Gaming for Love

by Crystal Perkins

  I need to stop thinking about Scott and start focusing on what I need to do. The website launches today and I am hoping to see orders start coming in. We can’t compete with Amazon but I think we have good prices. Sean did a great job with the design and Sarah and Lisa have been promoting us like crazy. I should look at that article from Erika, but I can’t yet. I know if she thinks it’s so great, I will too. Then I’ll be forced to make the hard choice and put my house on the market.

  The house that I grew up in and my parents loved. It’s a beautiful Craftsman style home off of Alta Drive. That used to be the place to live here in Vegas. Before Summerlin and Seven Hills became so popular. Some celebrities and politicians live in the area still. My parents bought the house years ago when there was no Barnes and Noble or Borders in town and the store was successful. It was paid off 10 years ago. Through the thin times over the last 5 years, they took out a mortgage on it to pay the bills. My dad said that other than me and the store, he was the most proud of buying the house for my mom. The thought of selling it makes me sick, but I can’t bear to take out a second mortgage and run the risk of not being able to pay. Then I would lose the house and the store. I will have to decide soon. Erika says the software comes out in 2 months.

  I start to reach for the article when the door opens and Alex comes in for her first day of volunteering. And she’s not alone. Could this day get any worse? I am happy to see Alex but not him. I’m not going to forget the text conversation that easily. Bikini Girl would probably like something like that, but not me. I mean, we haven’t even been out on a date yet. Yeah, I know it’s my fault that we haven’t, but that doesn’t mean I should be treated like a slut.

  “Hi Yasmin! I can’t wait to do story time today! I printed out coloring sheets and brought cookies and feather boas for the kids to wear while I read Fancy Nancy!” Alex says with a smile, carrying an overflowing box.

  “Are you okay with that big box? Let me help you!”

  “I’m great. I’ve got it. I’m going to head back to the kids area to set up.” She is practically skipping down the aisles and it makes me happy to see. Not happy enough to let Scott off for not helping her though.

  I whirl on him. “How could you not help her?”

  “I have my hands full,” he protests as he whips a large bunch of purple flowers from behind his back. “They are hyacinths. They mean I am sorry and please forgive me. I am sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable with my texts yesterday. Or cheapen what we have been sharing. Our conversations mean a lot to me. Even though we haven’t known each other long, you mean a lot to me.”

  I take the flowers from him and look up into his eyes where I see the remorse there. He also looks a little scared. His words touch me and I want to put him at ease, so I do what we do best and joke with him. “What, no letter?”

  He smiles the biggest smile I have seen from him and it turns his eyes a sparkling green. “Of course there’s a letter. This wouldn’t be a proper wooing without a letter.” Reaching into his back pocket, he withdraws a small envelope, with a small stuffed bear attached to it. “Or a pen,” he adds while pulling the head off of the bear to reveal a pen inside.

  One of my last walls falls at my feet and I can’t stop myself. I drop the flowers on the counter and throw myself at him. He catches me in his arms in a crushing hug. Our bodies are pressed together in all the right places and it feels better than anything I can every remember feeling. My nipples harden while pressed against his firm chest and I can feel him harden again my stomach. I am glad that I wore my high wedges today instead of my usual Toms. We are breathing hard and I am not sure I will be able to resist him, regardless of the fact that we are in the middle of my bookstore. I don’t want to resist him. We start to turn our heads to each other.

  “Yasmin, do you have markers I can use? I left mine at home,” Alex shouts while coming around the corner. We jump apart like we’ve burned each other and I try to get my breathing under control.

  “Yes, they are in the stockroom. There’s an entire cabinet of supplies for story times and kids parties. Just ask Danny and he’ll show you. Do you remember the code that I gave you for the door?”

  “Yep. Are you okay?” Alex looks at us curiously. ”You both look a little out of breath. Were you fighting? I thought you would like the flowers, Yasmin. Uncle Scott said that he made you mad and was trying to apologize.” She looks at him intently. “Did you not apologize? Is Yasmin still mad at you?”

