King of Games Wins Back the KC Dancer?
Yugi Mutou, the famous King of Games, doesn't seem to be out of moves yet. Téa Gardner, one of Kaiba Corp.'s top competitors for the KC Dance Team was seen having an intimate dinner with the famous duelist (pictured below). Ms. Gardner is rumored to be more-than-friends with Mr. Seto Kaiba after they were seen leaving a bar in each other's arms and then having a picturesque dinner a few weeks ago, taking this long-time rivalry to new height.
Ms. Gardner seems to be on her way to joining the KC Dance Team but will Mr. Mutou approve of his rumored lover wearing his rival's colors? Ms. Gardner seems to be torn between the two after her KC interview was spent giving compliments to both duelists, notably calling Mr. Kaiba "unshakeable."
Will this latest development cause a shake in their relationship? We look forward to seeing Mr. Kaiba's next playing card.
Kaiba stared blankly at the short balding man standing in front of him. Whatever he was talking about, it wasn't even remotely interesting enough to hold his attention. Kaiba turned away from him mid-sentence and headed towards the bar. He needed to do something so he wasn't accosted by another one of these mindless idiots.
He should fire Valentine for making him come to this. The dance team (they really needed that name), had officially hit their halfway mark in their auditioning process. Mai had the brilliant idea to put on a company dinner to let the KC higher-ups mingle with the company's added faces and promote the creation of the team. Something about "welcoming them to the family" or other such nonsense. He thought it was an excuse to just spend company funds on more frivolous events but Mai fought him hard on it. Once she roped Mokuba onto her side, he decided the funds weren't worth the time of the fight, and just let them do it within a reasonable budget.
She bartered that since she had a lower budget, he had to make closing remarks. So, he had made sure his closing remarks were under 30 seconds.
Mai saved money on the venue by just hosting it in one of KC's conference buildings that was equipped with a ballroom. She also got volunteers to set up the decorations of the events, twinkling lights and KC embroidered tablecloths smoothed neatly over each table.
Each dancer's photo from the shoot they had last week was displayed around the room on stands. People stopped and admired each photo, talking about their interviews, their rankings. He noticed Gardner's got plenty of attention, people casting looks in his direction as they stood in front of it.
He did his best not to constantly stare at Gardner's photo. She looked stunning. Her eyes seem to hypnotize him every time he looked at the photo, long legs on full display in the tiny shorts of the KC uniform. Her full lips pulled back in a laugh revealing straight white teeth. He shouldn't have let Valentine put them on display. The photos were incredibly distracting.
He rested his elbows against the bar, the bartender catching sight of him and immediately bringing him a whiskey.
"Mr. Kaiba," a woman with bright blonde hair touched his arm, bringing his attention down to her. "We haven't officially met." An alluring smile was painted across her red lips. Once upon a time, the invitation in her face might have been considered, but no temptation sparked in his mind. He looked pointedly down at the hand still on his arm.
She removed it but wasn't deterred. He considered asking for an explanation about why the hell he should care about who she was, but he saw his brother making his way over to him, and decided not to. Without a glance towards her, he left her gaping at the bar, meeting Mokuba halfway.
"Who was that?" Mokuba jerked his head towards the woman.
"Don't know. Don't care."
Mokuba chuckled. "Actually, I think I saw her photo. One of the dancers."
Kaiba grimaced. Dodged a bullet then. His eyes scanned the room, searching for Valentine so she could remind her team about HR policies. Specifically about ensuring employees didn't hit on him. He finally spotted Valon and he looked to see if she was with him, but his breath caught in his throat when he saw who Valon was actually speaking to.
Gardner wore a dark burgundy silk dress, the square neckline modest, but the bodice hugged her breasts and waist. The skirt flared and when she stepped forward to move out of the way of someone, her bare leg showed through the slit in her dress adorned with a nude heel. The top of the back of her dress stopped just below her shoulder blades, thick straps connecting the dress, showing toned arms. Her hair was left down, but pinned back with a sparkly hair piece, revealing her shoulder and neck.
"Maybe if you stop staring at her and actually talk to her, you might have a chance," Mokuba teased.
Kaiba's head snapped to his brother, his ears hot. "What're you talking about? I wasn't staring at anyone."
Mokuba elbowed him in the ribs. "Your jaw was just on the floor."
Kaiba scowled, "You're seeing things."
"Yea, you giving her doe-eyes and longing looks."
"Who's Kaiba giving doe-eyes to?" Kaiba groaned internally as Valentine joined their conversation.
"No one."
"Téa."
