by Toni Aleo
At the wedding?
He only waited a moment before she answered back.
Yup, bored. Some weddings are awesome, while others are drags, and this one is a drag.
Sorry about that, how was your ride home with the kids?
Interesting to say the least. I just dropped them off, didn’t even stay for the fireworks. My mother has called me 10 times.
Shea smiled to himself. Her family probably wasn’t that bad. She was the baby, so they probably picked on her.
Wow, sorry about that. It was good seeing you today, can’t wait till tomorrow.
Me neither
Shea smiled to himself as he laid his phone down. He didn’t want to keep her busy so he decided to wait till later when she would call on her way home. What he didn’t expect was to fall asleep; he guessed the kids wore him out more than he thought. He woke with a jump when his phone started ringing. It was Elli. He answered as he looked at the time, it was past Midnight.
“You were sleeping.” He smiled as he rubbed his eyes.
“I was.”
“Sorry! Just text me your address in the morning.”
“Okay, babe, I’m sorry, I’m really tired.”
“Its fine, I’ll see you tomorrow, sorry to call so late.”
“No, don’t be sorry, are you home?”
“Just left Nashville.”
“Okay, text me when you get home, so I know you got there safe. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Alright, goodnight.”
“Night, baby.” He hung up the phone and texted her his address before walking to the back room where he fell face first onto his bed. He was almost asleep when his phone went off again. He glanced at it seeing that Elli had made it home, and she would see him tomorrow. With a smile, he closed his eyes, pulling the pillow that was beside him up under his chin, wishing it was Elli as he went back to sleep.
“Hello, brother dear.” Shea smiled when he answered his phone. Shea was excited to be cooking lunch for Elli. He wasn’t much of a cook, but he made a mean sandwich and heating soup wasn’t that hard.
“Hey, you sleep well?”
“Amazing, I haven’t gotten more than twelve hours of sleep in God knows how long. So thank you!”
“No problem, only for you,” she gave a little laugh and he knew it was coming. Ryan had the biggest mouth in Nashville.
“So, all I heard this morning was, Ms. Elli this, Ms. Elli that, and oh mommy, then Ms. Elli and Unky Shea were open mouth kissing.” Shea shook his head, a grin on his face. “Shea, where the hell did my four year old learn about open mouth kissing?” Shea let out a hoot of laughter, slapping the top of the counter with his hand.
“Not my fault, Elli’s niece yelled it at us.”
“You were making out in front of the kids?”
“No, we kissed goodbye and it got a little hot.”
“I mean, jeez, protect the younger eyes please.”
“Sorry, is he scarred for life?” She laughed, as he smiled.
“No, but he is wondering why Unky Shea and Ms. Elli don’t have kids since they kiss like that.” Shea was practically choking on his laughter.
“That kid is a trip.”
“That he is, so what do you have planned for today?”
Shea smiled, as he turned the soup down.
“Elli’s coming for lunch, maybe a little open mouth kissing.”
“Let her swallow her food before you pursue that,” Shea let out a chuckle, his sister humor killed him, “Have fun though, call me later?”
“Sure.”
Grace wished him luck, and then told him she loved him before hanging up. Shea smiled as he finished up everything for lunch. He had remembered Elli saying she liked fruit so he made sure to cut some up for her. He also got some mango ice cream for her, another of her favorites. He was walking through the living room, making sure it was clean, when the door bell sounded.
Shea ran his hands down his shirt, then through his hair as he walked to the door. Shea opened it to Elli, who was leaning against the door jam, holding up a bag. She looked sexy as hell in a pair of shorts and a little tee that hung off her shoulder. She had big glasses on her face and on her head was an Assassins hat with her name on it.
“Well, hello,” he said looking her over, loving the fact that her toes were purple, team colors.
“Hey,” she said holding out her arm, handing him the bag. “For you.”
