Page 38 of Under Her

“Exciting is as good as any word.” You’re exciting. You excite the hell out of me.

“You’re from Chicago, right?” she says. It doesn’t sound so much like a question but more like a statement.

“Yep. Born and bred.”

We continue walking on in silence, but it’s not uncomfortable. It’s actually nice.

I can’t remember the last time I walked a woman home like this—without the promise of anything at the end of it.

There probably hasn’t ever been a time. Because, when there’s me and a woman in the mix, there’s always sex at the end of it.

Except with her.

It’s different. And I like it.

I like her.

“So…this is me.” She comes to a stop outside a three-story brownstone on Lincoln.

Looking up at the building, I ask, “Which apartment is yours?”

“Top floor.”

“I’ll see you upstairs.”

“I’ll be fine.” She laughs softly. “My downstairs neighbor, Mrs. Bigly, is like a rottweiler. No one gets in this building if they don’t live here.”

“So, she wouldn’t let me in?”

“Definitely not.” She grins up at me.

“I’m sure I could charm my way in.”

I wink at her, and she laughs.

“I’d like to see you try. Mrs. Bigly’s immune to bullshit.”

That makes me laugh. Her eyes are sparkling with amusement. Warmth spreads across my chest.

Fuck, I want her.

“Oh, your jacket.” She slips it off and hands it to me.

I want to tell her to keep it, but there’s no reason for me to say that without it seeming odd, so I take it from her.

“So…” She takes a step back, and I want to follow her. “Thanks for walking me home.”

“Anytime.”

She seems to hesitate. Then, she turns and walks up the steps. I watch her go. When she reaches the top, she gets her key from her clutch and unlocks the door. She opens it and then pauses before turning back to me.

“I had a good time tonight.”

I smile at her. “Me, too.”

“Good night, Wilder.”

“Night, Morgan.”