Author's note: I had a different scenario in mind concerning a certain Swedish crypto-computer expert but speculation by several reviewers (you know who you are, lol) encouraged me to go in another direction instead. Thanks for the inspiration and keep those reviews coming. I need all the ideas I can get, lol.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

". . .believe that EliaTech retractable solar panels will be an affordable and long-lasting green energy solution." Walter looked out at the audience before adding, "And if you pre-order today, you'll receive a twenty-five percent Showcase discount. Thank you." He then handed the microphone to one of the marketing assistants Elia had hired to deal with taking orders.

Paige joined in the applause which punctuated the end of his speech. Rising from her chair, she wove her way through the departing audience, heading toward the stage where Walter was slipping his laptop into his backpack.

"I'm really proud of you," she said when she reached him and gave him a peck on the cheek. "The presentation was really impressive."

He shrugged. "It's a good product. Plus Elia left me excellent notes."

"Yes, but you're the one who had to sell it and I think you did." Paige pointed toward the lines of people waiting to order at the tables strategically set up by the doors.

"Uh, yeah," he said, his face reddening at her praise. "Uh, we don't have any plans until the dinner tonight, do we?"

"No, but I want to hang out at the pool sometime today," she replied. "I want one of those drinks with the little umbrella and fruit like the one I didn't get to enjoy when we were here before. Why?" she asked, a grin curving her lips as naughty thoughts danced in her head, "did you have something else in mind?"

"I, uh, I was wondering if it would be okay if I checked out some of the other exhibits," he said as he slung his pack over his shoulder. "Maybe for an hour or two? Then I'll join you at the pool?"

Paige could see the enthusiasm in his eyes and didn't want to deny him the chance to learn about other innovations just because she wasn't interested in them. Placing her hands on his chest, she said, "That would be great. I can do a little shopping, maybe get a souvenir for Ralph, and I'll meet you at the pool in two hours, okay?"

"Okay."

She slipped her arms up behind his neck and entwined her fingers in his curls before kissing him. His hand encircled her waist as he pulled her close. "I'll see you later," she said when they came up for air. "Love you."

"Love you, too." His hands lingered on the small of her back and she sensed he was reluctant to let her go. She couldn't blame him, spending two hours without him seemed like an eternity. But she knew she'd be bored if she stayed and he'd bored if he went shopping with her. A little time apart wouldn't hurt, considering how much time they'd spent together since they'd arrived.

With a reassuring smile, she turned and walked away, glancing over her shoulder and caught him staring at her with a gaze so intense, she almost spun back around and into his arms, boredom be damned. She fought the urge, however, and continued on her way.

ooooo

Walter wandered around the Showcase for approximately an hour before attending a presentation on space-based solar power and wireless energy transfer. Wondering if it was an innovation Elia would be interested investing in, he waited until the speaker had wrapped up his pitch before stepping toward a table stacked with brochures.

Before he could reach his destination, someone bumped into him. Instinctively, he jerk away, irritated by their clumsiness. "Excuse me," he uttered tersely.

At least that was what he meant to say, only getting the word 'excuse' out of his mouth when he lifted his eyes to see a blonde woman standing next to him. His heart dropped into his stomach as he was stunned to see Gloria Svenson, the crypto-computer expert Scorpion had worked with approximately two years earlier.

"I'm sorry. . . Oh, hello, Walter," she said, her Swedish accent evident as she reached out and wrapped her fingers around his arm.

"Uh, h-hello." Her touch made his gut twist into knots and his every instinct willed him to shake her off. "G-G-Gloria," he replied somewhat impolitely instead, "what, what are you d-doing here?"

"I'm here for the Showcase," she said, her red lips stretched into a smile which showed off her gleaming white teeth. "As director of the Turing Institute, I'm always looking for ways to mitigate our carbon footprint."

"Um, that's great," he choked out, his discomfort growing as she batted her eyes at him. He remembered her doing the same when they'd worked together before, only he had no idea she'd been flirting with him. At the time, he'd thought she had a neurological condition.

"I saw your presentation earlier." She leaned in closer and he could feel her breath on his skin. "I'm considering ordering some of the panels for the institute. You are a very persuasive salesman."

