The screen door opened and Ginny finally broke Kara’s hold on her.

"Why, Kara," Nana said.

"Hello, Louise."

"Going out sketching again?"

"Yes."

"Why don’t you take Ginny? I think she’s feeling cooped up."

Ginny looked from Nana to Kara and back again. "Oh, I couldn’t leave the store just yet," she said.

"Nonsense," Nana exclaimed.

Nonsense? Ginny rubbed her temples, trying to think of an excuse not to be alone with Kara.

"We’re not busy. You run along. I can lock up."

Ginny looked up and met Kara’s amused eyes that just hinted at a challenge. "You don’t mind?" she asked weakly.

"Not at all," Kara lied. Of course she minded. She didn’t want to be alone with her. But she said, "I’d love your company."

Ginny crawled up in her Land Cruiser, resisting the urge to cling to the door, and she made herself relax. It was short-lived, however. Kara’s arm slipped along the back of the seat behind her as she turned to back up and Ginny could almost feel it caressing her shoulders. She shivered from the heat of it.

"How have you been?" Kara asked when they pulled away.

"Fine. You?"

"Okay."

"Have you been working?" Ginny asked.

Kara glanced at her, aware of her nervousness. And of her own.

"Should I apologize for the other night?" Kara asked.

"For what?"

"For what I said."

"Don’t be silly," Ginny said with a lightness she wasn’t feeling. "I asked the question."

There were no other cars at the lake and Ginny glanced at the sky, mindful of the approaching evening and how utterly alone they would be. She shouldn’t have come, she thought. She shouldn’t be out here alone with Kara. She felt confused and all mixed up inside whenever she was near Kara. Whenever she found Kara’s eyes on her.

She watched as Kara got out, sketch pad tucked under her arm, and she looked at her through the opened window.

"Coming?" Kara asked.

Ginny nodded and her eyes followed Kara as she walked away but she was still sitting there when Kara turned back around to glance at her questioningly.

"Coming," Ginny said and she finally opened the door.

"Don’t be afraid of me," Kara said as they walked. "I would never . . .."

"I know you wouldn’t," Ginny said sharply. "I’m not afraid."

"Aren’t you?"

"Not of you, exactly," Ginny said.

"Then what?"

"Nothing," Ginny murmured. "Let’s don’t talk about it, please."

Kara nodded. "Okay. We won’t talk."

They walked along the path, Ginny following Kara as the trail narrowed toward the water. Kara looked overhead, trying to pretend that she was interested in the colors, but she wasn’t. Her mind wasn’t on sketching. She was thankful for the trees. They blocked out the setting sun and the lake reflected only the forest as it darkened with only a hint of the colors of sunset.

Kara knew she should simply tell Ginny that the colors were no good and that they should turn back. Go home, where it would be safe. Where she would not be tempted. But she didn’t. They were completely alone and her pulse raced at the thought. She wanted to be alone with her, she realized and she felt foolish. Ginny wanted nothing from her, she reminded herself.

They walked to the shore, the lake surface smooth as glass in the still evening. Ginny noticed that Kara made no move to take out her sketchpad, but Ginny made no mention of it. She wasn’t sure she could speak. She felt her heart pounding and she took in a deep breath of air, trying to still her racing pulse. What was she expecting? That Kara would sweep her into her arms and kiss her? That she would say she had been dreaming about her, too and she just had to see what it would be like to kiss her? Is that what she wanted? Did she want Kara to take her in her arms? God, of course not! She wanted no such thing!

Oh, she brought a trembling hand to her throat, feeling her pulse beat wildly and she knew that she had probably worked herself into a frenzy over nothing! Surely, Kara was having none of these same feelings. Surely, Kara was not the least bit attracted to her. Was she?

They stood there, the silence nearly deafening as they both looked out over the lake. When Ginny turned, Kara’s eyes were on her, and her own lifted and met her questioning stare. What was she thinking? What was she feeling? Kara tried to find the answers in her eyes but failed.

Ginny touched a hand to her chest, feeling the tightness, wishing her heart would slow to normal. She felt the pull between them and wondered if Kara felt it, too.

"Too many trees," Kara finally managed.

Ginny nodded but her eyes never left Kara’s. She was quickly losing the battle with herself and she took a hesitant step toward Kara.

"Ginny?"

"Show me," she whispered. "I need to know." She saw Kara’s jaw clinch nervously and she wanted to put her hand there. "Please?"

