No, wait. I was the fool standing there gawking at her. I should be helping her. “Let me get your costume ready as you dry off.”
I snagged my boxers off the floor, went back into the room and put them on. Her mask was on a table and the boots were easy enough to find. But the top and skirt? Geez, how does Nat find anything in this mess?
“Fuck!” Nat shrieked as she rushed out of the bathroom. “If I get fired or they dock my pay, I’m going to kill you.”
Spying the skirt, I picked it up as I stood and gaped at her. What the hell? This wasn’t my fault. I hadn’t known what time she had to work. I didn’t even know her full name.
God, I didn’t know her full name and I was daydreaming about living with her.
Nat sprayed herself with something sweet-smelling and dug a pair of panties out of her bag. Slipping them on, she seized the skirt from me. “Are you just going to stand there?”
I flinched. I couldn’t help myself. My chest felt as if it had folded in on itself.
Skirt went on and then her boots. I had to find the bikini top.
“Behind the fucking chair.” Nat motioned as she tied the laces of her boots.
It was just where she’d said. I scooped it up and handed it to her. “Do you need help with anything else? Did you want some coffee? I can go get you some and drop it off to you.”
“No. You’ve done enough. Get dressed and get out of here.” Nat fit her breasts into the snug cups of the top and clipped it together. She smoothed her hair back and put on her silver mask. As it slipped over her face, I saw a crack in the anger. Something else. Damn it. I sucked at reading emotions. It almost looked as if she were about to cry.
I hadn’t moved by the time she was fully dressed. “Get your stuff and get the fuck out.”
Nat grabbed a tube of lipstick and her key card before marching to the door. Seeing her walk away in all her booth babe glory snapped me back into action.
“Wait! What’s going on? If I knew—” I tripped over my backpack and fell to the floor.
She was out the door and gone down the hall. The door swung closed behind her.
Nat was gone. I’d lost her.
Did I even have her to begin with?
I was so sure we’d made a connection. Last night had been… I don’t know. Awesome seemed like too mild a word. And I didn’t just mean the sex. Yeah, that was amazing, but the way we talked and how comfortable we were with each other… It was as if the Great Game Designer in the sky meant us to be together.
I picked myself up off the floor and sat on the edge of the bed. I was in her room. I could just wait until she got back.
Would that be creepy? Maybe that would freak her out.
I could pick her things up, tidy the room and leave her a note. Okay, nope. I knew from experience that people who were messy hated it when others cleaned up their stuff. I needed to respect Nat and her things.
A note would be best. One with an apology and my cell number.
I found a pad of hotel paper and a pen. Pursing my lips, I thought of how best to start it. Make it casual, a friendly “Hey, let’s get together later” kind of thing.
Then the apology. But how to do that in the right way?
With Nat gone and the tension defused, I dropped the pen. What the hell was I apologizing for?
I hadn’t made her late. That wasn’t my fault. I hadn’t known what time she had to be at the booth. I hadn’t left her room a mess and made it difficult to find her outfit. Not me. That had all been her.
Fuck. I needed to just get dressed and go. Drama like this was for suckers.
But my body wasn’t listening. I didn’t stand or even shift in the chair. Clenching my jaw, I squeezed my eyes shut.
I had it bad for Nat. Was it all just physical? I didn’t know. Likely.
No. That was a lie. No matter that we’d just met, I really felt something for her. I wasn’t about to go on about soul mates or love at first sight, but there was definitely something there. I wasn’t going to deny it, and if she were being honest, I’d have bet she wouldn’t either.
Yet the drama. And the way she treated me. That wasn’t fair.
Her cool, or rather red-hot façade, had cracked right before the mask had gone on. What was she upset about?
I lowered my head and banged it against the table. I was not a flip-flop type of guy. Making excuses for people was just stupid. I needed to think with my head, not with my dick.
Or heart.
After a shower, I wasn’t any clearer on what to do. I left my number for her. Nothing else.
