One Timer: An Nashville Assassins Novel Read online

  When he smiles, the world stops and all the air rushes out of me audibly. His teeth are so white, his face is so bright, and this all seems unreal. I move my hand to my other wrist, pinching myself hard. I can hear Chris laughing, but I don’t care.

  “He’s expecting you.”

  I shake my head. “No way,”

  “Yeah, I told him you were coming.”

  My stomach swirls. “Really?”

  “Yeah,” he says with his easy grin. “Are you going to go say hi, then?”

  I nod, though I don’t move. I hear my cousin Amelia in my head. She always teases me for never having the balls to go up to Aiden. But not today.

  I inhale deeply, licking my lips as I watch him walk away from the group he was with. He moves through the crowd with a grin, a cup in his hand. He stops at a group of guys, and they each take a shot before his laughter fills the room. Over the music, over all the conversations, I hear him. He slaps hands with his friends, even nods at a girl who has her eyes on him. I assume he’s going to go to her, but he doesn’t. He steps to the side and pulls out his phone as he leans into the wall, taking a sip of his drink.

  I know this is my chance.

  My legs are moving before I even realize it. My heart is so loud, I can’t hear anything but it thudding in my chest. The way he’s leaning, his shirt has pulled up a bit on his stomach, showing off a naughty sliver of skin that makes my mouth dry. I swallow hard as I weave my way through the crowd, my gaze locked on him, hoping he doesn’t move. When he looks up, his eyes land on me, and good Lord, his eyes are hooded. The air is knocked out of me, but a grin moves across my lips.

  This is it.

  Aiden nips at his bottom lip as he slowly tucks his phone into his pocket. “Hey.”

  “Hi,” I whisper, and his lips curve even more. “How are you?”

  “I’m really good now that you’re here.” He takes a long sip of whatever is in his cup before licking his lips as he lowers the cup to his hip. “You came with Chris?”

  I nod, but I can’t feel myself doing it. I feel as if I’m on autopilot, I’m so lost in his gray eyes. “I did.”

  He pushes off the wall and takes a step toward me, towering over me in the sexiest way. Almost like a lion stalking its prey. His lips are so wet as he gazes down at me with those naughty, hooded eyes.

  “You’re really fucking beautiful.”

  I think I just died. Aiden Brooks just called me, Shelli Adler, really fucking beautiful. And not just beautiful. Fucking beautiful.

  I mean, he’s isn’t wrong.

  I have my dad’s eyes and my mom’s beauty. But knowing that about myself doesn’t mean my face doesn’t flush with color and my lips don’t curve into the brightest smile. Because it’s him. The guy I’ve crushed on for most of my life. He thinks I’m beautiful, when I thought he never even saw me. “Thank you.”

  He looks me up and down, his eyes poring over me like the sweetest syrup. “Usually, Chris’s friends aren’t this gorgeous.”

  The way he says friends is weird, but that’s neither here nor there. Aiden Brooks is looking at me, and I swear he sees me. He really sees me.

  “Thanks…?”

  He grins, and Lord, he is so charming. A simple grin has my heart fluttering in my chest. “That’s one hell of a compliment. He’s brought a lot of girls through here.”

  “This is my first time.” Well, no shit, Sherlock! He knows this. Why the hell did I say that? I’m such an idiot!

  He reaches out, taking my hip in his grip. I look down at his hand as my body burns with fire from his touch. I have wanted to feel his hands on me for as long as I can remember. I look up at him, wide-eyed, as his white teeth blind me. “Believe me, it won’t be your last.”

  I blink, and when my eyes open, it’s just in time to see his lips coming for mine. His hand moves to the middle of my back, pushing me into him as his lips capture mine. It’s like a siren is going off in my head as I fall into the kiss, my hands sliding up and around his neck to hold on for dear life.

  Because Aiden Brooks is kissing me.

  Want more!??! I know you do! Get your copy of Dump and Chase NOW!!

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  Also by Toni Aleo

  NASHVILLE ASSASSINS

  Breaking Away

  Laces and Lace

  A Very Merry Hockey Holiday

  Wanting to Forget

  Overtime

  Rushing the Goal

  Puck, Sticks, and Diapers

  Face-off at the Altar

  Delayed Call

  Twenty-Two

  In the Crease

  One Timer

  * * *

  Nashville Assassins: Next Generation

  Dump & Chase

  Power Play

  * * *

  Bellevue Bullies Series

  Boarded by Love

  Clipped by Love

  Hooked by Love

  End Game

  * * *

  IceCats Series

  Juicy Rebound

  Wild Tendy

  * * *

  Taking Risks

  Whiskey Prince

  Becoming the Whiskey Princess

  Whiskey Rebellion

  * * *

  Patchwork Series

  (Paranormal)

  Pieces

  Broken Pieces

  * * *

  Spring Grove Novels

  (Small-town romances)

  Not the One

  Small-Town Sweetheart

  Nobody’s Sweetheart (Coming SOON!)

  * * *

  Standalones

  Let it be Me

  Two-Man Advantage

  * * *

  Misadventures

  (Standalones)

  Misadventures with a Rookie

  Misadventures of a Manny

  * * *

  Assassins Series

  Taking Shots

  Trying to Score

  Empty Net

  Falling for the Backup

  Blue Lines

  Acknowledgments

  As always, first, I want to thank YOU.

  You are the reason I keep writing and why I am living my best life. You mean so much to me, and I love you. Thank you.

  Second, I want to thank Lisa. She’s been urging me to write this book FOREVER. She was right; it is awesome. She has stood beside me through thick and thin. I love you, Holletta. Thank you.

  I want to thank my husband, my babies, my dogs, and my Bobbie. I am so blessed in the life department, and I stoked for my future.

  I want to thank my amazing betas without whom this book wouldn’t be what it is. These women make me a better writer and love me even when I don’t love myself. Thank you, Heather, Jessica, Laurie, Franci, Susie, Althea, and Nikki.

  I hope you enjoyed One Timer and are excited for Power Play. I know I am! Please remember that a review is like a HUGE hug. I love them. Thank you again.

  * * *

  Love,

  Toni

  About Toni Aleo

  My name is Toni Aleo, and I’m a #PredHead, #sherrio, #potterhead, and part of the #familybusiness!

  I am also a wife to my amazing husband, mother of a gamer and a gymnast, and also a fur momma to Gaston el Papillion & Winnie Pooh.

  While my beautiful and amazing Shea Weber has been traded from my Predators, I’m still a huge fan. But when I’m not cheering for him, I’m hollering for the whole Nashville Predators since I’ll never give my heart to one player again.

  When I’m not in the gym getting swole, I’m usually writing, trying to make my dreams a reality, or being a taxi for my kids.

  I’m obsessed with Harry Potter, Supernatural, Disney, and anything that sparkles! I’m pretty sure I was Belle in a past life, and if I could be on any show, it would be Supernatural so I could hunt with Sam and Dean.

  Also, I did mention I love hockey, right?

  * * *

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