Page 23 of Game on, Love

Raina was standing by the front door, a suitcase in hand, her hair a bit messy from travelling.

“Are you… speaking to me?” My heart did a weird little jump at the sound of her voice.

“Uh, yeah. Actually, yeah, I am,” I tried to mask the awkwardness in my voice as her eyes did a quick sweep over me.I’d be lying if I said I didn’t notice the slight raise of her eyebrow as she took the whole scene in. From my tux to the wrinkled bow tie to the look of mild panic on my face.

“Trouble with the bow tie?” She abandoned her stuff by the door and walked over to where I was standing.

I let out a laugh. “You think?”

“Want some help?” She took a step forward, tilting her head as she looked at me, clearly amused.

I couldn’t help but be caught off guard. It had only been a week since she moved in, and with her schedule, we’d hardly seen each other. But still I could tell there was something different today, almost as if she was carrying just a little less on her shoulders. Maybe it was because she was exhausted or just had a good trip, but for a second, I forgot all about the gala or the fact I was running late.

Instead, I just nodded.

“Honestly? Yes. I’m about five seconds from giving up and asking my agent to bring a clip-on-tie with him.”

Her eyes widened in amusement as she mock-gasped. “Not the clip-on-tie!”

Her glossy, full lips were parted, revealing a glint of white teeth against her warm, golden-toned skin. The curve of her mouth held a hint of smirk, soft but teasing.

My gaze lingered on her lips just a moment longer before I felt her tug at the tangled knot I’d managed to create. Instantly, I leaned down in her direction at the pull, and she smirked as if enjoying that movement. I was a solid six foot one, and she came up to about my shoulder, maybe a little higher when she was standing tall. But she was so close, I could smell the faintest hint of her perfume. A mix of something fruity and floral, with a hint of mustiness that I couldn’t quite place.

Her hands were surprisingly gentle as she worked the fabric.

“Done this before?” I muttered, watching her face as she concentrated, her brow furrowed just slightly. She had the same look she had the other day, but this time I could see the tiredness lingering underneath her lashes.

She shrugged, eyes still on the bow tie. “Yeah, you’re not the first guy who’s bad at tying bow ties.”

I paused, involuntarily leaning back slightly.

“Hold still.”

She made another pull before she glanced up at me. The corner of her lips tipping up as she pulled the fabric apart.

She was now stretching up on her toes, trying to tie the knot. She sighed, and I watched her. It was obvious that her travels were catching up to her, her shoulders dropping slowly with each heartbeat.

“Give me a second,” Without another thought, I placed my hands on her waist and lifted her up, setting her on the counter beside me so that our eyes were levelled.

I grinned as her eyes widened slightly in surprise, and she let out a soft yelp. But, as I stood between her legs, and her hands settled more easily on my tie, she instantly relaxed. “That’s one way to go about it,” she murmured, smiling as she focused on her task.

“Efficient, isn’t it?” I replied, still grinning, but every single nerve in my body had come alive. My hands were still on either side of her, holding her in place.

Her fingers worked easily, looping the tie just right, her touch light.

“So, who exactly needed your help with his bow ties?” I couldn’t help but ask, watching her face carefully.

“A friend,” she said, a little too casually, but there was a glint in her eyes.

“A friend, huh?”

She glanced up at me for a second, her face lit in amusement. “Yes, a friend. You know, one of those people you spend time with? Who needs help every now and then?”

“Only every now and then or often?”

I was as obvious as a ball pitched right in the slot.

She paused, just a second, as her eyes traced my face—which had the word ‘jealous’ written all over it—before she smiled. “Onlyevery now and then.”