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Abby was nervous, scared, even. She'd checked herself in the mirror at least a hundred times, her familiar braid redone five times. Her body buzzed with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. A week ago, she’d met Dina at a bar and had been taken back when the woman had offered to buy her a drink. She was charming, confident, and everything Abby didn't think she could handle—yet here she was.
Abby brushed a stray hair off the collar of her shirt, which definitely wasn’t a size too small on purpose. The way it stretched just enough over her biceps was deliberate, quietly boosting her confidence.
One last look in the mirror, one deep breath. She grabbed her keys from the counter, typed Dina's address into maps, and headed out, rushing down the stairs.
The drive felt too long and too short, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the steering wheel as she navigated the city streets. When she finally pulled up in front of Dina's apartment, her breath caught. The woman was already outside, waiting on the curb, a relaxed confidence radiating from her.
Abby's heart pounded in her chest, the rapid thump echoing in her ears, as Dina strolled over and leaned lightly into the open driver-side window. "Hey, Abby," she greeted, her voice a playful hum, a soft smile gracing her lips.
"Hey," Abby managed, her voice a little lower than usual, fighting to keep her composure.
Dina effortlessly opened the passenger door and slid into the seat beside her. Abby's gaze betrayed her, trailing over Dina's figure as she settled in, the soft fabric of the top accentuating her in all the right ways. She clears her throat, the sound breaking the tension, and with a twist of the key in the ignition, the engine purred to life, blending with the vibrant city lights as they merge into the stream of cars.
"You look good in blue," Abby mutters, struggling to focus on the road as her grip on the wheel tightens slightly.
"Thanks," Dina replies, her voice light, her eyes flickering over Abby’s shirt, eyes darting to the shirt's tight sleeves. "So do you."
Abby couldn’t help but chuckle softly, a nervous laugh that seemed to break the tension in the car. She mostly kept her gaze on the road but occasionally stole glances at Dina, noticing the glint in her eye and the slight curve of her lips.
"So, how’s your hangover been?" Abby asked, her fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel, her voice tinged with nervousness. Dina burst into a loud, melodic laugh, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "It’s been, like, a week, Abby," she sputtered between giggles.
Abby chuckles, stealing a glance at her as she makes a turn. "Yeah, yeah. I just can’t believe you were still able to flirt with me while you were completely piss drunk."
"I was just tipsy," Dina counters, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "And what can I say? I’m a great multitasker."
Abby laughs, disbelief evident as she shakes her head. "Yeah, multitasking. Sure."
After a few minutes of driving, they finally arrive. Abby parks the car and unbuckles her seatbelt, gazing over at Dina, "You ready to try your hand at axe throwing?" Dina unbuckles her belt. "More excited to feel you pressed up against me," she says with a soft wink, exiting the car.
Abby froze, momentarily stunned by Dina’s boldness, her cheeks flushing a deep red. Dina’s wink was casual and playful, but it sent the blonde's heart into overdrive.
Swallowing hard, she took a second to compose herself, inhaling a steadying breath before stepping out of the car.
Dina stood by the entrance to the axe-throwing venue, a soft smile still lingering on her lips. Abby’s confidence wavered for a split second, but she forced herself to close the distance between them, her usual nervous energy buzzing just beneath the surface.
"God, you don't beat around the bush, do you?" Abby quipped, grinning despite herself as she approached. Dina raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening.
"Why waste time?" Dina shot back, her tone dripping with playful ease, and Abby chuckled, her lips quirking in a small smile. She steps aside to open the door, gesturing for Dina to go first.
Dina walked past Abby, close enough that Abby caught the faint scent of Dina's perfume—something light and floral. Abby hurriedly followed, reminding herself to breathe.
Inside, the venue buzzed with excitement and energy. The sounds of laughter and the satisfying thud of axes hitting their marks filled the air, creating an exhilarating atmosphere. The staff warmly welcomed them, explaining the rules and safety tips as Dina and Abby stood side by side.
"So," Dina said, turning to Abby as the staff led them to their assigned lane, her eyes flickering to the axes resting neatly on the racks. "you any good at this?"
Abby shrugged, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips, revealing her anticipation and confidence. "Yeah, kinda. I’ve been here a few times with friends. It’s fun once you get the hang of it." She glanced sideways at Dina. "What about you? Any hidden axe-throwing skills I should know about?"
She chuckles with a playful glint in her eyes before shaking her head. "Oh, absolutely not. Be prepared in case I maim someone," she jokes.
Abby laughs, feeling her nerves ease just a little. "Noted. Guess I’ll keep an eye out for rogue axes, then."
