“Fuck,” Stefania said quietly, closing her eyes. “I know. I’m so sorry. I tend to babble when I’m nervous and... yeah. I’m sure you’re really glad you walked over here.”
Iris pressed her mouth together to keep from laughing. “Weirdly, I am.” Granted, this encounter wasn’t the pheromone-fueled interaction Iris had planned, but she still found herself intrigued. Stefania was beautiful and sexy and a complete disaster. Iris couldn’t walk away now if she tried.
“Luckily,” she said, stepping closer and lacing her fingers with Stefania’s. “I’m very, very good at this.”
Stefania’s eyes widened, a small smile settling on her full mouth.
“Still in?” Iris asked.
“If you don’t say yes, I’m going to shave your head in your sleep,” Stefania’s friend piped up from behind her.
Stefania laughed, then rolled her shoulders back like she was getting ready for battle. “I’m still in.”
Iris didn’t wait for anyone to say anything else. She wanted this woman on the dance floor immediately, so she wove them through the melee toward the back, where it was a little less crowded. She had a feeling Stefania wouldn’t want to be in the spotlight, and Iris didn’t care where they danced.
When they reached a shadowy spot at the edge of the dance floor, Iris spun Stefania around and settled her hands on her hips, pulling her close. For a split second, Stefania froze, but then she inhaled deeply and looked right at Iris.
Smiled.
She looped her arms around Iris’s neck and pushed even closer. Their hips aligned and Iris got a whiff of coffee and something a little cooler—orange blossom maybe. The blend was oddly intoxicating, as were Stefania’s bare arms, the way her hair kept tickling Iris’s cheeks as they moved to the fast-paced song.
Stefania seemed to unlock, throwing her head back, exposing her lovely throat, lifting one arm in the air. Her hips were magic, swirling against Iris’s in a way that made Iris feel the need to either clenchher legs together or get this woman alone as quickly as possible. She didn’t want to push Stefania too far—she seemed easily spooked—so she let her take the lead.
And Stefania did. She laughed, her body moving like water as she spun Iris around so she was behind her, front aligned to Iris’s back for a second, before twirling her around again.
“You’re certainly not terrible at this part,” Iris said, tightening her grip around Stefania’s waist.
“No?” Stefania said.
Iris shook her head. “Quite the opposite.”
“It’s easy with music,” Stefania said. Her arms were draped over Iris’s shoulders again, fingers playing with a braid. “I have a context. A purpose. Move your body to the rhythm, that’s it.”
“Are you as adept in bed?” Iris asked, a coy grin on her face. She couldn’t resist. “That has a purpose, doesn’t it?”
Stefania’s mouth dropped open. “Do you usually say exactly what you’re thinking?”
“Hell yes. Life’s too short not to, and everyone will judge you, leave you, or tell you to go fuck yourself either way. So why not?”
Stefania narrowed her eyes at this, studying Iris closely. Then she shook her head. “I’m not really sure.”
Stefania’s breath ghosted across Iris’s skin, and goose bumps broke out along her arms. “You’re not sure what?”
Stefania just shook her head, looking away. Iris wasn’t sure if her cheeks were red from the exertion or from shyness—probably a little bit of both.
“Tell me,” Iris said, shaking Stefania’s hips a little.
Stefania laughed, ducked her head. Definitely from shyness, then. “I’m not sure if I’m adept in bed. How’s that for a turn-on?”
Iris’s brows popped up.
“I was with one person for a long time,” Stefania said, biting her lower lip. “It’s hard to tell, I think.”
Iris found the brutal honesty refreshing, to be honest. “Okay, what about kissing?”
Stefania met her eyes, then let her gaze fall to Iris’s mouth. Iris didn’t let her answer. She simply leaned in close... closer... until her bottom lip brushed Stefania’s.
Then she stopped.
