Holding Her Close (Bits and Bytes, Book 0) (Bits & Bytes) (18 page)

His eyes raked over her face.
“But that’s the point, right? I don’t ever want you to surrender who you are, but if you don’t actually need me around… It destroys me to see you walk away, but that’s part of how I know it’s real.”

She didn’t want to
hear that, because she knew exactly what he meant. Acknowledging it meant admitting she didn’t feel complete without him. “Having you here now is incredible, even if we’re just working, but...”

He rested a finger on her lips.
“I’m running out of words to tell you how much I want you, but it’s more important to me you’re happy. I honestly think you and I can make it work, but only if you’re interested.”

She was more than interested, but it couldn’t be as simple as he made it sound
. “Maybe.”

“
You have to be at least a little more certain than that.” He wrapped his fingers around hers and tugged her toward the bedroom. “You’re not listening. I’ll show you what I mean, instead.”

She stared at the back of his head while she followed him, curious.
“Show me…?”

He paused just inside the bedroom door.
“You worked really hard tonight.” He moved behind her, hands on her arms, chest against her back. “And even if we don’t have an answer, we’ll find one.”

She smiled at the tender words. She adored this side of him no one ever got to see.
“I was kind of hoping you’d be hard on me.”

He chuckled.
“Cute. Don’t move.”

“
Why?” Air rushed in around her as he let go.

She assumed he’d stepped away, she just couldn’t tell how far. A moment later his hands rested on her shoulders.
“Let me spoil you for the night?”

There was a hint of pleading in his request. She nodded.

His thumbs kneaded into her neck, and she sighed. That felt incredible.

“
You’re too tense.” He massaged deeper. “This might need some more serious attention.” His hands dropped to her hips. “May I?”

She wasn’t sure exactly what he was asking, but as long as it involved feeling more of him, she was game.
“Yes.”

He tugged her shirt over her head and tossed it aside. The air conditioner brushed her skin, and her nipples hardened. His fingers glided along her spine and he unhooked her bra, letting it fall away.

Anticipation raced through her, slick wet growing between her legs. He hooked his thumbs in the elastic of her bottoms and pushed the rest of her clothing to the floor, never touching her with more than his hands.

His whisper brushed the outside edge of her ear.
“Lay on the bed on your stomach.”

“
Okay?” She did as she was told. What was he up to? The cool cotton soothed the heat flooding her bare skin, but didn’t erase it.

A moment later, a new weight rested against the back of her legs, and skin brushed the outside of her thighs. She turned her head enough to see him straddling her, wearing nothing but her boxers. Her pulse screamed in response.

He placed a hand at the base of her neck. “No peeking. Get comfortable.”

She wanted to ask why, but also wanted to be surprised. She folded her arms and rested her chin on them.
“Done.”

“
There’s a part of me that’s jealous about the bottle of lavender massage oil in the bathroom.” A soft pop filled the room, like a lid being unscrewed for the first time. “But it’s tempered by the fact you’ve never used it.”

The confession warmed her further.
“It was a white elephant gift.”

“
Lucky me.” The faint scent of lavender drifted through the air, and seconds later, his hands found her shoulders.

The touch was enough to drive her wild, but when he began to massage, grip sliding easily with the
help of the oil, her tension faded away. She moaned softly each time he hit a tight group of muscle.

“
Damn, you need to learn to unwind.” His voice was tender and full of concern.

“
Whatever you say.” She had zero desire to argue.

He worked his way along her neck and shoulders, rubbing and forcing away the knots, spending several minutes in each spot before moving to the next. Relaxation pushed aside
her pent up everything.

He reached her lower back, and she gasped at the bunched up muscles he
dug his thumbs into.

“
Too much?” His attentions slowed.

“
No.” She shook her head. “Perfect. Don’t stop.”

“
I like the way you say that.” He dug deeper into the tissue, working the area until it was hot from the attention.

