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Samira grabs a glass of champagne from a passing tray. She brings the glass to her lips, her head tilting back delicately, her eyes scan the room over the rim of the long stemmed glass. She’s wandering the edge of the ballroom slowly, sending kind smiles to passing guests but not stopping long enough for anyone to try and speak with her. Her black silk dress caresses her ankles as she moves, the fabric rippling like water up her legs as the slit up to her mid thigh parts. The ‘v’ of the neckline drops to the center of her chest, showing off just enough cleavage to be teasing without being inappropriate. The dress ties behind her neck with two long cords that dangle against her exposed back, every now and then they brush against her skin causing shivers to run the length of her spine.
Her hair is pinned up in a controlled messy bun, tendrils of her curls fall with measured care against her temples. She wears light makeup, mascara making her eyes look even larger and a light sheen of gloss shines on her lips. In the hand not cradling a glass of expensive champagne is a black leather clutch, she's paired the dress of low sling back black heels, they click against the floor as she moves but the sound is drowned out by the live band complete with a horn and string section.
She’s already found her target for the evening, Malcolm Thomas, a new player in the tech field who has made some major breakthrough or other, Samira has been hired to find out what exactly it is he has discovered and then deliver that information to the highest bidder. She's done a hundred jobs just like this one over the years, at first she had been shocked by how easy it was, just some light flirting and they were putty in her hands. Now she’s just relieved it means she gets to go home sooner. Her eyes track Mr. Thomas as he moves from group to group shaking hands and pocketing business cards.
As she watches him high-five some tech bro her eyes catch on something or someone familiar at the bar. There, elbows resting on the wood top, is Parker Ellis. She watches as Parker’s head turns almost imperceptibly towards Thomas. There goes my easy night, Samira thinks to herself. Her and Ellis have run into each other on a handful of nights like this one, they work in the same business, information. Every time it goes differently, both of them work against the other to get what they’d come for, sometimes Samira wins, sometimes Parker wins. One night, which Samira consciously chooses not to acknowledge or think about, they had forgotten entirely about the target.
Only on her darkest, most tired or lonely nights does she allow herself to remember. Remember the feeling of Parker’s hands on her back, the feeling of Parker's lips against her own. The sounds that had been pulled from her, sounds that in the cold dark of her apartment she’d try to recreate on her own, always unable to.
She starts moving before she even decides to, her feet carrying her towards Ellis at the bar. Parker is wearing a perfectly tailored tuxedo, Samira can see how well it fits her even from behind. The taller woman is wearing a litany of earrings in both ears, they twinkle in the low light of the ballroom. A white shirt peaks out from the collar of the jacket she wears, her locks are pulled up on her head, exposing her freshly buzzed neck. Samira‘s fingers tingle against the glass in her hand as she remembers the feeling of the hairs against her hand.
Parker’s head is still turned, watching Thomas as he moves around to room to her right, Samira purposefully avoids her gaze approaching from the left. She sets her champagne down on the bar, placing her clutch next to it, as she takes a steadying breath in, Parker’s presence affecting her more than she’d ever admit.
“Come here often?” Samira asks, with faux confidence, her face a facade of playful flirtation hiding the nerves she feels fluttering in her stomach. Parker’s head turns to her quickly, She stands up against the bar, her back straightening so quickly Samira is surprised she didn’t hear it crack. It brings an amused smile to her lips, as she watches Parker try to hide her shock and excitement. Ellis settles back into a gentle lean, slowly, her left elbow sits on the edge of the bar, her right hand resting on top of her left forearm with careful casualness. Her fingers are covered in rings, the tendons in her hands jump as her fingers move over the fabric of her tuxedo’s jacket.
Samira lifts the champagne to her mouth and takes a sip, forcing her eyes away from Parker's hands. Parker’s face drops into that horribly charming, boyish smile that could melt the arctic. “Only when you’re here, sweetheart,” she says leaning in closer to Samira, prompting an eye roll as the champagne glass is once again set down.
“Please,” Samira says, pushing her chest out slightly and standing taller, Parker’s eye trace over her body with unbridled greed. “You’re here to ruin my night.”
“I’m here to make your night.” Parker says with another smile, her eyes stuck somewhere on Samira's chest, slowly rising to her neck, considering her. “It’s been a minute, Samira.” She says gently, almost whispering. Samira swallows, her eyes tracing over Parker's face which had softened as she spoke, she refuses to give in so soon.
“Has it?” She says with mock confusion, “I hadn’t noticed.” She pretends to look for something in her bag, turning completely away from Parker, knowing how much it will bother her.
She runs her fingers over every item in her small bag as she waits for Parker to speak. Instead, she feels a gentle tug on one of the cords holding her dress up, not enough to undo the tie but enough to spike her heart rate, Parker’s finger tips brush against her skin, nearly drawing a gasp from Samira that she bites down on hard to keep in. Parker presses her hand against Samira’s skin, she lets it slide down to the woman's lower back as she steps in closer, her lips brushing against Samira’s ear and the soft curls of her hair as she parts her lips to speak. Parker’s tongue peaks out wetting her lips, it runs over the tip of Samira’s ear as it moves, so softly Samira nearly doesn’t realise what has happened until she feels a soft puff of air from Parker's mouth cooling the thin trail of saliva Parker had left across her skin. She steps back pressing into Parker's hand against her back to ground herself, her legs quiver underneath her.
