Chapter Four

I think about going to see Bette all day. I tell myself that Im really just going to get my earring. It was a gift, I cant remember from who but I owe it to them to at least get it back right? Because that is, strictly the sole reason that Im standing on the doorstep to her gallery. It has nothing to do with the fact that I havent been able to get her out of my mind since the day I met her. It has nothing to do with the fact that I fell asleep imagining that she had kissed me yesterday, wishing that she had.
I stop myself before I go to walk through the doors. I dont know what youre thinking Tina Kennard but its nothing good, lying to yourself about the way you feel about this woman, pretending that youre attracted to her when you know that theres not a chance in ***** that you are, you should feel ashamed of yourself. Because youre not attracted to her. I repeat it in my head over and over again trying not to listen to the small voice in the back of my mind thats telling me shes not so sure that Im making all of this up.
I push open the door walking through it quickly before I can change my mind. I walk around the gallery, the room silent and empty. I take a deep breath at the thought of being alone with Bette. This is stupid, I tell myself. What am I even here for? I dont want my earring this much. I turn around.
Tina? Her voice seems to reach me before its even left her lips, like I knew that, that silky purr would be heard eventually. I turn back around smiling. The sight of her dressed all in black, looking demure and sultry as she eyes me with a raised brow, makes my stomach lurch with want.
Hey…Im sorry I went back to my hotel after your dinner party and I realised that Id lost my earring She nods her head bowing slightly.
Dont be sorry I watch with something beyond fascination as those plump red lips curl into an amazing smile. I found it as soon as you left. Its in my office She motions for me to follow her and I join her side, our arms brushing together slightly as we walk.
She opens the door to her office for me to walk through, her smile teasing. She closes the door behind her and I feel a rush of excitement. This could be as close as Ill ever get to her. The thought makes me feel weak. I shouldnt have come here.
She picks up an envelope from her desk, her eyes and her smile mischievous. I really shouldnt have come here. She holds her hand out, the earring laying in her palm, mirroring her actions from yesterday. I couldve sworn I saw you put this on She almost whispers, her voice teasingly sweet to my ears. I feel every step, every inch, she moves closer to me like a bolt of lightning. I know whats coming, I can see it in her eyes. I move to take the earring from her hand and feel her fingers close gently on mine. I gulp down the lump in my throat. The caress of her fingers sliding against mine soothing my erratic heartbeat. She leans in slowly and my eyes flutter closed as her lips touch mine. I feel her mouth unbelievably soft against my mouth, her lips delicately brushing against mine and then pulling away leaving the cold to cling to my lips. A smile spreads across my face even though I know my cheeks are red. For some reason I dont care because kissing Bette seems exactly the right thing to do. She brings a hand to my cheek. I feel like Ive just been kissed for the first time. Our bodies press together, my arms circling her neck her arms strong around my waist. Ive never been held like this before. I look into her eyes as her lips inch closer, two dark pools of lust making me melt inside. I hold her face delicately in my hands as I respond to her eager mouth, my reactions becoming frantic as her tongue slips inbetween my lips. Somewhere in the back of my mind I register a sigh that I know must belong to me. Our lips remained joined, heat rising between us as her hands slip under the back of my shirt, stroking and caressing my skin. A shiver runs along my neck and down my spine.
Bette I gasp as she moves away. I look at her in shock, those smudged lips, the arousal in those eyes. I feel another shiver.
Tina are you ok?
How can she ask me that, after the way shes made me feel? How can anybody be ok after shes kissed them? How can anybody even breathe. I cant…
Meet me for coffee She asks her eyes almost begging. I cant, Im with Eric I cant. Eric…I think about him for the first time today and I feel sick. How could I do this to him.
Ok I answer pushing through my guilt. I should go Erics waiting for me. I think it but for some strange reason I cant do anything but look at her.
She reaches for my hand and I couldnt move away even if I wanted to. Meet me tomorrow? Let me write down the address She scribbles something down on a piece of paper and I hold it in my hands like its her hand Im holding. Youll love this place I dont have to think about it to know that shes probably right.
See you… I clear my throat. …see you tomorrow then I shouldnt, I know that I shouldnt, shouldnt be teasing her shouldnt keep her hanging on, but I cant stop myself, I cant resist touching those lips just one more time. I kiss her slowly my mind taking in every curve of her lips every brush of her tongue. I pull away and walk out of the room.
I rush out of the gallery closing the door behind me. I stand leaning against the building walls for support my breathing uneven as I try to pull myself together.

I look down at Eric, shaken by how much I wish he wasnt here. His kiss feels so rough after hers, his touch feels so wrong.
I slip out of the bedroom and into the spare room. I sit on the edge of the bed. I cant stand to be near him, cant stand his touch, cant stand his words. The things that I found so charming before irritate me now. I shake my head.
Youre letting your mind play tricks on you. Theres no way that youre going to meet her tomorrow, theres no way.
The image of her arms slipping under my shirt, the feel of those delicate fingers, fills my mind. Im meeting her tomorrow but only so that I can tell her that I cant give her what shes looking for.