Page 55 of Offsides

My borrowed dress—supplied by Piper’s closet—doesn’t even bother me once we get started. It’s long enough that I don’t have to worry about flashing anyone while picking up my ball, and soon enough I just get used to it.

Wide grins on our faces, we return our shoes and Eli tangles his fingers with mine as we head for his car. “Want to get dessert?”

“Dessert?” That’s not typically on the menu for us. But tonight feels special. “What did you have in mind?”

He screws up his face like he’s thinking hard, but it’s his fake thinking face, and I know he’s already got something picked out. He’s probably had it planned from the beginning. “Ice cream?”

“My favorite.” I bump his arm with my shoulder. “It’s like you know me or something.”

He chuckles, dropping my hand in favor of wrapping his arm around my waist. “I know. Crazy, huh?”

“Totally crazy considering this is our first date.”

Throwing his head back, he laughs. “I’ve never had more fun on a first date.” When we get to his car, he turns me and kisses me deeply, his hands cupping my head in a way that makes me feel cherished. Then he opens my door for me, waiting behind it until I’m all the way in before pushing it closed and going around to his side.

He takes us to a local ice cream shop where we both get waffle cones and sit at one of the round white tables in the corner to eat them. His eyes gleam as he watches me lick my ice cream.

Grinning, I make a show of licking it again. “Getting ideas?”

He shifts in his seat. “Mmhmm.”

Letting out a low laugh, I lick my cone again—I decided on white chocolate raspberry tonight. Fruit’s healthy, right? Right. And there are even raspberry pieces in it, so I’m not completely fooling myself about the presence of fruit.

Eli grunts and adjusts his position again, which makes me laugh some more, hiding my mouth behind my free hand.

“Just wait,” he mutters in a low voice.

Raising my eyebrows, I drop my hand to the table. “What’s that?”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You heard me. Over there torturing me. Payback’s a bitch, just remember that.”

“Oh it is, is it?” I probably should be a little more worried, but I can’t help laughing at the idea of Eli doing anything that could be described as torture. At least where I’m concerned. “Anything in particular you’re planning?”

“You’ll see.” There’s a distinct note of warning in his voice, but all it does is make me shiver in anticipation.

“Looking forward to it,” I quip, and he returns my grin with one of his own. But his smile looks distinctly more predatory than I’m used to. Which, again, only makes me want to find out what he’s going to do to me.

He’s right. This is the most fun I’ve ever had on a first date. It might be the most fun first date in the history of dating. My experience might not be vast, but I’ve heard enough stories to know that first dates are often awkward and weird. This is the opposite of that.

Turns out dating your best friend might just be the best idea ever.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Eli

Jackson has agreed to let me have the apartment to myself tonight, with the small request that I let him know when we’re going to be headed there so he can make sure to clear out and not return at an inopportune moment.

I texted him when we got to the ice cream shop, so I’m sure he’ll be gone by the time we get back to my place.

I’m so glad, because the urge to unwrap Dani has only grown as the night’s progressed. And watching her lick that ice cream cone was sweet, sweet torture.

When I threatened to figure out a way to torture her in the same way, all she did was laugh. I can’t really blame her, though. Some part of me would love to just tease her until she’s begging, but I know that once she starts begging, I’ll give in immediately.

I’m pretty sure she knows that too.

She’s quiet when she steps into my apartment, standing in the space between the kitchen and living room and looking around like she’s not quite sure what to do with herself.

After taking off my coat and shoes, watching her the whole time, I approach her. “Hey. Want me to take your coat?”

---