  “We’re good, Baby Girl. She liked the flowers. I better get going. I have a ton of work to do. Someone will be by to pick you up.” He kisses the top of her head and turns to go.

  “You’re not coming back to pick her up?” I ask, disappointed when he shakes his head no. “Oh, well can I have my letter and pen?”

  He looks down, like he forgot that they were still in his hands. When he looks up again, his trademark smirk is back. “Of course. I wouldn’t want to deprive you of anything that you want.” He hands them to me with a wink and saunters out the door.

  I sag against the counter as Alex looks at me with amusement in her eyes. “You’ve got it bad. But, so does he,” she tells me as she skips off laughing.

  I look down at the envelope in my hands and slowly tear it open.

  Beautiful, sexy Yasmin,

  If you’re reading this, I hope that means that you’ve forgiven me (or are at least considering it) and I haven’t yet done anything else to upset you. I love that you wrote back to me and I hope that we can keep these letters going. I’m really liking putting a pen to paper for you. My life is surrounded by computers and I have always believed that technology was better. But, at least in this case, I think the old fashioned way may be better. I’m not going to stop texting you, though, but I’ll try to behave. :)

  In your letter, you told me things that you like. I want to return the favor, but I’d rather tell you things I hate. I’m just that kind of guy. So, here is my list:

  I hate people who use others. It is the one thing that is unforgivable to me. I would rather have someone ask me for something outright than use me.

  I hate being proper. My family is being honored at a fancy ball in a few months for our charity work and advances in technology. Our company’s PR people have told me that I have to wear a regular tux with a tie and take out my piercings. So, no tats or piercings showing. Oh, and I have to let them style my hair into something conservative. My parents love me, tats and all, so why can’t I be me?

  I hate fancy food. Give me a burger and fries or some mac and cheese any day!

  I hate that my family had to move because of me and my actions. That’s all I can tell you now. Maybe one day, I can tell you more, but I just can’t right now.

  I used to hate myself but there is a beautiful pen loving bookworm who is starting to make me believe that I am not all bad.

  I hate that I haven’t kissed her yet and I hope to have the chance to do that soon.

  Scott

  I am swooning. Seriously, honest to God swooning. I want to find Scott right now so I can comfort him, assure him that I don’t want anything but him from him, tell him that I think he is awesome the way he is and oh yeah, kiss the fuck out of that gorgeous mouth of his.

  I notice that some texts came in while I was reading the letter. I swipe my finger over the screen to read them.

  Scott: I’m sorry that I had to leave and I can’t come back later. I have to finish this project in the next two months and it is seriously kicking my ass. I would rather be with you. Having you in my arms for even just those few seconds felt AMAZING!

  Scott: Yasmin, are you there? Please don’t be mad!!

  Scott: Yas? I’m so sorry I left. I can come back. Just tell me we’re OK, please.

  Shit. I hope he isn’t on his way back. I don’t want him to think I am upset. I’m not at all.

  Me: I’m sorry--I just saw your texts. I was reading your beautiful letter. I ‘m not mad. Go take care of your work while I write you
r letter.

  Me: Oh and I like that you called me Yas :)

  Scott: Whew! I was worried, but glad you liked my letter. I can’t wait for yours.

  Scott: Yas, Yas, Yas, Yas….

  Me: Will you call me that when I see you in person next time?

  Scott: Definitely. When can I see you? I mean, can I ask that? Shit, I don’t know how to act around you.

  Oh, hell. I’ve done this to him. I don’t want him to act differently around me. Okay, maybe a little less cocky would be good, but I don’t want to change him.

  Me: Please don’t try to act differently around me! I mean it, I like you just how you are! Well, maybe don’t kiss other girls in front of me again, but everything else about you is pretty wonderful and sexy.

  Me: As for seeing me, I could bring Alex home tonight if you think you can take a break from your project.

  Scott: Thank you for saying that. I like you too. And I definitely won’t be kissing any other girls in front of you OR when you’re not around. You’re the only one I want to kiss.

