by Aleo, Toni
“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.”
He gave her a sexy, cocky grin, leaning towards her as he put his chin on her arm looking up at her, batting his eyes as he said, “You don’t want to go out with me? I was thinking dinner and a movie.”
“Mmm. Dinner? Where?”
“Pf Changs.”
“Okay to dinner, what movie?”
“Your pick.”
“Ooo, smooth.”
“I thought so,” he said, before leaning back in his seat, taking a sip of his wine “So, can I pick you up at six?”
“I’ll meet you at the restaurant.”
“Why? I can pick you up.”
“I don’t want you driving all the way out to my house, just to come back in town.”
“I don’t mind. I want to,” his hand moved to her thigh and she looked over at him, surprised.
“Are you sure? I mean, are you sure you want to-“ Harper told her not to do this, not to second guess herself, so she took a deep breath, and smiled. “I’ll give you my address before we leave.” He grinned, leaning over and kissing her cheek, causing her heart to skip a beat.
“For a second there, I thought you were going to turn me down.” Elli grinned as she continued eating. “So, what kind of music do you listen to?” She looked over at him and he was looking down at his food. “I bet country, huh?” He looked up at her with a satisfied grin.
“Actually, I like all music.”
“Liar.”
“I do!” she protested, he just raised his eye brows at her. “But I mostly listen to country” He laughed and she giggled as she took a drink, “What do you listen to?”
“Well, since I’ve been in Nashville, I’ve started to like country, but I like rock and rap a lot.”
“Cool.”
“Yeah, what’s your favorite movie?”
“Pride and Prejudice. It’s also my favorite book.”
“Never seen or read it.” She looked up at him like he was an alien.
“Excuse me?”
“What?”
“You’ve never read or seen Pride and Prejudice?”
“No, why?”
“Um, it’s the greatest love story ever! Oh, my goodness, you know,” she started to move out of the booth. “This isn’t going to work, I’ll see you around,” she only made it an inch before he grabbed her arm, pulling her back, horror all over his face.
“Oh, no you don’t!” he said, causing a lot of people to turn and look at them. “I promise I’ll watch it, and, hell, I’ll even read it on the road.” Elli smiled fully and scooted back to her spot.
“Good, make sure you have a book cover, or the guys will make fun of you.”
“You are right on that one,” he said with a grin, “Did you really think you would get far, leaving like that?”
“No, but it was fun seeing the horror on your face.”
“Hey, I can’t have my beautiful date run out on me. Remember my fragile male ego?” he said with a teasing smile.
He called her beautiful…
“Oh, yeah, totally forgot about it” she said with a shy grin. She looked over at him, so happy to be with him. “You are-”
“Excuse me.” Elli looked up at a long legged blonde, but the blonde wasn’t looking at her, she was looking at Shea. “You’re Shea Adler, right?”
“I am, and you are?”
“Cindy! Hi, I’m sorry to interrupt your lunch, but can I have your autograph?”
“Of course,” Shea scooted out of the booth, and signed her shirt that happened to be an Adler shirt. That’s when the swarm happened. Everyone came up, asking him for his autograph and, of course, he signed everything, while sending her a forgiving smile. Elli smiled back and continued to eat.
>
When she was finished eating, she looked at her watch. She needed to go; she had an appointment at 3:30. Thankfully, Shea looked over at Elli and she tapped her wrist, mouthing she had to go.
“I’m sorry everyone, I gotta go.”
People protested as Shea handed his credit card to the waiter, along with his food, so they could package it up. “I’m sorry, Elli.”
“Don’t worry about it,” she said as she gathered her bag of leftovers and followed him out. He opened the door for her and she climbed in. When he got into the truck, he started it and drove off without a word.
“So, what’s your favorite movie?” Elli asked since she still wanted to know some things about him. Shea looked over at her, and smiled.
“Miracle.”
“A classic.”
“It is.”
“This is our time! Their time is over!”
