Sydney Johnson is living a double life. No, make that a triple life.
The demand for answers forces the ex-policewoman/Private Investigator to seek a job undercover at Virtual Lexigen, a software design company. She hopes to find the link between the exorbitant amount of money Lexigen offered her brother for his computer gaming code and his suspicious death.
In an effort to learn the computer gaming business from the players’ perspective, Sydney goes online as ‘Skylar’ and meets ‘Kered’, a generous gamer who offers to teach her to play Lexigen’s top rated video game, Dragon’s Heart. Online camaraderie between Skylar and Kered starts to get hot. When Kered asks to meet her, Sydney refuses, knowing her double life, as Sydney Jones, Virtual Lexigen’s Assistant Art Director, won’t allow her the freedom she needs in a face-to-face relationship.
But the heart has demands of its own.
Jake Trask has his own agenda for working at Lexigen. He needs to know why the owners of Lexigen won’t take “no” for an answer when it comes to a computer code he helped write years ago. Working undercover as Jake Taylor, he needs all his wits about him to get close to the company owners. Going online as Kered, Jake discovers the hot and talented Skylar, a woman with as many layers as he himself has.
And now, Jake can’t believe the irony when he discovers Lexigen’s sexy new employee, Sydney Jones, is really his cyber Skylar-the woman who made him believe in relationships again. He goes after Sydney full-throttle, but as Jake Taylor, VP of Marketing for Virtual Lexigen, not Kered. He wants Sydney more than he imagined possible, almost as much as his quest for answers.
~*~*~
Chapter One
KERED: Why must you always arm yourself to the teeth?
Sydney could almost hear his chuckle as she read his note. She scooted her chair closer to the desk, typed in a message, and hit enter. The game’s music played in the background, waiting for them to get started. Its staccato cadence reminded her of Kered’s impatience. Did the gaming company do that on purpose?
SKYLAR: You can never have too many weapons.
She smiled and moved her mouse over a particularly menacing looking sword. Click. She was now the proud owner of an ancient ginblade.
KERED: **Sigh** You’re spending all your money. If you’d listen to me, you’d last past the first two rounds. Kildred isn’t the most challenging level.
Sydney laughed at his know-it-all message and just for spite added some spinning knai stars to her weapons’ arsenal. Click.
KERED: More! Should I go make a sandwich and come back?
Sydney smirked and responded.
SKYLAR: Smart-ass. I’m done.
She grinned while Kered’s character took direct hits from the Red Dragon’s steel spiked tail. His life force drained fast.
KERED: Some help would be nice!
Snickering, she tapped out a response.
SKYLAR: Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to deplete my weapons too soon, since I rarely make it past round two.
KERED: SKY!!!
Sydney laughed and clicked the mouse button to send her weapons into the foray. The Red Dragon fell, and then Black Dragon turned toward her character. She pulled closer to the keyboard, waiting. “Come and get me, big boy.”
KERED: Sky, hit ‘em with all you’ve got.
She waited like any good cop would do, drawing the bad guy in, stalling for the perfect opportunity.
KERED: Sky!
The dragon, almost upon her, pounded the ground with its tail. Sydney waited. Her shield’s power finally failed. “Take that.” She clicked the mouse button, retrieved her ginblade, then plunged it into the heinous creature’s belly. The dragon shrilled in pain before it fell over, dead.
KERED: Well, done! Hope you don’t take chances like that in the real world.
“You have no idea, Kered.” She murmered, moving her fingers over the keys in response.
SKYLAR: **Laughing** That’s the great thing about video games. You can be as aggressive as you want. Well, gotta go. Have an early day tomorrow.
KERED: I thought you said you wanted to learn the game.
SKYLAR: I did. I do. I have learned so much, thanks to you.
KERED: That sounded like a permanent good-bye. Are you tired of playing, gorgeous?
Sydney bit her lip. She really liked Kered. He’d been nice enough to show her how to play Dragon’s Heart when she’d posted in the game’s online chat room two weeks ago. He might not be the board’s moderator, but he really seemed to know his stuff, answering questions people posted, making suggestions to help them improve their skills. That’s why she thought he’d be the best to teach her the game. Before she had a chance to respond, Kered typed in another note.
KERED: I’m tired of playing, too. I’d like to meet you. I’d love to put a face with that competitive streak and fun sense of humor.
Sydney’s eyes widened. Talk about aggressive. Me too, she wanted to say. She was drawn to his obvious intelligence and quick wit. She tucked a strand of her shoulder length hair behind her ear. Hmm, wonder if he likes brunettes?
