Played by Love (New Adult Romance): A #Played Novella (5 page)

“Lucky thing Jaden Song is so unsearchable.” Jaden assisted Mark with the last rep. The barbell clanged onto the rack, rocking it. “Don’t say anything about her being a temporary playmate. She hates players and heartbreakers.”

Mark tore his sweaty t-shirt off his back and wiped his face. “And you’re pretending to be a guy who cares so you can play her? Wow. That’s low, even for you.”

“She’s enjoying it. We’re both adults.” Jaden grabbed his towel and moved to the leg extension machine. “I’m her Asian fantasy man and she’s my blonde babe who raps. She gets off on the exotic, Korean pop star mystique. When the semester’s over, we’ll both move on. You didn’t think I was giving up my room at the frat house for the entire year, did you?”

“You’re a sick puppy. Just like the rest of the guys, well, except for Jax. He’s pussy-whipped. Totally.” Mark slapped his back.

“Ain’t gonna be me.” Jaden moved the pin on the weight stack and worked out his quadriceps until they burned.

Ella deserved to play the fool. She lived in a fantasy world, one where she controlled the roles others played. She was picking out his costume, and he’d do his best to give her what she wanted, but he wasn’t a real Korean. He didn’t know taekwondo, he wasn’t a Buddhist, and he thought the Korean tea ceremony was extremely sexist, having never seen a man pour tea for a woman.

He finished his reps and turned onto his stomach to work his hamstrings and glutes.

“You’re really going to walk away from her?” Mark crouched next to him, shaking his head. “What am I going to tell Tricia when you break her friend’s heart?”

“Don’t worry. She’s not into me. She’s into an image. My mom doesn’t recite Confucian rites. She sings in a Baptist choir. Ella will be disappointed when she finds out I’m a fake.”

“So why are you going to the convention with her?”

“Will you quit bugging me?” Jaden finished his set and hung his towel around his neck. “I’ll be her Asian anime character. Let her have her fun.”

“What’s in it for you?” Mark headed for the locker room. “Playing her while pretending not to be a player. Is this some kind of frat game I don’t know about? Cuz if it is, it’s not going to end well.”

Jaden pushed open the door. “You sound like a Chinese mother. Sheesh.”

The other man opened his locker. “I’ve been observing everything at the frat house, the parties, the women, the hook-ups and the funhouse. I wouldn’t let you guys anywhere close to my sister or a friend I care about.”

“Neither would I,” Jaden said. “Which is why I’m breaking up with Ella end of the year.”

Jaden palmed his hands over Ella’s eyes as he unlocked the hotel room. They’d flown in from Oakland International Airport, separate from the team. Good thing, since she insisted on wearing an almost transparent silver dress with a triple dragon headed brooch over her cleavage, causing her to be frisked and wanded by the TSA agents. They even checked under her long, golden blond wig which she insisted on wearing to be in character.

He pushed open the door and guided her into the room, his hand still covering her eyes. The scent of fragrant candles infused the air, and their shadows flickered amongst carvings curving like elk horns and vines.

Ella wiggled her bare shoulders and melted into him. “Let me guess. Is it a honeymoon suite?”

“Better. Did you think I’d be so ordinary?” He feathered a kiss behind her ear and uncovered her eyes. “Welcome to Rivendell.”

She covered her mouth, gasping. “Rivendell? From Lord of the Rings? It’s … it’s unbelievable. This is Bilbo’s room.”

She ran her fingers over the carving of the angel protecting the head of the bed, her deep blue eyes wide. Behind her, the candelabra cast soft shadows over the richly dressed king-sized bed. Rose petals were scattered over the bedspread and golden boxes of chocolate truffles sank on the fluffy white pillows.

Jaden tipped the bellhop who set their suitcases on the stands and shut the door behind them. Ella’s happiness was infectious. She stroked and inspected every detail, from the golden embroidery on the bedspreads, to the carvings on the bedposts, the tapestry upholstery, the metallic details on the dressers, saving her keenest observation for the carved goddesses.

She swung around. “This room matches my Game of Thrones Daenerys Targaryen wedding costume.”

Indeed it did. Her beauty snagged his breath in his throat. It would be so easy to step into her world of make believe, act out her fantasies of love. But how long would it last, and what would happen when she wanted a different type of man after she got over her Asian anime obsession? What if she wanted a hairy brute like Wolverine? Or got into villains and gladiators?

