Game On (Aeon Book 1)

by Wendy Smith

  Climbing over me, he pulls back the blanket on the other side of the bed, then lies down on the sheet.

  Last time we were semi-naked, we clawed at each other on the dining room floor. This time, we don’t rush.

  “Your boobs got bigger,” Brad says, cupping one in his hand.

  “You grew chest hair.”

  He smiles. “I had that before you left.”

  “Maybe a couple of hairs. I mean, you’re not crazy hairy, but what you have is nice. Especially the bit that trails down from here.” I stick my finger in his bellybutton, and he laughs.

  “I guess we were both still growing.” He drops his head to my other breast, sucking the nipple into his mouth as I close my eyes. I love that we have the time to relax and enjoy this.

  I slip my arm under his neck and stroke his back. He runs his index finger down my stomach, his touch so light that it tickles.

  “You’re not supposed to make me laugh,” I say.

  He raises his head. “You’re still ticklish.”

  “I am.”

  Brad drops his hand to my thigh. “How about here?”

  I nod.

  He traces a line up my inner thigh until he reaches my pussy. “How about here?”

  I blow out a long breath when his finger rolls over my clit. “Oh, I’m very ticklish there.”

  “Let’s see how much you are.”

  As he slides his index finger over my clit, I bite down on my bottom lip. His mouth presses under my ear, and I lift off the bed. Having him touch me is heavenly, but I want more.

  “I want to watch you come,” he murmurs, speeding up his actions.

  A warm, tingling sensation covers me from head to toe, and I rock my hips against his hand to get more friction. He flicks his tongue over one nipple. It’s only been what feels like about thirty seconds, but I can’t take anymore. Waves of pleasure roll over me, and I cry out, my body bucking as my orgasm hits.

  Brad chuckles. “That’s so hot.”

  He doesn’t give me time to recover, lifting my right leg and sliding under. The heat of his mouth on my pussy leaves me gasping.

  With a groan, he reaches up, covering my breasts with his hands, his calloused fingers caressing, stroking, pinching. It takes me no time to come again, pushing against his face as he lets out another moan.

  He rises, and I force my eyes open to meet his gaze. “I want to be inside you, Molly. I want to claim back what’s mine.”

  I blink rapidly, fighting tears. “I was always yours.”

  He moves to pick up his pants.

  I lick my lips. “You don’t need a condom.”

  “Are you sure?” He studies me closely.

  “I’m on the pill. We already danced this dance.”

  “Last time wasn’t exactly planned.”

  “I’ve known you my whole life. I trust you.”

  His breaths are short, sharp, and he steadies himself between my legs. I reach for his cock, never dropping my gaze, and guide him inside.

  “Molly,” he murmurs. He finds my mouth with his as he pushes into me. I close my eyes.

  The feeling of him inside me again is glorious. I revel in it. He fills me up, and our slowdown is forgotten as he slams his hips against mine.

  It’s rough and needy, and I won’t regret it if I have bruises tomorrow.

  Brad Matheson belongs to me again.

  20

  Molly

  For a while, we lie in bed, wrapped in each other.

  “I’m not sure if I can sleep after that.” He laughs.

  “It’s still early. I don’t think it’s even nine o’clock yet.”

  Brad turns his head. “Nearly. How about I make some hot chocolate and then we can come back to bed?”

  “I like that idea.”

  “I’ve got so much I want to share with you, Molly.” He plants a kiss on my temple, and I snuggle into him.

  “We still have a lot of catching up to do.”

  He nods. “I want to know all about your life.”

  “There’s nothing to it. It’s so boring.”

  “You could never bore me.”

  I grin. “I bet I could.”

  He extracts himself from me and rolls out of bed. “I’ll go heat up some milk. See you in the kitchen?”

  I get out of bed and walk to the en suite. “I’ll find something to wear after I’ve taken a pee.”

  “Just grab one of my shirts. It’ll be easier to get you out of later.” He walks towards his drawers.

