Next One Is a Babe

Ian stared at the flush that had crept all the way up to Cindy’s ears and chuckled, then asked, “Do you want to try playing a round on your own?”

Cindy swallowed and quickly agreed.

Looking pleased, Ian turned to pull a chair up to the gaming machine, and he sat there watching her play the game in silence.

While he was no longer standing behind her, he still sat close enough to her to make her heart skitter and her breath come up short.

She wasn’t an expert when it came to games, and coupled with how distracted she had been when Ian explained the basics of the game to her earlier, it didn’t take long before her avatar died this round.

Seeing this, Ian let out a low chuckle, which made blood rush to her face.

She tried to hold her ground as she turned to glare at him. With an indignant huff, she demanded, “What’s so funny?”

Her intention might have been to chastise him, but she sounded so unconvincing she came off as embarrassed instead. She looked like a flustered little girl, so Ian couldn’t help smiling as he suggested, “Why don’t you give it another go?”

Cindy averted her gaze and made a face before starting the next round. However, given her lack of gaming experience, luck abandoned her. This round ended up worse than the last, and she had only been seconds into the game when her avatar died again.

This time, Ian didn’t chuckle out loud, but he pursed his lips to keep himself from laughing as amusement glittered in his eyes.

She stared at the screen incredulously, rapping the heel of her palm against the control panel. “What kind of ridiculous game is this? I’m done!” she couldn’t help but snap.

Ian rose from his seat and resumed his position behind her. He pressed against her back and lowered himself slightly so that his arms reached around her. Placing his hands on the console, he said gently, “I’ll show you how to do it one more time. You need to pay attention if you want to understand how to get through this round.”

“Okay, fine, I’ll admit that you’re a gaming pro. There’s no need for you to brag about it to my face,” Cindy grumbled.

He ignored her and started the game. Before long, his fingers were flying all over the console, his coordination smooth and seamless.

In truth, Cindy had never been able to crack these games, nor had she ever been interested in them. Ian’s fingers were tapping noisily against the control panel, accompanied by the various sounds of the virtual fighting on the screen.

Regardless, the colors and the noise only served as a confusing symphony that made Cindy’s head spin.

With Ian’s gaming prowess, the game went on for much longer than when Cindy had played, and eventually, he got through the round. He turned and appraised her with bright eyes, asking, “Do you get it now?”

They were standing at a close distance, and Ian’s face was right next to Cindy’s shoulder, so when he spoke, she could feel his warm breath tickling her cheek.

Unable to hold back from flinching, she ducked away from him, then tried to move aside as she sputtered, “No, I didn’t get it at all! And you know what, I don’t have time for gaming. I’m starving, and I’m going to have lunch right now.”

Ian lifted his arm and allowed Cindy to scurry out of his embrace. Having done so, she stalked over to the dining table.