Page 69 of Chess Not Checkers
“I think that’s a sign that we should pause our kissing until we reach our destination,” I whisper.
“I don’t know, this is kind of fun,” she says with a dangerous smile.
“You’re going to get us caught, Chamberlain,” I warn, but I’m smiling too.
“I get the feeling that your plan won’t be any less of a risk,” she retorts.
“Only one way to find out.” I step back and hold out my hand. “Come on, let’s get out of the cold.”
She places her hand in mine. “I haven’t felt cold since I saw you.”
I pull her into my chest as she giggles and tuck her under my arm before setting off toward the date I have set up. Even though I said we should get inside, I take the long way. There’s something about the campus after dark—when there’s not a big game or event—that feels so peaceful.
Lampposts cast amber light on fallen leaves, giving them a fiery appearance as we walk through them. A breeze passes through the buildings, and Jasmine curls in closer. We passbeneath an archway of interwoven oak trees with lights strung through them.
“I’ve never been over here at night,” Jasmine whispers.
We keep our heads and voices down. There’s another couple in front of us who seem to be enjoying the calm night too.
“They put this up last winter but never took it down,” I tell her. “I don’t know if that was on purpose or if they forgot, but I thought you’d like it.”
She smiles up at me, the lights refracting in her eyes and casting a soft glow on her skin. “Thank you.”
I glance up ahead, noting that the couple has disappeared, then give her a gentle kiss. She tries to stop us beneath the trees, and I chuckle.
“We still have to get to the date I planned.” I tug her along. “And if we stay here in an archway of light, we’re begging to be caught.”
She laughs, the sound floating on the breeze like wind chimes. “Fine, I suppose you’re right.”
“As per usual,” I say with a grin.
She playfully hits my chest.
The rest of the walk to the Bernard Hattington Building is tranquil. We don’t come across many people on this side of campus since it’s far from the dorms and common areas.
“What are we doing here?” Jasmine breaks the silence as I lead her up the steps to the brick building where we had our first match.
I pull a set of keys out of my pocket and unlock the building.
“Where did you get those?” Her question is dipped in giddy disbelief.
“I know a guy,” I say with a wink as I open the door.
In reality, I bribed one of the janitors with fifty-yard line tickets to his game of choice.
I pull out my phone and use the flashlight to guide our way to the classroom where I set things up earlier. We walk inside and Jasmine gasps. Near our table by the window, surrounded by pushed-aside tables and chairs, is a small picnic blanket. The blue plaid fabric is decorated with battery-operated candles and topped with a chessboard, as well as one more surprise.
“Shepherd…” she trails off as I take her hand and lead her to the spot.
“We haven’t gotten to play in a while, so I thought our first date could be a match,” I explain, hoping that she likes the idea. “Unless you don’t want to, then we can just talk, or leave—”
She pushes up on her tiptoes and cuts me off with a kiss. “It’s perfect. I’ve missed playing against you.”
“Even though you lose every time?”
She smacks my chest. “Don’t ruin this, Captain.”
“Yes, Chef.” I smirk.
