Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(118)

“I don’t even think I lasted a minute,” he muttered against her shoulder, embarrassed.

“Probably not,” she answered, he looked up at her, glaring, “but it was the best damn minute of my life.”

A slow grin went across his face, before he kissed her long and hard. By the time they got out of the shower, there was no hot water, and Elli never did get to finish washing her hair.

Not that she cared though.





Chapter 23


Elli was packing when Grace called.

“Hey girl! I need a huge favor.”

“Sure,” Elli said as she threw the new bathing suit she had just bought in her carryon bag, “What’s up?”

“I have a party coming up and the girl ordered matching dresses for her and her friends, well one of the friends is in um, somewhere I don’t know, anyways, she is the exact body type as you, so I was wondering, actually, going to beg if you could come over and have this dress altered to you,” she said. Elli raised her eye brows at Grace’s request. Why didn’t the girl have the dress shipped to her friend, so her friend could have it altered?

Who was she to ask?

“Sure, when do you need it done?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Oh, I’m sorry Grace, I’m leaving for Florida to go see Shea today.”

“Oh, hell, when are you leaving?”

“I think my uncle’s jet is leaving at three,” Elli said as she moved around Shea’s condo, picking up random things she needed as she went through. She had dropped off Adler to Harper that morning, so she didn’t fill Adler’s bowls like usual as she past by them.

“Okay, its twelve now, can I meet you at the dress shop by one?”

“Sure.”

“Cool,” Grace said before giving Elli the dress shop’s information.

They said their goodbyes and Elli hung up the phone before unloading the dishwasher. Elli had been in such a good mood since Sunday, even with Shea leaving Monday, she was doing fine. Hadn’t really been crying or anything, just enjoying the last few days before flying out for the game in Tampa. Elli was full of excitement about her mini vacation with Shea; it was hard to contain.

Harper and Alice would be running the studio and the three weddings they had that weekend while Elli was gone, so Elli had nothing to worry about, which was good since this was the first time Elli would be leaving for a vacation. Lord knew, it was much needed. Elli was ready for the days to come, five days in Florida with her hunky boyfriend?

Hell, yes.

The only thing bringing Elli down was her health. It always happened around this time of year with the winter air, she always felt run down. That was probably another reason why she was so excited to be leaving. Getting away from the cold would be good for her, since it was so easy for her to get sick. Elli really didn’t want to get sick either. She just knew Shea was planning something for her birthday. He had been crazy secretive when she would call him, and when he was home, he was always calling Grace, so Elli knew he had something up his sleeve.

It was so exciting and Elli couldn’t have been happier.

Elli threw her bags into the back of the truck and turned on her GPS with the directions to the dress shop Grace had given her the address for. After getting it all set up, she was on her way. When she arrived at Ann Frances, she wished Grace would have just said the name of the place; it was the same store Jodi had gotten all her bridal wear from, so Elli knew this place well.

After locking up the truck, Elli went inside. Just as the door shut behind her, Ryan wrapped his arms around Elli’s legs.

“Ms. Elli!” he gushed, smiling up at her with his big, bright blue eyes.

“Hello, darlin! How are you?”

“I would be better if I didn’t have to come here? Daddy had a meeting and couldn’t keep us, so mommy dragged us here. I hate this place.” Grace came into the lobby with Amelia on her hip, a great big smile on her face.

“Ryan Justice, you do not hate anything, now stop talking Ms. Elli’s ear off, she has a plane to catch. Come on back, Elli,” she said, as Ryan stomp over to a chair and sat. Elli gave him a smile that he had to returned, before following Grace back to the dressing lobby.

Grace pointed to a dressing room, then said, “The dress is in there. Go ahead and throw it on. Rita will come in as soon as you’re ready.”

“Cool, but I had a question, why didn’t the girl have the dress sent to the friend? Have her alter it in her town.”

“Who knows?” Grace said with a wave of the hand, dismissing the thought. Elli shook her head at the inconsideration of people and headed into the dressing room after laying her purse down.

When Elli’s eyes fell on the dress, her mouth fell open, too, as she took in a quick breath. It was a masterpiece, something straight out of the olden days.

The dress was an off-white fine satin material; the bodice was covered in a sheer layer lace that did a ‘V’ dip in the front. It had a relatively full skirt, with more sheer lace, and a belt covered the seam between the top and the skirt. The belt had a beautiful intricate embroidered swirly pattern with crystals on it.

Elli hurriedly threw her clothes off, taking care as she put the dress on. When she looked in the mirror, she felt like Elizabeth Bennet, dressed for the Netherfield Ball where she would dance with Mr. Darcy for the first time. The dress fit her like a glove; the bodice was tight, showing off her breast, the belt sparkle in the lights of the dressing room, as the skirt whoosh every time Elli moved.