She plays with the sculpture. The painter chuckles.

Bette – No.

Tina – A lot of women in your paintings, cowgirl … Alice told me that they all came to check who’s who … and to compete for you.

Bette – As I said … she likes to tell tales.

Tina – Tell me …

She takes a step closer. She can’t hold back any longer.

Tina – Am I the only one who hasn’t slept with you?

Bette smiles coyly. The blonde smirks.

Tina – Maybe it’s best this way. I don’t like being one of many … I like being the only one!

Bette – It doesn’t surprise me. A woman like you should be the only one.

She is surprised by her own words.

Tina – But then again … there is one thing I absolutely hate …

She drops the paperweight on the desk and takes another step closer.

Tina – I don’t like being left behind.

The gallery owner chuckles surprised. Oh my fucking God! Did she really say that?

Tina – At least I had a kiss to show for.

Bette – Ahhh … the kiss …

This game is one that she definitely knows how to play … and one that she finds herself incapable of resisting at that moment. As much as she should resist the blonde, the woman is reeling her in … hook, line and sinker.  

Tina – Interesting kiss, cowgirl … Did I make you angry that day?

Bette – I believe you did.

Tina – I apologize.

She extends her hand.

Bette – Apology accepted.

She shakes the blonde’s hand. The handshake quickly turns into gentle hand holding.

Bette – Are you flirting with me?

Tina – Absolutely not …

Their hands still touching, the painter gently pulls her closer.

Tina – Aren’t you going to apologize for that angry kiss?

Bette – I never apologize for kissing a woman … especially when she kisses me back.

Tina – But what if she was trapped?

Bette laughs, her low, throaty laugh.

Bette – Did I mention that she kissed me … with passion?

Tina – You know … the surprise of feeling trapped may cause unpredictable reactions sometimes.

Bette – She won’t be trapped again.

Tina – Never?

Bette – Never.

The blonde invades the painter’s personal space and caresses her hair.  

Tina – Not even if she begs you?

The brunette’s eyes glaze over with desire. She brings her lips closer to the blonde’s, just inches away.

Bette – Not even if she begs me.

They gaze into each other’s lips. Tina’s eyes glaze over … her breathing turns shallow. She is dying to be taken but … she caves in. She places a hand on the brunette’s face and thrusts her own face forward, bringing her lips to the brunette’s.

Bette moans at the touch of those lips that she had been craving for … ever. Their warmth … their softness … their taste … that she couldn’t forget. She pulls the blonde closer, wrapping an arm around her waist, another around her back, while Tina wraps her arms around the brunette’s neck.

The kiss is long, deep, their bodies fully touching, their tongues touching. They relive the emotions and electric charge of the first kiss, this time without the shock, this time wanting more. All the pent-up energy, the sleepless nights, the longing, the need … are poured into the kiss without restraint. They want to feel each other and to show each other how they feel.

They are breathless when they break the kiss, eyes still closed, foreheads touching.

Bette – What are you doing to me?

The blonde opens her eyes and her lips curve up into a smile.

Tina – The same thing that you are doing to me.

(TBC)