Chapter 3

As soon as they had checked into the hotel suite, Lena had begged off the discussion and headed straight for the shower.

Bianca had waited for as long as she could, taking a deep breath, knowing she was intruding she knocked on the door, Lena… Im coming in. Bianca slowly opened the bathroom door and was immediately immersed in steam from the shower.

Ill be out in a moment, Lena called out.

Although they had been traveling together the last two weeks; sleeping side by side with Bianca finding herself in Lenas embrace come morning they had not taken the final step in their reconciliation. Bianca had hoped when she suggested the trip that this would be the perfect chance for them to be themselves without interruptions. A chance to re-build what they once shared.

She believed they were finally moving in the right direction – kisses that had once been a chaste meeting of lips had evolved into passionate exchanges that left them both gasping. Bianca had actually developed a plan; she was going to begin her seduction of Lena tonight.

Now, as she looked through the opaque glass shower door, seeing Lenas body just out of reach, she wasnt sure.

Lena had closed herself off and that frightened Bianca more than shed like to admit.

Bianca wanted to slide the door open, step into the shower with Lena and hold her close. To whisper it would be all right, together they would face any situation and come out on top. Until she knew what was going on, Bianca only wait.

As the water ran down her body, Lena knew it was only a matter of time before Bianca would demand to know what had happened this afternoon. Yet how could she tell her?

How could she say that it wasnt Michael that had taught her to close her heart? He was simply fortunate enough to reap the rewards.

No – that honor belonged to Marina.

Marina had left an empty shell that Michael had been able to fill with his schemes and lies. Like a woman drowning Lena had taken hold of him and held on for dear life, whatever the price.

Looking back, Lena thought she should really thank Marina. If it wasnt for her she would have never have met Bianca. She would have never had the opportunity to know what it was like to fall in love once again. To realize that her heart was capable of doing more than just pumping blood throughout her body.

Lena knew however as soon as she told Bianca what had happened – Bianca would move heaven and earth to give Marina a piece of her mind and quite possibly a first hand taste of the infamous Kane slap.

If the past year had shown Lena anything it was this: the Kane/Montgomery/Hart women fiercely guarded their relationships. That was not to say that their luck in that department was stellar. Far from it, they did however fight with all they had.

Perhaps Lena was simply projecting what she secretly hoped Bianca would do. Defend her honor – defend her heart, their love for one another.

Reaching out, Lena turned the water off. She heard the door slide open, allowing the cool air to enter making her shiver.

Come on – lets get you dry, Bianca said softly as she held out one of the large fluffy towels she had brought with her on the trip. The ones the hotels had provided simply weren’t big enough to cover her at the moment.

Without saying a word, Lena stepped out of the shower and into Biancas waiting arms. She allowed Bianca to dry her off, never thinking how this was the first time since they had made love that Bianca had seen her naked.

Bianca carefully dried Lenas body – her heart quickening at the sight of Lenas skin. She silently acknowledged if the events from earlier this afternoon had not taken place she wouldn’t be drying Lenas body.

Bianca would have been exploring it with her lips, her tongue and her hands. She filed those thoughts away – this wasn’t the time or place. This wasnt about her. This was about Lena and how seeing Marina had affected her.

Wrapping the towel around Lenas body, Bianca took her hand and led her through the door and back into the bedroom. Grabbing the nightgown Lena normally slept in from the bed; where Bianca had placed it earlier, she took the towel away – tossing it on the bed and helped Lena slip into the nightgown.

There, Bianca said as she kissed Lena briefly on the lips. Im gonna order from room service – why dont you lie down for a little bit.

Lena nodded and got under the covers, bringing them up around her shoulders. She could hear Bianca moving around the room but couldnt find it in herself to care. She only wished the cold sensation that seemed to permeate her body would leave.

What the ***** did she do to you? Bianca wondered as she saw Lenas body huddled under the blankets. Hello, yes this is suite 519, Id like to order room service please.