Game On (Aeon Book 1)

by Wendy Smith

  “The tomato and lettuce are the bits that are good for you.”

  She sighs. “But I don’t like them.”

  “Your grandmother would kill him if she knew he was doing that for you.” I laugh.

  “She doesn’t have to know.” Grace shoots me a sly smile.

  “You’re a piece of work, do you know that?”

  Her face drops. “What does that mean?”

  I wrap my arms around her and press a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m really proud of you. Not for trying to avoid eating things that are good for you, but for being strong and knowing what you want. I love you so much, Grace.”

  “Love you too, Daddy.”

  “I can just picture you giggling with your mom over this. Even though you know she’d make you eat the lettuce and tomato.”

  She sighs. “I miss her.”

  “Me too. So very much. But I have her mini me with me, and you keep my heart full, Gracie-boo.”

  “Tonight was fun. Can we do it again tomorrow?”

  I shake my head. “Not tomorrow. But you do get to stay with your grandmother on Friday night.”

  “Do I have to?”

  “Yes, you do. I thought you liked staying with her?”

  She sighs. “I do, but I like being home with you more.”

  “It’s just one night. I have some things to take care of, and then we can go and do something on Saturday. Maybe with Molly.”

  Grace beams. “Can we go to the park?”

  “I can’t see why not. But right now I’m going to go and pay the bill, and we’ll go home.”

  She slips off my lap and I stand, taking her hand in mine.

  I’m looking forward to the three of us spending more time together.

  18

  Brad

  Bridget hasn’t shown up for work today.

  And Stu is right. I feel guilty. But I was never going to enter into a relationship with her, regardless of whether Molly was around or not. If I was, it would have happened earlier in the two years since my divorce.

  As her employer, I’m pissed.

  We crossed a major milestone in this build yesterday, and today one of my site supervisors hasn’t shown up without so much as a phone call.

  “What do you want to do?” Stu asks.

  “I want you to step in for her for the day.”

  Stu frowns. Last year, I created two supervisory roles. One I wanted him for, and the other one was for Bridget. But Stu didn’t want the extra responsibility. But I need him to step up, because lord knows I’ve had enough distractions lately.

  “And if she doesn’t turn up, then I want it to be permanent.”

  His teeth grind so loudly, I can hear them.

  “Dude. You were the first person I offered the job to. It’s a pay rise. It’ll help with your baby plans.” I let out a long breath. “Besides, you’d be helping me out.”

  “I’m not gonna take her job.”

  I shake my head. “I’m not asking you to. At least not yet. If she turns up tomorrow, then she turns up tomorrow.”

  He nods. “Okay. For you.”

  “Becky will be so proud of you that I might just have to stay away from the office.”

  His jaw drops. “We’d never do that.”

  “I wouldn’t blame you if you did.” I laugh, and slap him on the shoulder. “I’ll ask Becky to try again to get hold of Bridget. That’ll keep her busy.”

  “Thanks. It’s driving me crazy, Brad. I’m not objecting to all the sex, but it’s all so tiring.”

  “I’m sure it is. And I’m always here to listen if you need to talk.”

  He grips my shoulder. “I know. And the same goes for you.”

  By lunchtime, Becky still hasn’t managed to get hold of Bridget, so I jump in my truck and take the short drive to her place. Maybe she’s sick and needs help. Either way, I’m checking on her.

  I’m not about to let one of my best workers go. Not this way. If she was leaving to go to another bigger job somewhere else, I’d be proud of her. But I’ll be damned if some personal issue is going to cause a loss to the company.

  The curtain in her front room moves when I knock on the door. “Bridget? I know you’re there. We need to talk.”

  The door opens slowly. She’s dressed in grey sweat pants and a T-shirt, and looks at me with sad eyes. “I guess I should let you in.”

  “It’s better than talking on the doorstep.”

  She waves me inside, and I kick off my boots and walk into the entranceway. I follow her into the living room and sit on the couch when she does.

  “What’s going on? Is this about our conversation last night?”

  She licks her lips. “I just always thought it’d be you and me. You promoted me over all those guys, and …”

  “I promoted you because you were the best person for the job.”

  “But Stu—”

  “Stu was offered the other supervisor job. It was always you and him I wanted for a supervisor role, Bridget. You work hard, and you’re good at motivating the others. I always thought one day I’d lose you to another company.”

  She shakes her head. “That’s not going to happen.”

  “One day it will. And it should. Because it’ll be your own business.”

  Her lips twitch. “You think so?”

  “You’re capable and knowledgeable. That’s why I’m here and not just ignoring the fact that you didn’t turn up to work. It’s not like you.”

  She picks at her fingernails before meeting my gaze. “I’m sorry, Brad.”

  “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. I had a feeling you liked me, and I should have addressed it a long time ago. That’s on me.”

  Bridget sighs. “So, you and Molly are the real deal?”

  “I think we are.” I smile. “I’m hoping she feels the same way.”

  “She’s an idiot if she doesn’t.” The corners of her mouth curl into a smile.

  “I think so too. Now, are you going to be at work tomorrow?”

  She nods.