I picked up my backpack and headed for the door. On the way out, I noticed the hotel receipt on the little foyer table. The hotel guest’s name was typed in bold letters: Natalie Gill.
I now had her full name.
Chapter Four
Geek boy problem #52: You translate everything into video game moves.
Why was it that when you had sex, other girls swarmed you? I made it to lunch with the Steampunk Quest group, and Emily was all over me. Not just friendly flirting, but heavy-into-me kind of flirting.
Any other time, I would’ve been ecstatic about it. But all I could think about was Nat. Would she call me? Should I take her a coffee at the Cinterrealm booth?
Plus I didn’t miss how Russell was glaring at me while Emily laughed and winked and touched me way too often. And he was dressed as Snidely Whiplash. I was a little afraid he might leave me to be run over by a train. Or run me over himself.
Andrew didn’t ask where I’d been the night before. I really wanted to talk to him about it, but he’d just say to go for Emily. He didn’t see Russell across the tables because he was too busy staring at Sydney.
That was a whole mess I didn’t want any part of.
I managed to escape without Emily dragging me off to some dark corner, and played in the Settlers of Catan tournament. The dice weren’t on my side that day either. I was out after a few games. I did get a wood badge. Kind of fitting for that weekend.
Wood for brains was more fitting. All pulpy and soft. I found myself in the dealers’ hall and peering down the aisle at the Cinterrealm booth.
Nat smiled as she handed out fliers and posed for pictures. Damn, she was so sexy.
Why had she been so upset that morning?
Someone yanked me backward and pinned me to the wall with a black-gloved hand. Oh God. Russell.
“Stay away from Emily.” His curled mustache twitched as he effectively delivered his threat.
Or else what? Yeah, like I was going to ask.
I held up my hand and nodded. “Yeah, no worries. I’m not into her.”
“What was that at lunch then?” Russell’s hand tightened on my shirt. I swallowed. It was as if the Governor had finally come for me.
“That was all her. I swear it.”
Russell nodded once and released me. He sighed and leaned against the wall beside me. “I believe you.”
Thank God.
“She thinks you’re cute,” he added.
Really? Another hot girl thinks I’m good-looking? Is there some sort of enchantment happening at this convention?
“Uh, yeah, well, I mean, she’s hot, but I kind of have a girl…sort of.” My gaze returned to the Cinterrealm booth. I couldn’t see Nat through the crowd.
“She is hot and tremendously vexing.” Russell folded his arms and followed my gaze. “Which one is your girl?”
“She’s one of the booth babes at Cinterrealm. The brunette.”
The mass of people parted for a few seconds to give us a framed view of Nat. She bent over to talk to a kid, and oh, how that made her ass look so fine.
“Nice. Every geek’s dream.” Russell held up his fist.
I bumped it, feeling a sort of brotherhood now that the fear had lifted. Russell was one of those guys who was all charisma. The bad boy. Girls liked that. Maybe he’d have some advice to pass on to another bro.
“I spent the night with her. Everything was good unti
l this morning. She blamed me for making her late. Just bit my head off. But I didn’t know she had to be at work.”
“Women. Not one of them makes any sense at all.” Russell huffed and rubbed the top of his nose.
“I thought maybe I should apologize. I don’t know. Give her some space?” I shrugged.
“Don’t apologize. You weren’t at fault. No one will respect you if you take the blame for something you didn’t do, especially her.” He motioned to her with his chin. “She’s a booth babe. Any guy would pay to be in her bed, but she picked you. You’ve got to stand above the crowd and make her want to pick you again.”
“So…do I wait and let her come to me?”
“Fuck, no.” Russell snorted. “Women will hold out forever if you give them space. Just let her cool off, and then make your move. Impress her. Make her notice you again.”
I nodded slowly. “Yeah. I can do that. Thanks.”
“I am the wise old man of our group.” Smirking, he pushed off the wall and straightened his jacket.
