You didn’t ask for a bodyguard. Definitely not one who looked like he’d rather be fighting a wave than protecting some spoiled Kook girl from whatever mess your dad stirred up this time.

“You know, I’m not a damn babysitter,” JJ grumbled, arms crossed, leaning against your doorframe with his signature smirk. “Especially not for a princess with a silver spoon so far up her—”

“I’m sorry, are you trying to get fired on your first day?” You raised an eyebrow, stepping around him as you tied your bikini top. “Because my dad can make that happen real quick.”

JJ gave you a lazy once-over, not even bothering to hide it. “Wouldn’t be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.”

The arrangement was temporary. At least, that’s what your dad said when he hired JJ to keep an eye on you after some shady threats came in over his latest land deal. JJ was part of the deal — local, off-the-books, and way cheaper than private security. He knew the island. He knew how to fight. And apparently, he had nothing to lose.

But the one thing he didn’t know was how to keep his mouth shut.

“You gonna follow me everywhere?” you asked, slipping on your sunglasses and heading toward the beach.

“Yup,” he said, popping the P like it was a challenge. “Even to your little Kook parties. Especially to those, actually. Wouldn’t want Prince Charming to drug your drink or something.”

You stopped and turned. “You think you’re funny.”

“I know I’m funny.”

The worst part? He was. And infuriating. And way too hot to be walking around shirtless all the time like this was some kind of Calvin Klein ad in the jungle.

“You’re impossible,” you muttered.

JJ leaned in close, his voice low and smug at your ear. “And yet… you haven’t told me to leave.”

You didn’t respond. Mostly because you didn’t trust your voice. Not with him that close.