“Seriously?”
“I’ve even done ad campaigns where I, um, show my assets to sell products.”
“Oh my, I gotta see this.” I laugh and grab my phone from the kitchen counter where I left it before I walk to sit by the dining table.
Before I have time to googleJasper Åkerman’s butt, he stops me. “I’ll show you the best campaigns myself,” he says coyly, being all devilish and cute at the same time.
Jasper starts scrolling through photos on his phone, showing me different ones of him modeling for well-known brands. The pictures are a mix of funny and sexy, and I laugh at some of them and blush at others.
“Here,” he says, turning the phone to face me. “This is one of my favorites. It’s from last year's billboard campaign for a dating app.”
I take the phone and look at the image on the screen. It’s a picture of Jasper from behind, wearing only a pair of tight-fitting hockey pants with a hockey stick in one hand and a flower bouquet in another. I feel a little embarrassed looking at these images in front of him. But at the same time, I can’t deny that I am enjoying what I’m seeing.
He catches me admiring him, and I quickly turn away. “I—”
“I like it when you wear your emotions on your sleeve, so don’t apologize.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your reaction to my photos proves that the attraction between us isn’t one-sided. And I feel like it’s deeper than surface level, too. It’s been nice to finally meet someone who sees me as more than just a hockey player with a nice body, even though you seem to enjoy what you’re seeing.”
Now I can’tnotlook at him. “I definitely see you as more than that.”
The heat between us rises—we’re both aware of the sexual tension brewing beneath the surface. Jasper leans in closer to me over the table. “Good to hear because I see you as much more than just a pretty face with a sexy-as-sin body.”
My heart beats faster in my chest as he pulls back, his eyes searching mine. I know I want him, but a part of me is afraid to give in to my desires. What if this is just a fling? What if I get hurtagain?
Jasper seems to sense my hesitation and takes my hand in his. “Let’s get dressed—we can continue this conversation later. But first, I have something planned.”
That makes me excited. “What are we doing today?”
“How about a walk and then cooking together? Most restaurants are closed for the holidays,” he suggests, letting go of my hand before taking a bite of his breakfast.
“Can we watch a Christmas movie when we’re done with dinner?”
“Only ifDie Hardcounts as one,” he replies.
“You can’t be serious!”
Jasper raises his hands in mock defeat. “All right, I was just asking…but it’s a classic Christmasfilm.”
“It isn’t the same way thatLove ActuallyorThe Holidayare,” I insist.
“If I watch one of those with you, will you promise to watchDie Hard?”
“Are you one of those men who don’t feel confident enough to admit they enjoy romantic movies?”
He smiles and runs his hand through his hair. “I don’t mind romantic films, but I prefer action films more.”
I roll my eyes playfully. “Why am I not surprised?”
Jasper only shrugs as an answer, and we finish our breakfast in peace.
Taking the plates to put them in the dishwasher, Jasper asks, “Why don’t we make a deal?”
“A deal?”
“We’ll watchDie Hardfirst, and then we’ll watch one of your romantic movies.”
