Standing There (Love in the Park 1)

“What’s wrong is I wanted her to stare at me,” I huff out, looking around for her. I continue with my tirade, “And now she’s run off thinking we’re together or something.”

“Oh shit. If you want, I can help you look for her,” she offers in contrition. I wave off in frustration.

“No, you’ve done enough damage. I’ll see you in a little bit.” I walk away from my sister even though I know I’m a dick right now, I have to find her. Her security detail may have given too much space because I said so which would have put her in more danger than I can fathom.

I look around, and I can’t find her anywhere it’s almost as if she disappeared then and there, or I made her up. I’ve never seen someone so perfect as she smiled and watched the concert. I knew she had to be mine.

I search everywhere for her but don’t see her or her guard. Then my phone chirps with a text. I take it out and see a message from Casey. She’s in the bathroom. Hurry. I see the bathroom isn’t far from where I’m standing now. I have to meet her, tell her that she’s going to be mine. I see my guard is standing post just ten feet from the entrance. Good.

I start to make my way there, but I’m stopped by the mayor who has more fucking questions. “Excuse me. I need to get to my sister. Please email me tomorrow.”

“Will do. Let me know if you need help finding her.”

“Thanks, I’m good though.” I waved my phone in my hand.

I saw my sister, but she doesn’t see me. Then I reach her, and she points toward the lot.

“Shit,” I grumble. I march my way toward the lots on the east side of the park. And as I make my way, I call the guard closest to the lot. “I’m looking for a woman about five-four in a white dress, long blonde hair.”

“I think I spot her, sir,” Flex says. He’s the leader of this crew working today.

“Hold her, please.”

“Yes, sir.”

I pass her guard and say, “Stay back and check on the friend, but keep your distance. I’ve got her.” He nods and turns off in a slight change of direction.

I get over there, and she’s standing next to Flex. I don’t like the way he’s got her blocked off, but at least he’s not touching her.

“There you are,” I say, stepping to her side. She whips her head at me and narrows her eyes.

“You’re the one stopping me from leaving?” she scolds me.

“It pays to know people,” I remark which isn’t entirely lying.

She narrows her eyes shooting daggers at me, and it only turns me on more. “Why? You have a woman.”

I take her hand while she fruitlessly attempts to pull it away. I stare into her pretty eyes and then shake my head. “No, no, no. Don’t pull your hand from me just yet. She’s my pain in the ass little sister.”

“Your sister?” She lifts her pretty well-shaped brow.

I nod lightly. “Yes, beautiful. Now tell me your name.” I already knew more than that, but I had to pretend I didn’t. As much as I’d love to tell her the truth about it all, it’s not the time or the place.

“It’s Lindsay.” She doesn’t hesitate to give it to me. Damn, I want to pull her into my arms and kiss her, but it’s too soon for that shit. I don’t want to scare her off.

“I’m Roman. Let’s get back to the concert, we only have a few hours together.” I watch her face fall for a second before she hid her disappointment. I tip her chin and promise, “This isn’t a one-time thing. You’re mine. I’m out of town for two days on business. And now I’m pissed as fuck that I put it off a week.” She blushes because I figured her pretty ass out, but she’s got shit to be embarrassed about. She has no clue what her interest means to me. It makes me come off a lot less obsessive.

“Did you come here with the chick that was standing next to you?” I ask as we make our way back to the concert area. The crowd hasn’t dispersed at all.

“Yes, my best friend Katherine,” she answers. I forget that I’m breaking the rules because, with her, none of that matters.

“Do you think she’ll mind if I steal you away for a few minutes?”

“She thinks I went to the car. I shouldn’t lie, but talking can’t hurt.” She looks around nervously. I wonder if she’s worried about being out.

“Are you looking for someone?”

“No, it’s just…my brother. If he knows I’m out in a crowd, he’s going to freak.”

“In a crowd?”

“Yeah. He thinks I don’t know that he put a tail on me to look after me he’s mistaken. I already caught him talking to one of the guys at my graduation.” Fuck, she made my guys. It’s good and bad. That means she’s more observant of the dangers out there, but at the same time means she lives with constant fear.