For The Win (Gamer Girls, #6) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,41

Kinky!

Ethan: Asshole.

Deciding she'd had enough of that, she climbed in the shower. By the time she got out, she felt like a whole new woman. In the other room, the TV was on, and it sounded like the weather. After getting dressed, Rhaven headed that way, hovering awkwardly at the door.

"I live in a mobile home," she told him.

Braden glanced up. "I grew up in one too."

"I kinda told Tyler it's normal to crash in the same hotel room as my friends."

He nodded. "Makes sense. Room sharing makes it cheaper, and you kinda have an in with that."

"And that I got drunk," she added.

"Relax," he said again. "He's guessing because he's worried. There's not some neon sign on you that says you slept beside me, and I'm not about to out you. And, believe it or not, I'm pretty good at winging it. Kinda goes with all the non-disclosure agreements I have to sign."

"Thanks," she said, pausing to chew on her lower lip. "I know this sucks, and I'm going to say something - "

"When you're ready," he broke in. "Rhaven, I get it. There's nothing wrong with what you're doing, and anyone who cares about you should understand that."

She just picked at the hem of her shirt. "I like the boyfriend idea, though. I don't want to make problems, but I'm still waiting to wake up."

He flipped off the TV and stood. "This is me, baby. I'm kinda lame, not really good at being romantic, and I live for video games. Pretty low on the impressive score."

But he'd missed the big thing. "You don't care that I'm not like other girls."

"I actually like that you aren't," he corrected. "I'm more into gamer girls. I'm also going to tell the guys at work - even the female ones - that you're now my girlfriend."

A smile claimed her lips and she ducked her head to hide it. "Yeah? So, I should tell my friends that I'm taken?"

"Definitely. And all the rest? We'll figure it out, ok?" He hooked a finger under her chin and made her look at him. "Rhaven, I fly out tomorrow morning. The team needs me to help pack the gear, and Denver's next weekend."

"I know."

"I want to see you again, but I have to leave here by five in the morning." His eyes dropped to her mouth. "And not just because I want to get you naked again. Mostly because I want to talk to you."

"I can borrow Tyler's car tonight," she offered. "I just have to make an appearance at home, you know?"

"Which means they're waiting on you," he realized. "Let me get my keys, and I'll take my girl home - but it's going to suck not being able to give you a kiss on the front step."

"Fuck off," she laughed. "You can't say you're not a romantic and toss that out."

He just grinned and walked past her into the other room. "You've inspired me, baby. Make me want to thump my chest and grunt all manly like."

She just rolled her eyes at his back. "Whatever."

Braden grabbed the keys to his car, then shoved a plastic card in his back pocket. On the way back, he stopped to grab his wallet from the same place her phone had been that morning, then gestured to the door. Evidently, they were ready to go.

His hand caressed her lower back when she left the room, but that was it. Once they were back in public, Braden walked beside her like any typical guy friend. It was completely and totally casual until they got in his car. Then his hand found her leg, caressing it subtly as she gave him directions to her place.

There was something so amazing about how he could do that. One minute, Braden was just some gamer she knew, and the next he was all man. The strangest part was that it didn't make her feel insecure. Instead, she felt protected, like he was as worried about her secret as she was. She didn't have to constantly remind him. She didn't have to make him back off. She'd explained how things were, and then he did everything he could to make her comfortable with him.

The whole thing was amazing. Maybe it was normal, but it still felt like a fantasy come to life. Here was this guy who didn't think it was weird that she wanted a career in gaming. He didn't care about the stuff that she thought would be a deal breaker. Then,