Chapter dedicated to Zarathevampire. Thanks so much for reading the story and voting, my friend!

Chapter 13 – Five Moves

Raine

I turned off the shower, feeling better. The water had soothed my nerves and helped me regain perspective. I stepped out, only to realize I hadn't brought a change of clothes into the bathroom with me. I listened carefully to hear if Cage was still in the bedroom. There was only silence. More than likely, he left. He was the Prince, surely he didn't spend his nights hanging out in his bedroom. Feeling confident that I was alone, I finished drying, wrapped the towel around my body and stepped out of the bathroom – to find Cage sitting in a chair waiting for me.

I froze.

His expression was unreadable, it felt as if he were searching my eyes for the truth. Shit. He was way too perceptive. I was going to have to control my responses better if I was going to have any chance of slipping through his grip.

I could do this, I coached myself mentally. I had years of practice surviving on my own, and was normally proficient at locking down my emotions. For some reason, he seemed to be able to get through my self-inflicted wall of safety. But that had to stop right now, for both of our sake.

I forced a relaxed smile and continued past him into the vast closet. Right away, I noticed some new additions – shoes! In all styles from flats to heels to boots, and a rainbow of colors. The only thing I loved more than pretty undergarments were shoes!

I think I might have squealed, as I let my fingertips caress a gorgeous pair of brown leather lace up boots.  From behind me, a deep gravelly voice I was beginning to really enjoying listening to, murmured, "Get dressed. I'd like you to meet some people."

I would love nothing more than an opportunity to wear those boots. I turned to look at him. "Okay."

He wandered out, leaving me alone again. I searched quickly and found a beautiful Bohemian-style pale coral dress that fell off of one shoulder and ended at my thigh.  After grabbing a matching lacy bra and pair of underwear, I slipped the dress over my head, rummaged through a nearby drawer for socks and then tugged on the boots, drawing the laces snug. Everything fit perfectly. I wondered how he knew all of my sizes. Well, I had been naked for most of the time we had been together.

When I emerged, Cage took a moment to examine me from head to toe, his expression a mixture of pleasure and desire. I trembled, failing miserably to remain unattached emotionally to him. How was I going to be able to walk away when he kept looking at me like that?

He held out his hand, interrupting my internal musing. "Let's go."

I took it tentatively, enjoying the feel of his skin against mine, and teased, "I get to walk today?"

He chuckled. "I would be happy to carry you if you like."

"No, walking is perfectly fine," I smiled.

He led me out of his personal suites and into one of the common areas we passed the day before. Again, there were several vampires hanging out. Some were playing video games and others chatting. It was clear our presence caused quite a commotion because they all fell silent as we walked by. And I noticed more than one female stare at our joined hands, their expressions were a mix of surprise, jealously and outright animosity. Shit.

Cage squeezed my fingers lightly. He must have heard my increase in heartbeat. I looked up at him. He barely nodded, silently promising everything would be okay. I inhaled and released the breath to calm my nerves.

The room we entered could only be considered a library, with books as far at the eye could see. At the far end, a fire roared inside of a massive brick fireplace. Cage made his way past several groupings of furniture until we reached a couple seated in two very comfortable-looking high-back upholstered chairs, close to the fireplace. There was a small table between them. As we got closer, I realized they were playing a game of chess.

Both stood as we approached. I recognized the woman, he had danced with her at the club. She was even more breathtakingly beautiful up close. I worried for a moment how she would respond to me. Thus far, it didn't seem like most of the females appreciated my presence.

Cage introduced her, "Raine, this is Natalia."

I needn't have worried, because she grabbed me in a quick hug. "Please call me Talia."

"And this is Kieran," Cage finished.

Kieran held out his hand. He was handsome with darker skin, a five o'clock shadow covering his angular jaw, and deep chocolate eyes that danced mischievously. "It is nice to meet you."

I accepted his hand. "Thank you, you as well." I returned their easy smiles, hugely thankful for the warm welcome. They returned to their chairs, while Cage and I sat on a couch together across from them.

