Her Protector by Victoria Howard

Her Protector

by Victoria Howard

Matt Hemmings had no problem following the tall, slender figure of Alexa McAllister, as she wove her way through the bustling terminal building at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport.

In her early thirties, she carried herself confidently, unaware of the appreciative glances from fellow travelers. Her thick auburn hair hung in long graceful curves to her shoulders. Casually dressed in black linen trousers, white shirt, and pink jacket, she looked elegant and refreshed despite having spent the morning at the office before catching the two and a half hour flight from London Heathrow. A small black leather purse dangled from her left shoulder, a matching laptop bag under it.

Matt matched his stride to hers as she wheeled her suitcase toward the exit and queue of waiting taxis. He ignored the objections of an overweight German man who swore heartily at him for muscling into the line behind her. He waited until she gave directions to the driver, then seizing the opportunity, stepped forward.

“Excuse me. Did I hear you say, Hotel La Capanna?”

Alexa flinched at the sound of his voice and spun round. “Yes, you did. So what of it?”

“I’m staying there too. Seems pointless us both taking a taxi. Care to share?”

Alexa hesitated. “I don’t—”

“Sorry, I should have introduced myself.” He smiled and held out his hand. “Matt Hemmings. I can assure you, I’m not a stalker. I’m kind to puppies, old ladies and children. You can ask my mother, she’ll tell you I’m perfectly harmless.”

She laughed and visibly relaxed. “Alexa McAllister,” she replied, and shook his hand. “All right, but on condition we split the fare.”

Matt held open the door while she settled herself inside, then slipped onto the rear seat beside her.

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Victoria Howard is the author of two romantic suspense novels, The House on the Shore, which was a contender for the 2009 Joan Hessayon Award, and Three Weeks Last Spring, a Pushcart Prize nominee, as well as a number of short stories.

Born in Liverpool, Victoria, trained as a medical secretary, and subsequently worked for the National Health Service. She spent twenty years living on a croft in the Highlands of Scotland, and while there managed a company involved in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry.

When not working on a manuscript, Victoria can be found curled up with a book, gardening, designing knitwear, travelling the world or walking her Border collie, Rosie.

A member of Romantic Novelists’ Association since 2009, Victoria is also a member of the Romance Writers of America.

Victoria currently resides in South Yorkshire with her partner, Stephen.