Page 40 of The Closed Off Captain

“If you think I’m going to miss out on this because of a shoulder injury, you don’t know me very well,” he says in a quiet voice that his cousin can’t hear. My body instantly heats up, and I try to tell it to knock it off. My heart speeds up at the feel of him wrapped around me, but I try not to think about it. I try to hold perfectly still and will my heart not to beat right out of my chest.It’s not a big deal,I tell myself. But it’s a lie. I’ve dreamed of having Gunner’s body wrapped around mine for years. And just for the record, this actual happening is a thousand times better than the dreaming of it. His body is hard and muscular, and it makes my body feel soft. Just when I think I can handle this and not self-combust, he leans forward again. “You look amazing in this dress.” His words are right against the shell of my ear, and I can’t help the shiver that runs through me. And then he continues. “But I like the pajama set better.” His arm tightens around my waist; I’m pretty sure he’s doing it because he knows my legs aren’t going to hold me up.

“Perfect,” Olivia says, totally oblivious to what’s happening over here. “Okay, Lovebirds, give me a soft smile.” I try to smile, but it feels like my face is going to crack. Olivia pulls the camera down. “Chloe, give me a better smile.” I try, but it feels brittle.My body feels too hot; I don’t know what to do with my hands. My face feels like it’s on fire, and—

“Chloe.” I turn at the sound of Gunner’s deep voice. I think he sees the panic in my eyes because he reaches up a hand and wipes his thumb so tenderly over my cheek bone. “Relax. I’ve got you.” I feel like I can’t get any air into my lungs, and his eyes pinch together in concern. “My brother’s going to play the best game of his career so far next week.”

“Why?” I can’t help but ask, struggling to follow the change in conversation.

He smirks. “Because you challenged him. Told him to put up or shut up.”

“I just was curious if he was good or not.”

“I know, and now you’ll see.”

“What if he doesn’t have a good game?” I ask.

“Oh, he will. He’s got Chloe Liessman coming to watch him play. Believe me; he’ll play his best. It’s a Coftman thing.”

Chapter 20

Chloe

Gunner’s words have the desired effect. I’m able to relax, and we move into several different poses. It’s not until she wants me to sit in his lap that I freeze. “What?”

“Go ahead and sit in his lap,” she says, like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

“Come on, Liessman. Don’t overthink it,” he says in a low voice, tugging me towards him and onto his lap.

“Watch your shoulder,” I hiss.

“I am.”

“Chloe, you look too uptight. Try to relax,” Oliva says in between snapping shots. If I had a dollar for every time she told me that today, I’d be rich after this shoot. “Okay, drape your arm over his shoulder and let it hang down so we can see the ring.” I do as she says and stare straight ahead, even though I’m practically cheek to cheek with Gunner.

“Relax,” he says in a low voice next to my ear.

“Okay, Gunner, go throw on your jersey,” Olivia instructs.

I stand up and move away from him, grateful for the reprieve. “Do you need help?” I ask.

He meets my eyes. “You trying to undress me, Liessman?”

I roll my eyes. “I mean because of your injury.”

His smile softens. “I’m good. I’ll be right back.”

When he comes back a few minutes later, there’s a pinch between his eyebrows. “You should have let me help,” I tell him. The fact that he doesn’t deny it makes me know he’s in pain. “Are you up to date on your pain pills?”

“I’m fine.”

“I know you’re fine,” I retort. “But are you up to date on your pain killers?”

“No.”

“Coftman.” I shake my head and walk past him to his room where I grab a pack and the water bottle. When I come back to the living room, I hand both of them to him. “Take them.”

He doesn’t argue and throws the pills back and chugs the water. “Thanks.”

“You two are so cute,” Olivia says. “All right. Gunner, I know you’re probably in pain, so we’ll finish this set and be done. Gunner, turn so your back is to me. Chloe, stand in front of him and wrap your arms around his neck.”

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