Taking Shots (Assassins) (6 page)

“
All I know is that I can’t wait till next Wednesday to see you.”

Her heart warmed, he was so sweet.

“
It is a long time away.”

“
Yeah, it is. I go to practice every day from nine to eleven. Your studio isn’t far from the arena, maybe we can do lunch?”

“
Sure, I don’t have my schedule in front of me, but I can text you in the morning, let you know.”

“
Sounds good, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“
I hope so.”

“
Good, do you have time to talk?”

“
Um, well, actually I have a friend over.”

“
Okay, well, I’ll let you go, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“
Okay.”

“
Bye, Elli.”

“
Bye, Shea.”

When she hung up, she looked over at Harper, who had the biggest grin on her face. Elli’s hand came up to cover her mouth. Was this really happening? Did Shea Adler want to see her? For real? Not as friends? Elli was on the verge of tears. She had never been so happy and scared all at the same time. Her mind was reeling; Shea Adler wanted to date her!

Harper stood up, came over, and wrapped her arms around Elli.

“
Told you,” she whispered in Elli’s ear as she hugged her tightly.

Okay, how in the world did Shea miss Elli after one date? It made no sense to him, but it was happening. She was on his mind, hardcore. Her smile, her eyes, her legs, everything, he just didn’t understand. No girl had ever made him miss them, ever. And after one date with Ms. Fisher, he was hooked. He was worried last night when he called her; the way she sounded was as if he wasn’t supposed to be calling. It made him feel like an idiot, even though he was pretty sure she liked him with the way she had flirted with him.

And the way they kissed.

Good Lord, it was heaven.

Shea was hard the whole night. Her perfect little lips on his large ones, the way her soft cheek felt in his rough hands.

Jeez, it was hot.

Shea was in the team workout room, running on the treadmill, thinking about Elli, when his phone beeped, he had a text message.

Hey Shea, it’s Elli. I can take lunch for 12-2, anytime between then.

He smiled as he texted her back.

I’ll see you at 12 then.

He kept running and smiled when he saw she sent him back a smiley face. She had two hours? Well then they would spend the whole two hours together, he thought with a grin. Just as he was finishing his workout, Jakob walked in.

“
Dude, there you are!” Jakob yelled.

“
What’s up?” Shea asked as he turned the treadmill off and stepped off as he wiped down his face.

“
So, that girl I was telling you about, I slept with her again Saturday night.”

“
Really? How did it go?”

“
Great, until she kicked me out again! I just don’t understand!”

“
How did you even get in her bed, Jakob?”

Jakob was silent for a moment, “I went over there,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders.

“
Jesus, Jak, you look desperate.”

“
I miss her, when we’re together its crazy amazing, then she goes crazy on me and kicks me out!”

“
Well, get the hint bro, she just wants sex and that’s all.”

Jakob hit his head on the back of the wall, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath. This wasn’t the first time this had happened; Jakob could fall in love with a hockey puck. Shea’s best friend was a hopeless romantic and didn’t care who knew, unlike Shea who kept that stuff in the closet. Plus, Shea had never been with a woman that drove him crazy the way every woman drove Jakob…well that was until he met Elli.

Shea walked by him, cupping Jakob’s shoulder.

“
Let it go, bro.”

When Shea arrived at Time Stands Still, he took in the beauty of the building. It was an old building, lots of white brick and when he pulled the door open to the studio and saw the teal and brown accents, it bought a classic essence to the place. Large photos lined the walls: babies, couples, kids, families, and weddings. He was looking at a beautiful blue eyes little girl when Elli came rounding the corner and again, she took his breath away. She was wearing a teal and green dress. The teal part was a tube top looking thingy and the green had designs all over it for the skirt--it went to mid thigh. Her breasts looked so plump. She must have been hiding them the last time he had seen her. Her hair was in curls down her shoulders, with a feathery bow holding up a part of her hair, but Shea had to admit, the best part of the outfit was her shoes. They were some pointy teal heels and her ankles and calves were screaming to be touched.

Elli wasn’t looking up when she came around the corner, she was looking down at her phone when she said, “You caught me when I walking out, how can I help you?” she looked up with a fake smile on her face, since he knew what her real smile looked like, until she saw him. Then she grinned for real.

“
You can go to lunch with me,” he said as he came towards her. She was still grinning as he kissed her cheek, “How are you, Elli?”

“
I’m fine,” she said breathlessly. He loved when she got that breezing tone to her voice.

“
You look beautiful.” Her face flushed as she looked away.

“
Thank you,” she said, still not looking at him, “You look great, too.” He smiled. He was wearing some ripped up jeans and a tee with his favorite black hat.

“
Yeah, but I didn’t dress up. I’m sorry, I just came from practice.”

“
Shea, you look good, don’t worry about it. I probably over did it,” she said, moving away from him, towards the front desk. She was messing with some papers when he came up behind her. When she froze, he moved her hair off her shoulder, placing a small light kiss on her bare shoulder since he didn’t want to scare her.

“
I don’t think you over did it, babe, but then again, it is for my viewing pleasure.” He kissed her shoulder again, and she turned, leaning against the desk.

“
I’m nervous, so I’m babbling.”

“
Don’t be, you look great. I look okay, so let’s go, we’re wasting eating time.”

Like Elli could eat. Please. She was wearing a dress that showed off too much thigh, in her opinion, her breasts were about to fall out and the damn heels she was wearing were hurting her damn feet!

Damn Harper, this was all her fault.

