Rhythmic Freedom

Chapter 12, Sea of Sound

Bette’s breath hitched under the gaze of the beautiful blonde and when Tina’s hazel eyes met her own with desire, she felt as if nothing else mattered in the world than pleasing the woman before her.  She cleared her throat quietly, “Wow indeed…, you look amazing,” Bette said in a low tone with a gesture point of her arm and open hand. 

Tina simply beamed, on the edge of giddy her words came with a giggle.  “Thank you… umm…” not breaking eye contact with the brunette, “I’ll just get my purse and we can go…” she said pointing a finger across her chest to inside the suite. 

To Bette’s amusement, when the blonde virtuoso turned and stepped in the direction she was pointing, she collided with a slender arm delivering her purse.  Tina reflexively grasped the small purse with both hands when it hit her chest.  “Oooh…”  The blonde said making a wide-eyed face at the owner of the arm that was beyond Bette’s view. 

Tina turned facing Bette and chuckled nervously… “Well…”  looking at her purse, then back to Bette, “Ready?”

“Absolutely.”  Bette replied with her ongoing smile and stepping back to allow Tina to exit the suite.

“Have a good evening.”  Tina said politely to the guard. 

“Thank you Ms. Kennard, you too.”  Came the reply.

They walked the short distance to the elevator in silence and after Bette pressed the button for the lift, she glanced back at the guard who was staring their way.  “I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m up to no good.” She said half jokingly as she returned her gaze to the blonde.

“Oh?... Did he say something to you?”  Tina asked with concern.

“No… it’s just the way he looks at me.”  Bette explained glancing back at the guard again.

Tina stared back at the guard with a furrowed brow and just as she had decided to address the matter with the little man, the elevator doors slid open. 

“Tina?”  Bette spoke gently to get the blonde’s attention to the elevator.

Still glaring at the guard, “I’ll speak to him when I get back.” Tina said firmly.

Bette drew her lips in to stifle a laugh stirred by the obvious protector mode the cellist had assumed; it seemed out of character and just too damn cute.  As Tina turned to face the brunette, Bette smiled.  “There’s no need, I’m sure he’s just doing his job assessing your visitors.”  She said as they stepped into the elevator.

“No Bette, it’s not acceptable for him to make you feel judged.”  Tina said decidedly.

“Tina really, I’m okay… he’s your security and if you haven’t had problems with him before I would hate to be the cause of something now.”   Bette said gently.

“He’s from a firm here in LA that was contracted for the stay… at the very least; I will tell Quinton to make report of it to the firm.”  Tina stated leaving no room for further discussion.

The elevator doors opened to the busy lobby.  “Have a good evening Ms. Kennard.” The uniformed operator said.

“Thank you, Barry, you too.”  Tina replied with a genuine smile to the young man.

Bette’s thoughts embraced how sincerely Tina spoke the elevator operator with their brief exchange of words, not unlike the pleasantries between the blonde and the guard before she had mentioned the negative impression.  They had made half the distance from the elevator to the main doors side by side in their walk when the brunette’s reflective thoughts were interrupted by the glorious touch of Tina taking her hand.

The gallery owner instantly walked taller, pride filling her marrow at the pace of the undercurrent charging her senses with the contact.  She turned her eyes to the virtuoso and they shared a smile; nothing had ever felt so right.