Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 430: Games

After the phone call with Mari, Emily hesitated for some minutes before rising from the bed.

Although Mari had suggested she give Callan time to calm down before talking to him, she didn’t want to wait.

Now that she realized he was acting that way because he had most likely overheard her words, she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep until she settled things between them.

She didn’t want either of them going to bed upset. Especially not after realizing she was the one who hurt him.

She walked over to the mirror and looked at herself.

Then she frowned.

The oversized Mickey Mouse pajamas suddenly looked ridiculous. There was no way she was fixing this dressed like a twelve year old.

She sighed and turned toward the closet immediately. If she was going to soften Callan Quinn up, then she needed better weapons.

A few minutes later, she stepped out of the closet wearing one of the silk nightdresses she had brought back from Ludus with her after resolving things with Callan.

It was red and short.

Thin straps rested on her shoulders.

Her hair fell loosely around her face after she brushed it out.

She stared at herself in the mirror for a second, then she nodded once.

Good enough.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the room and headed toward Callan’s bedroom.

When she didn’t find him in his bedrooms she headed for the living room.

As she approached it, she heard faint sounds coming from the television. The closer she got, the clearer the sound became.

Video game sounds.

Emily slowed when she got to the doorway of the living room.

Callan sat lazily on the couch with a game controller in his hand and his AirPod in his ears.

The large television screen flashed brightly in front of him, and a glass of wine sat on the center table beside an already opened bottle.

Another controller lay beside him untouched.

Although his expression looked calm, she noticed the details immediately.

The way his shoulders looked tense despite how relaxed he appeared, and he was gripping the controller harder than necessary.

Her chest tightened a little. Now that she was here, she wasn’t sure how to approach him.

He noticed her reflection on the dark part of the screen and looked up briefly.

Their eyes met, then his eyes moved over her slowly, taking in the red nightdress, her bare legs and loose hair.

What was she up to now? Why did she change into such a dress? Callan wondered wearily as he returned his gaze to the screen again like nothing happened.

But Emily noticed the slight pause and the tiny shift in his expression, and that encouraged her a little.

Unable to ignore her presence, Callan paused his game and took off his AirPods.

"Did you want something?" He asked without looking at her.

"Can I play with you?" she asked softly as she walked closer.

Callan shrugged lightly without looking at her again. "You’re welcome to."

The calmness in his voice bothered her.

She moved closer until she stood beside the couch, then she picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

Callan stared at her without a word as she set down the glass, then picked up the second controller and sat beside him.

Not too close. But close enough for her thigh to brush lightly against his.

Callan didn’t react. At least not outwardly.

"What does the winner get?" she asked conversationally, deciding not to bring up the issue until she’d loosened him up. "By that, I mean what do I get when I beat you?"

"What do you want?" he asked calmly.

"You have to cuddle me all through the night," she said, wanting to see his reaction.

"Okay," he said as he reset the game.

"What do you want if you win by some miracle?" Emily asked.

Callan was silent for a moment. "I want you to sleep in your room."

Her heart sank at that. And though it hurt her pride, she shook her head.

"No. You have to come up with something else. I plan to spend the night with my boyfriend."

Callan looked at her for a moment. "In that case, you should do your best to win then."

Emily nodded slowly. "Game on, bro."

His lips twitched. Not quite a smile but close enough.

Emily noticed it immediately and her heart lifted slightly.

Progress.

The game restarted.

Emily deliberately adjusted herself on the couch and crossed one leg slowly over the other.

The silk nightdress slid higher on her thighs.

Callan’s eyes flickered once toward her legs before returning to the screen immediately.

Emily noticed and a tiny smile tugged at her lips.

Maybe her plan would work after all.

For the next few minutes, they played quietly.

"You look very focused, Cal," she said thoughtfully, "for someone who claims to be fine, you’re playing like your life depends on it."

Callan shrugged lightly. "Maybe I desperately want my space tonight."

Emily pretended to gasp dramatically. "Wow. That was cold, bro."

He said nothing.

But she noticed the corner of his mouth twitch again slightly before disappearing again.

Emily leaned back deeper into the couch and let her shoulder brush against his arm.

"You know," she murmured thoughtfully, "if I lose, I could still sneak into your room."

"You won’t," he replied calmly.

"You’re going to throw me out if I do?"

"I can’t throw you out. I’ll let you sleep there alone."

She huffed softly and focused on the screen again.

After a while she stretched slowly beside him, and her nightdress shifted again.

Callan inhaled.

Emily bit back a smile. "You okay?" she asked innocently.

"Why wouldn’t I be?"

"Just checking to be sure you’re fine."

Callan finally glanced at her.

And that was exactly what Emily had been waiting for.

She leaned closer slowly.

Close enough for him to catch her perfume and to notice the teasing smile on her lips.

"You know," she said softly as she tucked some strands of hair behind her ear, "I think You seem a bit distracted."

Callan stared at her for a second. Then he looked back at the screen again.

"Focus on the game, Emily."

"That’s exactly what I’m doing," Emily said as she shifted again until her thigh rested fully against his this time.

Callan inhaled quietly.

She grinned.

Oh, he was definitely affected.

"Princess," he warned when she lifted her thigh to his crotch, rubbing against the tent that had formed there.

The warning in his voice made her smile but the fact that he called her Princess made her smile even wider.

"Yes?"

"You’re cheating."

"How?" she asked sweetly.

"You know exactly how."

Emily laughed softly.

Then before he could guess her next move, she suddenly leaned over and kissed him fully on the lips.