Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(134)

They held each other as the song went into another one, and then another before they parted, smiling at each other. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Kinda.”

“There’s a buffet.”

“Let's go, then.”

He nodded, taking her hand in his, leading her through the dancing couples. When they reached the other ballroom, Elli looked up at him, “Where are we? The Belmont?”

“Yup,” he said with a grin.

“I thought so.”

“There are your parents,” Shea said when he spotted Michael and Olivia.

“Why in the good Lord’s name did you invite my mother?” Elli asked in horror as she looked up at him.

“I wanted your whole family here to share you special night,” he said with a shrugged as Michael and Olivia made their way over.

“Daddy,” Elli grinned, kissing his cheek, “Mother.” Elli didn’t move to her, though. She watched as Olivia put an awkward kiss on her cheek and then smiled over at Shea.

“This is beautiful Shea, you outdid yourself with this.”

“Thank you, but it’s my sister’s work. I just came up with the idea,” Shea said as Elli looked up at him, smiling.

“I’ll have to thank her, too,” Elli said, before Michael took Elli’s hands in his.

“Darlin’, you look striking tonight.”

“Aw, thanks, daddy,” Elli gushed as heat filled her beautiful cheeks.

“You do sweetheart, just beautiful.” Everyone looked over at Olivia in surprised. Shea didn’t think anyone was more surprised than Elli was; her mouth was actually hanging open a little.

“Thank you, mother,” Elli said. Shea could see the surprise all over her face and loved the smiled that formed afterwards.

Shea and Elli wished them a good night and then made their way to the buffet, making plates before sitting down with their friends. They enjoyed the amazing food Grace had ordered and the conversation their friends provided them with. After eating, they made their way through the crowd, greeting more of their friends and for Shea to introduce Elli to some of his friends she hadn’t met yet.

“So this is Eleanor Fisher. Damn Shea, she’s hotter than you led on,” Damon Thompson, Shea’s agent said.

“That she is,” Shea agreed as Elli grinned up at both men.

“It's wonderful to meet you, thank you for coming,” Elli gushed as Damon shook her hand.

“It’s my pleasure. I love parties, but when Grace said Shea would be wearing some girlie socks, I had to be here. Plus, I wanted to meet you.” Shea narrowed his eyes at his agent, while Damon laughed.

“You know I can replace you,” Shea informed him.

“You could, but you won’t, we’ve known each other since we were kids, I’m not going anywhere, you and I both know that, brother.” Damon said with a grin, before turning back to Elli, “Like I said, you are more beautiful than he let on, so when you’re tired of him, give me a call.” Damon left with a wink, and Shea’s blood boiled.

“I don’t know why I keep that guy,” Shea said, glaring at Damon’s back as he flirted with one of Harper’s sisters.

“Cause you love him, come on, I wanna dance!”

“Alright,” Shea agreed as she dragged him to the floor as Duffy sang about syrup and honey. Like always, their bodies move with such ease, such skill. The sexy music made Shea want to be closer to Elli, in the naked sense, but that wouldn’t be happening until later on that night.

They danced all through the night, only to stop to greet someone, or to get a glass of wine. Elli seemed to be happy with the company they went with for the wine too, it was apparently one of her good friends’ family wines and it was delicious. Meeting Fallon Parker was just as refreshing as the wine; she was sweet and smart. She also promised him all the bottles of wine he wanted when Elli said he was a vino. So basically, she was a winner in his book.

Shea and Elli were standing with Jakob and Harper when Grace took a mic, smiling out at the crowd. “I think it’s time for everyone to join in to sing to the birthday girl!” Unfortunately, Grace kept the mic as she sang ‘Happy Birthday’. Shea had always known he wasn’t the best singer, but Grace was worse and now everyone knew it. Shea didn’t think Elli cared, though; she smiled and blushed as the three tiered red velvet cake with white butter cream icing was wheeled out. The cake was topped with a sparkling 28, and twenty eight candles adorned the cake in various spots. When everyone was done singing, Elli blew out all her candles with a “yeehaw” for good measure at the end.

Shea was rewarded with a dazzling grin as Elli wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply. When they parted, she was smiling so big at him that it was hard for him to catch his breath. How he could love someone so much and so whole heartily would always be a mystery to him, but he did and was convinced he would for the rest of his life.

As “Make You Feel My Love” filled the ballroom, Shea pulled Elli to the middle of the floor, taking her face in his hands as she placed hers around his waist. He leaned his forehead against hers as they dance together, looking into each other’s eyes.

“This night is magical, Shea.”

“It’s not over yet, baby, we still got the after party,” he leaned closer, bringing his lips against hers, but not kissing her, “in my bed.”