Power Play (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 2)

Naked.

Wearing only a smile.

Two days, and then we’ll be home.

Across the table, Posey is looking prettier than ever. She’s fully annoyed since she’s had to stay dressed up the whole trip. She hates doing her hair and makeup. And while I love to stare at her either way, I wish I could do it freely. Tonight, though, in the lights of the patio, she looks like an angel. She’s wearing a long-sleeved white dress that hugs her body to her knees. She has on royal-blue shoes that Shelli has informed her about four times now, if she damages, she dies. Her hair is down, wavy in a sorta messy but sexy style. She’s applied her regular dark makeup, and she looks good enough to eat. Way better than this porterhouse I have.

I lean on my hand, watching her as she laughs, and honestly, I’m at the point where I don’t care if I get called out for it. I love the way her eyes sparkle in the lights. We’ve only been able to FaceTime, and it isn’t enough. I need more. I need to be able to touch her, kiss her between sentences. Like, right now, I want to reach across the table and grab her face, lick her lips, and then kiss them. Damn it, I miss her, which is insane since she’s right across the table from me.

“So, I’m skating back, my dad coming toward me to show me how to block. I went to do a simple poke check, but somehow, instead of pushing the puck away, I got him right in his balls. And boom, he’s on the ice. He said he would never be able to father children again, but then Quinnie came, so I feel he was being dramatic,” Posey says, laughing. She’s captivating. Everyone around her laughs, and I’m jealous they get to interact with her.

“You’re staring,” Wes says in my ear, and I nod as I look back at him.

Before I can answer him, though, Shelli leans into Aiden. Since they are out in the open, she gets to be with him. She comes to dinner with us, out drinking with us, and they even get to go on dates. No one questions anything. No one. I am green with envy, and I don’t even care. I swallow as Shelli leans on her hand. “I am thinking a pink bow tie for you and a gray one for Wes.”

She also only talks about the wedding. It’s mind-numbing. “Yay.”

Shelli grins. “It’s gonna be a great time.”

I nod. “Do I have a page?”

She cocks her head. “What?”

“Do I have a page in your book?”

Aiden’s eyes widen. “Don’t bring that thing up!”

“Shut up, Aiden,” she snaps, smacking him. She eyes me then. “How did you know about the book and its pages?”

“I saw you showing it to Coach Adler when we were flying out to Vegas. I was just wondering what picture of me you used on the models.”

Wes perks up. “Wait, I get to pick what model I am? Can you put me on Liam Hemsworth’s body? I am man enough to say that dude has a nice body.”

I blink. “We don’t admit those things, dude.”

“Shit, I do. Gets all the girls. Then they start thinking threesomes with me and Mr. Liam. It’d be hot.”

We all sputter with laughter, but I find myself looking over to where Posey sits. She’s watching me, and I don’t know, but I feel like she wants to be with us. Or maybe I just really want her. I reach into my pocket, bringing out my phone. I text her just as she reaches for her phone. We’re basically pros at texting each other now.

Me: I wish you were down here with us.

Posey: Me too. Does Wes really want Liam Hemsworth?

Me: Probably. He’s weird.

Posey: That’s funny, though.

Me: A little funny. What are you guys talking about?

Posey: 401ks. I have to get mine started when I get back.

Me: I’m bored for you.

Posey: I appreciate it. I think I’ve aged ten years.

Me: Well, you’re insanely hot tonight.

Posey: Even ten years older? That means I’m older than you.

Me: Mm. Be my cougar, baby.

When I look over at her, she’s grinning, puckering her lips at me. She is really lucky there’s a table between us, our careers are important, and it’s frowned upon to put her on my plate and eat her.

She pushes back her chair, tucking her napkin under her plate. “Excuse me.”

Mrs. Adler looks up at her, concerned. “You okay?”

She nods. “Yes, Mom. I’m fine.”

Yeah, she is.

I watch as she walks away, but before I can excuse myself, I look over to find Shelli watching me. She perks a brow, and I perk one back. “Yes?”

She leans in. “Are you staring at my sister?”

I scoff. “No, I was looking at the bar. I’m thirsty.”