"Oh, that's. . .that's great," he repeated, surreptitiously checking his watch. There were still thirty-five minutes until he was suppose to meet Paige but he didn't want to hang around with Ms Svenson for even another second. The woman's behavior had upset Paige before, and although he hadn't known it at the time, with good reason.

"It was nice seeing you again," Walter lied, "but I need to go."

"Are you attending the dinner this evening?" Gloria asked, flipping a strand of her hair over her shoulder.

He wanted to say no. But they had already blown off the cocktail party and he knew Paige was looking forward to dressing up for the event. "Yes."

"I'll be there as well. Maybe we can sit together and get reacquainted." Her thumb stroked along his forearm as he watched in disgust and awe as she simultaneously fluttered her eyelashes and tossed another strand of hair as she beamed adoringly. How on earth had he missed all of the flirtation markers she'd displayed the first time they'd met? A corner of his mouth twitched as he realized he'd been blinded by his love for Paige back then. His eyes were open now, however, and Ms Svenson scared the hell out of him.

"Um, sure," he replied, not planning to keep his vague promise.

"Oh, it will be so much fun," she gushed as she finally let go of him when she reached for one of the brochures on the table. Taking one of the complimentary pens, she wrote on the back of the pamphlet then pressed it into his hand. "See you at the banquet, Walter," she said with a giggle, "unless I see you sooner."

She turned and walked away, looking over her shoulder at him, her hips swaying in an exaggerated manner. Swallowing past the lump in his throat, Walter glanced down at what she had written; her phone number, her room number, the name of her hotel (Aria Sky Suites, the same one he and Paige were staying at). She'd also added a message which read "call me if you want to come over before dinner for an appetizer" punctuated by a heart symbol, leading him to be fairly certain she was offering herself as the 'appetizer.'

"Oh, boy," he muttered aloud as he crumpled the brochure. Searching the immediate vicinity for somewhere to throw it away, which felt too much like getting rid of incriminating evidence, he spied some bins along the opposite wall. He dodged his way across the concourse and started to toss it into the closest receptacle.

"Stop!" a female voice screeched behind him. "That's glossy paper, you can't put it in with the regular paper."

"Then where. . .?" he began to ask but the woman had continued on her way before he could finish the rest of his question.

With a sigh, he folded the pamphlet and stuffed it into his back pocket, deciding he may as well head back to the hotel so he could dispose of it there without being scolded like a schoolboy.

ooooo

Paige sat in one of the lounge chairs by the side of the hotel pool, a magazine she'd bought in the gift shop in her lap. In her hand, she held a replica of the drink she'd had to abandon all those years ago at another Las Vegas casino pool side.

A shadow fell over her and she looked up, expecting to see Walter. Instead her excitement plummeted like a stone when she saw instead a guy who definitely wasn't her handsome genius. One she had noticed checking her out when she first arrived at the pool. Glancing down at her modestly cut one piece swimming suit which she had hoped would keep the creeps at bay, she sighed.

"Hey, you want some company?" the man asked. He was wearing trunks and a loose tank top, a backwards ball cap covering his head. He wasn't bad looking, probably about thirty to thirty-five, with broad shoulders and a muscular build.

"No, thanks. I'm waiting for my husband," she lied as politely as she could, figuring a spouse would be more of a deterrent than a boyfriend would be.

But it wasn't. The guy sat down on the chaise next of hers. "Hey, I'm Josh," he said in an overly friendly manner.

"Hi, I'm not interested," she replied, closing her eyes.

"Ah, come on, " Josh said with a bit of a whine in his voice. "A pretty lady like you shouldn't be by yourself. It's criminal."

"Like I said, I'm not here by myself." She turned her attention back to her magazine, flipping the pages without really seeing them, wondering what it was going to take for this jerk to get the hint to beat it.

"At least let me get you another drink," he suggested, leaning over and putting his hand on her knee. She flinched, her skin crawling as she recoiled from his unwelcome touch.

"Is everything okay. . .honey?"

Oh, God. Walter. She twisted in her lounge chair to see him standing a few feet away, wearing baggy swim trunks, a rash guard t-shirt, and a frown. "Everything's great now that you're here. . .sweetie," she said as relief filled her.