“And what are you going to do?” I didn’t say “with Emily” out loud. I’d guessed earlier that something was going on with those two, but his warning had confirmed it.
“I’m going to get her to marry me.” Russell winked and tapped the top of his hat before sauntering into the crowd.
What the fuck? I had to make a conscious thought to close my gaping mouth. That dude had balls.
And tonight I was going to prove that I did too.
I arrived at the League of Legends tournament early enough to get the ideal spot. I sat at a terminal behind a post near the back corner. No one could see me as they entered the room. And they’d have to come to the back to get a full view of my face.
Which I hid by pulling up the hood of my sweatshirt.
I didn’t see Nat come in, but I knew she was there when the tournament started. She wasn’t going to miss it. This was her chance to get in on the pro circuit.
And it was every bit the clusterfuck I’d imagined it would be. The noise in the room drowned out the sound from the computer. People died left, right and mostly in the center. I was happily responsible for several deaths.
Falling into the zone was easy. I loved the game and reveled in the challenge of playing against so many people. This was why I drank so little and forgot to eat meals. I had a gamer’s soul.
Time blurred and I found myself fighting two guys. They cut my health down to one segment before I managed to kill them. I didn’t relax. There was no one else around in my character’s visual range, but I hadn’t been declared the winner. Where were the others?
I cautiously explored until a sudden round of cheers erupted from the other side of the room.
“Two players left!” one of the judges shouted.
Rising enough to see over the terminals, I spotted a small crowd circled around a screen near the front of the room. There was someone with dark hair in the center.
Nat lifted her head just enough to catch my eye. Her eyes widened before she focused back on the screen.
Grinning, I sat and prowled the board, searching for her. I had no idea what she was playing or how well she’d done so far. I had no mana or potions left. Not that I’d had many to begin with, being a Bruiser.
She found me first, and I barely survived her sneak attack. An assassin. That would make it difficult to get in close to do damage. She was fast. Super fast.
We exchanged blows. The remaining players and judges hooted and hollered. Tuning them out, I watched how Nat moved. Every player was predictable. She might jump around, feign left or right, but there would be some pattern to what she did to try to wear me down.
Oh yes. She’d dodge my attacks, fake coming in at me twice, and then actually hit.
Dodge, dodge, fake, fake. She attacked and I grabbed her and slammed her to the ground.
Now time for a power move.
Before I could get mine off, she cast a darkness spell and my screen went black. All I heard was the sound of her blade slicing through me and my dying scream.
Cheers rang through the room, and I collapsed back in my chair.
Holy fuck, was that a good game. A game to talk about for months! And it was anyone’s game at the end there.
Prizes were distributed. Cash prizes. Whoa. I’d won five hundred dollars for coming in second.
Nat didn’t look my way as she accepted her certificate and prizes with a smile. The high from the awesome gameplay dissolved fast. None of it mattered if she didn’t talk to me again.
When the others asked her to have a drink with them, she declined. Again.
I slipped out of the room behind her and followed her to the hotel elevator. I couldn’t let her go. I cleared my throat. “You played awesomely. Congratulations.”
Nat spun around and glared at me. “You let me win.”
The venom in her voice burned through my veins. I shook my head. “No. I was ready to bash your face in. You were down and had no mana left. I thought I had it.”
Her face softened and a wee smirk curled up her lips. “I took darkness as my special ability. I didn’t need any mana to cast it.”
Smart. It was such a minor spell. No one ever took that as their special ability. She’d just gone up another level of sexiness.
“Damn assassins.” I huffed but still smiled. The elevator dinged and the doors swished open.
Nat stepped inside and motioned to me to follow. “So you didn’t let me win? Really?”
I stepped in just before the doors closed. “Nope. What point is there if you don’t play to win?”
She dropped her prize bag and threw her arms around me, kissing me hard. The breath was knocked out of me as I tried to conceal my elation.
