Logan should have never looked at Weslee. That dress she had on was driving him crazy, accentuating her soft curves and well-toned muscles. The expanse of smooth, tan skin showing in the back didn’t help. She was distracting and not at all intimidated by him like most women were when he leveled them with his practiced look of iron. No, instead of looking away, she’d given him a smile that sent heat all the way to his belly to simmer there. He was growing warmer by the second and wanted to take his jacket off, but that would reveal the gun strapped to his side.

“Good evening folks,” the greeter at the door said with a large smile. “Welcome to the Hotel del Coronado.”

“Thank you,” Logan said, handing over their tickets.

The man found their names on his iPad and tapped on the screen. “Enjoy your evening,” he said, handing Logan a map and itinerary of the evening’s events.

Logan scanned the paper briefly, making sure nothing had changed since his scouting mission earlier this afternoon. Weslee leaned in close to him to look at the paper, her scent swirling around him.

“As hungry as I am, I’d like to see the auction items first.” She looked at him with a wry expression. “If that’s okay with you?”

She wasn’t seriously asking for permission. They both knew if he told her no she would do it anyway. “Sounds good.”

“Okay then,” she said, her full lips lifting into a smile that stole his breath, “lead the way.”

Logan held her gaze for a few heartbeats. What was it about this girl that made him feel like this? It knocked him off-balance, and he didn’t like it. Heck, this was exactly what had happened to Blaine. The tough as nails SEAL team member had fallen for a girl the instant he’d met her. Logan had vowed that would never happen to him. He wanted to put some distance between the two of them, but staying by her side was part of the job.

“Will the food be any good?” he asked as they navigated their way to the Crown Room. At fifteen thousand dollars per plate it better at least be palatable. Rich people’s food tastes were questionable to him. He’d take a juicy hamburger over expensive fish eggs or cooked snails any day.

“I sure hope so because I am hungry.”

“You already mentioned that,” he said wryly. Most girls he’d dated didn’t like to eat in front of him. They nibbled on carrots and lettuce and refused to eat dessert. “Didn’t you get something to eat at the gym?”

“I had a Ground Zero protein shake, but that was hours ago.”

“Which flavor?” he asked, trying to remember what he’d ordered.

“Birthday Cake.” She placed a hand over her stomach. “It’s our newest flavor, and it was delicious.”

“Hmm, guess I’ll have to give it a try. I’m boring and ordered chocolate and vanilla.”

She stopped and put her hand on his arm. “You ordered products from Ground Zero?”

He glanced down at his arm where her slender fingers touched the outside of his suit coat. Warmth seeped through the layers of clothing as if she directly touched his skin. Swallowing, he looked at her and nodded. “Yeah, I thought I should try it out.”

He’d seen her smile before, but the smile she gave him now lit up her eyes. “Logan, you didn’t need to order anything. I could’ve given you whatever products you wanted to try.”

“Thanks, but I thought the proceeds for this month’s orders are donated to help feed children?” He shrugged. “I know it isn’t much, but hopefully my order will help a little.”

“That is so sweet,” she said in that soft southern drawl of hers.

Sweet? Had anyone ever referred to him as sweet? He didn’t think so. Not even his mother that he could recall. “We better keep moving,” he said, not liking all her attention focused on him. It made his tie feel more like a noose around his neck.

The Crown Room, known for its chandelier shaped like a king’s crown, wasn’t as crowded as Logan thought it would be. That was a good thing. It made his job a lot easier since Weslee drew attention the moment she stepped into the room. Logan learned quickly just how big of a rock he’d been under when he hadn’t known who Weslee was. Men, of all ages, knew her and wanted to talk to her. She even had a few female fans.

So far nobody had done or said anything threatening or inappropriate. Even the men who clearly were enamored with her remained respectful. Most of the older generation knew her parents and offered Weslee condolences, happy she was carrying on the legacy of her mother and father.

The only person Logan recognized was his co-worker. He saw Kate across the room, acknowledging her with a slight nod of his chin. The agent looked pretty good dressed in a silver evening gown with a slit up one side that went all the way to her thigh. Knowing Kate, he figured the slit was for practical purposes only. Her Jiu-Jitsu skills were a force to be reckoned with.

A server walked by and handed him a list of the auction items. Ground Zero had several packages up for auction, including one with a trip for two to New Zealand for a national archery championship tournament held annually there. Most of the other packages were valued at a few thousand dollars, which included Ground Zero gear like shirts, hats, and specialty thermoses, along with a variety of products and a top-of-the-line archery combo pack.

As Weslee chatted with other patrons, Logan continued scanning the room, looking for anyone suspicious. Even though the stalker hadn’t sent any new messages, and it was doubtful he was the type who could afford attending an event like this, Logan remained vigilant.

At least Trenton Williams wasn’t coming. Just before leaving, he’d sent Weslee flowers along with a message that he wouldn’t be able to make it to tonight’s event. It was a good thing he wasn’t coming. Logan didn’t like the guy. He didn’t trust him either. Just the thought of him slow dancing with Weslee sparked his protectiveness to a new level.

Weslee’s laugh drew his attention. Talking with an older couple, she had her back turned to him. Her smooth skin called to him like a siren and sparked a whole new level of possessiveness. He didn’t want Trenton Williams or any other man touching her tonight. Logan was feeling more and more like a jealous boyfriend despite her insistence he didn’t need to.

Glancing away, he found Kate watching him with an amused expression on her face. The agent lifted an eyebrow like she knew exactly what he was thinking. Before he could cut her a scathing glare, she disappeared into the crowd of people standing near the entrance. He heard a few gasps as the onlookers strained to peer around each other to see who was coming inside the room.

Almost on cue, a hush fell over the gathering as patrons parted as the Red Sea had for Moses. Logan felt a shift in the level of energy from the gathered crowd as if a real king had entered the royal room. He placed a protective hand against Weslee’s lower back, his fingertips brushing her bare skin in the process. Having morphed into what he called his SEAL mode, he didn’t react to the brief contact. Weslee was once again the mission.

Her body stilled, and she sucked in a quick breath. Logan didn’t know if it was due to his touch or if she’d caught sight of the new mystery guest. Right now he didn’t care. While he recalled the secure place he’d scouted out today and the quickest route to get her there, he mentally went over the guest list. He didn’t remember reading any names he’d consider famous enough for this kind of revered reaction.

It all made sense the moment Logan got a glimpse of the newcomer. Dallin Morrison was nearly as famous in America as Prince William was in Great Britain. The only son to Senator Rand Morrison, one of the longest standing senators in Washington and former vice-presidential candidate during the previous election, Dallin was ready to follow in his father’s footsteps. He’d recently announced his intention to replace Senator Morrison when he retired at the end of his term in two years.

The thirty-six-year-old widower was well known for his philanthropy work, patriotism, and his love of the outdoors. He was personable wherever he went, never coming across as arrogant or entitled due to his family’s legacy and wealth. He frequently was the first person to arrive at a disaster, working right alongside the locals to help restore their living conditions.

Everyone loved him, especially the women, each one hoping they’d get to be the lucky lady to mend his broken heart and be a mother to his six-year-old daughter.

Logan could almost guarantee he wasn’t Weslee’s stalker. So why did he feel this overwhelming sense that he needed to keep her away from the man? The muscles in his shoulders tensed as the future senator drew closer. Logan respected the guy and had always liked him. At least he had liked him until Dallin Morrison locked eyes on Weslee and headed straight for her.