Page 67 of The Genius
“You’re so…” The word beautiful was on my tongue.
“What?”
“Sweaty.”
He gave me a small grin and lowered his face to the crook of my neck, his warm breath on my skin. “Yeah, that’s because I’m doing all the hard work. You’re just lying there looking gorgeous.”
I used my right hand to nuzzle his brown curls, taking time for us to catch our breaths while I caressed his back with my left hand.
“Can I ask you a question, Marco?”
“You’re always asking me questions.” Marco chuckled and leaned back to watch me. “Oh-oh, I have a feeling this is going to be one of the more awkward ones. What do you want to know?”
“If you marry Louisa, will you ask her to do the things on your list?”
He reached around me, picking up some napkins, and began drying me off. “Probably not.”
I waited for him to elaborate.
“What you and I have is different. You said it yourself, it’s an experiment and I’m enjoying trying different things with you. Why do you want to talk about Louisa now?”
“I’m sorry. It just boggles my mind that you would risk your life fighting in a tournament for a woman you don’t love. Is it really just because of the money?”
Marco didn’t meet my eyes but pulled away from me and bent down to pull up his pants. “I’m tired of being poor. Why shouldn’t I have nice things like other men?”
“What other men?”
“Hunter, Tristan, Boulder, Magni, and the others who have fast drones and large apartments.
“Tristan isn’t rich.”
“He’s not poor like me.”
“See, that’s why the fairness principle in the Motherlands is so much better than the capitalistic system you Nmen have. We all contribute with our unique talents and we should be paid the same.”
“I’m not a fan of the fairness principle.” Marco helped me down from the table. “All your system does is keep everyone equally comfortable. At least here we have a chance to live in abundance.”
“If you win a tournament, that is?”
“Yes.” He walked into the bathroom and washed his hands while talking to me. “There’s also the prestige that comes with being one of the fiercest warriors and having your own family.”
“Yeah, but that last part can’t have as much status as it used to, I mean, with all the Motlander women coming.” I arranged my clothes while Marco walked over to pick up his burger and take a big bite.
When he was done chewing, I was the one washing my hands. “So does it?”
“Does it what?”
“Does winning a tournament bring as much status as it used to?”
“I would say so. Northlander women are special, you know.”
I stiffened. “In what way?”
“They’re the real thing.”
“You mean in contrast to us fake women?” My lips pressed into a thin line.
“No, you don’t get it.”
