Page 5

Chapter Five

Sera

A trip through CES is like being a kid walking through a candy store for a tech enthusiast. I spend the morning at a virtual reality booth that uses a multi-directional running machine to create an incredibly immersive experience. I rarely enjoy video games, but this is genuinely impressive.

Sure, in the back of my mind, Luke is still there—observing me, touching me, obsessing over me. Falling asleep last night was nearly impossible. My body kept heating up, my core growing wet, as if he was next to me. And when I finally drifted off, I kept waking up, convinced he was in my bed.

"Thanks," I say, taking off the VR goggles. "That was amazing. Who knew a video game could make me actually experience life as a princess…"

I trail off when I spot him striding across the large hall, past a clumsily walking robot, and around a booth demonstrating a keyboard powered by visual inputs rather than key presses.

It's Luke, looking... different. Pale, tense, like a man on a mission. He's wearing a suit instead of his usual casual rolled-up shirt, which makes him seem more intimidating than before. As he moves purposefully across the floor, people gape at him.

I've kept my promise: no Googling, no research. But this piques my curiosity. It's obvious to everyone who he is. I notice two stunning women eyeing him hungrily. I'd be lying if I said this didn't bother me.

Then, suddenly, he stops, turns, and looks directly at me. It's as if he sensed me watching him. As if something is drawing us together.

Is that crazy?

Why, yes, it is. But it still feels true.

He strides toward me, visibly jittery, running a hand through his disheveled hair. I touch his arm, trying to steady him.

"Hey – you okay?"

He smiles shakily. "If I told you I hadn't slept, would you be surprised?"

"Would you be offended if I said it was obvious?"

He laughs distractedly. "Lots going on. I desperately need more coffee. I can't believe I left your room without getting your number. That sends the wrong impression. I hope you didn't think I didn't want to see you again."

"Relax, Luke," I murmur.

"I can't relax until I know you're one text away," he says, with some of his usual irony, his smirk appearing more like himself now. "At least then, I'll have some way to stay sane during this chaos."

"What chaos?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "I don't want to burden you."

"Give me your cell phone. I'll type my number in. And just so you know, it wouldn't be a burden."

"The only thing you need to contemplate is which of those scenes we're going to recreate," he says, leaning closer as he takes his phone from his inside jacket pocket.

He doesn't seem to care that people are watching. Those two beauties are practically glaring at us now, as if trying to make my head explode with telekinetic powers. He loops his free hand around my waist, pulls me against him, and hands me his phone.

I laugh, my body tingling with electricity. "So, it wasn't just the champagne, then?"

"It was non-alcoholic champagne; we were just drunk on each other."

I nudge him playfully. "Yeah, right . I felt the bubbles."

"Okay, you caught me. But I was still drunk on you. Go on, Sparkplug. Call me cheesy."

"I don't think I can."

Almost as soon as I've typed in my number, his cell phone buzzes. His hand tightens on my hip as if he doesn't want to let go, as if he'd rather ignore whatever crisis he's dealing with and stay with me.

"I'll text you," he says. "If you've got a boyfriend, this is the time to tell me."

"I'd never cheat," I snap. "Ever."

"Good."

His public kiss catches me off guard, but I melt into it. I know those women are watching. It's clear that others are too—observing an ordinary woman kiss... whoever Luke is, with his mysterious identity.

"If I don't stop," he says roughly, his chest heaving, "I'll drag you into the nearest booth..."

"You're making some women jealous. And lots of people have been staring at you, Luke. Who are you?"

He smiles. "You're a good girl, Sparkplug. You still haven't looked me up."

"When I give my word, I keep it."

"Then I'll enjoy being mysterious a while longer..."

He pulls away, but I feel a sudden surge of confidence. I grab his shirt and pull myself in for another kiss. He groans and presses his hands against my back. Then his cell phone goes off again.

He sighs, walking away from me, bringing his phone to his ear.

I head to a nearby auditorium for a talk about 'technological Darwinism,' using a digital form of natural selection to produce more efficient algorithms, but my mind wanders far from these lofty concepts.

