Page 50 of The Attraction

“Well, luckily, I’m funny, so that’s okay. What did you have in mind?” I can see the tightness in her shoulders relax just a small amount.

“Hmmm, I’m not sure about that, but let’s not get stuck debating who is the funniest. Come with me.” Reaching out and taking her hand in mine seems so natural to me, but I can feel the tenseness in her hand. Needing to push her a little out of the comfort zone she has lived too long in, I just start walking, and she doesn’t pull away thankfully and instead follows me.

I open the door to my playroom, turning on the lights and pushing the button I had installed that turns on the power to all the machines at once. The noise is instant and makes Harper jump a little.

The tunes of all the game machines coming to life make it sound like an eighties gaming arcade.

“Lucky I don’t have a problem with light and noise. Wow, this is a lot,” Harper says as she tentatively enters the room.

“Yeah, a lot of fun and stress relief.” I don’t know why I started collecting vintage games, but once I bought the first one on a whim, the enjoyment I had for hours that night, I knew I was addicted. It took my brain completely away from all the responsibility and stress of my everyday world. I was back in the moment as a child where nobody cared about who I was and what I was doing in my spare time. I was quiet and not causing any trouble, and that was all my parents were worried about.

“Come on, pick one and let’s play.” I follow behind her as she walks around, running her hand on the top of the machines.

“You do know I’m American, right,” she says, looking over her shoulder with a small smile on her face finally.

“Technically, even though you were brought up in England. But what has that got to do with anything?” I’m confused where this conversation is going.

“We invented the pinball machine, therefore my genetics alone says I will be better at this than you.” She turns to me, and her body language has changed, like she is ready to take on a challenge.

“Oh, those are fighting words if I’ve ever heard them. Alright, show me how much of a pinball superstar you are. Pick your weapon, little miss expert.” I wave my hands around at the four different pinball machines I have. There are many other arcade games in here too, but we can play them later.

“Well, of course I’m going to choose the most American one. It’s red, white, and blue and has the iconic Harlem Globetrotters on it. There is no way you can beat me on this one.” The corners of her lips are now getting higher, and that smile is like she doesn’t have a worry on her mind.

“I’m just warning you, I have the highest score on this machine,” I tell her as I step close behind her as she puts both her hands on the flipper buttons and gives them a push. “But you are welcome to try your best,” I whisper in her ear, my hands on the machine and my body wrapping around hers, letting her feel every muscle in my body leaning on hers. Just for a few seconds, and then I back away before she has time to panic or say anything.

“I’ll be a gentleman and let you go first.” Walking to the side of the machine, I slip off my suit jacket and roll up my shirt sleeves. “This is serious competition, I need to be ready for all the action. I mean, you are at a slight disadvantage in what you are dressed in, but I won’t handicap you for that.” I watch her take off her cardigan that no more than ten minutes ago she was wearing as armor, and now she throws it to the side on a couch that sits along the wall.

“If it’s that serious, what are we playing for? There has to be a wager.” That glint I love so much is back in her eyes now.

“Oh, that’s dangerous territory. I’m not sure you would like the things I pick.” My mind is racing with all the options I could use. And I bet it’s not what she’s thinking.

Her little giggle is such a relief to hear. “You’re a guy, I know exactly what you would pick, and it would involve getting naked. But that is off the table, so you better rethink, mister.” She pokes her finger into my chest, and it’s so nice to see her playful side coming out.

“Well, I hate to say you’re wrong, but… you’re wrong. So, let’s start with an easy one.” I lean back and sit on the arm of the couch next to the machine. “The person who wins this game gets to ask the other person something about themselves and they have to answer honestly. It can be as silly or as serious as you like. Like how can you still eat avocado?” Which is enough to have us both laughing, and it takes the sexual premise out of the discussion—well, sort of.

“Game on, and get ready for me to bombard you with questions when I win,” she says proudly as she pulls the ball launch back and lets it go, and the first ball shoots up into the playfield part of the machine. The relaxing sounds of it hitting different targets start running through the room. The machine’s music is playing the theme song, “Sweet Georgia Brown” of the Harlem Globe Trotters, and you can’t help but smile when you hear it.

Looking at Harper, she has such intense concentration and is throwing her whole body into this. The ball bounces around, and every time I think she is done for, she manages to get the flipper to hit it just right, and it bounces back up into the game and racks up plenty more points. I’m sure it’s beginner’s luck, but she’s actually scoring well for her first ball.

The first ball finally escapes through the flippers, and she looks at me, so satisfied with her first number of points. She steps back to give me room to take my turn.

“First ball, baby, don’t get too cocky.” So casually, I send the ball shooting up into the machine and go about accumulating as many points as possible. I mean, I’m not above letting her win to make her happy, but not on the first game. I need to live up to my reputation, and besides, she would never ever let me live it down.

“Yes!” she yells as my ball disappears, and I haven’t managed to get higher than her on my first time.

Her hand lands on top of my arm and strokes me like a cat. “Don’t worry, baby, it’s just the first ball.” Her smugness is oozing from her as she pulls the plunger, full concentration on her second ball. The more she plays, I have this underlying suspicion that she may have some pinball experience that she didn’t disclose.

We both get through our second ball and my score is better. I’m just above hers now, but I need to bring it home with the last ball. Harper steps up for her turn, and I can’t help but notice the change in how relaxed she is.

“Not so vocal now, are you?” I ask, trying to put her off as she pulls back the plunger and lets the ball shoot off. But this woman has the concentration of a fighter pilot and doesn’t even acknowledge what I said.

The ball hits every bonus point, and the numbers are just rolling higher and higher. Shit, this is going to get interesting.

“Let’s see how good you are now, Mr. Pinball.” She walks to the side of the machine as I stand in front, ready to play my last ball. I find the fighting spirit of this woman so attractive, even if it’s only in a game.

“Oh, you’re going to regret that sarcasm, baby,” I reply.

“I’m not your baby.” She gives me the sexiest smile, and I think I might be finally breaking down some of the wall that she has been holding up between us.

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