“Their time is over? Come on, babe, if you’re gonna quote the greatest movie ever, get it right,” he said with a teasing smile.
“Oh, hush, I got most of it!”
“You did, I’m impressed.” She smiled proudly, but her smile fell when he pulled into the studio parking lot. He got out just as she turned to say bye. She watched as he walked around the truck, opening the door to let her out. Elli climbed out and Shea moved closer towards her, trapping her between him and the truck. “I had a great lunch, Elli. I’m sorry about the end, though.”
“I told you it was fine. I asked you to take the hat off, so I was basically asking for it.”
“Still, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, it was a beautiful lunch. I had a great time.” She smiled sweetly, and he took another step towards her, leaving no room between them. His hands came up around her waist, pulling her to him as he looked deep in her eyes. Her breathing hitched because she knew he was going to kiss her again. She tried to steady her breathing, but with Shea Adler this close to her, it wasn’t working. Shea smiled before covering her mouth with his. He kissed her softly, before slowly teasing her lips with his tongue, asking for permission to come in.
Elli hadn’t kissed like that in so long that she was scared out of her mind, but she open her mouth for him, playing with his tongue with her own. His grip on her hips became tighter as he brought her even closer to him. Elli’s hands rested on his chest as he kissed the stuffing out of her. When he pulled back, they both were breathing hard. He rested his head against hers as he looked into her eyes.
“Jesus, you’re gonna be the death of me, baby.”
“I could say the same about you, Shea,” she whispered with a small smile. He smiled before taking her mouth with his again. This time it was slow, sweet. He gave her three more small kisses before letting her past him. “Bye,” she said with a small, shy wave.
“Bye, I’ll call you.” She turned when she got to the door.
“If I don’t answer, I’ll text you. I have that wedding tonight.”
“Okay, bye.”
“Bye,” she said with another shy smile as she walked into the studio. Once inside, she leaned against the wall, trying to control her breathing. At the sound of laughter, Elli looked over at the front desk to see Harper, an amused look on her face.
“I mean, jeez El, ya’ll need a room next time.”
A room? With Shea, alone?
Elli slid down the wall, groaning. Lord, help her if that ever happens.
Elli kissed like a dream. Shea had left her with a dumb grin on his face as he drove back to his condo. God, she was amazing. So beautiful, so understanding, so perfect, she loved hockey movies! Hell, she loved hockey! Just being with her made him feel so safe, so happy, it had never felt like that before. No girl made him want to call her as soon as he left her, just to hear her voice. No woman ever made his blood boil with just one kiss, one touch.
What the hell was going on?
Shea pulled into the spot in front of his condo, and turned the car off. He reached for his phone and texted Elli, since he knew she had clients.
Am I on your mind, the way you’re on mine?
As soon as he pushed send, his phone rang, it was Grace.
“Hello, my loving brother,” she cooed in the phone.
“Oh, Jesus, what do you need?”
“A favor.”
“Okay?”
“Bradley Johnson, the guy who sells me my liquor,”
“Yeah.”
“He is being a douche and trying to raise my prices. Can you sign me a stick so I can try to schmooze him into not doing it?”
“Sure, when do you need it by?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Done.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Didn’t you have your date with Ms. Fisher today?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“What?”
“How was it!” she yelled. He smiled.
“Great, she’s amazing, Grace. I don’t know how someone so beautiful could be so amazing and not taken. She’s so understanding. A bunch of fans interrupted our lunch and she didn’t care, she just smiled and ate as I did my thing.”
“You didn’t wear a hat? God, you’re dumb. She’s sweet, but you’re dumb.”
“I did! But she pulled it off, saying she couldn’t see my eyes.”
“Awww!! How sweet! I think she likes you.”
“I don’t know. I think so too, but she acts weird sometimes, like she doesn’t know why I’m calling or when I call her beautiful, she blushes so hard, and looks away. She’s just so shy. I’m not used to it.”