Elli should have never worn this dress. She bought it back when she was a little thinner. Now she looked like a damn fat man in a little coat. God, she was nervous.

As they rode in Shea’s Range Rover, the first thing Elli notice was that it was super clean, and then that he had a picture of him with his niece and nephew. Her heart melted a little at the sight. It was nice to find a man that loved children as much as she did.

They arrived at Maggiano’s, a really great Italian place on West End. It was actually one of her favorite places to eat and when they entered the back way, they were personally greeted by one of the concierge. She figured that Shea came here a lot.

“
This is my favorite place. I live about ten minutes from here.”

“
My studio always orders from here.”

“
It’s good food,” he said as the concierge lead them to a table in the back. She scooted into the booth, making sure her dress stayed down, as he scooted in beside her. Beautiful music was playing as the concierge went over the wine list.

“
Do you want your regular bottle, Mr. Adler?”

“
Please,” then he turned to her, “You like wine?”

“
I do.”

“
Moscoto okay?”

“
Sure, is it good here?”

“
Wicked good. I love wine. Grace says I’m a sissy boy for drinking it, but coming here all the time, it converted me.” Elli giggled as he smiled bashfully at her.

“
I like wine, but a nice cold beer is how I end my night.”

Shea’s jaw fell open a little as he looked at her lovely, “Marry me, now.”

That had them both laughing, as she turned deep red, because she was pretty sure if Shea Adler ever asked her to marry him, she would die of a heart attack. “No, I love beer, too, but my classier side, is a vino.”

A waiter showed up with a bottle of their best Moscoto and poured both of them hefty glasses. Since Elli knew that it was a dessert wine and you were only supposed to get half a glass, she was surprised to see that she had a full glass. Elli brought it to her lips and took a sip. Both the waiter and Shea watched as her eyes opened in surprise and a little moan escaped her lips.

“
My God, that’s good.”

“
Told ya,” he said with a wink, and the waiter walked off with a grin on his face. Elli took another sip and smiled when she saw that Shea was still watching her.

“
So, what are you going to get?” she asked, hoping he would look away. He didn’t.

“
Chicken Parm, that’s what I always get.”

“
I get the tilapia.”

“
Good choice.”

“
Usually with the zucchini fritters.”

“
Sounds awesome.”

Elli smiled as the waiter came back. They ordered their food and the waiter ran off to fill the order. They sat for a few minutes, drinking and taking in the scenery. She looked over at Shea and noticed that his hat was low, covering his glasses, so she couldn’t see his eyes.

“
I can’t see you eyes.”

He looked up at her with a sheepish look.

“
I’m sorry, babe. I’m trying to make sure we aren’t bothered or I would take my hat off.”

Elli wanted to squeal. He called her “babe!” She had to keep her composure, though, so she took a deep breath before saying, “Oh, fans.”

“
Yeah, they know I like this place. I don’t mind them when I’m by myself, but I don’t want any interruptions.” She smiled sweetly before reaching over and pulling his hat off. He looked at her surprised, as he ran his hands through his hair. She loved how it stuck up in all different ways.

“
I’ll take the interruptions if I get to look into your eyes,” she practically whispered. He smiled, scooting a little closer to her, so that their legs were touching. She gazed into his sky like eyes as she took a drink of her wine. “How was practice?”

“
Good, I feel good about this season.”

“
Another cup?”

“
Hoping so.”

“
I believe in y’all.” He smiled.

“
Then we’ll win.” She laughed as the zucchinis were brought out. As the munched, they talked about the guys on the team: who was looking good, and about the new goaltender. Apparently, he was someone that Shea had played with in the AHL. So he was excited to be on the same team with him again.

“
He’s bad ass, so I’m really excited.”

“
Awesome. He played for Washington, didn’t he?”

“
Yeah.”

“
Will he take Ryans’ place?”

“
No, he’ll be back up.”

“
Okay, good. I love Ryan.” He smiled.

“
Is he your favorite player?”

“
Nope.”

“
Oh, really, who’s jersey do you wear?”

Elli was beat red and luckily the food was bought out so she didn’t have to answer. Shea watched her as the waiter laid the food down and wished them happy eating before walking away. Elli had a feeling he wanted his answer.

“
I’m waiting, Ms. Fisher.”

“
How do you know I wear a jersey?” she asked, trying to deflect the question as she ate.

“
Cause you are a fan, you have a number. Who is it?”

“
I ain’t telling. I don’t want to make you jealous.” He let out a booming laugh, causing Elli to grin as she ate some of her fish. “I’m serious, male egos are so fragile.” He kept laughing as she continued to eat.

“
Whatever. I bet you like Alex Welch, all the girls like him.”

“
Nope.”

“
Tell me.”

“
No way, maybe first game I will.”

Since he would see her, and see the 6 on her arm along with the C above her breast. He winked at her, and dug into his parm. God, he was gorgeous.

“
So, you’re still busy all week?”

“
I am, except Wednesday, but you have that event.”

“
I canceled it.” She looked over at him surprised, he was smiling.

“
Why?”

“
It was just a radio thingy. Jakob said he would go instead. Worked out for me.”

“
That’s cool.”

“
Yeah, since now I’m gonna get you to go out with me again.” Elli looked up at him, surprised and happy all in one. They had only been together an hour and he was ready for another date! She couldn’t believe it, but she wasn’t going to let him in on the fact she was freaking out inside, so she decided to tease him a little.

“
That male ego. I tell ya, assuming I want to go out with you again.”