Page 34 of Daddy's Bodyguard

“I just die and never have to think about this moment again.” I assure with a smile. “Or I fight them off.”

He rolls his eyes. “The attitude isn’t called for.”

“We already discussed this, Jasper. It’s called a safehouse for a reason. It’s quite secure, and I promise I won’t leave the apartment while you’re gone. Just trust me, please.”

His eyes narrow at me. “Why are you so hell bent on hooking me up with Carissa?”

My eyes flick down to his side. I had to change his gauze for the entire week, had to clean up the blood, make sure he wasn’t infected, and deal with him flinching each time I got too rough. A part of me—most of me feels guilty for putting us in harm’s way. If I hadn’t gone out for coffee, I wouldn’t have been spotted, and we wouldn’t have gotten attacked.

“It’s my fault you got shot, so consider this my way of saying thank you. Carissa’s a really great person, just like you. I’m sure you two will be great together.”

“I’m still not comfortable with you being alone.”

“I’m not as helpless as you think, Jasper. Believe me, I can handle myself.”

“And you feel qualified to fight off people who have a tendency to have guns?” Jasper keeps his voice low as he leans towards me. “If you have a hidden talent, please let me know.”

“I’ve seenHome Alone. I can fuck them up.”

Jasper smiles, his whole face softening. Shaking my head, I look away, trying to suppress the grin that wants to answer his. I focus on the computer, but Jasper taps a pen on my desk, steadily driving me insane.

“Oh, my god.” I put my hand on his. “Stop.”

“So that’s how to get your attention.” He chuckles. “Annoying sounds.”

“What do you want?”

“Talk to me. I’m bored.” He pouts.

“Do your protection stuff. You’re good at it,” I remind him.

“Yeah, that’s how I know that car I was worried about isn’t here today,” Jasper says.

“Do you think there’s a connection between the car and the person who attacked us?”

“There has to be.”

“Do you think their absence means they’ve given up?”

“I doubt it. Which means we still need to tread carefully, got it?”

“Loud and clear,” I reply, relaxing in my chair. “But you’re still going on that date.”

“We’ll see.”

The day passes by so quickly, and for the first time ever, I can’t wait to get home. But when Jasper ushers me into the apartment and secures the door, it occurs to me that I’m about to spend another slew of endless days being cooped up in the apartment with this annoying lust for him. I thought hooking him up with Carissa would make it go away, but it’s worse than ever, so strong that I can almost taste it on my tongue.

Jasper’s cell phone rings, the shrilling sound pulling me back from the edge. He picks it up after looking at it. His mouth opens to say something, but I can actually hear the woman shouting on the phone. He shakes his head at me and rolls his eyes like we have some inside joke.

We absolutely don’t. In fact, laughing is the last thing I feel like doing right now.

“Daisy. Daisy!” He yells. He chuckles. “Listen, work has certain hazards, but I’m fine.”

He listens again, then sighs. “It was just a bullet graze, Daisy. Kingston had no right to alarm you like that.”

After a moment, he looks to me. “Okay, fine. If that’s my punishment for scaring you, then yes, I’ll come. But I’m bringing someone with me. See you on Sunday, okay?”

I shake my head. Hell no. I’m not going anywhere with him, although the stare he’s giving says I am, whether I want to or not. He hangs up and smiles. “We’re visiting my sister on Sunday.”

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