To hell with the five hundred bucks. Nat was back in my arms and kissing me with a passion that was making me dizzy. It was the only prize I wanted.
Stopping to catch her breath, she leaned over and pressed her floor number. The elevator jerked and started upward. “That was a pretty fucking awesome game. Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. You’re a great player. I should be thanking you for providing me with some worthy competition.” Okay, not so humble, but it made her giggle and kiss me again. She was the opposite of how she’d been that morning. And while I wondered what had gone on then, I wasn’t about to ruin the moment by asking.
The elevator bumped as it stopped. Nat took my hand and grabbed her prize bag. “Come back to my room. I want a victory fuck.”
Sometimes coming in second place had its own rewards.
My erection strained against my jeans as I followed her out of the elevator and down the hall to her room. Nat opened the door swiftly, dropped her stuff and grabbed me. She was a woman who knew what she wanted and had to have it now. And I was the lucky guy who wasn’t going to deny her.
We kissed as we hurriedly peeled off our clothing. There was no finesse to it, no savoring of the moment. We bumped elbows and stumbled over jeans. But by the time we were at the bed, we were naked. Tumbling, I started on top of her, and then she rolled over to claim the dominant position.
Pressing her hot pussy against my thigh, she rubbed herself as I flexed my leg to give her more friction. So creamy. It coated me with her juices.
The sweet and musky smell of her. The heat of her body pressed to mine. How easily I was lost to her.
I groped one breast, tugging on the hard nipple. Nat moaned and kissed along my neck. I quivered as her lips met my earlobe. It was like the hidden Z button under the game controller that zapped away my will for anything other than her.
My hips rolled in little circles as my cock poked repeatedly against her side. I tried to turn her over onto her back again, but she firmly planted her hands and knees.
Nat kissed my lips and lifted herself off me. “Stay. I gotta be on top for this one.”
As she shifted, I thought she intended to grab a condom from the table, but instead, she turned her body around so that her drenched pussy ho
vered over my face and—oh God!—her mouth engulfed my erection.
I groaned as she sucked me deep into her throat. Her hair tickled my thighs and balls, but fuck, that mouth. I couldn’t think or move for half a minute.
The thick perfume of her pussy opened my eyes. I hooked my arms around her and spread her wide from behind. The luscious pink folds glistened and her wee anus tightened, winking as if it knew I was gazing at it.
I dragged her down to me, kissing where her legs met her groin. I licked along her slit. Pussy to anus and back again. Nat moaned and squirmed, the vibrations of her groans echoing along the length of my cock.
Sucking and tugging on her labia, I lathered her up further before I thrust my tongue into her. Quick jabs, sounding like the lapping of a dog. Not a sexy sound, but it was getting a reaction from her.
Nat’s hand closed around the base of my erection and stroked it a few times before she lashed the head with her tongue. My toes curled and flexed when she suckled hard on my cock’s tip. Oh, fuck. I wasn’t going to last much longer.
It was hard to breathe with my face pushed against her. Never before had I been so happy not to be able to catch a good breath. I followed her lead and lifted the hood over her clit, sucking on the fleshy nub.
When she took all of me into her mouth again, I faltered and gasped. My testes started to rise.
I blew air over her clit, making her shiver. There was no way I could concentrate on feasting on her pussy so close to orgasm. So I adjusted one arm and drove two fingers into her.
Nat’s cry was softened by the fact that her mouth was full of my dick. I fucked her fast, using my whole hand for maximum friction. I held up my thumb so it would slide over her anus with the vigorous motions.
My hips jerked and the trembling started. Oh man, this was going to be a big one.
I whispered her name as I leaned my face against her thigh. I grunted as I came and whimpered as I emptied myself into her mouth. Every last drop she swallowed like she’d been starving.
My hand’s rhythm wasn’t so smooth, but I didn’t stop. And when I could focus a bit again, I dipped my other hand under to rub her clit. Her inner muscles clenched around my fingers. I hit all the buttons in the right way.
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