"You choose," Tina said smiling shyly.

Bette smiled confidently and guided Tina to the bar. "Hey Marina," Bette said.

"Bette," the tall exotic woman said in a thick Italian accent, "Buona Sera."

"Buona Sera Marina, how about you get me and my friend here your special Italian cocktail?" Bette said.

Marina winked and smiled, "coming right up Signorina."

"Gracie," Bette said.

"You know Italian?" Tina asked.

"I know only main phrases of Italian, French, and German, so I can communicate some of my more upper class artists," Bette said.

"How long have ran that Gallery?" Tina asked.

"Seven years, it used to be part of the CAC, I bought it out," Bette said.

"I remember that," Tina said, "I used to take my daughter there all the time. It got a lot better after you changed it."

Bette smiled and Tina flushed, she couldn’t help it. Bette seemed pleased by the reaction as she said, "you don’t take your daughter anymore?"

"Well 16 year olds don’t typically like going to galleries with their mothers," Tina said.

Bette seemed surprised by that piece of information, "you don’t look old enough to have a 16 year old daughter." She leaned in seductively, "you’re far too beautiful."

Tina blushed and a giggle escaped her lips. She turned even redder in embarrassment.

"Here are your drinks, buon divertimento" Marina said setting the drinks down.

"What did she say?" Tina asked taking her drink.

"She said ‘have fun,’" Bette said clinking her cup with Tina’s. They both drank a gulp.

"Mm that’s good," Tina said.

"Marina’s a genius," Bette said.

"Tina!" Someone called.

Tina turned and saw Rachel waving at her from the dance floor. She started walking towards her.

"Oh no," Tina groaned.

"What happened?" Bette said.

"I asked her to dance earlier, we were hitting it off until I realized she was 19," Tina said.

"Far too young," Bette said, "a lot of those girls are experimenting, they don’t even know if they’re gay."

"Tina, how come you left, I came back from the restroom and you were gone," Rachel said.

"I’m sorry Rachel, it’s just not gonna work with us," Tina said, "I’m too old for you."

"How old are you?" Rachel said.

"36," Tina said.

Rachel shrugged, "I like older women."

Tina stammered as Rachel pulled her towards the dancefloor.

"No Rachel, I have a 16 year old daughter it’s just too weird," Tina said.

"It’s okay by me," Rachel insisted.

Bette pulled Rachel’s hand off Tina’s wrist and stepped in between them. "She’s with me now," Bette said in a calm but firm voice.

Tina’s jaw dropped at the tone. That voice and commandness in it could control an entire army. It seemed to have the desired affect on Rachel who cowered slightly and quickly apologized before leaving.

Bette turned around to face Tina who gulped, "I’m s-sorry about her I’m…"

"Sit."

The word was simple and said in a calm tone, but Tina obeyed like it was an order by a Marine Drill Instructor.

"Why’d you let her dominate you like that?" Bette asked.

"I d-don’t know, I haven’t dated anyone in 16 years, I don’t know what I’m doing," Tina said feeling the need to explain herself to the gorgeous brunette.

Bette shook her head, "I didn’t ask you why you danced with her, I asked you why you let her dominate you?"

"I-I don’t know," Tina said nervously.

Bette cupped Tina’s chin gently and said, "relax, I’m not gonna hurt you."

"Sorry," Tina said.

"Why are you apologizing?" Bette said.

"I don’t know," Tina said blushing and chuckling in confusion.

Bette smiled at her then gently then leaned in and kissed Tina’s lips gently. Tina didn’t dare move in fear that she would stop. She just responded gently as Bette slipped her tongue into her mouth.

Tina moaned as their tongues rolled together. Bette dominated the kiss completely putting her hand on the back of Tina’s head.

Then Bette broke the kiss hearing Tina’s moan of frustration. "Why don’t we go somewhere else?"

"S-somewhere else?" Tina said nervously.

Bette smiled, "don’t worry, it’s been 16 years for you right? It’s not what you think. I just think we should be in a place we can talk to each other without yelling."

TBC