Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

With his nose against the side of my mouth, he whispers, “I thought you were mad at me last night.”

I glide my lips along his forehead. “No, I was embarrassed.”

“Because of your dad?”

“Yeah,” I say softly. “I thought you would think I was pathetic.”

“I didn’t. I know your dad. I know you. He’s a nut.”

I smile. “Yeah, but he’s annoying sometimes.”

“Aren’t all parents?”

I kiss his eyebrow as he gathers me close to him. “Did you want to talk to me?”

“You’re the only one I wanted to talk to, Shelli.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

“I don’t know.”

I want to roll my eyes, but I don’t want to ruin this moment. He’s so unsure of himself when it comes to me. If he would just communicate what he is feeling or thinking, things would be a hell of a lot easier. “Were you scared of my dad?”

He sighs. “Shelli, I’m terrified of your parents. I don’t even know what we’re doing, to be honest.”

I swallow hard as I trail my fingers along his chest. “Why do we have to know? Why can’t we just enjoy what we have?”

He gathers me closer. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Then don’t.”

His eyes burn into mine. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“No one said you had to.”

He kisses my nose. “Okay.”

“Okay,” I say softly, kissing his top lip.

“I hate to say this—”

“No, don’t!” I complain, and he smiles against my lip.

“I gotta go. I have to be at the rink in thirty minutes.”

“Ugh. Can’t you call out?”

He bites my jaw again. “While it is optional, I want to make a good impression.”

I nod. “Yeah, I guess.”

“Plus, my linemates are going.”

“Fine.”

“Don’t hate me.”

“I don’t,” I draw out as I grab his jaw in my hand. “But if I had balls, they’d be blue.”

His face lights up with laughter. “I can relieve you when I get back.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“So, you want me to wait?”

He kisses my top lip. “Yeah.”

“Okay,” I say as my face breaks into a grin. He wants me to stay!

He kisses me once more before rolling off me. “There’s food in the fridge. I should be back after lunch.”

“Okay.”

He looks back at me as he gets up, grabbing some clothes. “Don’t judge me. I’m going to shower at the rink.”

“No judgment, but I’m showering here.”

He nods. “I think your toothbrush is still under the sink.”

“Cool,” I say. Oh my God! We sound like a couple. A sweet, adorable, sexy couple.

After he dresses quickly, he comes back to the bed, beckoning me to him. I rise up on my knees as he takes me by the back of the head, his fingers threading into my hair before he covers my mouth with his. His lips feel absolutely amazing against mine, and my whole body feels as if it’s on fire from within. Like it always does when he touches me. He pulls away, his eyes burning into mine. “I’m really glad you’re staying.”

“Me too.”

“But if you leave, text me.”

“I’m not.”

His lips quirk. “Then I’ll see you in a bit.”

He smacks my ass, and I giggle as I sit back on my haunches. “Bye.”

“Bye, angel.”

And the whole “angel” thing is probably as adorable as his cuddling! I fall back on the bed as I stretch my arms over my head, feeling spent. I don’t want to move. I’m pretty sure no one could ever take this grin off my face. When he shuts the door, I let out a long sigh. Aiden just left, but he wants me to stay. Here. To wait for him. I never in my wildest dreams thought this would happen. I wanted it to happen, but I truly thought he was going to leave me in the fuck zone for a while. But not after last night and this morning.

Nope, we’re heading straight for relationship-ville. Eek!

When my phone rings, I reach for it off the nightstand to see that it’s my friend Nico. My lips curve as I answer. “Hey you.”

His rugged voice fills the line. “Hey there, beautiful. How’s it going?”

“It’s going good. How about you?”

“Real good if you say you’ll have dinner with me tonight.”

My brows pull in. “We don’t play y’all until tomorrow.”

“Chandler and I came in a day early to have dinner with Amelia’s mom since she can’t be here with the new coaching job. Plus, a bunch of the guys like hanging out in Nashville.”

“Well, it’s the best city, so duh.”

“Agreed, and it holds the hottest girl I know.”

I grin widely as I roll onto my back.

“So, what do you say? Dinner tonight?”

I lick my lips. I don’t know what Aiden would think. It’s not like we’ve said we’re exclusive, but I don’t want to mess up that possibility. “I gotta work tonight.”

“After, then. Late dinner. Maybe take you back to my place.”

I grin. “I done told you many times now, that’s over. We’re friends.”