Even though Bette knew she was teasing, Tina’s comment still stung a little.  Ignoring the blonde’s smiling eyes, she drained her wine glass before signaling to the waitress for another one.  “How about it?  Want another?” Bette asked, barely looking in her direction.

Tina nodded, wondering at Bette’s sudden mood shift.  She had enjoyed every minute that she spent with the brunette in the past two weeks and was eager to get to know her better but there were still times when she felt Bette shut down and become a stonewall, making it difficult to be around her.  This time, though, Tina refused to be shut out.

“Bette?  What’s wrong?” She put a comforting hand on the brunette’s leg, feeling her immediately tense and move away.  “I didn’t mean to sound…you know…mean, I was just teasing.”

“I know what you meant.  That wasn’t the problem,” came the response. 

Bette still wouldn’t look at Tina, and she bit her lip, trying to understand what had changed.  “Am I…do you want me to want you?” she whispered, both afraid of and wanting to hear the brunette’s confirmation.  The conversation had taken a sudden turn from teasing to serious.

“Tina, it’s fine.”  Tina’s brow furrowed.  Back to Tina are we?

“Don’t worry about it,” Bette continued, waving her hand as if it was nothing.  “Excuse me for a minute.”

Bette rose quickly from her seat and headed toward the bathroom.  Undeterred, Tina took a deep breath before following after her.

Seeing Alice and Shane enter, she waved hello and signaled over to where she and Bette had been sitting.  They headed for the table, and Tina hurried after the brunette.

She opened the door to the bathroom to find the brunette staring into the mirror blankly.  Tina shut the door behind her and approached the woman, grasping her wrist to turn the beauty toward her.  Bette’s gaze traveled around the walls and ceiling before settling on the floor, unable to meet the blonde’s piercing look.

“Bette…look at me,” Tina said softly, willing the brunette’s eyes to meet her own.  Bette slowly raised her head to look into the hazel eyes that had been invading her thoughts for the past two weeks.

Tina searched the liquid pools that seemed to convey everything Bette left unsaid.  They were so expressive and now, Tina was desperate to know what the brunette was thinking. 

“What’s going on in there?” she asked, tapping her finger lightly against Bette’s temple; she then allowed her finger to travel down the brunette’s cheek, tracing the mocha skin delicately. 

“T…please don’t,” whispered Bette, willing Tina’s touch to last but wanting it to stop before she lost control.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t ask me anymore questions,” she pleaded, her hand took on a mind of its own as it rose from its position on the counter to rest on the blonde’s neck, her fingers gently exploring the soft skin, her eyes memorizing every inch.  Tina leaned in toward Bette, a sigh escaping her lips. 

“You want me?” Bette raised her eyes at the question, seeing the blonde had closed her eyes.  Bette needed to see into them, needed to know if the answer she had to give would be reciprocated.  She drew her head in closer, allowing her breath to brush over the gorgeous woman in front of her as she answered.

“You know I do,” she breathed, her lips hovering over the blonde’s.  She paused only one second longer before closing the rest of the distance and pressing her lips against Tina’s.  The kiss was tender, their lips unmoving, but Tina felt it everywhere.  No wonder Bette had the reputation she did.  Her lips were soft, yet so strong.  She heard Bette inhale as she pulled the blonde into her body.  Before the kiss could develop, Tina pulled back slightly, seeing a small smile on the brunette’s face.  Bette’s eyes slowly opened, feeling the blonde’s touch lingering on her lips.  Her smile faded when she looked into the hazel eyes that were laced with fear.  She loosened her hold on the blonde and swallowed hard, searching those eyes.

“Bette…I…I can’t…” Tina whispered brokenly.  She turned away quickly, retreating to the safety of the crowd in The Planet before the brunette could change her mind.

Bette sank back against the counter in despair, collecting herself before making her way toward her friends and the woman who now held her heart.

 TBC?