SKYLAR: Much as I’d love to feed the fantasy, now isn’t a good time in my life.
KERED: Are you married?
SKYLAR: No.
KERED: A lesbian? Though there might be some fringe benefits to that scenario.
SKYLAR: **LOL!** No.
KERED: Um… You ARE over eighteen, right?
SKYLAR: **Snort** Yes, I’m thirty.
KERED: See, perfect match. I’m thirty-three.
Sydney sighed. With her luck he’d turn out to be a pimply teen, but what if he was telling her the truth? She’s enjoyed learning from him. She wished she had the time to indulge, but her life would be really hectic in the next few weeks, maybe even months. Starting tomorrow, she’d be leading a double life with her new job. Uncovering her brother’s murderer came first and foremost. Too much personal sacrifice had gone into establishing her undercover status to jeopardize her situation with a personal relationship right now.
SKYLAR: Another time, another place. Signing off.
KERED: Wait!
Sydney closed the screen with regret. She had a feeling she and Kered would have gotten along famously.
* * *
“This will be your new home.” Elaine preceded Sydney into the spacious office, flipping on the lights. As Sydney took in her new digs, the smell of industrial strength lemons assailed her. The office sported the same color motif as the rest of Virtual Lexigen, Inc. A black and steel contemporary desk, credenza, and a small round meeting table, complete with a glass top. Soft yellow and bold plum paint covered the walls and corner columns in alternating patterns. She knew the colors were meant to create a calm working environment, but Sydney felt anything but calm. Anger simmered just below the surface.
Walking to the window, she stared at the gorgeous view of Stone Mountain, well, what she could see of it anyway. The sun hadn’t quite burned off the early morning fog. Only the top of the mountain pushed through the thick mist. She turned to her new boss and smiled. “Thanks so much for showing me around, Elaine.” When Elaine had introduced her to the Lexigen owners, Michael and Wolfgang, it was all she could do not grab the two men by their necks and bang their heads together. Instead, she dug her nails into her palms and locked her teeth behind a friendly smile.
Elaine nodded and her short blond hair bobbed as she glanced at her watch. “We have a staff meeting at three o’clock in the art design conference room. I’ll leave you to get settled in.”
Sydney set her briefcase on the desk and ran a hand across its cool surface before she turned back to the window. I made it, Mark. It took two years of night classes to learn every single freakin’ piece of 3D software on the market, but I did it. Although her artistic ability gave her confidence, she yearned for Mark’s programming skills. But she would hop across that bridge when she got to it.
Her cell phone rang, interrupting her train of thought. Sydney reached for the slim phone in her briefcase.
“Hello?”
“Hey ya, Johnson.”
Glancing to the open door, she turned back to the window and lowered her voice. “Hey, Mac. Long time no talk.” Right now her old partner was probably kicked back in his squeaky chair, feet up on his paper littered desk, his favorite coffee mug in hand. “What’s the flavor of the day?”
Mac gave a hearty laugh. “You don’t forget a thing.” He lowered his voice. “It’s hazelnut.”
“You shouldn’t be so predictable,” she teased. Every morning Mac stopped at his favorite gourmet coffee shop and camouflaged the flavored java in a plain mug. He knew better than to give the guys at the office something to rib him about.
“Yeah, yeah. I haven’t heard from you in a while. Wanted to see what you’ve been up too since you left me high and dry. Handle any interesting cases lately?”
Sydney snorted. “You probably thanked your lucky stars the day I resigned. The PI business is doing well, thank you very much. The job allowed me enough flexibility during this last year to finish up my classes.” She paused. “I have a new job now.”
He took a big drag on his coffee. “Oh, really. Doing what?”
“You’re talking to Virtual Lexigen’s new Assistant Art Design Director.” Sydney held her breath and braced herself for the tirade.
A distinct squeak came across the line, his chair being set upright. “You’re what!”
Sydney moved to shut her door, then held the phone away from her ear while Mac shouted obscenities. Finally spent, he asked, “What’re you thinking?”
“I’m thinking the only way I can prove Mark didn’t commit suicide is to be on the inside.”
“This is such a bad idea…” Mac sounded calm, even though she knew better.
“Mac, the investigating unit had their chance to prove my brother was murdered. Now it’s my turn.”
“Syd, the evidence pointed to suicide.”
“What evidence? A hastily scrawled suicide note that had a drink spilled all over it, making it barely legible? Or the bullet in my brother’s head?” Her voice hitched on the last words. Her chest contracted and tears clouded her vision. She sniffed them back. It had been two years and she still got a lump in her throat.
