Trying to Score (Assassins)

by Toni Aleo

  “Can you give me three days of no phone?”

  Fallon laughter filled the plane as she shook her head quickly. “I won’t answer it, but I need my e-mails.”

  Lucas chuckled. “Okay, but that means you will be on the phone the whole way to Cali.”

  She gave him a small grin before looking back down at her phone and then back up at him. “Yeah.”

  Lucas let out a frustrated breath before taking his hand from hers. “Hey!”

  “Hey nothing! You would rather be on the phone than spend time with me and Aiden,” he said in a huff. He looked over at the back of Aiden’s head. “Right Aiden?”

  Aiden only looked back for a second to nod his head before he was looking back out the window. Lucas shook his head. What did he expect from the kid’s first plane ride? Lucas looked over at a wide-eyed Fallon and shrugged his shoulders. “We would like your attention, too.”

  Fallon narrowed her eyes, giving him the meanest look as she slowly leaned over, never breaking eye contact, before dropping her phone into her purse. When she sat back, he gave her a cheeky smile as she said, “Happy?”

  “Very.”

  Lucas slid his hand back into hers and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of her hand. She leaned her head against his and took in a deep breath before letting it back out. Lucas looked down at their hands and took in a calming breath. As he looked down their hands to her skinny wrist, he thought of something and looked back up at her. “Why didn’t you ever get that wrist tattoo you wanted?”

  Fallon shrugged her shoulders as she looked down at their hands. “If I do remember correctly, it was supposed to be both of us.”

  Lucas smiled as it all came back to him. He would never forget that day.

  “Get some ink.”

  Fallon’s body shook with her laughter and it tickled Lucas’ stomach as he gazed down at her. She turned onto her stomach, looking up at Lucas before she slowly placed a strawberry in his mouth. As he chewed, his eyes drifted to where the skirt of her dress was riding up with every move she made. It was so hard to keep his hands off her, he wanted her all the time, and he couldn’t imagine not touching her. It scared him to think that they weren’t going to be attached at the hip after that afternoon. Fallon was starting school, and he was about to start training camp. What was he going to do without her every day?

  Fallon shook her head. “My dad would have a fit.”

  “So? He wouldn’t know until you go home and when is that? In three years?”

  Fallon giggled. “I do go home for holidays.”

  Lucas shrugged his shoulders. “So get it somewhere he won’t see.”

  “No, ‘cause the only place I want a tattoo is on my wrist.”

  Lucas smiled as he picked up her hand and started to examine her wrist. “That would be a very sexy place for one.” She giggled as he ran his tongue along her wrist to her pinkie, where he softly bit. “We should get matching ones.”

  She laughed as she pulled her hand from his, pushing him onto his back and crawling on top of him. “Isn’t that something you do with your soul mate?”

  “Soul mate? What’s that?” he joked.

  She smiled. “You know, that one person, like your momma always says. That person that takes your breath away with one glance, the person you’ll love for the rest of your life, the one that even after 90 years of marriage you still love like you did the very first day. You know, the one.” She gave him a shy smile and then snuggled her face into his neck, giggling.

  Lucas smiled, taking in a deep breath as he ran his hands down her back onto the back of her thighs. He had fallen hard for this girl, and he knew he was going to love her for the rest of his life. No one understood him the way she did. No one could make him laugh the way she could. No one could make him feel safe like she did. She was his person, his one.

  “You are my one,” he whispered.

  She slowly raised her head and looked down at him with the biggest, brightest set of caramel eyes he had ever seen. He had never loved the color of someone’s eyes until Fallon. She was beyond beautiful, and she was all his. “How do you know?”

  “Because I do”

  Fallon’s eyes filled with tears as she glanced down at him. “Is that right?” she said, bringing her hands up to his face and cupping lightly.

  “Oh yeah it’s right, my little country girl. You are mine for forever.”

  Fallon gave him a small smile before pressing her lips to his. He kissed her with everything inside him, holding her close to him as he devoured her mouth. He hoped they didn’t get kicked out of the park for public display but then again, he didn’t care. Something else to tell the grandkids, he thought as he moved his hands up from her thighs to the middle of her back.

