Play Nice But Win Novels & Stories

“But when I win, you owe me something.” So cutie wants to play a game, huh? I narrow my eyes as she tilts her chin up in defiance. Her shirt all twisted up like that is acting like a push-up bra, really showing off just what a rack she’s got under there. “Okay, baby,” I reply. “You win, you can have anything you want.”

A smile played on my face as I watched him converse with his lover. "I won!" Cindy's joyful shout snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked at her, and to my surprise, she was the only one reveling in her joy. I glanced at Shawn and saw him staring at the ground as if he were in a daze. A frown settled on my face. Judging by Shawn's gaming skill, it was clear that Cindy could not have won. I only got my three wins with luck against him. Stephen, who was better at the game than Cindy, hadn't even won once against Shawn.

“Then who usually wins it?” “Your fiance of course, that guy is invisible and unbeatable, he's not just smart he's overly smart” “Wow, so he has won a level before?” “A level? Nhhh he already won and mastered every level” “Really?” “Surprised right? I know” “Do you want to play?” “Play? I don't think I'll be good in it” “Come on you have to try first” “Oh my baby is asleep I think I should take him upstairs give me a second”

“I am.” That shouldn’t have mattered. It did. Adrian straightened slightly, his jaw tightening. “Don’t mistake improvement for weakness.” Lucien’s gaze dropped, just for a second, to Adrian’s mouth. Then back up again. “I wouldn’t make that mistake.” The words were simple. The way he said them wasn’t. Something twisted low in Adrian’s chest. Fast. Sharp. He pushed it down. This wasn’t about that. This was about winning. “You won tonight,” Adrian said, stepping back just enough to put space between them. “Enjoy it.”

I told him with my smile still intact, and he frowned deeply. Good, that’s exactly what I want from you, keep frowning. Well Vincent, you have made your point so far, which I exclusively understand, but still it doesn’t change anything at all. How about we quit acting like children, and play a fair game. He said, and I looked at him, anticipating what he was to say next. We both ask her out like normal gentlemen, and whoever she picks individually, and certainly not under duress, then the person wins. He said, and I raised a brow at his stupidity, and my face lit with amusement.

Robin laughed at the girl. "No, ah. A woman can do it too." This is the answer. "Okay, what are his rules to trick you?" "Whoever doesn't get drunk until the end, wins." He said smiling as Pearl picked up a case of beer. "Fast huh?" Robin said to him as Pearl just winked at him. "Okay, go ahead. It looks like it's a man-on-man game." Robin said as he looked at Leo who was right in front of him. So did Stephen and Aldrin face each other and both were excited to win that game.

Humiliatingly, they tended to get their arses handed to them a lot when they played. But not with Aiden. Hazel had been totally right: it was awesome when he was on your side. A little bit intense, since he clearly had absolutely no intention of losing and would coolly rattle off the probabilities of particular cards showing up at particular times. Which felt…not like cheating exactly, but it made them very aware that they were playing a game. Engaging in a battle of mechanics. Rather than, say, escaping a desert in a dirigible. On the other hand, they won. A scarily close run thing, but they did.

My neck. I stumbled backwards. Nazte grinned, but his eyes remained narrowed. Like he’d won. Which he had – if I’d been playing along with his twisted little game. I refused to admit to myself that I had, because then I also had to admit that I’d lost it. His grin grew, widening until it pushed his cheeks into folds. It was sickening, to see such joy in the face of such innocent defeat. Was that how he would smile if he managed to kill me?

“You should try being less insufferable. It might be good for you.” Reid leaned forward, arms resting on his knees, his gaze flicking up to meet mine. “You should try winning,” he murmured. “It might be good for you.” I hated the way my stomach flipped. The worst part? He wasn’t even wrong. I was losing. Badly. Reid played chess like he ran his business—ruthless, efficient, and with absolutely no mercy. But I had one advantage. I didn’t need to win. I just needed to distract him.

His mouth is pressed into a thin line, and every time Jami laughs, his eyes flick toward me. Yeah. He isn't enjoying this. I turn my attention back to Jami before he can kill the mood. “Fine. You won.” I point at the scoreboard, then spread my hands. “Happy now?” Her smile grows wider as she rocks back on her heels. “Say it like you mean it.” I drag out a dramatic sigh, letting my shoulders drop. “You beat me.” “Much better.” She nods in satisfaction before tapping one finger against her chin, pretending to think. “Now what?”