“I’m sorry.” He sighed. She imagined him running his fingers through his hair. He always did that when he got agitated. Mac had never been very good at emotional stuff. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”
She smiled. “I know, Mac, I know.” A light knock sounded at her door. “I gotta go. Talk to you later.”
“Keep me informed,” he insisted.
“Bye.” Hanging up, she, pulled the door open and was pretty sure she gawked. The most devastating sight she’d seen in a long time greeted her—six feet two inches of prime male flesh filled her doorway. He looked to be around her age, certainly not more than a couple years older than her.
“Hello, neighbor.” The dark haired man extended his hand and grasped her hand firmly in his. “I’m Jake. It’s Sydney, right?” At her nod, he gave a disarming smile. Perfect white teeth flashed. Vivid green eyes crinkled in the corners. “I just wanted to welcome you aboard.”
Her heart rate soared as he squeezed her hand and leaned in a little, whispering, “I think Elaine has been a little overwhelmed with the latest push for new products, so it’s a good thing you’re here.” His scent permeated her senses. He smelled good—like spicy soap, clean but decidedly all male.
“I heard that, Jake Taylor.” Elaine walked up with a good-natured smile on her face. “And if the VP of marketing would stagger the proposed product launches, my life would be so much easier,” she finished with overt sweetness. It took Sydney a second to realize that Jake was the VP Elaine meant.
Sydney looked at Jake in surprise. Why was he down there with them and not upstairs with the rest of the senior staff? “Neighbor? You’re not upstairs?”
Jake shook his head. “There was a leak above my desk, so I’m down here borrowing space until the roof and ceiling are repaired.”
“Oh.” Realizing Jake still held her hand, she pulled away from his warm grasp and faced Elaine. “Did you need me?”
Elaine’s gaze darted between them, then she cleared her throat. “I’d like to take you around and introduce you to the members of your team.”
Sydney briefly returned her attention to Jake, who stood with his hands in the pockets of his neatly pressed dress pants, a half smile on his face.
“It was nice to meet you, Mr. Taylor.”
“Call me Jake. And welcome aboard,” he said with a grin before he returned to his office.
Elaine introduced her to a group of six young, enthusiastic men and women. Once Elaine left, Sydney relaxed and hung around to get to know the crew.
After some get-to-know-you chit-chat, one of her employees, a red-head named Tommy, said, “We’d like to take you out to lunch to welcome you to Lexigen.”
Making friends could go a long way in helping to discover what happened to her brother. “That’d be great.” Sydney agreed to meet them in fifteen minutes then made her way back to her office.
Settling in her chair, she booted up her computer and glanced at her watch. Eleven thirty. Until she received her passwords, she only had access to the Internet. Since her team wanted to leave early for lunch, she had a few minutes to kill.
Guilt weighed heavily on her for cutting Kered off so abruptly last night. She doubted he would be online, but decided to log on to the chat room anyway. If she logged in from home, she’d be tempted to talk longer. This way, her lunch appointment gave her an excuse to keep it short.
Her heart pounded when Kered’s message immediately popped up.
KERED: Fancy meeting you here.
SKYLAR: Can’t talk long. Just wanted to say I’m sorry for cutting you off.
KERED: Private chat.
Sydney looked up. Her desk faced the door, so nobody could see her monitor unless they walked around it and stood behind her.
SKYLAR: Okay.
She switched over to a private chat session with Kered.
KERED: I want to meet you, Sky.
Sydney shut her eyes for a moment. She knew this wasn’t a good idea.
SKYLAR: I told you, now isn’t a good time.
KERED: There’s something about you. I don’t know…a connection.
Sydney smiled.
SKYLAR: It’s the computer’s modem cable.
KERED: Har, har. No, I’m serious.
SKYLAR: I like you, Kered. It’s been fun, but I have things I need to do right now, things that take priority.
KERED: Can we at least keep in touch via email?
Sydney wanted to. She really did. But Kered struck her as the type of man who would eventually not take “no” for an answer. And the truth was she wouldn’t want to say no. Remaining focused was vitally important.
Tommy poked his head in her door. “Ready to go, Sydney?”
“Yeah, just give me a minute.”
* * *
Jake glanced up from his laptop when he heard Tommy outside Sydney’s door. He looked back down at his computer screen.
SKYLAR: Not a good idea. My employees are taking their ‘new’ boss, uh, that’d be moi, to lunch so they can determine if I’m going to be a ‘cool boss’ or a ’sucky boss’. Don’t you just hate new job rigmarole? 