Mai blinked at the synchronous, but conflicting, answers. Valentine's smile grew into a catlike grin.
"Oh, really?" Valentine emphasized.
Fuck.
"Say another word, Valentine and you're fired," Kaiba growled.
"Don't worry, Mai. I'll rehire you," Mokuba assured her.
Kaiba knocked back the whiskey in his glass in one gulp.
"You saw her interview. She said some pretty nice things about you." Mai mused, hands on her hips.
Kaiba didn't respond. He had been required to watch it after that damn reporter interrogated Gardner about him. He had been impressed by the way she had kept her composure, turning Johanna's questions back around to focus on KC and the dance team.
Unshakeable. That's what she called him.
He only wished it held true when it came to her. She made him feel anything but.
"Well, are you going to say hi? Or just hide over here like an idiot?" Valentine pushed.
"You're the expert on idiots. You dated one for two years," Kaiba snapped at her.
Mai didn't blink at the insult, instead folding her arms across her chest and smirking at him. "Don't you want to know if she's interested in you?"
His heart rate picked up, fingers clenching around the glass. He jingled the ice in glass, suddenly wishing he had more. He was saved from doing something stupid, like asking if she was interested in him, from the same blonde who approached him at the bar.
She shot Kaiba another sultry look, before greeting Mai. "You look amazing," she gushed.
"Thank you, Beca" Mai sniped. So that was her name. Clearly, Valentine wasn't a fan, whoever she was. "This is one of our competitors for the team," she supplied to the brothers.
"And both Mr. Kaiba's," she said, her eyes batting, "thank you for hosting such a lovely event."
Mokuba replied it was their pleasure, asking how she was enjoying the audition process. Kaiba tuned her out as she laid on the compliments, searching for a way out of this conversation. Valentine's assistant, a thin man with dark hair, came up and whispered in her ear and she nodded. She interrupted Beca's compliment parade and said it was time to start the dinner, gesturing for them to their table while she made opening remarks.
He and Mokuba (really just Mokuba) excused themselves from the chatty dancer and made a beeline for their table. Guests began taking their seats, excited chatter filling the ballroom. Kaiba tracked Gardner and Mary, who was wearing an emerald dress adjourned with jewels, sitting down at their own table filled with a mix of other dancers and KC employees.
"You're staring. Again," Mokuba whispered.
Kaiba kicked him under the table, his brother letting out a small grunt. Mokuba glared at him which he ignored as he nodded at the two other people joining their table. Kaiba sighed internally as Suzuki and Tanaka, both their wives in tow, sat down. Both were members of the KC board and some of the most boring conversationalists.
Mai garnered everyone's attention as she thanked them for attending and more inane comments about being excited about forming the dance team. Mai thanked Kris for her hard work who stood and bowed slightly as people applauded.
"Kaiba Corp. is very excited to have brought the first Duel Monsters dance team." she began to wrap up. "So, please everyone enjoy tonight as we celebrate our competitors."
Mai left the podium, taking Valon's arm who was waiting on the side stage, and escorted her over to the Kaiba brothers waiting at the table.
Valon greeted them with "Mates." Waiters began filling out carrying heaving plates of food, glasses clinking as people cheered. Valon and Mokuba struck up a conversation about engineering, mechanical jargon shooting back and forth between them. Kaiba made a comment here and there, but mostly discussed the next stages of the dance team with Valentine. She seemed a bit surprised by his interest, probably because it wasn't his usual territory in the company.
Dinner tapered off and the couples began moving to the dancefloor, spinning together in colorful fabrics.
Kaiba avoided the pleading glances of the females around him, choosing to either remain at the bar or hide in conversations with board members. Some women were brave enough to approach him, but he declined any invitations, not caring if he offended them or not. Any stiff conversation with board members or employees was preferable to dancing or worse, being tempted to speak with Gardner.
He caught glimpses of her throughout the night. He saw her on the dance floor spinning with random employees. Enchanting groups of people as she made them laugh, a lovely smile gracing her features. She practically had them eating out of her palm. The male employees especially watched her with interest, many of them sweeping her onto the dance floor. He tried to taper down the snarl building in his throat every time a man touched her, if only to keep from Mokuba sending him more ridiculing smiles. He thought he was doing well, only noting her as he scanned the room for any more potential vultures. The night was drawing to a close which meant he could make his short closing remarks and then leave this idiotic event.
He was counting down the minutes to his escape when Mokuba asked, "You invited Harry?"
Mokuba's question made his spine immediately straighten.
"What?" was his eloquent reply.