His hands slid over her ass, and she let out a soft giggle at the light touch. A sigh replaced it when he reached her thighs. He paid as much attention there, and then to her calves and feet, as he had everywhere else.

Her entire body was tingling when he finally pulled away, and her eyelids where threatening to droop shut.

He crawled up the bed next to her, and lay on his back. She shifted her position so she could rest her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest.

“You’re not coming back, are you?” He rested his hand on her hip.

She’d missed this closeness so much, and it ached to give him an honest answer.
“I’m still under contract here and your numbers…”

He sighed.
“I know. They don’t add up.”

Maybe it was a good thing they hadn’t just screwed. It was already going to hurt to say goodbye in the morning.
“If there was any way…”

“
Yeah. Me too.”

A heavy silence fell between them.

Rae traced lines over Zach's bare chest, listening to the soft beat of his heart. She needed to burn this moment in her mind forever, she didn’t know when she was going to get a chance to relive it. Her gaze drifted around her bedroom as much as it could without her moving. The flower prints on the walls. The comforter and sheets in a color scheme that matched the taupe paint. Or was it beige? It made her a little sad she’d never decorated the room to reflect her personality.

“
What are you thinking about?” His soft question startled her.

The question stirred other, not so great memories, but she had a feeling she didn’t have to worry about that any more.
“How much I’m going to miss you.”

His hand rested on her bare hip, pulling her closer. A deep tremor ran through his voice
“If I thought even for a minute it wouldn’t make you completely miserable, I’d ask you to quit and just come stay with me. I could take care of us both.”

Her chest ached and her gut nagged her. They both knew neither of them would be happy like that.
“If you’re good, like really, really good, even if for some strange reason the response at E3 is only lukewarm, you can stay solvent until you start turning a profit. That means hiring freeze and minimal pay raises.”

He tilted up long enough to kiss the top of her head.
“You say the sexiest things in bed.”

She gave a sad laugh.
“I can’t help it. I don’t want to watch you leave again, and I can’t think of a way to change it. “

“
Technically.” He traced light lines along her skin. “I didn’t leave last time, so I can’t leave again.”

She shook her head without lifting it.
“Fair enough. I still wish there was another way.”

His chest rose and fell, exhale filling the room.
“Me too. Are you coming back to Salt Lake after your contract is up?”

She bit the inside of her cheek.
“Until now I hadn’t planned on it.” She’d considered it, but shot the idea down as insanity so many times she’d learned to ignore it before it even became a fully-formed thought.

“
You won’t cut me off though, right?” There was a trace of hesitation in his question she didn’t think she’d ever heard before. “We’ll still do this long distance?”

She nodded against his skin.
“Absolutely.”

Nervous energy thrummed through Zach. His foot tapped against the concrete and he checked his watch again.

Chloe hopped onto a nearby stool, feet swinging back and forth.
“That doesn't make the time go any faster, you know.”

“
I know.” As much as he was grateful to have her assistance, he couldn’t help wishing Rae were there instead. And he had no idea how Chloe was so calm.

Scott
sat on a second stool behind the one of the tall tables they'd set their demo stations up on. He stretched and popped his neck. His shirt matched Chloe's. White, obnoxious logo stretched across the front, but about three sizes bigger. “You know it's too late to worry, right? I mean, it either goes well now or it doesn't? Besides, it's not like anyone's going to be this far back the room when the doors open.”

“
You're not helping.” Zach couldn’t keep his expression stern long enough for it to make an impact. His clothing matched theirs. He couldn't believe they had talked him into the casual outfits. It was an industry affair. He should be in a suit and tie. He should be mingling. He should be headlining the large Cord/DM booth positioned directly in front of the entrance to the exhibitors’ hall instead of hidden in a corner like a nobody.

That was a bad road to go down. He was over that need. He had moved past it. But part of him still remembered the attention they'd drawn two years before. The memory brought back another, more bitter one: Kelly turning down his marriage proposal in front of thousands during their game launch. On second thought, he was definitely better off
tucked out of sight with his friends.