  When I return, he’s standing by the bed. I pull up my panties and head toward his wardrobe. After opening it, I pull out a long-sleeved, check flannel shirt. “I’ll just wear one of these. They look comfortable.”

  “You’re determined to drive me insane, aren’t you?” He laughs.

  “Look who’s talking, Mr. Low Slung Pajama Pants.” I let out a low whistle.

  “You get dressed. I’ll go and make some hot chocolate.” He plants a kiss on my lips.

  I let out a happy sigh as he walks away. He fills out those pants rather nicely.

  Wrapped in a large flannel shirt, I walk to the kitchen. He’s standing at the kitchen counter, pouring hot milk into mugs.

  He hands me a cup, and I breathe in that heavenly chocolate smell.

  “Remember when Mom used to make us hot chocolate when you came over? I’m sure it was just an excuse to come into the room and make sure we weren’t up to anything.” He laughs.

  I nod. “I remember. She could never police your car where all the action happened.”

  “Or that spot by the lake.”

  My cheeks flush.

  The itch of the picnic blanket under my skin … the stars twinkling in the night sky as pleasure and pain mixed when Brad took my virginity.

  As I claimed his.

  He reaches out, running his index finger down my cheek. “I loved you so much, Molly. There was nothing that could keep me from you back then. Not even my mother.”

  “I was sorry to hear about your father.” I swallow hard. “I nearly came home, but it was so soon after you were married to Lane, and I knew you’d be safe with her. Mom put flowers on his grave for me once.”

  “She did?”

  “My name wasn’t on them. I didn’t want you to think …”

  “That you cared?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know. It was a really confusing time in my life. I was still studying, and I’d already started creating my first real games.”

  “I still wish I’d known.” He takes a sip of his drink. “Let’s finish these. I’ve got something to show you.”

  “I’m pretty sure I’ve seen everything of yours.” I shoot him a sly smile.

  Brad laughs. “You’ll like this. Promise.”

  When we’ve finished, he takes me by the hand and leads me to a room off the living room. The door was shut when I was here before, so I have no idea what’s behind it.

  It’s his home office, and I grin when I see his computer.

  “You game?” I run my hand around the edge of the desk. This set-up isn’t cheap. He’s got multiple screens, a real leather gaming chair—the lot.

  A smile spreads across his face. “I do.”

  “Show me.” I grin.

  He leans over and turns on the screens. They light up.

  His background is a photo of Grace. It takes my breath away how much she looks like Lane.

  Aeon auto-loads.

  “And you use my platform.”

  “You mean like nearly every gamer I know.”

  I place my hand over my heart, staring at him in open-mouthed mock horror. “Nearly?”

  He grins, those dimples making my stomach flip. “I’ve always been proud of you and what you’ve done. Your games are the best on the market.”

  I reach for him and run my fingers through the stubble on his chin. “Thank you.”

  “Grace has a scrapbook they kept together with every article Lane could find.” He licks his lips. “She’d print them
out and paste them in a book.”

  My heart aches. My eyes swim with tears.

  “She never stopped thinking about you.”

  I smile. “Let me show you something.”

  Leaning over, I move the mouse, clicking on the Aeon icon. My platform springs to life, offering up every game I’ve released to date.

  I click on the ‘about’ button, and a little window pops up. There’s the version number, and all the copyright info with a long string of numbers at the bottom.

  “See that number? That’s for you.”

  “I always thought it was some kind of registration number.”

  I nod. “That’s what everyone thinks. But it’s a coded message. To you.”

  He grins. “Are you going to tell me what it is?”

  I shake my head. “If you want to know, you’ll have to work it out.”

  His right eyebrow curves upward. “Really? You’re not just going to tell me?”

  “Nope.” I laugh. “It’s always been for you to work out.”

  “What if I never found it?”

  “Then you’d never get it.”

  “Do you know how infuriating you’re being right now?”

