by Toni Aleo
“I am, I have about thirty minutes until I get there.”
“Okay, so did you hear about the Potter trade?” he asked, and that threw them into an awesome conversation of hockey. She loved talking hockey with Shea. He actually knew what he was talking about, unlike her brothers. They were idiots and they only liked the fights. Elli was home before she knew it; she pulled into her drive and smiled at Adler, who was in the window, wagging his little pug tail.
“I’m home,” she said after a moment of silence.
“Okay, so I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yup, seven right?”
“Right.”
“Do you still want to pick me up? I’m cool with driving in town.”
“I’ll be there at seven. I want to see your house.”
“Okay, well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Alright, babe, bye, sweet dreams.”
“You, too, bye.”
Elli hung up the phone with a grin on her face as she walked up the sidewalk to her house. She loved on Adler as she came in and then let him out as she moved through the house. After hanging her dress up and taking her shoes off, she went to let Adler back in. She stood in the doorway, waiting, and looked behind her to her Assassins wall. There was a fathead of the team’s emblem and then pictures from the game, mostly of Shea, since he was her favorite player. There was also a signed jersey that her uncle had gotten her that year to go with her season tickets. Shea’s signature was in the middle, right beside his number. She loved her little entry way, it was totally Assassins’ decked out.
“Oh, shit!”
She looked around in horror. She was dating an Assassin and when Shea saw this he would think she was a freak!
“Oh my God, and he’s coming here tomorrow!”
Chapter 6
Shea was looking really good, in his opinion, as he drove to Elli’s house. The suit he had picked out fit him perfectly and he was having a great hair day. He was going to put his contacts in, but he couldn’t find them. He was extremely excited about seeing Elli, even after the conversation him and Jakob had had that day.
“Dude, you’re making yourself too available!” Jakob bitched as Shea texted Elli, “You’re always talking to her and she’s going to think you’re desperate.”
“No, she won’t. I just like talking to her,” Shea said defensively, “So shut up.”
“You’ve seen her every day since Sunday. You are smothering her!”
“I am not! I just want to get to know her,” Shea looked back up at him, glaring, “and this coming from the guy that stalking what’s her name.”
“Harper, but I love her.”
“Oh, my God, really dude? It’s been a week!”
“I know the one when I see her.” Shea stood up, wrapping a towel around his waist.
“You know what, before you try giving me advice on how to date girls, get your love life square.”
Shea shook his head just thinking about Jakob declaring love for Elli’s friend. It made no damn sense, but it really didn’t matter. He was going out with Elli in a matter of minutes.
Her house wasn’t hard to find. It was one of six on the road she had given him. He saw her truck before he saw the house. That damn truck, a girl shouldn’t be driving it, a man should. He shook his head as he pulled up behind it and got out. He was so mesmerized by her truck that he didn’t notice her sitting on the porch in a rocking chair. She stood up, looking as beautiful as ever in a light colored dress.
“Hey,” she said with a wave, crossing her legs. She was wearing some naughty looking boots that had chains on them.
“Hey, I was going to come to the door,” he said as he walked towards her. She looked nervous as she came down the stairs.
“Yeah, my dog jumps on people.”
“How high can a forty pound pug jump?” he asked with a laugh.
“Hey, shut up. Let’s go,” she said pulling him towards the car.
“You don’t want to show me the house?”
“No, I’m ready to go. Plus, I don’t want my dog to mess up your suit.” She took his hand in hers and started for the truck. He went along with it. If she didn’t want him in her house, fine.
For now.
He opened the door for her and she climbed in, grinning back at him. He returned the smile, and then went around, getting in himself. He pulled out of her driveway and they were off.
“I told you I should have just drove,” she said from beside him. He looked over at her.
“What?”
“You’re mad.”
“I am not.”
“Yes, you are. You get that tick in the side of your jaw when people irritate you.” He had to smile at that. That’s how he knew for sure she was a hockey fan. His tick was documented as a way for is opponents to watch the hell out.
