𝟏𝟖- 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Dancer.

❂

KIERA leaned against the sink with a hardened expression.

Both women were in Aria's apartment. After Kiera recognized Aria in the club— dressed the same as any other employee there— the brunette searched for answers.

"So you're a stripper?" she questioned.

Aria shook her head with a slight frown, "I prefer the term dancer."

"An exotic dancer?" Kiera tried, tilting her head at the woman ahead of her.

Aria hummed, chewing on her bottom lip with anticipation.

She wasn't ashamed to admit what her career was, but she hated that Kiera found out about it this way.

At least it didn't happen during a dance with Memphis, Aria thought.

The redhead rolled her eyes at her inner voice, focusing back on the present conversation with Kiera.

Kiera's partying state had vanished, her once low eyes more aware. The brunette had freshened her appearance up as Aria was tucked away in her room.

Aria managed to throw her hair up into a loose bun, her body covered in a sweatsuit to appear less provocative.

"So is Barnes and Noble like. . . a coverup?" Kiera asked, pushing her palms into Aria's countertop.

"No— I work there as well. I balance them." Aria admitted truthfully.

Kiera chuckled, unsure, "Ari you're really starting to confuse me."

Aria nodded understandingly, rounding the counters that separated the two, and began to pull the brunette over to her couch where they sat.

Sade seemed to mind his own, padding around the apartment with little interest.

Aria let out a breath before she spoke, tucking her legs underneath her, "I work both at the bookstore and at the club. They're two completely different jobs but they work for me."

"Why didn't you tell me— Parker and I sooner? You know we're not the type to judge you for something like this." Kiera mumbled.

If anything she seemed more concerned as to why Aria wasn't comfortable enough to inform the two best friends of her career rather than the secret itself.

"I didn't think it was necessary. It's not exactly something to brag about like modeling and sales." Aria confessed, closely observing Kiera's reactions to every word.

"So you're ashamed?"

"No." Aria was quick to state, shaking her head at her stern tone, "Sorry. No, I'm not ashamed of what I do, Ki. I chose to live like this and that's not something that I'm hiding from. I just never told you guys because it didn't strike me as important. Whether I had the job or not— I'm still myself."

Kiera's eyes softened.

She seemed to understand where Aria was coming from and that was comforting to the redhead.

Aria didn't have the patience or energy to get into another argument with someone tonight.

It was nearing 1am.

"So that's it? That's the only thing you've kept hidden?" Kiera searched for an honest answer, her eyes unfaltering.

Aria debated on telling the brunette about Memphis- their situation.

"Do they know that you belong to me?"

No.

Telling her about Memphis was too much. She'd think that the two were more involved beyond work as if the whole contract topic wasn't already difficult enough.

"That's it." Aria assured.

Kiera smiled, "Parker's going to be pissed that I found out first."

"She'll be fine." Aria laughed softly.

Kiera moved closer to the redhead, reaching a hand forward to caress her cheek.

Aria's cheeks grew warm at the gentle touch.

"What're you doing, Ki?" she asked in a hushed voice, her tone light, calming.

"Just feeling you." the brunette reassured, "Hey Ari?"

Aria hummed, leaning into the woman's soft palm, "Yeah?"

Kiera scooted closer, the pair's legs now touching, "Can I kiss you?"

Aria didn't answer.

She simply turned her close-mouthed smile into a teasing one, throwing one of her legs over the brunette. Kiera exhaled at the feeling of Aria's body weight on her, leaning her hands down to knead the woman's ass.

The kiss was hesitant at first as the women tested one another's pace. Eventually, it picked up. Their heavy breaths mixed as they feverishly kissed, small noises of pleasure slipping out of them both every once in a while.

Aria had her hands squeezed onto Kiera's shoulders, her nails digging into the top's material.

A moan from the both of the women sounded throughout the apartment once Kiera pressed their clothed fronts against one another.

"Ki." Aria moaned softly, pulling away from the kiss to speak properly, "Not here."

It took a moment for Kiera to figure out what Aria was insinuating. Her eyebrows nearly touching as she looked at the redhead in confusion. Aria looked down at their lower bodies, causing Kiera to acknowledge the obvious.

"Shit. I'm sorry." the brunette apologized, wiping a hand down her face.

Aria laughed, "I want you. . . just not here."

The spark in Kiera's eyes was set aflame once more at the confession. Aria looked up to locate where Sade was, spotting him napping in his empty food bowl.

She laughed at his odd behavior before standing up.

Kiera allowed her to guide their bodies to the bedroom- locked away from the open area.

❂