“Yeah, are girls not allowed or something? I like video games.”
She pushes her hands onto her hips, making me slightly nervous. There’s something authoritative in the way she’s standing that reminds me of someone. It takes me second, as I glance at Charlie, to realize who she reminds me of. And she’s standing right next to her.
“Of course, girls can test and play video games. I just wasn’t expecting you to want to get in on the action.”
“I assume that means spending more time with you,” she says, lowering her voice.
I nod and move closer to her. Given her height, Regan’s nose just about touches my pecks. She’s so small I could tuck her under my arm or throw her over my shoulder. But she has balls on her. I’ll give her that. The way she speaks and moves has such a demanding effect on people. I see the way Murph sways along with her, almost in sync with each of her movements.
“Yes, that would mean spending a lot more time with me.” I smile at the thought of playing video games with Regan. “Will that be a problem?”
It turns me on more than it should. A hot chick who likes sports and video games is better than hitting the lottery.
She shakes her head. “Nope. Looking forward to it.”
I want to touch her, grab her face in my hands, and kiss her. Until Charlie snaps me back to reality by clearing her throat.
“Do you think you guys can continue this some other time? Alex is texting me, wondering why I’m not here yet.”
I steel a glance at Charlie and nod. “Yeah, no problem. Let’s get a move on.”
Murph waves to us, promising to catch up with us later.
“I’ll fill in for Murph today,” Regan says, falling in line between Charlie and me. “You guys get the VIP treatment.”
Excited by the prospect of more time with Regan, my stomach fills with nervous energy. I can’t remember the last time I liked a woman this much. She has the kind of personality that causes people to gravitate toward her.
Once we reach the main floor where the entire team, their families, and all of their fans are gathered, the noise is so loud I can barely hear over the chatter. Charlie finds Alex almost the minute she places a foot on the event floor, leaving us without another word.
“Were you serious about wanting to test video games?” I ask Regan, strolling through the crowd at her side.
“I don’t joke about video games,” she says, laughing. “Murph tells me your games are amazing. You know, I actually played a few of them.”
“You did? Which ones?”
I thought she was joking until she starts rambling off the games I designed and what she liked about each one. Even Charlie has never been this interested in video games or my work. Sports are her real passion. Mine has always been technology and creating fictional characters, stories, and worlds with a keystroke.
We walk around the event, checking out each of the booths where you can meet the players, get autographs, and buy memorabilia, with all the proceeds going to charity. Every year, the Flyers host the same fundraiser, and the fans go wild over it. Regan introduces me to the players I had yet to meet through Charlie. Some of the guys are taking pictures with kids, dressed in full uniform.
Over the screaming fans and bustling crowd, I can hardly hear Regan when she says, “So, when do we get started?”
“On the testing? We already started. I’d say tonight, but I’m sure you need more notice.”
“After this is over,” she says, holding her arms out at her sides, “I’m all yours, Jameson O’Connor.”
Under normal circumstances, I would hate someone calling me by my full name. Only Charlie can get away with that without pissing me off. But hearing Regan say my name aloud excites me. Everything about her makes me break down my walls. There’s a sense of calm in her demeanor that puts me at ease.
I smile at her words. She’s all mine. If only I can make that a reality without getting on Charlie’s bad side. After all, Regan and her father are part of her business. Anything I do could negatively affect her. But she didn’t object to Regan offering her help with the game. At least I can use the testing as an excuse to get to know Regan. And I can’t wait to begin.
Chapter 6
Regan
I’d prepared for tonight the same way I would for a date. Jamie had me so giddy with nerves that I’d almost forgotten to take the clips out of my hair after I finished styling it. When Jamie had offered Murph the opportunity to test his new game, I did not intend to ask to join his team. But I couldn’t think of another way of getting to know him better.
Most guys want to date me because of my father. That’s their usual M.O. At this point in my life, I can see through the hardcore fanboys, like Murph, and can weed them out. Jamie is different from other men. He’s sexy and smart, funny and charismatic, and most of all—he doesn’t like me because of my last name. The mention of Mike Turner doesn’t give him a rock hard boner, like other guys.
As I ball my hand into a fist and knock on Jamie’s door, I suck in a deep breath.