Chloe moved from one demo station to the next, loading up the game on each.
“We'll be fine. Amazing even. You have a good team.”

Scott cleared his throat.
“And they’re so modest, too.”

She glanced over her shoulder, but didn't stop working.
“I learned it from the best.”

Scott laughed.
“Flattery still doesn’t equal raises.”

She turned back to Zach.
“That’s not what you told me.”

Zach shook his head, the banter pushing aside some of his tension.
“Bullshit it’s not.”

“
Pst.” A stage whisper interrupted.

The four of them spun in unison.

Jordan — the one person they’d lost to Digital Media — stood at the edge of the booth, DM button-down tucked into beige slacks. “Hey, guys.”

“
Hey, traitor.” Chloe winked at him. She stepped forward and straightened his collar. “You look like a proper corporate tool.”

Jordan
rolled his eyes and raked his fingers through his hair. He grabbed his crotch. “I've got your corporate tool right here. What you have is amazing, right?”

Scott tossed him a shrink
-wrapped demo disc. “Like you haven't seen it already. Had to get some old-school hack to build the engine.”

Jordan
snagged the square out of the air. He studied the package, smirking. “I'm sure you did fine. You even rocked the artwork. And the logo.” His gaze fell to Chloe's chest. “Definitely rocked the logo.”

She cleared her throat and snapped her fingers in front of his face.
“Are you allowed to be over here?”

Jordan
smirked and took a step forward. He whispered something in her ear.

Chloe snorted with laughter.
“Still looking forward to it.”

He nodded.
“You didn't tell, right?”

“
Of course not.” She giggled.

He handed her the demo disc.
“I've got a copy on my laptop. I probably shouldn't let them see me with it.”

Zach sighed, not surprised. Even when
Jordan hadn't had friends on the inside, back before they’d hired him, he hadn't had a problem getting his hands on pre-release demos of their games. He watched the developer disappear before asking, “What are you two up to?”

Chloe didn't look at him, hands shoved in her pockets.
“I'm not allowed to tell. Don't worry, it's not bad.”

“
Not reassuring.” Scott's comment echoed Zach's sentiments. “It's ten, by the way. Doors are opening.”

The earlier nervousness returned, pulsing through Zach's veins and sitting heavy in his stomach. He pasted a smile on and paced to the edge of the booth, watching the media and attendees spill into the exhibit hall.

And they waited. The minutes turned into hours. The occasional person came by and grabbed a demo disc off the stack, but didn't make eye-contact with any of them.

Chloe sighed and leaned back against
a nearby table, hands shoved in her pockets. “How much longer 'til the courtesy suites open?”

Zach rolled his eyes.
“One, no courtesy suites. Rae will kill me if I let you get drunk. And two, it's barely noon.”

Maybe mentioning Rae had been a bad idea. A whisper of longing floated through him. It didn’t feel right she wasn’t there. Even if he didn’t miss her so much
, she’d earned it as much as any of them.

Chloe scrunched up her face.
“What she doesn’t know won’t hurt me.”

“
Excuse me.” A smooth tenor interrupted the light-hearted exchange. “I’m looking for a Scott McAllister or a Zach Johnston?”

Zach started to correct the older gentleman
out of habit. Except he’d gotten Zach’s last name right. Nice change. He extended his hand. “I’m Zach.” And nodded to his left. “This is Scott.”

“
Gentlemen.” The new arrival was about the same build as Zach, wearing a tailored suit — silk probably — complete with cuff links and topped off with a leather briefcase. He shook everyone’s hands. “Grant Lent. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Zach’s smile froze. That had never meant good things. And why did that name sound familiar?
“I’d like to say the same.”

Grant gave a deep chuckle.
“Don’t worry, all of it was good. Do the two of you have a moment?”

“
Sure. Step into our private office.” Sarcasm traced Scott’s reply and he nodded to the empty space behind the wall of their booth.

