Chapter 17
FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS, Rafe hardly had a moment to talk with Ahri about anything except work. If he hadn’t been exhausted when he fell into bed at night, he doubted he’d have been able to sleep. He couldn’t wait for Saturday night when he could finally talk to her.
The team Cass had assembled and then Ahri worked with had done an impressive job, especially for an almost last-minute event.
He’d originally thought to open it to the public without charging.
Bill, with Ahri and Cass to back him up, had nixed that.
Instead, they’d charged enough for general admission to help offset the cost of the food.
It made it expensive enough to discourage potential party crashers but not so much that it would keep dedicated fans from attending.
Dressed in a tux, Rafe headed to the balcony that overlooked the main grounds where the partygoers had gathered. Kayn, Ezreal, and Darius waited for him just inside, also dressed like their favorite champions.
“Seriously? That’s your cosplay costume? A tux?” Kayn asked, dressed in sleeveless armor, baggy pants, and boots, his curved blade hanging at his side.
“I chose the skin from the Debonair line. I’m still armed.
” Rafe held up the over-sized hexed technology rifle his champion used.
It even had a blade, though that had been made of a soft, bendable material.
The mock-up of the magical gun was still relatively heavy, in spite of having been made of lightweight materials.
It was a real work of art. He’d ordered a case built for it so it could be displayed in the building’s entry after the event.
“You play him a lot, so it fits.” Ez held up his hands to indicate his own flashy swashbuckler jacket and pirate-like pants, his champion’s powerful gauntlet held in his right hand.
“It works.” Darius had gone with his champion’s default gear of armor, cape, and a giant ax.
“Yeah, but he already had the tux, so he didn’t have to do anything.” Kayn shook his head. “Except for his gun, he looks like he’s going to prom.”
“In here,” Ahri said as she opened the door, dressed in the full armor of one of their support champs, from a helmet on her head down to a breastplate and even the cuisse that covered her thighs.
Rafe knew it wasn’t one she liked to play, but she approved of how much coverage it provided.
She shot him a quick glance, taking in his costume, and the corner of her mouth quirked appreciatively.
Behind her, a crowd of young men and one woman entered the room, all dressed as REKD champs.
“Our pro teams have arrived. Welcome.” Rafe strode over and shook everyone’s hands, nodding especially to the ones he’d played against in Phoenix. “I’m so glad you could all make it. Your fans out there will go insane when I announce you.”
“It’s time.” Ahri pointed to a clock on the wall.
“Okay. I’ll give my opening comments,” Rafe explained to the teams, “and then I’ll introduce you.
You’re welcome to mix and mingle with our guests after that.
There are food and craft vendors and some costume contests.
Tonight, at the private banquet, we’ll have a table for each team, including the fans who’ve won the chance to eat with you.
” He grinned and pointed to the balcony. “We’re on.”
He led the way, followed by his partners. They stood beside him at the handrail, the members of the pro teams behind them.
“REKD. REKD,” the fans below chanted.
“This is surreal,” Kayn muttered.
“Tell me about it,” one of the team members said from behind them. “It still blows my mind.”
“I hear the game is really your initials,” another team member said.
“Rafe, Ezreal, Kayn, and Darius. Aren’t they just so clever?” Ahri’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“That’s just because every time I play against you, you get wrecked,” Kayn sniped back.
Grinning at the sibling rivalry, Rafe picked up the microphone, holding up his other hand for the crowd to quiet. When they did, he began.
“Welcome everyone to REKD Gaming and what could be our first annual Midsummer’s Eve Celebration.”
The crowd roared, and a rush of excitement filled him. All these people stood as proof that he and the guys had created something that had captured the imagination of millions of people.
“Thank you for coming to our little party. Tonight, at our banquet, we’ll be handing out awards honoring our most dedicated players who’ve done so much to spread the word about REKD and to encourage others to join our game.
It’s because of their diligence and devotion that we’ve grown so much so fast.”
It took a while for the crowd to calm down.
“You’re in for a treat this afternoon. Let me now introduce our special guests.”
Rafe introduced each team, letting the crowd vent their enthusiasm before moving on to the next one. He then invited everyone to enjoy the day.
