Taking Shots (Assassins)

by Toni Aleo

“What are we playing?” Shea asked. Elli smiled.

  “You’ve seen Pulp Fiction right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You know the dancing part?”

  “Yeah,” he said getting more worried by the minute.

  “We do that,” she giggled as she handed a dry erase board to everyone; Shea just looked up at her confused. “Okay, so we pull two names from the hat, then a song, the two people get up, the song starts and they start dancing.” Shea raised an eyebrow, she had to be kidding. “Now the point of the game is not to smile. If you do, you get points taken off each time. One person keeps up with how many points you lose while the others score you, then we deduct and then we have your final score.”

  Shea and Jakob just looked up at her blinking. “Okay, let’s show ‘em, Elli.” Harper said, getting up, and picking up the hat that held the songs, Shea guessed. When she pulled a piece of paper out, she giggled, going over to the iPod and finding the song as Elli moved over to the father side of the room.

  “This is hilarious, get ready for a show, boys,” Trice said as everyone went to the edge of their seats as the girls got ready. When the music to ‘Push it’ started, everyone died laughing as Elli and Harper started dancing hard with straight faces. Shea had a hard time breathing, he was laughing so hard, when Elli dropped it like it was hot before going into the sprinkler. The sprinkler got Harper and she smiled, causing Trice to yell, “See that’s a point off, since Harper smiled.” Shea nodded, turning his attention back to the girls. When the song ended, Elli had made Harper smile three times, and also burst out laughing, which meant Harper got ten points taken off, making Elli the winner. Elli made sure to rub it in Harper’s face, but Harper said it was just a practice round, causing everyone to laugh.

  Shea figured he had the game. That was until he played Jodi. He was basically rolling around on the ground laughing. That girl was a mess, and she knew it. When Derrick got paired against Jodi, he didn’t even crack a smile, and it made Jodi so mad that everyone was laughing as she tried the most ridicules dance moves in the world, but she finally got him with the running man. Shea was convinced it was because she ran into the wall, though. Jakob and Harper went against each other to the ‘Skanky Leg’ and even Shea couldn’t keep a straight face as Jakob just stood there pointing to his bum leg during the chorus. Poor Harper, she didn’t have a chance.

  Finally Shea was paired against Elli, to some song he had never heard, What you know by Two Door Cinema Club. The music started and Elli had obviously heard the song cause she stood there tapping her foot as the song started. When the song went into its hard hitting notes, Elli went nuts, while all Shea could do was stand there and try not to crack a smile. When she started moving towards him, he clamped his mouth shut from laughing as he made his way towards her, then they broke it down, Pulp Fiction style, causing everyone to laugh, which caused them both to fall over laughing.

  Shea had never had so much fun in his life.

  They loved him!

  Jodi, Derrick, Trice and Walter, all loved Shea, which set her mind at ease. Not only was she ecstatic that everyone loved Shea, but Jodi and Derrick were pregnant! They had been trying for such a long time. That alone brought the bright smile to Elli’s face. The dinner and game night was a huge success and Elli couldn’t have been happier as she stood loading the dishwasher. Shea came in from walking Adler just as she was finishing up and wiping down the counters. He came into the kitchen, shooting her a smile before filling Adler’s bowls up. He leaned up against the counter, watching her put away the left overs, before saying, “I had a great time tonight.”

  She smiled back at him, “I did, too.”

  “I like your friends, they are good people.”

  “They loved you and they really are. I’ve loved them a very long time,” she said as she turned from closing the fridge. She had had such a wonderful night that she forgot he was leaving early the next morning. “Are you packed? You gotta leave stupid early.”

  “I know, I was gonna get everything out of the dryer in a minute.”

  “It’s already folded, so all you need to do is pack,” she said as she moved through the kitchen, stopping at the hallway to slip her shoes off before going into the laundry room to grab the basket of his clothes. Shea followed her down the hall into the bedroom, where she laid the basket on the bed.

  “You didn’t have to do that,” he said, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her lips.

