Against the Ropes [Imane Khelif]

2. morning reflections

Maya's pulse quickened as their tongues danced together. Imane's gentle touch caressed her neck, sending shivers of pleasure down Maya's spine, as her nimble fingers traced the curve of Maya's shoulder and down the side of her body, resting briefly on her hip before continuing their journey.

The heat of Imane's palm radiated through Maya's thin blouse, setting her skin alight with anticipation. She felt Imane's hand slip beneath the fabric of her skirt, the coolness of the evening air contrasting with the warmth of Imane's touch.

As Imane's fingertips brushed against the outside of her panties, Maya's legs trembled and she let out a muffled gasp into the kiss. The fabric grew damp as Imane's hand cupped her sex, the sensation of Imane's gentle pressure against her pussy making Maya's knees go weak. The heat of Imane's touch seemed to burn through the fabric, setting her core ablaze with need. Maya could feel the wetness pooling in her panties. She moaned into the kiss, her body begging for more-

Maya awoke with a jolt, her heart racing and breath quickening. Sunlight poured into her room, but it felt far too bright for the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. The remnants of a steamy dream clung to her, vivid and disorienting, leaving her both exhilarated and panicked.

She had dreamed of Imane, the warmth of their bodies against each other, and a connection that felt electric. In the dream, they had leaned in close, breaths mingling, the air thick with unspoken desires. But now, as reality crashed back in, Maya felt a wave of anxiety wash over her.

What if Imane sensed her feelings? What if she found out about the dream? Panic gripped her as she recalled the intimacy they'd shared, the way Imane had looked at her, filled with warmth and playfulness. Could that have meant something? Or was it all just her imagination running wild?

Maya buried her face in her hands, heart pounding. "Get a grip," she muttered to herself, desperately trying to shake off the lingering sensations. She glanced at her phone, half-expecting it to reveal a message from Imane, but the silence felt deafening.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, her phone chimed.

"Good morning! Are you doing anything this morning?"

Her heart raced again, but this time with a mix of excitement and dread. She took a deep breath and replied, forcing herself to be casual.

"Good morning! What do you have in mind?"

After a moment, her phone buzzed again.

"I was thinking a run followed by some breakfast. Just us."

"Just us." The words echoed in her mind, making her pulse quicken. Would they talk about last night? What if she couldn't hide her feelings? What if it became awkward?

Maya felt a rush of anxiety as she paced her room, biting her lip. She could already picture the moment they met, the potential for everything to shift between them. What if she said something stupid? What if Imane didn't feel the same way?

Taking another deep breath, she tried to center herself. Focus on the fun, she thought. Just enjoy the time together. But the panic simmered beneath the surface, leaving her feeling unsteady.

Deciding she couldn't avoid it, she quickly got out of bed, the urgency driving her movements. As she showered, she tried to calm her racing heart, but each thought of Imane sent it into another frenzy.

By the time she dressed, the anxiety had morphed into determination. Today, she would enjoy their time together, even if her heart felt like it was about to burst.

Maya met Imane at their usual spot, and her breath caught as she took in Imane's athletic form, the sun glinting off her skin, making her look radiant. They set off on their run, the rhythm of their footsteps blending with the pounding of Maya's heart, each stride amplifying the unspoken tension between them.

After their workout, they headed to a nearby café, the air thick with anticipation. Maya could feel the heat radiating from Imane, the way her laughter lit up the space around them. Every accidental brush of their hands sent shivers down Maya's spine, igniting memories of her dream.

As they sat at the café, the atmosphere was charged with an unspoken tension. Imane leaned in to share a story, her shoulder brushing against Maya's. The warmth of that contact sent shivers down Maya's spine, and she caught a whiff of Imane's scent—a mix of fresh sweat and floral notes—that made her heart race.

When Imane playfully reached to steal a fry, their fingers grazed. The brief touch felt electric, and Maya froze, her cheeks flushing hot. Imane's teasing smile only heightened her fluster. "What's wrong?" Imane asked, leaning closer, her voice low and inviting. The closeness made Maya acutely aware of the heat radiating from Imane's body, and she felt a thrill mixed with panic.

"Uh, nothing! Just... spicy food!" Maya blurted out, her voice slightly higher than usual. She fidgeted with her napkin, trying to appear casual while her heart raced in her chest. Every second felt like a dizzying mix of exhilaration and dread, the fear of revealing her true feelings clawing at her insides.

Imane tilted her head, studying Maya with a knowing look. "Are you sure? You look a little... flustered," she teased, her playful tone causing Maya's stomach to flip. The intensity of Imane's gaze made it hard for Maya to think straight; she could feel the heat creeping up her neck.

Maya forced herself to take a sip of her drink, hoping the coolness would calm her. But as she glanced up, she met Imane's eyes, and the connection was almost overwhelming. The laughter and easy conversation swirled around them, but all Maya could focus on was the magnetic pull that made her heart race.

Trying to regain her composure, Maya shifted in her seat, suddenly hyper-aware of every little detail—Imane's lips curling into a smile, the way her dark hair fell slightly over her forehead, and the rhythm of her laughter. It was intoxicating. She found herself leaning in closer, drawn to Imane as if by an invisible thread, all the while battling the urge to confess everything that was swirling in her mind.

"Okay, okay, I'll admit it," Maya finally said, her voice shaky but playful. "It's not the food that's spicy. It's you!"

Imane burst into laughter at Maya's playful remark, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh really? So I'm the spicy one, huh?" she teased, leaning back in her chair, arms crossed playfully. "Guess that makes me your favorite flavor, then."

The warmth of her laughter made Maya's heart race even more, and she couldn't help but smile back, feeling a mix of relief and excitement.

Maya smiled and leaned forward, her eyes glinting with mischief. "You know, for someone who calls herself spicy, you're pretty conceited!"

Imane's grin widened, and she leaned back with a mock haughty expression. "Conceited? Me? I prefer to think of it as confidence!" she shot back, laughter dancing in her eyes.

Maya couldn't help but laugh along, feeling the lightness of the moment. But even as they teased each other, the underlying tension remained, making each playful exchange feel layered with something deeper. Imane's confidence only fueled Maya's flustered feelings, and she couldn't shake the sensation that they were tiptoeing around something significant.

***okay guys let me know what you think of the story so far or else 🔪🔪🔪