"A good influence? That's even worse," he said seriously, then gave her an affectionate smile when he noticed her serious expression. He loved that look, the one where he could tell she was trying not to smile or laugh. "How is that embarrassing? The wounded soldier, lost and alone, saved only by the kindness of a beautiful stranger? That's damn near poetic." His version of the story might not be the most accurate, but it was an awfully good story.
He huffed when she moved away and he gave her a look that when he'd employed it before was usually accompanied by the words, 'Oh, come on...' Were they really doing this now? He could usually read Bishop pretty well, but he couldn't always tell when she was actually offended or when she was just winding him up. It was problem he'd never had with anyone else, probably because he didn't really care if he offended anyone else, but of course Bishop was always the exception.
Jace decided that even if by some chance she was taking this seriously, he wasn't going to. "Can't it be both? I might still want you around no matter what because I'm absolutely crazy about you." He moved as well and sat facing her, one arm against the headboard where she was leaning. "I know it's confusing, but what can I say, I'm a complex guy, sweetness."
He brought his other hand up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "And I am a total pain in the ass, but I must be doing something right, because you haven't killed me yet."