“It means I stay close… real close…” he growls, causing my insides to quiver.
“And you don’t think I need that?” I ask, butterflies flittering around in my stomach as I cross my fingers and toes that he does think it’s needed. Part of me doesn’t want to be alone—ever. Another part just wants to keep this sexy as sin man within arm’s reach.
Jasper’s eyes heat with desire, and I know he feels this same crazy attraction that I do. Is that why he hasn’t considered being my actual bodyguard? Or is it something else? Does he really not think I’m in that much danger? I can’t decide which one I would rather the reason be. Okay, that’s a lie. My libido wants to need him close all the time. My brain says that would be a bad idea. I’m not looking for a relationship, especially not now.
“Would you feel safer?” he asks with a low growl.
“Yes.”
Wait. What did I just say? Bad mouth. Bad. I was just thinking about how bad an idea it would be to have Jasper as a personal bodyguard, and here I am saying an empathetical ‘yes.’ Just like that.
He takes a step closer to me until we’re parted by a hairsbreadth. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, sweetheart.”
I blink up at him, my breath stuttering in my chest. “I’m scared,” I admit.
His big hand cups my cheek and I find myself nuzzling into the warmth. “You don’t have to be scared anymore. I’ll keep you safe.”
“But what if you can’t?”
His lips quirk up in a cocky smirk. “I’m the best, Charity. You don’t have to worry about anything when I’m watching out for you.”
“What about when it’s Ransom?”
Fire flares in his eyes, and if I didn’t know better, I would say it’s jealousy that’s hit him hot and hard. But that doesn’t make any sense because he has no reason to be jealous.
“He’s the second-best.” Jasper shrugs.
“What if all I want is the very best?” I whisper.
Ransom picks that moment to come into the house, his large feet loud on the kitchen tiles warning us before he makes an appearance in the living room. We jump apart and a chill shoots through me at the loss of his closeness.
Yep, I’m in huge trouble where he’s concerned.
“Did you find anything?” Jasper asks, back to business.
“Yeah. Someone’s been holed up at the back of the property.” He holds up a baggy filled with cigarette butts. “Not really being shy about leaving evidence behind. Looks like whoever it is has been around a lot recently.”
I chew on my bottom lip again, wishing I didn’t have such an obvious nervous tick. I force myself to quit and straighten my spine. I turn to Jasper and look him solidly in the eye. “I want to hire you to be my bodyguard, not just a private detective.”
There is no way I will ever get any sleep if I know someone is just outside my backdoor watching me. A new security system only goes so far towards protecting me. Having Jasper or Ransom in a car out front watching is not going to be enough.
“Sweetheart, that’s not necessary-” Jasper starts, but I hold up a hand, stopping his words.
“If this is about money, it’s not a problem. I can afford to hire you.” I turn to look at Ransom boldly. “Both of you. A whole army of you if I wanted.”
Jasper opens his mouth to respond but seems flabbergasted. It’s Ransom that answers. “Jas, it’s not a bad idea. If this is who you suspect-”
He looks at Ransom with hard eyes. “Look, Jasper, if you don’t want to do it. I can hire someone else. I just want the best security I can get. I know I’m just a cheer coach, but I have the means to get the best protection, and it’s stupid to not use it.”
Jasper doesn’t say anything, but Ransom nods like he’s decided something. “I’ll do it,” he says in his low, almost menacing voice.
I’ll admit that I’m a little nervous around him still, but if Jasper doesn’t want to be my bodyguard, then I’ll take him. He’s a scary fucker, and I know anyone would second guess stepping against him.
Before I can agree, Jasper is standing between us, staring Ransom down like he’s about to go toe to toe with the bigger man. “No one is staying with her except for me.”
If it wasn’t so hot being claimed like that, I might be mad at him. But as it is, it’s hot as fuck knowing that he’s jealous of his friend being a professional bodyguard for me. I’m also quietly pleased that Jasper will be the one to protect me. I didn’t want Ransom. Thankfully Jasper isn’t half as stubborn as he seems.
“Now that that’s settled. Tell me what we need to do now.”