Power Play (Nashville Assassins: Next Generation Book 2) Read online

  Me: Oh, thank God. There are cronuts here. Please distract me.

  Boon: No shit?

  Me: For real.

  Boon: Save me one.

  I grin.

  Me: How?

  Boon: Stuff it in your bra. I’ll eat it later.

  Me: My boobs or the cronut?

  Boon: Both. And your pussy.

  I cover my mouth to keep from giggling.

  Me: Boon Zachariah Hoenes. I’m appalled.

  Boon: Posey Rose Adler, be real. You want my mouth on that sweet pussy as much as I want it in my mouth.

  Said pussy clenches.

  Me: You are not wrong.

  Boon: I know you, lovely.

  I don’t know what it is about his little nickname for me, but it gets my heart every single time. He gives me all the feels, and I fall more and more for him with each text, each call, each touch, and absolutely each kiss. He drives me wild. Sends my heart into overdrive. I’m just waiting for him to tell me he loves me. I’m pretty sure he does. Last week when I asked, I felt like he was going to say so, but then my family ruined it, and now we’re in a weird game of chicken.

  Who’s gonna say it first?

  Unfortunately, we are both very proud people, and I think we’re both waiting for the other to admit it. Since I’m a scared bitch and unsure if I am on the right train of thought, I’ve decided to sit back and wait. Actions speak louder than words, and well, I’m doing everything to make him see I do love him. Except saying the three-word phrase I’ve been dreaming about saying to him for weeks. Nope—won’t put myself out there like that. And yep—I’m aware that makes me a coward. But I don’t have the best track record here. Guys don’t love me, and I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

  Boon: I’m so jealous of the cronut.

  But man if I don’t love him. So damn much.

  Me: I’ll smuggle you one.

  Boon: You are the light of my life.

  I snort.

  Me: Don’t need to suck up.

  Boon: I was hoping you’d save me two.

  Me: Pathetic.

  Boon: Right? They told me I gotta lose the five pounds I’ve put on. It’s not muscle. Can you believe that?

  Me: I truly don’t. You are all muscle—but maybe lay off the marshmallows.

  He sends me the wide-eyed emoji.

  Boon: But you said I look sexy when I eat them!

  Me: Oh, baby, you do. You so do.

  “Who has you grinning like that?”

  My eyes look up to where my cousin Amelia is standing over me. “No one,” I say, putting my phone to sleep, but then Boon’s next text flashes.

  She eyes me. “You lie,” she accuses, and then she looks to my mom and Shelli. “I didn’t know Posey was involved with someone.”

  Mom and Shelli look over at us, each holding one of Amelia’s twins in her lap. Mom shrugs as she wipes Carter’s mouth. “She is. We don’t know who, though. She won’t tell us, but we’re on to her.”

  Shelli grins, knowing damn well. But she hasn’t ratted me out yet. That’s probably why I’m here. I say it’s the cronuts, but it’s her. She hasn’t said anything, so I’m going along with the plans from the Wedding Book from Hell. “She won’t tell anyone. I think it’s cute. Look how in love she is,” Shelli teases.

  I gawk at my sister as my mom’s gaze whips to me, which makes Carter scream out in excitement. “Right, Carter? In love? Posey is in love?” Shelli coos.

  Shelli giggles as she bounces Hannah in her arms, kissing her head. I laugh nervously as I sit up. “It’s none of y’all’s business.”

  These three women have been in my business my whole life, and they all look at me like I’m an asshole. I probably am.

  “Whoo-wee, she’s in deep. Isn’t that sweet? Has this ever happened?” Amelia asks, walking over to kiss her son, who is now wailing.

  “Nope, but I’m for it. Look at that grin,” Shelli teases, and I roll my eyes.

  “Y’all don’t know anything.”

  Mom scoffs. “I know a woman in love. Hello, I was ridiculous when it came to your dad. I was so in love, it hurt.”

  Shit. Am I like that?

  Amelia nods. “I’ll never forget the moment I knew I loved Chandler. He pulled the car over, and we danced on the side of the road. I looked into his eyes, with only the light from the headlights, and I was done for.”

  Well, hell, I’m done for…

  “I know I have been in love with Aiden since I was a kid, but when he told me he loved me, I think I fell for him all over again.”

  I really crave that. I want to hear the words. I do. But what if I’m completely off and he doesn’t feel that for me? I know he’s making future plans and all that, but I remember him saying he fell in love with Julia very quickly. What if he is taking his time with me? I can’t blame him; I did the same. But then he rocked my world, and there was no stopping these feelings.

  I walk over to where Shelli is standing, and I take Hannah, kissing her sweet little head. She looks exactly like Amelia, with bright-blue eyes. “How did you know they loved you?”

  Again, all of them look at me with intrusive eyes. They are loving this entirely too much.

  Mom narrows her eyes. “How long have y’all been dating?”

  I slide my nose along the back of Hannah’s head. “Almost two months.”

  “By now, you should know something,” Amelia says, eyeing me.

  I nod. “I know. I’m just wondering if he does.”

  “You just know,” Shelli says with this little grin on her face. “You’ll feel it. Does he seem happy?”

  I swallow hard, not meeting her gaze. “He does.”

  “Does he make you happy?” Amelia asks, and I nod once more.

  “He does.”

  Silence. I’m met with silence. My mom is basically sitting on the edge of her seat, waiting, watching me while resting her chin on Carter’s head. “That’s it? Nothing more? I mean, I could go on for hours about Dad, and we know Shelli doesn’t shut up. Amelia is more reserved, but it’s pretty obvious she’s in love,” Mom says after a few seconds, and I shrug. “Tell us about him!”

  “No, Mom,” I say simply. “It’s no one’s relationship but ours.”

  Shelli beams at me. “I love that.” I meet her gaze over Hannah’s head. “You do whatever makes you happy.”

  I think I might love my sister in that sisterly-friend way I’ve always wanted to love her. Since she’s been with Aiden, things have changed. Or maybe it’s from my being with Boon. I’m unsure, but I’m not jealous of her anymore. I feel like her equal, like she respects me. Shit, I’ve got an apartment, I have a big girl job, I’m in an adult relationship, and I feel like my sister’s equal. I really am growing up.

  I’m so proud.

  “No matter who he is, he better treat you like the goddess you are,” Shelli adds, and that knowing smile takes my breath away.

  “Please, Posey wouldn’t settle for less,” Mom says. “That’s why no guy has ever been around. No one is good enough, especially not that jackass Maxim, who won’t stop calling and emailing.”

  Shelli makes a face. “What in the world? Email him, Posey. Tell him to leave you be.”

  I shake my head as my phone sounds once more. “I don’t want to talk to him. It isn’t worth it. Nothing he says will add to my life.”

  Amelia points at me. “Agreed.”

  I swallow and then look at my mom. “Also, it isn’t like I’ve had a lot of guys after me, Mom.”

  She looks up at me, as do Amelia and Shelli. “Sorry?”

  “Guys, this is my first real boyfriend.”

  My mom’s brows come in, and I notice Amelia looks away. “It is?”

  “Yeah, I’ve had guys who dated me here and there, but they’ve only done that because they wanted Shelli.”

  Wow. Why am I saying this?

  Amelia makes a face as Shelli’s eyes widen. “What? No, they haven’t!”

  Amelia clears her throat t