The Remingtons_Blush of Love

by Rachelle Ayala

Besides, Safire was definitely eye candy and had brains to boot. Forget having to date models to enhance his image. Every athlete did that. As for Gunner, he was now in the position to date a “woman of quality.”

  And Safire with her Ph.D. from Cornell and goddess girl status in the gaming world would do just fine. More than fine.

  Chapter Three

  Safire checked the fit of her slinky black party dress. It angled off one shoulder at roughly the same angle as her hair sweeping across one side of her face.

  Her sister fastened the ruby pendant around her neck. It matched the dangling ruby earrings their mother had lent her for the party.

  “I can’t believe you’re not going out on New Year’s Eve,” Safire said, staring at their reflections in the mirror. “Will you be watching the ball drop?”

  Everyone in New York City watched the ball drop, whether live in Times Square, or on the big screen TVs in bars and clubs.

  “Seeing as how I don’t have a pair of lips to lock onto right after the ball drops, I’m sitting this one out,” Clarissa said. “You look gorgeous. Just don’t mess up the lipstick.”

  Safire wiggled her shoulders and couldn’t help smiling. “You think I shouldn’t let Gunner kiss me?”

  She couldn’t believe the stroke of good luck that had her and Clarissa’s roles reversed. Usually, Clarissa had the hottest dates and Safire was the wallflower. But Gunner Gibson dropped out of nowhere the other evening, and not only did he ask her on a date, he even gave her flowers.

  “Well, maybe one little kiss to ring in the New Year, but don’t get sloppy. That would be gross.” Clarissa scrunched up her nose.

  “Why would it be gross?”

  “You can tell a lot about a man by how he kisses. The sloppy ones who slobber all over you? Yuck.” Clarissa shuddered dramatically. “As for tongue thrusting, that’s just plain rude.”

  “So, you’re an expert now?” Safire gave her sister a sideways glance. “Is Gunner one of those tongue thrusters?”

  “He’s a gentleman,” Clarissa said. “You won’t have anything to worry about.”

  “Maybe I want to worry for a change.” Safire powdered her nose. “Do you think I’m a square?”

  Clarissa put her hands on Safire’s shoulders while standing behind her. Their eyes met in the mirror.

  “There’s nothing wrong with being a square.”

  Safire smiled to herself. Even though her sister thought of her as a square, there was nothing square about her when she had a hot man between her legs. She suspected her sister was the same way—putting on an act for their mother.

  She decided to tease her. “If I’m a square, what are you? A cube? At least I’m going out tonight. You should come with me. Who knows who you’ll meet?”

  “I’ll be in my apartment waiting for you,” Clarissa said. “Make sure your date behaves himself.”

  “Why? He’s your client, not mine.” Safire touched up her lipstick. “You sure you had nothing to do with him asking me out?”

  Clarissa’s mouth pursed as if she were sucking a prune. She shook her head. “You kidding? Not only can I not date clients, but strictly speaking, my family shouldn’t be dating them either.”

  “I’m not exactly dating him.” Safire wandered from the cramped bathroom to the kitchenette. She picked up one of the roses that had fallen from the pitcher. “I think he only wants to go out with me to find out about the new levels I’m designing for Planet Wargames.”

  “No way!” Clarissa’s eyeballs exploded, and her eyebrows shot to the ceiling. “He’s asking you out because you’re pretty, smart, and sexy.”

  Safire gave her sister an A-frame hug. “You’re just saying that because you’re my sister. But I’ll take the compliment.”

  “You do that. Go out and have a great time. I’ll wait up and you can tell me all about it.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “He’s here.” Safire felt a frisson of nervous energy zap through her body. “How do I look?”

  She tugged and smoothed her black dress and slipped her feet into sky-high stilettos. “Do I have anything in my teeth?”

  “You’re gorgeous and perfect,” Clarissa said.

  “I hope the sidewalk’s not too icy. Should I wear boots and change my shoes when I get there?”

  “You’re not going to be walking. Gunner’s got a limo. I’m sure of it.”

  “But why?”

