Page 66 of Daddy's Bodyguard

“You don’t like touch.”

“You do,” I whisper.

“What was that?”

“You like being touched. You don’t like questions or deep conversation. But you like being touched.”

Sophia stares at me for a beat, then smooths over the pillow and comes to stand in front of me. “How did you know?”

“You don’t pull away when I touch you. But you don’t like when I ask questions about you. Your tells are pretty obvious, dumpling.”

Sofia smiles slightly. “Truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

Her chin jerks towards the wound on my hand. “How much does it hurt?”

I chuckle. “Not at all. I barely feel it. Now get over here.”

Sofia squeals as I grab her and pull her onto my lap. She rubs my chest with a gentle sigh. “Am I really that easy to read?”

“No. But I’m invested. You’re an interesting novel. Plenty of twists and turns,” I say in her ear. “I’m captivated.”

“You’re sappy.” She rolls her eyes. “Are words easier for you?”

“Yeah. I’m a words of affirmation guy. I like to say what I feel, and I feel reassured when I’m told what others think about me.”

“I think you’re a dummy.” She sticks her tongue out. “Does that help?”

Scoffing, I drop my arms from around her. She pulls them back and cuddles against me. She sighs, her breath tickling my skin. “Words are … flimsy. People can say anything. It’s their actions that mean something.”

I smile and kiss her. Sofia eases back, looking at me with confusion. “I just insulted your love language.”

“By telling me how toshowyou I care.” I run my nose over hers. “Action. Quality time. Doing things for you.”

She shivers. “God, you’re impossible.”

“And you like it, or you wouldn’t be in my lap.”

“I’m catching your stupid,” she huffs, her cheeks going pink.

I kiss along her jaw, then press my lips to her ear. “Once we’re done with this, I’ll cook for you. We’ll have dinner with wine, and I’ll rub your feet.”

She shivers.

“Just what you need after a long day saving the world.” I kiss just below her ear. Then again, along her neck.

“Jasper.” Her voice is huskier.

“I can get us wine tonight. With whatever you want to eat. As long as it can be delivered, it’s yours.”

She turns to face me, our lips so close. She takes a hesitant breath. “What are we doing?”

“Making the best of an otherwise bad situation.”

“I should be worried about getting back to the real world. To work. Making sure the guys at work are safe.”

“But?”

---