“I know.” Faye pressed a kiss to Talia’s temple, a thumb stroking her cheek. “Phoebe isn’t going to get in the way of us again. It’s time I spoke to her one final time. She’s…not the friend I thought she was.”
Talia lifted her head, relaxing against Faye as they got comfortable on the couch. “Has she ever given you a hint of how she felt?”
“No, not that I can ever recall. We met when my divorce was going through and Amy was being a bitch. We just hit it off instantly, and then we kinda became joined at the hip. She’s always been there, but I’ve never felt anything for her other than friendship. I’m kinda sad that she’s been my friend with different intentions for her. If she’d told me, this could have been put to bed a while ago. Because she wasonlymy friend. Nothing more in my mind.”
“Maybe she was just trying to push my buttons, I don’t know. But if you think about it…it would make sense.”
Faye sighed, smiling when she felt the weight of Talia’s body between her legs. “I’ll figure it all out. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not moving from this position today.”
“Good. I’m not prepared to let you go.” Faye’s heart settled. “I’mneverletting you go.”
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Talia stretched her body,groaning as her joints cracked and popped to life. She rolled onto her side, easing one eye open to find Faye staring back at her. Those blue eyes twinkled as the early morning winter sun streamed through the bedroom window, just Faye’s gentle breathing present as Talia allowed herself a moment to wake up fully.
Yesterday morning had been…a lot.
While she’d had every intention of coming here yesterday to end things with Faye, here she was, warm and cosy with the woman she’d given her heart to. The woman who meant the world and more to her. A woman who had defended her when faced with outside influence yesterday.
Faye loved her? Surely not…
She reached out a hand, brushing Faye’s blonde hair from her face. Her eyes fluttered closed as Talia’s fingertips touched her skin, Faye’s lips parting ever so slightly. “Mornin’.”
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Faye shifted closer, nuzzling her face into Talia’s chest. One arm wrapped around Talia’s waist, squeezing her impossibly close. “And I know you won’t always be because you’re working, but it’s still nice having you here this morning.”
Paul had called Talia early yesterday evening, offering her the night off. Talia would have usually argued that she didn’t need the time off, that she would prefer to be working and earning money, but she didn’t actuallyneedthe money…and the idea of leaving Faye alone last night to mull over everything didn’t feel right. “Glad I’m here too.”
Talia wrapped Faye up in her arms, snuggling further down into the mattress. There was something incredibly satisfying about lying in bed, warm and fuzzy. Talia didn’t usually do warm and fuzzy, but with Faye, she couldn’t imagine any other kind of morning. Her skin was so soft, her shampoo delightful as it wafted towards Talia’s nose, and her morning hair was the most adorable thing Talia had ever witnessed in her twenty-nine years on this earth. Faye Holmes was just…everything.
Faye tilted her head, gazing up at Talia. “Did you really come here yesterday to end things?”
“Y-yes.”
Faye shifted back, leaving Talia feeling deserted and alone. “You didn’t think we were worth a shot? Just because Phoebe likes to play games…you were willing to just forget all of this and walk away?”
“Babe, it wasn’t like that.” Talia sat up, running a hand through her hair. “You have to understand that being in a relationship with me comes withexactlywhat happened yesterday morning. People recognise me, they pay for me, and they come running to whoever I’m dating. I know the drill, I know how people like to meddle, and I don’t want you to be a part of that. You mean far too much to me for that.”
“But…I want to be by your side.”
Talia nodded slowly. She’d made a bad call on the way over here yesterday. “I realise that now. I’m sorry.”
“I need you to never do that again, Talia.” Faye reached out, taking Talia’s hands. When she lifted them and kissed Talia’s knuckles, tears welled in Faye’s eyes. “I need you to trust me when I tell you that I’m not going anywhere. Not because you dance, not because of Phoebe. Just…I’m here, okay?”
“And I love that about you, I really do.” Talia got to her knees, sinking them into the mattress on either side of Faye. When Faye wrapped her arms around Talia’s waist, those blue eyes brightened as she stared up at her. “You’re amazing. I’m sorry; I made a mistake yesterday. It won’t happen again.”
“God, I want to stay in bed with you all day.” Faye dropped one hand to Talia’s backside. “Naked and very sweaty.”
“You’ll be lucky; it’s bloody freezing this morning. I don’t thinkanyoneis getting sweaty.”
“Oh, I’m sure we could have given it a good go.”
Talia narrowed her eyes, her arms draped over Faye’s shoulders. “Could have?”
“I have somewhere I need to be. But I won’t be long, and then you’re all mine.” A sadness settled in Faye’s eyes, but then she lowered them to Talia’s naked chest, trailing a single finger up her stomach and between her breasts. “You’ll always be mine, right?”
God, Talia hoped so. “For as long as you’ll have me.”