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Chapter Three
Wesley
When Wesley had seen Ava’s reluctant smile at Brock’s endearments and antics, he’d been intrigued.What went on in that clever mind of hers?Ava ranked exceedingly high in cuteness and edginess, and topped the charts with her rocking bod. He’d gotten an inspiring vibe from her when he’d run into her at the airport.Weird.
Having the afternoon free until seven, Wesley unpacked his clothes, and then his satchel, dropping his sketch pad onto the ornate desk. With pressure mounting, he struggled to map out his new signature characters. He would introduce a new elemental dragon and a new player. With the game gaining huge success, it was paramount that he got this new character just right. He knew a female character would draw in both male and female players. He crafted several prototypes, versions of princesses, artsy archetypes with crafting skills or priestesses who could hold mystical powers—but none seemed right. He sat and opened the sketch pad, giving it another try.
He flipped through the pages of his worn sketch pad, thin from too many torn-out pages. A pencil tucked between the pages marked where he’d left off. Gripping the pencil, his gaze focused on the blank paper but in his mind, images began to form and a story unfolded.
The pencil slid with skill and precision, bringing a figure alive as if by magic. Repeatedly, Ava appeared on the pages, staring at him through amber-flecked, green eyes, and her glossy, chocolate-brown hair swirling around her narrow shoulders. The classic features and porcelain skin she possessed were an ironic contrast to the gruff vocabulary she used when her emotions ran high.
In a previous phone call, Brock had mentioned his fiancé’s army buddy, now ex-military, who was a helicopter pilot. One wouldn’t guess at first glance that Ava Baxter flew helicopters—in the army, no less. Wesley pictured her in action and ran with the idea of developing a beast of a helicopter for his new character to ride amid the elemental dragons.
But how does she fit in? What is her mission?
As an overarching plot unfolded, he pictured this new character as a warrior.Of course!It made perfect sense. With his mind made up, no princess or priestess or any other character would do. Yes, a female warrior was the key—the perfect addition to the storyline.
What could be Ava’s avatar name? A name worthy of a warrior?
This would be an element for his team to ponder once he had the other details right.
His thoughts returned to an action scene, a battle where the main characters were entrenched in losing a fight against the machines. This was where his new avenger in all her sexy badass glory would come to their aid. He sketched faster, fueled by excitement.Finally, a breakthrough!
Wesley’s hands were smudged with graphite by the time he’d drawn the end of the battle sequence and introduced his newest character to the solidly established main cast. He sank against the chair and stretched his long legs, glancing at the time. Hours had passed. And he felt the effects in his left shoulder, as he drew left-handed.
He studied his work.
“I’m on the right track,” he murmured into the quiet room. But his new character lacked something. The body postures and facial expressions were off.
Closing his throbbing eyes, he pictured the alluring beauty with an entirely snappy attitude. He imagined Ava dressed in army-green clothing, a tight olive-green tank top highlighting her tone biceps still feminine enough for his taste, and booty shorts that exposed shapely, strong legs. He rolled his neck, easing tension as she again began to appear in the matrix of his gaming world, standing against the backdrop of the ancient hidden city and the elemental dragons.
How had Ava Baxter—of all the females who crossed his path—fueled his ideas? Why the sudden inspiration?He opened his eyes, stunned he’d finally found his muse. He pressed a hand over his heart as apprehension pinched his chest. This place provided the peace and quiet without distractions—but his muse was key. Now that he’d met his source of inspiration, getting to know her better in three short days would be challenging. More like a big obstacle, considering he’d somehow managed to insult her, and it didn’t seem as if she even liked him to begin with. He grunted.
He could charm most anyone when inclined to do so. He had to admit, as of late, he’d been a moody bastard. Even his team grumbled about it at times. The pressure had gotten to him. Gaming had been his whole life, so much so he’d given up things he regretted. Looking back, he would have made other choices regarding people and relationships. Today he lived in a world surrounded by his team, who were indeed close friends, but nonetheless, he paid them and paid them well.
Fans grew daily, praising his work, a world he’d built from an idea that came to him in the shower. He couldn’t fail or let people down. Everything rode on his success.
Wondering how to approach Ava tonight without insulting her, he propelled himself from the chair and paced. Though his room was large, it couldn’t restrain his need for space, for fresh air, for the possibility of a chance to run into his muse. Despite it being nearly six, he estimated the time it would take to get showered and dressed for dinner. Slipping into his Converse, he moved silently through the mansion, trekking outside into the balmy air. Crossing the expansive lawn, past the pool, he recognized the outline of a woman by the rocks at the ocean’s edge.
He paused, watching her, memorizing Ava’s outline. This discontent ex-military woman who spoke her mind was a true warrior in disguise. This could be his character’s secret weapon: a misjudged enemy, someone who could infiltrate the Hammered Fortress to obtain the golden key or magical gems.
“Gah!” she yelled at his approach.
Hmm, so hearing was not her superpower.
“You shouldn’t sneak up on a person like that.”
He understood what it felt like to be so deeply in thought. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”Ugh, another bad start.
“I could have cut you.”
For the first time, he noticed a small blade in her hand.How did she even get a pocketknife past security? Must have checked a bag.She was full of surprises.
“Do you always carry a weapon?”
“Always.” With a tense stance and an alert gaze, she flicked the blade closed with her thumb and tucked the weapon into her jean pocket. “One never knows when there is a sudden threat.”
“I’m hardly a threat.” He held up his sketch pad. “Unless I kill you in a drawing.”
