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His eyes widened. “What?”
“You have a print of Empress Whisker. It’s hilarious, by the way. I need one for my place.” I frowned. “Why didn’t you say anything when I wouldn’t shut up about it earlier?”
Zane’s expression was confusingly conflicted. “It’s complicated.”
“Are you ashamed? Video games are excellent examples of modern storytelling and art. Talented people put a lot of work into them. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying someone else’s hard work.” I stopped myself before I fully leaned into my soapbox.
Desire burned in Zane’s eyes. “You have strong opinions on this.”
“I do.”
He took a step toward me. “What would you say if I told you I created Kiss of the Abyss?”
SIX
A bark of surprised laughter escaped me. “Yeah, and I made Skyrim. The reason it’s been approximately seventy-three years since the last Elder Scrolls game is because it’s just me working on it.”
Zane’s grin made my stomach fizzy, but his expression morphed into something earnest that made me question whether he was joking
“You’re saying you made Kiss of the Abyss.” I couldn’t help the skepticism in my voice.
“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier. I’d never encountered anyone taking about it in the wild, and I was surprised. So I went with ignorance.”
“You could’ve mentioned you at least played the game.”
He rubbed the back of his neck and smiled apologetically. The move made his bicep even more defined. I wanted to squeeze it. Bite it.
“You’re right. I should’ve,” he admitted.
I shook my head in disbelief. “You’re telling me I’m in the home of the person who created one of the most popular indie games in a decade?”
Zane’s humble shrug shouldn’t be so hot. He stepped close and dropped his voice to a low register. “Do you want to see where the magic happens?”
My entire body flushed hot. I knew he didn’t mean what my brain jumped to, but fuck. When he stared at me like that, I’d strip naked here and do a cartwheel.
Zane swept his knuckles across my Adam’s apple. “I like how your skin turns red.”
My mouth went dry at the sensation of his bare skin on mine.
Zane’s tongue peeked out and wet his bottom lip. “I’ve got concept art for the sequel.”
“Sequel! Oh my god, show me!” I took a big step forward and sucked in a sharp breath at a sharp jolt of pain.
“It’s upstairs. Climb on.” He crouched.
Lordy the man must have one hell of a leg day routine with the way his thighs tested the structural integrity of the seams in his jeans. I looped my arms around his neck and pushed off with my good leg as he hooked his hands underneath my knees.
A giggle escaped when he hoisted me with a flourish, but my laughter died when he enthusiastically ascended the stairs. I bounced against his hard back, and this time there was no sweatshirt to cushion the sensation against my dick. My erection came roaring back to life. Again.
Would he notice if I excused myself to jerk off in the bathroom?
Zane opened a door to the left at the top of the stairs, and lights automatically turned on. He let me slide down his back, which did not help the boner situation.
The room ran the length of his house with one half boasting a slick, professional setup suitable for a CEO. A tastefully nondescript bookshelf served as the perfect Zoom background, and a tall-backed office chair sat in front of his tidy desk. Wait, there were several awards on the shelves. Best Independent Game, Game of the Year, Best Narrative, Best Role-Playing Game. All for Kiss of the Abyss.
Holy shit.
He wasn’t lying.
