And Shane did it.

She kissed her.

She made her come.

And then she kissed her again for the longest time.

**

Three hours later, the medium-size stage was dark. DEW was packed as expected but everyone, in the crowd, was staring silently at the motionless small jazz orchestra that seemed to be waiting patiently for a sign.

In a corner of the stage there was a black grand piano. The whole stage was covered with a fluffy red carpet and the atmosphere was smoky and sexy and torn between angelic and demonic mementos.

When Shane climbed up the three steps that separated the dance floor from the stage – smoothly and silently like a cat –, perfectly dressed in her black tuxedo, a single followspot enlightened her as she sat at the piano and, after a long moment of what looked like a careful consideration, started to play.

The whole crowd seemed to hold her breath. Slow notes, mild and heavy, sensual and retro.

Some strand of hair fell on Shane’s forehead as she looked down, at the keyboard. She didn’t need any sheet music, she was playing by heart and with all her heart.

She closed her eyes and licked her lips unconsciously and finally she started to sing at the microphone, where just a vague reverberation effect had been set.

”…Unforgettable, that’s what you are…”, Shane sang, and her voice was beautiful. Low and somehow baritone, and scraping, and perfectly in tune.

Another followspot enlightened Carmen, as she walked toward the piano from the opposite corner of the stage.

The crown oooohed in amazement.

Carmen was wearing a wonderful evening dress that enveloped her in all the right spots. The wide placket showed a generous portion of her beautifully tanned legs. Her hair was wavy and down on her shoulders and it moved like a dark wave as she sang her part.

“…Unforgettable… though near or far…”.

She watched Shane with eyes that were all lovey-dovey and cozy and Shane grinned in response.

The crowd applauded and, behind the counter, Helena Peabody laughed silently and shook her head in disbelief. They were so stunning, together on that stage, they oozed sensuality and love and every one, in the club, was feeling it.