Page 4 of Her New Bodyguard: Colton

JULIA

It was impossible to stop staring at Colton.

I had zero experience with men, and hadn't ever thought about what sort of guy would turn me on. Yet Colton was already hitting every single button I didn't know I had.

Forthright, capable, gorgeous, and he treated me with a sweetness that I already adored. It was a lot to take in at once.

He frowned, taking yet another right turn. My eyes darted to the rearview mirror. "Are we being followed?"

"Yes," he said smoothly. "Don't look around, don't make any sudden movements."

"Okay."

After turning onto a larger street, he reached out to squeeze my hand. "It's okay. Believe it or not, right now is the perfect time for us to have a tail."

"Why?"

"You'll see in a few seconds."

Colton drove down the street, then turned into a huge parking lot filled with people, balloons, and music. "It's the annual community barbeque hosted by the local police precinct," he said with a smile. "We'll be surrounded by the boys in blue."

Laughing loudly, I saw the lineup of grills at the back of the lot. "Can we get a free burger?"

"Sorry, no. We're going inside to speak with an old friend."

He parked, and came around to my side to help me out. My phone began beeping, and I pulled it out of my purse as Colton opened the door.

"Don't answer it," he ordered quickly. I held the phone out to show him the text.

Dad: Hey, sweetie. Sorry for all the stress. It's just the security agency being super cautious. Even Warren, the owner, says that this threat is a bunch of malarkey. I'm with him now. Where are you? At the safe house?

Colton took the phone and read the message again. The tightness around his eyes made it seem serious. "Does your father often use the word 'malarkey'?"

"No. I don't think I've ever heard him use it."

Colton stared into space for a moment.

"What is it?"

He shook his head. "Warren really hates that word."

Colton's thick arm wrapped around me, holding me close as we walked straight into the building. I would have felt safe anyway, since we were surrounded by police officers. Yet it was Colton that made me feel truly protected.

"No matter what happens, Julia, I want you to stick right by me."

"Okay."

His hand tightened on my hip with a tiny squeeze. "I appreciate how calm you are. I've never met a girl who was so steady in the face of potential danger."

Leaning closer, I whispered, "Honestly, I'm nervous as heck. But sometimes pretending that you're relaxed helps."

"Good. Keep pretending."

Down the hall and around the corner, we breezed right past the receptionist with a wave. "He's in his office," she called out.

Colton led me into the office of a burly older policeman who was eating the last of a chicken wing. He rolled his eyes. "Of course you show up during lunch."

He wiped his hands before shaking Colton's. "How are you, you old bastard?"

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