When Karaia Almonte, a dominican UFC fighter, finds herself alone in a big city without her family, she struggles to stay driven and entertained until she meets Nika Mühl, a rookie in the WNBA for the seattle storm, who is also struggling while tryi...
"We don't have to figure it all out right now" Karaia whispered, her thumb tracing circles on Nika's knuckles. The touch was intimate, careful, but full of a quiet intensity that neither of them could deny.
Nika's eyes fluttered shut for a moment, her tension easing as she leaned into the touch. When she opened them again, her gaze was soft, a silent understanding passing between them. "But what if I want to?" She asked, her voice barely audible.
Karaia's heart twisted in her chest. For the first time, she realized that maybe, just maybe, Nika had been feeling the same thing she had been too afraid to acknowledge. The throbbing in her foot was a distant ache now, overshadowed by the way Nika's fingers were too close to her own.
"You want to figure it out?" She asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. She didn't know if she was ready for the answer. But the words had already left her mouth.
"I don't know," Nika whispered, so softly it was almost drowned out by the sound of their breathing. "I don't know what to do with this... with us."
Karaia let out a shaky breath her fingers, tightening slightly on Nika's hand. The weight of Nika's words, the uncertainty in her voice, mirrored everything Karaia had been feeling ever since they'd crossed that invisible line a few nights ago and now. They hadn't talked about it—hadn't acknowledged the kiss, th way they had lingered in each other's arms just a little too long. But now, with Nika so close, her hand resting on Karaia's leg, the tension was too thick to ignore.
"We don't have to know right now," Karaia murmured, her voice soft but steady, trying to offer some sort of comfort. Her thumb brushed gently over Nika's knuckles. "We can just... take it one step at a time."
Nika's breath hitched again, and she looked down at their hands, her lips pressed against onto a thin line. The silence between them was charged, every unspoken word hanging heavily in the air. Nika realized that she couldn't keep pretending that what they had was just a friendship.
They couldn't keep pretending.
"I keep thinking about last night, and the other night at Vegas," Nika said, her voice quiet but unwavering, her heart pounding in her chest.
Nika held her breath, waiting for a response, her heart thudding in her chest. It was terrifying to be this open, to be this vulnerable. But she couldn't hold it in any longer. She had to know if Karaia felt the same way.
"Yeah," Karaia said after a long pause, her voice barely more than a breath, "Me too."
The simple acknowledgment sent a shiver through Nika. The tension between them thickened, and suddenly the air felt charged, like the moments before a storm. Nika's heart pounded in her chest, its beat racing even faster as she met the hazel of Karaia's eyes.
For a moment, Karaia didn't know what to say. The words felt too big, too heavy to voice. Instead, she did the only thing she could think of—she let her hand move from Nika's knuckles to her wrist, her touch so delicate but filled with intent.
"You don't have to know right now." Karaia said, brushing Nika's wrist, "We can take our time."
Nika's eyes fluttered shut for a moment, her jaw tightened as if she was fighting an internal battle. When she opened them again her expression changed, "But what if I want to know?" She asked low, her voice almost pleading, "What if I want this?"
Karaia breath hitched, her heart skipping a beat. The vulnerability in Nika's voice, the way she said those words, sent a wave of emotion crashing over her.
"I want it too," Karaia whispered, her words heavy with meaning as she tightened her grip on Nika's hand. "I want this... more than you know"
Nika's eyes softened, her lips parting in a quiet smile. "I'm glad to hear that."
Karaia leaned in, staring down at Nika's face, admiring her strong features with a playful sigh. "I guess you're stuck with me now."
Nika chuckled, her hand coming up to brush through Karaia's hair,"I think I can handle that," She murmured.
Karaia felt a warm blush spread across her cheeks, the simple affection making her heart race. She slightly tilted her head and left a kiss on Nika's jawline.
"You should really rest. Let me take care of you this time." Nika murmured as Karaia was leaving a trail of kisses on her jaw.
Karaia leaned back, "You're the one who's hurt," she teased, "Maybe you need a babysitter."
"Oh, so you're applying for the job?" Nika shot back, a grin tugging at her lips.
Karaia looked away briefly, "I'm just saying." she mumbled, trying to keep her voice steady.
Oups ! Cette image n'est pas conforme à nos directives de contenu. Afin de continuer la publication, veuillez la retirer ou mettre en ligne une autre image.
