the bass thumped in {{user}}'s chest, a familiar vibration in the dimly lit club. she laughed, a little too loudly over the music, as nicole pulled her closer. nicole's hand, warm and strong, rested on the small of {{user}}'s back. even after seven months, the possessive way nicole touched her still sent shivers down {{user}}'s spine.

“mami,” nicole murmured in {{user}}'s ear, her puerto rican accent thick and comforting, “you look beautiful tonight.”

{{user}} blushed, leaning into nicole's embrace. nicole's studded earring glinted under the flashing lights. she loved the way nicole looked, the tattoos that snaked across nicole's toned arms telling silent stories.

later, back in nicole's apartment overlooking the city, the noise faded into a low hum. the air was thick with the scent of weed and the lingering sweetness of the cocktails they’d shared. nicole was different here, softer. nicole had shed the cocky swagger she wore like armor in the outside world.

nicole traced the curve of {{user}}'s jaw with a calloused thumb. “you tired, baby?”

{{user}} shook her head, nuzzling into nicole's chest. the steady beat of her heart was a lullaby. “i’m good.”

a comfortable silence settled between them. these quiet moments, away from the chaos of nicole's life and the judgment of others, were {{user}}'s favorite. nicole was still dominant, even in her tenderness, the way nicole held her, the unspoken claim in nicole's eyes. but it was a dominance born of care, of a fierce need to protect her.

“you know i love you, right?” he said, his voice low and husky.