Nina's eyes fell closed, her body falling back into the solidness that Kansas.  She turned her head to the side, feeling hot breath against her neck.  Her body began to send out a pulsing beat, demanding attention, craving Kansas' touch.  How is this possible?  It's been so long.

"I'm sorry," Kansas whispered again, this time into Nina's ear, making the brunette shiver.  She tipped her head a bit more when she felt a soft kiss placed just behind her ear.

"Nothing to forgive," Nina breathed, beginning to lose control.

"I think there is," the blonde whispered, flicking Nina's lobe with her tongue.  She smiled at the small whimper from the older woman.  "I shouldn't be such an asshole.  Seems you bring it out in me."  She smiled at the chuckle she heard deep in Nina's throat.  She groaned when two hands reached around to her hips, squeezing. "Does your girlfriend make you feel like this?" Kansas asked, thinking of the redhead she'd seen Nina with at the club and at the gallery's opening.

"I don't have a girlfriend," Nina whispered, gasping softly as the hands on her stomach began to move, barely brushing just up under her breasts.

"Oh, I think you do.  She also didn't look happy seeing you dance with me."  Kansas leaned in close to the brunette's ear.  "I think she was jealous."

"We broke up.  Oh," Nina moaned as her breasts were covered by soft, gentle hands.  Her mind was frozen, no thought entering or leaving, except that what Kansas was doing felt amazing.

"Oh yeah?  Why, baby?"  Kansas felt herself growing more wet with each bold move.  She wanted Nina so bad it hurt.  Guess some things don't change.

"I wouldn't. . . " Nina began, but trailed off as her breasts were massaged through her bra.

"Wouldn't what?"

"Wouldn't sleep with her," Nina finally gasped.

Kansas needed to see her, wanted so badly to kiss her.  She grabbed Nina by the hips and turned her around, pulling their bodies together.  "Stupid girl to walk away from you," Kansas murmured, bringing her hand up to curl around the back of Nina's neck.  "She should've stuck around."

Nina couldn't believe how soft Kansas' lips were, their kiss from eight years ago still fresh in her mind.  She felt the blonde deepen the kiss, her lips and tongue working magic in the brunette's mouth, the kiss, that from someone who was well versed in the art.  She felt her body giving in, the desires long-buried clawing to see the light of day.  She sighed into the kiss, burying her fingers in thick, blonde hair.

Something inside Kansas made her stop, a feeling of something being wrong, off, somehow.  She pulled back, both women gasping for air.  She took several deep breaths before looking up into confused, hooded blue eyes.  "I'm sorry," she said, running trembling hands through her hair.  "I have to know something."

"What?" Nina asked, body buzzing and alive.

"Why"

The brunette was utterly confused, and getting frustrated as her body was making demands that only Kansas could keep.  "Why what?"

"Why wouldn't you sleep with your girlfriend?"

Taken aback, Nina stared at the blonde.  "What?  Why?"

"I need to know.  Why?"  She couldn't explain it to herself, let alone the bemused woman standing in front of her.  She had a tickle in the back of her brain that told her she needed to know the answer to this question.

Nina moved slightly away, suddenly feeling very embarrassed by the answer she'd have to give Kansas.  Here she was 34, and a virgin with women.  "I didn't want to just give that to her," she said softly, her back to the blonde.

"What do you mean?" Kansas walked around the kitchen island until she was standing face to face with Nina.

"I've never been with a woman, Kansas."  She smiled ruefully at the look of shock she received.  "I know.  Been out for three years and still haven't gone all the way.  Crazy, right?"

Kansas shook her head.  "No.  I don't get it, but no.  Not crazy.  But why?"

"Why do you sleep around so much?"

Kansas was taken aback by the non-sequitur.  "Uh, I guess I just haven't found the right one."  As she spoke, the light of understanding flared to life.  She nodded.  "I see."  Wow, did she ever feel like a shit.  Hands stuffed into the back pockets of her jeans, she took a step back.  "I should probably go, Nina."

The brunette nodded.  She'd had enough humiliation for one night.  "Yeah.  Probably so."

"Listen, why don't you come to my place Friday night.  I'll make you dinner."  Kansas continued at Nina's confused expression.  "We need to talk, I think."

Nina nodded in agreement.  "Okay.  Give me the details and I'll be there."

