Page 98 of The Closed Off Captain

I lean forward and put a hand on his chest. “Yes.”

He smiles then, a smile that so few people ever see. “Good. Then you won’t mind if I kiss you? It is a date after all.”

“It is,” I agree, licking my lips. His eyes track the movement and suddenly, the air thickens between us. The lightness that was there moments ago is gone. I can see his face clearly because of the streetlamps lighting up the car, so I don’t miss when he leans forward.

“Stop me if you aren’t ready for this,” he says in a low voice.

I have no intention of stopping him. Is he kidding? I’ve dreamed of this for years. The dream pales in comparison as hislips gently touch mine. The kiss is over almost before it starts, and I can’t seem to open my eyes. When I finally do, his eyes are right in front of mine. He reaches up and strokes my cheek gently before pulling back. “Let me walk you inside.”

Somehow, I manage to walk to the front door and even unlock it. When I turn to him, he’s staring down at me intently. “Thanks for a great night,” I tell him.

His eyes flick down to my lips again, and I feel my pulse begin to race. I’m not sure who moves first, but suddenly his lips are on mine again. His arms wrap around me and pull me against his firm chest. A sigh slips from me, and his arms tighten around me. I feel my bag crash to the ground, but I pay it no mind. Something opens inside me at the feel of being in Gunner’s arms, and I’m suddenly ravenous for him. I reach my hands up to his shoulders and dig my nails into the muscle there. He groans deep in his throat and whatever restraint he was showing snaps. In the next minute, we’re inside and he pushes me against the closed front door. I open my mouth for him, and he groans deep again when our tongues touch. I can’t get enough of him, and I feel my legs give out underneath me. Thankfully, his strong arms around me hold me up. We're a tangle of limbs and tongue and heat, and it’s so good. A sound comes from somewhere far away. It doesn’t register at first. Only when he pulls back does it hit me that my phone is ringing. I fumble in my pocket for it. “I just need to make sure it’s not the nursing home,” I say breathlessly. He nods, and I finally grab hold of it, silencing it when I see it’s just a spam call. I drop it back in my pocket and stare up at him. His eyes are darker than usual when they meet mine.

“I better go,” he says gruffly.

I know he’s right. “Thank you for a good night.” He leans forward and gives me a quick kiss on the lips.

“Thankyou.”

He opens the front door, and I can tell he’s reluctant to leave. I’m reluctant as well but know we both have an early morning. “Go before we get ourselves into trouble,” I say only half-kidding.

That seems to be just what he needs to snap out of it. “I like getting into trouble with you.”

I smile. “Yeah, me too. Night, Gunner.”

“Night, Chloe.”

Then he jogs down the stairs and over to his truck. With a final wave, he backs up. I watch as he pulls away and can’t keep the smile off my face. It was an absolutely perfect night. I lock the front door and head to my bedroom to start getting ready for bed. A knock sounds at the front door, and I quickly head that way, wondering what Gunner forgot. I can’t help my grin as I open the front door. Only, it’s not Gunner standing on my front porch. It’s a guy I’ve never seen before, and he’s holding a gun... a gun that he’s pointing at me.

Chapter 43

Chloe

The air in my lungs seizes, and I forget how to breathe. “Back up,” the guy says in a raspy voice. I do as he says, because what other option do I have. My eyes fly to the street, but Gunner’s truck is long gone. I stare at the front porch, wondering if I can be fast enough to rush past him and get to—

“Don’t even think about it,” the man says, pushing the gun into my stomach.

Fear wraps itself around me until I can’t think straight. All I can hear is my own breathing. My heart is pounding so hard, I feel like it’s going to beat right out of my chest. “Wh-who are you?” I somehow manage to get out.

“I’m the one asking the questions,” he says in anger and pushes the gun towards me again. “I’m only here to give you a message. Don’t cause any problems, and this will be painless.” I manage to give him a shaky nod. “You’re going to call your fiancé and tell him it’s over.” Confusion crowds my mind, but I stay quiet. “You got that?” he yells.

“Yes. Yes, okay.”

“Then you’re going to tell him that he’s going to claim Jenny’s baby as his own and pay child support for it. You got that?”

I stare at him as I try to connect the pieces. “You-you’re with Jenny.”

His hand flies out and connects with my cheek, snapping my head back. My eyes water in pain, and I suck in a breath, willing my tears not to fall. I try to focus on him. “I told you not to talk!” he screams at me. He flails the gun around again, and I clampmy lips together. He reaches out and grabs my hair and tugs my hair back, so I’m looking into his dark, cold eyes. “You got all that?” Scared of the consequences if I speak, I nod. He releases me and shoves me back. “Do it then.”

I eye him warily. “Now?” I manage.

“Yes. Now!” he thunders. I slowly reach towards my pocket and pull out my phone. He watches my movements, his gun trained on me. As carefully as possible, I pull it out and unlock it. “Call him and keep it on speaker.” I nod and pull up Gunner’s number. He steps forward and jams his gun into my stomach. “And if he doubts anything, you’re dead. You understand? Make it believable.”

I nod shakily and try to call Gunner, but my fingers are shaking too badly. It takes me three tries to get it to work. I hear it ring and try to calm my racing heart. He answers a moment later. “Hey, Chloe.” His voice is so calm and light, it makes my heart crack. I wish he was here with me right now. Of course, that would only put him in danger too. “Chloe?”

The guy steps forward and gives me a warning look. “Gunner,” I squeak out. I immediately take a shaky breath, trying to calm my voice. “I’m just calling to tell you that it’s over between us.” My heart cracks as I say the words, even though I know they’re not true. I rush on, hoping he’ll somehow know what’s going on and be able to help me somehow. “I can no longer be your fiancé.”

“What are you talking about?” he interrupts.

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