Page 27 of The Games We Play (Balance of Power #3)

SEAMUS

“ Happy Birthday,” I whisper in Mimi’s ear as I hand her a small bunch of daisies I picked from a bush near my cabin.

She glances down at the pathetic, floppy flowers and looks at me over her shoulder with the most gorgeous ear-to-ear smile.

“These little guys will have to do, until I can find a florist to send you a million roses.” I want to tell her how much more it would be if we weren’t stuck in log cabins in the middle of the woods.

“A million, huh? That’s a little excessive, don’t you think?” Her fingers wrap around mine as she grabs the small bouquet, lingering for a few moments longer than they should, sending shivers down my spine.

“Not for you,” I respond back instantly.

“How did you find out?” she asks.

“I have my sources,” I say confidently before shifting my gaze up to the camp leader as she gives us the details on tonight's event .

“Shane told you, didn’t he?”

“Yup. His loyalties have changed, sweetheart. He likes me better than he likes you.” I place my hands in my pockets as I roll back on my heels.

“So then, tell me. How do I know your birthday is tomorrow then?”

Damn him.

I pin her with a playful but dirty look.

“Fine, you win. But you have to promise to save me the last dance tonight.”

Shane told me the camp leaders put together a dance every year. We only have two more full days until we leave on Saturday, and the dance is happening tonight. I’m hoping to spend the entire night dancing with Mimi before we sneak out to lounge by the lake like we’ve done every night this week.

The late nights with her have made this entire overnight camp trip worth it.

Most of our time there is spent talking, but last night we kissed for hours.

I couldn’t keep my hands off her, and by the end of the night, our lips were swollen.

When we finally parted ways, I had a horrible case of blue balls.

It was so bad I had to relieve myself in the bathroom before making it back to my cabin.

At one point, I debated coming in my pants again just to feel relief, but I had no interest in embarrassing myself for a second time.

I’ve been trying to find a way to talk to her about figuring out how to see each other after camp.

I know she lives in Texas, and wants to stay close to her parents.

She wants to be a teacher, so her plan was to finish school and apply at some community colleges near her home to start working on her degree and teaching credentials.

Maybe, I could make a plan around where she goes. So far, I’ve only applied at a couple universities—the same ones that Hudson applied to—but I know he’s staying in Texas, so this could work.

I want to bring it up without sounding desperate, and I want to talk to her about it tonight before I miss my chance.

“Just the last dance?” she asks, pinning me with an equally playful look.

I lean in, grazing my lips against her ear as I place my hand at the small of her back, making any excuse to touch her.

“I’ll take all of them, if you’ll let me.” I secretly kiss her temple while no one is looking. The camp leaders call for us to break out in our curricular courses today.

We all had to pick three classes on the first day we started camp. They are all classes that teach skills revolving around wilderness and camping.

Shane and I have the same archery class, and it’s been great getting to know him. He’s down to Earth and easy to get along with. I can see why he and Mimi have been friends for so long.

The survival skills course I selected has been amazing in regards to content and what I’ve learned, but Wes and Nathan are in that class with me, and I swear I lose brain cells just being around them.

Wes isn’t half bad by himself, but when the two are together, it’s a torture I wouldn’t wish against my worst enemy.

Mimi and I happen to both select hiking, which is obviously my favorite. Not the hiking part. The Mimi part.

After the full day events, we head back to our cabin to get ready for the dance. I spent a majority of the day practicing my ‘how to win Mimi over for life’ speech, coming to the conclusion that I have no idea how I’m going to even start the conversation without sounding like an obsessive lunatic.

I just hope when the time is right, it comes out smooth and I don’t sound like a blubbering idiot.

Shane and I stroll into the dance hall together.

We decided to be fashionably late because Shane said that creates anticipation for girls if they are waiting on guys.

I think he is entirely mistaken considering the entire camp is pretty much on the dance floor, not giving any shits about who isn’t here yet.