Mokuba jerked his head across the ballroom where Harry was twirling a woman in a burgundy dress. With a jolt, Kaiba realized it was Gardner.
"Valentine!" Kaiba's sharp tone caused Valentine's eyes to snap to him and away from her boyfriend.
"What?" She raised a perfectly manicured brow, irritated.
"What's Harry doing here?" he gestured impatiently.
"Which Harry?"
"From Medtronic," Kaiba said through clenched teeth.
Valentine shrugged. "He was on the list. I didn't know he wasn't supposed to be."
No, he definitely wasn't.
Mokuba observed the twirling couple next to him. "Perhaps you should do something, brother," a teasing smirk pulled at his lips.
Kaiba glowered at his brother. He was sick of his teasing. Sick of their knowing and suggestive looks. Embarrassment and resentment swirled in his gut building up to his chest.
Even as his legs led him towards the dance floor.
Téa smiled forcefully as Harry once again stepped on her toes. She had been speaking to a few other KC employees when Harry had tapped on her shoulder and asked her to dance. She internally flinched even as an agreement passed her lips.
His hands were clammy against hers and she had to nudge his hand higher up her back when he placed it too low for her liking. To make matters worse, he had already stepped on her toes twice. She wondered how mad Kris would be if she slammed her heel on his foot and stormed on the dance floor.
"So has working for Kaiba been everything you dreamed of?" Harry asked her.
"I'm still technically in the hiring process," was her stiff reply.
"Ah, a formality I'm sure."
She ignored the obvious bait and kept her eyes focused over his shoulder.
"Your photo is beautiful," he tried again.
"Thank you."
They continued like this for another minute, him trying to start a conversation and her only giving one word answers. She could sense his frustration mounting when a smooth voice interrupted their tense conversation.
"Mind if I cut in?" Kaiba was glaring hotly at Harry, clearly indicating what Harry's answer should be.
Harry's face paled considerably and he stammered out a "Of course not, Mr. Kaiba."
She felt a second of relief when Harry stepped back, but then Kaiba's arm banded around her waist and her heart rate spiked for a different reason. His movements graceful, practiced as he took her in his arms, his face a mask of stone. She fought the urge to squeeze the muscles of his bicep she could clearly feel beneath her hand.
"Thank you," she breathed, a little lightheaded as his gaze turned down towards her. "He was an awful dance partner."
Kaiba humphed in reply, not bothering to word a response before starting to sway her to the music. She was having a hard time keeping her eyes off of him, his black suit tailored to his body. She was assaulted with the memory of him doing pull ups after she stayed at the mansion. Téa blinked quickly trying to push the image out of her mind.
"Have-have you been enjoying dinner?" She tried to focus on making conversation.
Overall, she had been enjoying her time, Harry aside. She caught up with Valon and started meeting some of the other KC employees and asked about their various departments. She hadn't realized how many there were. She got especially intrigued by a conversation with another woman who was working in the event planning department, asking her questions about the various tournaments KC hosted over the year.
She had almost approached him earlier until she saw Beca practically throwing herself at his feet. A dark emotion had swirled in her chest, but she refused to put a name to it as she watched Beca send provocative looks towards the elder Kaiba.
"It's been fine," he grunted. He seemed angry and she wasn't totally sure what to do. She had seen him angry, even rageful, plenty of times when she was younger, but not since they had reconnected.
"Is everything ok?" An awareness traveled up her spine as she felt his hand move higher up her back, his thumb brushing the bare skin of her upper back.
"Fine," he grunted again.
"Then what's with the attitude?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light, teasing.
He didn't respond.
She inclined her head, undeterred. "Kaiba, come on. What's wrong?"
"Leave it, Gardner," he huffed, turning his face away from her.
She gave his shoulder a squeeze. "We're friends, Kaiba. You can talk to me."
"We're not friends," he hissed down at her, his blue eyes snapping to hers. They were a darker blue than usual, clouded with hostility. His grip on her back tightened.
She drew back in his arms as if he had struck her. She stopped swaying, blinking slowly as she met his fiery gaze. "We're…not?"
"What did you think, Gardner?" he asked tauntingly, even as his hand tightened further on her back. "That I wanted to be a part of your little friendship circles? Join the cheer squad?" he sneered.
Her lips drew back over her teeth, her defense mechanisms snapping up, as she readied to lash out. "What is your problem?" she hissed. "If you're going to act like this, then you should've left me with Harry."
"You shouldn't have been dancing with him in the first place," he snapped down at her.
