Too HOT to HANDLE

Some flings are meant to last forever. Others? Just long enough to teach you how good it feels to live in the moment. Either way, Sharon D'Silva has the expert scoop on how to enjoy the heat - minus the heartbreak

- Sharon D'Silva

Sun's out, buns out – and so is your willpower when that hot stranger on the beach sends over a piña colada with a smirk that could melt more than just your SPF. Whether you're lounging at a shack in Goa or barefoot at a sundowner in Greece, there's just something about summer that makes sparks fly a little faster. The vibe? Laid-back. The outfits? Barely there. The rules? Oh, honey – they packed their bags and left weeks ago.

Think lazy afternoons chasing ice-cold cocktails, spontaneous sunset swims under pastel skies, midnight dance-offs to beach-side DJs, and stolen kisses in neon-lit alleys. Summer flings are basically the mango popsicle of romance – sweet, seasonal, and oh-so worth it, even if they melt too soon. But, as the tide rolls in, how do you ride that perfect wave of flirtation without getting sunburnt by feelings? Stick around: we've got the cheat code to keeping it light, fun, and totally unforgettable...

NO STRINGS, JUST SUNSHINE

Crack open any vacation read, and chances are you'll meet a main character who's a touch bolder and a whole lot flirtier as the temperature rises. There's a reason summer flings feel as if they've leapt straight out of a movie scene – and it’s not just the golden hour lighting. According to Mumbai-based sex and relationships coach Aastha Khanna, the season brings with it a sense of freedom. “Those long days and balmy nights invite spontaneity and emotional intensity, without the pressure of commitment,” she explains. “Because summer often feels like a break from ‘real life’, it creates the perfect backdrop for a passionate, no-strings-attached connection.”