Game On (Aeon Book 1)

by Wendy Smith

His eyes search my face. “I’m taking you home after E3, remember? I might never let you out of bed again.”

  I drag my bottom lip through my teeth, my breath hitching as he rolls his index finger over my clit. “I’m pretty sure I could live with that.”

  My eyes want to close, but I fight them as he rubs my clit, never dropping his gaze.

  “I’ve missed making you come. I’ve missed watching you,” he says.

  My lips are suddenly dry, and I run my tongue over them. “I’ve missed you touching me.”

  His mouth closes over mine as he speeds up, the heat of my orgasm flooding my system.

  I cry my release into his mouth.

  “I love you, Molly.”

  As he shifts between my legs, I stroke his cheek. “I love you too.”

  He pushes my T-shirt up, suckling on one nipple as he slides into me.

  “I wanted to do this last night so badly.” He plants kisses from my breast all the way up my neck until he reaches my mouth again. And then I’m lost, consumed by his love. I raise my hips to meet his every thrust. I moan at his tongue caressing mine.

  We’re together, and we’ll never be apart again. No more running from the past. I can’t. My heart is whole when Brad’s with me.

  His body tenses, and I run my hands down his back as he thrusts harder. He lets out a groan, coming deep inside me.

  “This is it. You and me. For good. I’ll be the one to support you through any panic attacks, and hold your hand when you need me. I’ll be the one to hold you when you need it, and the one to back you up when it feels like the world’s against you,” he whispers.

  He slides out of me and rolls to my side. “I’ll be everything to you, Molly. Just as you are everything to me.”

  I snuggle into his chest as he wraps his arms around me. “I like that idea.”

  “I didn’t tell Grace where I was going. I’ll have to call her later. She’ll be pissed I’m with you and she’s not.”

  I laugh. “I can’t wait to see her again.”

  “Then I should take you back with me.”

  Licking my lips, I shake my head. “E3 is two days away. I have to get that out of the way before I can go anywhere else. Early access will be open from the last day of E3, and then it’s just a matter of the guys working out the last little kinks in the game and it’ll be live. I don’t have to be here for that.”

  “I’ll let Mom know I’ll be a few more days, then.”

  “You want to come with me to E3?”

  He grins. “Can I? I’ve never been to anything like that before.”

  “Of course you can. We’ve got a stand and gaming area, and I’ll be giving a presentation. I hope it won’t be too boring.”

  Brad runs his gaze across my face. There’s so much love in his eyes, and my heart leaps at the sight of it. Is this really finally it? “I’m sure I’ll be fine. Are you sure you want me there?”

  “I want you to see the world I live in.” I smile. “Anyway, I just need to make a quick trip to the ladies’ room, and then I’ll be right back.”

  He kisses me softly. “Don’t take too long.”

  As I walk away, I laugh at the low whistle behind me. He loves me. And he wants me.

  When I come back to the room, he’s collected up a bunch of papers from the floor, and he’s looking at a page, his eyebrows much higher than they usually sit. “It’s true?”

  “What is?”

  “You’re selling up.”

  I shrug, climbing back into bed beside him. “I had the offer, and that’s it.”

  “This is from that dirtbag Phillips?”

  I laugh. “He suggested a merger of a more personal nature too, but there was never any chance of me going there.”

  Brad chuckles. “He’s that bad?”

  “He talks big. I know he’d need to borrow a lot to pull off his buyout. But if I sell to him, he’d become the biggest player in the market.” I grin. “Probably making up for other inadequacies.”

  “Why don’t you offer to buy him out? He’s got a few really big games.”

  For a moment, I stare at him. The thought never crossed my mind. My plan had always been to build Mollab into something for me. I’d never thought about making acquisitions. “That’s not a stupid idea.”

  “I’m not just a pretty face, you know.” Brad leans over and plants a lingering kiss on my lips.

  “You were always more than that. So much more. Look at the construction empire you’ve built.”

  “It hardly compares to what you’ve done.”

  I shrug. “They’re very different industries. You’re a self-made man. I just managed to tap into that geek mindset at the right time with the right game.”

  “You did that yourself, though. No one helped you. If I’m self-made, so are you.”

  “We both did okay.”

  He looks back down at the sheet of paper.

  “I’ve already told Darryn no. He’s just … persistent.”

  His eyebrows rise. “How persistent?”

  “Persistent enough to not get the hint when I blocked his number. He only showed up in Nettle Downs when he saw me in that clip of the boys in the Internet cafe. I didn’t ask him to be there. He texted me from a number I didn’t recognize, and I thought it was you because I didn’t have your number.”

  He frowns. “I have to give him a piece of my mind, then.”

  I shake my head. “No. I can look after myself. But I do know what you can do …”

  Brad looks at me, suspicion written all over his face.

  “Come back to bed. I’ll show you.”

  26

  Molly

  E3 is always intimidating. It’s one of our biggest events of the year, and while there are other trade shows I can take or leave, this is the one that I never miss.

  Still, no matter how big Mollab gets, I always feel like a fish out of water in these places.

  Our stand looks amazing. Every console is represented, and there’s a row of PCs for attendees to play Devil’s Tribute on. This is the first public opportunity for people to get their hands on it before early access rolls out online.