The other woman grins grabbing an axe and testing its weight in her hand. "You’re brave for bringing me here; I’ll give you that. But hey, worst case, you’ll have a great story to tell."
Abby laughs, reaching out to grab the axe from Dina, her forearm muscles flexing ever so slightly. "Don't worry, I'll help correct your aim if it comes down to it," Dina chuckles, her eyes trailing over Abby's strong frame.
Stepping into the lane, Abby hefts the axe in her hand, its weight familiar and reassuring. She squares her stance, her focus sharpening as she lines up her throw. The noise of the venue faded away momentarily. All that remained was the steady rhythm of her breathing, the thump of anticipation in her chest, and the faint scent of wood in the venue.
With a smooth motion, Abby launches the axe forward. It flies through the air and hits the target dead center with a satisfying thud.
Dina lets out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Okay, show-off," she says, her grin widening. "No pressure, right?"
Abby steps back from the line, turning to Dina with one eyebrow raised and a playful smile tugging at her lips. "No pressure" she parrots, pickicking up an axe and holding it out to Dina.
Dina reaches for the handle, but instead of stepping back, she moves closer, sliding in front of Abby. Dina's body pressed close, her back lightly brushing against Abby's chest, Abby mentally groaned at the warmth enveloping her and the now distinguishable scent of petunias on Dina's skin.
"I'll need a little guidance," Dina murmurs, her voice teasing yet soft, her head tilting slightly as she glances back at Abby.
Abby swallowed hard, feeling her pulse race. The warmth of Dina’s presence against her chest made it nearly impossible to think straight, but she managed a nervous chuckle. "Guidance...alright."
She raised her hands, lightly resting them over Dina’s to help adjust her grip on the axe. "You want to keep your hands firm but relaxed," Abby explains in a hushed tone near Dina's ear. "Step forward with your dominant foot as you throw."
Dina hums, her gaze shifting from the target to Abby's face, close enough to catch the faint flush creeping up Abby's neck. "Like this?" Dina asks, her eyes searching Abby's for approval, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as she adjusts her stance.
"Yeah," Abby managed, her voice tight, trying to ignore the way her heart pounded, the warmth of Dina's skin seeping through her own, testing her resolve. "Exactly like that," she forces out, her hand falling back to her sides reluctantly.
Dina turned her attention back to the target, pulling the axe back and throwing it forward. The axe landed at the bottom of the target with a solid thud, reverberating through the air. Abby grins, "Not bad for a first throw."
Dina laughs, leaning her head back on Abby's shoulder. "You're too sweet," she huffed, a playful glint in her eyes, "... That was horrible." Abby’s breath hitched as she felt the weight of Dina’s head resting on her shoulder, her eyes involuntarily tracing the delicate curve of Dina’s neck. Abby's hands instinctively found their way to Dina's hips, her fingers grazing the fabric of her jeans, a surge of warmth spreading through her at the contact.
Abby's hands lingered for a moment too long before she realized what she was doing. She quickly steps back, clearing her throat, face burning as she tries to focus on anything else.
"Well, uh," Abby began, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck. "I think I need to work on my coaching skills if that’s where we’re at."
Dina turned towards Abby, a smirk playing on her lips, before gracefully stepping out of the lane. "Oh, don't sell yourself short. I just need more practice. Maybe... lots of it," she teased, her tone filled with playful banter.
"Your skills will be promising by the end of this," Abby remarked playfully, a smile lingering on her face. "Promising, huh? I'll take it," Dina replied with a grin.
Suddenly, a loud cheer from a neighboring lane shattered the moment, bringing their attention back to the bustling surroundings. Dina chuckles, breaking the tension with an easy grin. "I guess we're not in the running for any awards tonight, but hey, at least we're enjoying ourselves."
"Yeah," Abby hums softly, a gentle smile spreading across her face, as she reaches for another axe.
Dina stepped aside, leaning against the safety barrier with her arms crossed, her eyes twinkling as she watched Abby line up her next throw.
The memory of Dina pressed against her, the feel of her warmth, and the faint scent of her perfume still clung to Abby’s clothes and refused to fade. Abby's heart raced nervously as she drove, torn between focusing on the road ahead and the captivating presence of Dina beside her.
Dina, however, seemed entirely at ease. She was mid-story, her hands animated as she described a particularly ridiculous moment from her workday. Abby chuckled softly at all the right places, nodding along, but her attention wasn’t just on the story—it was on her. Her laughter filled the car, her eyes crinkling when she grinned, and her voice had a melodic tone.
"That’s when I realized," Dina said, gesturing emphatically, "that I’d been talking to the wrong person the entire time. And they didn’t even tell me!"
