Page 82 of Off-Limits

After a minute or so staring where she stood, I tell myself she’s fine and hop in my car.

I have a Tin Man to meet, I only hope there is no broken yellow brick roads along the way.

Chapter Twenty-Three

HADLEY

Iarrive at Rafter’s Falls at five-thirty. I closed the garage early and gave the boys a couple hours off so I could get here before Dottie. After seeing Kerry-Anne, who ultimately ruined my fucking day, I set the evening in motion so Dottie and I could be alone and not have to worry about anyone dropping by.

Bringing my luggage up the stairs, I open the door and wheel it off to the side, before walking around the hotel room to make sure my requests were fulfilled. I’ve never done this before, beenromantic, but she has changed me in such a short amount of time, and that scares me.

Once I’m satisfied, I walk back to the kitchen and make sure the wine is chilled and the whiskey, too.

Instead of going out for dinner, I decided I’d cook for her. This way we don’t have to leave the room, and we don’t have to worry about anyone spotting us. Although, the chance is rare, it’s not impossible, and I won’t risk Arrie finding out about us until I’m certain this is a forever thing for her.

Goddamn it. Forever. Am I ready?

I don’t even have to answer that question, but it does frighten me how quickly I’ve fallen for my Blossom. I should feel sick, grossed out for the feelings I harbor toward her, but those feelings have only manifested recently. I never saw her as anything but my niece while she was growing up, if anything, I felt like I had to protect her, and I guess I had to an extent.

And I know other people looking in won’t see it how I see it, or even how she might, but I’m done playing the nice guy and pleasing everyone else. Like my pops always said, fuck everyone else, you must be happy with yourself before you can make anyone else happy, and I’m finally there.

I smile at the memory of him, wishing I could go back in time and speak to him once more, ask him for guidance, but I can’t. He’s gone and it’s my fault because I couldn’t get to him in time. I shake the dreaded memory away and focus on what I can control now.

Grabbing the ingredients from the fridge, I line them up on the counter. Feeling hot, I pull my shirt off and throw it toward the blue leather lounge like a basketball. It lands on the arm, and I grin. Still got it. I used to love the sport, but it’s another thing I stopped doing when I met Kerry-Anne.

Shaking another unpleasant memory away, I start on my speciality dish, alla penne vodka. Flicking on some tunes from my phone, I hook it up to the Bluetooth and press play on Times Of Grace. Jesse’s voice is melodic, and it’s perfect for the occasion.

I start with chopping the garlic and onion, followed by the pancetta and get lost in the music. I’m about to put the pot of water on the stove, when my phone vibrates on the bench.

Seeing Blossom on the front screen makes my stomach dip and butterflies to swarm it. Why am I so damn nervous? Opening the message, I see she’s here and wondering what room to meet me in.

I give her the details and tell her the door is unlocked, and then I get back to my task. Placing the pot on the lit stove, I stir the sauce and not even a minute later I hear the door open and close.

I turn around and have to pick my damn jaw off the floor, because there stands Dottie, looking fucking breathtaking. Swallowing, my eyes sweep down the deep plunge in the dark purple dress that barely covers her tits, before it finishes above her knee.

“That smells amazing. Are we eating in?” she says, while I’m still trying to pick my jaw up.

“Sure are, Blossom. Fuck, you look exquisite.”

She ducks her head, but it does nothing to hide the blush or the smile on her lips. How am I going to make it through the evening? Clearing my throat, I motion for her to sit down and pour her a glass of wine.

I can’t stop looking at her.

“Damon, please, you’re making me nervous.”

“You just look so damn beautiful, baby.”

For the next hour, we fall into comfortable conversation while eating and drinking, and although she’s smiling and joking with me, I can tell something is on her mind. I’m about to ask her what’s going on for her, when she short circuits my damn brain.

“I left the plug in…”

Swallowing again, I let the smirk break free.

“Oh, you did, did you?”

She nods her head, her purple curls that are around her face bob with the motion.

“How does it feel?”