Alice objected. "You do that too much, as it is. Let me help you." She stood and began to retrieve empty beer bottles and wineglasses.

Bette looked at her watch. "10:30….just about time to get ready for Milk." At that, everyone stood and began to straighten up the mess they’d created.

Alice bit her lip. She’d hoped to have Lara to herself for a few minutes before they departed. The redhead seemed far more relaxed than Alice had seen in several months. Alice suspected that Lara’s mood was attributed to more than just alcohol. She felt more at ease as well since their talk the previous night. In fact, she’d been extremely turned on when Lara had whispered suggestively in her ear earlier. She’d been looking for a way to express her feelings as the evening had developed.

"Bette, do you still have an herb garden growing out back?" Alice asked innocently.

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"I promised Ruth I’d bring her cat some mint. Some weird fetish. But anything to keep the boss happy, right?" Alice chirped nudging Lara’s leg with her knee.

"Right. That is weird. Go ahead, you know where it is." Bette continued rinsing dishes.

"Um….mind if I tag along? I love herb gardens." Lara asked innocently.

"Go ahead. Pick anything that strikes your fancy. You may want to turn on the lights. I think the solar lights may not be bright enough."

"That’s alright—the moon is pretty bright. We’ll be back in a minute." Alice held the door open for Lara.

As Alice turned the corner that ran alongside the house, Lara was right behind her. "What are you up to, Alice?"

Without warning, Alice turned and grasped Lara by the hips. With a firm push she manuevered Lara against the house. She heard Lara grunt at the soft impact. "Just this," she whispered. Stretching up she kissed Lara’s neck in a slow progression that ended with a playful nip at Lara’s earlobe. "I’ve been wanting to kiss you all night," she breathed into Lara’s ear.

Lara’s breath caught and she wrapped her arms around Alice. "Mmmmm," she murmured.

Alice pulled back slightly and looked searchingly at Lara. A soft smile played at the corners of her lips. Leaning in once more she came within a hair’s breadth of touching Lara’s lips. Pausing, she felt Lara’s heightened breathing mix with her own. Lara, eager for the contact strained forward. Alice smiled and pulled away. "Uh-uh."

She pulled Lara’s arms from around her and pinned the taller woman against the house. Lara groaned. "Alice," she whispered hoarsely.

Alice leaned in again, and once more paused. With her hands restraining Lara’s wrists, she could feel her pulse beating at an accelerated pace, and knew that she had aroused the redhead as much as she had been aroused herself. With a sigh, Alice claimed Lara’s lips and gently traced her upper lip with her tongue. Lara eagerly opened her mouth, allowing Alice access to deepen the kiss. Lara strained against the surprisingly strong arms of Alice, unable to free her hands, but losing herself completely in the intensity of the kiss.

"Alice, Lara!" Jenny’s voice rang out. "You almost done? It’s time to go!"

Alice sprung back just as the lights came on. The two stood there panting and grinning from ear to ear. Lara covered her mouth to suppress a giggle.

Alice rubbed her hands on her jeans and said, "You ready to go dancing?"

She turned and started nonchalantly back to the house.

"Alice, wait."

She turned to find Lara holding out a few sprigs of catmint. "You don’t want to disappoint Ruth’s cat, do you?" Her blue eyes twinkled merrily.

Alice took the sprigs and held onto Lara’s hand for a beat. "Thanks. Now, let’s go dancing."