Page 25 of Close Your Eyes

Really? So you hand drew all of them?

Yes, and a buddy of mine is a tattoo artist. I wouldn’t trust anyone else. Some are smaller doodles I designed when I was younger, but my favorite is the skull over my chest. It was one of the first real tattoos I designed.

That’s cool. I’d love to see it.

I don’t think about my message until after I hit send. I just asked to see his chest.

I’d love to show it to you.

I read his message over and over, but before I can respond, Bridgette steps up from behind me.

“Here are some red rose arrangements for the wedding flowers,” she says, plopping a binder down in front of me.

My eyes are bombarded by flower arrangement after flower arrangement for the next hour. Then we head back to Bane’s estate to plan how we’re going to transform the backyard into the event of the century.

We walk the length of the backyard as Bridgette makes a list with everything we’ll need. There’s a lot to be done, and Bane wants the wedding to happen soon. Like a few weeks soon. My palms sweat at the thought of marrying that monster.

But I put on a brave face, and smile, because I know what I have to do. I will do anything to protect my father from Bane.

Chapter 9

Ledger

“Ledger, are you listening to me?” Adele asks from the corner of my office.

I glance up at her, feeling like I’m just seeing her for the first time since I showed up to work—late.

I’m never late, so the fact I was late today shows where my mind is at. It’s all over the fucking place.

“Sorry, what did you say?” I ask, wondering why I can’t concentrate today. Maybe it’s the orbit of the Earth. Maybe it’s because Saturn’s in retrograde, or whatever the fuck that shit means. Maybe I can’t concentrate because I need a break. A long one.

Or maybe I can’t concentrate because when Posey asked to see my tattoo, it turned me on. It caused my heart to beat faster in my chest, sending all that blood straight to my cock.

And then I jerked off hard thinking about her pretty fucking face.

I shouldn’t be having this reaction to her.

I have to stop it.

I can’t text with her anymore.

“I said, we’re having a few clients in tonight that you might want to make feel very welcomed.”

“Who?”

“Mayor Thornberg and his wife, Estella.”

I nod. “Sure, okay. I’ll go make small talk with them for a bit.”

Adele taps at her iPad. “Oh, we have a last-minute reservation. Looks like the Delgados are coming in, and they’ve requested you watch Posey.”

It happens again. My heart picks up its tempo and sends all the blood straight to my dick at the thought of being alone with Posey.

“Fine,” I say and wave Adele out of my office.

I’m fucking pissed, and it’s mainly because of my reaction to this woman. Why can’t I keep things platonic between us? She’s about to get married, for fuck’s sake.

It’s like my mind knows this, but my body can’t stay on board. I’m going to tell her tonight that we shouldn’t continue texting with one another.