The streets of New Orleans pulsed with life as Bunny and Wolfe wove through the Mardi Gras crowd, laughter and brass-band jazz music filling the air. Colourful beads and bright feathers decorated every inch of the city, and a constant hum of excitement infused the night. Street performers danced on the cobblestones, and the scent of beignets and jambalaya drifted through the streets. Bunny felt as if she'd been whisked into a dream, and she held tight to Wolfe's hand, her eyes wide with the thrill of it all.
Bunny adjusted the bright purple mask she'd picked up from a street vendor, its delicate feathers catching in the streetlights as she spun to face Wolfe. "Can you believe this place?" she said, her voice bubbling with excitement. "I feel like I'm in a movie!"
Wolfe's lips quirked up at her enthusiasm. "It's something," he said, but his eyes kept moving, drifting over the crowd as though he were searching for someone—or watching out for something.
Bunny laughed, tugging on his hand to pull him closer. "Come on, Wolfe, loosen up a little! We're at Mardi Gras! This isn't a time for planning; it's a time for living."
He glanced down at her, his expression softening as he took in her radiant smile. "Living, is it?" he murmured, a playful glint in his eye. "All right. Show me what that looks like."
She grinned, taking him by the hands and drawing him into the heart of the crowd. They moved through the throngs of people, swaying to the beat of the drums and saxophones that reverberated through the air. Bunny felt Wolfe's hand slide from hers, his arm wrapping around her waist to pull her close as they swayed to the music. For a moment, he seemed to let go, his usual reserve melting into something warmer, something more vulnerable.
As they danced, Bunny tilted her head back to meet his gaze. "There. Now you're getting the hang of it."
Wolfe's eyes softened, his hand pressing gently at her lower back, guiding her in a slow rhythm that contrasted with the lively music around them. "Perhaps you're just a good teacher," he replied, his voice low.
The world around them faded, leaving only the two of them in a quiet, private bubble within the bustling city. Bunny's heart beat faster, and she felt herself drawn to him, her hands resting on his shoulders as they moved in time to the music. She caught the flicker of a smile on his face, a rare glimpse of unguarded warmth, and she felt a thrill knowing she was the reason behind it.
"You know," she murmured, leaning closer, "for a man who claims to be so serious, you're not half bad at this."
Wolfe chuckled, but his gaze shifted, flickering past her shoulder to a point somewhere behind her. Bunny felt the slightest tension return to his frame, a reminder of that ever-present watchfulness she was beginning to notice more and more. She turned slightly, trying to follow his gaze, but he tightened his hold on her, bringing her focus back to him.
"Can't a man get lost in a moment?" he murmured, brushing a loose curl behind her ear. His eyes were intense, as though he were memorising her face, and Bunny felt a warm shiver run through her.
"Then get lost," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the music as her hand slid up to rest against his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath her fingertips.
Without another word, Wolfe's lips met hers in a slow, lingering kiss, his hand tracing up her back as he drew her close. It was a kiss that held weight, an unspoken promise that neither of them dared to put into words. Bunny felt the thrill of it pulse through her, her surroundings blurring as she focused on the warmth and depth of the moment.
The bustling world around them seemed to pause, the city's lights softening, the sounds fading into the background. Bunny's pulse raced, her heart lifting as she pressed herself closer, feeling the strength of his arms wrapped around her. Wolfe's usual restraint seemed to dissolve, replaced by a rawness that caught her off guard. It was as though he were allowing her to glimpse a side of him he kept carefully hidden, and she relished every second of it.
But just as the kiss deepened, Wolfe's posture shifted slightly. His hand lowered, his frame tensing ever so subtly, and she felt him slowly pull back. His eyes flicked to the crowd behind her again, and he gave her a soft, regretful smile.
"I need to take care of something," he said, his voice a low murmur. "I won't be long."