“Ooh, presents,” he cooed as he moved out the way for her to come in as he peeked in the bag. To his delight, it was a copy of Pride and Prejudice, the 2005 movie version and the book with a book cover.
“Not much, but since you don’t own it.”
“Thank you,” he said pulling her into his arms and kissing her softly. Her hands came up his arms to his neck, rubbing softly as he kissed her. He pulled back looking into her bright green eyes as she smiled up at him. Her eyes were like fresh green grass, the kind of green that made you stop and look at them when you got even just a small glimpse. They were captivating. He moved a piece of her hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear and the brim of the hat. “We’ll watch it after lunch.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I’m not sure I can date a guy who hasn’t at least seen the movie.” He smiled as he hugged her tighter to him.
“Come on, I’ll show you around.” He took her hand and then led her through the condo, to his office, his bathroom, and his bedroom. Elli was quick to leave the bedroom, even though he had a beautiful view of Nashville through the windows that lined the walls. He took her through the living room to the kitchen; she looked around with a smile.
“Grace did a good job in here. The house, its you.”
“Yeah, she knew what she was doing,” he said with a grin, he pulled a chair out from the table. “Ready to eat?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m starved.” She sat down, and Shea moved around, placing stuff on the table, going back and forth from the kitchen. When he finally sat in front of her, she was smiling as she looked at the spread. “Looks great.”
“It's not much, but it’s better than the same old takeout we’ve been eating.” Elli nodded as she started serving herself. Shea did the same as they made small talk. Did she find the place okay? Was the wedding good last night? Just little stuff. He loved listening to her talk and he loved when she got excited or found something funny. Her face would get so bright, bright as the sun.
“Are them vintage guitars?” Shea looked over at the wall that Elli was pointing too. He nodded as he looked back over at her; she was getting up with an awed look on her face. “They are beautiful.”
He stood up and went beside her, looking up at the nine guitars that graced his walls, “Do you play?”
“Sorta, not good. My instrument was fiddle and a little banjo.”
“Wow, could you get anymore country?”
“Shut up. My dad made all us kids play an instrument. When we would all play together,” she smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes, “It was great, some of the best times of my childhood.”
“What did everyone play?” he asked. She cut him a glance them looked back up at the guitars.
“My dad played guitar, Noah played the upright bass, Liam would play the banjo, and Victoria played the mandolin.”
“What did you play?”
“The fiddle.”
“Oh, did your mom sing? Don’t you need a singer for that kind of stuff?”
Elli laughed as she shook her head “No, my momma never had a musical bone in her body. She watched,” she looked down at the ground, then back up at him a few moments later. “I used to sing.”
“Oh, cool, you’ll have to play and sing for me one day,” he said with a grin, Shea turned and started cleaning the mess they had made as she looked up at the guitars.
“That Gibson Hummingbird is beautiful,” he heard her say as he stood in the kitchen. He heard her come up behind him and she sat up on the counter as he loaded the dishwasher. He shook his
head as he smiled at her.
“You never cease to amaze me, Elli. You know guitars?”
“I told you I play a little.”
“Yeah, but usually women don’t know anything about them.”
“True, how did you get into them?” He smiled as he shut the dishwasher and leaned against it.
“When I came to the team, Wavier used to call me Boston, saying I was too Boston to live in Nashville, so I decided I wanted to be able to do something that was Nashvilley, so I started collecting guitars. Well, one day Wavier came over, and he was impressed with my collection and he said ‘Hey, bring two down, let’s jam.’ I froze; I didn’t know how to play. When I admitted that, he tore into me.” Shea smiled at the memory of his long time friend. He didn’t get to see Wavier much, but he still loved the guy “But he taught me to play and now I love it.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, so you ready for a movie?”