"If I wanted someone to tell me what to do, I would've dated Yugi," she jibed. She knew it struck its mark when he stiffened beneath her hands. The music ended and she jerked back from his arms. She stormed away from him, ignoring Mokuba's confused looks as she brushed past him and Mary on the dance floor. She moved towards the side exit of the ballroom, weaving through suits and gowns.
She couldn't believe him. She didn't know what the hell caused him to be so cruel to her but she had zero interest in talking to him for the foreseeable future. Her heels clicked at a rapid pace away from the ballroom. She just needed a minute to cool off before she undeservedly snapped at the next person she spoke to.
Why the hell did she think this was a good idea? Working for Kaiba? Being friends with Kaiba? He had been right that day in his office. He hasn't changed.
She finally reached the doorway of the ballroom and moved down the hallway, not knowing where the hell she was going. She turned another corner and stormed down another hallway on the left, her anger being the only source of her direction. She was jerked back harshly by a hand on her arm.
Kaiba looked down on her, eyes blazing with a snarl on his face. She hadn't even heard him following her.
"Let me go, Kaiba, you-" Her insults died when his lips captured hers in a demanding kiss. She pushed him away, and he let her. For a second, all she saw were his dilated eyes, both their breaths coming in and out in rapid succession.
Then they came crashing back together in a fury of lips, tongue and teeth. She shivered as his nails combed her hair back and he crowded her against the wall of the hallway.
She pulled away with a gasp and tried, "Someone could-"
"I don't give a damn," Kaiba growled, and her protests died as he placed his lips back over hers. His hand traveled and immediately found the slit in her dress, sliding his hand up her bare thigh. She let out a moan as his hand hooked her bare leg over his waist. He ground into her, his erection pressed hotly against her hip as his mouth devoured hers hungrily. She had skipped wearing underwear to avoid any panty lines and she knew immediately when he registered that she wasn't wearing any. His hand gripped the skin of her hip hard where there should have been fabric.
"You're killing me, Gardner," he groaned, teeth nipping at her lips. His lips found her neck, sucking on the sensitive skin behind her ear. Arousal jolted through her lower belly, hot and fast, her leg tightening around the back of his thigh to pull him closer. Her back arched into his chest, whimpers involuntarily escaping, her hands wrinkling his jacket.
"Kaiba," she gasped out as his hand glided over her skin, leaving trails of fire and sin behind. He finally reached the apex between her thighs and slid them down, drawing a finger through her wetness. She gasped, the tight bodice of the dress making it hard to breath while he explored her. She thrust her hips forward to meet his hand insistently, wanting him to fill where she ached.
"That's not my name," he growls, circling her clit. Fuck, this man's voice. "Say my name, Gardner."
He placed his other hand so it cupped her jaw, forcing her to look into his piercing blue eyes.
"Seto," she breathed. Her nails dug into his arms as he rubbed her clit in tight circles. His blue eyes darkened to match the night sky.
"Good girl." He kissed her deeply, as he slid his fingers inside of her, the words causing her to clench around his digit. He let out a grunt at the feel of her, drawing his fingers out slowly before thrusting them back in. She couldn't help the moans as pleasure surged through her, electricity crackling across her skin wherever he touched.
"Do you want to come, Gardner? Want to come on my fingers?" he panted against her mouth.
She nodded frantically in agreement and pressed his mouth back to hers, running her fingers through his silky locks.
The rational part of her brain began screaming that they shouldn't be doing this. He just told her they weren't friends. They weren't anything. But she shut up that part of her brain and focused on his hands currently bringing her blissful pleasure.
"Use your words," he commanded, his own only causing the lustful fog of her brain to thicken. He kept the maddeningly slow pace of his fingers. "Ask me nicely," his tone gravelly, his hot breath heating the skin of her face.
"Please, Seto, please," she whispered, nails biting into his neck.
He added another finger as he plunged deeper, curling them inside her. His thumb began leisurely circling her clit, his body keeping her pressed against the wall as his fingers fucked her. Her hips grinded against his hand asking for more friction, her head thumping lightly against the wall, trying desperately to get some air back in her lungs. He didn't give her any reprieve as hand moved faster inside her, his teeth nipping at her jaw. She could feel her release building, coiling low in her belly. She clawed at his biceps, trying desperately to hold onto her sanity.
"Come for me. I want to see the pretty little cheerleader come on my fingers," he purred. She shattered at his words, coming completely undone in his arms. He swallowed her moans as she was overwhelmed by the force of her orgasm, all her muscles tightening in ecstasy. Her limbs loosened as the pleasure ebbed, sagging against the wall. He released her lips, but stayed pressed against her, keeping her upright. Her chest expanded and deflated rapidly, trying to regain her sense of balance after the whirlwind that just took place.
