But Bette turned upon hearing her name called. And her eyes fell on Tina’s. Their eyes locked. For what seemed like eternity, Tina felt rooted to where she stood, as if struck by lightning.  Her mouthed slightly parted.  Undeniably sexy, beautiful, magnetic – the woman’s sex appeal was unlike any she had ever encountered.

A body for sin, and eyes that undressed you. Tina returned the overtly sexual gaze, stare-for-stare.  Like what you see? her eyes asked.   As the woman extended a slim, graceful hand with long tapered fingers in greeting, she managed to hear Eric say her name.

Tina could barely rasp out, Hi, I’m Tina.

Hello, Bette, Bette Porter.  Or just Porter, if you get mad at me, she said with a naughty glint in her eye.

Tina felt hypnotized by the full effect of Bette, and almost moaned at the feel of a soft hand grasping hers.  Her thumb was unconsciously rubbing the back of the brunette’s soft hand, and she was unable to think for a second.  The blonde found herself in unfamiliar territory. It seemed that the air around them had shifted, and their eyes had locked onto each other even as their hands touched. Each felt a jolt of electricity flow effortlessly, unexpectedly between them.

Oblivious to what was going on, Eric continued talking to Bette, who was reluctant to look away from Tina.  Without letting go of Tina’ hand Bette suddenly spoke, cutting Eric off in mid-sentence, as the latter expounded about a painting Bette had recommended to him.

“Yes, she’s right over there. Why don’t you go ask her yourself?” Bette prompted Eric. Reluctantly turning her eyes away from Tina, to direct Eric to a group of women milling around in front of a painting similar in style to the piece Eric had purchased from Bette.

Eric quickly turned to Tina, who managed to mumble, ”Go, go, I’ll be alright.”

Bette and Tina resumed their gaze, brown eyes locked onto hazel ones, each feeling pinned, as if helpless, by the other’s gaze. 

Bette attempted to release from the handshake but Tina reflexively, gently re-grasped her hand, unwilling to withdraw the charge of electricity she felt from touching Bette. With a smile, Bette turned the handshake into an easy, light clasp, keeping Tina’s hand in hers as she led the stunning blonde in the opposite direction from Eric, onto the adjacent hall to the main gallery.  The sounds of the main gallery, clinking of glasses, classical music from the live chamber orchestra, steady hum of excited conversation and occasional laughter all seemed to slowly fade for them.  As they gazed into the other’s eyes, it seemed to each that there was only the other in existence.