“Where are we going?” she asks and glances out at the passing buildings and evening commuters. I wonder if she misses it here, but instead of asking and finding out she doesn’t, I respond to her question.
“I’m taking you on a date.” Once we hit a stoplight, I glance her way and my gaze drops to her exposed thigh where the dress has risen. A thought of those legs wrapped around my waist hits me. I remember vividly what it’s like to bury myself in this woman and having her warmth wrapped around me. “You’re overdressed for my original plan. Let me think of something else real quick.”
“Oh, no way, Lincoln. I have to know what your first thought was when you came up with a way to make me dirty and sweaty on our first date.”
She’s playing, and I love the sound of her laughter floating throughout the car. We hit the next stoplight, and I can’t help turning to stare at her again. She has her window down and is pushing a strand of her light-blonde hair back. Kate is gorgeous when she’s happy and I want to keep putting that breathtaking look on her face so I’m on the receiving end. Her eyes shift my way, and she sighs.
“Come on, let’s go on this date, please? You have to know I don’t care if I mess up this dress, my hair, or makeup with whatever you have planned.”
Having to concern myself with that is something I’m familiar with. I don’t think Kate knew my ex-wife well, but enough to know the woman I dated before her worried about those things and I always wanted to do things to keep her happy when I was around. I learned later that wasn’t enough.
“Okay,” I agree when Kate smiles my way again. I can’t deny her. I can’t help myself, so I lean in and steal a quick kiss. Which is all I get before the horns blare behind us. She laughs again, and it’s a perfect sound. I break away and wink before I continue through downtown. I find us a parking spot and lead Kate through the front doors of Level Up. I hope I don’t fuck this date up and that I picked something she’ll love. I helped an old friend of mine build an indoor immersion gameplay center. It’s becoming one of the biggest attractions in Chicago right now. Level Up is a combination of laser tag gameplay and problem-solving. You go through obstacles and puzzles with the end goal of taking out the opposing team and securing the building. I figure Kate might enjoy it.
And I’m right. As we make our way through the front entrance and buy our passes, the energy vibrating off her is difficult for her to control. We walk down a long hall of the old abandoned warehouse and into the setup room. Two guys dressed in tactical gear fit us with laser tag vests and gloves. She’s getting more excited by the minute. She turns her head and grins in my direction, and it’s enough to make my chest hurt looking at her.
The black tactical vest stops right at her waist and causes the fabric of her cute pink dress to flare out. God, she’s so fucking gorgeous. I sometimes wonder how I let her go last time. I was never a selfish man, but I want to be with her. I want Kate all to myself. She wasn’t mine to have back then, but she could be mine to take now.
“All teams up here,” the crewcut guy shouts from his spot in the front of the room. His combat boots echo off the quiet room as we give him our undivided attention like good soldiers would. “Now listen up, soldiers, because I will not repeat this. There’s been a cult of extremists that have taken the upper levels of this facility to steal a bio-weapon. It’s your mission to take out the resistance and secure the device they’ve stolen.”
He moves the conversation through mission specifics and how to use our laser guns. He shoots one guy in the vest to show how we will take out the cultist on the opposing team. “Move out, soldiers!”
“This is the best date I’ve ever been on.” Kate’s shaking in excitement at this point.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy. I want to take her out every night and be with her so I can feel this happiness with her.
I smile at her, and the man next to Kate laughs. She must have thought she was whispering but her soft voice carries over the hallway as we make our way down the first hall. She has her gun raised, looking down the sights and following close behind the rest of our team. She crouches down in her sexy little dress and peeks around the wall. The others on our team take the same position on the opposite wall. I kneel next to her and rest my gun on my knee. “I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying yourself. We’ve just gotten started.”
“I can’t wait.” She beams my way then turns to peek down the hall again. “It looks clear. We need to secure this level then move up a floor.” The two guys across the way nod, allowing their appreciative glances to trail along Kate’s body. They’re having trouble keeping their eyes off her, but so am I.
I step out ahead, putting myself between them and point my gun toward the door at the end of the hall. The gameplay is always different because you never know what the other team will do. I raise my left hand and have the team follow behind me.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Kate
Lincoln talks mission specifics with the other team members. They decide how we want to take down the opposing team and I’m standing back, observing the room.
His gun is resting beside him, and the black vest he’s wearing is snug against his white dress shirt. His hair is messy as he runs a hand through it to press the strands back. I want to do that, run my hands through his hair. He’s so fucking sexy standing there commanding his troops. The fantasy I’m creating in my mind is a good one as I watch him from my spot against the wall. I could watch him like this all day, and I’m certain I wouldn’t tire of the view. Those dress slacks show off his ass nicely.
This is by far the best date I’ve been on. We’ve secured the second level of the warehouse and have taken out two of the opposing team members. So now we’re conversing on how to take the other two that are remaining and secure a win by finding their weapon. I’m supposed to watch the entrance for enemies. Those two cultists may come searching for us, but instead, I’m checking out Lincoln.
The dark-haired guy on our team looks my way with raised brows when he sees me. That’s when I see the other girl on the opposing team standing with her laser gun raised at his back. A huge grin stretches across her face.