  “Image is everything.” Clarissa steered her toward the door. “You have fun, and I’ll let myself out. Help myself to some of that ratatouille you made.”

  Safire opened the door and felt her cheeks flushing hot at the sight before her. Gunner Gibson stood at the door with a golden box of Godiva chocolates. His deep blue eyes sizzled with a penetrating heat as he gave her a look of appreciation, turning her legs to rubber and her stomach into a butterfly factory.

  She put on her wrap and barely heard her sister greet Gunner and take the box of chocolates. A moment later, the pro quarterback took her hand and led her from the apartment to her first and last date of the year.

  # # #

  Nightcaps was decked out to the nines for the New Year’s Eve party. Christmas decorations had been removed, and in its place were golden balloons, glittery streamers, and sparkly crystals.

  Gunner held Safire’s hand possessively as they made their way past the doormen. Safire waved and greeted her coworkers, some dressed as characters from various Thrive videogames, from warlords to mages, with quite a few in camouflage and flak jackets for the wargame series.

  “Thrive!” A burly man in an Ewok-like furry costume accosted them just inside the entrance. “Safire, you look fantastic.”

  “So do you, Mitch.” Safire gave the man a bear hug, or rather the bear gave Safire a pawing.

  A thin, reedy woman in metallic armor and chain mail combined with a studded leather choke collar and goth makeup stood at Mitch’s side and all but sneered at Gunner with narrowed eyes.

  “Saf, introduce us to your date.” The heavyset man turned Safire around and pointed her at Gunner.

  “You mean you don’t know who he is?” A blush rose on Safire’s face. “Gunner Gibson, quarterback for the New York Furies.”

  “Score!” Mitch raised his furry paw and slapped her a high-five. “Hey, Gunner, meet Regina, Queen of North Realms.”

  Regina, Queen of North Realms, gave Gunner an icy nod. She cupped her hand and said something to Mitch, causing the furry guy’s eyes to grow wide.

  Great. Was everyone here against him? Including the employees of Dex Remington? Gunner tightened his hand around Safire’s small bird-bone hand and dragged her to the bar, weaving through the raucous and noisy crowd while keeping an eye out for the Remingtons.

  Sure enough, they’d staked out a large u-shaped booth in the center of the bar right under the countdown clock, a giant marquee rolling down the minutes to midnight. He recognized Dex Remington. The owner and CEO of Thrive Entertainment wore a tux. Next to him was his brother Kurt Remington, the thriller writer who looked more comfortable in a fisherman sweater. Neither of them were much of a threat, despite badmouthing him for the kiss he’d bestowed on their princess sister, but it was the third man who had Gunner’s hackles raised.

  He was quite a few years older, probably the oldest brother, and he had the bearing of a military man with the look of a guy not to be messed with.

  And he was glaring at Gunner as if he’d like to punch his lights out or blast him into the middle ages. Thankfully, Siena, the model he’d done his duty by dating, and her fireman boyfriend were nowhere to be found.

  “Let’s go say ‘hi’ to my boss,” Safire said, tugging at Gunner’s arm. She bounced on her heels and waved at them widely. “Thrive!”

  Gulp. Gunner was going to barf if everyone went around yelling, “Thrive.” He certainly wasn’t thriving when the gang of Remington men turned their attention on him—each looking like he’d besmirched their hallowed family name. All because of one photo-op k
iss that had gone viral all over social media and the tabloids.

  “Safire!” One of the women, Gunner couldn’t figure out which girlfriend belonged to which male, jumped from her seat. “You look gorgeous. And who’s this hunk you’ve got?”

  Okay, so this one hadn’t gotten the newsflash. Tall and slim, she wore a ski turtleneck, and her brown eyes flashed a spark of interest. At her side, one of the Remington brother’s frown got darker and deeper.

  “My date.” Somehow Safire must have sensed the chill, because she didn’t come right out and introduce him like she did to Mitch.

  Gunner hated to be dissed, especially by the snobby rich. So they were all millionaires. So what? He was too, thanks to football.

  He pressed on his most congenial smile and reached for the woman in the ski turtleneck, touching her shoulder. “Gunner Gibson. Nice to meet you. I’m a professional football player.”