  And the best part? Brad’s here with me.

  I let him have a sneak peek yesterday at the game before we flew down. It seemed only fair. And this time it was me under the desk, sucking his cock as he learned the new fighting moves.

  His mother wasn’t impressed at him staying a few more days, but she’ll take good care of Grace. And I get to indulge in him. I almost resent having to deal with this whole event. I’d much prefer to be back home with him, or even holed up in our hotel.

  “This is insane.” I grin as Brad walks toward me. He slept in while I came down here early. Grabbing my hand, he raises it to his lips. “Ready?”

  I nod. “As I’ll ever be. I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me too.”

  He looks at his pass, hanging around his neck. “So, what does this get me?”

  I laugh. “Access to the building?”

  “Is that all?”

  Rolling my eyes, I wrap my arms around his waist. “That’s all.”

  “We’re bringing Grace here next year. She’ll freak at all this stuff. On the way in, I saw the Funko stand. She loves the figures they make. I might have to spend a bit of money.”

  “I like that you’re thinking next year.” Raising my head, I look into his eyes. He smiles. “I know we still have to work out logistics, but I want to try, Moll. I’m not letting you get away again so easily.”

  “Just as well I don’t want to go anywhere.”

  He plants a kiss on my nose.

  This is the best year ever.

  When it’s time for my presentation, I stand on the stage and look around the hall. It’s an odd mix of people. Over the years, it’s changed from industry insiders to a mix of wholesale and public. Now I speak in front of men and women in business suits, and teenagers hoping for a heads up on what games are coming. Right in the front row is Brad.
He beams a proud smile at me as I lick my lips and prepare to speak.

  “Before I start, I’d just like to thank you all for coming. I’ll make this brief, as I usually do, because I know you’re all just dying to get out there and play Devil’s Tribute.” I grin. There are people here from other gaming companies, including Psycom, wanting to check out my game.

  “This past year has been another successful year for Mollab and the Aeon platform. The platform itself has grown by two million users, and appropriate upgrades have kept our performance within the very high standards you all know I set for myself.”

  I lock gazes with Brad, and he shoots me a wink.

  “We’re now producing four games a year in two different product families. In the coming year, we’ll be introducing a third one, but that’s under wraps for now.”

  Finding Darryn in the crowd, I hold my head up high. “Persistent rumors over the potential sale of Mollab to a smaller competitor are just that. Rumors. I’m so very proud of everything my team and I have created, and we’re looking forward to larger growth in the coming year.”

  I smile. “If you have any more game-specific questions, Mark and Tom will be only too happy to provide the answers over at our stand, and we have the early-access version ready to play.” My smile grows into a grin. “If you can get a seat, that is.”

  When I step down from the podium to a round of applause, I look up as my hand is grabbed by another.

  Darryn.

  “Well said, Molly. Let’s go somewhere and talk.”

  “I don’t have anything to say to you.” I snatch my hand back from his, and head out the door.

  When I stop outside, Darryn’s standing behind me.

  “Have you reconsidered?”

  “Reconsidered what?” I snort.

  “My proposition. Both of them.” He leans closer.

  I take a deep breath. “Actually, I have a proposition of my own.”

  A slimy grin crosses his face. “Sounds promising.”

  Running my tongue slowly over my lips, I take a deep breath. “How about you disappear back to whichever fetid hole you crawled out of.”

  He recoils as if he’s been struck.

  “Babe …”

  “The truth is, Darryn, that I’m better than you. My company’s bigger than yours, and we aren’t for sale. Any of us.”

  His eyebrows twitch.

  “I’m assuming we’re done here,” I say.

  I step around him, and lay eyes on Brad. He’s leaned against a nearby wall, his arms crossed, wearing this smug smile I have the urge to kiss off his face.

  “And as for you …” I run the short distance to him, and he wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me off the floor and spinning me around.

  “I’m so proud,” he murmurs in my ear. “Those people in there—you had them eating out of the palm of your hand. Don’t you dare give up your company.”

  “I have no intention to.”

  “Oh, and for the benefit of your friend over there.” He claims my mouth with his. While before I was so careful about my image, I don’t give a crap now as I kiss the man I love back. The man I want to spend my life with.

  How quickly my life has turned around.

  “I love you,” I say when we pull apart.

  “I love you. Can we get out of here?”

  I grin. “I think that’s the best idea you’ve ever had.”

  When we get back to the hotel, we crack open the mini bar. I pour myself a vodka and lemonade, sighing as I take the first sip.

  “You did well with that speech,” Brad says as we sit at the small table in the room.

  “I make them shorter every year. I’m not a fan of public speaking.”

  Brad smiles. “If you were nervous, it didn’t show.”

  My mobile rings, and I beam when I see who’s on the caller display. “Miranda. I’m guessing you saw my speech?”

  “What? Oh, I lost track of the time.”

  I laugh. “What’s up?”

  “I had a really interesting phone call last night I thought you should know about.”

  I raise my stockinged feet and place them on Brad’s lap. He raises an eyebrow.

  “What call?” I ask.

