GENRE: Lesbian / Transgender Paranormal Spicy Romance
LENGTH: 35,875 words
RATING:

Diamond "Di" Lamont is sick of her life in Vineland, a small town in Southern Ontario known for its nature pathways, its horticulture, and its wine. One afternoon Di escapes from her desk job for a walk in the park and soon stumbles on an enchanting naked woman who seems to be bathing in a nearby creek. Stunned by her discovery, Di is soon surprised again when the woman appears to be trans. When the woman runs away without exchanging a word, Di is left with too many questions and unfulfilled desires.

In order to figure out her mystery woman, Di explores Vineland in a way she never had before, and along the way, finds out that the small town is host to a lot more interesting and unique people -- like the local bookstore that's also a coven, and numerous other trans women and queer people hiding in plain sight -- than she first thought.

Genevieve Holloway never wanted to move to Vineland. Her girlfriend did, and now in the wake of her death, Gen continues to feel stuck. Her job sucks. Her apartment is filled with memories she doesn't want to have -- and getting caught naked in the local creek is the last straw. As the October moon waxes and wanes, Gen becomes determined to leave Vineland and never return, all the while just missing out on Di's affection and attention as she desperately seeks her mystery woman.

Can a brief meeting during the first full moon of the month of October truly change these women's lives and lead them back to one another? Or is there no more magic left in Vineland for either one of them?

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

Gen sighed. She turned to Di, no longer walking. "You saw me. All of me, that day."

"I did. That was also why I wanted to apologize. I ... felt like I disturbed something."

"You did."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Gen nodded. The apology seemed to land the way Di wanted it to.

"But I'm not sorry I looked," Di said, then bit her lip. Her words were coming out all wrong. "I just mean that I think seeing you changed my life in the best way possible. Even if it goes nowhere between us, I'm just so glad I looked instead of turning away. I saw something new for the first time. I'm really happy about that."

Gen nodded. She continued to walk, but she didn't respond to Di's declaration. Di's heart skipped. She felt so vulnerable in the aftermath, it was almost as bad as saying 'I love you' and then hearing silence as the reply.

Gen approached the creek first. She slowed her paces and then touched the grass with her hand. "Still a little damp. Did you want to sit or ...?"

Di smiled. She hoped Gen could see it in the dark. "I wanted to swim, actually."

"It's freezing."

"Probably. But maybe this is what I'm supposed to do here. I saw you, now you see me."

Di waited for a response, but Gen said nothing. In the pale light, she swore she saw a flicker of a smile. She savoured that response, because it would be the only thing getting Di through this. She slipped out of the costume rather easily and placed it on the grass by the shore. She added her sparkly shoes there as well before she worked on the rest of her clothing. Underneath the constellation cape, she'd worn basic yoga pants and a black tank top. She slipped down the straps now and stepped out of the pants, leaving only her underwear. Her nipples grew hard from the cold.

She sat on the grass and shuddered. She inched her way closer and closer to the water.

When Gen sat next to her, Di was surprised to feel her hand on her knee. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Di said. "I've never felt more sure in my life."

"What does it feel like?" Gen asked. "Being so sure?"

She wanted to say, love at first sight but she went with the practical. "Well, I'm cold. Freezing, actually."

"That's good?"

"Yes. Because I know I still want to in spite of it." Di took in deep breath. She stripped off her underwear and bra in a fluid motion before she then vaulted into the water. The splash was loud in her own ear. The water seemed black on the surface but then erupted into shimmering lights from the moon and stars once she was inside of it.

It was cold, downright freezing, really. But Di kicked her legs and waved her arms under the water. It wasn't too deep; she continually touched rocs with her toes. She dipped her head under and then whipped her hair back. She felt like a mermaid. Then like a Popsicle.

"Don't stay in there too long," Gen said.

"I know. The magick is in the getting out." Di took in another deep breath before she paddled back to the shore. She emerged from the water, dripping wet from all her best places. She tried to remain as seductive as she could on her knobby knees and with goose pimpled flesh. She walked naked in front of Gen. She watched as her eyes raked down her body.

Then she described into shivers. She grabbed her star cloak and wrapped it around her body. It wasn't long before Gen had her arms around her too. She rubbed her back up and down, providing warmth and comfort at the same time.

"Do you want to come back to my place?" Gen asked. "I think ... I have more to show you."