  When they parted she grinned down at him and said, “You still love me?”

  He laughed. It had been a week since they first told each other they loved each other, and for some reason, she was having a hard time believing him. To reassure her, he said, “Of course I do.”

  “I love you too,” she gushed, running her nose along his. “So when we are totally devoted to each other and married with many little babies around us, we’ll go get matching wrist tattoos, okay?”

  He nodded as he gazed lovingly up in her eyes. “Totally devoted?”

  “Yup, totally devoted.”

  “Who says I’m not totally devoted now?”

  Fallon giggled. “You very well may be, but we are not married and there are no babies around us.”

  Lucas gave her a naughty grin before he smacked her ass playfully, pressing his hard-on into her cushion of softness. “Wanna start practicing for those babies?”

  Fallon laughed. “You were a total horn dog back then.”

  Lucas looked over at her, confused. “I’m not anymore? Man, I’m going to have to step up my game.”

  Fallon continued to laugh and Lucas joined in, leaning against her as their bodies shook with laughter. When they calmed down, he brought her wrist up to his lips, kissing it lightly as he looked into her eyes. “Totally devoted?”

  Fallon took in a sharp breath as she nodded. “Totally devoted.”

  “I’m there, Fal.”

  Fallon let out the breath she was holding as she shook her head. “What if I’m not?”

  Lucas’ heart broke a little, but he could tell she wanted to be there with him by the way she was gazing into his eyes. “You may not be now, but I think you are almost there.”

  Fallon nodded. “I’m trying.”

  “That’s all I can ask for.”

  Fallon leaned her head against his, placing a sweet soft kissed against his lips. As they parted he ran his nose along hers before reconnecting their lips. Lucas slid his hand along Fallon’s legs, pulling her closer for more, but she stopped him with a giggle as she pulled back.

  “What?”

  She shook her head, moving away from him. She crossed her legs and fixed her skirt before saying, “Not only are we on a plane, Aiden is right next to you.”

  Lucas shrugged his shoulders. “We are at the back, and Aiden isn’t even paying attention.”

  Aiden chose that moment to turn and looked up at them with wide eyes. “Are we almost there? I’m bored.”

  Lucas let out a groan as Fallon giggled, pulling Aiden across Lucas into her lap. As Lucas watched them play a game on Fallon’s phone, his control was snapping.

  When the hell were they going to get naked again!?

  Watching Aiden’s face at Disneyland brought Fallon to tears. She cried the whole time and she knew that both Lucas and Aiden thought she was crazy, but she didn’t care. It was true; Disneyland was the most magical place on earth! The day went too quickly for Fallon and she wished they could have done it over. Aiden was in heaven and Fallon could honestly say that Lucas was too. She wasn’t sure if her favorite part of the day was watching Aiden meet Mickey for the first time or if it was when she and Lucas kissed beneath Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Both times were magical
and she would remember them for the rest of her life.

  They all slept like rocks that night, and the next morning she made a humongous breakfast before they all went out for a day of shopping. It surprised her how Aiden didn’t complain much, but she knew it was because Lucas kept him occupied. Apparently Lucas had promised Aiden that he would take him to the kids’ Billabong, and they had spent most of the afternoon there. Aiden left with so many bags, Fallon knew Lucas wasn’t going to be able to get them in the car — especially after her trip to Kate Spade — but he had somehow.

  The next day, Fallon sat on her bright pink beach towel in her amazing Betsy Johnson black and white lace bikini. She had to have it when she saw it while shopping for Audrey. There was something about the lace, and pretty little pink flowers, that screamed her name. Fallon was ready to break her budget when she tried it on — it fit her body perfectly — but Lucas was basically drooling and demanded to buy it. Even though she told him no, he bought it anyways and she figured she would wear it for him today.

  As she watched Lucas and Aiden run through the ocean, she soaked in the fantastic California sun. There was something about California that could bring a smile to even the saddest person. She loved the sound of the ocean, the smell of the air, and basically everything about it. Or maybe the reason she loved California so much was because it was the place where she first fell in love. When Lucas brought up that day at the park, Fallon couldn’t seem to catch her breath. She could recall everything about that day. The taste of the strawberries that he had insisted on dusting with sugar and the way the sun was so hot since it was the last day of the summer. She had been beyond in love with Lucas and was like she said, totally devoted. He had been her everything.

