Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

“Eh, knowing shit is overrated. If you knew it was me, we wouldn’t have had some really great sex,” she mumbles, awakening every fiber of my body. “God, we were so hot that night.”

My lips curve as I pat her thigh once more. “We sure were.”

“We should do that again. Here,” she says, and when she starts to lift her skirt, I stop her.

“Shelli, stop. Rest.”

She groans but then passes out again, thankfully. I shut the door and rush around the car, taking a quick peek at her car to make sure it’s good. Once in the driver’s seat, I start the car as I text my mom really fast. When she doesn’t answer, I’m thankful. I put the car in drive and head toward my place, which is only four minutes down the road. I’m not sure if this is the right idea, but I really don’t know what else to do. I can’t leave her in her car, and I don’t want her mom knowing she was out drinking with me and the guys.

When we reach my condo, she’s snoring loudly. It’s so cute, I can’t help but grin. After parking, I get out and then help her out. I learn very quickly that walking is not an option for her. “I told you to slow down.”

“Shh. You can’t control me.”

I’ve never heard truer words.

I snort as I lift her up in my arms. I carry her to the elevator and hit my floor before leaning back on the wall. She’s cuddled into my chest, looking so small and perfect. Her hair falls along her rosy cheeks, and her mouth is parted sweetly. When the elevator dings, I tear my gaze from her and step off before turning left down the hall. I dig the keys out of my pocket and open the door before kicking it shut behind us. I don’t pause to turn on lights or anything. All the boxes are against the walls, so hopefully I won’t fall.

I push open my bedroom door with my hip before carrying her to my bed. My room is bare, but at least there is a bed and a dresser. I lay her down slowly before pulling the covers out from under her. She stretches all her limbs as her head falls to the side, her mouth still wide open.

What a sight.

I shake my head as I unbuckle her shoes, throwing them onto the floor once I get them off her. How she walks in these deathtraps is beyond me, but man I love watching her in them. I pull the blankets up her legs and over her torso when I remember her ID, money, phone, and keys are in her bra. I don’t want her key to stab her, but I also don’t want to touch her boob. But I also don’t want her to get cancer from her phone so close to her boob. So reluctantly, I reach into her bra.

Jell-O, a warm bowl of Jell-O, not Shelli’s boobs.

Thank God, I get her phone first and then finally her key. The other stuff can stay in there.

I set her things down, but then I see her phone flashing with a text. It’s Elli.

Shit.

Mom: You coming home tonight?

She sent it at twelve.

Shelli doesn’t have a password, so I open her phone to the text.

Me: Hey, sorry. It was loud in the club. I’m staying the night at a friend’s. I left my car at Brooks House.

Elli writes back right away.

Mom: Too much to drink?

Me: Yeah, sorry. I’ll be home in the morning.

Mom: It’s okay. Just remember to text me earlier next time. I’ve been worried.

Me: I’m really sorry.

Mom: I love you. Be safe.

Me: I love you and I am safe. Promise.

I swallow hard at the promise I just made in Shelli’s name.

As I set her phone on the nightstand, I look down at her and know that it’s true.

She is safe because she’s with me.

I hook her phone up to the charger and then glance back at her once more. She’s just so pretty. I trace her lips with my fingers before a smile comes over my lips. As sweet as she is, she’s wild as all hell. She danced the night away and flirted relentlessly with everyone but me. Mostly because I was sulking in the corner. I wanted her to flirt with me. I wanted to be on the receiving end of those luscious lips.

Now, she’s in my bed. Again.

And I’m going to sleep on the couch.

Chapter Fifteen

Shelli

I’ve got cottonmouth like a bitch.

My head is pounding.

And, ugh, I gotta pee.

As I smack my mouth, I sit up slowly and look around. The room is bare, with a lot of boxes by the bathroom, and a dresser is on the wall opposite the bed. This bed is huge too. I look to my left, and there is my phone and a tall glass of water. I reach for the water and gulp it quickly. I don’t finish it, thankfully, because I notice two white pills.