Page 47 of Paradise Pride

“Nothing wrong with a bit of tough love.” Edgar crossed his heart. “But I kept my promise. I never told her mother.”

“Is your mum strict?” Meghan asked.

“Stricter than Uncle Edgar, that’s for sure.”

“Her mother never let her get away with anything when she was younger,” Edgar said. “But she’s a sweet woman. Very spiritual.”

“So I’ve heard. Florence told me she’s a crystal healer.”

“That’s right. You should introduce Meghan to her, Flo,” Edgar suggested. He shrugged when Florence hesitated. “Or not. That’s up to you two to decide. Anyway, I’d better be going. Have a good night, ladies.”

“That was awkward.” Florence winced. “Sorry about the meeting-my-mother comment. I’m aware it’s way too early for that.”

“It’s okay. He’s a lovely man.” Meghan regarded her. “Would you feel uncomfortable if I met your mum? I’m so curious about her, and I was actually planning on going to her practice before you and I happened.”

“Wouldn’tyoufeel uncomfortable?” Florence frowned. She really didn’t get Meghan sometimes. One moment, she was running away from her, the next, she was asking questions like this. “You’re the one who doesn’t want to be seen with me. Wouldn’t meeting my mother freak you out even more?”

“Never mind. I shouldn’t have brought it up,” Meghan said.

“No, I’d like you to answer,” Florence insisted. “You’re sending me mixed messages, and I’m falling for you, Meghan, so please don’t mess with me. If I’m just a holiday fling to you, I’ll get over that, but if that’s the case, don’t say you want to meet mother.”

Meghan stared at her, clearly taken aback by her outburst. Finally, she took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes, I probably would freak out. I’m freaking out about everything at the moment.”

“Would it be easier for you if we didn’t see each other?” Florence immediately regretted the question when she saw Meghan’s eyes well up. She hated herself for making her cry; it was the opposite of what she’d intended.

“No. I care about you, and I want to see you, but I’m struggling. Can’t you see that?” Meghan sniffed. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have said that about your mother. It was reckless, but I’m trying, okay? I’m trying so fucking hard to come to terms with what’s happening to me, and I’m sorry I can’t give you answers or make you any promises. I feel stupid for acting this way because I come from a liberal background. There’s literally no one in my life who would have a problem with it, and I feel ashamed of myself for being so scared.” Bursting into tears, she covered her face with her hands.

“Fuck.” Florence got up and pulled her into a hug. They only had a few days left together, and she didn’t want to ruin that precious time by putting Meghan under pressure. What she was doing was purely selfish; it was ridiculous of her to think Meghan would come to terms with her sexuality over the span of a holiday. She’d needed much more time herself when she realised she was bisexual, so who was she to judge, now that she was on the other side of the fence?

“I’m so, so sorry,” she said, holding her as tightly as she could. “I won’t bring it up again.” Deciding to be entirely honest, she continued with a tremble in her voice. “That was my insecurity talking. I’m just afraid of losing you, even though I know that will happen eventually. You’re too good to be true.” There. She’d said it. Meghan was too good to be true, and even if she came to terms with her sexuality, that didn’t mean they’d be together forever. She might prefer a woman who was more career-driven, someone who had her life in order, or someone older and more mature.

Meghan looked up to meet her eyes and shook her head. “No,” she said. “You’retoo good to be true. No one’s ever made me feel his way, and I’m pretty sure no one ever will. I just wish you weren’t my first because then this would be so much easier.”

Florence let Meghan’s words sink in. Yes, she was Meghan’s first woman, and everyone knew firsts never lasted. Her first certainly hadn’t. It wasn’t looking good, so she may as well resign to her fate, however depressing that thought was. After all, it was better having Meghan for now than not having her at all.

“Okay, how about this,” she said. “No strings, no commitment, no promises, no nothing. Just this.” She brushed her lips over Meghan’s cheek, tasting her salty tears before she kissed her. Despite her distress, Meghan met her mouth, and they fell into a kiss that felt like far, far more than no strings. “Just the physical,” she whispered. “Let’s keep it simple.”

47

Meghan

“My first kiss was on that bar.” Florence pointed to the end of the bar closest to the terrace. “Right there on my sixteenth birthday.”

“The disaster birthday?”

“Yes. I was a late bloomer,” Florence said humorously. “I can’t say I enjoyed it, but I’d had a little alcohol and was feeling brave, so I thought I might as well get it over with. All my friends had already kissed or done more, and I didn’t want to be the odd one out. I don’t even remember his name, but I do remember wondering if he knew what he was doing.”

Meghan walked over to the bar and ran her hand over its smooth surface, imagining a younger version of Florence there. She was feeling much better after their talk and two cups of tea. Then they’d watched the stars and chatted casually about anything but their future. For now, purely physical was what she could handle, and so she tried to set her feelings aside so she wouldn’t ruin their time by panicking about the bigger picture.

“Were you sitting on it?” she asked. “And how bad was it?”

“Yes, I was sitting, and he was sort of wedged between my legs with his gropey hands all over me while he kissed me like a tumble dryer.” Florence laughed as she raised herself onto the surface to demonstrate, and a flirty twinkle flashed in her eyes when Meghan pushed her legs apart and stood between them, looking up at her.

“Maybe we should erase that awful memory and make a better one,” she said in a sultry tone. “So you’ll stop associating this bar with the worst kiss ever.”

“Oh? You think you can do a better job?” Florence’s gaze lowered to her lips, and a flash of arousal shot between Meghan’s thighs. When Florence looked at her like that, all else faded, and she felt a yearning so strong she ached for her with every fibre in her being.

“I can’t promise you that, but I’m happy to give it a go if you’ll let me.” Meghan smiled as she ran her hands up Florence’s thighs and curled them around her waist.

---