Will Smith’s Gettin’ Jiggy With It blares through the speakers, and by the look of it, a lot of the kids—and some of the camp leaders— really like this song.

I even see the camp counselor gyrating her hips to the bass as she rolls her head back, singing at the top of her lungs.

It makes me smile and, dare I say it, sort of happy that everyone is having a good time. The positive energy is contagious, even I feel like dancing. And I never dance.

My eyes graze over the crowd because there’s only one person I’d like to spend my time with, and I’m a bit desperate to find her since Romeo here decided we should be late and I’ve kept her waiting.

My eyes catch her long, silky hair splayed messily over a bright, shiny pink dress and my jaw fucking drops.

The dress criss-crosses over her shoulders, exposing half of her back. The hem falls just above her knees, showcasing her gorgeous legs. And it’s like she senses my arrival when she looks over her shoulder and catches me drooling.

I mouth, wow , as she smiles, spins, then dips her head mouthing, thank you back.

She twirls her finger in the air at me.

Is she asking me to twirl?

I glance around and then point to myself. She nods. So, I shake my head and crook my finger calling her over. Her eyes squint at me, scrunching up her nose in the most adorable way, and finally takes a step in my direction.

I swear it’s like she walks on water, floating toward me like a fucking goddess.

I’m not sure at what point she stole my heart. Was it the innocent look of sorrow when I got roped into playing spin the bottle? The way she kept my secret by the tree in order to save me from the most humiliating moment of my life? The easy conversations on every single one of our hikes?

Honestly, I think it was the first day. When her hands wrapped around my arm, pulling me away from check-in chaos. It’s like she cuffed herself to me that day and threw away the key.

I don’t want us to end when camp ends.

Because this is everything.

She is everything.

“Well, someone is late.” She sounds seductive and playful.

“It’s his fault.” I hitch my thumb over at Shane and he rolls his eyes.

He leans over to me, whispering loud enough for both Mimi and I to hear, “That’s when you say, ‘Did you miss me’? ” He shakes his head. “You have so much to learn, young jedi.” He buttons his sports jacket, looks around the room, pats me on the back, then walks toward the punch table.

“You know, he wasn’t supposed to do that,” I say as I turn to Mimi.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to blame your wingman, either,” she replies with a smile, and I realize how easy it is to be myself around her.

“You clean up nice,” she says before I can reply.

Holding my arms out, I say, “Shane had an extra sports jacket because I had no idea there was going to be a dress up day. You almost had to dance with a lumberjack because all I had were flannels.”

Her head bounces back and forth like it’s a debate as to what would have been better. “I find lumberjacks sort of sexy.”

“Hmmm, really? Good to know,” I reply.

“Are you going to twirl for me now?” she asks, expectedly.

“Me? No. I don’t twirl. But I’m happy to get naked for you later instead.” My intent was to be playful, but I realize how presumptuous that might have sounded. I open my mouth to retract, but she of course replies with a jaw dropping response.

“Oh good, I’ve been dying to see you naked. You’ve got yourself a deal.”

My eyes widened in shock. “I was joking, Mimi.”

“Shane’s right, you need to work on your game. Try again.”

This little minx.

I stare at her, taking in every single inch of her.

The way her eyes shine with a brightness that could go to war with the sun.

The way her hair falls over her shoulders, one side covering the front of her chest while the other is completely exposed, affording me a perfect view of her smooth, tan skin and the curves of her cleavage.

She is absolutely perfect.

“I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours.” My words smolder, and I'm even shocked at how sexy I sounded.

She bites her lip, and fuck, I wish I could kiss her right now.

“That was good. You’ll have all the girls swooning when you get back home.”

“I don’t want any other girls,” I reply quickly, leaning into her because I don’t want to hold back anymore.

I wrap my arm around her back, pulling her flush against my body. Crooking my finger under her chin, I lift her gaze to mine because I want her full attention.