  As she watched him now, she couldn’t help but feel that way again. How it happened was beyond her, but like anything else between them, it was bound to happen. Fallon watched as Lucas picked Aiden up and threw him in the ocean. Her body jerked with the worry of Aiden messing up his cast but Lucas assured her that he had sealed it well with the plastic bags. Fallon had to trust him so she sat back, breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth.

  When Fallon’s phone rang, she took it as a sign from God to answer since she was ready to freak out with worry over Aiden. She sat up, picking up her phone to see it was Elli.

  “Elli Adler! I’ve been waiting to hear from you,” Fallon gushed. She had been sitting on pins and needles waiting for the proofs from the campaign. Elli had said she would have them to her as soon as possible, but it had been three days and Fallon was freaking out.

  Like always.

  Elli’s laughter rang over the line and Fallon smiled. “Fallon Parker, it is mighty hard to edit pictures, be pregnant, take care of a nine month old AND run a hockey club. Just saying.”

  Fallon laughed. “I’m just pickin’, are you done?”

  Elli laughed again. “Of course I am, that’s why I’m calling you. Janet is sending you the 10 proofs. I am really happy with these and I’m sure you will be too. After you love them, send them to get printed.”

  “Awesome, can’t wait to see them! Are they good?”

  Elli let out a breathy sigh. “They are exquisite. I swear Fallon, y’all are flippin’ gorgeous together. I was actually getting turned on watching y’all make out!”

  Fallon giggled as her body warmed from head to toe. It had been a long couple of weeks of not having Lucas inside her, or on top of her, or anything with her. She was beyond ready, and they needed to find time to do that.

  “You’re making me blush Elli!”

  Elli giggled. “Take a look at them, let me know.”

  “Wait, answer me this,” Fallon said quickly since she thought Elli was going to hang up.

  “What?”

  “How’d it feel being back behind that camera?”

  Elli was quiet for a moment and then said, “It felt fantastic, and I didn’t realize how much I missed it.”

  “Aw, you gonna quit and go back to it?”

  Elli let out a laugh. “It’s funny you say that cause that’s what Shea asked.”

  Fallon smiled. “So are you?”

  “Not right now, I might talk to Papaw about taking it easy, especially with baby number two coming, but I love running the team. I love the guys and I love the business aspect. I feel important.”

  Fallon nodded. “I know what you mean babe. Okay, well I’ll let you go. I’ll call you soon.”

  “Alright, bye.”

  Fallon hung up the phone and went to her e-mail to see that Janet had made quick work of sending her the pictures. Just as Fallon opened the e-mail, Lucas flopped down beside her, breathing hard.

  “Our son tried to drown me!”

  Fallon giggled as she looked over at him. Her eyes traveled down his perfectly ripped body, causing her toes to curl. Jeez, he made her hot with one glance!

  “You’re fine. How’s his cast?” she asked, looking back at her phone. She had to look away, or no telling what would happen.

  “Fine, it’s sealed up well. My mom taught me how to do that.”

  Fallon nodded with a small smile. She was about to say that Molly knows best when a picture of her in Lucas’ arms, kissing him senseless, came up on her phone. She took in a quick breath, a bright smile on her face as she scrutinized everything about the picture. It was perfect — the colors they wore, the backdrop, the hockey bag at their feet — and then them. They were gorgeous. Elli was right.

  “Oh, the pictures came in?” Lucas asked. She nodded her head as he placed his head on her shoulder. She could smell the salt from the ocean, and cold drops of water fell along her shoulder. She didn’t mind too much, she was too busy scrutinizing the pictures. She went to next picture and with each one, her smile grew brighter. They were perfect. She hated orange, but she had to admit she looked good in it — especially beside a sexy Lucas. When she came to the pictures of them in the vineyard, her breath caught. They were stunning, Fallon in a long, orange, mermaid-styled gown and Lucas in a crisp black suit. It was spectacular and Fallon couldn’t be happier. That was, until she came to the close up of her and Lucas with her bottom lip between his teeth. It was racy, but elegant. Only she knew that he was moving his tongue along her lip while everyone else would only see that they were completely in love. He was gazing into her eyes like she was the only woman in the world, and the look of completion on her face was timeless, perfect even.