“Seems like you’ve noticed, doll.” Parker says her lips curling back up into a smile. Samira turns her head to snap at her, but she hadn’t realised how close their heads had gotten and she finds herself just just a breath away from Parker's face. Her eyes drop down to Parker's lips and back up, watching Ellis’ eyes follow the same path over her own face.
She could grab Parker's hand and drag her anywhere in the world and the woman would follow with no resistance. Her body screams for her to do it, she had already found all the exits anyway, they could be out of the building and into a cab in seconds or better yet a room in the hotel just a few floors above them.
But her head is louder, remembering the disappointment from Robby the last time she had gotten distracted by Ellis, her gorgeous eyes and perfect smile. She refuses to let him down again, to prove him right that she isn’t cut out for her job.
She steps back from Parker just slightly, Parker takes the hint and takes her own step back, slipping effortlessly back into affectation. “So, you’re here for Thomas too?” Parker asks. Samira glances over hoping that the gratitude is clear in her eyes.
“Maybe, maybe not,” Samira says, Parker shoots her an annoyed look. “Fine, yes, I’m here for Thomas.”
“Was that so hard?”
“The truth doesn’t come easy to me,” Samira says mockingly. Parker barks out a laugh, making a few patrons look their way.
“You don’t say?” She says with another laugh. Samira rolls her eyes, a dusting of blush rising on her cheeks.
They lock eyes for a moment watching each other shyly, everytime they meet it feels like the first time, maybe because they see each other so rarely. Every time feels like relearning one another, every time feels new and unexpected, but always Samira feels this undercurrent that she is safe, that she is seen, that she is protected. That Parker is there with her, that if anything did go wrong, Parker would not take it as an opportunity to get ahead, she would not abandon Samira. She hadn’t felt that from anyone, that immediate knowledge that you can trust this person. That’s what made it so hard to stay away from Parker, even though she knew if Robby was here he’d be screaming in her ear by now to refocus.
Parker turns away to the dancefloor as Samira gets lost in her head. “Looks like fun.” Parker says nodding her head toward Thomas, who has found a dance partner, he is currently leading her in a messy version of what Samira can only guess, based on the music, is a waltz.
Samira scoffs in response, turning to lean her back against the bar to face out, “Please he has two left feet, that woman will be lucky to leave tonight with all her toes intact.” Parker smiles over at Samira, her hands tucked into her pockets. She pushes off the bar suddenly, stepping in front of Samira and holding out a hand, palm up to her, the other hand tucked behind her back, she leans in at a slight bow.
“May I have this dance?” Parker asks, her eyes shining up at Samira.
“Are you joking?” Samira asks with one eyebrow raised, looking around like Parker may be asking someone next to her.
Parker smiles, charmed by Samira’s obliviousness, “Think of it this way,” she straightens stepping closer to Samira, her hand still out in front of her, “If we’re out there, the closer we are to him, and the more likely you can intercept him.”
Samira tilts her head to the right considering Parker's words for a moment, before she takes Parker's outstretched hand, “Fine, but I lead.”
“Sure sweetheart,” Parker says, pulling her onto the floor a few couples away from Thomas and his dance partner.
Parker’s hand pulls Samira's up to their sides as her other hand snakes around Samira’s waist, fingers digging in gently to the muscles of her back. Samira lifts her other hand to Parker’s shoulder, she lets it drag over the fabric of the tux, settling behind Parker's head, her thumb brushing against the skin of the taller woman's neck as they step in close to one another. Parker’s hand twitches against her back as Samira runs her thumb over the back of her neck. Samira turns her head away, pretending to look at Thomas as she hides a smug smile.
Parker steps forward, making Samira step back, she guides Samira with ease into a simple box step, “I said I was leading,” Samira says indignately.
“Did you? I didn't notice.” Parker says, throwing Samira words back at her. Samira rolls her eyes, still following Parker's lead, pulling the woman as close as she can without being caught.
They glide across the floor with ease, as though they have danced together a hundred times, Parker twirls her and moves them with ease as they follow Thomas across the dance floor.
“You know,” Parker says after a moment, Samira’s back is pulled flush against Parker’s chest, caught mid spin, “We could just leave,” she twists Samira back around with force, pulling her in so their chests colliding with the force, “I’m sure we could find him easy enough later. It’s been so long, we should…” she pauses, Parker's eyes run the length of Samira’s body, lingering on her lips, pupils dilated. “Catch up.”
Parker’s hand on Samira’s back drops down even lower, her fingers brushing the curve of Samira’s ass, pulling the her even tighter against Parker’s body, the thighs slot together gently, the phantom of pressure makes Samira’s lips fall open, her head tilted back to look up at Parker, as Ellis stares down at her. Their mouths, once again, just a kiss away. It would be so easy, to just rise up and connect their lips. Samira knows how good it would feel, she remembers how toe curling, how world tilting the feeling of Parker’s lips could be. Instead, she takes a deep breath filling her lungs and slowly exhales into Parker.
