Open World Read online

  “You are not going anywhere young lady,” James barked, his face growing crimson in a split second. “Cassandra, sit down next to your cousins.”

  “Yes, sir,” Cass retorted sarcastically with a mock salute and took a seat next to Hope. “Who’s the dude?”

  The girls’ father growled and opened his mouth as if to say something.

  Grace put a hand on his arm. “James,” she warned and, with a slight shake of her head, made him stop.

  Hope leaned toward her cousin and whispered, “His name is Corbet Jenkins.”

  Cassandra peered up at the man. “Oh, so it is. Sorry, Cor. Didn’t recognize you with my uncle’s lips puckered on your a—”

  She jabbed her cousin in the ribs before Cassandra could say something else that would infuriate her father further.

  Cor shook his head. “James? May I ask you something?” The questions slid out in an easy, smooth southern drawl.

  Hope melted with his words. It wasn’t like she hadn’t ever heard a southern accent before, but his inflection was different. His enunciation had a charm to it, a burr. She craved more.

  “Sure. Shoot, Jenkins.”

  “You said they were twins. They look nothing alike.”

  “They’re fraternal.” Irritation laced the statement. He pointed in Cassandra’s direction. “The auburn haired imp on the right is a cousin. As you know from work, her name is Cassandra. The grazing gazelle in the middle is the youngest of my twins. Her name is Faith. Then on the end, there’s Hope, our cute little pumpkin.”

  For some reason she couldn’t put her finger on, Hope was unfazed by her father’s derogatory introduction and his attempt at a loving smile. Instead, she sat rooted by Jenkins’s steady regard and half-mouth, roguish smile. Uneasiness settled in her core. The hairs on her arms pricked. She had the strangest, consuming urge to unzip his pants, caress the muscles hidden underneath and have him press his body up against hers. Hope closed her eyes as a chilling shiver ran through her, and when she opened them, her gaze landed on Alden. He stood behind her father and the unsettling man.

  Hope, luv, keep your wits about you.

  The soft spoken words in her mind sounded like Den had said them aloud. But of course that wasn’t possible. Nonetheless, her heart warmed, knowing her man was near. She smiled at her boyfriend, becoming caught in his peaceful gaze.

  Den was a fine specimen of a man, dressed in his tropical print short sleeved shirt and tan cargo shorts. The first three buttons of his top were undone. She imagined teasing the exposed expanse of skin with her fingertips and then licking the area she’d touched. Actually, it was what she planned to do once they ditched her family, she mused with a delightful shudder.

  Alden grinned and winked as if he had read her thoughts and agreed with the idea.

  “Well, now, that’s something different,” Cass stated, picking at a burger on her plate. “A broker feigning interest in his client’s family. Interesting, very interesting.”

  “For the love of all that’s holy. Young ladies, your behavior today has been deplorable. The disrespect… The sarcasm’s not needed.” James pointedly stared at Cassandra. He ran a hand over his face while shaking his head. “Good Lord. You’d think you’d have some decorum at a work function.”

  Hope stared at her boyfriend, silently imploring him to intervene before a family war broke out and ruined the picnic.

  Den offered a slight nod. He cleared his throat.

  James turned. “Ah, afternoon, Mr. Mochrie. Have you been introduced to one of I-D-8’s investors? Mr. Corbet Jenkins, Mr. Alden Mochrie, one of the level designers.”

  “Have we met before?” Cor narrowed his eyes and raised a brow as he shook Alden’s hand.

  “Not formally. You’ve probably just seen me around the office building,” Alden replied.

  “Come, gentlemen,” James requested, his tone and mood much lighter when speaking to Alden and Cor. “I want to introduce Mr. Jenkins to some other families and I’d like your assistance, Alden.” He slapped the men on their backs, as if they’d been best buddies for years instead of months and weeks, and led them away.

  Hope’s gaze traveled from her father’s back to Cor’s then landed on Alden’s ass. She loved the tight muscle structure of his body.