  “It was from a lawyer acting on behalf of Psycom.”

  I roll my eyes as Brad rubs the ball my foot, and let out a long breath. “I just told Darryn Phillips to go away. Not that politely, mind you.”

  She laughs. “Molly, he’s scamming his grandmother.”

  “What?” I pull my feet off Brad’s lap and sit up. Concern crosses his face.

  “Claire and I have been going over this with a fine comb all night. The agreement this lawyer sent over is quite different to the one Darryn Phillips and his lawyer sent us.”

  “In what way?” I hold up my finger to an obviously worried Brad and put Miranda on speaker, placing the phone back on the table. “Miranda, this is Brad. Brad, this is Miranda.”

  “Darryn doesn’t own Psycom. He appears to, but there’s a series of shell companies that hide the true owner: his grandmother. Apparently, she’s paid for everything. She covered his start-up costs, the lot.”

  “That’s a really generous grandmother,” Brad says.

  “She’s rich. Like ridiculously rich, and he’s her only grandson.”

  I catch Brad’s gaze. “So how is he scamming her?”

  “She likes dabbling in the businesses she runs. We figure he’s sick of her interference.”

  “But what does this have to do with me?”

  “Apart from him having a massive hard-on for you?” She laughs.

  “So not funny.”

  “It turns out his grandmother is a big fan of yours. She wants to merge them and put you in charge.”

  I lean closer to the phone. “What? Over her own grandson?”

  “I spent a lot of time talking to her lawyer last night. She feels he’s not running the company to the best of his ability, and that you could take Psycom places he can’t.”

  Brad reaches over and grips my hand.

  “That’s kind of her to think of me that way. But how are the contracts different?”

  She pauses and I hear her flicking through pages. “Well, the clause about you staying on as CEO has been removed. And the money she’s offering is a lot more.”

  I lick my lips. “I always thought that offer would be a starting point.”

  “The new contract offer we were sent is for one point five billion dollars, Molly. He was going to walk away with your company and pocket the difference. It’s a bit more complex than that, obviously, but that’s what it boils down to.”

  Heat rushes from my toes to the top of my head. I thought a billion dollars was a reasonable place to start. But Darryn’s grandmother thinks Mollab is worth another half a billion over that?

  “Molly? Are you okay?” Brad kneels in front of me.

  “One and a half billion dollars,” I say. My voice is so weak.

  “What do we do, Miranda?” he asks.

  “I’ve booked a plane for you to go and see her directly. It leaves first thing tomorrow morning.” Miranda pauses. “His grandmother needs to know all this. And you need to get to the bottom of it all. I’ll email through the other contract so you can compare.”

  “Okay,” I say. “Where is she?”

  “She’s in New Mexico. Just outside of Santa Fe. I’ll send you all the details.”

  “Thanks, Miranda. I need some time to absorb all this. I’ll call you later?”

  “Sure thing. Whatever happens, Darryn and the lawyer he got to rewrite this contract are in a lot of trouble.”

  “It’s a lot to take in.” I huff out a breath.

  “It sure is. Let me know if you need anything.”

  When I disconnect the call, I lean back in my chair. “This is so screwed up.”

  Brad shrugs. “I understand why his grandmother would prefer someone she’d never met over him. He’s a prick.”

  I nod. “What
I don’t get is why he showed personal interest in me too? I mean, not that I ever returned it, but he made it really clear that he thought we should be together.”

  Brad tugs at my hand and I stand before he pulls me onto his lap. “Men like him, they like to think they’re better than anyone else. Maybe he thought if he flattered you enough, you’d be more likely to accept the offer?” He tilts his head and smiles at me. “Maybe he just thought you were hot, and I totally get that.”

  I wrap my arms around his neck. “You know we don’t have to do this, don’t you? We could just leave them to clean up their own mess.”

  He nods. “I know, but the difference between you and him is that you have a conscience. Besides, there’s an opportunity here, and I don’t think you missed it either.”

  I can’t help the smile that spreads on my lips. “You’re pretty good at mind reading. Do you know that?”

  He plants a soft kiss on my lips. “I do my best.”

  I’m so glad he’s here with me right now.

  27

  Brad

  Molly’s quiet.

  As she reads over the documents Miranda sent her, I see the anger build in her. That piece of shit has plagued her, pushed her to sell, and now I guess we know why.

  His grandmother’s obviously smarter than he gives her credit for.

  The amount of money they’re talking about is staggering. I know Molly is wildly successful, but when you hit the billions? My head’s still reeling after that conversation with Miranda.

  I slip one arm around Molly’s waist, and she leans against me.

  “Glad you didn’t take his offer?” I plant a kiss in her hair.

  She nods. “It was the personal offer that grossed me out. Not that I’d sell Mollab.”

  “You really want me to come with you tomorrow?”

  Molly raises her gaze to meet mine. “You bet. We’re in this together now.”

  I smile, lifting her chin with my index finger and kissing her softly on the lips. “We are.”

  “I’m going to offer to take Psycom off her hands. The people who work there don’t deserve to be tainted with this shit. Hopefully she’ll be happy to wash her hands of it, and then she can deal with her grandson.”