Page 25 of The Forbidden Fling

For a few moments, anyway.

Because as Diana’s hand slipped from Faye’s neck to her waist, fear jolted her back to earth like a cold glass of water thrown over her head.

You can’t do this.

She wanted to. The heat pooling between her thighs was more than obvious. In fact, every cell in Faye’s body had been set alight in a way she hadn’t experienced before. She wanted nothing more than to give in to her completely. But as Diana’s fingers brushed against her hip, the urge to push her away set off like a flare.

I can’t do this.

But it was Diana who pulled back, her dark eyes wide and full of something Faye couldn’t name. She took a step away from her, her fingertips flying to her mouth like she could erase the kiss.

All the heat coiling in Faye’s stomach drained out the bottom of her feet. Her heart pounded, making her dizzy.

Is this how Diana felt after I ran away?

“I’m sorry.” Diana shook her head, her fingers still resting on that succulent mouth. “That was wildly inappropriate of me.”

Faye had her own reasons for panicking, but that hadn’t been one of them.

Wildly inappropriate?

“What do you mean?” The words left her mouth before she’d really considered whether she wanted the answer. Judging from the way Diana’s eyebrows pinched together, it could only be bad news.

“I’m forty-one, Faye, and you’re…mid-twenties?” Gravel crunched outside as a buggy flew down the track. “I shouldn’t be here.”

The panic from earlier solidified into a steely resolve. Adrenaline pumped through Faye’s system. “Why not? I’m not one of your students, Diana.”

“But you could be.”

“But I’m not.”

She met Diana’s gaze, cogs turning behind her pupils. Her skin tingled the longer she looked at her.

After what felt like an age, Diana said, “No, you’re not.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I’m sorry. I’ve been…out of sorts lately. I didn’t mean to make this situation uncomfortable.”

Faye crinkled her nose at her choice of language. So formal and distant, not at all like the woman who had just kissed her against the door and set her body on fire.

She swallowed, trying to gather the courage to look into Diana’s eyes. “Is this about what happened at the bar?”

Diana’s eyes flickered, and then the emotion was squashed, hidden beneath her calm expression. The words hung in the air, Faye’s chest aching with anticipation. But instead of answering, Diana rubbed her temples, gesturing to the bed. “Do you mind if I sit? My feet are killing me.”

“Uh, yeah. Sure.” She straightened the white duvet, waiting for Diana to sit before taking the seat next to her, the mattress dipping under their weight.

“You’d think the break from heels would be a comfort, but these new sandals are rubbing my feet raw.” Diana smoothed her dress with a smile that felt a little forced, then crossed one leg over the other.

Faye couldn’t help admiring her straight spine and slender neck. Good posture was a secret kink of hers. Yet as Diana turned to face her, she couldn’t help feeling like a student about to be scolded in the headmistress’s office.

Although…that might not be such a bad idea. Diana in a low-cut white blouse and senselessly short skirt, twirling a cane between her fingers… How enthralling it would be to be disciplined by her. A fresh wave of arousal pulsed between her legs.

A cane? Really, Faye? Jesus.

She swallowed, digging her nails into her palms, trying to divert the blood flow someplace else. Focus.

“That night at the bar,” she said, folding her hands in her lap. “I panicked. See, ever since I can remember, I’ve had…issues.”

God. I make it sound so weird.

She blew out a breath. She didn’t want to waste time on the wrong people, but somehow the right words were never easy to find. “It made me different. Now I’m even more different.” She grimaced, nails digging into her skin and trying to untangle the knots in her throat. “I’m not good at saying things,” she said, further proving her point. Why couldn’t she just speak the words? What was so damn hard about it? No wonder everyone thought she was a freak. Now Diana would too—