Josh jumped up out of his chaise. "Well, nice talking to you," he said before walking away, muttering the word "bitch" loud enough for her to hear.

"Who was that?" Walter asked as he glared at the man's retreating back

"Some loser who wanted to buy me drink," she said truthfully.

"Oh. Okay."

There was something in his tone which caused the relief she had felt only moments before to evaporate like steam. "You're upset," she stated.

"I'm okay."

One look at him told another story. His lips were tight, his fists clenched, his breathing ragged. . . Sure, he was just peachy. "Walter, sit down," she suggested as she set down her drink.

He plopped down into the closest lounge chair and placed his head in his hands. "I'm sorry. I. . . It's. . .I. . . He was. . . He was t-touching you and. . ." Walter paused to draw in a deep breath. "I know I-I'm not really your t-type," he said as he lifted his gaze to meet hers. "You like guys like him, athletic. . .with-with muscles and. . . Guys like Drew and. . .and T-T. . ." His voice stuttered to a halt as he stared down at his feet.

"You still don't trust me, do you?" she asked though she already knew the answer. And she couldn't blame him since his distrust was all her fault. The shame of what she'd had done overwhelmed her yet again

"I'm sorry. I want to. . .but. . ."

Paige stood up, tossing her magazine aside and crossed the short distance to the chaise next to his. She stroked her fingers over his shoulders. "Look at me," she said when he didn't respond. He obeyed and she almost wished he hadn't. The fear and pain flickering in his dark eyes. . .her guilt she was the cause of it made her heart ache for him even more.

"Walter, guys like Drew and T-T. . ." God, she couldn't say the name either. "Guys like them. . . They cheated on me, abandoned me, decided their careers were more important. . . It took me awhile but I finally learned my lesson about what's important when it comes to men. I want someone who's smart and loyal and who cares for me and Ralph and wants to be by my side. . .

"I want you, Walter. Only you." She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too," he said. "I'm sorry. . ."

"For what?"

"For spoiling our weekend. It was not my intention and I should. . ."

She pressed her index finger to his lips. "Nothing's spoiled. We're not going to let a jerk like what's-his-name ruin our fun." Rubbing her other hand against his chest, she asked, "Are you going to go swimming?"

"That was my plan, yes." His gaze swept her from head to toe, which sent tingles down her spine. "Are you?"

"Maybe," she said as she stood up. "I want to finish my drink first."

"Okay." He got to his feet as well and stepped closer to the edge of the pool.

A mischievous thought popped into her head and she glanced over her shoulder to make sure the lifeguard was looking the other way before giving Walter a push.

The mixed expression of surprise and horror on Walter's face was priceless as he fell sideways into the water and she couldn't keep from laughing. He came up sputtering, wiping at his face and eyes. Once he'd recovered, he reached his left hand toward her. "A little help?"

She knew she'd made a mistake the moment she grasped his fingers. "Walter!" she shouted as he tugged her forward and into the pool. The cool water shocked her as she struggled back up to the surface.

"I'm sorry," he said, his chuckles belying his remorse. "I shouldn't have done that."

"I started it." Pushing her sopping wet hair off her face, she hopped over to where he was standing, sliding her hands up his shoulders to the back of his neck where her fingers entwined in his damp curls.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he grew serious, his eyes darkening with desire.

"A little wetter than I'd like to be, but yeah, I'm okay." She gave him a peck on the lips. At least that's what she intended to do. His mouth moved on hers, the kiss growing much deeper. A persistent whistling sound caught her attention a few minutes or perhaps a few hours later, followed by shouting.

Walter pulled away first, his cheeks a bright red as he pointed to something behind her back. Still a bit dazed, she turned to see the lifeguard staring angrily at them. "Whoops," she giggled. "No making out in the pool, gotcha."

"Maybe we should go," suggested Walter.

"Like go back up to our suite?" She waggled her eyebrows at him and the embarrassment already flushing his features deepened.

"What about your drink?"

Paige shrugged. "It wasn't that great anyway. I'd much rather be with you." She reached out and touched his face.

He had no more objections - about anything - for the rest of the afternoon.