She was surprised, however, by the jealousy that jolted her whenever she heard Jody’s clear laughter or every time she caught Bette leaning over to whisper something in Jody’s ear.

After dinner, Tina , Helena, Shane ,Alice and Tasha were engaged in conversation, but Tina’s mind was not on the conversation. She absently watched as other couples danced to the slow beat of the music, then stiffened as her gaze accidently locked with Bette’s glittering eyes.

Jody was locked in her arms, but she wasn’t paying any attention to her as she stared at Tina over Jody’s bare shoulders. She didn’t smile; her gaze slid down Tina’s body in a leisurely journey, then returned to her face , staring at Tina as if she could pierce her thoughts. Tina paled and looked away. Why had Bette done that? She had ignored her for two weeks; Why look at her now as if she meant to pull her out of there and take her home to make mad passionate love to her? How could she look at her like that, when she held Jody in her arms?

Helena excused herself to use the ladies room, and Tina kept her back turned to the center of the room. It was a tactical error , but one she didn’t realize until she felt the fine hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. She knew that Bette was behind her. She tensed, waiting for the contact she knew was coming. Bette’s hand touched her waist , at the same time her whispery voice said above her head. "I thought she would never leave your side, dance with me"

A variation of the same tune , Tina thought dazedly , allowing herself to be turned and taken into Bette’s arm. Taken….that was the operative word. She felt taken as she let Bette lead her to the dance floor. She must be crazy to dance so close to Bette, knowing she would get burned, but she felt helpless to resist the temptation. As Bette pulled her close to her body ,the smell of her perfume went straight to her head and Tina all but staggered. she felt intoxicated. Bette’s hand was burning through the fabric of her dress and scorching her skin; her breasts throbbed and tightened in mindless response, completely out of her control and she closed her eyes at the powerful surge of desire. Her heart was thumping heavily in her chest, sending her blood racing through her veins.