Taking Shots (Assassins) (36 page)

He fell onto her as she fell onto the bed, her face in the pillows as his face buried into her hair. He fought for his breath, as did she as they laid, still connected with him on top of her. When their breathing finally returned to normal, Elli moved her face to the side so she could talk. “Shea.”

“
Yeah, baby,” he muttered in her hair.

“
I can’t breathe.”

He chuckled as he removed his self out of her, rolling off her lying on his back. “Jesus, that was amazing.”

“
So damn good,” she said as she nuzzled into his side, kissing his chest, licking his nipple before looking up at him.

“
I need to clean up, but I can’t move.” Elli smiled, kissing his chest again.

“
Shea,” she whispered, he looked down at her as she looked up at him, with a small smile on her face, “You make me feel so special.”

“
Baby, the word special has a lot more meaning when it comes to you.”

Elli laid across Shea’s chest in completely ecstasy. What in God’s name was she waiting for? This man was a sex machine, sex on legs, a sex god! She had never come so hard in her life. He did things to her, and she wanted more.

A lot more.

Shea ran his hands through her hair, then down her back, over her bottom, then went back up and started it all over again. It was hypnotic and soothing all in one. God, she adored this man.

She was gonna miss him so much.

“
Tell me something I don’t know.” She smiled, before looking up at him; he had that satisfied grin on his face, along with his eyes only be partially open as he looked down at her. “I want to know everything.”

“
Umm? Well,” she popped her head up on her hand, her other finger tapping her mouth as she thought. “My middle name is Rey.”

“
Eleanor Rey?”

“
Yes, it’s after my Papa.”

“
Gosh you’re country, as hell,” he said with a laugh, she smacked his chest as she giggled.

“
You love it.”

“
Oh I do, my ‘country cutie with rockin’ roll booty’,” he said quoting one of her favorite country songs at the time.

“
What’s yours?”

“
Ryan.”

“
Aw, was Ryan named after you?”

“
But, of course, kid’s awesome, I’m awesome, it was a done deal.” Elli giggled as she rolled her eyes; he smiled, running his hand through her hair, putting behind her ear. “Tell me something else.”

“
Have I ever told you when my birthday is?”

He thought it over for a moment, “No, that’s weird. When is it?” he said with a laugh, she smiled.

“
In a month and a half, December 17.”

“
Really?!”

“
Yeah.”

“
Well damn, good thing you told me, I’ll have to get you something special, take you out somewhere nice. Make sure you have that night off, hell, that day,” Elli blushed as she shook her head.

“
Don’t even bother with it. My birthday has not been a big deal since I was six. My dad is the only one that makes a big deal about my birthday, and my friends have a dinner for me.”

Shea shook his head aggravated, “Well, it’s important to me, so just planned to be spoiled that day.”

“
You don’t even know if you’ll be home.”

“
Oh, I’ll be home.”

“
You’re gonna miss a hockey game for me?” She knew he was off, it was at the end of one of his break and he had a home game two days after her birthday.

He smiled bashfully at her and then shook his head, which made her laugh. “But I promise we’ll do something if I do have a game.” She rolled her eyes, and laughed.

“
You don’t have a game; it’s at the end of your break.”

“
Awesome, I was worried for a second there,” She continued to laugh as she gathered her in his arms, so they were facing each other. “Mine was in May.”

“
I know, May 16
^th
.”

“
Oh yeah, I forgot, crazy stalker fan,” She gave him the meanest look she could but failed when she started giggling. He smiled, placing a sweet kiss against her mouth. “What am I going to do without you for two weeks?”

A sad smile replaced her wide happy one, and she shrugged her shoulders, “Probably the same thing I’m gonna be doing.”

“
Which is?” he asked with a playful gleam to his eyes.

“
Go crazy.”

Like always, Shea wasn’t packed to leave. Elli and Adler sat on his bed watching him run back and forth throwing things in his bag and then disappearing into the closet. Elli shook her head as she took a deep breath, letting out a sad sigh as she picked up his wrinkled clothes and folded them, putting them back in his suitcase neatly. She needed something to keep her hands busy or she would pick her nails all to hell. They had laid in bed all morning, feeding each other breakfast and just being with each other, both of them watching the clock as the morning progressed. Shea being Shea waited thirty minutes before having to leave to take a shower and pack. He wasn’t even dressed as he ran through the condo like a chicken with his head cut off.

“
Do you need help?” she asked sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs open, holding his shirt between her legs.

“
Um, no, baby, thanks,” he said quickly as he went back into his closet. When he came out he was wearing one of his suits, and that’s when it really hit Elli that he was leaving. She took another deep breath in, and got up, leaving the room. Adler was on her heels as he followed her into the kitchen, where she got a bottle of water out of the fridge and started drinking it as leaned up against the counter. She glanced over at her phone that was lying beside the sink, it was blinking. She picked it up and there was a text from Harper.

So…this sucks. I don’t want him to leave.

Elli shook her head, and typed back quickly.

I don’t either, I feel like if I cry he’ll think I’m stupid.

Harper answered back quickly.

Elli, I’ve been crying all morning, I’m pretty sure Jakob thinks I’m crazy.

Aw. Elli just smiled, she was so happy for Harper, loved that she had finally found her someone that meant something. Elli’s phone beep again and she looked down to see another text from Harper.

I told him, I love him.

What!

I know, but I do. He said he loved me too.

Oh my god, Harper, that’s awesome, babe.

I’m so scared.

Don’t be. He’s amazing.

He is, but what if I cheat on him?

Okay, with anyone else that would shock them, but not Elli. She knew Harper would be nervous about that, but Elli would be there for her, like Harper had always been there for her.