“Get down!” I shout, but it’s too late. The guy’s vest lights up, eliminating him from the game. I scramble from the wall and land behind the desk to get cover before it’s too late for me. Lincoln is there crouching down in front of me a moment later.
“Close call.” He’s grinning, and all I want to do is kiss him right now because he’s sexy as can be. I know my head isn’t in the game anymore, but I’m here as a woman who’s enjoying her date and wants nothing more than to get him alone.
The other guy on our team engages the girl, both eliminating the other. It’s down to one of the opposing cultists, and me and Lincoln. I peek up over the table to see if the other enemy team member has made it downstairs to us yet. They must have split up.
The eliminated players walk out, chatting about a nice game. They head toward the exit where we will meet up at the end. “Ready to finish this?” Lincoln whispers from beside me. His eyes lock on to mine. I nod, and we both get up and continue our mission. We track down the last guy. He’s waiting at the end of a long hallway, guarding his stronghold. A quick shot of his light comes my way, but I’m in Lincoln’s arms and shoved up against the wall before his laser can hit my vest.
Lincoln’s vest is lighting up, showing he took the laser for me. I reach my arm under him and take out the last guy when he exposed himself to take the shot on Lincoln. It only took a few seconds, but now I’m snug in Lincoln’s arms. When I look up, his dark eyes are watching me.
“You took a laser for me?” I ask, a hint of awe in my voice. He hadn’t hesitated to step in front of me. To protect me even from something like a fake laser in a game.
His hand is at the back of my neck, and he’s looking down at me with a focused gaze. My breathing becomes more difficult with the expression he’s giving me.
“Good game, guys,” the opposing team’s last
guy says, causing Lincoln to back up from me. I already miss what his hands felt like on me. They do the guy handshake, and then he turns toward me. “Never thought I’d die by the hot chick in a dress. Nice.”
Lincoln wraps his arm over my shoulder, tucking me in close as we follow the guy toward the exit. We meet the rest of the players, and the girl who was grinning at my distraction comes up to introduce herself. “Yes! I was hoping you’d win!” She’s thrilled with that fact and I can’t help but grin at her enthusiasm.
The last man standing, Mr. Taken Out By Me, comes up to the girl and steals a quick kiss. She laughs and pushes him back, pretending she’s offended by the public display of affection. “Technically, she got the drop on me because her man took a laser for her first.”
“Ah, I love it. So romantic. Anyway, nice game, guys. It was so much fun!”
“Thanks for letting us join your team,” is my quick response to her and I have my arm wrapped around Lincoln’s waist as he leads us out the front door. We wave goodbye to the others but don’t linger any longer. We make it outside and through downtown Chicago toward Lincoln’s SUV parked nearby. I sigh and press myself closer to Lincoln’s side, and his arm tightens around my waist.
The sun has set, and the cool breeze presses on me. I’m sweaty and even dirty—it was an abandoned warehouse after all, but I don’t mind. Lincoln still has his arm wrapped around my waist as he leads me toward the car. Neither of us wants to let the other go. Our date is over, but I don’t want it to end yet. He opens the passenger door for me once we reach the car and I climb inside.
My gaze stays on him as he walks around the front of the car and gets in. The entire time, I try to think of ways I can prolong our time together. I want to invite myself over to his place. The nerves have caused butterflies to erupt in my stomach and my mouth to go dry. I’ve never struggled like this before, but there’s something different about Lincoln.
“I thought if you aren’t too tired, I want to show you something I’ve been working on.” Lincoln clears his throat and continues, “If you don’t mind, we can head to my place. Unless you’re ready to head to your hotel.”
Here’s my chance and there’s no way I’ll miss the opportunity. “I’d love to come over to your place.” My answer is out in a quick response, my excitement obvious. I’m tired of ignoring the attraction we have for one another. I want him to know about my desire to spend more time with him.
“Perfect, let’s head to my place then.” Lincoln weaves his way through traffic and gets us to his place in no time. He parks the car and tries to reach my door in time to let me out. In my rush to get closer to him, I left no room for his gentlemanly ways.
His hand lands on my lower back as he leads me up the steps. “So, you’re still part of the marketing team for Orthorn Games?” I ask as he opens the front door and leads me inside. His townhome appears as unchanged as Lincoln. In all the years since I’ve seen it, no feminine touches or soft features were added. It’s a masculine bachelor home with a stunning view of Chicago. Perhaps he’s paused in life as I have.
“I’m still the Marketing Director for them.” Lincoln heads for the large gourmet kitchen and turns my way when he opens the refrigerator. “Want something to drink?” His brown eyes glance up and connect with mine across the space between us. There’s the same crackle of awareness that’s always been there when we look at each other. That pull to him when we talk or interact. Another reason I knew we couldn’t stay in touch when I moved away.
“Sure. Beer?” I say because I could sure use one right about now. It should help me relax this nervousness I have. He pulls two brown bottles, the same beer he brought me when he came over the night I left Chicago, then he walks toward me. His walk is sure as he approaches and there’s a tension forming the longer we both stand close. He uses his beer to point down the hall. “My office is this way.”