The words brought her back to the bustling street, the magical moment suddenly feeling fragile, like something that could shatter at the slightest misstep. Bunny narrowed her eyes, sensing he was holding something back. "Care to elaborate?" she asked, attempting a light tone despite the spark of suspicion stirring within her.
Wolfe hesitated, his gaze still drifting past her shoulder. "It's nothing major. Just… stay here, all right?"
Without giving her a chance to respond, he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before slipping away into the crowd, his figure quickly swallowed up by the throngs of people.
Bunny watched him go, her curiosity ignited. She was familiar with his quiet, secretive side, but tonight it felt different, more intense. She took a deep breath, her gaze lingering on the spot where he'd disappeared. The last thing she wanted was to ruin the evening, but something about Wolfe's behaviour set her on edge.
Unable to resist, she began to weave her way through the crowd, moving carefully as she scanned for any sign of him. As she rounded the corner of a side street, she spotted him standing near a small cluster of street performers, their attention fixed on a man in a fedora playing a soulful saxophone tune. Wolfe's back was turned, but she could tell from the way he stood—tense, ready—that he was waiting for someone.
Bunny kept her distance, slipping into a nearby doorway as she watched him. Her heart pounded as she pieced together the scene. A man approached Wolfe from the shadows, exchanging a few quiet words before slipping a small package into Wolfe's hand. The exchange was quick, smooth, and almost unnoticeable. But just as Wolfe turned to leave, one of the nearby street performers caught sight of the transaction, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Before she could fully process what was happening, the performer—an athletic-looking man with sharp eyes and quick reflexes—moved toward Wolfe, clearly ready to confront him. Wolfe's gaze snapped to the man, assessing the threat in a split second, and Bunny held her breath as he made his move.
In one swift motion, Wolfe pivoted, ducking down a narrow alley with the performer hot on his heels. Bunny's instincts screamed for her to intervene, but she stayed frozen in place, torn between running after them and staying out of harm's way.
The alley led into another part of the crowd, and Wolfe manoeuvred deftly, using the throngs of people to his advantage. Bunny followed from a distance, her heart racing as she watched Wolfe dodge through the crowd, the performer still on his trail. At one point, Wolfe slipped past a row of parked cars, momentarily disappearing from view, but Bunny saw the man pause, scanning the street for any sign of him.
A moment later, Wolfe reappeared, emerging on the far side of the crowd and slipping back into the main street as if nothing had happened. Bunny felt a wave of relief wash over her, but it was quickly replaced by a renewed sense of curiosity—and a hint of frustration. She wanted answers, and she intended to get them.
By the time she caught up with him, Wolfe had returned to the lively heart of the festival, blending seamlessly into the crowd. She approached him, her gaze sharp as she pulled him aside.
"Care to tell me what that was about?" she asked, keeping her tone as neutral as possible.
He looked down at her, his expression unreadable. "What was what about?"
Bunny let out a sigh, giving him a pointed look. "Don't play coy. I saw you slip away—and I saw the man chasing you. Are you going to tell me what's going on, or am I supposed to just… trust that you're 'taking care of things'?"
Wolfe held her gaze, his expression softening as he reached for her hand. "Bunny, I promise, it's nothing you need to worry about."
She hesitated, studying his face. Part of her wanted to press for the truth, to demand he finally let her in on whatever it was he kept hidden from her. But the warmth in his eyes, the way he held her hand in his, was enough to quiet her suspicions—at least for the moment.
"All right," she murmured, squeezing his hand. "But just so you know, I'm onto you."
A flicker of amusement crossed his face, and he pulled her close, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. "Good," he whispered. "Keep me honest."
They resumed their walk through the vibrant streets, the sounds of jazz and laughter surrounding them once more. But Bunny's mind lingered on what she'd seen, her curiosity only heightened. She knew Wolfe was a mystery, a man who kept parts of himself locked away, but tonight she couldn't shake the feeling that something larger lay beneath his secrets. And she was determined to uncover it—one way or another.