Read Online Her Perfect Game by Shannyn Schroeder - Free Book Online
Authors: Shannyn Schroeder
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there.
Over the next hour they chatted about everything from gaming to hacking. Jake and company had been pleasant enough, but hanging with Derek was fun. She was sorry to have to pull away from him, but she needed to shower before the hackfest. No way would she show up in costume for that. Competition would be difficult enough without the inevitable snickers and teasing.
She said her good-bye to Derek with the promise that theyâd meet up again before the end of the con and headed back to her room. The dark room felt lonely compared to the rest of the crowded hotel where she could find someone to talk to. She shook her head and her morose thoughts. Spending time alone was normal. It shouldnât bother her now.
Scrubbing off the body paint took longer than she expected, especially since it seemed to come off so readily against Jonah. Thinking of his paint-smeared body turned her on, and she thought about satisfying that need before the competition, but decided to wait until after, when Jonah would be available for her satisfaction. Heâd said he planned to make it up to her. With interest.
Charlie pulled on the baggy cargo pants and sweatshirt and pulled her hair back. If anyone gave her more than a passing glance, they would realize she was female, but she was too tired to do more. And she shouldnât have to disguise herself. Sheâd made it through the first round just like everyone else.
She grabbed her bag and went in search of caffeine. By the time she got to the conference room, many of the seats were filled. Sheâd never known such a prompt group of hackers before. Jonah was at the front of the room in a quiet conversation with the moderators. She took a seat and set up her laptop and drank her coffee. Being the second challenge, tonight would no doubt last longer than the night before. She eyed her competition. They couldâve been any of the guys sheâd run into at meet-ups over the years. Some were too serious, like they were afraid that by conversing with someone they might reveal their secrets.
Jonah suddenly looked up as if someone had called him. As the moderator continued to talk, Jonah scanned the room. His gaze landed on her, and the heat in the stare made her squirm in her seat.
She didnât have time to think lustful thoughts. She needed to focus.
Jonah knew Charlie came into the room because the air shifted. It wasnât a sexual thingâat least he chose to believe that. And he wasnât the only one to notice her. The rumblings of a couple of guys behind him verified that. Although they hadnât made any inappropriate comments, they were nudging each other and pointing at Charlie. She was one of only two women who made it to the second round. The other woman hadnât arrived yet, but Jonah hoped she would.
He checked the time. The challenge would start in less than five minutes, and a bunch of people still hadnât shown. It didnât surprise him. Many hackers came to competitions like this not knowing how tough it was going to be. Even though they made the first cut, some wouldâve recognized that they didnât have what it takes to win.
Jonah made his way to the door to close it for the start, and three more people squeezed through, one being the other woman. They plopped into chairs and set up laptops while Carl, the moderator, read through directions.
Tonightâs challenge was more difficult. Jonah wasnât sure how many would complete it, and he worried about Charlie. When heâd left three years ago, heâd seen natural ability in her, but she had a habit of rushing into things without thought. Luckily for her, her gut instinct was usually on target. The challenge planned for tonight would require strategy. If the goals were reached out of order, the hacker would still finish, but not be able to win. Sequence counted here.
He perched on a stool near the door and drank from a bottle of water. The clacking of keys
Over the next hour they chatted about everything from gaming to hacking. Jake and company had been pleasant enough, but hanging with Derek was fun. She was sorry to have to pull away from him, but she needed to shower before the hackfest. No way would she show up in costume for that. Competition would be difficult enough without the inevitable snickers and teasing.
She said her good-bye to Derek with the promise that theyâd meet up again before the end of the con and headed back to her room. The dark room felt lonely compared to the rest of the crowded hotel where she could find someone to talk to. She shook her head and her morose thoughts. Spending time alone was normal. It shouldnât bother her now.
Scrubbing off the body paint took longer than she expected, especially since it seemed to come off so readily against Jonah. Thinking of his paint-smeared body turned her on, and she thought about satisfying that need before the competition, but decided to wait until after, when Jonah would be available for her satisfaction. Heâd said he planned to make it up to her. With interest.
Charlie pulled on the baggy cargo pants and sweatshirt and pulled her hair back. If anyone gave her more than a passing glance, they would realize she was female, but she was too tired to do more. And she shouldnât have to disguise herself. Sheâd made it through the first round just like everyone else.
She grabbed her bag and went in search of caffeine. By the time she got to the conference room, many of the seats were filled. Sheâd never known such a prompt group of hackers before. Jonah was at the front of the room in a quiet conversation with the moderators. She took a seat and set up her laptop and drank her coffee. Being the second challenge, tonight would no doubt last longer than the night before. She eyed her competition. They couldâve been any of the guys sheâd run into at meet-ups over the years. Some were too serious, like they were afraid that by conversing with someone they might reveal their secrets.
Jonah suddenly looked up as if someone had called him. As the moderator continued to talk, Jonah scanned the room. His gaze landed on her, and the heat in the stare made her squirm in her seat.
She didnât have time to think lustful thoughts. She needed to focus.
Jonah knew Charlie came into the room because the air shifted. It wasnât a sexual thingâat least he chose to believe that. And he wasnât the only one to notice her. The rumblings of a couple of guys behind him verified that. Although they hadnât made any inappropriate comments, they were nudging each other and pointing at Charlie. She was one of only two women who made it to the second round. The other woman hadnât arrived yet, but Jonah hoped she would.
He checked the time. The challenge would start in less than five minutes, and a bunch of people still hadnât shown. It didnât surprise him. Many hackers came to competitions like this not knowing how tough it was going to be. Even though they made the first cut, some wouldâve recognized that they didnât have what it takes to win.
Jonah made his way to the door to close it for the start, and three more people squeezed through, one being the other woman. They plopped into chairs and set up laptops while Carl, the moderator, read through directions.
Tonightâs challenge was more difficult. Jonah wasnât sure how many would complete it, and he worried about Charlie. When heâd left three years ago, heâd seen natural ability in her, but she had a habit of rushing into things without thought. Luckily for her, her gut instinct was usually on target. The challenge planned for tonight would require strategy. If the goals were reached out of order, the hacker would still finish, but not be able to win. Sequence counted here.
He perched on a stool near the door and drank from a bottle of water. The clacking of keys
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