  “Nice to meet you, too,” the woman said cheerfully. “Are you guys in the playoffs?”

  “Nope. Not even a wild card. The Shanghai Heisters got the pick.” Gunner shrugged as if he didn’t care. The new WFL, or World Football League, took New Year’s week off anyway, but being eliminated meant he didn’t have to keep up his training, so party on!

  “It’s surprising how money can field a team when there are no salary caps. By the way, come sit with us.” The woman gestured at the seat next to her. “I’m Jayla Stone. I don’t know if you know everyone here. Safire’s one of Dexie’s best artists. I can’t say best because every employee is his favorite, but this party’s dedicated to her.”

  Safire’s face flushed brighter and her cute little shoulders squirmed. “It’s all team work at Thrive. We’re like a family. Live, play, thrive!”

  She slid into the booth next to Jayla and the women complimented her for her dress, hair, jewelry, and made squeals of delight.

  Gunner wasn’t cowed at the silent display of testosterone from the men. He’d faced defensive linebackers more formidable than a bunch of pretty boys no matter how much they held the line against him. From what he could tell, the guys sitting around the table would be too civilized for a public brawl.

  He held his hand to each of them and one by one, Siena’s tough guy brothers shook his hand in that death grip men used to one up each other. He stopped just short of cracking bones, and he pretty much won on the grip strength against all five of them while their women were blissfully unware of the testosterone match going on.

  Gunner had just seated himself next to Safire and put his arm around her, when all conversation stopped.

  Siena Remington entered Nightcaps decked out in a golden glitter evening gown designed for a red carpet runway. Gunner wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of checking her out, so he turned to his date and whispered in her ear, “What would you like to drink? I’ll get you something from the bar.”

  “A little bit of champagne is fine,” Safire said. “I’m not much of a drinker.”

  “Then you shall have the best Dom Pérignon.” He graced Safire’s cheek with a chaste kiss. “Be right back.”

  Chapter Four

  Safire was feeling tipsy after her first flute of champagne, but the others around the table were knocking back drinks and cocktails without being affected, with Gunner insisting on paying for each round. Dex’s brother Kurt was regaling everyone about his newest book, a romantic suspense, while his girlfriend, Leanna, talked about expanding from jellies and jams into macarons. Jayla monopolized the conversation with Gunner, expounding about sports psychology and visualization. Meanwhile, her boyfriend, Rush, chewed on breadsticks as if they were bones to be crunched and broken.

  “Would you care for another drink?” Gunner flashed Safire a grin when he noticed her flute was empty.

  “Sure.” Safire was intimidated by all the beauty around the table. For sure, the Remingtons were a handsome family and each of them had girlfriends who could be models or actresses. Siena, Dex’s twin sister, was a model and because she showed up alone, the men at the other tables kept staring at her as if she were a goddess level enchantress.

  Safire was outclassed and feeling it. Her engineering coworkers, meanwhile, were either dancing like crazy in big groups or shooting billiards. They’d worn costumes, and if Gunner hadn’t asked her out, she likely would have hidden herself in a Galaxy Mage outfit, pasting on long black fingernails behind a yin-yang face mask.

  Thankfully, Gunner was attentive as he returned from the bar. After he handed her drink to her, he raised his glass and proposed a toast. “I’d like to congratulate my beautiful date for being voted Thrive’s Designer of the Year.”

  “Hear, hear.” Dex stood and clinked his glass to Safire’s. “Planet Wargames is this year’s number one online game and our top revenue generator. Safire’s hard work has garnered Thrive many awards. In addition to honoring Safire, we have a special surprise. As you know, players around the world have been competing to uncover the secret level in Planet Wargames. Tomorrow morning, we will unveil the winning player who’ll get to go on the next Planet Wargames worldwide tour.”

  Everyone around the table clapped and hooted, and Gunner raised his fist in a sign of victory.

  “I trust the code went live before the party?” Dex gave Safire a confident grin.

  “Of course,” she said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here. You know I never leave my computer without finishing my work.”

