"Hey, what're you doing here—not that I'm unhappy to see
you," Logan responded, spinning quickly in his chair. He hadn't expected Max, but her impromptu visits were always a
pleasant surprise.
"I certainly hope you're not," she replied coyly walking into
the living room while stripping off her leather coat and throwing it casually
on the couch. "I was at Crash with the
girls--it got boring. I figured a few
games of chess with you would be a more lively alternative."
"Really," he said with a curious inflection, clearly
intrigued by her mood. It was as close
to carefree as he had ever seen her.
"I like," she said leaning over the kitchen counter as she
listened.
Some time later…
"Ah, ah, ah"
"What? That can't be
checkmate again?" He had just prepared
a move that would've ensured Max's strategic demise. But, as usual, his timing was off.
"Actually," she said as he lay his king to rest, "it
can." She threw her hands up in
victory. "And the lady wins
again." Logan sat back in his chair and
smiled taking his defeat like a man. It
had been Max's third win and she appeared to be enjoying it as much as her
first, but the hint of restlessness that was settling within her told another
story.
"Want to do something else," Logan inquired, her mood shift
not lost on him.
"Nah," she said curling up on the couch, "chess is
good." Then, a grin, which could only
be described as devious, crept across her face. She swung her feet back to the ground. "But, maybe we could spice it up by adding some stakes this
time…you know to make it more interesting and all."
"For instance?"
Logan was now grinning himself.
/That's my Max…might as well add stakes when you know you're gonna win./
"Well, for each opponents piece that's captured, the
capturer can say …ask for something based on the value of the piece."
"Let me guess, this is your none too subtle way of securing
dinner for the next couple of weeks."
"Ahhh…you know me too well." She laughed light heartedly and gave Logan a few moments to
consider the offer while she began to reset the board. In her mind it was already a done deal. However, after watching him think for
several minutes she became impatient for his acceptance of her terms. "So, you game?"
"Did I have a choice?"
He laughed when she shook her head.
"At any rate, I have some leg-work that needs to be done. This way you can't get out of it."
"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself my friend? You have to take my pieces first."
"Max, I wasn't going to tell you this but," he motioned her
closer and leaned in to whisper, "I've been letting you win all this
time." He pulled away and smiled. "You're ego couldn't have taken it if a mere
mortal had out outwitted you at a game of strategy." /No chance in hell this is gonna put her off her game./
Max simply nodded, biting her tongue trying to prevent the
laughter from escaping. "Are you
finished tryin' to psych me out?" she said when she was sure she could keep a
straight face.
"Yeah," he replied with a guilty grin.
"You know you didn't have a snowballs chance in hell of it
working."
He shrugged innocently.
"A guys gotta try right?"
"Uh-huh." She
smiled, her mind wandering into dangerous territories, as it was now her turn
to stare. While watching him wheel into
position, she mused over how easy it would be to fall in love with the entire
package—brains, body, humor, stubble, spikey hair, and the little glasses that
only served to send his sex appeal off the scales. Realizing she'd looked a moment too long she shook it off. "Shall we begin?"
************************
Max usually let Logan play white, dismissing the gesture by
telling him the black pieces suited her mood, but truthfully she wanted to give
Logan every possible advantage and white did get the opening move. For this
particular game however, Max wanted to begin.
She knew it wasn't really fair of her, but in the interest of making
things more interesting, she knew it had to be done. Logan typically started with a standard Reti Opening which was
effective, but it was a move for cautious players and Max wanted this to be a
game for the uninhibited, so she played white.
He protested, but she insisted. and began with a Kings Gambit opening. It was a move that would elicit results
quickly. Within the next four moves,
one of them would lose a piece and the game would officially begin.
Logan was surprised by her first few moves. He was used to her utilization of the
English opening on the rare occasions that she began. It wasn't until her third move that he realized she had employed
the Kings Gambit maneuver, but at that point it was too late. He either had to accept the move or decline
it. Accepting would mean taking one of
her pawns immediately, but in doing so he would weaken his own defenses for
future moves. If he declined then he
would be the first to lose a piece, but at least he could open the game up a
bit. So, with great trepidation, he
declined the Opening and Max claimed her first victory.
"For that pawn, you have to go pour me another glass of
wine," she said as she settled back into the couch momentarily. "I need something that compliments that
sweet taste of victory."
"I didn't know you were gonna gloat after every capture." He was wheeling himself into the kitchen to
locate the bottle while beginning to fully pondering the implications of the
game.
"Stop whining you big baby," she said with a laugh.
"It's really not right that you're playing white. It's tough enough for me to win without
playing with a handicap-no pun intended."
Max rolled her eyes at his pathetic attempt at self-deprecating
wit.
"I'm sure you'll survive this evening. You may even win. I could get drunk and make some stupid moves." She paused briefly to think about her own
statement then shrugged it off and popped a piece of cheese in her mouth. "It could happen."
"Let's get back to the game. I believe it's my move."
"Yes it is, but I feel I should warn you… Don't waste your
time on cheap moves just because of the nature of our bet. I guarantee you'll regret it in the long
run."
