a half-smile tugs at my lips. i lean in a little , letting the subtle warmth of my breath fan across her cheek. “ ¿ lo sabes , verdad ? you’ve heard the stories about me , back in mexico ... ” i pause , letting the tension coil tighter. “ but hearing is one thing. feeling is another. ”
her cheeks flush the slightest bit , and i know she’s fighting it , trying not to reveal just how shaken she is. it’s a look i’ve come to recognize from our early days — when we were both chasing the same dream , training in dim gyms that smelled like sweat and desperation. she never used to look at me with fear before … but i sense it now. a mix of fear and something else — maybe intrigue. maybe something a little dangerous.
i tilt my head , studying her fingers as they nervously tug at her rings. “ you ever notice how you do that ? ” i ask quietly. “ gripping those rings like they’ll keep you grounded. mira , steph , you and i both know there’s no real safety net here. especially not when we’re face-to-face. ”
her gaze flickers over my shoulder , almost like she’s searching for an escape route. she’s too proud to run , though. that’s not who she is. and that’s half the reason i’m so drawn to her — her grit , her fire. no matter how much that flame might flicker , it never goes out.
“ i’m asking, ” i say , stepping just an inch closer , “ because i can’t help being curious. me gusta saber lo que piensas. especially when the vibe between us is this … intense. you feel it , don’t you ? esta energía. ”
