Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(48)

The line went dead and Elli closed her eyes. That woman drove her bat shit crazy just like her sister. Hell, her whole family did, except her daddy, and the kids, they were the only normal ones. Elli thought she could always call and beg her dad not to make her do it, but then he would want to meet Shea, and no telling how that would go since the last time he saw Justin he had pulled a shotgun on him.

Well, hells bells.

“So, killer,” Elli looked up to Harper leaning against the doorframe. “How was last night? You seem extra happy this morning.”

“It was nice, I guess.”

“Please don’t ever tell Shea that you called sex with him nice.”

“We didn’t have sex,” Elli informed her as she saved the pictures and shut the program down. When she looked over at Harper, she was just staring at Elli.

“What do you mean y’all didn’t have sex? I picked you up from his house.”

“We didn’t, we just cuddled, slept. What?” she asked when Harper started looking at her like she was crazy.

“That’s depressing El, you have a fine piece of man meat lying right beside you and you didn’t even touch him?”

“We made out a little, then went to sleep,” Elli said with a shrug as she passed by Harper. Harper followed her down the hall to the front room and stood by as Elli set up for the newborn shoot she had.

“Are you crazy? You’re still trying to hide your body, aren’t you! I thought you talked to him about it.”

“We did, but it doesn’t mean I’m gonna have sex with him now. I’m scared, Harp, let me be.”

“Sex is nothing to be scared of, do it, you’ll like it. I promise.”

Elli shook her head. Of course, she wanted to have sex with Shea, but the thought just drove her crazy, “I probably wouldn’t even know how to do it,” she admitted quietly, “It’s been years, Harp. Not only would I be scared because he’d be seeing me naked, but then I would be crazy nervous I would mess something up.”

“El, it’s pretty cut and dry, one thing goes in the other and magic happens. Plus, it’s like riding a bike, you never forget,” she said with a devilish smile, while Elli rolled her eyes, “But if you’re nervous about it, just do it in steps, tell him your ready to take making out to another level but not ready for sex.”

“Does the next level of making out involve me showing him my body?”

“Why, yes, it does.”

“Then I’m not ready,” Elli said as the door open and a young couple came in with a bright pink car seat, that no kidding, had feathers on it.

“Hello! Welcome to Time Standing Still. I’m Elli.” And off she went, into photographer mode, putting her issues of sex and Shea in the back of her mind as she worked, but like always Shea managed to make an appearance, especially when the father of the baby kissed the mommy’s neck. It made Elli think of him, since he loved doing that. Elli sighed as she positioned the beautiful baby girl on a bright pink flower pillow. What would it be like if this was her baby and Shea was standing behind her kissing her neck?

It would be her happily ever after.





Shea sat in his condo, waiting on Elli. She was running late, but she had texted and already warned him, saying the baby shower ran over a little. He sat in his black Armani suit, with a light blue shirt underneath it with no tie, just the first two buttons open; he had his favorite black chucks on and his glasses, since Elli didn’t mind them. She kind of liked them, which made him happy since he hated his contacts. He got up, going to the kitchen for a glass of wine, when the door open and Elli sailed through going straight by him to the bed.

“I’m so sorry!” she called as she rushed into the room, shutting the door. He shook his head with a smile as the door opened back up and she stood there gawking at him.

“Damn, Mr. Adler, you’re looking mighty fine.” He smiled, smoothing his jacket down.

“Why, thank you.” She gave him a wink, then shut the door. Shea smiled and poured himself a glass before going back into the living room to wait. It seemed so normal, so comfortable. Him, waiting on his girl. He liked it, he thought with a shrug and a smile. He watched all of Sport Center before Elli finally emerged, looking so damn hot; it was hard for him to breathe. Her hair was in big curls, framing her face and shoulders. Her pretty little thighs were peeking out the wide skirt and her beautifully sculpted ankles were brought out by the high heels she wore.

God, she was gorgeous.

“Damn, Elli, I can’t take you out in public, I’ll be fighting everyone at the damn party.” She grinned, coming towards him. He noticed her lips were painted red and luscious was the only word that came to mind. He wrapped her up in his arms, pressing her closer against him.

“I could say the same about you, you know.”

“You could, but you don’t have to, because I got eyes only for you.”

“Sure,” she teased as she leaned up, kissing him softly against the lips.

“Mm, come back here,” he said when she pulled back. He covered her mouth with his, kissing her the way he had been wanting to all day. He had missed her, a lot. Waking up with her in his house had kept her on his mind all day. If it was like this now, without the sex, no telling what it would be like when they finally did it. He probably would be like a hemorrhoid, never leaving her ass alone.