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Eloise looked around the dance hall, shifting a bit uncomfortably in her mini-skirt. “I do believe I am full of regrets this evening.”
Marina laughed musically, fixing her hair that seemed to have gotten stuck on her overly large earrings. “I should like to remind you that this was your idea. But also that I am a much bigger person who would never say ‘I told you so’.”
“Of course, because that wouldn’t be necessary,” Eloise conceded, knowing full well that they wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t had the brilliant idea in the first place.
“Speaking of necessary,” the other practically shouted as the bass began to thump a little louder. “Are you sure this,” Marina gestured between them and to the room as a whole, “is necessary?”
Eloise once again fiddled with her clothes, tugging at her skirt to try to make it a little lower. “Well-…” she began before stopping abruptly. Marina had suddenly grasped on her hands, pushing them aside to place her own upon Eloise’s skirt.
“Stop. You are driving me absolutely mad,” she scolded as she ran her hands along Eloise’s hips, hooking her fingers into the edge of her skirt to help her adjust it. “Have you never worn a mini-skirt before?” Marina continued to fiddle with her clothing, reaching up to casually adjust her crop top as well.
Eloise had to take a gulp. All of a sudden, she was feeling hot. Granted, they were in a club that was packed full of revelers, but this wasn’t that type of heat. This… this was unfamiliar.
“What?”
Marina paused for a second, her busy hands just shy of under Eloise’s rib cage. “It’s all right,” she chuckled. She soothingly thumbed her sides, causing Eloise to shiver a bit. “I’ve got you.”
With a furrow of her brow in confusion, she had to take a second to catch her breath. “What?” Eloise winced. She had prided herself in being quick-witted, but words seemed to have escaped her. “I mean…” She brought her hands up to Marina’s elbows, squeezing them a little before pulling away. She couldn’t think. Not with her soft hands there . “To answer your question… To find out who Lady Whistledown is? Of course this is necessary!”
Marina’s face slowly bloomed into a smile at Eloise’s reactions. They were cute. She was cute. “Well, I meant bringing me along. Wouldn’t it have been better to bring someone… I don’t know… More authoritative?”
Eloise threw her a wholey sarcastic look. “Are you saying I should have brought one of my brothers?” She snarked, grabbing for Marina’s hand and lacing their fingers together. It was interesting. One hand smooth and one hand calloused, yet fit together perfectly. “Or… Should I have brought your husband?” Eloise winced at her callousness. This wasn’t about him.
Marina instantly pulled her hand away, as though she had been burnt. She had all the makings of a scowl upon her face, but she schooled her features as if in reply to Eloise. It wasn’t Marina’s fault. This situation wasn’t her fault. Just like that, Eloise felt thoroughly chastised.
With a slight shrug, the other woman began to make her way onto the dance floor. Looking over her shoulder, her eyes fell upon Eloise that was still soft, inviting even. Feeling as though she was forgiven, quite easily and quickly she had thought, she followed her.
“Phillip would have hated it here. Would have tried to blend in with the wall. Been less conspicuous,” Marina said, beginning to sway her hips to the beat as Eloise got close to her. Her plan seemed to be working. As Marina twirled, Eloise could feel gazes immediately descend upon them.
“That’s certainly true,” she agreed, staring at the other woman, looking at her head to toe. Marina wore hip-hugging ripped jeans, and a glittery crop top, if one could call it a top. Eloise would know. She had been staring at her from the moment she had picked her up.
Marina bounced along to the beat, closing her eyes, looking quite like she belonged there. It was entrancing. People were watching, and Eloise could not blame them. It was what she wanted.
“You wanted to draw attention.” Eloise broke out of her muddle, just enough to nod in answer.
“No one will notice if I’m asking too many questions.” Growing a little bold, she placed her hands upon Marina’s hips and tugged her closer. “If they are all staring at you .”
Marina smirked, sliding her leg between Eloise’s, grinding their hips a little closer. “There might be a flaw in that plan, love,” she growled into her ear after a moment or two of them just dancing oh so close.
“I know,” she shivered. Or at least Eloise really hoped it was only a moment or two. “You’re distracting.” And close. So close, Eloise could see the faint glitters of gold in the hazel of her eyes.
Marina laughed. A beautiful laugh. She had stopped dancing, smiling as she rubbed her nose against the tip of the other’s. “Go on then. Do your job, I’ll be here.” She patted her backside, sort of encouraging, sort of condescending, in all ways breath loss inducing.
Pulling away a little, Eloise ran her hands up and down along Marina’s back and sides, caressing gently. She bit down on her lip and nodded, pleased when she saw Marina’s eyes become heated.
“I thought one dance couldn’t hurt.”
“One dance wouldn’t be enough.”