“I know that, sir, but Anna and I have become friends, it wouldn’t really be like working. I guess it would kind of be a vacation for me too, so I’m more than happy to pay for us,” I explained.

He laughed again. “Agent Taylor, it’s terrific that you two are friends, but you’re not paying for the trip. Melissa and I will book it for the two of you.”

“Sir, honestly. I can’t let you do that-”

“Son, I appreciate your position, but at the end of the day, you’re going to be working, aren’t you? You do plan on protecting my daughter, don’t you?” he asked, amused.

“Of course.”

“Well then, it’s settled. As part of your job, you’ll be accompanying my daughter on vacation. You won’t be paying for it,” he stated, ending the discussion.

“Thank you, sir,” I replied, frowning. I felt a little deflated now because I’d actually wanted to book it and take her. I didn’t want it to be like I was working, even though I would be.

“You’re welcome, son. Thank you for doing this for Annabelle; if it wasn’t for you, then she wouldn’t even be thinking about a vacation. We really appreciate what you’re doing for her,” he said gratefully.

I smiled. “You’re very welcome. Like I said, Anna and I have become friends.”

“Well, is there anywhere you two would like to go? Did she mention anywhere?” he asked curiously.

“Not really, she just said somewhere hot. Are you planning on sending a far guard with us?” I asked curiously. Please say no, I want her to feel completely comfortable…

“I was under the impression that you meant just the two of you,” he answered.

I grinned, fist pumping the air. “Yes, sir, I did mean just the two of us. I just wondered if that was alright with you.” My insides were going crazy as I thought about rubbing lotion on her body with no one else watching, and no act to keep up.

“Son, can you protect my daughter on your own?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” I answered confidently.

“Well then, that’s good enough for me. I trust you, Agent Taylor. If you say you can protect her then I believe you,” he replied just as confidently.

Wow, he genuinely does trust me with his daughter! “Thank you, I appreciate your confidence.”

“Like I said when you took her to LA, if it were any other agent then I would say no.” The hair on the back of my neck prickled at his proud tone. I’d never had a father figure in my life, so I really appreciated that this man was so confident in my ability.

“I won’t let you down,” I promised.

“Good. Well, Melissa and I will have a think about it and get it arranged, if you really have no preference as to where you go…”

Jeez, I would follow that girl to the ends of the earth, I don’t care. “No, sir, anywhere is fine. I would ask for an apartment though, instead of two hotel rooms. That way it would be easier for me to do my job without having to worry about another entrance to her room. Also, if you could book all the travel plans under another name, like LA, that way it would just cover the trail further,” I suggested.

“Good idea. I’ll let you know what we come up with and hopefully we’ll have it booked by the end of the day. I’m sure Annabelle will want to go shopping for vacation clothes,” he laughed, and I felt the predatory grin slip onto my face as I imagined all of the beachwear outfits she’d wear.

“Thank you, sir.” This seriously was the best four months of my life, probably the best four months of anybody’s life.

“No. Thank you, son,” he countered as he hung up.

I stared at the phone for a minute in shock; Anna was going to flip when she heard this. I rearranged my expression before I exited the bedroom. She looked up expectantly with a hopeful expression on her face. I tried my best to look sad, and it must have worked as her expression faded and was replaced by a fake smile that clearly meant she thought we were headed to her parents’ house.

“So?” she prompted as I sat next to her on the sofa.

I sighed dramatically. “Well, we can’t go to LA.”

“Oh man, I’m sorry, Ashton! You should just go on your own, you’d get to hang with your friends, go out New Year’s Eve, and have fun,” she smiled, trying to look enthusiastic.

“No, I want to spend winter break with you,” I refused, trying desperately to keep the smile off my face.

She sighed. “Ashton, come on, be serious. It’s going to be so awkward for us at my parents’ house, how am I supposed to explain you being there instead of going home?”

“Yeah, you’re right. I don’t want to do that,” I nodded in agreement.

She smiled sadly. “So just go to LA. Spend time with Nate.”

“I don’t want to do that either.”

She took my hand, squeezing gently. “I’m sorry,” she muttered.

“Yeah. So, about that shopping trip for Christmas presents…” I trailed off, fighting my urge to grin like a moron.

“Yeah?” She looked really sad, but she was obviously trying not to show me.

“Well, do you think we could go somewhere that sells skimpy bikinis and sun cream?” I asked, laughing.

She gasped as her eyes widened from shock. “Bikinis and sun cream? You mean? No way! Are you serious? But… but… really?” she cried.