I nod and follow, distracted because even seven years later, he still drinks my favorite beer. A little reminder of me, all the years later. I’ll admit I still own the shirt he gave me because I wanted to remember him too.
We make our way to his office and he powers on his computer. I can’t stop the way I fidget from side to side as I stand nearby and watch over his shoulder. I take a sip of beer and wait. “I always love the work you do to bring these video games to life. Your work is amazing. I saw the marketing for Orthorn Games’ last release. I bought the game right away.”
“Thank you.” He smiles and begins his newest trailer for me. A creation I’m certain no one’s seen but me. “I remember how much you enjoyed the release trailers. Though it’s not your game anymore, I suppose. Do you miss designing games?”
The trailer plays, and I lean closer to see. Lincoln’s cologne and scent hit me, and all I can imagine doing is getting close enough to him that it’s the only thing I smell anymore.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Lincoln
Kate leans in close, watching my trailer, and seems to contemplate how she’ll answer my question. As I wait though, I’m distracted by the sweet smell of her standing so close.
“I miss designing, sure, but I don’t want to go back to designing levels.. I need to find somewhere that will take me on with that position. I want something more, not that I even know what that is exactly, but designing websites isn’t for me either.”
She’s rambling, and I’ve upset her with my question. “Hey, look at me.” I turn my chair and rest my hands and her hips. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Kate’s hands settle on my shoulders as she tips her head down to look at me. “I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m supposed to fly back to Georgia and back to my job as a website designer and living with my mom. I want none of those things, and Jake doesn’t need me there anymore. My job doesn’t need me and they don’t have a position at Orthorn Games for me so there’s nowhere for me to work in Chicago. I need to figure out where to go from here.”
She’s lost. I’ve been in that place before. “It’s okay to be a little lost sometimes.” I rub a soft, calming motion along her sides. I don’t want to see the worried, sad Kate anymore. “If you could go to one place, any place in the world, where would you go?”
“That’s a tough one. There are so many amazing places out there. The world is an endless place of opportunities, right?” she asks, and her hands start to move, exploring my body.
“Pick one place for me, sweetheart,” I request, my voice lowered as the endearment slips past my lips.
“Okay. Seattle, it is. I’ve always wanted to go there. I used to dream about working for Monroe Games, and they moved their studios up there years ago. Beautiful city too.”
I lean in closer and let my hands slide up a little higher across her back so I can have her soft skin beneath my palms. She’s standing between my legs, and I’ve noticed her hands are roaming. Her touch, fuck, I’ve missed it so much.
“You booked your flight home already?” I ask.
She nods, so I continue, “Cancel it.” I have her step back, and I turn back to my computer. Her curious brow scrunches at both my remark and my quick pull away. As good as her body feels, I want to give her this.
“What are you doing?”
I type on the computer and bring up flights to Seattle. I find one that leaves tomorrow and book two seats. Then I move on to looking at hotels. We’ll need a place to stay while in Seattle. I’m acting on impulse here, but there was something about seeing her so lost and upset that makes me want to give her this escape and also selfishly gave me the opportunity to keep her in my presence longer.
“Lincoln?” There’s a gasp when she sees what hotel I booked for the week. Then I look up my contacts and find Max. I know who she would love to meet while we’re in Seattle so I make a call. It’s late here, but they are two hours behind out in Washington and I have no worries Max will pick up. I grab my cell phone and dial my friend at Monroe Games. Monroe Games is one of the largest video game software companies in the world. I do
n’t blame Kate for wanting to work for them. Anyone in the industry would.
She spins my chair back to her and stares at me as I bring the phone up to my ear. “Lincoln?” she hisses my name in a harsh voice, but I raise my finger, asking for a moment.
“Hey, Linc,” Max says. “It’s been forever. What’s up, man?”
“Not much. Hope you’ve been well. A friend and I are making a trip to Seattle tomorrow, and I was seeing if you’ll be around this week.”
Kate’s eyes widen, and so many questions are probably running through her mind. I can’t help smiling because she needs some excitement. She needs to be spontaneous and find her happiness and joy again. If going back to Georgia and her old job isn’t it—then she needs to find her new dream. I’ll help her do it.
“Yeah, are you taking me up on that offer I gave ten years ago?” He laughs, and I can’t help the sad smile that crosses my face.
“Not exactly, but I would love to bring my friend by if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. It’s been too long. Let me know when you get into town, and we’ll plan a time to meet.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you soon.” I take the phone from my ear and hang up, letting a huge sigh escape. I need this spontaneous trip too because I need a shakeup in my life.
“Lincoln, what the hell just happened?” Kate lets a deep breath go. She’s got an edge of panic to her voice but also excitement. I don’t think she’s done anything spontaneous before—neither have I, but I want to be crazy with her.
I pull Kate close and she settles on my lap, straddling me. It’s the perfect fucking position she could be in. My hands go to her legs, and I can’t help traveling over the soft skin of her thighs, sliding her dress up around her waist.
“We are going to Seattle tomorrow. Like I said, hope you can cancel your flight and have the next week free. You didn’t want to go back to Georgia, right? And you wanted to go to Seattle, so go with me.”
Worth Something More Page 15