  “I don’t mind, now pack,” she said smacking his arm, before pulling away, “I’m gonna take a shower.”

  Elli grabbed her night shirt and panties before heading into the bathroom. After starting the shower, making sure the water was nice and hot, she started undressing as the bathroom filled with steam. She loved when it was cold outside; the steam just came so much quicker in the winter months. Elli opened the glass door, stepping in, letting the jets hit her as she made her way to the end of the shower where the large spout was. She loved this spot. She still got hit with the jets but she was able to shower since the spout got her fully drenched all over, not messing a part of her body.

  Elli was washing her hair when she felt someone up against her back. She turned, surprised; she didn’t even hear Shea enter the shower. Elli only saw his broad smile for a second before he had her mouth busy with his. He moved her up against the heated marble, moving his hands along her dripping wet body. Elli decided to get her fill in too, moving her hands over his narrow hips, to his exquisite butt. He smiled down at her when she squeezed his butt before kissing down her neck to her breast.

  Elli let out ragged sigh as he sucked the water from her heavy breast, tugging at her nipples with his teeth before moving his other hand to between her legs, cupping her mound before dipping a finger inside her wet (not from the water) folds. He circled her throbbing nub with his large rough finger, catching her moan with his mouth as he began to kiss her mindlessly.

  When she came, she came loud. The whole bathroom filled with her agonized gasp that turned into loud, explosively moans. He grinned against her lips when she started smacking his hand, to make him stop since Shea would continue to play with her clit to his heart’s content, even if she was to the point of passing out. Since Shea had released her mouth, Elli took it upon herself to explore his body with her mouth. She pushed him against the wall, causing him to grin widely at her as she moved her mouth along his collarbone to his neck, where she bit softly.

  She was rewarded with a hiss through his teeth, so she continued biting and nipping at every part of his amazingly sculpted chest. Since he had been gone, he had been working out more so the muscles of his chest, the tightness of his abdomen were so pronounced that Elli was dripping with need at the sight. Not even the scars could keep her from wanting him. “Okay, I need you in me,” she said against his chest as she grabbed a hold of his shaft, he let out a harsh rush of breath, closing his eyes as she moved her hand up and down his hot, swollen flesh.

  “I forgot to grab a condom. I’ll be right back,” he said, but didn’t move as she moved her hand up and down him, cupping his heavy balls with her other hand. She smiled, watching his face as he enjoyed the things she was doing with her hands. His hands came up, rolling her dripping wet nipples with his fingers as she moved faster up and down his shaft.

  When his eyes finally opened, his eyes were so dark, it almost made her come at the sight of his arousal. He pulled away from her, dropping to his knee, burring his face between her legs, running his tongue up and down her folds, slowly flicking his tongue across her swollen nub. She thought since she had came not ten minutes ago, she would have last longer, but nope, he only flicked his tongue maybe three times before she was coming loudly for him.

  “Condom, gotta get a condom. Now.”

  He went to leave, but Elli grabbed his arm, stopping him. “I’m on the pill.”

  “Oh,” he looked down at her with worry in his eyes, arousal nowhere to be seen, “Yeah, I forgot about that.”

  “D
o you not want to do it without a condom?”

  He shook his head no, then smiled sheepishly, “This is gonna sound stupid,” he began.

  “What?”

  “I’ve never done it without a condom, ever.”

  They stood there staring at each other as moments past, “Ok, I’m clean.”

  “Oh, I know, it’s not that, I’m just worried…performance wise.”

  Elli had to smile, “Well I’m pretty sure you’ll get an A, Mr. Adler, now come here, I want you inside me, nothing between us.”

  It only took a second for him to have her against the hard, hot marble, lifting her leg and burying himself deep within her. They both groaned loudly at the feeling of nothing between them. He was so hot, so big, and Elli wasn’t sure how long she was gonna last, because she felt another organism building.

  “Oh, God,” Shea muttered against her neck as he drove into her. He drove into her only two more times before he exploded inside her, leaving her withering beneath him. He leaned his head down into her shoulder, breathing extremely hard as Elli tried to catch her breath.