"Is that a threat?"
"No. I just don't
wanna see you lose your shirt—unnecessarily that is." She sipped her wine.
"Call it friendly advice." The
thought of losing an article of clothing threw a new spin on the game.
Logan decided to take Max's suggestion under advisement even
though he'd never admit it to her. He
had intended a rash move to take one of her pawns, but he decided it wasn't
worth giving up his chances of winning.
However, in the end, despite his cautious playing, he lost two more
pieces. For the second pawn he had to
bring her chocolate ice cream and for the knight he lost, he agreed to make an
assortment of her favorite junk foods for her and her friends.
--
After her seizure of his knight, Max began to feel bad for
Logan. He hadn't made any truly
threatening advances against her and she did want him to have a little fun with
the game and decided it was time to give up a few pieces for the sake of his
ego. Besides, her requests when she
took his more valuable pieces would prove a humbling enough experience.
"You let me take your knight with a pawn," he said smiling
at her. "If you're gonna take a dive,
at least make it believable." She threw
a warning glance in his direction and he decided to hold his tongue after
that. If she was throwing a little
charity his way, he was big enough to take it.
His pride would have to take a back seat to the bet because the
possibilities that came with winning were far too great to give up. "I think that piece warrants me a back rub
to be collected later." It was a little
more physical a request than he knew she would expect and he liked the idea of
throwing her off guard.
"Just let me know when."
She smiled seeming completely unfazed by his request.
--
The next seven moves were a series of give and takes. They both made several decent advances in
positioning, resulting in Logan securing an Eyes Only mission with no questions
asked. Max for her skill would be
receiving her first full bath treatment at Logan's compliments of four of his
pawns.
The game was moving so quickly that within twenty minutes,
most of Logan's minor pieces were gone and he was on the verge of losing a
bishop. Max was silently preparing
herself for her next request. She
wasn't sure she could go through with it, but one more glass of wine could seal
the deal. She made her move, attacking
his bishop with her own.
"Well this is a big one.
Think you've got anything worth it?"
"Let me guess, you want something for your baby."
She bit her lip trying to keep her nerve. "Nope.
But you can take off your shirt for me right now." She almost laughed at how quickly his face
fell.
It took him a moment to regain his composure. He began to strum his fingers against the
side of his chair and shake his head.
He looked at her and then looked away again. /Fuck./ When he finally
looked back, the slight seductive grin that only he could produce, had crossed
his face and he began to nod reluctantly removing his shirt.
Max had been surprised at his utter lack of argument. She sipped her wine while watching him
disrobe, her eyes fixated on his chest.
He caught her staring and waved his hand in front of her face. At that moment, it dawned on her that he had
probably consented so quickly because he was planning an equivalently
embarrassing retaliation. She looked at
her glass and suddenly regretted the amount of wine she had been imbibing because
in all probability it was going to make her lose something valuable to
her.
"You realize that wasn't fair and I will get even." He said catching the intensity of her eyes
with his own.
"I'd like to see you try," Max replied holding his
gaze. He moved ever so slightly and the
moon light that hit his eyes caused them to flash briefly. It was enough to break her resolve. A large part of her wanted him to capture a
major piece, perhaps even win, just to see what he would do.
A sluck would have it, her curioustiy did not go unsatisfied
for long. Logan's next move sealed both
of their fates when he completely disregarded Max's earlier advice against rash
moves, but he had to even the score.
"I can see the wheels turning in your head. So," she said, somewhat amused by what his
obvious choice would be, "what do you want for my bishop?"
"I'll take the pants," he answered nonchalantly.
"The pants?" She had
been expecting to lose something, her own shirt to be specific, but only
that. She found herself getting
nervous. If she did end up alone, in
the room with Logan, and without clothes, would she be able to keep her hands,
eyes, feet, and every other body part to herself.
"You heard me."
/Yeah, that did it./ His
devilish grin returned.
"Fine."
The next several moves resulted in no pieces changing
hands. Both Max and Logan had settled
into their various levels of undress in front of the other and were wondering
what was going to come next. Logan wanted
Max to make the next move that way he knew how far he could take the whole bet. He had to admit it was more exciting than
their traditional games.
"I believe that move warrants the removal of your pants."
"Ordinarily I would agree, but in order for me to take off
the pants, I have to remove my shoes and those are a separate article of
clothing." She glared at him. "Hey I can't help it if you didn't think
that one up first. You'll just have to
wait a few more moves for the opportunity to get me out of my pants
--
"I always have liked that shirt. Is it a cotton blend? Why
don't you take it off so I can see it?"
Logan had just successfully captured her rook.
"Cute." She whipped
off her shirt. If Logan could have felt
his legs, he was certain they would've been weak after seeing Max in nothing
but her bra and underpants. You are
going to lose. Two more pawns, one
bishop, and lets see for your last rook and knight you owe me a back rub and a
trip to Crash without complaining to watch me take advantage of the mere
mortals. That leaves a bishop, and we
know what that's for, your king, and queen."
