Page 23 of Daddy's Bodyguard

Of course, it is. My goals haven’t changed because of an insane attraction to a guy. I’m still focused on my endgame. There’s no time to get distracted by whatever this is I’m feeling right now.

“I don’t doubt that for a second. Any man would be lucky to have Carissa in his life,” Jasper agrees.

Including you. A breath scrapes along my throat as I exhale, and I fight the envy that threatens to display itself on my face. A part of me wishes I had to freedom to fall in love like Carissa. Maybe then I could— no. I’m not going to think of a possible relationship with Jasper. It’s not worth it.

“Your turn,” Jasper says, eyeing me curiously.

I clear my throat. “My last relationship ended badly. Masturbation got boring. I …” I swallow and try to lean away. “I hate not being in control.”

He leans his head to the side and hums low in his throat. “Masturbation never gets boring, sweetheart. Keep to solid lies.”

“I forgot to lie,” I admit.

Japer’s eyes search my face, his tongue teasing his lower lip, the action triggering an ache within my pussy. There’s something bothering me about this whole conversation, about how close we are, all of it. I tuck my leg from under me and inch a little further down the couch. Time to put some distance between us.

“I know you well enough now, Jasper,” I say, pushing to stand. “No need to continue. Let’s end this game right now.”

He catches my wrist. “Not quite yet.”

Chapter 8

Jasper

Sofia stares at my hand around her wrist, and I expect her to jerk away. She doesn’t. She doesn’t sit either, but she watches me like she’s waiting for me to jerk her into my lap. I clear my throat. “Tell me something about you that no one knows.”

“Why?”

“In case you’re in trouble, or you need to check in with me to confirm that you’re okay. Tell me something no one else knows.”

Sofia sits back down, and I slowly release her. I don’t want to play this game anymore than she does. I prefer lying games. I know how to deal with those. I don’t know how to deal with being completely open. I don’t know how to handle vulnerability.

“Um …” Sofia pushes her hair behind her ear. “I’m … I don’t know what to say, Jasper. Why don’t you go first?”

“I have nightmares every night. The only way I’ve found to get rid of them is to keep myself up until I physically can’t sleep. Then my brain goes quiet.” It’s the easier secret to admit. It’s something my sister doesn’t know. Not when it comes to the method I use.

Sofia bites her bottom lip and looks up at me from under her lashes. How could I possibly go for her best friend when she’s here, looking at me like that? Heck, I shouldn’t want her. She’s so complex, confusing, frustrating, but yet so… unforgettable. It’s only been a few days, and she’s in every other thought I have. Which is ridiculous.

But that look right there … it goes right to my—

“I’m afraid of becoming my mom,” she finally whispers.

“Why?”

“She put her whole life on hold to let my dad live his dream. She chose to do it – she loved him – but I saw how hard it was on her. She took care of us, wore a smile all day, but she never had time to tackle her goals. Worse, she got nothing in return for her sacrifice. My dad did nothing but lie and cheat, then traded her for a younger model. I don’t want to end up like her.”

“Is that why you’re still single, or is it solely about your career?”

She shrugs. “A little of both, I guess. It’s safer this way, trust me.”

The way she said it makes me suspect there’s something else she’s not telling me. Did someone else break her heart?

Deciding not to push her, I settle for the silence that descends between us. Sofia seems lost in her thoughts, and there’s a lot on my mind, too, like the layer I peeled off Sofia just now. It’s amazing how my opinion of her has altered within the last five minutes. I still think she’s a cold, stubborn woman, but now I understand why. The question is, do I want the job of tearing down her walls, or is it too much to handle?

Carissa is the total opposite; sweet, laidback and definitely no walls. Being with her would be so easy. But she doesn’t set me on fire like Sofia does. I’m not yearning for her touch. Only Sofia’s.

I lean back against the couch with a soft sigh. Sofia sighs, too, then adjusts so she’s leaning into me. I clear my throat and gently ease her off, and she stares up at me with a questioning frown.

“What?”

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