“That doesn’t mean I’m mad.”
“True, but you are irritated. I’m sorry Shea. I’m just not ready to show you my house.”
“Can I ask why?”
“I’d prefer ya didn’t.”
“Okay,” he took a deep breath, trying to calm his irritation, “but I still want to pick you up and walk you to the door at the end of the night.” He looked over at her and she was biting her lip. He reached over, taking her hand in his. “You look beautiful tonight, Elli. Gorgeous.” She blushed and looked out the window.
“Thank you. I like your tie.” He smiled as he looked down at his pink tie.
“I thought you might.”
Nothing else was said as they drove; it was a nice, comfortable silence. With other women, he always felt like he had to keep talking, but with Elli, all he needed was her small soft hand in his and he was golden. Nothing in the world could bother him, except for the fact she wouldn’t let him in her house.
They arrived at PF Changs right before their reservations. After helping Elli out of the truck, Shea gave the keys to the valet and took her hand before leading her in. The hostess already had their table and they followed her to the back. Since he couldn’t wear a hat tonight, he asked to be in the back somewhere and the restaurant obliged. They were seated at a corner table where they scooted into the booth, next to each other.
“What’s good to drink here?” Elli asked as she looked over the menu. He looked over at her from his menu.
“I was going to get us a bottle of plum wine, it’s really good here.”
“Sounds good,” she said with a nod, and a smile. “Your hair looks extra spiky today.” She reached up and tapped his head with her palm, making him laugh.
“Yeah, when I don’t wear my hat, I make sure my hair looks good.”
“It does,” she said with a grin as the waiter came over to take their orders. Elli knew what she wanted and so did he, so they ordered their food, too. The waiter smiled thanks before leaving to put in the order.
“So how was your day?” he asked her as he took a drink of the wine another waiter had brought over.
“Good, not that busy. Next two days will be hell, though.”
“Oh really? No lunches?”
She had a sad smile as she shook her head, “No, I’m booked solid.”
“Well, that sucks. Who am I supposed to eat lunch with?” She smiled.
“I’m sure you can find someone.”
“Maybe I don’t want to eat with anyone but you.” She grinned before taking a drink, her cheeks a bright red. “What are your plans for the weekend?”
“I’m spending the day with my nieces and nephews Saturday, then that night I got a wedding. Sunday is free except in the morning, I got church and at night my friends will be coming over.” Her face lit up as she smiled. “My friends and I do this thing every month, where we get together, drink, eat, and play games, its fun.” He nodded as he took a drink and leaned back in the booth.
“Sounds like fun,” he said.
“It is,” she agreed, taking another drink of her wine.
When their food arrived, they talked about foods they liked and d
idn’t like, but they both agreed that nachos were the best hockey food ever. They talked about more movies they liked, then music, and, of course, hockey. The food was amazing, like always, but the company was even better.
“I need to ask you something, Shea,” Elli said as she took another drink of her wine. He nodded as he took a bite of the dessert they had ordered.
“Okay?”
“This is gonna sound stupid, but I need to know.” She looked worried; she was biting the hell out of her lip, so Shea got nervous, sitting up straighter. He looked over at her as he laid his fork down.
“What is it?”
“Okay, so I know I’m not your regular type. I’ve always seen you with the leggy blondes and never with the same girl. I even read somewhere that the same girl doesn’t sit in your box more than once, so I guess what I’m trying to say, or ask even is that,” she took a deep breath, and he couldn’t help but smile at her, she was so sweet, “Is that, we’ve been out four times now, I’m not seeing anyone else, and I’m not saying that you can’t see anyone else, that’s not what I’m trying to say, it’s more like,” she was flustered, he could tell, but he also knew to let her get it out, so he sat patiently until it was time for him to answer “Why me? You know? I mean, I’m pretty sure there isn’t anyone else, if there is, I would like to know, but why me?” He shook his head.
