Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(56)

“Grace, I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t been with anyone in six years, so for me to be with Shea is a huge step. I promise I will not hurt him.”

“Good.”

Just then the guys came in, and Grace put on a huge smile. “Have fun, big guy?” she asked, kissing Ryan’s cheek.

“I did, momma! Unky gave daddy a bruise.”

Grace shot Shea a look while he shrugged, “He got in the way.”

“I did not! You aimed for me!” James complained, showing off a nasty bruise on his bicep.

“Shea!”

“What, Grace, he’s fine. Right, Ryan?”

“Yup, no crying in hockey, daddy,” Ryan said simply, causing everyone to laugh.





Having Elli at his sister’s house was amazing. Having all the people he cared for under one roof was awesome, and fulfilling all at the same time. Leaving tomorrow would suck, but at least he would have this moment to warm him at night when he was alone on the road. Grace and James walked them out, and when Grace wrapped her arms around Shea, she kissed his cheek before whispering in his ear.

“I think so.”

“Huh?” He asked pulling back, looking down at his best friend, his twin.

“What we talked about earlier? I think so.”

When it clicked in Shea’s head that Grace was basically telling him that he was in love with Elli, they were already on the road, going back to his house. It hit him like a ton of bricks, and he actually veered off the road a little, but regained control when Elli let out a screech.

“Sorry, babe.” Elli just smiled shaking her head as they pulled into his driveway, beside her truck. They sat in the truck for a moment, not moving. “Can I ask you a favor, babe?” Elli looked over at Shea, with a small smile on her face.

“Sure.”

“Will you stay?”

“My bag is in the truck.” He smiled, leaning over and kissing her before jumping out to help her out. She grabbed her bag and followed him upstairs.

After showering, Elli laid in bed watching Shea pack.

“I’m such a procrastinator,” he said with a grin, she smiled.

“You just don’t want to go,” Elli teased. He smiled.

“You are right,” he said with a wink as he closed up the last of his suitcases, he would only be gone for five days, but still it felt like a life time.

“Where’s your bag?”

“They already have it at the rink.” She nodded as he climbed into bed beside her.

“Why does Ryan call you Unky?” Elli asked as she laid across Shea’s chest, looking down at him. He moved his hand through her hair, cupping her face.

“This girl I was with last year told Ryan he had a Hunky Unky, and he’s been saying Unky ever since. Luckily he dropped the hunky, that would be awkward.” Elli giggled as he smiled, closing her eyes as she leaned her face in his hand. “You know we haven’t done that whole exes talk.”

Her eyes flew open, “Do we need too?”

“I would feel better if I knew some of your past.” She bit her lip, looking down at his shirt.

“Okay.”

“Have you ever been married?”

“Nope, have you?”

“You are the first girlfriend of my adult life, no.” Elli laughed.

“True.”

“Have you been with a lot of men?”

Elli shook her head, “No, even when I was super skinny, I was really weird about who I dated. I’ve only had sex with four men.” Shea looked away, completely embarrassed, “I know you’ve been with more Shea; it’s okay.”

“Yeah, so anyway, have you ever loved any of them?”

“I thought I loved the last one, but I learned later that I didn’t.”

“How?”

“When we broke up, I didn’t cry. I didn’t even feel anything but relief.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, have you loved anyone?”

“Nope, never. In high school I had the puppy love, but I’ve never loved a woman. I just used them I guess.”

“Maybe.”

“I’m not using you, though,” he said quickly since she made a face, but she smiled, smacking his chest.

“I know,” she said with a shake of her head, “But I need to tell you something, Shea.”

“What?”

“I haven’t been with anyone since that last guy.”

“Okay?”

She bit her lip again, and messed with the bottom of his shirt. “That was six years ago.”

“Say what?” Elli turned bright red; even her eyebrows were red. “You haven’t had sex in six years?”

She shook her head, still not making eye contact. “I was really big Shea, and guys didn’t want me, so when I lost a lot of the weight, I figured guys still didn’t want me, until you.”

“Come on, I know guys hit on you, babe, all the guys at the party said you were hot.”

“Well, yeah, but I didn’t believe that they really liked me. You on the other hand, are very persistent.” He smiled, moving his fingers through her hair.

“Well, good thing for me, huh?”

“Yeah,” she said with a nod, “You think I’m a freak, huh?”