Like an elf princess, Ella floated to him, her cheeks rosy and her eyes sparkling. “Jaden, I love it. Come, dance with me.”

“I’m not exactly in costume,” he said.

“I’m so happy, I just want to to spin and whirl.” She sprinkled kisses on his lips. “You’re the best boyfriend ever, treating me so lavishly.”

Gulp. Did she just say boyfriend? A strange, but not unpleasant feeling bubbled inside of him, tugging at the corners of his heart. Was she in character or speaking for real?

He pulled her close and danced with her, slowly swaying and swinging her around. “I aim to please, my Lady Daenerys.”

“My pleasure is your love, Zack Fair.”

They held each other in reverent silence until a beeper went off on her phone.

“Oops,” she said. “We need to get ready for the dinner and ball.”

Groan. Jaden couldn’t imagine himself surrounded by characters from everyone’s nightmare. But he’d promised to come and act out her fantasies.

“Who’s Zack Fair?” he asked.

“He’s a soldier in Final Fantasy, kind of the alter ego for Cloud, the hero. Both of them like the same girl.”

“Let me guess, this Cloud guy’s blond and he gets the girl.”

“Yeah, but you’re much sexier. Dark and handsome.” She swept her hands over his chest and winked. “Tall, well built, a first class fighter.”

“As long as I end up with you, I’ll fight anyone.” He flexed his muscles, making them bulge to her delight.

She dragged him to the suitcase. “You’re going to love your costume. This is going be so much fun.”

Her joy was infectious, even though it was all pretend. Jaden let Ella arrange the finishing touches to his black warrior outfit. He even let her spike his hair stiff with spray and gel, and line his eyes to make them wider and more defined.

When it was time for dinner, she strapped on his shoulder plates, and adjusted his suspenders and waist shield. She cooed and awed over him, making him feel like a life-sized doll.

“Ready to go downstairs?” She hooked her arm through his and admired them in the mirror. “Don’t we make a different couple? Final Fantasy and Game of Thrones. East meets West.”

Jaden couldn’t help but grin. They did look hot together, a mixed couple from two different fantasy realms. And if it made Ella happy, what was the harm of playing along? He was just glad his frat brothers and soccer team were further down the Strip at a sports hotel. Someday, their worlds would collides, but tonight was a night of fantasy and play.

He stroked the long blond hair of her wig and wrapped it around his fingers. Her dewy skin glowed in the light of the flickering candles, and her beauty shone. He could lose himself into her dreams, and never come up for air. His heart leaped and bounded into the pools of her mysterious blue eyes. Drawing her close, he kissed her, his eyes opening in surprise at the jolt of emotion, the embodiment of every movie kiss, serenaded by angelic voices.

She sighed into his mouth and he breathed her in, his heart expanding with noble deeds, undying love, and heroic sacrifices.

“I’ll do anything for you, Lady Daenerys, anything for a lifetime of serving you.” He went to his knees and kissed her hand, awed by the cloud of emotion melding them together.

# # #

Ella and Zack, er, Jaden wove and stumbled up the stairs. They were the stars of the ball, voted best cosplay couple of the convention.

“I can barely see from all the flashes.” Ella blinked when they entered their corridor. “Anyone lurking?”

“Nope, coast is clear. I thought some of the other costumes were much better.” He tugged at the suspenders and shrugged a slipping shoulder pad.

“Excuse me?” She huffed, hands on her dainty hips. “I researched every stitch, every thread of your costume. Ordered the most authentic materials. I’ll have you know I personally hammered the aluminum for your shield and anodized it black.”

He swallowed and lunged to kiss her, a surefire distraction. Ella squealed and ran down the hallway. She had to remember to play hard-to-get since Asian girls were so good at that. Her chest heaving, she slipped the keycard into the slot and pushed her way into the room. As soon as she slipped in, she swung the privacy latch, trapping Jaden outside.

“Say you’re sorry.” She peeked out the crack of the door and stuck her tongue at him.

“Sorry.” Jaden sounded like a four year old whose mother made him apologize.

“Not good enough. Tell me why we won.”

“Cuz we’re so good together?”

“More.”

“We look cool together.”

“And?”

“Our costumes were awesome, the detail intricate, designed by a professional.” He crossed his arms and flared his nostrils. “And we belong together.”