Kaiba moved the hand that had been on her jaw to rest against the wall against her head. Her dress swooshed back into place as he raised the fingers that had been inside of her to his mouth and took a long suck. Her jaw loosened at the sight, a bolt of arousal clenching her core.
She wanted to push him to the floor and ride him right there in the hallway. Propriety be damned.
Her heavy panting is loud in the small hallway, the sounds of the dinner not far off. Neither of them said anything as they stared at each other, both slightly gaping at the other.
"Um," a throat cleared, "Mr. Kaiba?" A voice came around the corner.
Téa's mouth opened to form an "o" shape. "Has-has he been there the whole time?" she hissed.
Kaiba didn't seem particularly bothered by the idea. "Don't know. What is it, Roland?" he called, not taking his eyes off her.
Roland didn't step out from behind the corner, but Téa still heard, "You're, uh, you're late for your speech, sir. It was supposed to start ten minutes ago."
Kaiba took a big step back from her and adjusted his pants, making Téa's attention immediately go to what was hiding underneath. He straightened his jacket, smoothing out the wrinkles she had pressed into it, looking completely put together. Not at all like he had just been giving her the best orgasm she's ever had. She felt like she had just been bowled over by a train and probably looked like it too.
Kaiba looked down at her, his face not betraying any of his thoughts. "Wait five minutes. Slip back in once the speech starts." With that, he turned and strode out of the hallway, back towards the ballroom. She heard him murmur something to Roland and then she listened as their footsteps retreated down the hall.
Téa ran her hands through her hair, letting out a long exhale. She and Seto Kaiba had just– and then he just– she couldn't believe it.
Téa straightened her dress and combed her hair back, hoping her make-up hadn't been ruined. She spotted a sign for the ladies' bathroom a few feet down. She entered swiftly, immediately going and fixing the small smudges from her makeup. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply as she put herself back together, bracing her hands on the sink.
She had to get back out there. She braced herself and went back to the ballroom, just as Kaiba was announced on stage. His usual serious expression firmly in place, not like he had just been putting his hand up her dress two minutes ago. She slipped back into her seat next to Mary.
"Where have you been?" Mary whispered as Kaiba began speaking, thanking everyone for joining.
"Bathroom," Téa whispered back, not a total lie.
Mary nodded and turned her attention back to Kaiba. Téa didn't hear a word he said as she was too focused on watching his hands. Hands that had just been all over her. Lips that had just been kissing her. Polite applause filled the space, jerking Téa from her trance.
Kaiba was shaking hands with some businessmen after he stepped away from the podium, nodding along with whatever they were saying. Hands that she could still feel the burn of.
"Téa," Harry greeted her again, pulling her focus away from the billionaire. "Would you like to join me for a drink?"
"Oh," Téa stammered, her mind still unfocused due to her raging emotions, "um, I was actually going to leave soon. I'm feeling a bit tired."
"Ah," Harry looked crestfallen. "Well, could I get your number?"
"Uh...I mean...yea sure," not able to think of an excuse. Harry handed her his phone and she quickly typed in her contact. She gave him a distracted nod as he promised to call her. She would not be answering any unknown callers anytime soon.
Téa looked back for Mary but she had slipped off somewhere. She looked around for her, hoping she hadn't gone far and could say her goodbyes quickly when she locked eyes with the elder Kaiba.
His eyes were icy, his jaw clenched. She forced herself to breathe and look away, her mouth feeling like she just swallowed sand. She spotted Mai's voluminous hair and made her way over, trying to breathe evenly.
"Hey, I'm going to head out." she told her, forcing a smile. "If you see Mary, would you let her know?"
Mai gave her a once over. "Sure, something wrong?"
"No, no. Just tired."
"Alright, hun. Be safe."
Téa thanked Mai and headed towards the front exit. She grabbed her coat from the coat check, taking quick jerky steps to the front doors. She gulped down the warm summer air once she got outside, trying to calm her racing heart. She jumped as she saw a tall figure coming around the corner, probably from a side exit. She blinked as she recognized Kaiba' stride.
Before she could stop herself, she called out "Kaiba!"
He turned back, and when he saw her, he swiftly turned back around and kept walking.
"Hold on! Kaiba!" she began walking briskly towards him, but his legs were much longer, and he wasn't wearing heels. She had just made it down the front steps when he was already slipping in his waiting car and pulling away.