Baby on Board by Dahlia Rose Read Free Book Online Page B

obviously was not for him.
    “Hey, what’s up?” she asked.
    “I was going to cook you those steaks I promised. I assumed you’d be
    home and in for the night,” Rafe snapped and winced. Why did it come out
    like that? Because she’s not dressed up for you, you dolt, he berated
    himself.
    “You know what they say about assumptions,” she replied. “I’m
    heading out.”
    “On a date?” Rafe asked.
    One cool eyebrow rose in his direction. “Yes, on a date. Aside from

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    what Donna said last night, men do find me attractive and want to spend
    time in my presence.”
    “I never said that wasn’t the case,” Rafe pointed out.
    “No, you said nothing at all,” Ivy reminded him. “Thanks for the
    thought of making me dinner. It was nice of you, but I’ve already got
    plans.”
    “Change them,” Rafe said.
    “Why? Because you said so?” Ivy asked. “I think not. I’m not here for
    your beck and call, Rafe, and besides, my date is already here.”
    Rafe turned around to see a sleek blue car pull into her driveway and
    as the man stepped out, Rafe grit his teeth. The man was wearing a casual
    black shirt with the sleeves rolled up and charcoal gray slacks. He walked
    up to the front door and gave Ivy a smile before casting a curious glance
    in Rafe’s direction.
    “You look spectacular, Ivy,” he said, running his eyes slowly over her
    body. “Am I interrupting something?”
    Rafe instantly disliked the man.
    “Thank you, and no you’re not interrupting anything. This is my
    neighbor, Major Rafe Steele, and his daughter Bonnie,” Ivy explained.
    “Rafe, this is Detective Reese Alvater.”
    “Nice to meet you,” Reese smiled. “I’d shake your hand but it seems
    you have them all full. My brother lost his arm over in Afghanistan four
    weeks ago. I don’t know how you guys do it, but damn if I’m not proud
    that we have guys like you out there protecting our country.”
    “Yeah, thanks,” Rafe replied through gritted teeth and then sighed.
    “It’s tough over there. Sorry to hear about your brother. Tell him even
    though he doesn’t know us, we’re all pulling for him. That’s what
    brothers in arms do.”
    “Let me grab my purse and I’m all ready to go,” Ivy said and left the
    doorway.
    The two men were left alone, and a tense silence hung in the air.
    Bonnie babbled at the detective and Reese smiled. “Cute kid.”

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    “Thanks. Tell Ivy I’ll talk to her later.” Rafe turned and headed down
    the steps to the sidewalk. He wanted to punch the detective in the face for
    asking Ivy out on a date.
    “Sure thing, man,” Reese called out.
    Bonnie patted his cheeks with her tiny hands as if to say, “It’s okay,
    Daddy.” Rafe smiled even though he felt jealousy burning through him.
    He couldn’t be angry at Ivy; he held no claim to her. Yet the fact that
    another man was taking her out and probably going to kiss her before the
    night was over made him want to rush back to her house and order the
    detective gone. He stepped inside his own house and put Bonnie in her
    playpen before putting the food he had carefully prepared away in the
    fridge. He went to the window that faced her house and looked through
    the blinds and saw Ivy come out and lock her door. The detective wrapped
    her into his arms for a hug and lifted her off her feet. Rafe saw red and
    watched them get into his car and drive away. He vowed not to look
    outside for the rest of the night. If he saw them come home and kiss, he
    wouldn’t be responsible for what he might do. Rafe spent the rest of the
    evening taking care of his baby while Ivy, in that fabulous blue dress, was
    at the forefront of his mind.

    * * * *

    Ivy sat across from Reese while the music played around them and
    other patrons ate and laughed. They were drinking their first glass of wine
    and she was checking out the atmosphere of the place he chose to take
    her. Noir had a sexy,