“I am,” she said with a grin as he followed her into the living room. He grabbed the DVD and tore it open, putting it in his DVD player. When he turned, Elli was sitting on the far side of the couch, her knees under her chin. He savored the sight of her thighs peeking out from her shorts. His groin got tighter at just the thought of touching her there. She drove him mad. He had never waited this long to have sex with a woman that he was dating. He usually had sex with them the first night, but with Elli, it was different. They had been dating for almost a week and a half, and he was fine with the fact that he hadn’t seen her naked. He just wanted to see her. He smiled as he came over, sitting on the other end of the couch. The movie started, and he looked over at her, at the same time she looked over at him. They busted out laughing at the awkwardness before stopping to stare into each other’s eyes.
“Come here,” Shea whispered holding out his hand. Elli looked at him, then his hand, before looking back at him. She bit her lip before taking his hand, and he pulled her to him. She looked up at him and he covered her mouth with his, kissing her so deeply that he was convinced he felt it in his soul. His hand went up into her hair as the other one cupped her face. Elli’s hands were at his shoulders as she ate at his mouth. He loved the way she kissed, the way she felt in his hands. Shea moved his hand from her face to her legs, pulling them out from underneath her and laying her back into the couch, where he continued to kiss her lavishly. When he got himself positioned between her legs, feeling her warmth against his hard groin, she pulled back, eyes half lidded as she look at him.
“I really wanna watch the movie,” she whispered. Shea stopped and looked at her.
“Watch the movie?” was all he could get out, he was beyond wanting to watch the movie, more like fuck her brains out.
“Yeah, it’s a really good movie,” she said with a nod as she tried to sit up and move from underneath him. He moved too, letting her up, but she didn’t go far. She cuddled into his side with a cute grin on her face. He moved a little, pulling at the crotch of his pants; she looked down, then back up at him.
“Sorry, it’s a little tight in there, babe,” he muttered, which made her blush deep scarlet as she intensely looked at the screen. He had to grin to himself as he readjusted and moved his arm around her. His hand met her hip and he had to tell himself not to rub it because then any chance of him paying attention to this movie would be shot. So he paid attention and the movie was actually really good. When the ending credit’s started, Elli sat up grinning down at him.
“Did you love it!?” she exclaimed, he smiled.
“It was good.”
“What was your favorite part?” Shea thought for a moment, the movie was really good.
“The part when that Darcy guy told her he loved her for the first time. I love Elizabeth’s face, she was like ‘Say what?!’” Elli giggled as she sat with her legs crossed in front of him. “It was a good movie, babe, and thanks for educating me.” Her grin continued to grow, showing all her dimples.
“My pleasure. I watch that movie every night when I go to sleep.”
“Really?”
“Yup,” She nodded as he got up and took the DVD out. “Whatcha wanna watch now?”
“I have this new action movie I’ve wanted to watch.”
“Sounds good,” she said as he put the movie in. He smiled to himself, this was nice. He never hung out with a girl. He would hang out with Grace, but he didn’t want to sleep with her. With Elli, he wanted to spend time with her and sleep with her all at the same time. She was intoxicating, so pretty, and sweet.
“What time do you need to go?” he asked as he looked at the movie box, then the time. He didn’t want to make her late to see her friends.
“Sixish, everyone will be there at eight.”
Plenty of time.
“Oh, okay, who is coming over?” he asked as he walked back to the couch, sitting beside her.
“Harper, my friend Jodi, and her husband Derrick, and my gay best friends, Trice and Walter.”
“Sounds like a bunch,” he said with a grin. She smiled as she scooted closer to him.
“I love them all, they are really great friends.”
“Good,” he simply said as he started the movie. He didn’t let it bother him that she didn’t want him to meet her friends; she hadn’t said anything about it so he wasn’t going to bring it up, but it did remind him of the party for the season opener on Thursday. “I wanted to ask you.”
“Sure,” she looked up at him, a small smile on her face. She seemed so comfortable, so happy.
“Welch is having a season opener party for the guys and their dates on Thursday. I was wondering if you would go?” she made a face, and looked down. What the hell did that mean? “It’ll only be my friends, no crazy big wigs that we would need to impress,” he added with a grin when she looked up. “Go with me?”