Kara shook her head. "Ginny, don’t," she warned. "You don’t know what you’re doing."

Of course not but that didn’t stop her as she reached out and captured Kara’s warm hand. "I want to know," she said softly. "Kiss me."

Kara felt the last thread of sanity flee at those softly whispered words. Her eyes dropped to the lips that were so inviting. Yes, she knew she should stop this, she knew she should walk away. But she couldn’t deny herself the pleasure.

Ginny felt Kara pull her towards her and she went willingly. When Kara’s hand touched her face to guide her, she closed her eyes and waited for Kara’s lips to touch hers.

"Ginny," Kara whispered again and Ginny felt Kara’s breath, warm on her face. She turned towards it and when their lips met, it was not slow and gentle. It was hurried and hungry and Ginny’s mouth opened under hers and she whimpered softly when their tongues touched briefly for the first time.

Kara pulled her in close, dropping her sketch pad to the ground and fitting Ginny’s body with hers, feeling Ginny’s breasts press against her own and she lost what little resolve she had. Her hands slid to Ginny’s hips and she cupped her roundness, pulling Ginny flush against her as Ginny’s trembling hands moved over her shoulders and around her neck.

"Yes," Ginny breathed against Kara’s lips and her tongue explored Kara’s warm mouth, pushing past her lips. Soft lips, not a man’s lips. She was on fire.

It was magic. Their kisses were hot, wet and Ginny felt unfamiliar desire pool between her legs and she moaned softly against Kara’s lips. Kara started to pull away, but Ginny followed, refusing to release her, all thought gone except these insane feelings that this woman created in her. Kara’s lips softened and now they moved with exquisite gentleness over her own and Ginny felt her legs threaten to collapse as Kara cupped her face between her hands and touched her lips again and again.

"Ginny," Kara whispered when she finally drew back. "Why?"

"You know why," she accused. Ginny lowered her head and buried it against Kara’s chest, her breath coming fast between her parted lips. "I just… had to know," she whispered.

Kara tipped her chin up and looked deep into her eyes. "And now you think you know what it’s like to kiss a woman?"

"Yes," came the whispered answer.

"And are you curious, too, as to how it would feel if I touched your breasts?"

Ginny took in a deep breath, afraid to answer as Kara’s hands slid dangerously close to her breasts.

"Do you want to know?" Kara whispered and she bent again to take Ginny’s mouth, which opened instantly to her tongue. Her hands stopped, the tops just brushing the swell under Ginny’s breasts.

"I’m so afraid of what I’m feeling," Ginny whispered, although her body begged for Kara’s touch and she pressed closer, feeling her nipples harden at the thought of Kara’s hands on them. In the early twilight, her eyes sought Kara’s, trying desperately to make some sense of her feelings.

Kara’s hands trembled. It would be so easy, she knew. One more kiss, one touch. But she heard the fear in Ginny’s voice, could see the uncertainty in her eyes.

"You should be afraid," Kara said finally and pushed Ginny away, nearly causing her to stumble. She stepped back, her hands brushing her hair from her eyes. Jesus. What are you thinking? What are you doing?

"I’m so sorry," Ginny whispered, her own hands trembling as they wrapped around herself. "I never should have asked."

Kara turned her back to Ginny, needing time. "Why are you sorry? It’s not like I didn’t want to kiss you."

"I don’t know what to say, Kara. I’m sorry…"

"Please stop saying that. I’m the one who…"

"No." Ginny swallowed with difficulty. "I’ve been thinking about you," she admitted. "Thinking things I shouldn’t." She took a deep breath and turned away. "I can’t stop… I mean… you’re thinking I’m just curious, aren’t you?" she asked.

"I don’t know. Are you?"

Ginny touched Kara’s arm and turned her around to face her. "Maybe. I’ve never really thought about being with a woman before," she said. Her mind refused to bring up Renee. "Until I met you."

Kara laughed and shoved her hands inside her pockets to stop herself from reaching out to her. "Well, if you’re thinking of experimenting, you’ll have to look elsewhere. I’m not really into that." She jerked up her sketchpad and began walking back along the trail and Ginny followed, running after her.

"Kara, wait. I need to talk about this."

"Well, I don’t," Kara snapped. Stupid, stupid fool, she cursed herself.

"You don’t understand," Ginny said, trying to keep up with Kara’s long strides.