  “Hope, honey, don’t pick at your food. If you’re done, toss out your plate.”

  “Yes, mother.” With a frozen smile, she rose and took care of her trash. Soon I’ll be done with college. Hopefully Den’s and my relationship will go to the next level. She turned to go back to the table but stopped her approach. Her mother fussed over Cassandra and Faith, attempting to fix their hair and straighten the lines of their shirts. Sighing, she shook her head. It was great how her mother cared so much about her family, but she wasn’t six anymore. Neither were Cassandra and Faith, who finally escaped her scrutiny and hurried off in separate directions.

  Perhaps it’s time for me and Den to find our own place.

  Next to another pavilion, a portable radio loudly played a popular country tune. Alden sauntered over to her, his movement fluid and in time with the song. A wolfish half smile adorned his face and his gaze smoldered. When he stopped in front of her, her breath and pulse quickened from the virile magnetism crackling in the air around him.

  “Perhaps it is.” He picked up her hand and placed a light kiss on the back of it.

  “What is?” Had I spoken aloud? She mentally shook her head. He wasn’t near me when I thought about moving out.

  “Whatever it is that’s brought that look into your beautiful hazel eyes.” Den played with a lock of her hair at her shoulder.

  Completely enthralled with the man—his commanding stature, his mannerisms, his speech—she smiled. His strong, warrior looks, which seemed out of place in the touristy outfit he wore, entranced her as well. But even with his square jaw covered in a dark five o’clock shadow, his shoulder length golden brown hair pulled back into a small tail and his deep green eyes, he pulled off the ensemble somehow.

  “Ah, I see Corbet and your father have returned.”

  Alden’s whispered words refocused her attention to the table. Compared to Den, the investor appeared too put together—used-car salesman slick—in his white dress shirt and black pants with his brown hair slicked back. He’d removed his suit jacket, revealing simple accessories, a gray belt, silver watch and a black leather necklace. A silver star within a matching circle pendant dangled from the band.

  A chill encased her as her gaze stayed glued to the symbol. Goosebumps broke out on her arms. She needed to point out the piece of jewelry to Cassandra, who happened to be a practicing Wiccan. If anyone would know what the necklace meant, it’d be her, and she’d be able verify whether they should be worried or not about the man.

  “Babe? You okay? You’re shivering.” Den wrapped an arm around her and rubbed her bicep.

  “Yeah. I’m good. Just…” How could she describe how she felt and articulate the thoughts running through her mind without coming off sounding daft? Her father’s interest in Mr. Jenkins perplexed her. Something seemed amiss when it came to the investor. He gave her the willies. Her instincts screamed formidable foe. If she could detect all that, why couldn’t her dad?

  “Hope,” Alden said in his sultry, deep voice, squeezing and massaging her arm. “Your brow is furrowed. Come dance with me. Forget what’s troubling your mind.”

  He led her into the mix of dancers and brought her body close to his with their upper thighs and torsos touching. With confidence, he led her into the flow of the two-step. She followed smoothly. He was a divine dancer and moving around with him was like floating on water. Den spun her a few times. Joyous laughter erupted from her, and when she landed against his body after the last twirl, she snuck a lick of his chest as she had wanted to do earlier. Salt and musk, totally male. She wanted more.

  “Do you think we could sneak away without my parents noticing we took off?” she asked quietly.

  “I’m sure we could.�
�� He maneuvered them toward the edges of the group of dancers.

  Hope scanned the gathering and, finding everyone to be otherwise engaged, took his hand. She hurried with him toward the other side of the building.

  “I think you’re the prettiest girl at the picnic,” he commented, pulling her close when they were out of sight of the crowd. Den trailed a long finger down the side of her face, picked up some of her hair and let the locks sift over his hand.

  The wispy ends of her hair tickled her neck. She quivered from his light touch.

  “I love your big, beautiful hazel eyes and how they look at me so intently,” he continued. “I love how your rich, brown hair glints with shades of red in the sun. I appreciate your intelligence and sense of humor. I don’t ever want to let you go, see sadness in your eyes or to find harm come your way.”