The talk lasts for thirty minutes. Afterward, I find a text from Luke waiting for me.

Luke: So how do you young'uns do this sexting business, then?

Sera: What did I say about making a big deal about your age, huh?

I reply while leaning against the wall as people file out of the room. I can't even wait to sit down somewhere to text him back.

Sera: Anyway, you'd know more than me. I've never sexted. Even writing 'sexted' feels weird.

Luke: Is that your way of telling me you're an old soul – that we balance out in the end?

I smile.

Sera: That's a very poetic way to think about it... Sure, let's go with that.

Luke: What are you doing this evening?

Sera: I don't have any plans.

Sera: Well, at least not yet. I'm meeting my boss soon so maybe he'll dump a project on me, but he's been pretty relaxed on this trip. I think he wants me to absorb as many tech ideas as possible.

Luke: Good because I'm taking you to dinner. I've been working my team relentlessly since I left you last night. I'll grab a power nap and then we'll go out.

Luke: We'll be in public, so I'll have to control myself.

I bite my lip.

Sera: I kind of like it when you don't control yourself.

Luke: I'm not sure how our fellow restaurant goers would feel about me tearing off your shirt, freeing those plump, perfect breasts, sucking and licking as I pressed my hand against your eager body. Only this time, I'd slip my hand down your pants and glide my palm against your naked skin, your sensitive flesh...

Heat floods my entire body, especially the places he describes touching. I walk down the corridor, back to the main exhibition hall.

Sera: I think you've just discovered what sexting is.

Luke: Is that a yes to dinner?

Sera: It's a 'hell yes', Mr. Mystery.

"Hey, can I have a sec?" I look up at the voice. It's Girl Number One from the staring duo earlier, but she's not scowling anymore. Her friend stands at her shoulder. They're both blonde, athletically built, both wearing short skirts, with flawlessly made-up faces that make them look like mannequins. No judgment; they're gorgeous.

"Uh, sure," I say.

"Are you, like, his girlfriend?" Girl Number Two asks.

"Pardon me?"

"Luke Cross," she says, as if I'm clueless. "He was all over you. Are you his sidepiece or his girlfriend? It's a fair question."

I don't know why I say it, but suddenly I blurt, "His girlfriend. What is it to you?"

Her expression shifts from suspicion to outright admiration. "Woah," she says. "Congratulations."

"Thanks," I mutter.

"You hit the jackpot."

"I'm not with him for the money, if that's what you're thinking."

Enjoying the shocked looks on their faces, I spin and walk away, finding a quiet corner to sit.

Sera: So I just did something...

Luke: Crazy?

Luke: I wouldn't expect anything less from my Sparkplug. Care to enlighten me?

Sera: These two women came over, acting all shocked that you kissed me. They asked if I was your sidepiece or your girlfriend, so I said I was your girlfriend just to shut them up.

Luke: That's fine by me.

I want to ask if he means it's fine that I said it, or if he's fine with me actually being his girlfriend. But although we're moving fast—at least by my standards—that would mean moving at warp speed.

Sera: They seemed super impressed by you. They used your full name like you were some sort of tech god. Honestly, it's getting harder not to Google you.

Luke: I can't stop you from doing that, but I've enjoyed being just another silver fox with you, Sparkplug.

Sera: You're not 'just another' anything.

Sera: Meeting you has turned this conference from pretty interesting to downright magical. Oops, now I'm being cheesy.

Luke: I won't hold it against you, because I feel the same. I need to get back to work, but I'll text you with dinner arrangements.

Sera: You better, and don't worry, I'll be good. I'll let you be mysterious a while longer.

Luke: Thank you. Maybe I'll reward you with more sexting.

Sera: Promises, promises.

I clutch my phone to my chest, a cheesy smile on my face, that intoxicated feeling flowing through me again. My mind returns to last night when he stood shirtless in my hotel room, his muscles defined, his chest broad, his abs well-sculpted, every inch of him radiating desire and intensity.

Now, we're going on a date. It's my first real date in years. It feels like something straight out of the romance books I'm always devouring.

Fantasy, meet reality.