Page 13 of Protected By the Elf Prince

I didn’t think I could fear a guy as nice as Dashiel.

So, I figured what I was feeling was safe.

Like nothing could touch me.

Like if something did try, it wouldn’t end well for them.

My steps slowed just a fraction before I forced myself to keep moving.

“This is all still weird,” I muttered under my breath.

I’d never had that sense of safety before. I made myself safe. No one else had the job.

No one wanted it, though.

Shaking my head, I ran a hand over the back of my neck, glancing around again.

What am I even thinking?

I didn’t need anyone to take care of me. I’d done it for so long, and nothing had happened to me so far.

I should be annoyed by his constant attention.

“It’s a bit creepy,” I added, quieter this time.

Because it was.

But…. My gaze dropped to my wrist again. The warmth there didn’t feel threatening or invasive.

If anything, it felt steady. Like a comfort.

Like he wasn’t watching to control anything.

Just guarding?

Yeah, that’s the same as protecting. Idiot.

But why wasn’t I bothered by having my own personal stalker?

I huffed out a breath. “Yeah, okay, don’t unpack that,” I told myself. Because that was a whole other thing I wasn’t ready to deal with.

I pushed open the door to the café on the corner, the familiar scent of coffee hitting me immediately.

This was exactly what I needed.

“Hey, Landon,” the barista greeted with a smile. “Your usual?”

“Yeah, thanks,” I said, grateful for the routine.

I stepped aside while they got started. Just as I was leaning against the counter to wait, my wrist pulsed warmer.

I didn’t even bother looking around this time.

He was still there. Closer than before, maybe.

Watching me walk in.

Watching me stand here.