Page 22 of Protected

Frustration pulsed through Parker as he kept close tabs on Hawkins and Chelsey. He was annoyed with himself for being pissed that she was pretending to be the guy’s date. She was doing her job, but she was doing it a little too well. Laughing at his jokes. Touching his arm periodically and smiling up at him like he hung the moon. Anyone looking in from the outside would think they were actually a couple.

The other thing that bugged Parker was Chelsey’s evening gown. He couldn’t stop looking at her in that sexy-ass dress. The front appeared conservative with the high collar that covered her neck and fastened in back. Her toned arms and shoulders were bare while the silky, red material glided over her curvaceous body and showed off her perky breasts and perfectly round butt. The back of the dress was nonexistent, and it was pure torture each time Parker glanced her way and saw all that smooth, dark skin.

All he wanted to do was gather her into his arms, kiss her senseless, and then bury himself deep inside of her.

He shook that last thought free. It wasn’t doing him any good to think about how much he missed her long legs wrappedaround his waist while he thrust in and out of her until she screamed his name.

Images of their last time together immediately flooded his mind. He’d made love to her like a man possessed, while burying his nose in the crook of her scented neck. It was like he could still smell the combination of coconut and vanilla mixed with her sweet natural scent and…

Dammit.He had to stop this and focus.

Not just on her, but he also needed to keep eyes on Hawkins. Why the guy actually hired them for this event was a mystery. It wasn’t like this was some type of hip-hop party where things could jump off at any given moment. No, this was a three-hundred-dollars-a-ticket event with top-shelf liquor, amazing finger-food, live music, and an art exhibit. All to raise money for children with special needs.

It didn’t make sense that he needed personal security. It wasn’t like any of the people his company had laid off would be attending an event like this…

Wait. Maybe Jeff was expecting someone to be in attendance who wanted to do him harm. Someone he knew would be there and that same someone who might’ve threatened his life.

Parker straightened as he gazed around at everyone who was near Hawkins, looking for anyone who seemed out of place. That had to be it. He had beef with someone he was expecting to be there. Nothing else made sense. This event was too low-key to be expecting trouble.

As Parker studied the people in their vicinity, no one stood out. Then his attention went back to Chelsey. Every time he stole a glance at her, his heart flipped and knocked against his rib cage. She was his. All he had to do was win her back, especially before some other guy like Terrance tried to get with her.

Watching her now, he hated that she was putting her life in danger, and he didn’t care that she’d once been a cop. It didn’t matter that she could handle herself. He still worried about her.

It had been so long since he cared about someone, he wasn’t sure how to act. The helplessness that he was currently feeling was foreign to him, and now he knew how the other guys on his team felt. They all were protectors by nature, but he always thought they were overprotective when it came to their wives.

Now he understood since Chelsey was a part of him. She meant everything to him, and he hadn’t been kidding when he told her that if anything happened to her, it would kill him.

He just had to make sure nothing ever happened to her.

As he stood near the bar set up in the corner, not too far from Chelsey and Hawkins, an eerie sensation he had experienced earlier in the evening was back. The first time he’d felt it was shortly after they’d arrived.

Now that sensation was stronger, as if someone was watching him. He looked around. There were too many people in the ballroom to determine if anyone was focused on him.

Until now.

To his left was a guy wearing a white dinner jacket and black tuxedo pants. When Parker made eye contact, the man quickly glanced away.

Interesting.

The guy stood out because he was taller than those near him, over six feet tall.

Parker kept his attention on him, predicting that he would look at him again. Sure enough, he did. Parker cataloged everything he could about the man. Mid-forties. Low haircut. Sepia skin tone. His height and build were close to Parker’s.

He didn’t look familiar, but he’d definitely been staring, and now he had Parker’s full attention.

Who the hell is he?

Seeing Laz strolling along the perimeter not far from the man, Parker discreetly pulled out his cell phone and shot off a quick text.

My ten o’clock. Black guy. White jacket.My height.

Laz glanced at Parker, then immediately spotted the guy. He would also know what the text meant—keep an eye on him.

Parker wasn’t sure what interest this man had in him, but it could also have something to do with Hawkins. Anyone watching long enough could probably figure out that Parker was with him, and maybe even his security.

The guy was still watching, and Parker didn’t look away until two women approached the man, and they all started talking.

Parker’s attention went back to Chelsey and herdate. The jerk was still trying to talk her into going out with him once she was off duty. This time, Parker didn’t say anything. He needed to keep things as professional as possible, and threatening to kill the guy had been the wrong thing to say. Even if he did mean it.