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That is, until the day we play for the first time. And I wipe the floor with him.
“I am a motherfucking delight, Greenleaf. And for the record, you and I are equally hot.”
I let out a laugh—a real one, my first since the tournament started, maybe even since Easton left. Emil stares with a kind, curious expression. “He has no chance,” he says cryptically.
Sawyer is already there. Waiting. Sitting on Black, tracking all my movements. His eyes on me are unsettling. There’s something too sharp, too ravenous, almost acquisitive about them. Like the match is an afterthought, and I am what he came here for.
“It has its ups and downs. I used to love it, but a little…sameness set in, and I actually thought about quitting. Then Mallory arrived.” His knee suddenly pushes back against mine. “Now I love it again.”
“Mostly that. Only secondarily because he doesn’t seem to be able to look away from my most oblivious daughter.”
“It should have been you, yesterday. It was…I had you there. In front of me, across the board.” His lips press together. “It should have been you.”
He just nods once, like every single one of my victories is expected and his faith in me is as solid as a boulder. As though he couldn’t marvel at me playing well any more than at the sun setting at night.
He smiles again, and God. He is offensively, uniquely, devastatingly handsome.
“It’s the Challengers, Mal. They chose you as one of this year’s participants.”
10 players. 9 days. 45 matches. 1 winner. Zum zum zuuuum.
“Nolan?” “Hmm?” “Why did you come to Vegas?” His fingers tighten around mine. My heart cartwheels. “Mallory. I came because you did.”
“Touch-take rule,” he murmurs. He stands, too. Every step back I take is one forward for him. “I— What?” “You touched me. Can’t stop now. Touch-take rule.” “I…This is not chess.” My back hits an obstacle. “I can always stop.” “Then just don’t.” His hands come up to cup my face. He towers over me, cages me against the wall, and I…I don’t mind. Which scares me. “Please, Mallory.” “This is…We should finish the game. You said you wanted to play.” “I said there were things I wanted more.”
“I’ve got you, Mallory. Nothing bad is going to happen. You can let yourself want this, because you already have it. You have me.”
“Because when I’m with you, Mallory, everything is different. When I’m with you, I want to play more than I want to win.”
