Page 104 of The Forbidden Fling

Diana sipped her non-alcoholic fizz as she watched the guests mingling on the dancefloor. The Fire Ceremony had been remarkable, but the sheer number of flowers and the unmistakable joy in the air at this wedding stirred an ache in her chest. A good ache. A “one day maybe I can have this” ache. She smiled into her glass as she took another sip. She was becoming a stereotype. One hour after her declaration of love, and she was already hearing wedding bells.

Maybe there’s some weight to this Princess Inês lore.

Her gaze wandered beyond the dancefloor to the table where Faye and Carla were engaged in excited conversation. Her heart fluttered at the sight of Faye. That beautiful pink dress complementing her pale skin and blue eyes perfectly. She couldn’t wait to rip it off her later. Her body hummed with pleasure at the idea.

“Jeez. Get a room!” a playful voice teased. “You’re gonna drown yourself in all that drool.”

Diana laughed, turning to Ella with a shake of her head. “Guilty as charged.” She kissed her on the cheek. “You look stunning.”

“Hey, I’m a married woman now.” Ella beamed, flashing her sparkling ring.

“Congratulations. You two are perfect for each other.”

“Thanks.” She blushed, her gaze finding Riley across the room. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

Diana understood it now. The way the two souls searched for the other, the energy that Senhor Arenoso had spoken about. She felt it too, whenever she found herself looking at Faye, and those remarkable eyes found hers.

“Although,” Ella continued, “if I knew you were gonna steal my thunder with your declaration of love, maybe I wouldn’t have invited you.” Diana glanced at her, and she cracked into a grin. “Kidding. I love it! It’s about freaking time.”

Diana laughed. “Funny. You’re not the first person to say that.”

“Sometimes love is the most obvious to everyone but those feeling it. One of those fucked-up, the universe-is-magical-and-weird things.”

“Wow,” Diana murmured. “Anyone ever told you that you should run a self-love course and share your wisdom with others?”

“No, but that is a fantastic idea.” Ella winked.

One of the bridesmaids scurried over to them then, wild pink make-up smudged by sweat, and an enormous fascinator big enough to make contact with outer space. “Bestie! Sorry to interrupt.” She shot Diana an apologetic glance. “But I’ve been teaching the band how to play the cha-cha slide. Are you ready for your first dance?”

Ella laughed. “Amazing, Pauline. Let’s teach these locals a thing or two. Get everyone on the dancefloor. You too.” She nudged Diana, then gathered Winnie and passed on the instructions.

The cha-cha slide? How has it come to this?

But with a happy sigh, Diana finished her drink and made her way over to Faye. The way Faye’s attention fell over her cleavage and waist had her heart thumping. “Sorry, ladies. I’ve been instructed to get everyone on the dancefloor for the cha-cha slide.”

Faye laughed. “Oh this I wanna see.” She stood, pulling Carla with her, and they joined everyone in the courtyard. Riley and Ella stood at the front, chatting with the band, then turned around as the guitar began its opening notes.

In sync, they slid to the left, then the right.

This was ridiculous. This was brilliant. Diana couldn’t get enough of it.

She turned to Faye, her happiness tripling in size, and kissed her right in the middle of the cha-cha slide.

The night continued with dancing, music, and laughter. In between timeless wedding classics reinvented with a Portuguese twist, the band played a mix of folk music and slower songs. As the sky darkened above them, torches and candles were lit, creating an intimate atmosphere that made Faye even more beautiful.

“I feel like I’m dreaming.” Faye dipped her head, her warm breath tickling Diana’s ear as they swayed to the romantic strings. “I can’t believe I can dance with you like this.”

Diana curved her hands around her waist, her dress soft and silky under her fingers. “I know.”

“I don’t know what’s more unbelievable. This or seeing you do the cha-cha slide.”

Diana tugged their bodies closer. “Who am I to deny the wishes of the bride?”

“What about mine?”

She pulled back, looking into her eyes. “Darling, I’ve never been able to deny you anything.”

Faye smiled, and Diana kissed her, slow and deep, gripping her dress. Lost in the taste of her, heat burned through every place they pressed together, awakening an urge that wouldn’t be satiated until she’d felt her come undone beneath her touch.