Bette had excused herself from the table to go back in to get a bottle of wine she felt a warm embrace around her waist and knew that her playing with Tina throughout the night had finally gotten Tina riled up enough to steal a few more moments away from their guests. Bette closed her eyes as she felt those soft lips kiss her on the nape of her neck and those hands brush her curls to the side and kiss her shoulder blades. As she heard Alices laugh she looked out towards the pool and saw Alice and TINA playing with the volleyball again.

Bette: What the *****?
************

Bette quickly turned around and immediately removed Janices hand from her shoulder.

Bette: What the ***** do you think youre doing?

Janice: Look you cant prance around all day looking THAT good and expect that no one will taste the merchandise.

Bette held her left hand up to Janices face showing her wedding band.

Bette: This means there is only one person tasting the merchandise and its not you. I cant believe this. We invite you into our home and you pull some ***** like this. Your audacity is nothing short of amazing. Im going to tell you this once and only once. Do not touch me or say another inappropriate word or phrase to me.

Janice: Look beautiful; dont get so upset you cant blame a girl for trying.

Bette: Im going to deal with this hopefully without getting my wife involved because something tells me if she knew, youd be sitting somewhere with a raw steak on your eye. So get this through your head. My name is Bette not beautiful and you are to keep your distance from me throughout the rest of the evening.

Janice: Fine. I guess Ill focus all of my inappropriate behavior towards Shane for the rest of the night. BeuatifI mean, Bette.

Bette: How can you make a pass at me when youre here with Shane anyway? Thats so low and completely reprehensible. Look Shanes my dear friend and I wont have you playing with her emotions”after tonight I think its best if you keep your distance from her too.

Janice: Why? You want the competition out of the way so you and I can

Bette took one step towards Janice and looked at her with such intensity and disgust and threw clenched teeth offered this final notice. I dont know what Shane ever saw in you. But you keep ***** with me Ill let her and Tina both what youve done and see how you deal with that Janice, I mean jackass!
With that Bette turned and picked up the bottle of wine that brought her to the kitchen and returned out to the pool with her friends and family at play.

When Tina saw Bette she ran over to her and took the bottle of wine set it on the table and pulled Bette in to a warm embrace. She leaned into her ear. You know all of your playing earlier has turned me on. I cant wait until later tonight babe”you are so damn hot. Bette closed her eyes as a shiver ran through her spine as Tina kissed her ear lobe and walked back towards Alice.

Bette was still thinking about their earlier escapade and thought of all the things she wanted to do to Tina. Her mind was racing but she was quickly brought out of her dazed thoughts as she heard Shanes laughter.

Bette looked up and saw Janice had focused her inappropriate behavior towards Shane. So much so she had practically stripped her in front of everyone and attacked her mouth and neck as Shane laughed and tried to calm Janices busy hands.

Tina was bringing a bowl back up towards the house and whispered to Bette. Its good to see Shane happy isnt it Bette? I mean just a few days ago we were getting laughs about her being in love with you and now she has someone of her own. Isnt it good to see her with someone? Janice is quite pretty too did you see those piercing blue eyes”shes actually not bad at all. I think theyd make a hot looking couple babe”dont you? Bette wanted to bite her tongue and just get through the rest of this evening but there was no way she could pretend that she was happy that Shane was with this woman. T, T I dont think I like her too much. Im actually hoping it doesnt last long.

Tina looked at Bette and couldnt read the expression her face was wearing she definitely knew Bette wasnt telling her something and she hated that feeling. Bette pecked Tina on the cheek and went to make herself a drink as she kept looking over at the very demonstrative couple. Tina didnt like this at all. She didnt know what it was but she didnt like it one bit. She watched Bette as Bette watched Shane and Janice all the while shaking her head trying to dislodge the thought that had just occurred to her. Is Bette jealous that Shanes found someone? Did she like the fact Shane was professing her love for her and now shes upset that she has someone else to dote on? These thoughts Tina wanted to dismiss as petty but Bettes undivided attention towards the couple now frolicking in the pool couldnt be explained away with too many other explanations. Tina felt a coolness envelope her”maybe Im still not enough for her”no thats just crazy talk, Tina reasoned. But why doesnt Bette like Janice?

Shane was getting too hot in the pool”way too worked up. She pulled herself away from Janice and went to make herself a drink. She noticed Bette looking at her and decided shed take a moment to sit and talk to her friend. Shane knew she was still not quite her old self around Bette yet so maybe if she spent more time around her they would fall back into their old familiar way of being friends and friends only absolutely no weirdness.

Shane: Whats up? You havent said much since we beat Al and Dan handily I might add at volleyball. Why are you so quiet?

