Nina pulled away, gasping for breath.  Her guilt was getting in the way of her desire.  Abby took the break in the kiss for the opportunity to find the brunette's neck, laving it with hot, wet kisses and nips.

"I want you, baby," Abby murmured against the column of Nina's throat.

Nina closed her eyes, trying to stay focused, trying to stay present with Abby, the one who had her hands up under Nina's shirt, fingers spread out over the expanse of her back.  You're still really beautiful.  The words echoed through Nina's mind.  Well, I hope Abby doesn't mind if I steal you for a dance.  I do want one.

Nina wanted to scream, a cold shower of emotions washing over her.  "Wait," she gasped, gently pushing Abby away.  "Wait, stop."

The redhead stepped back, anger burning in her eyes.  "Damn it, Nina," she fumed.  "Why do you do this every time?"

Nina looked away, infused with shame.  "I'm sorry.  I just can't."

"Is it me?  Or is it you?  Because I gotta tell you- I don't know how long I can wait."  Abby hugged herself, hurt and rejection painted all over her face and body language.

Nina allowed her anger at herself to be lashed out on Abby.  "Well, if you're only here to fuck me, then you're here for the wrong reasons."

Fresh hurt  seeped into Abby's eyes. "That was low."  They stood in the entryway, neither able or willing to look at the other.  Finally Abby broke the silence.  "I saw you with that blonde tonight.  Is that it?  Is there someone else?"

Nina sighed, running a hand through her hair.  She shook her head.  "No.  Kansas is just an old friend from a long time ago."

"Yeah, so she said.  A very good friend, I'd say."  Nina said nothing.  "Be careful, Nina.  Kansas Roberts is a snake, old friend or not."  With those final words of warning, Abby grabbed her keys from the small entryway table where they'd been set, then closed the front door behind her.

Nina blew out a deep breath, grateful to be alone.

***

The Gallery had become quite the hip little shop in downtown Boulder, which was saying a lot, as the gorgeous town was filled with 'hip little shops'.  Nina tugged her purse higher on her shoulder as she entered, eyes scouring to make sure a certain little blonde wasn't anywhere in sight.

"Welcome back, beautiful."

Nina turned, surprised to see Michael Ross suddenly walking beside her.  He looked gorgeous as always, his designer glasses polished to a shine.  He smiled at her, teeth glaringly white.

"Hello, Michael.  How are you?"

"I'm doing wonderfully.  And yourself?"

"Very well, thank you."  As they exchanged greetings, they were heading toward the back wall of the gallery.  When they arrived, Nina was surprised and deeply disappointed to see the sketches were gone.

"Sorry, sweetie.  Kansas took those down."  Michael stood, arms crossed over his lean chest, silk t-shirt tight over his chest and flat stomach.  "I was kind of surprised, to be honest," he continued.  "She came in this morning like a bat out of hell, and without a word, took every one of them down, quickly replacing them with these."  He indicated the water color paintings that had taken their place.  "Never one for water color, personally, I don't get it."

Nina thought about her time at the bar the night before, seeing just what kind of fireball Kansas could be.  "That's a shame," she said.  She felt a dark gaze on her, and turned to see Michael studying her.  He smiled.

"Would you like a latte?"

Nina smiled, nodding.  "Sure."  She could use a friend.

The offices of the gallery were somewhat plain compared to the spacious rooms up front, decorated with some of the finest art Nina had ever seen.  She listened as the latte machine whooshed to life, Michael expertly creating their drinks.

"Here you are, love," he said, handing the brunette a large mug.  She took it, again following the wonderful-smelling man back to the front.  "What do you do here?" he asked, gingerly blowing over the top of his drink to cool it.

"I teach law up at CU," Nina said, taking a seat in one of the deep, comfy chairs placed near the large, front window of the gallery.  Michael sat across from her, one leg crossed casually over the other.  As Nina glanced at her companion, she was struck again at just how gorgeous he really was. "How do you know Kansas?"

The dark-haired man smiled into his latte, almost knowingly.  Nina didn't understand, and didn't exactly like it, but said nothing.  "We were college roommates for one year, renting out this horrible little piece of shit apartment.  That is, until Kansas decided college wasn't for her and the little shit ran off with some hot little number she met."  Michael chuckled at the memory.  "Left me to figure out two months worth of rent.  That's okay," he gave Nina an evil grin.  "I got her back- made her give me her favorite painting to make up for it."