"Don't start your gloating.
You're sitting there in you underwear, you owe me some recon for Eyes
Only, a back rub, and you have to cook me a meal all by your lonesome. Not to mention the rather entertaining back
flips I had you do a few moves ago when I took your rook. And look you only have three little
pawns—poorly positioned might I add, your king, and queen. Because…right now I think I'll relieve you
of that knight." He grinned. "I think for that you should run into the
kitchen and bring me an apple."
"So far you've had me run in for cheese, then a knife to cut
it with, then more wine, now the apple—can't we be more creative."
"Max, you're running around my apartment in your
underwear. It's creative enough for
me. I could get you naked, however, I'm
keeping in mind your retaliatory nature.
But… I suggest you not press your luck.
My sense of self-preservation is barely holding me back." She laughed flirtatiously as she ran to get
his apple. When she returned she
unceremoniously took his last bishop with her queen and told him to take off
his pants.
Logan had been dreading the request because it was awkward
getting his pants off in the chair. He
was now trying to figure out the least embarrassing way to go about the task. He had gotten as far as undoing his button
and unzipping them when Max realized the problem and decided to help him not
thinking that her proximity would actually increase the awkwardness of the
moment. Logan had to lift his body
weight with his arms while she pulled the pants down for him.
It was, in a word—erotic.
The music was still coursing through the room and the wine was flowing
through their veins. Truth be told, the
situation turned both of them on.
Max was clad only in a bra and panties and could feel the
warmth eminating from Logan's body as she worked. The stubble of two days growth brushed against her neck as she
leaned in. Logan, too was having a physical
epiphany. He never realized that being
dependent on someone could be a completely sensual experience, despite the
circumstances.
They were both left with a king and a queen and it was
Logan's move. He knew he had played
poorly and he knew that Max would probably win given the situation. His pieces were positioned in such a way
that he would have to sacrifice his queen as the only move left to stop a flat
out checkmate. Whatever she was going
to ask for was worrying him more than he was letting on. He made his move.
Max knew what he was going to do and already decided on what
she wanted. She was going to tell him
that she wanted a trip to his uncles cabin for an actual vacation—alone time
for the two of them to hang out and enjoy each others company without the
interference of work. She had been
waiting for the right moment to ask him for some time and the pretense of the
game and the bet gave it to her.
"Do you know what I want for that," she began
seductively. He looked worried. The idea of bearing it all in such a way was
completely unappealing to him and his super-ego. "I'm thinking to myself if I were Logan would I think that what
I'm thinking about is truly worth the queen.
Only you'll be able to tell me.
I certainly hope its worthy of the queen. Maybe you'll think it's more worthy of the king but we'll see."
"Max…I."
"Logan hear me out first," Max broke in. At that point the game was essentially
over. It was down to the black king
versus the white king and queen. Max
had all the advantage and all the time to drag out her victory. "I'm just now wondering what you can do
that's a big enough reward for the capture of the queen. Hmmm, maybe you do. Let me think—" She patted her index finger against her lips. "Yeah that'd be good, but maybe I should
save it for the checkmate. I mean with
all the time it'll take and how relaxing it'll be for me…well hopefully for you
too--" She feigned consideration for a
moment. "Yeah, I think it'll be worth
it if you're up to it that is."
"Max—" He was more
anxious than he had ever been. She
laughed.
"I just want to take a trip to your uncles cabin for a
weekend of R&R—the R's being for rest and relaxation not recon and
retribution." She reached over and
patted his hand. "Are you ok? You look
flush. What did you think I
wanted?" He threw his shirt at
her.
"Checkmate!" One
shrewdly planned move later and the game was over. Logan's thousand-watt smile could have been seen from miles
away. He had managed to out maneuver
Max when it counted. His eyes met hers,
then drifted to his wrist. "It's almost
curfew you'd better take off." She
watched him circle behind her. She got
up and began to put her clothes on slowly as he spoke. He noted that it was only slightly less
erotic than watching her take them off.
"Guess I'll collect later.
Besides you look beat right now."
He rolled close to the couch.
"They used to say payback's a bitch.
Guess we'll both find out at the cabin.
She opened her mouth to speak.
"Ah, ah, ah…it's that mouth that got you into this position in the first
place." She attempted to speak again
and he raised his finger over her lips.
"Keep in mind I still haven't decided what I want." She closed her mouth.
Logan rolled toward he door when she was finished
dressing. "Sorry if I wore you out I'll
remember that in the future. Get some
sleep. Goodnight."
When the door was closed, Max smiled and pressed the
elevator button. /So that's all it
takes to get him thinking like a dog./
She smiled mischievously. /I
should let him win more often./
****************************************
A/N -OK, I'm not too happy with this piece and I know this
story was out of character but like I said I needed to write a happy
story. Just to let everyone know, I am
finished with the first few chapters of the sequel to Design. Next week I'm going on a cruise and while at
sea, I intend to iron out inconsistencies and then I'll start to post. Feel free to e-mail me with any
comments. As always…Review, Review,
Review. Thanks.
