Page 3 of Protected By My Grumpy Hero

The fact that he called me ma’am, paired with the suit and the way he took charge with the drunk guy, made me think he was working at the event. Either outside security or one of Dad’s men.

I’d been in Europe so long I didn’t know most of the latest security he’d hired. That was a terrible shame because I could have met this man much earlier.

I was about to ask his name, but he squeezed my shoulders and headed back into the crowd.

He definitely had to be some type of security. He went up the staircase and stood on the landing, surveying the crowd.

I was between bad and casual boyfriends that I knew weren’t going to be serious. And though I’ve never been terribly bold with men, I was tempted to follow him up the staircase and strike up a conversation.

He could watch the crowd and talk at the same time, couldn’t he?

Beth waved at me from where she stood with my father, talking up potential donors. I pointedly pretended I didn’t notice her. She’d tried over the years, at least a little, but there’d never been warm feelings between us. I didn’t want to have to fake that for other people.

I glanced back up the stairs to find my rescuer staring at me. He held my gaze for a few seconds before he looked away.

I couldn’t help but glance his way often. Usually, he was already looking at me. Sometimes he didn’t look away but seemed to nod in my direction.

I would definitely find him again before the night was over. I’d at least get his name and find out what he’d be doing tomorrow.

I didn’t know how many people approached me, wanting to shake my hand and point out that they hadn’t seen me since I wasthishigh. I knew most of them by name only because they were acquaintances of my father. Everyone wanted to hear about the dance company in Europe and if my plans were to stay there or move back to Austin.

I finally found my cousin Sally in the crowd and talked to her in the hopes of keeping people from interrupting us.

“Who’s that?” Sally gestured with her chin toward the landing.

I glanced up to see the man look to the side, as if he hadn’t just been looking at us.

“Some guy was bothering me earlier, and that guy came and ran him off.”

“He keeps looking at you. You don’t know him?”

“Never met him before tonight. I didn’t even get his name. Not yet, anyway.”

“You’d better,” she said with a grin. “If you don’t get it, I will. He isfine.”

I almost told her to stay away, he was mine, but that would have been a ridiculous thing to say. It felt kind of good that she’d noticed him watching me. At least I knew it wasn’t all in my head.

Eventually, I needed to use the restroom, which meant I needed to pass Dad and Beth, so I stopped and said a few words to avoid being rude. Then I went down the long hall toward the ladies’ room, glad to be out of the crowd for a few minutes.

I hadn’t reached it yet when I heard, “Callie, isn’t it?” behind me.

Had my mystery man followed me, ready to introduce himself? I turned with a smile. “Yes. I—”

It wasn’t my handsome bodyguard, but the drunken creep who kept trying to hang on me earlier.

“Ithoughtyou were the governor’s daughter,” he said, as if I wasn’t looking at him like something stuck to my shoe.

“I am. And I suggest you leave me alone. I can alert security in—”

“Whoa, whoa, no need for that kind of thing.” He was drunker than before, stepping closer even as I backed away.

I glanced past him, hoping to see somebody, anybody, coming toward us. Hoping to see my handsome man in his black suit most of all.

I thought of strong hands on my hips and kind brown eyes.

Next time, start with the karate chop. Best bet for men like that.

I had a feeling he was right. So I said, “Back off, asshole,” and I lifted my hand.

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