Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(54)

“Are you sure? I’m kinda crazy.” He laughed, kissing her palm.

“I’m sure.”

“Then, yes, Shea, I would love to be your girlfriend.”





Chapter 11





The next couple days flew by. Even with all the weddings, baby showers, and birthday parties, all Elli could think about was the fact that she was Shea Adler’s girlfriend.

Sitting in her glass seats, watching her hunky boyfriend (Yes, boyfriend!) play the night before was awesome. It was ten times better than it had ever been. He would give her little smiles or hit the glass with pucks or just come over and smile at her, which caused people to talk around her, but she didn’t care!

She was Shea Adler’s girlfriend!

Elli was in her truck, driving to Shea’s so they could go to his sister’s for dinner as she listen to her new mix cd. She was wearing a pair of jeans with a cute purple plaid short sleeved shirt. It was getting chillier, but not cold enough for fall clothes, yet. She loved fall in Tennessee, it was so rich with color, so beautiful. It was one of her favorite times of the year, and she couldn’t wait, but it also meant that hockey season would be in full swing and that meant that Shea would be traveling a lot.

He was leaving tomorrow for a week; he had games in Dallas and Tampa Bay, then he would be home for two weeks, only flying out for two games before going back out for a week, but November, that was a whole other story. Shea would only be home for 2 home games. Needless to say, she was not looking forward to November. Elli then thought that she had to bring Shea home for dinner. She was so nervous that he would probably drop her like a bad habit and she would never see him again. So really, she might not have to worry about November.

Well, hells bells.

Elli sighed as she pulled into the parking spot beside his truck and climbed out. She walked up the stairs to his condo and knocked. Shea open the door with a grin; he was wearing a pair of jeans with a Rolling Stone’s tee and a black hat.

Yummy, as always.

“There’s my girl,” he said, pulling her against him to kiss her senseless.

“Hey, you,” she said against his mouth as he held her tightly against him.

“Come on in for a minute, I need you to do me a favor.”

“Sure,” she answered as she followed him in, “Hey, do I look okay? I brought a dress just in case.”

“Yeah, you look great, its casual, babe.”

“Good,” she said as she followed him into the kitchen. He went to the island and turned around with a piece of paper and a key.

“Grace is really busy this time of year with Halloween and crap. She usually waters my plants and makes sure the condo is good when I’m gone. I was wondering if you could do it for me.”

Elli nodded, taking the key and piece of paper with the code to the condo and door from him, “Sure.”

“Great, thanks, babe. Next month will be crazy and with me not being here much. I’m gonna need your help.”

“No problem.”

“Great, ready?”

“Yup,” Elli said with a grin as he took her hand. They left, getting into his truck and driving over to Grace’s house. They talked about the week ahead and what Elli had planned, which was a bunch of weddings.

“Well, if you get tired, babe, you can stay at the condo. I don’t mind.”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“Its fine, if you had planned on staying with Harper, why not just stay at my house, at least my bed will stay warm.”

“I do love your bed,” she said with a grin, he smiled back at her as he pulled in Grace’s driveway. They got out the car and walked up to the house, hand in hand. Shea open the door, calling out that they were here. Grace came from the kitchen, Amelia on her hip and a grin on her face.

“Hey, guys!” She gushed before she kissed Shea’s cheek, and gave Elli a sideways hug. “How are you Elli?” she asked as Shea took Amelia, kissing her loudly on the cheek.

“I’m great, and you?”

“Wonderful, come on, come meet my husband,” she said walking towards the kitchen; Elli and Shea followed just as Ryan came barreling down the hall, screaming for his Unky.

“Unky!!” he yelled, jumping up and down.

“Hey, bud,” Shea said picking him up, holding him in his other arm while still holding Amelia.

“Unky, I played hockey with daddy this afternoon. I won.”

“That’s my nephew,” Shea said as he ruffled Ryan’s hair, which the four year old protested to. With that, Ryan was back down the hall, slamming his door when he reached his destination.

“Ryan Michael Justice! I told you about that slamming!” Grace yelled, causing Shea to cringe.

“Sorry mom!” Elli smiled as Grace shook her head.

“Jesus, Grace, you sound just like mom,” Shea said walking past her into the kitchen. Grace looked over at Elli, exasperated.

“Do you have brothers?”

“Yes, and a sister”

“Jesus, do you ever want to kill them?”

“All the time,” Elli answered simply, making Grace laugh.

“I like you Elli, you’re good people.” Elli smiled as she followed Grace into the kitchen. Shea stood at the island with Amelia on his hip, beside him was James. Elli had seen him at Shea’s party, but never met him. He was a good looking guy, big brown eyes, with brownish blondish hair, he had high cheek bones, and a pointed nose, but he was cute. Not someone Elli would think that someone as beautiful as Grace would settle down with, but really who was she to judge. Shea Adler was her boyfriend; it was like beauty and the beast.