Nina laughed, setting her cup on the small, wooden table next to her chair.  "Why did you do that?"

"Oh, I knew I was getting the much better deal!  I knew Kansas would be something someday- her art is truly inspired and glorious.  That painting?  It's now hanging above my couch, and is worth well into the six digits."

Nina laughed again, liking this man.  She sobered quickly, wanting so badly to ask questions about the blonde, but knew better.  "I own a piece of hers, as well.  Came across it a few years back.  One of her sculptures."

"You do?" Michael leaned forward in his chair, hands resting on his knees.  "Well, sweetheart, count yourself lucky, and count yourself as one of three who do."

Nina stared at him, blinking twice.  "She only made three pieces."

"Yeppers."  Michael sat back, sipping from his latte.  "I've told her she needs to make more, but for some reason, she won't."  He shrugged.  "What do I know?  I'm only an art appraiser, after all."

Nina snickered, taking a sip from her drink as she glanced out to the street.  To her surprise, she saw Kansas across the street, seeming to be arguing with a petit brunette.  The woman with long hair was gesticulating wildly while Kansas stood back and watched, arms crossed defensively over her chest.  Her stance said it all- Kansas was irritated and Nina wasn't even sure if she were listening to what the other woman was saying.

"Oh, lordy," Michael muttered, turning in his seat to watch the street show.  "Here we go."

"What's happening?" Nina asked, glancing at the man sitting across from her before turning her attention back to Kansas.

"She's just broke another one."  Michael sighed heavily, finishing off his latte.  "See, the problem is Kansas is just too damn nice, and too damn adorable."  He met Nina's gaze with a shrug. "She can't say no, and women can't resist her."

"How long has she been this way?" the brunette asked, unable to take her eyes off the blonde, who was now getting into the discussion, gesticulating her own points until finally she just walked away.  The brunette stood as if unsure, then with a most profound single-fingered statement, stormed down the sidewalk before disappearing into a bookstore at the end of the block.

Nina cleared her throat, straightening in her seat as Kansas crashed through the door of the gallery.

"Tough night?" Michael called out, voice sounding bored.

"Fuck off!" Kansas yelled over her shoulder as she stormed into the back room.  Nina watched, amused, as Michael ticked off five seconds on his fingers.  The door blew back open, Kansas appearing, staring at their guest. "Nina!" she said before she'd even realized she'd spoken.

"Hello, Kansas.  How are you?"

"Uh," the blonde ran a hand through her hair, making it even more wild than it was before.  She looked as though she'd just tumbled out of bed, dressed in baggy jeans and a tight tank top.

As he'd done a million times before, Michael stepped in to save his best friend from making an ass of herself.  "Gorgeous Nina stopped by for a latte and to chat, and look around at our fabulous little shop, didn't you, Nina?"

"Yeah.  Sure did." The brunette plastered a smile to her face.

"Excuse me for a moment, Nina, while I talk with my colleague for a moment." Michael pushed up from his chair and walked over to Kansas, grabbing her by the arm before forcefully shoving her toward the door to the back offices.

Nina got up from her chair, not sure what to think or feel.  She had no idea what had happened between Kansas and the brunette on the street, but she knew a hurt woman when she saw one- and the brunette had been hurt.  Who was she to judge, though?  She'd done her own fair share of hurting people.  Such as Abby the night before.

With a heavy sigh, the brunette walked around the gallery, deciding what she'd buy.

Michael didn't let go of Kansas' arm until they were back by the espresso maker.  "Let go, asshole," she growled, yanking herself free.  The blonde didn't want to hear it, but knew she would anyway.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Kansas?" he hissed.  "Have your fucked up 'relationships' if you wish, but not in the middle of the goddamn street!"

"Michael-"

"No, shut up and listen this time," the man said, holding up a manicured finger.  "Your friend in there and I- and half the town, might I add- saw your little show.  I don't care who you bang, and I don't care who you drop, but the don't bring it to work, or within walking distance of work.  Got it?"

Kansas hung her head, nodding like a good little girl.  She looked up at him with adoring green eyes.  "I'm sorry, Mikey."

Michael opened his mouth to continue the barrage, but lost it, the puppy dog look aimed at him making him forget what he was about to say.  "I hate it when you do that," he whined.  "I can never remember why I was pissed at you in the first place."