Her fingers wrap around Ellis’ neck, her nails digging in making Parker's breath stutter. “I’d love to baby,” Samira says, looking up at Ellis through her eyelashes, the points of her nails ghosting over the back of Parker's neck teasingly, “Why don’t you go find somewhere quiet for us and I’ll join you in a minute?”
Parker’s dazed eyes snap to clarity as Samira’s words hit, Parker drops her head down, her forehead connecting with Samira's as she lets out a frustrated laugh. “Nice try sweetheart,” Parker says softly, lifting her head up. Samira smiles, proud of herself, enjoying Parker's praise even if it was laced with annoyance.
“Thanks,” Samira says blushing. Parker watches closely with a knowing smile, her lips parting to speak.
Samira digs her nails into Parker's neck cutting off whatever teasing remark she was about to make. “Come on,” Samira says, “Just let me have this one, we can spend the whole night arguing and playing our games but we both know it's going to be me he ends up spilling to.”
“Do we?” Parker says, drawing out the words in a taunt.
“Please, these guys all just want some pretty girl to bat their eyes at them and pretend to care about their toys. I’ll have what I need in five minutes max.” Samira says, full of confidence. “It might be harder for you to convince him you're interested,” Samira says, brushing her hand over Parker's bow tie.
“Oh really?” Parker says with a wide smile, she pulls Samira in closer.
“I mean, you're all over me,” Samira says, looking around the dance floor. “Everyone has noticed.” Parker barks out another laugh at that.
“Have they?” Parker’s eyes shine with affection as she watches Samira build her argument.
“Yeah, everyone is talking about it,” Samira says seriously, shrugging her shoulders and nodding to the crowd. “He’ll obviously have noticed by now.”
“And what about you? He hasn’t noticed that you're all over me?” Parker says, her voice forcing Samira’s eyes to meet Parker’s loaded gaze.
“I’ll figure something out,” Samira says suddenly breathless.
Parker huffs with an encouraging nod, smiling down at Samira. “You might be able to seduce him, doll, but never, never underestimate the power of ‘bro-ing out.’ One well timed high five and suddenly I’m that idiot's best friend and I’m invited to his wedding, oh what’s that,” Ellis’ brows furrow like she’s struggling to hear something. “I’m the best man? I’m rich because I got him to tell me what I need before Samira?”
Another eye roll from Samira, “You’re ridiculous.” She says, her voice and eyes full of fondness for Parker.
“You are.” Parker retorts with giddiness.
“I can’t believe I’ve let you see me naked,” Samira says, leaning her head back to look at the ceiling in disbelief. Parker's hands grip her tighter at the words. This is the first time Samira has ever directly acknowledged what happened between the two of them. She has always chosen to brush it off or pretend it never happened. Parker is visibly affected by the admission, wondering what it means that Samira has uttered these words, her mind races with the possibilities. Parker swallows hard before she speaks, not trusting her own voice.
“Like I said earlier, we could leave anytime.” Parker says softly, as if to a skittish deer.
Samira drops her hand from Parker’s and brings it up to the side of her neck, the other slipping down to cradle the woman in her palms.
“Really?” Samira asks, fear lining her voice, her eyes shining up at Parker with uncertainty.
“I’d go anywhere with you Samira," Parker states with no room for anything other than the truth, her warm hands resting on Samira’s hips. “Anywhere, anytime.”
Samira pulls Parker’s head down, pressing their foreheads together, Parker's hands wrap around Samira’s waist pulling her in tighter as they sway together in time with the music. Parker brings her own hands up to Samira's neck, Samira drops hers to hold the lapels of Parker’s jacket, pulling her closer. They step into each other, the bridges of their noses brushing as they breathe in, their lips brushing gently, making them both gasp. Parker lets her eyes slip closed, barely believing that she finally has Samira in her arms again. It's been so long, far too long since she has last felt Samira. Parker leans in to finally connect their lips, but finds nothing.
Her eyes blink open to find Samira gone, without a noise the woman has disappeared, Parker didn't even feel her slip away, her body had been so overwhelmed with the excitement of being near her again she didn’t even register her departure. She turns around looking to find the head of curls she has memorized, she finds her eventually, walking up to Thomas with a sultry grin, the man immediately drops out of a conversation, mid-sentence, to talk to Samira, a deep blush covers him from head to toe as he shakes her hand. Samira gestures somewhere over her shoulder to him. He nods back so eagerly Parker is surprised his head is still attached to his body afterward.
Parker watches from the crowded dance floor, her mouth hanging open still in shock as Samira guides Thomas out of the ballroom. She looks back over her shoulder at Parker, a teasing smile on her face, that slowly breaks into a wide grin. Parker feels a matching smile overtake her face, they break eye contact as Samira walks through a door with the man. Parker laughs lightly to herself, she kicks her shoes against the floor below her and shakes her head in disbelief, until next time she thinks, until next time.