“Shea, you have to remember, she’s not like these gold digging hos you’ve dated in the past. She’s a real woman.”
Shea thought that over for a moment. Elli was like no one he had ever been with; maybe that’s why he couldn’t get his mind off her.
“Do you think that’s why I think of her all the time?”
“No, I think it’s because she’s amazing, and you’ve finally found your match. Now I gotta go. Amelia is driving me nuts. Thanks for the stick bro, love you.”
“Kiss them for me. Love you too.”
Shea hung up his phone and sat there for a moment. Met his match? What the hell did that mean? That Elli was his soul mate or something? He hated when Grace did that, say something then hang up. It drove him crazy. His phone dinged and he looked down seeing a text message from Elli.
Well, if I’m all you think about then…….yes.
A slow grin went over Shea’s face. His match? Yup, he was starting to think so too.
Chapter 5
After sending what Elli thought was a very bold text message to Shea, they talked all night. She felt bad for making him wait for her responses, but he told her he didn’t mind, he knew she had to work. Elli never thought she could be bold enough to say the stuff she had said in that text message, but she was pretty damn sure if they were face to face, she would turn beat red and run. It had been so long since she had been with anyone. Justin had messed her up pretty bad and she thought she would be alone for forever. But now with Shea, maybe something could happen.
But just in case it didn’t, she wasn’t letting her heart get involved. Shea might come to his senses and not want anything to do with her and that would devastate her. So she would keep her heart on lock down. Yup, that was the plan.
Elli stood at the front the next day, unloading a box of photos when the doorbell sounded; she looked up saying her regular greeting as Shea came in, a smile on his face.
“Hey there, beautiful.” She smiled and thanked God she was dressed cute today. She was wearing one of her 50s style dress, in her favorite color, green.
“Hey,” she grinned as he leaned across the desk to kiss her softly on the lips, taking her breath away. “What brings you by?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, had to see you. These texts get old, you know?”
“Yeah,” she grinned as she continued unloading. It was so
hard to keep your heart on lock down when a man was saying such sweet, amazing things.
“So, have you eaten?”
“Not yet, have you?”
“Nope, that’s why I’m here, came to spring ya.” Elli smiled up at him.
“What if I had things going on?”
“I was taking my chances. Seeing you would have been enough, but eating with you would make my day.”
“I actually got most of the afternoon open. You’re lucky,” she said with a wink.
“Yes, I am. Come on, let’s go.” She bit her lip and looked up at him. He was looking delectable in some white shorts, with a black shirt and that same matching hat. His glasses were in place and his grin was unstoppable.
“Let me grab my purse. I’ll be right out,” she said as she turned to go to the back office. She grabbed her purse, and then hit the alarm system as she walked out. Shea was waiting at the door, the same grin on his face as she walked towards him. It was hard to believe that he was still standing there, that this all wasn’t a dream, but it wasn’t because she felt the warmth of his hand when he took her hand in his, smiling down at her.
“I got us subs from Jimmy Johns, figured we could have a picnic.”
Yup, keeping her heart on lock down was gonna be real hard.
Elli looked really pretty today, usually he thought she was hot, beautiful, but today she was pretty. Like classy, something straight out of a 50s show. Her hair was up in a bun with a great big white flower in it. He was starting to think she had the sickest style ever, because the girl had his eyes bugging out of his head every time he saw here. As they sat in the park, eating their subs and talking about the customers Elli had had that morning, all he could do was think how lucky he was to be sitting with her.
“The baby was adorable, a pain, but a beauty.”
“Is it hard getting shots of babies?”
“It can be, but I love it just the same,” she said with a grin as she wiped the corner of her mouth and then took a long swig of the water he had bought. Grace was actually the one to suggest the picnic. She had said that she thought it was the perfect day for one, so here he was, with Elli. He had missed her last night when she was at the wedding. She could only answer him once every hour, but she did call on her way home and they had talked until she had to get back to work on the pictures. He found that she was an extremely busy lady.