March 1999

Los Angeles, California

Tina stood motionless except for her hand, which seemed to still be shaking Bette’s.  Bette made absolutely no effort to break the connection.  Tina was becoming increasingly discombobulated. 

 She suddenly realized that they had been touching much too long for perfect strangers and slowly let her hand relax inside of Bette’s.  Sensing Tina’s need for space, Bette genlty released her hand, her fingernails lightly grazing Tina’s palm.  Tina felt like she might pass out on the spot.

What the hell is happening to me?!  Tina questioned herself as she nervously tugged at her spaghetti strap. 

Her palm felt hot where Bette’s hand had been only moments before.  She could feel herself melting under Bette’s magnetic eyes.  The brunette’s heavy stare refused to release Tina; she liked the way this blonde woman squirmed under her gaze.  Tina allowed Bette to slowly travel the landscape of her body, resisting the urge to touch her hand again.  Tina felt her face grow hotter and hotter as she allowed Bette to look at her completely, top to bottom.

"That’s a lovely dress, Tina….you wear it very well." Bette smiled, allowing the last part to emerge from her lips in a barely audible whisper.  She tilted her head to the side, letting her bangs seductively brush her eyelashes.

Tina was immobilized. 

Snap out of it!!!  Tina seethed at herself.  Although she could not verbally speak, her internal dialogue was performing an all out assalt.

Suddenly, a woman with short spikey hair tapped Bette on the shoulder.  Bette reluctantly disengaged and removed her eyes from Tina, breaking the spell and allowing Tina some much needed oxygen. 

"I’ll be right over." she heard Bette quietly tell the woman.

Bette turned back to Tina, sending Tina’s head spiraling yet again.  Tina reflexively grabbed for Eric’s hand…a little too quickly maybe.  Bette grinned, glancing at the floor.  Although she didn’t know the first thing about this woman, she knew enough to know that she was having some profound effect on her.

"Well" ,Bette began in an attempt to disapate Tina’s uneasiness, "If you’ll excuse me…It was a pleasure meeting you Tina Kennard."

Tina’s knees instantly felt weak when Bette said her name like that.  She tightened her grip on Eric’s hand to keep from falling forward.

"Always nice to see you, Eric." Bette said politely, acknowledging Eric’s presence for the first time in five minutes.

Bette encouraged the pair to walk around.  "Enjoy yourselves" she said, smiling widely, capturing Tina’s eyes once more before her exit.

Eric stopped Bette before she was able to fully turn around.

"Actually Bette, I was wondering if we could get that print rolled up in say, a 5 x 7.  Do you think the artist would mind?"  Eric pointed to a beautiful piece mounted directly on the wall just left of the entrance.

Bette stood for a moment before motioning behind her.

"Well, I’m not sure.  Why don’t you ask him?  The artist is standing right over there."  Bette pointed to a small group of people standing a few feet away.

"Outstanding" Eric gushed.  He looked briefly at Tina, arching his eyebrows.

"Actually, I’m going to stay here" Tina responded to Eric’s unsaid question.  She couldn’t believe that she was actually agreeing to put her self through more of Bette’s loaded looks.  She just couldn’t help herself.  She wanted to be near this woman, no matter how uncomfortable it made her.

"Great…you’ll be in good hands." Eric said as he quickly kissed her cheek and took off towards the artist.

Alone in Bette’s presence, Tina rubbed her hands together timidly as the honey skinned brunette inched closer, ever so slightly decreasing the gap between their bodies…

TBC