If the tone bothered Grant, it didn’t show. His wide smile never wavered.
“Fantastic. I won’t take you away for long.” The three of them crossed the short distance to out of sight. “I hear you have fantastic things on the horizon.”

Zach bit back the question on the tip of his tongue.

Scott didn’t. “Who told you that?”

Zach wanted to be bothered by the blunt approach, but at least it might mean an answer.

Grant shook his head. “The word is out, here and there. Thing is, I like what I’ve seen, and I’m impressed with what you’ve done with so little.” He pulled a card from his shirt pocket and handed it to Zach. “And I want in on the ground floor.”

No way. That’s why Zach knew the name. Grant owned one of the largest private investment groups in the country. He pocketed the card. Damn it he didn’t want to say this, but continuing the conversation would be a mistake.

“I’m sorry.” Scott spoke up first. “We’re not looking for funding. Whatever you heard must be skewed.”

Zach bit the inside of his cheek. He might not have been able to turn it down so easily. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or bad.

Grant didn’t flinch. “Completely understand. If anything changes in the future, hold onto my card.”

This was too easy. This man was amicable, polite, and hadn’t once talked down to them. Zach was starting to feel comfortable around him, and that made him nervous.

“Humor me, though,” Grant said. “If we’re not talking money, pretend I’m like anyone else you’ll meet today. My grandson loves these games. Tell me why he should play yours.”

“
Because it’s awesomely unlike anything out there.” Scott didn’t miss a beat.

Zach shrugged.
“Not how I would have put it, but pretty much.”

As t
he conversation shifted from one topic to another, Zach realized he and Scott were both getting along splendidly with Grant. It was the first time he could remember at one of these shows where he’d actually enjoyed a conversation with a suit instead of just chiseling on a smile to make it through the day. It felt good.

“
Sorry to interrupt.” Chloe poked her head around the corner. “But we’re kind of slammed out here. You know, if you’ve got a minute or two?”

“
I’ll let you go.” Grant shook their hands again, already stepping away. “My grandson will be thrilled to know I met you and you aren’t assholes.”

Zach couldn’t help but laugh at the parting words. His smile was still genuine as they rounded the corner. And then he paused, eyes growing wide.
Chloe hadn’t been kidding. Every single demo station was filled, and lines were forming. She was fielding questions left and right.

Two more guys approached, demo discs in hand.

“Hey, she was right.” The skinny one took his place in one of the demo lines.

“
You guys really helped write the original Legion?” The larger one asked Chloe.

“
Helped, yeah.” Scott's response was flat. He didn't have time to get into it as a girl approached. And then a group of three. And then someone wearing a press pass for an online review site.

They spent the next half hour answering questions, giving demos, and making small
talk with the sudden onset of people. Zach engaged a couple of visitors in conversation and managed to learn, “the flirty girl Rinslet gave the shirt to was talking them up and handing out discs.”

He grabbed Chloe.
“You’ve been here the whole time, right?”

Chloe stared back, mouth twisted, brows raised.

“Right. I know.” Of course she had. Zach shook his head. “Then who are they talking about? Who else has one of our shirts?”

Chloe turned away from his gaze, toes tracing a line on the ground.
“I might have given one to Jordan. He is kind of pretty.”

A whisper echoed in the back of his head. He shoved it aside. Even pretending for a second
Rae was there would get him in trouble. Still, what was Chloe keeping from him? He grabbed Scott's attention away from a blogger asking intense questions about their coding methodology. “Hey, I'm gonna go find us some lunch. Will you be okay for a few minutes?”

Scott pursed his lips.
“Five tops.”

“
I promise.” Zach extracted himself from the crowd. They needed to eat, but food was just an excuse. Too much was happening. He needed to walk away, clear his head, and convince the nagging part of his brain that wouldn’t shut up that Rae was nowhere in the building.

Seven minutes later, over
-priced hot dogs and drinks in hand, he returned to the finally ebbing flow of interest. Of course he hadn’t seen her. Because she wasn’t there. So why wouldn’t the hopeful and suspicious part of his brain shut up?