline knew it she was again pinned underneath him. She was beginning to realise she really was no match for him, bastard
"So, where did you learn this?"
"Why is that relevant?" He answered, his blue eyes not wavering from hers.
"I guess it would be nice to hear some honesty for a change," she offered, her gaze not diverting from his. "You know who I am, it would be nice to know something about the guy protecting me." She noticed his gaze soften and him faltering slightly before reluctantly replying.
"I was a Marine," he bit out and Caroline knew it was killing him to admit that piece of information.
"Well, then I expect my training to be second to none," she grinned. "I'm curious, what would happen if I did this?" Her hand had flown to his groin area, an unfair move she knew but against a former Marine what hope did she have? Before she knew it her head was on the floor again. She really should have learned her lesson.
"Nice try," he said, his breath slightly ragged. "You should know we are trained for all sorts of attacks, no matter what part of the human anatomy is involved."
Before he had time to reply, Caroline had reached upwards, capturing those crimson lips that had been taunting her for months. She explored him, slowly at first then begging for entry with her tongue, dipping it into his hot mouth after he'd given it. She was overcome by the feelings his kisses were evoking, relishing in his taste, a delicious mixture of mint and tea. She needed to know if he wanted her as much as she wanted him. If his reaction was anything to go by, he did. It was only after thirty seconds that he finally broke the kiss and pulled away.
"We can't do this."
"Funnily enough your lips aren't saying the same thing."
"I can't protect you like this," he admitted, his head eventually nuzzling into her neck.
"Why?"
"My emotion clouds my judgment," Klaus murmured against her creamy skin. "I can't protect you like that, I owe you more than that."
"So, what does that mean?"
"Once this bastard is caught I'm going to show you just how much you mean to me, love," he mumbled. "I promise you that."
"Well, given you just called me love as opposed to Ms Forbes I'm inclined to believe you. In the meantime, I'd really like you to show me how to kick his mother fucking ass."
"Now, that I can help you with," he grinned. "How about we get to work?"