  I nod. “Yes. And what you said before about how you and Lane never stopped thinking about me? I felt the same way about you two.”

  “I’m glad you’re here.”

  I smile. “Me too.”

  He chuckles. “No, I’m really glad. I’m stuck on a level of Devil’s Core. Maybe you can get me past it?”

  My mouth falls open. “You want me to play a game for you?”

  He nods. “You made it. I’m assuming you’ve played it.”

  I smack my lips and narrow my eyes. “You’re assuming correctly.”

  “Take a seat.”

  I shake my head as he pulls out the chair and sigh as I sit. Opening the game, I laugh when I see where he’s stuck. “This bit?”

  “What’s wrong with this bit?” He’s indignant, and it makes me laugh harder.

  “This bit isn’t difficult. Wait until you get to the next level.”

  He huffs. “Well, can you please just get me to it?”

  “Okay.”

  I start the game.

  The character runs, and I guide him through the fights for a minute or two before I realize what Brad’s really up to.

  “What are you doing?” I ask when he disappears under the desk.

  “Just you keep your eyes on the screen.”

  I wriggle when he grips the waistband of my panties. “Brad.”

  “Focus on the game.”

  He slides my panties down, and I suck in a breath when his hands part my legs and his soft lips land on my thigh.

  “These chairs cost a lot. Are you sure you want to ruin this one?”

  He chuckles, his lips vibrating against my skin. “It’s leather. I can wipe it down.”

  “Is that hygienic in a house with a child?” I let out a soft moan as his face gets closer to my pussy, his lips grazing my inner thighs. It’s hard to see what I’m doing, but I hit the boss fight in the game. The screen lights up with explosions, and the sound coming from the speakers grows louder as the fight intensifies.

  Brad’s tongue hits my clit.

  “I don’t know if I can do this while … ohhh.”

  He sucks my clit into his mouth, and inserts a finger inside my pussy.

  “You’re not playing fair, Bradley Matheson.”

  “I’ve got a lot of time to make up for.” He releases me to talk, but just for a second. Then his mouth is over my pussy, and a second finger slides into me.

  There are six different attacks at this stage of the game. I know. I designed them all. And when the next explosion happens, I know which scenario I’m in, which is just as well. Brad’s lips and tongue devour me, and I rock my hips as my character in the game runs.

  “You taste so fucking good.” He moans, pausing for a moment before tonguing my clit. It’s hard to keep my eyes open, but I’m so close to finishing the level.

  My climax rips through me just as I reach the end, and waves of pleasure engulf me. I push the keyboard away.

  “Yes!” I scream, and Brad’s lips vibrate against my thigh as he laughs.

  “That good, huh?” he says.

  “That too, but I completed the level while you were down there.” I grin.

  I shriek with laughter as he pushes the chair back, emerging from under the desk. His eyes blaze with want and need, and the feeling’s mutual. He reaches for the lever, and lowers the chair a little.

  “What are you doing?” I’m breathless.

  He pushes his pants to the floor, releasing his cock. “Lift your legs.” Holding my calves, he spreads my legs, then rests my knees on the arms of the chair. I’m laid out in front of him, and he smiles as he takes me in. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous. Unbutton the shirt.”

  He licks his lips as I undo each button, lifting the sides to reveal my breasts. I’ve never felt so exposed. I love it.

  Lining up his cock with my pussy, he slides in with a groan. “God, you feel so good.”

  “You don’t feel so bad yourself.”

  His eyes search mine. “I’ve always loved you. It didn’t matter how long you were gone, or how far away you were. I never stopped, Molly.”

  He leans forward, taking a nipple into his mouth as he slides in and out of me. I lose myself to the feeling. Not wanting to run away.

  “I love you too,” I moan as he slips his thumb between us, flicking it over my clit. It’s still sensitive from his tongue, and I shake as another orgasm hits me. “Brad.”