“There isn’t anyone else.”
“Okay, so why me? You can have any girl with the flick of a wrist. I mean, I guess it’s just hard for me to believe that you want to spend time with me.”
“Why’s that so hard to believe?”
“Because I’m me and you’re you. I just a normal citizen, while you’re a celebrity. I’m ordinary, while your gorgeous, and-“
“Okay, shut up,” he said, since he had heard enough. She looked over at him, stunned. He smiled, and then reached for her hand, kissing her knuckles. “I want see you because I like you. I like you because your amazing, sweet, understanding, and if I ever hear you say your ordinary, I might smack your ass because you are gorgeous Elli. So freaking beautiful that sometimes, like tonight, I find myself speechless of your beauty.” She looked down at her hands, then back up at him with a shy smile.
“I don’t know. It’s just so hard to believe.”
He smiled before bringing her knuckles to his lips again. “Then I’ll just have to work hard to make you believe me.”
Elli still didn’t feel any better about why Shea was with her, but, hell, what was she supposed to do? He said his peace. She would either trust him or let him go. Since letting him go wasn’t an option now, she would try to trust him. After eating their desserts, Shea paid the bill, and they took off for the movies. She picked an action/thriller movie that she had wanted to see, and so had Shea. It was good, but it was even better to hold someone’s hand through the movie.
The walk to the truck was quiet, just the two of them walking with their fingers intertwined. After getting Elli in the truck, Shea came around the other side and joined her. The ride out to her house was nice. They talked about the movie and what they liked and didn’t like. They also made fun of the actor, who couldn’t act worth crap. Elli loved talking to Shea. He was so animated, so funny. So perfect.
When they arrived at Elli’s house, Shea got out and helped her down, holding her hand as they walked to the door. Adler started barking as soon as they reach the first step.
“Shh!” she scolded as she turned to look at Shea. He was on the bottom step while she was on the second, so they were the exact same height. “I had a wonderful time, Shea.”
“I’m glad. I did too.” He leaned a little closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. Adler chose that particular moment to start scratching like a mad man at the door.
“No treat!” Elli yelled. Shea started laughing, but the scratching stopped.
“You never did tell me your dog’s name.”
Elli froze, she couldn’t tell him the name; he would think she was crazy! So she did the only logical thing she could think off, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him hard. What was supposed to be a distraction turned into some heavy kissing, his hands tightened at her waist, making her dress tight around the middle. She would have cared any other time, but with Shea kissing her the way he was, she really didn’t care. She moved her hands from behind his neck, to his cheeks, feeling the dusting of hair on his cheeks and jaw. It was so sexy to feel a man’s face like that. He kissed like a dream, his lips so hard, but soft at the same time, and the way he used that tongue. Lord, help her. She kissed the side of his mouth, his breathing was hard, and so was hers. As she kissed the side of his neck, a low growl escaped his lips. She had forgotten how much she loved the sounds males could make, so she kissed him again, rewarded with the same sound. He pulled back, bringing her face up to kiss her lips softly, and then he leaned his head on hers.
“Jeez, Elli, you’re driving me crazy. So unless you want to move this inside, because I doubt you want a show for the neighbors, we need to stop, because my control is slipping,” he whispered against her lips. God, how she wanted him to come in. She wanted to rip his clothes off and screw his brains out. The lust was apparent on his face. He wanted her, all she wanted was to distract him and look what she did! She had not only turned him on, but also made herself hot as ever!
“I’m sorry,” she said taking a step back, “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” He smiled as he pulled her back to him.
“It’s called chemistry, baby, and we’ve got it. Now give me a kiss goodnight, but not a naughty one,” he said with a grin. She smiled and kissed him softly on the lips.
“Thanks again for dinner and the movie. I had so much fun.”
“Yeah, that stuff was fun, but what just happened here…Jesus.” He gave her a cocky grin as he walked down the steps. She waved as he got into the truck; he waved back before starting the truck and backing out.