“What do I wear?”
“Something hot,” he said with a teasing grin as he squeezed her side. He loved how soft she was, no bones sticking him in the hand. She just rolled her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder.
“So you want me to meet your friends in something hot?”
Shea thought that over and smiled as he said “No, I want you to wear something hot for me, then I’ll introduce you to my friends.” She smiled at that, but didn’t look up at him.
“What time Thursday?”
“What time can you be available?”
“Eight. I have a baby shower from four to six, at Yancy’s down the road.” Shea nodded and thought about it for a moment.
“Well, why don’t you just bring everything you need here and get ready, then we can be there only an hour after it starts.”
Elli sat for a moment, before looking up at him. “Okay,” she said, with a small nervous smile. He smiled back, and then leaned in to kiss her softly. Shea meant to leave it at a small kiss, but Elli slid her hand up his chest to his throat, and he began kissing her with more need. Again he maneuvered her onto her back, with him between her legs, and this time she didn’t stop him as they kissed and teased each other through their clothes.
“I see how it is, during my movie we can make out, but not during yours,” he whispered against her neck as he nibbled and licked. She let out a breathy little giggle as she ran her hands through his hair.
“My movie needs all the attention.” He pulled up, lust filling his eyes as he looked down at her.
“Baby, when you’re in the room, you’re the only thing that has my attention.” She had this little grin along with half lidded eyes going on, and he had to suppress the groan that was building at the base of his throat. He leaned down and kissed her again, hooking her leg around his waist, pressing his hard length onto her. She wanted this; she was just as hot as he was. Yes, this was going to happen. Was it too early? Did he want to involve sex in this?
Elli ran her hands down the back of his arms, cupping his elbows and wiggled a little underneath him.
Yes, yes he did want to involve sex. Right now.
Shea kissed down her neck
, moving his hand to go under her shirt when Elli’s hands stopped him. He pulled back and looked down at her. Her eyes were wide and she looked nervous.
Fuck.
“I’m sorry, I need to go.”
“Huh? What?” he asked as she moved herself out from underneath him. She stood up, fixing her shorts, then her shirt as she looked everywhere but him. She was breathing just as hard as he was. The fall and rise of her chest had him becoming harder by the second. “Elli, wait,” he said when he saw her slid her shoes on, then grab her hat.
“I’m sorry, Shea. I’ll call you.” She looked as if she was going to cry.
He had to stop her.
Elli had to get out of there. Like ten minutes ago. What was she thinking? He almost touched her skin under the clothes that she hid under. There was no way in hell Shea Adler was gonna see or touch her under her clothes. No way. No sweet words, no amazing hot kisses, nope nothing. Elli reached for the handle just as Shea wrapped his arms around her from behind. She could feel the length of him on her ass, and God, how she wanted him.
Bad.
That was the only way she could describe it, but there was no way. Unless they came out with a new way of having sex with your clothes on. But Elli was pretty darn sure Shea wanted her naked when he took her there.
“Baby, slow down, please,” he whispered against her ear. Her eyes drifted shut and her heart still banged against her chest. Somehow, he ended up in front of her when she opened her eyes. His eyes were searching hers, pleading for her to slow down. The blue was a little darker, not the sky blue they usually were. His hand came from around her to cup her face. Her two plump cheeks in his massive hands. She wanted to sigh at the feeling, hard against soft, but she needed to go.
“Hey, now, you don’t have to go. We can watch the movie,” he said sweetly.
“No, I gotta do some cleaning, let my dog out, and get ready for when everyone comes.”
“I thought they weren’t coming until eight.”
“Yeah, but Harper usually shows up early and I just need to go.” Elli tried to get away but he wasn’t letting her go. She had to get out of there before she started crying. She was beyond embarrassed. This was Shea Adler, he had females throwing themselves at him left and right and she wouldn’t even let him grope her. He probably thought she was a freak!