Page 26 of Quiet Obsession
She comes back a moment later, a chessboard tucked under her arm. Relief rattles through me, so potent it’d knock me off my damn feet if I weren’t already seated. She won’t give me words but doesn’t mind my company.
That’s... well, I don’t know, but I can work with it.
Snatching one white and one black pawn, she shuffles them behind her back before outstretching her closed fists.
And once again, I’m second-guessing my every move.
Normally, I’d poke her hand, but if she’s refusing to speak to me, she probably doesn’t want my touch, either.
I point at her left hand.
This might be the earliest chess match I’ve ever played. It’s barely half-past six in the morning. She opens her palm, showing me a white pawn, and we set the board.
The music changes to one of my favorite songs, “The Cure for Breathing” by VOILÁ. Millie taps the rhythm against the table, a soft smile gracing her lips.
“You like VOILÁ?”
She stiffens, eyes narrowing like I’ve guessed something awfully personal. Hyde mentioned she keeps her cards close, but with a shaky exhale, she gives me a faint nod. It’s not words, but it’s communication, so I’ll take it.
I make my move, and then Millie’s index finger curls around her piece. I’ve never seen anyone hold the pieces quite like that. It’s elegant, a little quirky, and somehow... sexy.
She loses the first round, and the second, and the third, but smiles every time I check her king.
“You’re losing on purpose,” I say as she’s resetting the board.
Her smile fades, making me regret my comment.
Who fucking cares? She was obviously enjoying herself. Enjoying her time withme.Why the hell did I open my mouth?
“I know you don’t want to give me your words, so how about instead of sayingcheck, you double-tap my king?”
A soft blush spreads over her cheeks, highlighting her bone structure. She sets up the board without acknowledging what I said, and I refill our coffee cups. The sound of running water starts when I sit back down, a telltale sign either Dash or Hyde is up, so I have less than twenty minutes left alone with Millie.
I’m surprised Noah hadn’t dragged himself off my couch at the sound of chess pieces moving across the board. He was the junior speed-chess champion three years in a row back when he couldn’t blow his nose without Mommy’s help. I always thought his brain was conditioned to the sound.
Millie adds milk and sugar to her coffee, eyes on my fingers as I make the first move. Three minutes later, as she taps my king aftereightmoves, I realize I’ll never win against her again. I stare, wondering how the hell she cornered me so fast.
I look up, confused, and my chest cracks open at thesatisfaction written all over her pretty face. She’sbeaming, her smile so genuine I’m rendered speechless.
There she is...
Her eyes sparkle, the contrast between hazel and blue more prominent, her cheeks deliciously pink. Even her blonde hair seems to fucking glow as it frames her face.
If this is what I’ll get every time I lose... I’ll lose forever.
“Again,” I say, setting the board up once more.
The shower upstairs stops running a moment before Millie taps my king... nine moves in this time around. I avoid being overthrown for three more turns, all the while watching how alive she looks, how pleased with herself, every time she cuts off my defense.
Once Hyde’s heavy footsteps ring on the stairs, Millie backs me into a corner and my king falls.
“Morning.” He enters the kitchen, a crinkle between his brows, eyes jumping from me to his sister. “You’re up early, sis.” He kisses her head before moving toward the coffee machine. “Who won?”
“The first three times I did.” I lean back in my chair. “Then I realized your sister’s a cheater and we agreed she’ll tap my king when it’s time to check because she was losing on purpose so she wouldn’t have to speak.”
“And then she kicked your ass,” he guesses.
“In eight moves,” I admit. “Either Noah’s an excellent teacher or she’s been holding back.”