“In fact, I spent the entire day figuring out how we’re going to continue this after camp. I haven’t figured it out yet, but I’m not letting you go.”

Leaning down, my lips are inches away from hers when a throat clears next to us. The camp counselor, fresh off the dancefloor, looking wild after her dance off with Will Smith, places her hands on each of our shoulders, separating us a bit.

“Six inches,” she chastises, then she storms off.

Mimi giggles, and even though I just got cockblocked, I can’t help but laugh, either .

“Come on, let’s dance.” She interlaces her fingers in mine, pulling me to the dance floor. I hate dancing, but since it’s clear I’ll do anything for her, I guess I’m dancing.

So, it turns out, I’m a horrible dancer.

Mimi is not.

Her body moves perfectly with the rhythm of the music, and I gave up trying after the third song where I pretty much just felt like a broken robot trying not to malfunction.

She’s been at it for over an hour. She'll grab me when a slow song comes on, where I’ll spend a majority of the time stepping on her sweet, dainty toes before exiting when the next upbeat song comes on.

It turns out Shane actually dances competitively, which just adds to his whole, already suave demeanor, and all the girls are drooling over him. I actually never paid attention until now, but he’s pretty much got his choice of, well, all of them.

I’ve been keeping an eye on him, as I’ve been watching Mimi, and he’s constantly sneaking glances at Wes.

Surprisingly, Wes is doing a bit of the same. He hasn’t shared anything with me since that day on the rope course, but I’d bet my left arm something more has happened between them other than the night when we played spin the bottle.

Shane doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy to pine over someone, but there’s a feeling of animosity and expectation.

Wes pushes himself off the bench he’s sitting on and heads over to the floor where Shane and Mimi are dancing together. Shane spins then stops, stunned for a split second as he sees Wes approach, then continues to move awkwardly.

They look at each other for a brief moment, then Wes grabs Mimi’s hand spinning her around and bumps hips with her. Annnnnnd, now I’m heated. I shift in my seat, wanting to go to her, but she’s laughing. So far it seems all very platonic, but I’m not sure I trust Wes’ intentions.

Wes moves between them, placing himself in a sandwich between Shane and Mimi. And although Wes is facing Mimi, he’s closer to Shane than he is to her. Shane’s hand grazes the side of Wes’s body, his arms hiding the touch from most angles except the one that I have.

Wes places his hand over Shane’s, pressing his fingers in between Shane's, then let’s go.

It was quick, milliseconds before he pulled his hand back, but that was definitely intentional.

He changes direction, stepping closer to Mimi and places his arms around her, rolling his hips into hers, but she steps back smiling kindly—like she always does—then pats him on the arm.

You got the pat, bro. Move along.

He lifts his hand up in a high five, and she gives him one before he walks off, stealing a glance at Shane while he does. That whole thing was…interesting.

I’ve had enough of trying to figure out people tonight.

Is This Love by Whitesnake, comes on and I walk up to the dance floor, but Nathan beats me to Mimi.

“Hey, Mimi. Dance with me,” he demands as he grabs her hand and pulls her body close to his.

Where the hell is Ms. Six Inches when you need her?

“I was actually going to dance with Seamus.” She looks over his shoulder at me as I walk up behind him.

He glances over at me with a sinister fucking smile. “Semen here doesn’t mind sharing. Do you?”

“Actually, I do.” My voice is deep and hostile.

“Come on, man. She’ll like it, I promise.” He pumps his groin on her as he wraps his hand around the back of her neck, and I see red.

But I’m not the only one, because Mimi steps out of his grasp and punches him straight in the nose, stunning literally everyone.

“You bitch!” he yells, holding his nose. She probably didn’t hit it hard enough to break it, but it’s bleeding and everyone is getting a good laugh out of it.

“Don’t ever touch me like that again.” She points at him, stepping back further.

“Come on.” I interlace my fingers in hers, leading her toward the exit and leaving everyone else behind before we draw too much attention and never get the hell out of here.