“I didn’t know that.” She purred softly, watching as Maura refilled her wine glass before drinking deeply.

“Legend has it,” Maura continued, unable to stop the flow of information that fell from her lips, “that the cheese was discovered when a youth, eating his lunch of bread and ewes’ milk cheese, saw a beautiful girl in the distance.” She paused, determined eyes fixing on ever darkening brown. “Abandoning his meal in a nearby cave, he ran to meet her. When he returned a few months later, the mould had transformed his plain cheese into Roquefort.”

Jane nodded slowly, wiping her lips with her napkin before speaking. “That must’ve been some girl.” She sighed. “Not many people I’d abandon lunch for.” She admitted, her knee brushing against Maura’s once more, drawing a stuttered gasp from the woman. “Although there are exceptions.”

‘She knows’ Maura thought suddenly, swallowing hard against the mouthful of chicken. ‘I don’t know how, but she knows!’

“Hmm, like who?” Maura asked, her eyes daring Jane to admit the truth while appearing innocent at the same time.

Jane grinned as she folded her cutlery on her plate and seemed to consider the question as she sipped her wine slowly.

“Well you know how Ma can be.” Jane offered with a wry smile.

Silence fell over the table, both women stealing glances as they perused the dessert menu slowly. Both lost in their own thoughts. They knew that one of them had to say something, to make the first move and yet, the tension, the desire, the fire that threatened to consume everything overpowered them both, calling them to play in its flames.

“My feet hurt.” Maura whispered a hoarse sound that barely escaped her lips. Under the table, she slid her shoe off and flexed her toes. ‘Two can play at this game Jane Rizzoli.’ She waited for their waiter to return, watching Jane as she frowned at the menu.
 When the young man returned to their side, Maura smiled sweetly at him, her body thrumming with desire. She glanced at the menu one final time before looking up at him. “I’d like the Poire Belle-Hélène.” She told him, seeing Jane squirm in her seat as she spoke.