  “I don’t even think I lasted a minute,” he muttered against her shoulder, embarrassed.

  “Probably not,” she answered, he looked up at her, glaring, “but it was the best damn minute of my life.”

  A slow grin went across his face, before he kissed her long and hard. By the time they got out of the shower, there was no hot water, and Elli never did get to finish washing her hair.

  Not that she cared though.

  Chapter 23

  Elli was packing when Grace called.

  “Hey girl! I need a huge favor.”

  “Sure,” Elli said as she threw the new bathing suit she had just bought in her carryon bag, “What’s up?”

  “I have a party coming up and the girl ordered matching dresses for her and her friends, well one of the friends is in um, somewhere I don’t know, anyways, she is the exact body type as you, so I was wondering, actually, going to beg if you could come over and have this dress altered to you,” she said. Elli raised her eye brows at Grace’s request. Why didn’t the girl have the dress shipped to her friend, so her friend could have it altered?

  Who was she to ask?

  “Sure, when do you need it done?”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry Grace, I’m leaving for Florida to go see Shea today.”

  “Oh, hell, when are you leaving?”

  “I think my uncle’s jet is leaving at three,” Elli said as she moved around Shea’s condo, picking up random things she needed as she went through. She had dropped off Adler to Harper that morning, so she didn’t fill Adler’s bowls like usual as she past by them.

  “Okay, its twelve now, can I meet you at the dress shop by one?”

  “Sure.”

  “Cool,” Grace said before giving Elli the dress shop’s information.

  They said their goodbyes and Elli hung up the phone before unloading the dishwasher. Elli had been in such a good mood since Sunday, even with Shea leaving Monday, she was doing fine. Hadn’t really been crying or anything, just enjoying the last few days before flying out for the game in Tampa. Elli was full of excitement about her mini vacation with Shea; it was hard to contain.

  Harper and Alice would be running the studio and the three weddings they had that weekend while Elli was gone, so Elli had nothing to worry about, which was good since this was the first time Elli would be leaving for a vacation. Lord knew, it was much needed. Elli was ready for the days to come, five days in Florida with her hunky boyfriend?

  Hell, yes.

  The only thing bringing Elli down was her health. It always happened around this time of year with the winter air, she always felt run down. That was probably another reason why she was so excited to be leaving. Getting away from the cold would be good for her, since it was so easy for her to get sick. Elli really didn’t want to get sick either. She just knew Shea was planning something for her birthday. He had been crazy secretive when she would call him, and when he was home, he was always calling Grace, so Elli knew he had something up his sleeve.

  It was so exciting and Elli couldn’t have been happier.

  Elli threw her bags into the back of the truck and turned on her GPS with the directions to the dress shop Grace had given her the address for. After getting it all set up, she was on her way. When she arrived at Ann Frances, she wished Grace would have just said the name of the place; it was the same store Jodi had gotten all her bridal wear from, so Elli knew this place well.

  After locking up the truck, Elli went inside. Just as the door shut behind her, Ryan wrapped his arms around Elli’s legs.

  “Ms. Elli!” he gushed, smiling up at her with his big, bright blue eyes.

  “Hello, darlin! How are you?”

  “I would be better if I didn’t have to come here? Daddy had a meeting and couldn’t keep us, so mommy dragged us here. I hate this place.” Grace came into the lobby with Amelia on her hip, a great big smile on her face.

  “Ryan Justice, you do not hate anything, now stop talking Ms. Elli’s ear off, she has a plane to catch. Come on back, Elli,” she said, as Ryan stomp over to a chair and sat. Elli gave him a smile that he had to returned, before following Grace back to the dressing lobby.

  Grace pointed to a dressing room, then said, “The dress is in there. Go ahead and throw it on. Rita will come in as soon as you’re ready.”

  “Cool, but I had a question, why didn’t the girl have the dress sent to the friend? Have her alter it in her town.”

  “Who knows?” Grace said with a wave of the hand, dismissing the thought. Elli shook her head at the inconsideration of people and headed into the dressing room after laying her purse down.

