Elli went to turn around, but Shea stopped her, pinning her against the bar.

“Why don’t they believe you’re my date?”

“Because, what were Roxy’s words?” Elli thought, then she nodded. “You don’t like girls of my stature.”

Shea scuffed as he shook his head, “She’s just jealous cause I wouldn’t give her any of my time, babe. You gotta keep your mind straight with these kinds of people. You know that I’m with you because I like you, a lot. Don’t listen to any of them, they’re jealous.”

Elli looked down at her beer which she held at her waist.

He took a step closer, bringing her face up by her chin, “Elli baby, I like you, a lot, don’t you get that?”

“I do.”

She wouldn’t look at him, so he put his face in her view, making her look at him, which made her laugh.

“Only you,” he said sternly, as he held her face, “I promise.”

She nodded once before he kissed her softly. When he pulled back, Elli opened her eyes, seeing his beautiful smile. She loved the imperfect things about his face that made it perfect. Like the way he had a scar by his lip or the one above his eyebrow. She loved the little bump on his nose that told her it had been broken a few times. He had only one dimple, but it was so big that it made up for the fact that there wasn’t another one on the other side. His eyelashes were so long, they almost touched the glass of his glasses, and his eyes, gosh, they were so damn blue. He was perfect to her, and he liked her, only her. He promised.

“I like you, too,” she whispered, which made him grin.

“Good. Now, come on, let’s dance.”

She nodded as he led her to the floor. Sean Hayes Powerful Stuff started, and Elli grinned as Shea mouthed the words, taking her hand and raising it above their heads as he moved his body against hers to the music. He was an amazing dancer, and Elli hoped she could keep up. She bit her lip as she moved against him. Elli’s eyes drifted shut a little as his hands went down her body, bringing her closer to him, and Elli thought at that moment that nothing could get better than this.

Shea thought that the night couldn’t have gone any better as he and Elli drove back to his condo. They had danced until the party had ended and he had never loved dancing with someone so much, until he had danced with Elli. She had moves and when she bit that plump bottom lip, he really wasn’t sure if he was going to make it. She was sexy, beautiful, and amazing; he couldn’t get enough of her. He parked beside her truck and got out, going around to help her out. He held her hand as they climbed the stairs to his condo. After unlocking the door and throwing his keys in the basket, he turned to see Elli standing by the door.

“You can come in, babe.”

“Yeah, but I’m stupid tired, Shea. Is it okay if I stay again? I promise it’ll be the last night!” she said with a hand up, a little red dusting her cheeks.

“I hope it’s not the last night,” he said with a grin, “of course you can stay, babe.”

“Okay, I’ll have to leave like crazy early, though. I have to go home in the morning and get clothes.”

“So, no breakfast?”

She laughed, smacking his chest as she walked by.

“Probably not,” she said, but she didn’t get far before he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him. He kissed her shoulder, then her neck, before turning her in his arms to kiss her hard on her lips. When they parted, she smiled up at him.

“Can I borrow a shirt?”

His breathing actually hitched at the thought of her in his shirt. He could only nod as he walked to the bedroom, with her still in his arms. She laughed out loud, almost tripping a few times, but he had her, she wasn’t going anywhere. When he threw the bedroom door open, Elli’s laughter stopped as she looked up at him. He backed her up until her legs hit the bed.

“Still not ready?” he asked, because he was ready, so ready. She shook her head, biting her lip. His head fell back, as he looked up at the ceiling, trying to control his breathing. “Okay,” he said. He looked down at her and kissed the side of her mouth before walking to the dresser to get her a shirt.

“I can still leave, Shea. I’m sorry.”

“Baby, its fine,” he said as he found one of his old JR League shirts. He handed it to her, not really looking at her as he went toward the closet. He stopped at the door.

“Do you need to take a shower?”

“Yes, please, if that’s okay?”

“Absolutely, I’ll take one after you.”

She looked like she might cry, which wasn’t what he wanted.

“I’m gonna go get a drink, catch some highlights while you’re in there, let me know when you’re out.”

She nodded, and then hurried into the bathroom.

Shit. He mentally kicked himself as he went into the kitchen to get water out of the fridge. Elli drove him crazy. He wanted her so bad, but he had to get himself in check before he scared her away, or made it where she would never talk to him again. That would be hell. Now that she was in his world, he couldn’t imagine life without her. The thought actually made it hard to breath; he couldn’t fathom it.

Shea went into the living room, turning the TV on as he sat down on his leather couch. He heard the water running in the bedroom as he turned to ESPN. He watched the highlights and it calmed him down. He had been in overdrive since the beginning of the night and watching his favorite thing, sports, made him feel better. He was so nervous about how to act around Elli that it was driving him mad. He didn’t understand it, really; no woman had ever done this to him. In the past, if a woman didn’t want to have sex with him, he just moved on to the next girl. But now, he didn’t want the next girl. He only wanted Elli. But what if he had sex with Elli, and then decided he didn’t want her anymore? The thought scared him so badly, he had to turn off the TV and cover his face with his hands. What if this was about the chase, because she kept saying no?