“Well, that was intense,” she muttered to herself as she went inside.
Between practice, promos, and not being able to see Elli, he missed her the rest of the week. She was right when she said she would be busy for the next two days. Not only did they not get to talk much, but she apparently stayed with Harper since she was so tired after all the events, so they didn’t get to talk on her way home. He was going to offer his house to her because he wanted to see her so bad, but he was afraid it would scare her, so he didn’t.
Saturday morning, while he ate breakfast after running on the treadmill for an hour, he decided that it was a decent time to text Elli, so he did.
Hey, whatcha up to?
Hey you! About to get the kids, then heading to the Rising Park. It’s the kid’s favorite.
Oh yeah, she had her nieces and nephews today. He had totally forgotten about that.
Cool, have fun. I guess text me when you can.
I will.
Shea laid his phone down as he cleaned up his mess, he wanted to see her today, but he couldn’t invite himself to her day with the kids. It would be awkward for him to be there when she has all the kids. When he turned to put the milk back in the fridge, he saw Ryan and Amelia smiling at him from the picture on his fridge. A slow grin crossed his face as he looked at their beautiful faces.
“But if I had the kids it wouldn’t be weird at all,” he muttered as he rushed off to the bedroom to get ready.
Shea knew he was driving like a bat out of hell, but he was on a mission. He should have called Grace first, but that would give her time to say no, so he pulled into her driveway and parked the truck beside her van, before jumping out and walking briskly to the front door, letting himself in.
“Hey! Anyone home?” he yelled through the house. Ryan came running towards him, his arms opened wide.
“Unky Shea!” he yelled as Shea picked him up, kissing his cheek.
“Hey, bud, where’s momma?”
“In the kitchen.”
“Wanna go to the park with me?” he asked. Ry
an grinned big, his blue eyes bright.
“Yes! Can we play hockey?”
“Maybe, we’ll see, okay?”
“Okay, put me down, I’m gonna go get my bag.”
“Don’t bring your ice skates!”
“I won’t!” he yelled back as Shea entered the kitchen. Grace sat at the table, her face on her arms with her eyes closed. Amelia sat in the highchair, playing with a puzzle.
“What do you want?” Grace muttered. She looked so tired.
“You’re kids. I’m borrowing them.” Grace sat up, looking at him through half lidded eyes.
“Huh?”
“I’m taking the kids to the park.”
“Why?”
“Cause you need time to yourself. I’ll bring them back later.”
“Huh?”
“You heard me. Where’s Amelia’s bag?”
“By the door. When will you be back?”
“Sometime later.” He unhooked Amelia’s chair, and took the smiling baby in his arms. “Hey, baby girl.”
“Unky!” she squealed as she smacked his face. “Go, Go!”
“We’re going, okay, give me your keys.”
“Why?” Grace asked looked up at him, confused.
“I don’t have car seats, so I’m gonna take the van. I left my keys in the basket.”
“Huh? I’m so confused. You never take the kids.”
“You’re tired Grace, sleep.” He walked away with Amelia in his arms. He grabbed her bag as Ryan came booming down the hall in his Assassins’ gear, Shea’s face on his shirt, with his number on the back. Ryan was his biggest fan.
“I’m ready, Unky.”
“Alright, kiddo, let’s go.”
“Did James put you up to this?” Grace asked as she kissed Amelia then Ryan.
“No, just please promise me you’ll sleep today. Love you.”
“Love you too,Shea, thank you.” Shea threw her a grin as he left with the kids.
After loading the kids in the van, he had to push the seat all the way back so he’d fit before rolling out. It only took ten minutes to get to the park and thank God for that because Ryan was talking nonstop. From hockey to baby poo to the Wiggles, whatever the hell that was. When he pulled into the park, he didn’t see Elli’s truck, maybe she had left? He pulled out his phone and dialed her number.