  Scott: Yes, please, please come find me tonight. I’ll let everyone know that you are dropping off Alex.

  Me: OK. I will see you then. Don’t work too hard :)

  Scott: I have to work hard but I can’t wait to see you. Goodbye Yas.

  Me: Bye.

  I close my phone thinking about what I am going to write in my letter. The day seems to drag. Alex does great at story time and helps Danny in the backroom. I pay some bills—and watch my bank account dwindle—and fill some orders from the website. I’m excited to see us getting business from there, but my mind is on Scott and seeing him later tonight.

  * * *

  Scott

  I’ve been working my ass off all day trying to break through the latest obstacle that popped up for the software. I want to be at a good stopping point when Yas gets here. I finally figure out what I need to adjust in the programming for this particular part of the program when I hear my doorbell ring. I jump up and then look down. Shit! I was planning on changing before she got here. I tend to get caught up in my work and frequently spill coffee or food on myself. You can’t completely disguise the nerd with some muscles. I also wear my glasses when I work instead of contacts. So, here I am, in a coffee stained t-shirt, frayed jeans and my glasses. My hair is a mess from running my hands through it, too.

  The doorbell rings again while I am trying to figure out how fast I can make it upstairs. Fuck it, I tell myself. If I don’t answer the door, this worry will all be for nothing anyway. I’ll let her in and then tell her to wait while I go change. I practically run to the door.

  “Hey!” I say as I swing the door open. But, Yasmin is already crossing the backyard. Dammit, I’m an idiot. “Yas,” I yell.

  She turns and smiles a relieved smile when she sees me. “I thought maybe you weren’t home or you were too busy to answer. I didn’t want to bother you,” she says, worrying her lip between her teeth while she walks back to my door.

  “No, no. You are never a bother. A welcome distraction, but no bother. Besides, I finished what I needed to before you got here.”

  “Why didn’t you answer the door then?” She looks worried now.

  I reach out and run my thumb over the crease between her eyes. “I realized that I look like shit and was trying to figure out if I could run upstairs fast enough before answering the door. I finally decided to answer it first and then change after. Guess I wasn’t fast enough.”

  “Oh. Well, you don’t look like shit. Maybe a little rumpled, but still good,” She tells me as we move inside and I close and lock the door. I love my family but I need some alone time with this beautiful girl.

  “Really? My shirt has like four coffee stains on it!”

  “You could just take it off,” Yas says and then clamps a hand over her mouth.

  “You want me to take off my shirt?” I ask, feeling my cock harden at the thought of her wanting me out of my clothes. I reach behind me and grab my shirt but stop to wait for her to say it.

  “I can’t believe I said that out loud.” Not the answer I wanted and I start to let go of my shirt. “But, yes, I do want you to take your shirt off. I want to see your tattoos.”

  I am now hard as a piece of steel as I remove my shirt and see her eyes darken. I stand still and let her look her fill. She steps forward and starts to extend her arm out, but stops. “You can touch me. In fact there is not much else that would make me happier than having your hands on me. If you want to touch me, you don’t ever have to ask, Yas.” I know my voice is husky because I can barely talk with how aroused I am by the thought of Yas and her hands on me. I wait patiently while I see her making her decision, the choice clear when her eyes darken and she reaches forward.

  Chapter 7

  Yasmin

  I nearly moaned out loud when Scott said that I could touch him anytime and then called me Yas. My parents used to call me Yassie but no one else has ever shortened my name. In Scott’s husky voice, it is the sexiest thing I have ever heard.

  I move forward and take his right wrist in my hand, turning his arm to the side. His forearm is covered with a skyline that wraps around his arm and covers him from wrist to elbow. There are colors here and there making the buildings come to life. A lake wraps around the bottom.

  “Is this Chicago?” I ask as I run my fingers over the lake, moving up to the buildings and then the night sky.

  “Yes. I got it before we moved. I had been trying to decide what to put there and it just seemed right.” He is biting his lip ring into his mouth as I caress his forearm.

