Page 109 of The Closed Off Captain

“Getting your sexy body out of eyesight of my brother,” he grunts back. He opens his bedroom door and urges me inside. Before I can say anything, he pushes me against the door. “And I need to finish what we started.” His hungry mouth finds mine a moment later, and all thoughts cease. An urgent need to be nearer to him nearly takes over me. And when he pulls away, I can’t stop myself.

“Gunner,” I say desperately, or maybe I moan it.

His arms tighten around me, and his thumb rubs a circle over my hip bone. He groans and drops his head against mine. “I love my mom and my brother, but I really wish they weren't here.” His bright eyes meet mine, and he reaches his thumb up to stroke my cheek. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for you to say my name like that?”

Clarity hits me as his words settle over me. “You deserve to wait a whole lot longer, Coftman. Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for you to even notice me?” I return, impressed that I can even form a cognitive thought after that kiss.

“I’ve noticed you, Chloe. Every moment of every day for four long years.”

“Mmhmmm.”

He smirks at me. “Do you want more convincing?”

I laugh. “As much as I’d enjoy that, I need to get presentable. Your mom and brother are waiting for us.”

He tugs me back to him. “Let them wait.”

I spin out of his arms. “Not so fast, Coftman. I need to get dressed. Speaking of, I really need to figure out my life. I have no clothes. I need to go back to my house and get my stuff, but I don’t want to stay there a moment longer than necessary. I’m going to sell it as soon as I can. Do you think that’s crazy?”

“No. If you want to sell it, sell it. You can stay with me for as long as you need. You can stay forever if you want.”

“Gunner, don’t talk like that.”

He frowns in confusion. “Why not?”

“Because you can’t just throw stuff like that out. It’s confusing.”

I start to walk towards his bedroom door, but he stops me by wrapping a long arm around me and pulling my back to his chest. “I’m not trying to confuse you, Chloe.” He puts his large hands on my shoulders and turns me around gently. “Let me be crystal clear. That ring I put on your finger was nothing but a precursor to me putting it on your finger to stay. You’re going to end up here with me eventually, or whatever house you choose for us. You can fight it; but it’s going to happen. So, you may as well just accept it now.” He tucks a hair behind my ear. ”You and I were made for each other. There is no other woman out there for me; you’re it. If you choose to have me in return, we will make this thing between us official.” He gives me a small kiss on my forehead. “It may be too early for you to hear this, but...” he pauses and looks me in the eye. “I love you, Chloe Liessman. I have for a while; it just took me a while to get around to seeing it or maybe acknowledging it.” I think I forget how to breathe. He chuckles softly. “Breathe, Love.” I don’t know what to say, and the panic must show on my face. “Don’t say anything; that’s not what I was going for. I just wanted you to know.” He turns away from me and walks over to his dresser. “I’ll take you tonight to get some clothes, but for now, see if this will work.” He hands me a Green Thunder t-shirt.

“Thanks, and I already have a pair of your sweatpants. I’ll change real quick and be out.”

“Take your time. Use my shower if you want.” At the door, he turns back. “You know, you don’t have to go back to your house at all. We can get all new clothes and never look back.”

“Spoken by a rich person,” I mutter. He grins and leaves the room. After a quick shower, I do the best I can to make myself look presentable in Gunner’s clothes and make my way out to the living room.

Gunner’s eyes lock in on me before I’ve even stepped into the living room. I force my gaze away and smile at his mom and brother. “Hi, Mrs. Coftman. Greyson.”

Greyson stands to his feet and wraps me in a warm hug. “Back off, Greyson,” Gunner rumbles. “She’s mine.”

“Is she now?” Greyson asks with eyes dancing.

I shrug. “That’s news to me,” I tell Greyson with a straight face. Greyson disappears from in front of me, and Gunner stands in his place a moment later.

His eyes lock on mine. “She’s mine, and I don’t share.”

Chapter 48

Chloe

“For real this time?” Mrs. Coftman asks.

Gunner turns to face his mom and puts his hand on my back. “For real.”

“Took him long enough,” I mutter; I can’t help it.

His mom beams at the two of us. “Be careful. The next thing you know, she’ll be asking for grandchildren,” Gunner says against my ear. I elbow him lightly in the ribs, making him chuckle.

Greyson crosses his arms and looks back and forth between the two of us, shaking his head slowly. “I never thought I’d see the day.” He punches Gunner in the stomach. “You have totally fallen.”

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