Turning, he faced the teams. “Thank you again for coming today. I hope you enjoyed your tour of the facility last night. Have fun.”
Aware that Ahri wasn’t moving, Rafe held back as the others left. He’d been waiting for a chance to get her alone. When the room had emptied, he turned to her.
“I’ve hardly seen you since I got back.” He slowly approached her.
“Do you need something?” She glanced at his hand, that he’d been tapping, and he stilled it.
“I need a lot of things.” Rafe was so nervous he couldn’t quite look at her.
“How can I help?”
Rafe swallowed and shifted his shoulders. He would do it, declare his feelings for her. But what if she wasn’t interested?
“Have you heard something from Bill?” she asked.
He blinked, confused. “No, why?”
“Because you seem . . . nervous?” she asked, hesitant.
“You read me like no one I know.” Rafe looked up to heaven, pleading for help. He heaved out a breath and glanced at her again. “I’m just going to say it and get it off my chest and hope that you don’t take it wrong.”
Ahri’s complexion paled.
“I’m really attracted to you, and I want to take you out when you don’t work for me anymore.” Rafe said the words in a rush. “There, I said it.” He felt a little sick and had to force himself not to tense up, the memory of Tess’s rejection echoing in the back of his mind.
Ahri stared at him for a few seconds, her expression inscrutable.
“Do you mean like a date?” she finally asked, the words airy, like she couldn’t breathe. Was he imagining the hopefulness in her voice?
“Exactly that.” The tenseness in Rafe eased, and he grinned. “More than one date. Lots of dates. I should have said something to you sooner, but I didn’t want to make things awkward between us here. So, I ran away to London instead.”
Ahri grinned back at him. They stood staring at each other stupidly.
“I’d like that.” She reached up as though to touch his face but started to drop it.
“Don’t.” Rafe captured her hand and pressed it against his chest. He tried to cup her face with his other hand but was blocked by her armor. “Why did you wear all this?”
“Because a true warrior maiden isn’t going into battle dressed in lingerie.” Ahri scowled at him through her visor.
“I love this about you, but the helmet’s got to go.” He removed it and tossed it aside.
“Hey. Be careful with that.”
“I’ll be careful with this.” Rafe cupped her face in his hands, his heart full and his pulse nearly deafening him. “I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time.”
He slowly lowered his face to hers, watching her beautiful eyes to make sure she knew his intent and had time to pull back if she wanted to. She didn’t, instead closing her eyes as she lifted her chin. He touched his mouth to hers, slowly to savor the feel of her warm, soft lips.
His heart swelled like to burst from his chest, and he deepened the kiss. He wanted to hold her, taste her. Rafe moved his hands around her clunky armor. Ahri responded by pressing into him. Something sharp stabbed into his chest.
“Ow.” He stepped back and rubbed his right pec.
“Oops. Sorry.” Laughing softly, Ahri ran her fingers over the spot. “I hope it didn’t break the skin.”
“I’ll find out later.” Rafe took her hands in his and kissed her again.
“Well, I guess that answers that question,” came Cass’s familiar voice behind him.
Rafe spun around, keeping himself a little in front of Ahri, his neck turning dark. “It’s the first time I’ve kissed her, and she won’t be working for me tomorrow.”
“Then I won’t report it to Orianna,” Cass said, mockingly stern.
Ahri moved fully beside him, and he asked, “What question is answered?”
“If you felt the same way she does.” Cass grinned.
Rafe glanced down at Ahri, wondering what the two women had discussed about it. She shrugged.
“I really do need her though,” Cass said
“Wait, I didn’t get to ask you,” he said when Ahri stepped toward his assistant.
“What?”
“Will you sit with me at the banquet?”
“I’d love to.” Her gaze darted to his mouth, but she pressed her lips together, her cheeks flushing.
“Do you have a dress here?” Rafe asked. “Don’t wear the armor.”
Ahri laughed and hurried away with Cass.
He stood for a few seconds, enjoying the incredible way he felt, like he’d just finished the best zip line ride of his life.
Thinking ahead to when she’d be his partner at the banquet, he wondered what she’d wear.
It’d better not be that armor because he really did want to hold her properly.
Still grinning, Rafe picked up his clunky rifle, settled it on his shoulder, and headed out to the party.