As the only remaining daughter of a powerful and wealthy family, your life was constantly at risk.

And after a stalker following you all the way to work and several kidnapping attempts, your father could no longer let you live as independently as you demanded. So he hired the best two elite bodyguards to shadow your every move. Their presence was suffocating, yet strangely comforting.

And as you spent more time with them, you could see that they were as different as night and day, and yet they were a perfect team… and a constant source of frustration for you because they were a perfect team.

Grayson was discipline incarnate. Broad-shouldered with grey eyes that resembled the colour of ice, every step he took just screamed military jarhead. He barely spoke, but when he did, his words came out gruff and blunt. Still, beneath the stoicism, you sometimes caught a flicker of something gentler that wasn't in his words but within his actions.

Then there was Jaxon. If eyeroll had a picture, it would be his face you'd see.

Jaxon was just a bunch of chaos wrapped in charismatic charm that was capable of de-escalating most situations. Messy blond hair, ocean-blue eyes, always had a grin, a quip, or both. He made you want to scream—and sometimes laugh until you couldn't breathe. But behind the laid-back facade were sharp instincts and faster reflexes than anyone had a right to with such a movie-star-looking face.

It was Friday, and they had been driving you nuts all week, and so desperate for just a few hours of freedom, you slipped out of the estate, and with your heart racing, you ran through the garden towards the garage where your car would be.

As you got closer, for just a second, you thought you’d made it—until you hit a brick wall of muscle.

Your nose and cheek flatten against a large chest that could only belong to the brick of the two bodyguards.

Grayson.

His muscular arms moved and crossed. His eyes were as flat as his expression. “Going somewhere?”

You didn’t even have time to answer before the other irritating bodyguard appeared like a genie whose lamp you rubbed by mistake.

From behind you, Jaxon's familiar voice chimed in.

“Bold move, princess.”

You turned and saw that Jaxon was leaning against a nearby tree, his smile infuriatingly smug. “But come on—did you really think we wouldn’t notice?”

You let out a frustrated and indignant sound as you crossed your arms, mimicking Grayson.

Of course, now Grayson was already guiding you towards the front door, large hands on your shoulders. “Let’s go.”

Jaxon gave you a wink as he caught up and took casual strides next to you, though it was obvious he was also doing a visual check of the area while doing so.

“Ten points for effort. Minus twenty for execution.” Grayson eventually commented from behind you.

You hated how safe they made you feel.

Hated how your heart stuttered when Grayson looked too long, or when Jaxon’s teasing turned soft.

They were supposed to protect you. Nothing more.

But the line was blurring.

And not just for you but for them as well.