  “Any problems, tell me. Stu’s covering for you today, and he hates being a supervisor. It doesn’t come naturally to him. But it does for you. We couldn’t do these types of projects without the right people being in the right roles. I think I picked well.”

  Her smile grows. “So do I.”

  I laugh. “See? There’s the Bridget I know. You might not like this, but I think you have a lot in common with Molly.”

  One of her eyebrows arches. “How so?”

  “She’s determined and works hard. Fights for what she believes in. And she’s kicking ass in a male-dominated industry.”

  Bridget lets out long, loud breath. “Well, she’d better be good to you.”

  “We’ll work it all out.” I stand. “I’d better get back and rescue Stu. But I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  She nods. “I’ll be there.”

  I climb into my truck and lean back in my seat. At least the work situation seems to be back under control.

  Hopefully now my personal life will fall into place too.

  19

  Molly

  This is the second time I’ve been to Brad’s place since the day we ended up on the floor. Last time, we had a chaperone. This time, it’s just us. Butterflies swirl in my stomach.

  I’ve sat in meetings with some of the most powerful CEOs in the tech world and didn’t feel a single nerve.

  Now, my body fights with me as I park the car and climb out.

  I want him.

  There was never any doubt in my mind over that.

  I need him.

  He’s a part of me that’s been buried for so long, but now he’s at the surface and I’m so engulfed in the emotion that I can’t fight it.

  I love him.

  Am I ready for this? He was the last man I fell in love with—the only one.

  I reach the front steps and take them slowly.

  I’m scared.

  It’s not just Brad this ti
me. Can I give him what he wants and fulfill my own dreams?

  Can I be what Grace needs me to be?

  He opens the door before I can knock with that silly grin on his face I’ve always loved. “You’re here.”

  “I said I would be.”

  “Come in.” He takes my hand and leads me into the living room. “How’s your week been?”

  I suck in my bottom lip. “Do you really want to make small talk first?”

  He laughs. “No, but if I start kissing you, I might not stop.”

  “I wouldn’t be complaining.”

  Brad slips his other arm around my waist and pulls me closer. “No?”

  “Not at all.”

  There’s so much tenderness in his kiss. It’s gentle and loving, and I don’t know how I went nearly a week without him it. When it’s over, he presses his forehead to mine.

  “I guess I should let you catch your breath.” He laughs. “Dinner is cooking, but we’ve still got a bit of time to waste before it’s ready.”

  “Whatever shall we do?” I shoot him the most innocent smile I can muster.

  “Come here.” He pulls me down onto his lap as he sits on the couch. “This has been the longest week of my life.”

  “For me too.” I close my eyes as I press my forehead to his and breathe him in.

  “Tough time at work?”

  I shake my head. “No. Everything’s going well. I had to go and see Dean today and download the new beta of my next game. The updates are coming thick and fast, and I don’t want to miss anything.”

  Brad rubs my thigh as I hook my arms around his neck. “Do you miss it? Being in the office, I mean.”

  “Yes and no. This is my favorite part of game development—when it’s all coming together.” I let out a contented sigh. “But I’m also enjoying being back here. Even if I don’t see you for days on end.”

  He chuckles. “Is that a hint for us to spend more time together?”

  “Might be.”

  Brad presses a kiss under my ear, and I let out a low moan. “That still gets you going, huh?”

  “You’re the only person who knows my weakness. That’s my kryptonite.”

  He laughs against my skin. “Are we going to make it through dinner?”

  “We have all night.”

  He brushes his fingers up my arm. “I’m hoping if I get this right, we’ll have our whole lives.”

  Tears prick my eyes. I promised myself not to get too emotional. “Brad …”

  “I’m trying not to push you, and I won’t. But if you want this, I’m in for the long haul, Molly.”

  My heart pounds. This is what I always wanted, but it doesn’t make me any less scared. “We just need to go slow.”

  He nods. “As slow as you like. I hope you’ll stay with me tonight, though.”

  I lean back. Hope is written all over his face. “Of course I will.”

  Brad flips me back onto the couch, and I shriek with laughter as he leans over me. “This is our second chance, and I don’t want to fuck it up.”

  “You can’t fuck it up.” I stroke his cheek. Sniffing the air, I meet his gaze. “Is that something burning?”

  He waggles his eyebrows. “You set me on fire, Molly.”

  “No, I mean literally burning. Dinner?”

  “Shit.” He leaps off me, and I laugh as he disappears toward the kitchen. “You distracted me.”

  “It’s not my fault.” I laugh harder as I roll off the couch and follow him. “Is it that bad?”

  “I put some water on to steam the vegetables and it boiled dry. Nothing’s burned but the vegetables will be a bit smoky.”

  I screw up my face. “I did tell your daughter that you burned water. Let’s just not eat the vegetables.”

  “You sound like Grace.”

  I chuckle. “What else is there?”

  “There are some mashed potatoes, and I was going to throw a couple of steaks on the grill.”

  Shrugging, I look around the kitchen. “Got anything else that’ll cook quickly with it?”

  He nods. “I’ve got onions to cook with the steak.”

  “Let’s just do that. You can keep your smoky vegetables.”