***

The work week was good, but long, as usual.  Nina sat on a stone bench on campus and watched the students and faculty around her.  Her eye caught two girls walking together.  Nina was pleased to see that they were holding hands.  She watched the couple, noting how comfortable they were with each other.  She missed that, having someone in her life who knew her better than anyone.  Someone she could cuddle with and tell her dreams to.  She had to laugh at herself with that last one- she'd never had that.  Certainly not with Dan, and since him, she'd not really let anyone get close enough.

With a heavy sigh, Nina pushed up from the bench, tucking the tests she'd been grading under her arm, and heading off toward her office.  She could feel autumn in the air, and it was brisk.

***

Kansas honestly couldn't say why she was nervous for Nina to see her place, but she was.  She had spent the day cleaning an already spotless house, and making sure dinner was perfect.  She truly had no conscious thoughts of what she expected or wanted to come of this, but she was determined to get it going on the right foot.

Glancing at the clock over the stove once more, Kansas saw that Nina was due in five minutes.  Take a deep breath, she walked into the dining room where she'd placed two table settings, candles at the ready.  She nearly jumped out of her skin when the doorbell sounded.  Blowing out a steadying breath, Kansas padded over to the front door and pulled it open.

Nina smiled a greeting, taking in the blonde's comfy jeans, light-weight sweater and bare feet.  She was glad she, too had chosen to keep it simple in jeans and a long-sleeve tee.  "Hi," she said.

"Hi.  Welcome and come in."  Kansas stepped aside, waiting for her guest to enter.  She hadn't seen her all week, and after seeing her several times in as many days, she had really missed the brunette.

Nina entered the modest ranch-style house.  Though it was dark out, Nina hadn't noticed too many houses nearby. "This is really beautiful, Kansas," she said, taking in the gorgeous wood accents and pine furniture.  She hadn't expected something so rugged from an artist, instead thinking it would be all metal and glass contemporary, like the gallery.

"Thanks," Kansas tossed over her shoulder, leading Nina toward the dining room.  I hope you're hungry.  I made a ton.  Hope baked chicken is okay."

"Yeah.  Sounds terrific."

"Great!"  Once they'd arrived in the formal room, Kansas got her guest settled, then looked around.  It was so damn. . . formal.  "You know what, I'm sorry, Nina.  This just isn't me.  Grab your plate."  She nodded toward the kitchen, where she headed, plate in hand.  Confused, Nina did the same.  In the kitchen, Kansas began to dish food that smelled heavenly.  "I'm sorry," she said with a sheepish grin.  "I hate that room.  I don't know why I set up in there.  Do you mind?" she asked, a hopeful brow raised.  Nina chuckled, amused.

"No.  I don't mind.  Where to?"

Plates loaded, Kansas led them down a narrow hall, which led to a glassed in back patio.  The blonde flicked on a light- beyond was a garden filled with just about every type of flower and plant that would grow in Colorado.  Much of it was starting to die for the coming cold, but it was still beautiful.

Nina gasped in surprise.  "God, this is so gorgeous, Kansas."  Setting her plate down, she walked over to one of the huge windows that overlooked the garden.  "Bet all the women you bring home love this, huh?" she asked, teasing in her voice.  Kansas stepped up beside her, a small quirk of her lip.

"Wouldn't know.  I've never brought a woman here before."

"Why not?"

"Because this is my sanctuary.  Where I go to be me."  She glanced briefly at Nina before returning her gaze back to her pride and joy- next to her art studio.

Nina had a question on her tongue, but decided to stow it.  "Then I'm honored."  She smiled at the sheepish blonde.  "Come on," she said. "Let's eat."

As they settled in comfortable loungers, the women were silent, contemplating the night beyond and the food on their plates.  After awhile, Nina glanced at her dinner hostess.

"Michael told me you left college."  Once she saw she had Kansas' attention, she continued.  "Why?"

Kansas shrugged as she chewed the bit of chicken in her mouth.  She downed some of her beer with it.  "I guess I just felt college wasn't really helping me.  I honestly believe that if you have a natural talent- painting, playing the guitar, writing- college can actually be a hindrance.  I was tired of waiting, you know?"

Nina nodded, wiping her mouth with a napkin.  "I can see that.  Unfortunately, what I'm good at required extensive education."

"And, what was that?"

"Arguing," Nina grinned.

"I'll drink to that!" Kansas clinked her glass bottle against the brunette's glass of water.  They sat on in companionable silence for awhile before Kansas broke the still.  "So, when did you come out?  How did it happen?"  She eyed her friend over her beer as she drank.