  I nod and move my fingers further up his arm to the anchor with “Gary” curved over the top.

  “For your dad.” I smile and meet his eyes, which are enclosed in glasses. They somehow manage to make him look even hotter, especially with his eyebrow piercing peeking out over the top of them.

  “Yeah. He was a Navy SEAL.”

  I move over to his other arm because I am afraid if I touch his chest, I won’t be able to move away from it. This forearm is a mix of video game characters as well as characters from Star Wars and Star Trek. I run my fingers over Yoda and tell him, “I love Star Wars and Star Trek, too! I’m not much for video games but this is one cool tat.”

  “Really? You like them both?” His eyes are on fire, but with more than just desire, turning them a bright green. I nod yes and he continues to talk as I move my fingers to trace the outline of Spock. “Video games were my best friends when I was in high school. I was the nerd in school, always bent over a computer or playing a game. Math and science fascinated me. Girls interested me, but they didn’t know I existed, other than to copy my homework. My older and younger brothers were all big men on campus, but not me. I wasn’t bullied physically because Ryan would have beaten the shit out of anyone who touched me, but being ignored wasn’t exactly fun. So, my games became somewhat of a lifeline for me.”

  I lean over and place a kiss on Mario. “Well then, I’m going to have to start playing some video games to thank these guys for being there for you. How did you get like this?” A shiver runs through him as I gesture to his hot, muscled body.

  “Like this?” He cocks that pierced eyebrow and I know that he is teasing me.

  “You know what I mean. You know how hot you are. And I was at the pool party, remember? You were swarmed by girls. If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine.”

  “You think I’m hot?” I roll my eyes and start to step back. He reaches out to stop me. “Things changed in college. I roomed with an exercise freak, Brent, who convinced me to actually leave the room and work out. I didn’t become as hard core as him, but I developed some muscles that the girls seemed to appreciate. Working for my parents’ company didn’t hurt, either. The Griffin name is as much an aphrodisiac for some women as my muscles are. The tats and piercings came later but seemed to add to the appeal. Chicks dig a bad guy.”

  “I don’t think you’re a bad guy.”

  “That�
�s because you don’t know everything about me. One day I will tell you. But, I can’t right now.”

  “That’s fine. We haven’t even been on a date. I don’t expect you to spill all of your secrets to me yet.”

  “Thanks. And FYI, this is a date. At least to me.”

  I smile at him. “Me too and FYI, it’s a great first date so far.”

  My fingers continue their journey and I see the names Erin and Dave above and below “Never Forget.” From my talks with Alex, I know that these are her parents. I lean in to kiss this one too but Scott stops me. “Don’t. Please don’t,” he tells me in a strained voice.

  “Okay, I won’t. I’ll stop touching you.” I lower my head, hating that I messed this up.

  “Fuck, no, don’t stop. Your fingers feel amazing.” He lifts my chin and looks me in the eye when he says, “I don’t mean to be an asshole. That one just hurts too much. I don’t want you tainted by it.”

  “You’re not being an asshole. I shouldn’t have tried to kiss it. You told me I could touch, not kiss, and I already did it once without asking. But for the record, I want to give you comfort if I can,” I tell him sincerely.

  “Let me clarify.” The smirk is back along with the dark emerald color in his eyes. “You may touch me and kiss me anytime you want on any part of my body. And, you just being here with me is a comfort,” he adds, the smirk replaced by a soft smile.

  “I might just take you up on that.”

  “Please do.”

  I move around to stand behind him. The entire span of his shoulders is covered by his mother’s name. I trace the letters and tell him how awesome I think it is. Below that is a tattoo of a giant griffin. The mythical half lion, half bird looks fierce and proud. The colors and detail are incredible.

  “Wow, this is amazing.” I start to trace it with my fingers but instead lean in and trace it with my tongue.

  A shudder runs through his whole body and he jerks forward. “Jesus, Yas, you almost made me come like a horny teenager.”