Abby let out a laugh, shaking her head in amusement. "No way. What did you do?"
Dina grinned, shrugging. "What could I do? I just played it off like it was all part of my master plan. Obviously."
"Obviously," Abby repeated her words with a smirk, briefly glancing at her before refocusing on the road ahead. "You’re good under pressure; I’ll give you that."
Dina tilted her head, a playful glint in her eye. "Good under pressure, huh? Is that why you let me throw sharp objects tonight?"
Abby laughed again, feeling the last remnants of her nerves dissipate. "Something like that. Besides, I figured I could handle it if things went south."
"Bold of you," Dina teased, leaning back in her seat, her gaze lingering on Abby for a moment longer than necessary.
The easy flow of their conversation carried them through the drive, transforming the earlier tension into a comfortable warmth. Even as Abby pulled up to Dina's apartment, she found herself reluctant for the night to end.
"Thanks for the date," Abby stammers out, immediately regretting it, hands tapping the steering wheel. Dina smiles and chuckles softly. "No need to thank me; I had a good time with you." Her eyes linger over Abby's facial features, her hand resting on the door handle, eyes flicking between the door and Abby. "You want to come up with me?" She asked with a smile, a teasing glimmer in her eyes.
Abby's eyes widened, completely taken off guard by the question. She didn’t expect it in the slightest, and all words escaped her for a moment. She sat there silently for a few beats of her heart.
Abby's hands grip the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turn white, her thoughts running wild as Dina's question echoes in her head. The way she sat there, radiating confidence with a teasing glint in her eyes, made it even harder to think clearly.
Abby finally whispered, her voice low and almost disbelieving, her brows furrowed in uncertainty, "Are you asking me to come inside?"
"Yeah," Dina replied smoothly, a soft smile playing on her lips, her tone warm and inviting as she opened the car door with a graceful motion and stepped out. She moved around to Abby's side, pausing to glance back at her with that same playful smile. "If you want to."
Abby swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest so loudly that she was sure Dina could hear it. Her fingers fumbled as she nervously unbuckled her seatbelt, the metallic click echoing in the quiet of the night before she pushed the car door open and hurriedly climbed out. She shut the car door behind her and hastily locked it, shoving the keys into her pocket as she turned to face Dina.
Without thinking, one of Abby's hands found its way to Dina's waist, her grip firm yet hesitant. The warmth of Dina's body against her palm sent a jolt through her, and before she could second-guess herself, she pulls Dina closer.
Dina let out a soft laugh, her hands instinctively resting on Abby's shoulders as their bodies closed the distance. Her teasing confidence softens, gaze flicking between Abby's eyes and lips. "You don’t waste any time, do you?" she murmurs, her voice dropping just slightly.
Abby's breath caught, her fingers tightening around Dina’s waist for a moment as a whirlwind of emotions swept through her, before she let out a nervous chuckle, trying to mask her racing heart with a shaky exhale. "I—uh—I didn't want you to change your mind," she admits, her words rushing out before she could stop them.
Dina’s smile grew, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Trust me," she said softly, her voice filled with quiet certainty. "I’m not changing my mind."
Dina's hands on Abby's shoulders push her gently against the car, the cool metal contrasting with the warmth radiating from Dina's touch. Abby's breath hitches, her heart pounding wildly as Dina's fingers trailed upward, playing with the hair at the nape of her neck. The subtle tilt of Abby's head brought them closer, and her lips parted slightly, her eyes flicking between Dina's gaze and her lips.
Dina’s touch was deliberate yet soft, her thumb brushing lazy circles against Abby's shoulder as though grounding her. Abby's own hands tightened their hold.
"Can I...?" Abby whispered, her voice barely audible, thick with nervous anticipation.
Dina nodded, her confidence unwavering but her eyes soft and inviting. That was all the encouragement Abby needed. She closed the distance between them, her lips brushing against Dina's in a tentative, soft kiss.
The world seemed to melt away in that moment—just the warmth of Dina's body pressed against hers and the way Dina's lips moved gently against her own. It was slow, tender, and entirely overwhelming. Abby's grip on Dina's hips tightened instinctively, as if afraid the moment might slip away.
Dina deepened the kiss slightly, her hand sliding from Abby's shoulder to rest gently against her jaw, guiding her as if she’d done this a thousand times before. When they finally broke apart, both were slightly breathless, their foreheads resting together as they caught their breath in unison.
Dina stepped back just enough to take Abby’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Come on," she said, her voice teasing but warm. "Let’s see if you’re as bold upstairs as you are down here."
Abby blinked, her cheeks flushing bright red from the buzz of their kiss still lingering on her lips, and she let herself be led inside.