  I’m trapped in the chair, and I can’t wriggle away when he pulls the seat closer to him.

  “Jesus, Moll.” He groans, pulling the chair even tighter toward him as he comes.

  For a moment, we just look into each other’s eyes. He pulls out, and I drop my legs from the arms of the chair. I feel like I’ve run a marathon when I barely moved.

  “Are you okay?”

  I nod. “That was insane. And amazing.”

  “I had you right where I wanted you. You couldn’t get away.”

  I reach over and stroke his cheek. “I didn’t want to get away.”

  “I’m so scared. I keep thinking I’m going to close my eyes and you’ll be gone.”

  Pressing a tender kiss to his lips, I smile. “Not a chance.”

  My legs are shaky when I stand, and he scoops me into his arms and carries me up the hallway to his bedroom.

  “Wait here.” He disappears into the en suite, and I’m left for a moment. I’d forgotten how good it was to be with him, to feel loved by him. Lane would have known that too.

  “Hey.” He returns with a washcloth, and I sigh as he cleans me between my legs. I want to cry at how gentle and sweet he is. “You okay?”

  “More than okay. Still feeling a little guilty.”

  “You don’t have to feel guilty.”

  “Did Lane sleep here?”

  For a second, he lets through the pain he’s so good at hiding. “No. The house she lived in was where we lived together. This is the house I built.”

  “You built a house for your family.”

  He nods. “When things didn’t work out, this place wasn’t finished. I gave Lane the choice, and she wanted to stay where she was so that Grace lived somewhere familiar.”

  “That sounds like Lane.”

  He pauses. “What does this mean, Molly?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Brad stops, and places the cloth on the bedside cabinet.

  “Do you have any misgivings about us?”

  He shakes his head. “No. What you did makes me angry, but that you did it because of your love for Lane … It’s confusing.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “We’re way past that. Let’s get some sleep.”

  It’s not until he’s curled around me, the big spoon to my little one, that I realize this is the first night we’ve spent in a bed toge
ther. Our teenage encounters were rushed and secretive.

  I love that neither of us have to leave.

  Staying the night also means that I wake up in Brad’s arms for the first time. I’m usually a wreck first thing in the morning, but last night was the best sleep I’ve had in ages.

  I adore that earthy smell of Brad, and the way his strong arms hold me tight against him. I’ve never slept this way, and I love it.

  I love him.

  He nuzzles my ear. “Mom will be here with Grace soon.”

  “Can I just stay in bed?”

  Brad chuckles. “I want you in bed all the time, but you are going to have to get out sooner or later.”

  “Let’s make it later. It’s comfortable here.”

  I roll onto my back, and he leans over me. The way I feel is written all over his face. His love radiates from him, and it fills my heart with joy.

  But the nagging feeling that I can’t be what he wants won’t go away.

  “We need to talk about how we’re going to manage this.”

  He nods. “We do.”

  “I’m so torn.” His brows furrow, and my heart aches. I shake my head. “Not about us. I know what I want.”

  “So do I. How do we make this work?”

  “I’m not sure yet.”

  For a moment, we just look at each other. We’re so close, but there’s this distance we need to work out. My whole world has been in Silicon Valley these past few years. But in the weeks that I’ve been here, I’ve barely thought about it apart from my interactions with my staff.

  When I go back, I’ll leave my heart here. Brad’s embedded in it, and Grace is right beside him.

  “Brad!” a shrill voice calls from the front of the house.

  “That’s Mom. Get dressed, and I’ll take you and Grace out for breakfast.” He pops a kiss on my temple and climbs out of bed, dragging on his underwear and a pair of shorts.

  I love watching him. He’s toned, and his skin is sun-kissed, I assume from working outside.

  Sighing, I roll out of bed and pull on my clothing. I’m more relaxed than I have been in a long time, and it’s nice. My life’s consisted of coffee and takeaway food for so long, not to mention the tension and pressure. Maybe all I ever needed was to come home.