  Brad looks around the kitchen. “I’m not doing a great job so far, am I?”

  “It’s fine. We were both a little distracted on that couch.”

  He grins. “We were, weren’t we? Remember the old days when we used to get distracted a lot?”

  My cheeks burn. “How can I forget?”

  With a deep breath, he takes a step away. “I should get these steaks on the grill so we can eat. Then we can get on with our night.”

  I reach for him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I’ll get out of your way. But I just wanted to tell you that I like that idea.”

  “You do?” His smile lights up his face. “Why do I feel so nervous around you, Moll? I never used to be.”

  “I think the nerves will take some time to wear off. I feel the same way.”

  He kisses me on the forehead. “That’s all you’re getting in the meantime.”

  “I guess I’ll have to make do. Can I help with anything?”

  “Keep me company while I cook these?” He opens the fridge and pulls out a plate.

  I grin. “Now, that I can cope with.”

  Following him outside, I take a deep breath. As much as I love my home, there’s something special about this place. Something San Jose can never replace.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asks. He fires up the grill and closes the lid.

  “How much I love it here. You found an amazing spot to build a house.”

  He nods. “I like the peace and quiet. Someday, I’m sure we’ll be surrounded by other people, but for now it’s all mine and Grace’s.”

  “It’s lovely. Lane would have loved it out here.”

  He lifts the lid and picks up the steaks one by one, placing them on the hotplate. “She did. We both fell in love with the area when we first saw it.” Turning, he gives me a wistful smile. “Grace was small, but she ran around on the grass while we planned out where the house would go. Seeing her so happy made us realize just how well it suited all of us.”

  I swallow hard at the thought of the three of them, content and living in their home, made just for them.

  Could it be home for me too?

  When we’ve finished dinner, Brad takes my plate from me and takes it to the kitchen.

  I’ve never been so nervous.

  I take a deep breath as he sits beside me again.

  “You okay?” he asks.

  No. Yes. I don’t know.

  “Are you sure I haven’t got any food stuck in my teeth?” I run my tongue along them.

  Brad laughs. “No, no food.”

  “Well, it’s just that I don’t think I can let you kiss me until I’m sure.” I shrug. “Maybe you could take a closer look.”

  His lips twitch. “I guess I could.”

  I bare my teeth, and he laughs as he leans in closer. “Nope. Still nothing.”

  “I guess you can kiss me then.”

  He’s grinning as he moves right in front of me before our lips gently touch. There’s a moment’s reprieve before he pushes me back on the couch, his tongue slipping into my mouth.

  I moan, the taste and feel of him so familiar. It’s easy to lose myself in him.

  “There’s no food. Confirmed,” he says softly.

  I laugh, settling in and making myself comfortable. When I spread my legs, he moves so he’s lying on top of me. “I’m glad. But if there was, I’d be happy to share.”

  His gaze sweeps my face. “We were good at sharing once upon a time.”

  “Lying on me like that, I can tell you have something to share with me.”

  He chuckles and grazes my neck with his lips, working his way up to that spot under my ear. “I swear you purr when I nuzzle this bit.”

  I let out a contented sigh. “It does make me feel good.”

  �
�Is this the key to unlocking Molly’s heart?”

  “Maybe. But I don’t know if talking about me in the third person works for me.”

  Brad laughs. “I really had forgotten just how much you talk.”

  “Is it putting you off?”

  “Never.” He rolls off the couch, and lifts me into his arms.

  I snuggle into his chest. “Are we going where I think we’re going?”

  “I’d desecrate the couch, but Grace will be back in the morning, and she sits on it to watch cartoons.” His laughter reverberates through him.

  My heart’s so full, I think it might burst. This is my contentment. This is what I’ve missed for all these years.

  My love.

  Need grips me. I thought about him so often, and never dreamed I’d be this close to him again.

  We reach his bedroom, and I laugh as he places me on the bed, pulls down the blanket on the other side, and picks me up again. “What are you doing?”

  “Putting you in the bed instead of on it.”

  “I’m still dressed. What’s the hold-up?”

  He chuckles. “You won’t be in a minute.”

  When he reaches for his shirt buttons, I sit up. “What are you doing?”

  “Getting undressed.”

  “I want to do that. Come here.”

  Brad sits on the bed, amusement written all over his face. “Still bossy, then.”

  “Always.”

  I work my way down his buttons and push back his shirt.

  “I’ve missed your bossiness.” He kisses me tenderly, his fingers skirting the hem of my shirt. He raises it over my head, and my heart races with the heated look he gives me. “So fucking beautiful.”

  “Language.” I laugh, cupping his cheek. He presses a kiss to my palm before unhooking my bra and dropping it to the floor.

  “But it’s true.” His eyes drink me in. I love his hungry expression. It’s been ten years, but some things never change. He still looks at me the way he always did. “Lie down.”

  I do as I’m told, and he unbuttons my jeans, slowly dropping the zip. His gaze never leaves mine as he hooks his fingers into the waist and pulls them down, taking my panties with them.

  He stands, and this time I let him undress himself. My breathing accelerates just looking at him. He’s the beautiful one.