“Squeee! Buy the man a clue.” Ella unhooked the privacy latch and dragged Jaden into the room. “Say it again.”

“Oh no, I’m a warrior. Warriors don’t take orders from princesses.” Jaden swept Ella into his arms and swung her round and round. The billows of her dress floated and trailed a circle around them, and she was laughing so hard she didn’t realize at first that he’d placed her gently on clouds of rose petals.

His eyes bore into hers, full of passion, and a spark of something more intense. She saw her reflection, her paleness reflected in those shiny black orbs. Candlelight muted the tones of his angular face, his cheekbones, strong jaw, and perfectly symmetric nose. The warrior, Zack Fair, narrowed his eyes, eager to devour his prey.

He removed the triple dragon brooch holding the pleats of her gown, and her breasts spilled out. Licking his lips, he buried his face into them, nuzzling and nipping her.

As excited as he made her, Ella carefully removed Zack’s shoulder plates and his soldier belt, items that cost her specialized material and hours to put together. He seemed to understand her concern and carefully peeled off the rest of his clothes, folding them over the suitcase. Naked and already erect, he climbed into the elven bed and spread her hair like a crown around her face.

Dotting kisses, first on her temple, then the sides of her face, across her nose and over her chin, and behind her ears, he worshipped her, a supplicant to her goddess desires.

Ella’s blood sang inside her veins and her skin shimmered with lust and desire. This was her ultimate fantasy, to be taken by a warrior, a mighty man, skilled in the arts of seduction.

But when their lips met, she knew he was Jaden, her prince and best friend. She stroked his face and raked her fingers through his hair, separating the gelled spikes. Jaden the soccer goalkeeper, the guy at the frat who kept score, the player trailed by groupies, was different from the rest. He was genuine, real, and she was Ella, not Lady Daenerys, and when she kissed him, it was from her heart.

His tongue mated with hers and his body melded over her, his fingers interlocked with hers, loving her and building her trust for him.

She swam against him, skin caressing skin, their limbs intertwined, exploring the planes of his body, discovering every erogenous zone, kissing every part of him, and when he cried out in ecstasy, she drank him in, licking every drop of his essence, loving him, content, elated, fulfilled.

He rested in her arms, while she stroked his relaxed muscles, tracing every contour of his sculpted body, memorizing every detail. “Everything’s so right, perfect. I’m so happy, Jaden. Are you happy?”

“Uhm …” he groaned and mumbled, “give me a few minutes and I’ll be ready to go again.”

“I know you will.” She dotted her fingertip on his nose. “But this isn’t an athletic competition. I love being with you. Do you think we belong together?”

“If you say so.” His eyes were closed and his breathing deepened, that of a man well loved.

“I used to look at the stars on my ceiling and wonder if on the other side of the world, there was little boy staring into the sky. That he’d be meant for me from the beginning of time.”

His fingers locked in with hers and he sighed. “You think I’m that boy?”

“Yes, I believe you are.” Her lips angled toward his while her hand slid down his belly and fondled his rising expectations. “Do you want me to be yours?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Now fully aroused and ready for action, Jaden prowled over her, his muscles glistening in the candlelight. “You’re more than I ever dreamed of. I’m privileged to be your eternal protector.”

Ella woke to the beeping of Jaden’s cell phone alarm. She swiped the screen and noted the venue—pre game workout and pep talk. When was that rascal going to come clean and let her know he was the Cal Bears goalkeeper?

She gave him a shove, put the alarm on snooze and threw the phone on the pillow she’d vacated.

The Rivendell room was muted in the filtered morning light, almost misty, viewed through the hallowed lens of time. Every detail sprang alive, the guardian angels, their treelike limbs, magical and infused with promise.

Ella grabbed a towel and dragged her overnighter into the bathroom. While waiting for the shower to heat up, she untangled her spikey hair in front of the mirror.

Last night she’d discovered the man fated for her. The one she’d dreamed about and yearned for when he was only a nameless, faceless concept. Jaden Song, her eternal protector, guardian and knight, the man who existed solely for her. She’d love him, cherish him, and give her entire self for him.

Ella and Jaden Song, Ella Song. She rolled their names, the nagging thought that Sloup sounded strange, like a cross between soup and slouch. It had to be Song. That was probably his real name, the one on his birth certificate when he was but a tiny baby in an orphanage in Korea.