March 1999  Los Angeles, California

Eric Slate slowly pulled his coupe up to the valet.  He turned to Tina, excitement sweeping across his face.  She felt his enthusiasm and had to smile. 

"Ready babe?" he asked, squeezing her knee.

Tina focused on the crowd of people pouring into the gallery’s entrance.  She turned to face Eric finally, and quickly brushed a hand across his face.  His five o’clock shadow tickled her fingertips.

"Sure.  Let’s go." she said as the valet opened the car door and extended an arm to escort her to the curb. 

As Tina and Eric entered the gallery, Tina caught a quick glimpse of herself in the glass windows surrounding the entrance. 

"Not bad" she thought as she admired her slim figure in the reflection. 

She had chosen a simple yet elegant black dress that hugged her hips tautly.  The spaghetti straps showed of her delicate sunkisssed shoulders and the neckline suggested Tina had been blessed with perfect breasts.  They shifted lightly as she moved, begging to be looked at and appreciated.  She couldn’t help but feel sexy as she glided effortlessly on her black stilettos.  Eric cupped the base of her back, guiding her purposefully into the main room of the gallery.

"There she is", Eric whispered, gesturing towards a small group of people conversing in the middle of the room.

Tina suddenly felt extremely nervous about meeting this so called ‘temptress’.  Tina slightly strained her neck to determine who it was Eric was pointing to.  All Tina could really make out was a tall, lithe woman with cascading brown locks.  The woman had her back turned to them, and Tina was growing increasingly anxious to see the brunette turn around.  As Tina and Eric began to approach the circle, the woman’s body began to shift.  Tina watched as she gracefully stepped out of her conversation, tilting her head, causing her luscious hair to pour over her shoulder.  Tina could now see the woman’s profile and was surprised when she felt her own heartbeat quicken. 

The woman was wearing a striking black pantsuit, perfectly tailored to every curve of her elegant body.  Her skin was the color of honey and seemed to illuminate through her white blouse.  Tina instantly felt like she was dressed in her pajamas compared to this woman.  The woman’s style, her taste…she was impeccably put together.  Tina was instantly amazed by this woman’s confident posture.  She looked so sure of herself, so….sexy. 

Tina flipped her shoulder length blonde hair away from her brow and drew in a deep breathe.  Eric continued his path towards the woman, practically dragging Tina along.

"Bette," Eric started.

The woman slowly turned to face the voice addressing her.  A wide smile spread across her face and her eyes began to sparkle.  Tina instantly felt leveled.  She held tight to Eric’s hand to steady herself. 

"Eric!  So nice to see you.  Thank you for coming."  Bette said as she extended her arm to Eric with formality.

"Bette, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Tina Kennard."  Eric said as he slipped an arm confidently around Tina’s waist.

Tina felt her face growing warm as the brunette shifted her eyes from Eric to Tina.  Tina pursed her lips together in a weak attempt to appear unfazed.

"Hello" Tina offered as she slowly took Bette’s outstretched hand.

Tina began to feel the tiny hairs on her arm rise as an electric current swept through her body in reponse to the brunette’s loaded touch.  Bette’s hand was so soft, so gentle, yet her shake was firm and bold.

"It’s nice to meet you, Tina."  Bette said through a smile with a voice that could melt steel.

Tina caught her breath in her throat.  Bette smiled slyly as she picked up on the blonde’s level of uneasiness.  Bette engaged her in a long look, gently staring deep into her eyes.  Bette began to make Tina feel like they were the only two people in the room…

TBC