Page 5 of Protecting His Girl

My panties get damp from the double meaning in his words, and I fight the urge to squeeze my thighs together.

I force myself to reach into the bag and retrieve a few fries instead. I nibble on them, savoring the salty taste.

Duke’s flick over to me briefly before returning to the road. "So, what type of food do you review? You didn't mention that earlier."

"I review dog-friendly restaurants. That's why I'm here in town. A marketing firm even invited me to review the grand opening of Sunnyside Pizza."

"Really?" Duke raises an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "So that's what brought you back into town?"

"Kind of," I admit, nervously fidgeting with a fry. "The decision was last minute. I wasn't going to come until yesterday."

Duke's curiosity is piqued. "Why not?"

I hesitate, unsure if I should share this information with him. But there's something about Duke that makes me feel safe, like I can trust him.

"After I posted about the invite on social media, I started getting threatening messages and comments.

Duke's entire demeanor changes in an instant. “Someone’s been threatening you?”

“I almost decided not to come because I was worried someone might try to take Mimi."

His jaw clenches, and his eyes darken as he pulls the truck over to the side of the road. "Let me see those messages.”

Reluctantly, I pull out my phone and show him the screen.

He scrolls through the threats, his expression growing darker with each one. I bite my lip, suddenly feeling vulnerable and exposed.

"Have you told your dad about these?" Duke asks.

I shake my head. "No," I admit, feeling a pang of guilt. "I didn't want him reacting the way you are right now."

Duke's eyes soften slightly, and he lets out a sigh. "Grace, your dad may be one of the good guys now. But he wasn't always. He has a lot of enemies. He's just trying to protect you."

I can't help but feel touched by Duke's genuine concern for my safety.

"Are you going to tell him about the messages?"

There's a pause before Duke answers, and I can see the internal struggle playing out on his face.

"No," he finally says. "I'll take care of it."

We drive the rest of the way in silence. A short time later, we arrive to the Fit Mountain Resort. Fit Mountain Resort is nestled in the heart of the mountains, surrounded by towering pines and evergreen trees. It is a serene and peaceful escape from the bustling city life.

Duke pulls up beneath the awning in front of the glass double doors. Immediately, a valet walks up to my door and opens it for me. I step out of the truck, taking a moment to admire the resort's beautiful architecture.

The main building is made of wood and stone, blending perfectly with its natural surroundings. As we walk through the entrance, I smell the faint scent of pine mixed with fresh mountain air. Inside, the lodge exudes rustic charm. Polished wooden beams stretch across the ceiling, beautifully contrasting with the stone walls.

A friendly woman with fiery red hair and a mouthful of braces greets me at the front desk. Her eyes sparkle as she asks, “Good evening. How can I assist you today?"

"Checking in,” I reply. “My name is Grace Hunt."

As she busily types away on her computer, Duke comes up behind me. It suddenly dawns on me that I haven't thought about where he'll be staying. Turning back to the receptionist, I add, "We'll also need a room for my security team."

Her fingers stop mid-type and she looks at me apologetically. "I'm sorry, Ms. Hunt. The resort is fully booked this weekend. Your room is the only one available.”

I bite my lower lip. “Well, are there at least two beds in the room?”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Hunt. The room has just one king-sized bed.”

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