I nodded toward the game board. "Who's winning?"

Talia bubbled, "I'm giving him some time so he isn't terribly embarrassed when I win in the next seven moves."

Kieran scoffed, "There is no way you can beat me in seven moves."

"Five," I murmured absently as I studied the board.

Cage looked down at me in surprise. "Five?"

Oh, did I say that out loud? "Um, yes she can win in five moves, not seven."

Talia admitted with a grin, "I was kidding. Kieran never loses, so I have to give him a hard time otherwise his ego makes it impossible for him to fit through the doors. Do you really think you could beat him in five moves?"

I nodded.

She stood. "Here, take my spot"

"Oh, I don't want to interrupt your game," I resisted.

"Please...I would love to see someone put him in his place," she insisted playfully.

"Okay," I murmured and switched seats with her.

Kieran's smile widened. It was obvious he didn't think I could win either. That would work in my favor. Chess was as much about diversion and distraction as it was about moves. My instructor had always coached me, "Play the player, not the game."

I grinned. "Is it your move or mine?" I knew perfectly well it was my move, but I needed to get him talking.

"Yours," he purred.

"Indeed," I commented as I made a cursory glance down at the board and quickly moved my rook forward four spaces. "So, you never lose?"

He moved a knight, taking one of my pawns, and smirked, "Not usually."

Again, I barely looked at the board and moved quickly, hoping to appear distracted by the conversation. I laughed, "Not usually? Does that mean you only lose when you want a particularly pretty opponent to think she has beaten you?"

He didn't answer, but grinned widely. I was right.

Natalia pouted, "Hey, you never let me win! Does that mean you don't think I'm pretty?"

His voice lowered huskily. "Your beauty is undeniable."

She flashed him a radiant smile.

He was lost for a moment in her gaze. Hmm...his affection for her was obvious. This diversion was working better than I had hoped. Thank you, Talia.

He moved his queen diagonally, and looked up at me expectantly.

I studied the board for a minute and bit my lip, hoping that I appeared worried. I reached for one piece, stopped and then moved a different one instead, as if I had changed my mind at the last moment.

His eyes were confident as he teased, "That was three, you know," reminding me of my challenge to win in five.

I pouted as though agreeing I wasn't going to be able to win in two more turns. "Shut up and move."

My glance was diverted for a moment to Cage. He was reclined back, but the intensity of his gaze captured my full attention. He knew! He knew exactly what I was doing.

Kieran's laugh brought me back to the moment. This was it. If he didn't block my upcoming attack, I would win in the next two turns.

He moved the piece...and released it.

I had him!

I stifled a giggle.

There was no move he could make to stop me know. Instantly, I moved my queen into position and purred, "Check."

He glanced down at the board and automatically reached for his rook, but then stopped in mid-air. He returned his hand to his side and leaned forward, studying the pieces intently, looking for any option to free him from my next move. Finding none, he looked up at me in surprise.

I couldn't help myself. I smirked and gave him a slow wink. His eyes widened and he returned to the board, still not ready to admit defeat.

I waited patiently.

"Fuck, Kieran, she beat you!" Talia exclaimed, giggling.

After another long minute, he frowned and finally moved.

I brought my bishop up into position. "Checkmate."

Kieran looked up at me and smiled wryly. "Well played."

"Thank you," I grinned and changed positions with Talia again, settling back next to Cage on the couch.

Cage leaned down to my ear, his breath tickling my neck as he growled low, "You have no idea how fucking hot that was."

His words and tone sent shockwaves of heat through my system. I stared up at him with wide eyes, battling my growing desire to be with him against the truth of the matter. He was sexy as hell, but only acting out of responsibility. I had never met anyone so determined to 'do the right thing', but I suspected his nobility was exactly what made him a powerful leader.

Suddenly, he glanced over my shoulder. A muscle in his jaw clenched and his expression hardened. I turned around to find the source of his irritation.

A stunning vampire with auburn hair and green eyes glared intently at us. Her hands were balled into fists and she was almost vibrating with fury.

Talia hissed, "Kaitlyn..."