Taking Shots (Assassins) by Toni Aleo Page B

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