  He feathered his lips over hers. She trembled against him. Wanting him against her, she dislodged another button so she could bare more skin and rest her cheek against it.

  “I know you’re finishing college shortly, and you’re planning on finding a job on the strip.”

  She nodded, deciding to unbutton the rest of the fastenings of his shirt, and stroked her hands along his chest.

  “I want us to take our relationship to the next level,” he stated in a shaky breath. “I’d like to speak to your father about marrying you.”

  “Really?” She raked her fingernails across his nipples and watched them peak. “That would be wonderful. The last performance of my play is next Sunday afternoon. You can come to dinner with me and my family afterwards. That should present a good opportunity to talk to him.” Hope traced a path on his chest with her tongue.

  “You keep this up, we might find ourselves in a state of disarray. And what would happen if someone were to come by? If your father were to find out that you’re not exactly the good girl everyone thinks you to be?” Den stepped back, holding her at arm’s length. A shadow fell over them. He glanced up at the sky. A dark cloud had formed overhead and several more appeared to be blowing into their area.

  “You’re right. But you don’t know how much I want you right now. I want to feel you against me, your hot slick body sliding against mine.” To bring the point home, she stepped forward and laid her hand on the bulge in his pants. Just as she expected, it was hard.

  He detached her hand from him and held it. “You know we can’t do anything right now. Not with the LAN party about to get underway.”

  Hope frowned and batted her eyelashes. “Can’t I have even a little kiss?”

  As she desired, Den yanked her against his body, cupping a breast in his hand, and claimed her mouth. With a happy sigh, she relaxed and molded into him. His mouth sensuously moved upon hers and, when it parted, she followed suit, allowing his tongue access to search and conquer. Hungrily, wanting him more than ever, she matched his movements, undoing his ponytail and running her fingers through his long, soft hair, reveling in its silkiness. She moved her hand down to the front of his pants where she’d been before. Again she cradled him and massaged his cock through his shorts. His tongue delved deeper into her mouth. His fingers tweaked the growing nipple beneath her shirt and bra.

  Happiness, combined with a feeling of forbidden pleasure, created a stormy sea of sensation within her. She was lost and found in his kiss. With him she truly believed she was safe, secure…cherished. When he pulled away and looked down upon her, she knew she had found her prince charming, her proverbial knight in shining armor.

  Den clasped her in his arms. She nuzzled her cheek along his chest again and, as she gazed upon the community’s pool area, movement caught her attention. She could have sworn she saw Mr. Jenkins duck behind the corner of the building.

  Chapter Three

  Though Den didn’t want to let go of his girl, he knew the LAN party would be starting inside soon. Plus, he still had to figure out what the deal was with the weird stuff he’d daydreamed about earlier. That was something he couldn’t do if Hope kept distracting him. He detached himself from her grasp. “I have to go in and check on how the set-up is going.”

  “Do you have to? Aren’t there people already in there taking care of all that? You’re a level designer, not a networker.”

  “That’s true, but we’re all part of the same team. I want to help. The more I learn about the company and its inner workings the better it’ll be for me…for us in the long run.” He clasped her hands, brought them to his lips and lightly kissed the backs of them.

  “All right. I know you’re right. It’s just that you’ve been working such long hours. I feel like I rarely get to see you anymore.”

  “I’m sorry, babe. It won’t be much longer now. The project will be done. You’ll be done with school. I promise we’ll take a trip together. Go somewhere quiet and private where we can fully enjoy each other every moment of the day and night. But for now I have to get to work. I’ll see you inside.”

  “Okay.” Hope pulled her hands out of his and crossed her arms.

  Den hated hearing the sadness in her voice but couldn’t do anything about it at the moment or even make up for his absence in the next few weeks. He kissed her forehead, then strolled around to the front of the community building and entered by the front door.

  Cool, conditioned air blasted over him, lowering his skin temperature. He hadn’t realized how hot he’d been outdoors. Den took a moment to breathe and relax before the chaos of gaming began.

