Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(16)

“You are right on that one,” he said with a grin, “Did you really think you would get far, leaving like that?”

“No, but it was fun seeing the horror on your face.”

“Hey, I can’t have my beautiful date run out on me. Remember my fragile male ego?” he said with a teasing smile.

He called her beautiful…

“Oh, yeah, totally forgot about it” she said with a shy grin. She looked over at him, so happy to be with him. “You are-”

“Excuse me.” Elli looked up at a long legged blonde, but the blonde wasn’t looking at her, she was looking at Shea. “You’re Shea Adler, right?”

“I am, and you are?”

“Cindy! Hi, I’m sorry to interrupt your lunch, but can I have your autograph?”

“Of course,” Shea scooted out of the booth, and signed her shirt that happened to be an Adler shirt. That’s when the swarm happened. Everyone came up, asking him for his autograph and, of course, he signed everything, while sending her a forgiving smile. Elli smiled back and continued to eat.

When she was finished eating, she looked at her watch. She needed to go; she had an appointment at 3:30. Thankfully, Shea looked over at Elli and she tapped her wrist, mouthing she had to go.

“I’m sorry everyone, I gotta go.”

People protested as Shea handed his credit card to the waiter, along with his food, so they could package it up. “I’m sorry, Elli.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she said as she gathered her bag of leftovers and followed him out. He opened the door for her and she climbed in. When he got into the truck, he started it and drove off without a word.

“So, what’s your favorite movie?” Elli asked since she still wanted to know some things about him. Shea looked over at her, and smiled.

“Miracle.”

“A classic.”

“It is.”

“This is our time! Their time is over!”

“Their time is over? Come on, babe, if you’re gonna quote the greatest movie ever, get it right,” he said with a teasing smile.

“Oh, hush, I got most of it!”

“You did, I’m impressed.” She smiled proudly, but her smile fell when he pulled into the studio parking lot. He got out just as she turned to say bye. She watched as he walked around the truck, opening the door to let her out. Elli climbed out and Shea moved closer towards her, trapping her between him and the truck. “I had a great lunch, Elli. I’m sorry about the end, though.”

“I told you it was fine. I asked you to take the hat off, so I was basically asking for it.”

“Still, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, it was a beautiful lunch. I had a great time.” She smiled sweetly, and he took another step towards her, leaving no room between them. His hands came up around her waist, pulling her to him as he looked deep in her eyes. Her breathing hitched because she knew he was going to kiss her again. She tried to steady her breathing, but with Shea Adler this close to her, it wasn’t working. Shea smiled before covering her mouth with his. He kissed her softly, before slowly teasing her lips with his tongue, asking for permission to come in.

Elli hadn’t kissed like that in so long that she was scared out of her mind, but she open her mouth for him, playing with his tongue with her own. His grip on her hips became tighter as he brought her even closer to him. Elli’s hands rested on his chest as he kissed the stuffing out of her. When he pulled back, they both were breathing hard. He rested his head against hers as he looked into her eyes.

“Jesus, you’re gonna be the death of me, baby.”

“I could say the same about you, Shea,” she whispered with a small smile. He smiled before taking her mouth with his again. This time it was slow, sweet. He gave her three more small kisses before letting her past him. “Bye,” she said with a small, shy wave.

“Bye, I’ll call you.” She turned when she got to the door.

“If I don’t answer, I’ll text you. I have that wedding tonight.”

“Okay, bye.”

“Bye,” she said with another shy smile as she walked into the studio. Once inside, she leaned against the wall, trying to control her breathing. At the sound of laughter, Elli looked over at the front desk to see Harper, an amused look on her face.

“I mean, jeez El, ya’ll need a room next time.”

A room? With Shea, alone?

Elli slid down the wall, groaning. Lord, help her if that ever happens.





Elli kissed like a dream. Shea had left her with a dumb grin on his face as he drove back to his condo. God, she was amazing. So beautiful, so understanding, so perfect, she loved hockey movies! Hell, she loved hockey! Just being with her made him feel so safe, so happy, it had never felt like that before. No girl made him want to call her as soon as he left her, just to hear her voice. No woman ever made his blood boil with just one kiss, one touch.

What the hell was going on?

Shea pulled into the spot in front of his condo, and turned the car off. He reached for his phone and texted Elli, since he knew she had clients.

Am I on your mind, the way you’re on mine?

As soon as he pushed send, his phone rang, it was Grace.

“Hello, my loving brother,” she cooed in the phone.