Page 22 of Daddy's Bodyguard

“Seriously, I need you to try harder for me, Sofia. You have to put in the effort, or this is going to be hell on both of us.”

I give him a brief nod in response, and he returns to the door. I take a seat on the couch, not sure where else to go, as Jasper double-checks the lock on the door and pulls the chain across it. He returns to the couch and sits beside me, tossing his gun and knife on the coffee table.

“So, first things first. We need each other’s cell phone numbers.” Without waiting for my response, he tosses me his phone.

I hand him mine, then enter my number in his phone under the name: Hostage. Jasper returns mine, and when I check his contact, there are cute little hearts beside his name. I shake my head and roll my eyes, but he smirks when he looks at his phone.

“You’re funny when you want to be, you know.” He leans back and looks me over slowly. “Want to get comfortable before we get started?”

I don’t know what he has in mind, which is slightly more discomfiting. Not in the mood to argue, I nod in response, then head to the bedroom and change into cotton shorts and a t-shirt. When I return, Jasper is still reclining in the same position, but his shoes are off, leaving him in socks that have a hole on the heel of the right one.

He’s so big, such a huge presence. I should feel safe around him, more protected than ever. But I don’t know what I feel. Jasper is either way too open or way too good at lying, and I’m not sure which I prefer.

“What are we doing?” I ask.

“Two truths and a lie. We can learn each other’s tells. Or we can play a game where we ask a question and have to give a convincing lie as an answer. Either one.”

I narrow my eyes at him. Why is he giving me a choice? Why is lying in both of these options? “Or we could just tell each other the truth.”

“We can always end it with the truth. How about that? You need to be a good liar, good enough to convince me. And you need to be able to see through my lies.”

“Again, the truth … really handy.” I huff.

He chuckles. “Choose a game, buttercup.”

“Two truths and a lie. I go first.” I point at him. “My favorite ice cream is vanilla. I wanted to be a CSI growing up. I had my first kiss at fourteen.”

Jasper rubs his jaw and starts to answer, but then a peel of thunder does on his behalf. He glances up and nods. “Alright, Thor. Thanks for joining.”

I watch him, waiting. He studies my face for a while. “Your first kiss. That’s the lie.”

Nodding once, I sigh. “I was fifteen. Truth or dare at a party. A girl that hated me got dared to kiss me.”

“How was it?”

“It was a peck. Nothing else.” I shrug.

“Then it wasn’t your first kiss. A real first kiss has tongue.” He leans back and thinks for a moment. “I’m terrified of snakes. I tried witchcraft for a while. I’ve got more than twelve tattoos.”

There’s no change on his face. He lists them out the same way someone would list what groceries they’re getting. I bite my bottom lip. The first two seem insane. But the third one. Well, I can already see at least six tattoos.

“The snake one.” I guess.

“Oof, nope.” He shakes his head, then chuckles. “Do I seem like the witchcraft type to you?”

“Maybe you’re hiding some kind of goth phase. I don’t know.” I roll my eyes but feel a smile tug at the corner of my mouth.

Jasper motions for me to continue, and we go back and forth until I notice that his eyes flick to the left when he lies. I try exploiting it a few times, and he smirks. The next time around, he leans towards me. Tiny flutters appear in my stomach, and a soft warmth settles over me. I realize I’m leaning towards him as well, drawn in like he’s a magnet and I’m metal. Hopeless, unthinking metal.

“I’ve never gotten off from a blowjob,” he starts, eyes focusing entirely on me. “I haven’t fucked in two years.” No tell. His fingers brush across my jaw. “I’m really into Carissa.”

“The last one,” I breathe.

He sighs. “The tell?”

“You touched me. Your eyes didn’t move, but you did,” I whisper. “You should give Carissa a chance. She could make you really happy. She’s the sweetest person in the world, the one person who will see the best in everyone.”

Why am I pushing him towards my best friend when it’s obvious I’m attracted to him? Am I crazy? Or is it still the right thing to do?

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