  “Wow, that’s hot,” Lucas gasped beside her.

  “I know.”

  “I want a copy of that. Can you put it on my phone?”

  Fallon nodded. “Sure.”

  “And get me a big copy for above my bed, because that’s a good picture to go to sleep to.”

  Fallon giggled as she looked over at him. “You’re crazy.”

  “About you babe,” he said, kissing her cheek. “So these will be at the party?”

  “Yup, lining the whole place. Think everyone will love them?”

  Lucas nodded. “I don’t see why not, they are awesome.”

  Fallon gave him a cheeky grin before going back through them again. She couldn’t get enough of them. She even wanted her own copy for her room. They were that good. Eleanor Adler was something, that’s for sure.

  “So do you have a date for this thing?”

  Fallon glanced over at Lucas as a small smile came across her lips. She shook her head slowly as she said, “No.”

  Lucas gave her a sly grin before moving his face close to hers. “Wanna go out with me?”

  She let out a girly giggle, causing him to smile fully at her. She took in a deep breath before shrugging her shoulders. “I guess.”

  “You guess?” he asked with one eyebrow cocked.

  Fallon laughed. “Well no one else has asked me.”

  Lucas narrowed his eyes before he smacked her phone out of her hand.

  “Hey!” she yelled as he stood up. She went to reach for her phone but Lucas took a hold of her ankle and started pulling h
er towards the ocean. “Lucas!” she yelled as sand scratched her butt. “Stop!” she laughed. “Sand is going up my butt!”

  Lucas laughed before stopping and picking her up over his shoulders. She screamed the whole way to the ocean while Aiden laughed like it was the funniest thing he had ever seen.

  “Aiden help me!” Fallon yelled, but Aiden wasn’t moving.

  “Nuh-uh, he’ll throw me!” Aiden laughed.

  Lucas went until he was waist deep in the ocean before he smacked Fallon’s butt loudly. “You guess you will go with me?”

  “I’ll go with you!” she yelled.

  Lucas’ laughter ran up her spine as he brought her down into his arms. He placed a kiss on her lips and when they parted he smiled against her lips. “Good.”

  Lucas then pushed her under the water.

  Fallon came up sputtering for air and after getting the water out of her eyes, she looked up into Lucas’ gorgeous face.

  “I ain’t going anywhere with you!” she spat, stopping his laughter.

  “Really? Cause I can dunk you again,” he said with a cocky grin.

  “Do it Daddy! Do it!” Aiden chanted from the beach.

  Fallon cut him a look as she pointed to him. “Whose side are you on!”

  Aiden giggled as Lucas grinned down at her. “So are we going to safely get to the beach, or am I dunking you again?”

  Fallon glared up at him and then smiled sweetly when she decided she wanted to play nice. “You know I’d only go with you.”

  He gave her a grin before turning and heading towards the beach. That was her chance and she took it, jumping on his back and dunking him underwater. She swam quickly away from him and by the time she heard him sputtering she was already walking up the shore. Aiden was laughing so hard, he couldn’t breathe but that didn’t stop Fallon from picking him up and throwing him into the ocean too.

  When she flopped down onto her beach towel, she shook the excess water off herself and smiled towards her two stunned boys. “Don’t mess with Momma.”

  *******

  Fallon stood in a towel looking down at the four dresses she had laid out for the party. Lucas and Aiden’s babysitter, Susie, was due there at any moment, and Fallon still wasn’t dressed. She couldn’t decide if she wanted to be sexy, sweet or professional. It was driving her insane. When her door opened, she turned to see Audrey looking gorgeous in a pale pink one shoulder sheath dress. Glitter covered the bodice and went down the dress in pretty little swirls. She wore pale pink platform heels with a sparkly bracelet on her wrist and big diamond earrings in her ears.