Won’t happen.

You sure?

Damn sure.

Thanks Elli, I’ll see you soon?

Yeah, waiting on Shea to finish packing.

Elli laid her phone down just as Shea came into the kitchen, carrying his bags and laptop case. He laid everything on the couch and bent down picking Adler up, hugging him close to his body. She was going to complain about Shea’s suit, but he wouldn’t listen anyways.

“
You take care of your mom, okay, bud? See you soon,” He kissed Adler’s head before putting him back on his feet, looking over at Elli.

“
Ready baby?”

Elli nodded, and they left, packing Shea’s stuff in the back of his truck. Elli was nervous about driving it back from the airfield, but Shea assured her she would be okay. They rode in silence, Elli’s hand in Shea’s as he drove with their hands on his thigh. She was trying so hard not to cry but when they pulled up to the airfield and Elli saw the plane, her heart just broke. She knew she was being a baby, but it just sucked, she didn’t want him to leave. Shea took in a deep breath, kissing the back of her hand before jumping out and opening the back of the truck, pulling out his bags. Elli got out of the truck, and went around the truck to help carry something. He gave her his laptop case, before shutting the back of the truck, and handing her his keys. She pocketed his keys as they walked up the walkway through the building to the strip that would take him to the plane.

Women and children stood around their hockey players, kissing and crying as they hugged them tightly. Elli saw Harper and Jakob making out and her heart broke at the sight of Harper’s face, blood shot eyes with tears running down her face. Jakob had her face in his hand, trying to kiss away the tears that kept falling. Mary Ann stood with Alex, with their four little girls surrounding him, smiling with tears in their eyes. A man came up and took Shea’s bags from him. After telling him thank you, Shea turned to look at Elli.

“
So like I said, stay at the condo when you need too.”

She nodded, “I will.”

“
I’ll text before I call, just in case you’re busy.”

“
Okay, I’ll make sure to do the same,” She looked down at the floor as the tears rushed to her eyes, she hated goodbyes. “You better keep you’re GP up, I want you to get the Norris this year.”

He laughed, pushing his glasses up on his face, “Will do, you’ll be watching, right?”

“
I don’t miss a game.”

“
Good,” they both stood there, not touching or looking at each other, both not knowing what to say. “God, this sucks,” he said in a sigh, making Elli smile.

“
It really does.”

She watched as his converses came a little closer to her canvas shoes, feeling his arms wrap around her waist. He nudged her face up with his fingers under her chin, making her look up at him. “I’ll be gone for two weeks, don’t keep that face hidden for me,” Elli gave him a small smile but she couldn’t keep in the tears that leaked out and ran down her cheek in. She soaked in the sight of his face, the scars, the one dimple, his beautiful blue eyes, the glasses that drove her crazy, and the way his hair fell into his eyes. She wanted to make sure she wouldn’t forget, even though she knew she wouldn’t. Not only had she taken pictures of him all weekend, but his face would be forever burned into her memory. It was like he was doing the same, taking in everything about her. She wished she had done something with her hair, instead of throwing it up in a bun. Wished she had put on some better clothes, but she felt so comfortable in his shirt and her favorite jeans.

“
I’m gonna miss you something stupid, Shea.” she blurted out as the tears started falling faster, “I’m sorry, I’m such a baby,” she complained wiping her eyes, and laughing. He took her hands down from her face, cupping her in his hands, running his thumbs along her cheeks as he looked deep into her eyes.

“
I’m going to miss you more Elli, so much more.”

Elli’s lip wobbled as another round of tears fell down her cheeks. He brought her lips to his, kissing her long and hard. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, wanting to climb up his body and live in his arms as she kissed him. She wouldn’t be able to kiss his beautiful mouth for two weeks, so she was gonna get her fill.

And boy did she.

When they finally parted, Elli noticed that people were walking back to their cars, wiping their eyes, and trying to calm their children. Elli looked back up at Shea, and he was looking at the plane before looking back down at her.

“
I need to go, they are boarding.”

Elli nodded, as she brought her lip between her teeth. “Be safe, and come home in one piece.”

He nodded slowly before kissing her deeply once more, he took a step back, kissing her knuckles, and then looking up at her. “Better not get a new boyfriend while I’m gone,” he teased with a wink as he started walking away, their hands still connected.

“
Never.”

He stopped, and then pulled her back to him, kissing her again. She savored it, not rushing him even though everyone was basically on the plane. He pulled back again, and this time he went, dropping her hand as he walked away from her. Elli watched every step he took, tears falling with every step, her heart pounding in her chest as she watched him board the plane, and the door shut. Since she was pretty sure watching the plane leave would break her, she turn and walked back to Shea’s car. She heard the plane start, and then she heard it take off.

And he was gone.

Shea had to fight the tears that were threatening to fall. Walking away from Elli was his undoing; he didn’t want to leave her, not even the thought of kicking some ass made him want to leave Elli. He wanted to be back in bed with her, her wrapped in his arms, giggling or moaning, whichever came first.

“
Yo, Adler, who was that girl?” Shea looked up and over at Sergei, who was sitting next to Alex. Jakob was sitting next to him and what an ass he was; he hadn’t even greeted his best friend yet.

“
My girlfriend.”

“
Girlfriend? Shit Shea, who am I supposed to pick up chicks with now?” Shea shook his head, shrugging his shoulders.

“
Not me, I’m a taken man.”

“
I thought I would never see this day. Shea Adler has a girlfriend, shit.” Sergei shook his head as he put his headphones on. Shea look back down at his hands, wishing Elli’s hands were in them.