Bette: I dont know. Im just enjoying everyone getting back into the groove of just being us again. It feels good”Im just letting it soak in. (She lied, not completely but she couldnt tell Shane that Janice was a jackass, could she?) So how long have you known Janice?

Shane: Just what four days now. Weve been inseparable though and thats never happened with me before. Yesterday when I was at the Planet Id actually just come in to get us some coffees to bring back to her place. We hadnt left her bed in days up till then. Shane said with a blushing smile.

Bette: Howd you meet?

Shane: She literally bumped up into me when she was leaving Lather and then yelled at me because she knocked me down. I hadnt been having my best days so I laid into her and yelled back. She apparently liked it because no one ever stands up to her. Shes a hot ***** commodities broker and really high strung and use to getting her way. When I didnt back down she thought that was hot”her words. So sense then weve been hanging out. She gives me ***** sometimes and talks harsh some but I dont give it back every time. Ive learned to pick my battles, you know?

Bette: Shane do you think you should have battles at this early stage and if she talks to you poorly do you want to be with her at all. I mean Shane you deserve someone wholl be kind and supportive and caring and attentive and respectful, dont you think?

Shane understood what Bette was saying but her immediate thought was that Bette makes everything seem so easy. The type of person she just described, well aside from possessing her base qualities, they just arent easy to come across. So you have to pick your poison. Shane knows Janice isnt very kind or respectful but she was a hot chick who also happens to meet Shanes most important requirement for the moment”she isnt Bette. Shane was willing to deal with just about anything too for the time being until she got this Bette thing completely out of her system. Of course she couldnt explain any of this to Bette without taking their mending process several big steps backwards so she decided to become defensive about the entire matter”it was better than the alternative, right?

Before Shane responded to Bettes question Tina had rejoined Alice and Dana and sat quietly in earshot of Shane and Bette. Why didnt she go over by Kit to pick out another set of cds to play as she had intended?

Shane: Bette not everyone is going to have what you and Tina have. ***** you guys didnt have what you have until you fucked up. I know you got it back together but Bette we all do things the only way we know how. Janice isnt perfect but God look at her”shes here and Im not alone and sometimes thats the best anyone can hope for.

Bette: Oh no Shane thats not the best you can hope for. Sweetie youre so deserving of something more than just having someone -anyone. You deserve the right one, the one wholl appreciate you and give you the respect you deserve.

Shane: Why do you care so much about who Im with? Youve never cared before?

Bette: I never knew that I should have. I mean not until you shared with me your most delicate feelings did I realize just how sensitive you are. Shane and youre worthy of someone whos just as sensitive.

Tina couldnt believe her ears. OK Bette doesnt like Janice, thats one thing but to actually steer Shane to break up with her that was too much. Tina really wanted to know why Bette had it out for Janice so much.

Shane rejoined Janice now in the hot tub and Janice didnt waste any time as she latched on to Shanes mouth with hers and hungrily devoured it. She then began licking Shanes neck and rubbing her nipples through her swimsuit”all the while staring at Bette. Bette felt the gaze but refused to look in that direction. Instead she walked over to Tina who looked as if she had a lot on her mind.

Bette wrapped her arms around Tinas waist from behind. Hey T whats wrong baby? I think everyone will be out of here in the next hour and then itll be time for us to be together. I still owe you for what you did to me earlier you know? Tina smiled I cant wait until they leave either but babe I think we need to talk about why youre reacting to Janice and Shane the way you are”Im trying to understand it, will you help me with that babe? Bette felt defeated she would have to tell Tina about the blatant pass Janice made and how she was struggling with telling Shane about it or not. T believe me theres an explanation and Ill tell you as soon as were alone. With that Bette smooth Tinas hair out and gently kissed her cheek. Tina felt some relief that Bette acknowledged there was a reason for her being so interested and critical of the pair. Tina relaxed in Bettes embrace and closed her eyes for a few seconds. Bette noticed Janice kept staring and now she was licking Shanes neck and looking up and mouthing something to Bette. Bette couldnt ignore this anymore. If I can read lips shes saying THIS SHOULD BE YOU. Tinas eyes flew opened as Janice was repeating her secret message to Bette between taking long licks of Shanes neck.

Tina: What? THIS SHOULD BE YOU Are you serious? This is my wife are you ***** crazy bringing that to our home. IT SURE AS ***** SHOULDNT BE BETTE and for that matter IT SHOULDNT BE SHANE EITHER. Shane Bette was right sweetie you can do better than that by accident so why you chose her is beyond me. Youve got balls lady but Im here to castrate you OK.

With that Tina quickly unwrapped herself from Bettes embrace kissed her on the cheek and ran towards a very scared and dumbstruck Janice.

Bette: T baby no please!!!! Janice I tried to warn you the wife doesnt play around.

Bette couldnt get to Tina fast enough.

TBC