  The gathering area, which when empty reminded him of a great room in someone’s house, had been rearranged. Two black leather couches and a matching recliner had been pushed against the far wall blocking a pair of sliding glass doors. A brick façade fireplace lay bare since there was no need for supplemental heat. Opposite the hearth and in the far corner area was the kitchen. A breakfast bar counter divided the great area from the food space and was laden with cans of soda, bottles of water and various snacks.

  But the most important part spread out in front of him. Three rows of long folding tables spanned the room. Two more near the kitchen were pushed up against the three making the whole configuration look like a squared off M on its side. Keyboards, monitors, switches and small pyramid crystals filled the table tops, and wires cascaded down in colorful streams to computer towers and power strips. Enough room on top of and under the table surrounded each chair and work space.

  A woman with light brown hair pulled into a pony tail popped up from beneath the middle table. Scratching her head, she stared down at a monitor.

  “Hey, Beth,” Den called out to her as he strolled into the room. “Need a hand?”

  She jerked her head up and her gaze landed on him. “Oh, hey there, Alden. Help? Nah. JT, Bruce and Steve should be back any moment. One of them will double check my connections. Thought you’d be out there with your girl and her family.”

  A wide grin lit her face. Beth wasn’t a classic beauty, but there was something about her mannerisms and expressions that had the guys in the company taking second and third looks. He didn’t think she had any clue about her mysterious allure.

  “I was. I told her I wanted to check out things in here. See if you all needed help.”

  Beth swung an arm out. “Well, as you can see, we’re pretty much ready to go.”

  The lights flickered, brightened, dimmed and slowly went back to normal. Ceiling fans which had slowed sped up again to resume their normal cycling.

  A curious tingle sparked in Den’s fingers, spread up and flared in his arms. The ‘boat’ sensation returned. He took a deep breath and mentally shook off the wonky vibes, not wanting to face his issue at this particular time.

  Beth’s face paled. She shook her head. “Oh no. Not again.”

  Her quiet statements almost rattled him. “Not again what?” he inquired with an edge of caution.

  She tried to move a couple strands of hair that had escaped her ponytail to behind her ear. “Might be something. Might be nothing. Don’t mind me. With all the computers, crystals,
wires and such around me I get antsy when it comes to power surges and storms.” Beth glanced at the doorway, the monitor, the entrance again. She rubbed the back of her neck and repeated the actions of her darting gaze.

  “Seems like you’re more than just being antsy about a rain storm or Nevada Energy doing a rolling black out. What’s troubling you?”

  Beth drew in a long breath and then let it out in puff. “Well, it’s a bit of a story, but another player and I had some very unusual issues during a smaller test run when there was a storm going on. Very unsettling stuff.”

  Could Beth have been one of the testers online when I’d been on, too, during that storm? Den couldn’t recall anything out of the ordinary happening. Just the normal quirks a game in development had. But then again… Could what happened that night be part of what happened to me today? What I need to figure out? “Who knows about those issues you had?”

  “No one does.” She shifted her stance, looked toward the door again. “Except for a couple of programmers who needed to know. I just made sure to make it like there were lots of bugs that had to be fixed. Hopefully they have been. Maybe I’ll tell you about it all after the party gets started.”

  “That’d be great.” Every piece of information counted if he were to make headway with his issue.

  Beth looked down at the monitor. She clapped her hands, stretched over some gear on the table and grabbed a cable. “Now I got you.” With deft fingers, she attached it to the monitor. “Ah ha! Now it works.”

  The entrance door swung open. Three laughing men sauntered into the community’s club house. Two older men with gray in their hair and bulk on their frames sandwiched a younger man who carried a crate full of wires and connectors.

  “Hey, JT. We’re almost done setting up. Once you put the crate next to the fireplace, could you go find Rick and let him know we’ll be ready to start once everyone’s done outside?”

  “Rick?” The tall and lanky young man dropped the box next to the hearth and tilted his head as he looked at Beth.