Page 111 of Offside Rules

I tuck my phone farther into my pocket and look up at him.

"Yep. All set."

Chapter Nineteen

Wolf

I knock on Baylor’s door, then step back while I wait for her to open it.

Ellie: Food’s there. Everything’s ready. Lock up when you leave.

Me: Thank you.

Ellie: Thank me by making sure she actually takes a night off.

The door opens, and I forget to text Ellie back.

She’s wearing a green dress that stops above her knees, her hair loose around her shoulders. I’ve seen her dressed up before. I’ve also seen her wearing considerably less, but apparently that doesn’t stop me from staring at her legs and considering whether I should cancel our plans and get them wrapped around me instead.

"Hi," she says, smiling when she catches me looking.

"You look fucking gorgeous."

"Thank you." Her eyes travel over my shirt and down to my jeans. "Look at you. Taking this dinner thing seriously."

"I told you I was taking you out."

"I know. But you also told me you were fully dressed once when you were wearing boxers."

"Give me some credit. I had a shirt on."

"And we covered why that wasn’t enough." She reaches behind the door for her coat. "Let me get my bag."

I step inside while she picks it up from the chair. Her kitchen is starting to look like a kitchen again, though there’s still protective covering on the floor and a box against the wall. I’d ask about the work, but I hear enough from Dan without inviting another update tonight.

Baylor checks her bag, then turns toward me.

"Okay. Ready."

"Not quite."

I put my good hand at her waist and pull her closer. She smiles before I kiss her, resting her hand against my chest.

I’ve been looking forward to this all day. Taking her somewhere that doesn’t involve a delivery route, a game, or a list of things she needs to finish before she can go to bed.

When I pull back, her fingers are still holding my shirt.

"Now I’m ready," I tell her.

"That was on your checklist?"

"Right at the top."

She laughs and lets go so she can lock her door. I take her hand as we head toward the elevator, trying not to look down at her legs again.

I’m going to take this woman to dinner.

Then I’m going to bring her home.