Chapter Six

I look on helplessly as Eric moves the last of his things out of our apartment. The look on his face when I told him it was over still makes me feel sick. I tried to tell him about Bette, tried to tell him that I couldnt help it that it was beyond me, that if he were in my shoes hed fall for Bette too.
But as he closes the boot of his car, glancing at our apartment window and shaking his head with regret, Im starting to think that Ive been a little hasty. All I know about Bette is that shes an art director, a woman, and an amazing kisser. I dont even know what she feels about me, I dont even know what she wants from me. What if it was all a joke? A little contest to see how quickly I would fall into her arms. Images of Bette and I kissing desperately in the alley way fill my head…I exhale deeply closing my eyes. I cant help it, I think, imagining those lips, those eyes, those hips rocking against mine, no matter what I try to tell myself, no matter what Bette wants from me I cant resist her, I cant stay away from her anymore.
My hand digs into my pocket, feeling the business card that has remained in my pocket for an entire week. I couldnt ring her to begin with, I couldnt bear to hear that voice, couldnt bear to guess at the expressions playing across her face. I guess a part of me still tried to pretend that I didnt want Bette as badly as I do.
I pick up my phone, my heart beating painfully in my chest. I dial her number the thud, thud of my heart drowning out the sound of ringing. My mouth feels like a desert, my throat too dry to speak.
Hello? Her honey soaked voice reaches my ears and I bite my lower lip to surpress the groan surging through my body.
Bette? I…its me Tina… I stammer, to my horror my voice breaking.
Tina The word rolls off of her tongue with such ease and confidence. I thought you werent going to call
Im sorry I took so long
I thought maybe youd changed your mind? For a second the confidence in her voice slips away a little and I find the vulnerability in her tone even more mind blowing.
I grip the phone against my ears, my fingers white with pressure. I need to see you Bette My voice is so husky so intimate.
She sighs into the phone and my heart has never felt so damn heavy. I thought youd never ask. See me tonight?
Whenever you want
Come to my gallery at eight, Im working late but ***** it I can practically picture her smile.
If youre sure you can fit me in
She chuckles, her laughter freeing the knots in my stomach. Id be mad not to
I try to think of something suave to say, anything that will at least make her head turn, make her think about me until she sees me again. So Ill see you at eight I grimace.
Ill see you at eight oh and Tina?
Yeah?
I love the sound of your voice The shrill sound of the phone only registers in my mind minutes after Bette has put the phone down. I guess that I should have known. Not only would Bette have to be beautiful and talented and kind she would just have to be charming aswell. Like the sound of her voice didnt drive me crazy enough.

I stand outside Bettes gallery, cloaked in darkness. You know its funny in all the years that I dated men I never once felt insecure about the way I dressed but the second Bette laid her eyes on me it was like nothing I wore would look good enough.
I push my way through the door, greeted by the same deathly silence. I walk through the gallery so slowly that my shoes barely make a sound. I round a corner and stop in my tracks. Bette is sitting on the floor, legs folded, her hair just covering those eyes, the look of concentration on her face utterly adorable.
I dont know how long I spend looking at her. She turns a page her eyes flickering up and then down and then shooting up again. She shoves her book to the side of her sitting up, smiling. Hey
She walks over to me. Hey She repeats her eyes running over me without shame. You look amazing
Oh I dont but you… My eyes take in her outfit greedily, those figure hugging black trousers, that pale blue and white pin striped shirt, with its buttons undone to reveal a black bra. …you do She grins at me.
Why dont you come sit next to me. Maybe you can help me choose my next artist The glimmer of mischief in her eyes is insatiable. I sit next to her as she places the book on both of our laps. How are things? She asks, I can tell that by things she means Eric.
I broke up with Eric. I guess he never really was right for me She nods her head her face bent down to look at the page. She glances sideways at me and I feel her look spread warmth through me. I havent been able to stop thinking about you, it wasnt fair to him if I we stayed together when I wanted you so much She closes her eyes, shaking her head.
Baby when you say things like that it makes it difficult for me to breathe I take the book and place it on the floor, slipping onto her lap my skirt riding up as I wrap my legs around her.
I want you to be able to breathe I whisper my fingers running through her hair, bringing a satisfied growl to her full beautiful lips. We kiss slowly, our lips touching, our tongues brushing. I can feel the desire filling me, feel inbetween my thighs grow wet as her hands finger the buttons of my shirt. She cups my breast in my hand, my nipple growing erect with excitement. My head drops backwards and I feel her lips move to my throat, those damp wet lips eliciting a moan I didnt even know I was holding back. My legs grip her waist tighter, my hands moving without thought over her soft toned body. Her hand slips away from my breast and slides down to the waist band of my skirt. I pull my lips away the realisation that anybody could walk in on us filling me with a mix of excitement and fear. I cant…Not here
Its my fault She sighs doing the buttons of my shirt back up. I told myself I wasnt going to do this but its harder than I thought it would be She winks at me helping me off of her lap. Ill behave. I promise
I smile blushing as we stand in the empty gallery holding hands. Ive been thinking… I shuffle nervously. …that we could get something to eat together
Like a date?
If you want to, I mean I want to but if you dont then… She presses her lips to mine.
I want to