) Gotta go.
What were the odds? Jake didn’t believe in coincidences. He quickly punched in a response, hit the enter button, then picked up the phone and dialed Kyle’s extension.
KERED: Wait. Two minutes.
SKYLAR: That’s all you have.
Jake smiled. “Kyle, need a listing of all the people who’re currently on the DRAGON’S HEART chat room.”
“Okay, Mr. Taylor. Just a minute.”
Jake tapped out a question.
KERED: What’s your favorite restaurant?
SKYLAR: Why?
KERED: Just humor me.
Jake picked up the phone when Kyle rang him back. “Got it?”
“I can’t. The system is down.”
Jake’s gut told him he was right, but he needed confirmation “I need that data, Kyle, ASAP.”
SKYLAR: The Ready Room.
“I gotcha, Mr. Taylor. I’ll get it as soon as I can.”
Jake hung up and wanted to yell his frustration.
SKYLAR: I really have to go. Nice talking to you. Take care. And thanks for all your help.
No! The word reverberated in his head and his chest tightened around his racing heart. This may be the last time she logged on to the gaming site, his only connection to her. To be so friggin’ close.
KERED: Sky wait!
His phone rang. It was Kyle. Jake quickly grabbed the handset.
“I was able to hop on a computer linked to a different server. I’m emailing the info to you now, Mr. Taylor. Anything else?”
“Thanks Kyle. That’s all.” Jake hung up.
SKYLAR: Yes?
Jake pulled up the email. “I’ll be damned,” he murmured with a grin when he saw another Lexigen email in the list. The newest recruit on Virtual Lexigen’s staff was none other than ‘his’ Skylar.
KERED: Thanks for not leaving me hanging.
SKYLAR: You’ve been a wonderful teacher. I wanted to say goodbye properly. Thanks for all your help.
Jake read her note with a devilish smile. We’re not done, Sydney. Not by a long shot.
KERED: Anytime. Bye for now, Sky.
Three weeks into his new promotion as Vice President of Marketing and Jake had to move downstairs due to a stupid leak. The rotten timing at least had one advantage, now that Sydney had joined the Lexigen team. He’d be back upstairs in two weeks. After a year with Lexigen, this promotion meant everything. He’d finally be a hell of a lot closer to his goal. Until then…
Jake sat back in his chair and admired Sydney’s toned calves beneath her black skirt as she left for lunch with her team. Never in his wildest dreams could he have put two better parts of a woman together than Skylar from the chat room with the gorgeous, shapely Sydney Jones.
Initially, Jake had offered to help Skylar because that was just the way he operated. He helped people. But her upfront approach sucked him right in. Which was no small feat considering Jake hadn’t let himself get close to anyone in a very long time. Maybe the internet made that possible.
He didn’t give a damn why. In the short time he’d gotten to know Skylar, he’d fallen for her sense of humor and spunky I-won’t-take-crap-off-anybody attitude. But she seemed to be a different person as Sydney, more reserved, almost aloof. He rubbed his jaw as he compared the two. At least he didn’t have to wonder what she looked like anymore.
She had the most unusual violet color eyes. Their almond shape, coupled with silky black hair, gave her an exotic, mysterious look. And those full lips. He imagined her pressing against him with a teasing smile on her lips and he instantly hardened at the fantasy.
Jake couldn’t tell how long her hair was since it was bound up in a clip, but he hoped it was long enough for him to wrap his fingers in the silky strands. He’d enjoy the whisper touch of her hair against his body while he’d slide his fingers through the thick mass and kissed her until her lips were swollen.
What would she taste like? he wondered. Sweet or spicy? Either way, he knew he’d damn well enjoy every minute of sampling Sydney’s body. The lurid thoughts had him straining painfully against his pants. His heart raced and his lower stomach ached at his body’s physical reaction to his all-too-real fantasy.
Jake groaned inwardly and shook off his daydream only to have his thoughts shift back to his reaction when he’d first laid eyes on Sydney. As soon as he had touched her hand, instant chemistry sparked between them. Sydney wasn’t unaffected. Her pupils dilated and her cheeks flushed. She was just as attracted to him.
But he knew a one-day acquaintance was too soon to ask her to dinner. At least, in her mind it would be too soon. She didn’t know he was Kered. He decided to keep that secret to himself for now. He needed the connection he had with Skylar. If she found out Jake and Kered were one in the same, she’d shut him out.
He’d let her get settled in first. Then, he’d ask her out. Jake thrummed his fingers on the desk impatiently.
One day was about all he could stand.