Page 9 of Daddy's Bodyguard

“Good. We can probably watch another after this. You know, to pass the time.”

“Oh, no, no, no. I’m working on my lesson plan, then going to bed. You looking for company? Try Tinder. With your face, it shouldn’t be hard.”

“Are you flirting with me?” He leans towards me and bats his eyelashes. “I’m flattered.”

I snort. No. No. I’m squashing that thought before it becomes more than a passing idea. “I’m married to work. I have a plan.”

“And how does this arrangement fit into that plan?”

I glower at him. “It’s not going to change a damn thing. Universe or not, I have things to do in the world, and I’m going to do them.”

“You know, some people say it just because they want to believe it.” Jasper leans towards me again, studying my face intently before focusing on my lips. “I might just believe it from your mouth.”

“But?”

He arches an eyebrow.

“But? But I’m just a girl? But I should smile more? But if I were nicer, I’d make things happen? What is it? I hear it all the time. Make it original.”

Jasper smiles slightly. “You’ll learn how to take a compliment around me soon enough.” He winks. “Promise.”

I narrow my eyes at him. There’s always a catch with compliments. Especially from men. I just have to wait, and he’ll prove that he’s just like all the other men I’ve known; he’s just better at hiding it.

Jasper exhales and rests his arm under his head. His long eyelashes fan his cheeks when he closes his eyes. His big chest gently bounces, making me wonder if he’s falling asleep. Either, he’s too trusting, or he’s testing me. Well, two can play that game. I’d like to know exactly what I’m dealing with. After waiting a few minutes, I slowly rise from the couch. I manage to get to one foot, glance at Jasper – eyes closed, even breathing - then plant my other foot on the ground. I step over him and make a dash towards the door, only to feel his powerful arms around me.

I gasp as he pulls me to the couch, the action leaving me breathless. I can’t wiggle free or get my mind to focus, especially when he straddles me on his lap and locks me in with a tight arm around me.

He grins at me, which prompts an urge to wipe that smirk from his beautiful face. “I’m not that easy to distract, Sofia. And I’m a light sleeper. Keep this up, and I’ll have to start keeping watch.”

“You can’t stay awake forever.”

“Neither can you.” His expression simmers, getting darker by the second. “We made a deal. Keep it, or you’re not leaving this house.”

“Threats?”

“Compromise doesn’t seem to work. And clearly, you don’t keep your word.” His arm tightens around my waist.

I gasp and try to pull away. Well, Ialmosttry to pull away. This is the most someone has touched me in a long time. A very long time. He has me on his lap, his arm around me, our bodies so close I catch a whiff of his scent. The blend of pine needles and sweat makes me want to bury my nose in his neck for a healthy sniff. Those blue eyes are like the bottom of an iceberg, overwhelming and distracting.

No! Focus.

“Sofia.” He palms my chin, twisting my head back to him. “Listen. Let’s doonething the easy way.”

“Easy isn’t a good enough reason to do something.” I pull my chin from his grip.

“Easy in one area keeps the rest moving. It keeps us easy, so you get to go on living. You want to work? You want to keep your schedule rather than shacking up here? I’m ready to make that happen, but only if I can trust that you’re not going to run.”

“You won’t trust me,” I argue.

Jasper looks me over slowly, taking in every inch of me as if he can figure me out with a sure gaze. His perusal pauses at my lips, then finally lift to my eyes. I squirm on his lap, but the heat in my belly spreads in response.

Maybe I should get on Tinder. I need to get laid. I definitely need to get something if just sitting on Jasper’s lap is making me horny. I exhale slowly, calming myself.

Jasper leans closer, his gaze dropping to my lips again. I know I should pull back, but my body doesn’t want to. There’s this crazy desire to know what his lips taste like. But he doesn’t kiss me. I lick across my bottom lip, and his eyes darken. Still, he doesn’t kiss me.

“Are you going to run?” he murmurs.

His eyes burn into me, scorching my insides. Unable to bear the tension, I try to shimmy off his lap. But his grip tightens, making me release a frustrated groan. Reality sinks in, leaving me aware of how royally fucked I am. I can’t escape Jasper. No matter how much I run, he’s going to be there. He’ll find me, he’ll even chain me to the bed if he gets an order to do so. Yeah, I’m fucking trapped, all because my asshole father couldn’t resist easy money.

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