One Timer: An Nashville Assassins Novel Read online

  I stare at my phone as my best friend, Shea Adler, sits beside me. We’re at his apartment, hanging out and drinking some beers. We had a long day, smiling for the cameras and discussing how awful that shit is. The only upside was seeing Harper’s gorgeous face. Typically, I’m attracted to girls with huge breasts and long bleach blonde hair, the regular puck-bunny type. But today it was the girl with the bright purple hair in spikes. She intrigued me, and I really love her lips. I thought she liked all of me, too, so this is bullshit.

  “Looking at the phone won’t make it ring.”

  I don’t even spare Shea a glance. “I don’t understand. I thought she liked me.”

  “Maybe she was playing games. She looks the type, like a hard-core ballbuster,” he says, bringing his beer to his lips. “I mean, I wouldn’t be attracted to her.”

  I make a face. “No one asked you to be. Stay in your lane.”

  He grins. “Aw, you’re already smitten.”

  I ignore him, staring at my phone. I would text her, but I suck at it, and that fucking autocorrect doesn’t help at all. I’m not good with English words; I barely even speak them well. “You call her.”

  Shea pulls in his brows. “Who? The chick?”

  “Yeah. Maybe she’s ignoring me.”

  He looks at me, baffled. “So, why are we calling her?”

  “She just needs to hear my voice, and I’ll get her to talk to me.”

  “Yeah. No, stalker.” When he laughs, I glare. He’s supposed to be my best friend. “But can we discuss how fine that photographer was? Man, I was pissed when my contacts wouldn’t stay in. She was something.”

  I shrug. When I was back home in Russia, she would be my type. A thicker woman who can make me some babies. Though, I can’t help but remember the rich men being with model-thin women with big boobs. When I came to America, I felt that was how I would mark my success. Especially when I saw how wealthy American men were with their women. I’m actually surprised Shea likes the photographer. He is very much a blond, puck-bunny kind of guy. “She was very pretty.”

  “Yeah, and thick in all the right places.” He grins like a kid with his hand in a cookie jar.

  Wow, he does like her. “Totally different from who you’ve been with before.”

  I’m truly surprised he isn’t settled down with a bunch of kids yet. He’s a great uncle, and when we go to the Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, it’s as if all the kids are his. He’s a leader, a good dude, and I’m lucky he’s my best friend. He just doesn’t do relationships. I can’t fault him; most hockey players don’t. We have grueling schedules, and we’re gone a lot. It takes a special woman to deal with that. I really want Harper to be that special woman.

  Shea shrugs, making a noncommittal face. “I think I’m done with that part of my life, those women. I want to settle down.”

  Now I’m the one making a face. Shea has never wanted to settle down. Like, ever. I’ve always wanted to settle down. Every woman I have dated has been because I’m looking for a wife, but it hasn’t worked out for me. No one has wanted the same thing I do. But it was different with Harper. I felt that settling down feeling with Harper. I was aware I had only known her for maybe five minutes, but I felt it.

  That spark.

  But what surprises me is Shea feeling that feeling. Let’s be honest… He likes women—a lot, actually—but I guess it has really slowed down the last couple years. Ever since he was selected captain. I think the pressure of setting an example is real for him, and then, his mom wants grandkids from him. She makes that known often. His last relationship didn’t go really well, but it was all her fault. Shea is great. Good dude, loyal as hell. He just hasn’t found the one. Maybe I didn’t either. Shit.

  “So, what has made you want to settle down?”

  He takes a long pull of his beer and then smacks his lips. “I’m tired of it all. The sleeping around, the having to find a new chick when I want some. I don’t just want to fuck—I want a companion. Someone I can share this life with.”

  I give him a pointed look. He basically said everything I have been saying. “When I said that, you laughed at me.”

  He grins, a wide, teasing one. “I was young and stupid then.”

  “It was a month ago.”

  Still grinning, he says, “I’ve grown so much.”

  “I think she would be perfect for you.”

  “Yeah?”

  I clear my throat. “She looks like a good woman to make babies with.”

  Shea grins. “You always point out the baby-making women.”

  I smile. “It’s all in the hips,” I say with a wink. “Harper has nice hips.”

  He rolls his eyes as I lean back on the couch. “You just met her.”

  “And I felt something. Just like you did with photographer girl.”

  “True,” he says slowly. “But I’m not waiting around for a call.”

  “Because you didn’t give her your number or even get her name.”

  He pauses. “Touché.”

  I glance down at my phone to make sure it’s working. It is, yet no call from Harper. “Should I call her again?”

  “No!” he yells, and I realize I’m pouting. “Wait until the second half starts.”

  I look at the clock on the football game. Thankfully, I don’t have long until I can call her. “So, are you going to go after the photographer?”

  He nods. “Yeah, I called Grace to get me the info on her.”

  Ah, well, if he got his sister involved, then he’s real serious. “Do you think she was interested?”

  “Shit, I don’t know. I sure hope so.”

  I nod. I want to think she was, but what do I know? I thought Harper was interested, but instead, she’s blowing me off. I had to talk myself down all day, reminding myself this isn’t love at first sight. It can’t be. But man, the rejection I feel right now… I’m thinking it might be. I’ve never had that happen, and for her to blow me off like this—shit, it hurts.

  “Think Grace can find Harper?”

  He laughs. “She’ll call.” I don’t feel his confidence, but then my phone rings. When I see her name, I jump off the couch, fumbling with my phone to answer it. “Wow, dude. You’re ridiculous.”

  I ignore him, taking a deep breath. “Hey, you.”

  She lets out a soft exhale. “Hey, I saw you called. A lot.” She’s teasing me, but I don’t care.

  “I did. I wanted to see you,” I say, walking in a circle. Like, a literal circle. Just how a dog does it before he lies down to get comfortable. I want to get comfortable with Harper. And maybe a little uncomfortable. “I thought you wanted to see me, but you’ve been ignoring me.”

  She laughs breezily. “I was busy. I had to unload my stuff and then get back to my place.”

  “Oh, so you’re home now?”

  “I am.”

  “Did you want to go out?”

  “I’d rather stay in.”

  My groin tightens at the promise in her voice. “I can bring food.”

  “I’d rather you just bring yourself.”

  She doesn’t have to imply anything else; I am out Shea’s door without even a goodbye.

  And I’m not the least bit ashamed.

  Harper had texted me her address, and when I pulled up to her little condo that looked more like a mini house than a condo, I couldn’t get out of the car fast enough. I swear, the moment I heard her voice, I was ready to go. I feel as if I haven’t gotten laid in years, when really, it’s only been a few weeks. There is something about Harper, though, that has me feeling all dewy and new. When I reach her door, I tuck my phone into my pocket with my keys. I take a deep breath, and as soon as I knock on the door, she opens it.

  And. She. Is. Butt. Ass. Naked.

  Thank you, God. Thank you.

  “Wow, you came fast.”

  My jaw actually drops. My heart jumps into my throat, my cock feels as if it’s about to break off if I move, and all I can do is stare at the beauty in front