Page 55 of Daddy's Bodyguard

“Can’t you take me with you?” she asks.

I shake my head. “It’s easier if I go alone. Faster.”

“You don’t have to go, then,” she replies. “Pizza is good enough-”

“You’ll want something to drink anyway. Plus, it’s the perfect time to grab a few items of clothing. We won’t get by with just the clothes on our backs.”

“Fine. I’ll stay. But hurry back, or I’ll kick your butt,” she says, giving me a look that tells me she’s trying to sound braver than she feels. I force myself out of the motel. If I stayed a second longer, I would give in to my stupid impulse and take her with me. No way would it rest well on my conscience if something were to happen to her. For now, she’s safer inside.

Thankfully, there’s a strip mall across the road, so I don’t need to go very far. Pulling the cap low on my head, I jog the short distance, then head to the closest clothing store. I grab a few pieces of clothing for her and me, soap, a twelve-pack of beer, and a few other things we might need. By the time I get back, the pizza man has arrived. I pay him with cash, then knock on the door three times. She knocks twice back, and I knock once.

She’s wearing a relieved expression when she unlocks the door, and I slide in, holding up the bags. She goes right for the beer, turns, then returns to hug me, her body clinging to mine. Closing my eyes, I savor how she feels against me. Real, warm, sweet.

“You’re okay,” I assure.

She nods and lets me go. “I’m … I’ll shower.”

Ten minutes later, she walks out in a thigh-length t-shirt, her hair still damp hair from the shower. She sits on the couch cross-legged, giving me a peek of her upper thighs. I avert my eyes and join her, placing the pizza box on the center table. We eat in silence while watching a rom com on TV.

Sofia leans back, and her hand brushes mine. I glance over at her, expecting her to pull away, but she smiles and pats her stomach with her other hand. “I’m so full.”

“Feeling comfy?” I ask.

She nods and rubs her fingers over mine. I toss the empty box to the floor, watch her glance at it, then steal her attention before she can go after it. Leaning towards her with our bodies brushing, I smile.

“Jasper.” She points at me. “What’s that look?”

“I want to talk about that kiss earlier.”

“What about it?”

“You kissed me back.”

“And?”

I sigh, realizing I may have to pry the truth from her mouth. “Be honest with me. Why did you kiss me back?”

Exhaling slowly, she meets my gaze. “Because I wanted to. It felt good.” Her expression brightens with mischief. “But who knows? It probably was a fluke.”

I chuckle and nod. “Want me to prove it wasn’t?”

“Okay, enough teasing,” she says, blushing.

“I’ve never teased you, kitten,” I whisper. “I’ve been nothing but true to you.”

She straightens on the couch, narrowing her eyes at me. “Be honest. What do you think of me?”

“You’re fierce, smart, determined, and a little bit crazy.”

“I am not -”

“And it’s damn attractive,” I finish. “And I’d be an idiot not to respect the hell out of you.”

She looks me over and shakes her head. “I can’t figure you out, Jasper.”

“Keep trying. I’m sure you’ll get somewhere.”

“Not without your help.” She curls up against my chest, pulling my arm around her. “Tell me something else that’s true.”

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