Page 21 of Daddy's Bodyguard

“Why are you so hell-bent on getting me laid, Sofia?” he asks, leaning closer. “Are you afraid of your attraction to me?”

My face heats at Jasper’s shot in the dark that found its mark. But I’m good at poker. He doesn’t need to know what my thoughts are. “Not even close.”

“If you say so…”

“Carissa is a great girl, that’s all. I’m sure you two would enjoy being with each other.”

“I already told you, she’s not the girl I want.”

“Maybe you should step outside your comfort zone like you’re forcing me to.” I rub my temple. “Leave me alone for the rest of today. Sit in the waiting area.”

“Ruins the reporter angle you chose.”

We end up arguing for most of the day. Whenever I can, I pawn him off on Carissa. She loves it, his attention, his flirting, his everything. And he actually seems to enjoy their conversations as the day goes on. The more they hang out together, the more intense their conversations seem to be. For some reason, I’m bothered by them getting along.

But Jasper’s just a blip in our lives, not a permanent fixture. A homeless cat you try to bring in but wanders away at the first sign of an open door. He’ll be gone soon enough.

I still feel super bummed while heading home with Jasper after work, and I don’t know if I’m madder at him or myself. I refuse to answer when he tries to talk to me, but that seems to be just fine since he can have a conversation with himself, no problem. When we get back to the house, though, he stops me before I can open the door.

“Sofia—”

“Don’t fucking start. I’ve dealt with you all day. I’m taking a shower, locking myself in that bedroom and ignoring your existence for the rest of the night,” I hiss.

A sudden sound behind us makes him pull me close. His big hand strokes over my hip, and I fight my body’s reaction. I don’t like him. I don’t like his touch. Ido notwant more.

The flutter in my stomach, the ache in my pussy, the urge to fuck him out of my system… that’s nothing but lust. There’s no substance. A cold shower and it will disappear in a heartbeat.

Turns out it’s just a neighbor’s dog fucking with a delivery box on a doorstep. I breathe a sigh of relief when Jasper opens the door and hustles me inside.

“Sofia, you can’t just pass me off to your friend because you don’t like me doing my job. It defeats the purpose of keeping you safe. I’m getting concerned with you being at work.”

“Without reason.”

“Take tomorrow off. Please.” He keeps his voice low, gazing deep into my eyes. “I’m asking, not telling.”

“AndwhenI say no, are you going to put me over your shoulder? Tie me to the bed like a hostage? What?” I shove him. I know it’s childish, I know his job will be easier if I obey, but I can’t just give in that easily.

I won’t. I refuse.

Jasper sighs, braces his forearm against the door and leans down to me. My breath catches in my throat. It’s the opposite of what I’ve expected. I thought he’d yell, but instead … he’s just staring at me with those damn earnest, beautiful eyes.

“I want to keep you safe, Sofia, and that’s damn hard when you refuse to trust me.” He snaps his fingers. “We need a trust game.”

“Trust falling? Fuck no.”

“How about two truths and a lie? That way we can get to know each other.”

“Sounds like torture.”

“Guantanamo Bay. The best kind of torture for you.” That devilish smile turns the corner of his lips up, and I have to remind myself I hate him for the fifth time today. Because he’s relentless. A boulder I’m constantly pushing uphill. “Say yes, and I won’t ask you to stay home tomorrow.”

Fuck, his bartering system is too well-tuned. I grab his shirt and jerk him closer. “If I eventhinkyou’re messing with me, I’ll make you pay.”

“Ooh, sounds dirty.”

“Not even close, you perv.”

Chuckling, Jasper drops the keys on the side table, but when he turns to me again, the smile slowly melts from his face. I take in the way his Adam’s apple moves as he swallows, my gaze drifting upwards to his lips.

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