Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

She grins. “Don’t worry. I got you a pair too.”

I fist-pump, much to her pleasure. “Yes, you’ve made my day!”

“I figured,” she says, and then she falls onto her bed. “Thought we could have a marathon once y’all bring the Cup home.”

“I love the sound of that.”

“But we’ll need to keep the air on. It’s hot in these things.”

I smile. “Take it off. I command it.”

She laughs out. “No way. I’ll leave that to you.”

I groan softly. “How about you leave your window unlocked?”

She snorts. “So Shea Adler can murder you? No thanks.”

“Cockblocker, that man.”

Now she’s laughing hard. “I never thought cockblocker and my dad would be in the same sentence.”

I can’t help it, I laugh too. She’s so pretty when she laughs. “I miss you.”

Her lips curve before she moves a piece of hair out of her face. “Well, it’s been nine years since I saw you last, so believe me, I miss you too.”

“You better.”

“You better!” she calls back at me, and my heart, it yearns for her.

“We just got to the airport. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

She nods. “Yeah. Don’t be late.”

“I won’t, not when I get to see you.”

Her cheeks redden. “Bye, Aiden.”

“Bye.”

I hang up, a wide smile on my face, but then one of my earbuds is yanked out of my ear.

“Told ya.”

I look over at Wes. “Told ya what?”

His voice drops. “You’re dating Shelli.”

I blink. “How do you know?”

He points to my phone. “I seriously just saw her on your phone.”

“That was my sister.”

He blinks. “I know I play hockey, but I’m not dumb.” I look away as he moves his elbow into mine. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. I think it’s cool. She’s great.”

“She’s perfect,” I find myself saying, and Wes just grins back at me.

I want to be embarrassed that I just said that, but I’m not. I’m good with it because Shelli is perfect, and she’s all mine.

While most guys wouldn’t mind waking up to someone kissing them—hopefully a girl, if they’re into them—I do mind. My girlfriend made it clear she couldn’t come over, so that must mean it’s someone else. I pull back jerkily and blink a few times, trying to focus. It only takes seconds to realize whose eyes are staring into mine.

Shelli.

My lips curve as I wrap my arms around her neck and pull her on top of me before rolling us deep into the covers. Her laughter is music to my ears. She hooks her leg over my hip as our lips meet once more. God, she tastes good. When I pull back, her blue eyes shine into mine. It’s dark in my room, so I’m a bit confused as to why she is completely done up with hair and makeup. She’s also fully dressed. I move my lips along hers as I ask, “What time is it?”

“Five a.m.”

I wrinkle my face at her as I kiss her once more. “I thought you couldn’t come over?”

She moves her fingers up my jaw and into my hair. “I woke up at about three thirty and couldn’t fall back asleep. I’m too excited for today. I got dressed and ready then had nothing to do. Figured I’d come bug you.”

“I’m not complaining at all,” I say as I squeeze her tightly in my arms.

“I figured you wouldn’t,” she says softly, kicking off her heels and throwing them over the side of the bed.

“Staying a while?” I tease against her neck while I nibble. I’ve missed her a lot. In my opinion, she shouldn’t leave.

“Yup,” she says, pulling the blankets up and sliding underneath them. “I should have just come over last night.”

“I agree.” I kiss up her jaw. “Can I mess all this up?”

“Nope,” she says simply, kissing my lips. “I need to be perfect for today.”

I scoff. “You’re perfect all the time.”

She flashes me a dazzling smile as she snuggles closer. A comfortable silence falls over us as I hold her tightly. She smells so damn good, but she feels even better in my arms. I could honestly lie like this forever. I kiss her nose. “So you got me a manly dog for today, right?”

She grins. “Yup. A pug.”

I glare. “A pug is not manly.”

“Ugh. All monarchs had pugs. They’re regal.”

I perk a brow. “Didn’t you guys have a pug?”

Her face lights up. “Yes. Adler. He was my mom’s, really. I only got to have him for three years before he passed.”

“Didn’t I go to his funeral?”

She nods, like that’s totally normal. “Yeah, we all did. Mom was wrecked.”

“I remember that. Crazy thing to remember. A dog funeral.”

“He was a part of the family, and he was irreplaceable. My mom never got another one.”

She looks so sad, and it knocks the air out of me. I move her hair out of her face. “You want me to get you one?”