Chapter Sixteen #2
“From time to time.” She’d never been much of a dancer.
Growing up with her father the farmhand had definitely set her apart from other faculty members.
She’d saved some money to pay for lessons after she found out it was common for professors to join in the various balls and dances around campus.
But she still avoided it whenever possible.
The band brought the song to a close with flair, and the dancers took an exaggerated bow.
“Now you’ve seen the dance…” A tall man with slicked-back hair stepped forward, and the band played a steady beat. “…And you’ve had time to learn the steps—it’s your turn! Venha!”
I should’ve seen this coming.
Diana turned to Ella. “You stitched me up.”
Ella gave a playful shrug, mischief glinting in her eyes. “Dancing heals the soul.”
“I…shouldn’t. I’ve just eaten.”
A familiar laugh jolted electricity through her. “I’m sure one dance won’t kill you.”
She spun round to find Faye behind her. She wore a baby-blue linen two-piece, her dark hair loose.
Ella winked at Diana as Riley led her onto the courtyard.
Damn it. I really have been set up.
“So whatcha say?” Faye asked, holding out her hand.
Diana wanted to say she couldn’t—she shouldn’t—but her body betrayed her. She placed her hand into Faye’s. With a tug, Faye pulled her up, threading their fingers together like it was completely normal, and joined the others populating the stone flags.
“It’s very easy,” the man said, taking up the locked-arm position. “We sway face to face, back to back, turn, and repeat. Listen to my calls, and I guide you. Excelente.” He clapped his hands, and the band jumped back into song, the guitar, harmonica, and drum finding a lively rhythm.
Faye grinned as she took the lead. The group gathered in a circle, each couple following the directions, some better than others.
Riley led Ella in a well-practised sway, spinning her effortlessly as they flew through the steps.
Louis and Charles also fitted right in, despite their colourful Hawaiian shirts being the opposite of the traditional Portuguese attire.
Diana glanced at the others around them, but no one was paying them any attention. She relaxed a little, leaning into Faye’s warmth and letting her guide her.
“Spin your partner!”
She gasped as Faye twirled her. The grin on her face wider than she’d ever seen it. The new confidence in her pulsated through every movement, and Diana couldn’t help but grin back.
“You’re like a dog with two tails,” she commented.
“I’m feeling good. Can you blame me?” Faye spun her again, bringing them back together. “Dancing on a beautiful island with a beautiful woman in my arms? What’s not to be happy about?”
“And clap. One-two, three!”
They were a little clumsy, a little mistimed, but the group followed the man’s instructions before resuming their rhythmic sway.
“As much as I’m enjoying this…” Faye slipped her hand lower, and she dipped her lips to Diana’s neck. “I want to get you out of this dress.”
Her words slid like smooth silk between Diana’s legs, taking her breath.
She pressed her lips together, hiding the feeling from showing on her face, but she couldn’t deny the effect of this more forward approach.
The shy and passionate Faye was hot. This confident and forthcoming Faye was, also, hot.
Faye pulled back, leading them around another couple, not taking her eyes off Diana. “I think it’s only fair,” she continued, the flicker of something mischievous in her eyes.
“Fair?”
“You upheld your part of the proposal.” She leaned in closer again, her breath tickling her neck. “Let me uphold mine.”
“Now stomp your feet!”
Diana laughed at her partner’s exaggerated movement, absorbing the pure joy radiating out of her. This woman and the woman she’d met at that bar were so different. Was Diana evolving at the same rate? Or was she just spiralling?
Either way, a unique, carefree happiness spread through her veins, the kind that can’t be manufactured or faked, the kind that warmed her from the inside. The feeling shook her from her paralysis, and this time she spun Faye, taking the lead.
Faye’s eyes widened before dropping into that look Diana understood well. She loved when Diana took control.
And good job, because Diana loved that too.
“You’re quite persistent,” Diana murmured. They jockeyed left and right, the movements becoming familiar. Her old dancing lessons resurfaced, and she locked their arms the way she’d been taught.
Faye’s make-up was flawless, a thin black winged eyeliner making those blue eyes pop. She raised an eyebrow. “If you’re not interested, I’ll leave you alone. You can enjoy your holiday, and I’ll enjoy mine. But I don’t think that’s what either of us wants, is it?”
Diana’s brow furrowed. The way Faye could see through the barriers she constructed around herself made her misstep. She righted herself, hoping Faye hadn’t noticed, but this woman noticed so much of what Diana didn’t always want her to see.
She spun Faye again, trying to distract herself from the ache in her pelvis. When they came face to face, Faye’s lips slightly parted, and so close to hers, the thought of kissing her overrode everything else.
Their movements fell out of sync with the others, the band becoming a background blur as Diana’s thumping heart took centre stage.
Then the music drew to a dramatic close. The band took a bow, and everyone around them burst into applause, while Diana and Faye stood frozen in the centre of the courtyard, eyes locked together.