Page 31 of Taking His Heart

By the time I reach CJ’s door, I still haven’t come up with a way to hand him these papers without actually seeing him. But then, as if an angel is watching down on me, my sister appears.

“Rosie, thank god,” I whisper.

“Why are we whispering?” she whispers back.

“I need you to give these to CJ. Tell him his dad wants him to sign them.” I hand her the stack of papers.

“What are they?” She looks down at the pile in her hands and starts flicking through them.

“Don’t look. It’s not our business what they are,” I remind her.

“Maybe not, but I’m nosey so I’m gonna look,” she says.

“Your nosiness is going to get you killed, Rosie. Stop reading those.”

My sister’s eyes widen before she peers up at me. “Do you know what this is, Daniella?”

“No, because I’m not nosey. I’m not reading through other people’s personal documents. And you shouldn’t either.” I take the papers back from her, turn the handle of CJ’s door, and walk in without knocking. A mistake I realize the moment my eyes land on a very-naked CJ.

“Dani, come for another round of questioning?”

“Ah… sorry,” I mumble. “These are yours. Your dad wanted me to give them to you. I’m just going to leave them here. Your dad said to tell you they need to be signed.”

I drop the paperwork on the edge of his bed as I do everything in my power to avoid looking at him, because if I get another glimpse of everything that is a naked CJ, I’m going to be telling him: Yes, I do want another round of questioning.

“Are you blushing, darling?”

The gravelly tone of his voice has me squeezing my thighs together. The memory of how he filled me in the pool too fresh in my mind. I can resist CJ. I can resist temptation.

I turn and huff out a breath. “No, I’m not blushing.”

“You sure.” CJ waves a finger at my face. “Because those cheeks look a pretty shade of red.”

“Shut up, CJ!” I growl. “And put some damn clothes on. Not everyone wants to see your junk.”

“No, not everyone, but you do. It’s why your eyes are struggling to reach my face.” He chuckles.

My head snaps upwards. I was purposely trying not to make eye contact with him, because when I do, I get lost in those dark eyes of his and I never want to find a way out. As my gaze moves higher, though, I catch sight of a bandage over his torso and then it hits me.

“You were shot.”

“Better me than you,” he says.

“No, I mean you were shot, CJ. You have a wound and you just jumped in the pool.”

“Come on, Dani. I didn’t just jump in the pool. We both know what happened out there. Unless you’ve forgotten and need a little reminder? I’ll be happy to help you remember, darling.”

“Do you ever think about anything but sex?”

“Yes,” he deadpans.

I shake my head. “You should see a doctor, CJ. That could get infected.” I point at the dressing.

“It’s fine,” he says, folding his arms over his chest.

“Why are you still naked?” I huff again and make my way to his door.

“I was waiting to see if you were going to make the most of the opportunity.” He laughs. “Guess that’s a no? It’s fine. I’ve got places to be anyway.”