Page 59 of The Forbidden Fling

She was tired of thinking and thinking and thinking. She let her body do all the talking. Silencing those voices in the back of her head. Ignoring the way her heart bloomed for the woman in front of her. She had it under control.

She had it all under control.

Chapter Eighteen

Faye

Faye focused on the feeling. The air in her lungs. The energy it gave her. She breathed out, letting the calming voice of Senhor Arenoso guide her through the movements. She repeated the process one more time, then opened her eyes, the darkness evolving into the earthy space of Senhor Arenoso’s hut. The light feeling in her chest spread outward, and she sighed.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

“Good. Really good.”

His moustache lifted as he smiled. “I can sense a real difference in you.”

She wanted to say it was the guided meditation and soul-searching she’d been doing, but surely body-defying orgasms were great at unblocking chakras too?

For two nights in a row, Diana and Faye had spent the evening together, tangled in the sheets and talking until the early morning. She tried not to mind that Diana would sneak back to her place instead of sleeping over, but lying in bed with the scent of her everywhere kept her awake, thinking, wondering, dreaming.

This is temporary, she reminded herself, trying to stop the fluttering feeling gathering in her heart.

“I can feel the difference,” she replied, hoping he didn’t notice the pause.

He nodded, pushing a fresh glass of water towards her. “You should drink.”

She took a few grateful sips, then let her gaze drift to the sea. She really did love it here. The soothing lull of the waves, the birds chattering as they ferried overhead, the hot sun warming her skin. Being on the island was exactly what she needed to get back to her old self—well, better than that, it was exactly what she needed for a new and improved Faye. One who traded sudoku for socialising. One who felt good in her body and shed the comfort of her bed for new adventures.

That had nothing to do with Diana.

Alright, maybe it did a little bit.

She couldn’t find it in her to mind. Endorphins pumped through her veins, lifting her higher. Mission accomplished—or at least, mission definitely on the right track. How could anyone argue against that?

After saying goodbye to Senhor Arenoso and slipping on Carla’s pineapple sunglasses, she stepped out into the Portuguese sunshine. The light glistened off the waves as they rolled onto the shore, with people already enjoying the water. Her skin itched to join them and feel the cool relief herself, but she checked her watch.

She didn’t want to be late for her date.

Flutters gathered in her belly at the thought of seeing Diana. She picked her head up as she approached the courtyard, the bustling noises filling her ears. A blended aroma of seafood, garlic, and fresh bread carried on the wind. The square was covered with various stalls and people browsing the market. Through the blur of people, she spotted Quin sitting by the reception, scowling at their phone. They looked up as she approached, quickly tucking their phone into their cargo shorts.

“Hey. Everything alright?” she asked.

“Yeah.” They held out their hand, and Faye pulled them to their feet. “Just my dad.”

“What has he said?”

“Nothing new.”

“Quin.” Her voice softened. “You can talk to me, you know.”

They scratched their head, avoiding her gaze. “He just…doesn’t understand me.”

“What do you mean?”

“He thinks I’m confused. About being non-binary. He doesn’t get it. When he found out about my top surgery…he threatened to disown me. Sandy Springs was kinda my last chance to ‘sort my life out’.”

“Quin, that’s…” She looked at them. Still. Quiet. Then she pulled them into a big hug, breathing in their woody scent. When Quin wrapped their arms around her too, she squeezed harder. “I’m sorry your dad makes you feel bad about yourself. But you shouldn’t change who you are. Not for anyone. Not even family. Have you thought about not talking to him while you’re here?” she suggested. “It seems like whenever you do talk, he puts you in a bad mood. And a break might do you some good.”

They moved out of the way as two young kids skipped past with melting ice-cream cones.