  “That gives the competitors only a few hours to try for the secret level, doesn’t it?” Gunner asked. “Guess I’m out of the running since I’m sitting here with you guys.”

  “Well, don’t let that be a hardship to you,” Kurt, who seemed to have something against Gunner, shot across the table.

  “Have I looked at a cell phone once?” Gunner asked as he put his arm around Safire and gave her a cuddle. “Your fingers must be itchy thinking how many words you’re losing by coming to the party.”

  “Oh, come off it,” the eldest brother, Jack, said. “I’ve got my eye on you, and I don’t care how many rounds of drinks you’re trying to buy us with. Any employee of Thrive is family to us, and we take family seriously.”

  Despite the warmth of the champagne bubbling in her belly, Safire’s skin chilled at the undercurrents. Her boss’s family did not like Gunner, and there seemed to be some bad blood, although no one was rude enough to bring it up.

  Siena raised an eyebrow at her brother and shook her head slightly, signaling him to back off.

  If Safire were a betting woman, the problem the Remington boys had with Gunner had something to do with their sister, but since Clarissa said Gunner was a gentleman, she couldn’t figure out why the cold shoulders.

  She snuggled up to Gunner and whispered, “Would you like to dance?”

  “I’ve been waiting all night for you to ask.” His eyes creased in a manner that told her he, of all the men around the table, only had eyes for her.

  Taking her hand, he swept her from the booth and navigated the way to the dance floor. He was going out of his way to make her feel special by paying the tab for the entire table and helping her impress her boss.

  What a sweet guy.

  # # #

  Dancing with Safire was an easy treat. The woman was so flexible and knew all the latest moves. Gunner couldn’t peel his eyes off her. He’d never dated an Asian woman before, but now he wondered what he’d missed all these years. She was responsive to him, moving with him no matter which direction he turned her, and she blushed at everything he said.

  His cell phone had been quiet, so he figured Clarissa was still working on the high level account access. He needn’t worry that he couldn’t go online. Clarissa was efficient and smart. She’d get the job done. His only worry was when to bring Safire home. He had to play the gentleman, especially since the Remingtons were watching and Clarissa would kill him if he were to dishonor her sister in any way.

  The rocking song segued to a slow one and gave Gunner the chance to hold Safire closer. Even
though she was quite a bit shorter than he, he loved the feel of her against his body. He had to bend down to get his face close to hers, but she was a sweet package. He couldn’t wait for midnight and the kissing to begin.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” he spoke into her ear.

  “Definitely.” Her dark ebony eyes were starry, reflecting the glitter from the disco ball above. “I’m glad we’re on the dance floor. There seems to be some tension between you and Dex’s family.”

  “It’s nothing. Professional rivalry.” Gunner shrugged. “Something my former publicist got me into. You know how it is with publicity stunts.”

  “Yep. We have a big launch early next year, but it’s a big secret. We’re having contests to keep gamers guessing and interest levels high.”

  “Would it be a sequel to Planet Wargames?”

  “Lips zipped tight.” Safire giggled. “You won’t get anything out of me.”

  “Maybe I can ply you with another glass of champagne.” Gunner swayed with her in his arms as the music wound down. “You have a lot to celebrate tonight.”

  “I do, but right after midnight I have to go home and check the stats. We announce the winner tomorrow morning at nine.”

  “Seriously?” Gunner tapped the tip of her nose. “They have you working at the stroke of midnight?”

  “Well, not exactly. I just have to update the site by eight, but I want to find out who wins. Besides, we have to disqualify anyone who’s affiliated with Thrive—employees, family, and friends.”

  “How would you know?” Gunner raised an eyebrow. “People can sign up with any email address.”

  “We have our means.” Safire winked, her cheeks bright and flushed.

  “Well, night’s still young. I’ll get you another drink.”

  “Actually, I better not. I’m already tipsy. I have the Asian flush gene, and I can’t process alcohol that well. My face is probably bright red, and I’m getting a slight headache, and my heart’s beating faster.”

  “In that case, introduce me to your friends, and I’ll challenge you to a round of pool.”