Page 51 of The Forbidden Fling

“How are those two swimming in this?” she asked, eying Riley and Ella swimming in the depths.

“Probably don’t notice it ’cos they’re so hot for each other.” They nudged her. “You could have that too, you know.”

Faye’s gaze found Diana, paddling at waist height on the other side of the pool. A ruched red swimsuit fit snugly to her body, the open back revealing the neat cut of her shoulder blades. Faye’s pulse kicked up a notch.

Molly stood on the pebbles not far away, arms crossed, like Diana’s personal bodyguard. Any possibility of getting Diana alone dropped by the second.

“I got this,” Quin said. “Let me take care of Princess Peach.”

Before Faye could argue against it, they’d started making their way over to Molly.

This should be interesting.

She sucked in a breath. Whatever Quin was saying seemed to be going surprisingly well, and after a few moments, they led Molly away to the small pool on the other side of the rocks.

How the hell did they pull that off?

Not wanting to waste any time pondering Quin’s tactics, Faye waded towards Diana, flinching as the cold lapped up her legs and thighs. Any higher, and her shorts would be soaked through. Diana turned as she approached, her expression giving nothing away.

Nerves coiled in Faye’s belly as she stood beside her, leaving enough room so as not to draw unwanted attention.

You got this. Channel that ‘dog’s bollocks’ energy.

“How are you doing?” she asked.

A bit of a lame start, but a start, nonetheless.

Diana looked straight ahead, where a few more daring people had joined Ella and Riley in the water. “It’s a lot to comprehend.”

When she didn’t elaborate, Faye jumped in. “I just want you to know I had no idea—”

“I know.” Diana said it softly, but so resolutely, her reply didn’t fill Faye with ease.

“It’s not ideal, I know, but that night we spent together?” Faye lowered her voice, wanting to reach out and touch her, for her to look at her at least and see how much she meant this, but Diana continued watching the swimmers. “I’ve not felt that way in such a long time. And I know you feel it too.”

Something flashed across Diana’s features before it was neatly tucked away again. The emotions stirring in Faye’s chest climbed higher and higher. She needed to get everything out. “I don’t want this to end. Not like this. I know we live different lives in different places. I’m not expecting us to run off into the sunset when this all ends, but why not enjoy the time we’ve got together, like we agreed?”

“It sounds simple when you say it like that.”

“Me and Molly haven’t spoken in a year.” Diana’s dark gaze locked with hers, and Faye’s emotions spilt over. “There was more connection between you and me that first night at Raul’s than the whole time I’ve known Molly. Don’t let it go to waste, Diana. Don’t let me be something you regret. Please.”

Shrieks from the waterfall drew their attention. Louis and Charles had jumped into the deep together after encouragement from Riley. Louis flicked his long hair back while Charles scrambled back to the safety of the rocks, cursing.

Faye turned back to Diana, heart fluttering when she found her already looking at her. Those deep, chocolate eyes only pulled her deeper, and she almost forgot where she was until another splash burst her bubble.

Was that Quin and Molly?

Diana still hadn’t said anything. Faye took that as her cue to give her some space. She took a step backwards, the water rippling around her. Her heart in her throat. She let her gaze drift down Diana’s swimsuit, lingering on the expert way it lifted her cleavage. “You look incredible, by the way.”

Then she turned, wading through the water, releasing a shaky breath from deep in her lungs. Holy shit, that was intense. But she did it. The ball was very much in Diana’s court now.

Now get me out of this freezing water.

She shivered as she stepped back onto the pebbles. Another scream came from the other side of the boulders, along with flailing arms and a flash of blonde hair.

If Faye didn’t know better, she’d think Quin was trying to drown Molly. What the hell?

She pulled a towel out of her backpack and dried her legs. As she tied it around her middle, she chanced a look at Diana.