  When Elli’s eyes fell on the dress, her mouth fell open, too, as she took in a quick breath. It was a masterpiece, something straight out of the olden days.

  The dress was an off-white fine satin material; the bodice was covered in a sheer layer lace that did a ‘V’ dip in the front. It had a relatively full skirt, with more sheer lace, and a belt covered the seam between the top and the skirt. The belt had a beautiful intricate embroidered swirly pattern with crystals on it.

  Elli hurriedly threw her clothes off, taking care as she put the dress on. When she looked in the mirror, she felt like Elizabeth Bennet, dressed for the Netherfield Ball where she would dance with Mr. Darcy for the first time. The dress fit her like a glove; the bodice was tight, showing off her breast, the belt sparkle in the lights of the dressing room, as the skirt whoosh every time Elli moved.

  She wanted this dress.

  She threw the door open, and Grace slowly stood, a dazzling grin going over her mouth. “It’s a perfect fit,” she muttered as Elli walked up onto the stage where Rita would alter her, even though she felt there was no need for it.

  “It really is! Where did she get it? I have to have it. I have no clue where I would wear it but I would all the time.”

  Grace laughed as she followed Elli up the stairs, circling her as she looked the dress over, “It really is a perfect fit. I did good.”

  “You did, but really I need this dress. Have you ever seen Pride and Prejudice? Elizabeth Bennet wore a dress like this and it’s my favorite moment in the movie. I need this dress,” Elli said, then stopped herself because she was sounding like a crazy person.

  “Is that right?” Grace said with a satisfied grin on her face.

  “Yes, I love it.”

  “Good.” Grace turned right as Rita started into the lobby, “Rita, it’s a perfect fit!”

  “Really? Oh, look it is! You are just beautiful in it!”

  Elli beamed at both women, but then her smile fell when Grace told her to take it off. She did as she was asked even though the whole time she was taking it off, she was trying to figure out a way to get it out of there without anyone noticing after hanging it back on the wall, since her plot to run with it wasn’t going to work. She admired it for another moment befor
e she walked out to Grace holding Amelia on her hip and Ryan’s hand in hers.

  “Thanks so much for coming by, Elli, it means a lot,” Grace said as they headed to the front of the store.

  “No problem,” she said with a grin as she admired one of the amazing wedding dresses that were on a model in the middle of the lobby. “Gosh, that’s pretty,” Elli said going to it, running her fingers down the satin skirt, it was a total princess style dress, a little too puffy for Elli, but it sure was pretty.

  Grace giggled, “Already getting some ideas for you and Shea’s wedding?” she asked with a wink.

  “As if!” Elli giggled, “Like Shea would marry me!”

  Grace’s head tilted to the side, “Why wouldn’t he?”

  Elli felt on the spot, her cheeks turned deep red and she started digging the toe of her boot in the hardwood floor of the store, “I don’t know, it seems unrealistic to me, I guess,” she finally said after a moment.

  “I don’t think it’s unrealistic at all,” she said with a bemused smile as she walked past Elli, “by the way, I look good in purple, see ya!”

  Elli couldn’t stop the slow grin that went over her face, even if she tried.

  Not that she wanted to.

  Elli fell back into the comfy plush chairs of Bryan’s private jet. Bryan had bought it two years ago and the darn thing still had the new smell to it. It was spectacular, the inside was completely done in team colors and even the toilet was purple. Elli always wondered if she should be worried about her uncle and his obsession with purple, but who was she to tell a 65 year old man what color to paint his plane. Plus, Elli loved riding in it; it made her feel like a princess.

  A stewardess came over with a glass of champagne and Elli took it with a grin of appreciation. Elli was ready to go, ready to get to Florida, and really ready to see Shea. Grace’s statement still was fresh on Elli’s mind, and a grin pulled at the side of her mouth as Bryan sat down in front of her.

  “I’m still mad at your daddy for not coming,” he said as he leaned back, taking his large beer from the same stewardess.