"I didn't catch what you do, Quinn. How do you two know each other?" Anya asked. She held out a delicate and bejeweled hand.
Owen shifted from one foot to the other. "Quinn and I have known each other forever. I used to date her sister Sienna."
"Really?" Anya cocked a sleek black eyebrow at me. "You don't look anything like her." She pulled Owen farther away from me. "I thought you were done with Sienna. She was no good for you. And now you're with her sister?"
I prayed my cheeks did not look as red as they felt. Owen shook his head and hesitated. "It's not like that."
"Well," Anya said, "I have our suite all ready. Let's get you settled in." She took Owen's arm.
"Your suite?" I asked.
Owen unhooked Anya's arm. "It’s kind of a tradition. Anya springs for a big suite and all our gamer buddies stay there. Not the most sophisticated way to travel. It’s mor
e like a big sleepover, but it gives us time to practice."
"Don't worry," Anya said, "I'll let my security guy know who you are. You can visit anytime."
I stopped and looked back at the crowded registration counter. There was a slim chance I would get a room in the same hotel.
"Sorry, Anya. This is Quinn's first tournament and I promised I would show her the ropes," Owen said. "We'll check in and meet you."
"Nonsense. There's room enough for strays in the suite too. If that's what you want, Owen," Anya said.
Owen smiled and picked up our suitcases.
The suite turned out to be an exclusive two-bedroom villa. The main room featured a fireplace flanked by two couches. The dining area had an eight-foot table and full bar. There were two bathrooms and every luxury imaginable.
"I've got the master suite. Artemis and Alan have one bed. Tony and Milan have the other. Scottie called one couch, but I saw him reuniting with Alison in the lobby, so you might be able to snag that. Oh, you know how it works, Owen. You're welcome anywhere," Anya said. She smiled at him and strolled to the door of her room. "Get dressed. We're going to dinner."
I had the distinct feeling she was not talking to me, but after I met the small crowd of friendly gamers, it did not matter anymore. Luckily, Darla had thought to pack a little black dress, because Anya was not kidding when she said dress up. She reappeared in a shimmering sequin dress that caught the light like fireworks.
"You look wonderful," Owen said.
I was surprised he was talking to me. The black dress fit like a second skin and the neckline was lower than I was comfortable with. I had layered a few beaded necklaces on in order to make it feel more decent.
Owen, on the other hand, looked stunning in his fitted black suit. He wore a black shirt underneath with no tie and had left the top few buttons opened. I was about to tell him how handsome he looked when Anya whisked him away. I was left to follow with the rest of the ragtag gamers.
I stopped at the elevator, sure that I would have to wait for the second one, but Owen reached for my hand and pulled me in. I bumped against his chest in surprise. My eyes were riveted to his chest, revealed by the open buttons. He smelled like sandalwood and leather.
I was just coming around to feeling foolish when Owen slipped a hand around my waist and tucked me close to his side. "I'm glad you're here," he said and dropped a kiss on top of my head.
He had done the same thing for years, a quick squeeze and a light kiss on my head, but now there was heat. I felt more than warm all along where his arm encompassed me. His hand flexed against my waist, testing the curving of my hip.
I knew I was not imagining things, because I caught an angry flash from Anya's dark eyes.
"Me, too," I agreed and slipped my arm around his back. "How about this time drinks are on me?"
Owen smiled, thinking of the last time we had drank together. The elevator doors opened and we went out together, despite Anya stepping between us. She had made reservations at Mizumi, the Wynn Hotel's four-star Japanese restaurant.
She was obviously about to tell me I did not have a place at the table, when Owen said. "Good thing Scottie went off with Alison. We won't have to ask them to set an extra place."
Anya smiled at him, but her eyes blazed when they flicked over me. It was obvious Anya had planned more than fun and games for the tournament, and I was definitely in her way. She moved deftly between the red and white chairs, and somehow insinuated herself between Owen and I. When he pulled out a chair and smiled at me, she slipped into it and thanked him. His lips quirked in a quick frown and he moved to the other side of the table.
"Who wants to order some fugu?" Owen asked.
"No, no thanks," I said. "I've read medical studies on eating blowfish."
"Damn. And here I thought you'd be a sushi virgin," he squeezed my knee.