Buenos Aires pulsed with music and energy as Bunny and Wolfe entered the intimate dance studio, its walls lined with mirrors and dim lights casting a warm, honeyed glow. The room buzzed with couples adjusting their dance shoes, instructors giving last-minute advice, and the sound of a lone guitar tuning up in the corner. The smell of polished wood floors and faint hints of cologne mixed with the sounds of laughter and conversation. Bunny's excitement was palpable, her fingers tapping Wolfe's shoulder in anticipation as they stood waiting for the class to begin.
"This," Bunny said, her eyes wide and bright, "is going to be amazing. I've always wanted to learn tango in Argentina!"
Wolfe gave her a small smile, though his gaze flickered briefly over her shoulder toward the studio entrance. "Well, let's hope I can keep up," he replied, a touch distracted.
Bunny arched an eyebrow, catching his slight detachment. "You're not nervous, are you?" she teased, nudging him. "I thought you were always in control."
"Tango is all about control," he murmured, his eyes refocusing on her. "Just… in ways I'm not quite used to."
A tall, elegant woman approached them, introducing herself as their instructor, Sofia. With a practised smile and sweeping gestures, she explained the essence of tango—the delicate push and pull, the trust between partners, and the subtle power dynamics at play. Bunny listened, enthralled, her gaze occasionally darting toward Wolfe, who stood with his usual air of calm reserve. But she couldn't shake the feeling that he was somewhere else entirely.
"All right," Sofia said, clapping her hands. "Let's begin with the basics!"
Bunny grinned, grabbing Wolfe's hand and pulling him onto the floor with a spark of enthusiasm. Wolfe took his place opposite her, and they moved through the basic steps Sofia demonstrated, their feet shuffling in tentative sync. Bunny's natural rhythm shone as she adapted quickly, her hips swaying in time with the music, while Wolfe maintained a steady but somewhat rigid frame, his eyes still darting occasionally to the far end of the studio.
As they practised, Bunny felt her cheeks flush, whether from the heat of the dance or the closeness of Wolfe's hand pressed firmly to her back. "You know," she murmured with a grin, "you could try enjoying this a little."
Wolfe chuckled softly, his gaze finally resting on her. "Believe it or not, I am enjoying this. But I may need a little… encouragement."
Bunny stepped a bit closer, playfully pressing into him. "There. Better?"
For a brief moment, Wolfe's attention was entirely on her, his eyes softening, his frame loosening ever so slightly. They moved in sync, their steps fluid as they began to find a shared rhythm. Bunny felt a thrill run through her—here they were, together in this vibrant city, immersed in a dance that demanded trust and connection. She forgot her surroundings, lost in the gentle tension and closeness between them.
Just as Bunny was beginning to feel they were getting the hang of it, Wolfe's gaze flicked over her shoulder once more. His expression shifted slightly, a subtle but unmistakable focus taking hold.
She turned to look in the direction of his stare, catching sight of a man standing near the door. The man was impeccably dressed, his eyes scanning the room with an air of practised indifference. Bunny felt a faint pang of curiosity—why did he look so familiar? Before she could piece it together, Wolfe cleared his throat, drawing her attention back to him.
"Shall we continue?" he asked, his voice steady, though a new tension lingered beneath his words.
Bunny nodded, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. She tried to let it go, immersing herself in the music and Sofia's instructions. But every so often, Wolfe's attention seemed to waver, and Bunny felt herself watching him with increasing curiosity.
As they moved through the more intricate steps, Sofia began pairing up the students, encouraging them to switch partners to better understand the dance. Bunny found herself across the room with a charming young man who was eager to impress, but her attention kept drifting back to Wolfe. He was paired with an older woman who, despite her small frame, held herself with the poise of a seasoned dancer. Wolfe's moves were smooth, and calculated, his posture impeccable.
But there it was again—that look in his eyes as he glanced toward the man by the door.
Curiosity got the better of her, and as her partner spun her in a clumsy half-turn, Bunny took a step back toward the edge of the room. She watched as Wolfe's partner excused herself to re-tie her shoe, leaving him momentarily alone. In that brief interval, the man by the door approached Wolfe, exchanging a quick handshake before slipping a small envelope into Wolfe's hand. The exchange was smooth, almost invisible—Wolfe's fingers closed over the envelope, his face remaining neutral.
Bunny's heart skipped a beat, a strange mix of surprise and intrigue coursing through her. She had seen Wolfe handle things discreetly before—small, inconspicuous gestures that she often chalked up to his meticulous nature. But this was different. This felt intentional, almost… clandestine.
The next moment, Wolfe glanced up and caught her eye. His expression didn't change, but Bunny noticed the brief flicker of realization that she had seen him. She quickly turned her gaze back to her partner, but the gears in her mind were turning faster than the rhythm of the tango music.
Once the class resumed and they found themselves back together, Bunny couldn't resist slipping in a subtle question.
"So… you seemed pretty focused on that guy by the door," she said, keeping her tone light, and conversational.
Wolfe met her gaze, his own calm and unreadable. "Did I? Must've been the ambience. This place is full of interesting characters."
Bunny narrowed her eyes, sensing the faintest hint of deflection. "Interesting characters, huh? Or just one in particular?"
Wolfe's lips twitched in a barely-there smile, but he didn't offer more. He pulled her close, guiding her through the steps Sofia was demonstrating at the front. Bunny felt a slight tension in his hand, a small signal that he was choosing his words carefully, thinking over his response.
When the class finally ended, they thanked Sofia and stepped out into the warm Buenos Aires night. The streets were lively, the smell of grilled meats and fresh chimichurri drifting from nearby restaurants. Bunny's curiosity hadn't waned, and as they walked, she finally broke the silence.
"So," she began, her tone playful but probing, "you're going to tell me what that little exchange was about back there, right?"
Wolfe gave her a sidelong glance, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "What exchange?"
Bunny laughed, nudging him lightly. "Oh, come on. I saw it. You and the guy in the suit. You were practically sneaking around in broad daylight."
He let out a low chuckle, the sound warm but edged with something she couldn't quite place. "Just an acquaintance, Bunny. Nothing to worry about."
She tilted her head, searching his face for any sign of a tell, but Wolfe's expression remained infuriatingly neutral. "You're a hard man to read, you know that?"
"Maybe I like keeping it that way," he replied, his voice smooth as he tucked the envelope into his jacket pocket.
They continued down the street, the night unfolding around them with its blend of vibrant colours and distant music. Bunny found herself watching him closely, that brief interaction replaying in her mind. She didn't know what Wolfe was up to, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt a strange sense of exhilaration. There was something thrilling about the mystery, about not knowing every facet of him. It was like the tango—full of twists and turns, an intricate dance of trust and distance.
Bunny looped her arm through his, glancing up at him with a curious smile. "Whatever you're up to," she said softly, "I trust you. Just… try not to make a habit of keeping me out of the loop."
Wolfe's expression softened, and he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Noted," he murmured. But as they strolled through the lively streets of Buenos Aires, Bunny couldn't help but wonder just what secrets Wolfe was carrying—and how deeply they were woven into the fabric of their world-spanning adventures.