“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about it,” said Bette.

Carmen nodded. “Been there. Hell, we’ve been there together. That night we went back to my place after visiting those galleries…we were on a high before we got high.”

Bette finished, “We wanted to make it last.”

“Channel it, Bette.”

Bette nodded. She stood and hugged her friend. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“Thank you, Bette. This was amazing,” Carmen replied.

“What time is your flight?’ asked Bette.

Carmen smiled at her. “You know how I get down. First flight in the morning, 5:30.”

They shared another laugh together and then Bette walked Carmen to the front door. Carolina was already waiting in the back seat of their ride. After a final brief hug, Carmen walked down the steps and into the waiting shiny, black vehicle.

Bette could feel eyes on her. She turned around and found Tina watching her. Bette’s throat was now dry, and her heart began to race. She studied her lover, taking in the delicate curves now molded to the tight, form-fitting gown. Tina was hers. The beautiful woman across the room belonged to her. Bette was filled with love and pride and she seemed to glide across the floor, finding herself suddenly gazing into the soft, hazel eyes.

She cradled Tina’s cheek in her hand. “You’re beautiful, T,” she said.

Tina melted inside. Though there were others all around them and the sound of free form jazz playing through the speakers, the power in Bette’s gaze seemed to blot out everything else. At that moment, it was just the two of them in a vacuum of silence.

“Thank you. So are you,” Tina replied.

The decadent dark brown eyes bored into the soulful hazel pools. “I want to be with you,” said Bette, her hands now at Tina’s waist.

Tina smiled at her. “You are with me. You have me.”

Bette licked her painted red lips and shook her head slightly. “No, Baby. I want to be with you. I need you.” And then she gripped Tina’s sides a little more tightly.

Tina’s eyebrows rose. “You do?”

Bette kissed her lover’s soft lips; gently but with the heat of passion. “Now.”

“Now?”

A blush was creeping up Tina’s neck. She’d been instantly aroused. The nearness of Bette, her delicious smell, and the intoxicating essence that was her had Tina’s head swimming. “Let’s go home,” she said.

Bette kissed her lover once more. “No. Meet me in my office in 2 minutes.”

Bette zipped away, and Tina stood watching her before she took a deep breath and began walking across the concrete flooring.