Chapter 2

Bette pulled into the driveway, pleased that she was home before midnight and excited to spend some quality time with Tina. Her thoughts throughout the entire meeting she had with the irate artist had been on Tina and the romantic night that they had agreed upon. She unlocked the front door and listened for any sign of life. When none came, she turned off the few lights Tina had left on to light a path for her and made her way down the hallway toward their bedroom.

“Tina?” Bette called out softly at first not wanting to startle her lover.

Bette walked into the bedroom while shedding her suit coat and smiled at the sight before her. Tina had papers sprawled out everywhere on the bed, and some left on her lap, as she leaned back on Bette’s pillows sleeping. Bette bit her bottom lip to refrain from laughing at the sight before her.

“Who’s the workaholic now?” Bette muttered as she unbuttoned her dress shirt while keeping her eyes on Tina.

Bette approached the bed and picked up the front page of the lawsuit package Tina had been scribbling on. She smiled at the intelligent phrases and industry lingo that appeared in the margins in Tina’s neat handwriting. She made an attempt to collect the pages in the order they were numbered, yet Tina had them scattered everywhere and suddenly the order became unimportant to Bette. She quietly picked paper after paper off the bed and off Tina’s lap, stacking them on the table beside their bed. Bette picked up Tina’s briefcase as well, placing it on the floor and out of the way of anyone’s walking path.

The small, pink message slip from earlier in the day was laying on the bed as well. Bette grabbed it and allowed her eyes to travel over the writing on the front part of the slip. She chuckled as she flipped it over as well seeing that Tina had scribbled on any available space the small piece of paper once had.

“Elizabeth Porter,” Bette said smiling.

“Mrs. Elizabeth Kennard?” Bette’s eyebrows shot up as she stifled a laugh. “Ya think so eh?”

She flipped the message over once more and began an all out chuckle. “Mrs. Elizabeth and Tina Kennard. Mrs. Elizabeth and Tina Porter.”

Bette smiled at the other variations of scribbles that graced the paper regarding her name. She slipped the piece of paper into her pants pocket, not wanting to pass up a rare opportunity to tease Tina, and walked to the closet to undress.

Tina heard the closet doors and opened her eyes to see Bette standing with her back to the bed. She smiled as Bette kicked off her heels and bent down to place them in the original box they had been purchased in.

“Hey Babe,” Tina said in a sleepy voice.

“Hey you,” Bette said as she turned her head to face Tina. “I thought you were waiting up for me?”

Tina smiled at the smug smile that crossed Bette’s face as she teased her.

“I’m up.”

“Uh-huh,” Bette said laughing.

Tina stretched and moaned loudly as she forced herself to wake up. She swung her feet to the side of the bed and smiled as she stood up. Bette stashed the shoebox back in the closet and stood up, turning completely to face Tina.

“That’s a very sexy sight,” Tina said as her eyes roamed Bette’s body. Her tongue wet her lips as Bette moved slightly causing her shirt to gape open revealing her entire chest.

“I see you like the bra I bought you the other day.”

“I do,” Bette said leaning her back against the wall near the open closet doors.

“Not as much as I do,” Tina said as she now stood in front of Bette. Her fingers traced the lacy cups that held Bette’s breasts at attention. She saw the slight shiver that Bette tried to disguise, her nipples now visible through the material. “Are you cold?”

Bette’s answer was simply a soft chuckle as she shook her head no. Tina smiled as her fingers continued exploring Bette’s soft skin.

“Why so smug?” Bette asked as Tina’s smile finally registered in her cloudy head.

“I love when you react to me.”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late,” Tina laughed. Her breath began to quicken and her arousal began to surface just at the sight of Bette standing in front of her with her shirt open.

Bette’s aggressive side suddenly surfaced as she snaked a hand around the back of Tina’s neck and held her there for a smoldering kiss. Tina struggled to take a breath, both women desperate for more contact with the other.

Tina wrapped her arms around Bette’s body, her tongue desperate for entrance into Bette’s mouth. She felt completely enveloped in Bette’s embrace, safe, loved, and desired. Bette moved her hand through Tina’s hair, her tongue massaging the top of Tina’s mouth, setting the pace and tone of the kiss.

“Fuck,” Tina moaned as she broke the kiss to take a much needed breath. She struggled to gain control over her arousal. She felt the dampness between her legs, her nipples begging for Bette’s touch, and her head swimming in a slight fog.

Bette hooked her thumb under the strap of Tina’s camisole and dragged the strap down her shoulder as she held her close to her body. Tina’s hands spread out on Bette’s back, desperate to be closer. She ran one hand down Bette’s body, pulling Bette’s hips into her own and grinding herself against Bette.

Bette was desperate for Tina’s touch. She grabbed Tina’s hand by the wrist and slid it inside of her bra. Tina’s fingers instantly connected with a hardened nipple, begging for her attention. Bette held onto her wrist tighter as Tina’s fingers massaged and pinched her nipple, eliciting an involuntary moan from her lover.

Tina tore her lips away from Bette’s and made an assault on the sensitive part of Bette’s neck that she had discovered the first time they had made love. It wasn’t an erogenous zone before for Bette, but the combination of that spot and Tina’s lips seemed to fuel her desire further every time it was teased.

Bette flipped them around so that Tina’s back was now against the wall and began to control the pace of their lovemaking. She kissed Tina’s neck quickly, not lingering for any significant amount of time, but descending rather quickly to other areas that she longed to explore. Bette dropped to her knees, pulling Tina’s camisole up with one hand to expose Tina’s abdomen to her mouth.

Bette licked Tina’s stomach, tasting the slight sheen of perspiration that glistened Tina’s skin already. Bette unbuttoned Tina’s pants and pulled them slightly down, kissing her hipbone and running her tongue over the skin just below Tina’s waistline.

Tina threw her head back against the wall, her hands attempted to brace herself against the wall as her knees began to shake and become weak. Bette quickly yanked Tina’s pants and thong down, allowing them to pool at Tina’s feet. Without hesitation, Tina kicked them to the side and spread her legs further for Bette to begin her intimate exploration of Tina’s body.

“God Bette,” Tina said breathless.

Tina’s arousal was slowly seeping out of her lips, her breathing completely erratic, and her patience with foreplay absolutely gone. Tina yanked Bette to her feet and then began to walk her back to where the bed was. Bette struggled to walk backward while maintaining a passionate kiss with Tina. Bette smiled as she gave up and fell onto the bed. Tina stood between her spread thighs, her eyes glazed over, and her breathing shallow. Bette used her arms to scoot herself into the middle of the bed and then leaned back so her head was resting on the pillow.

Tina climbed onto the bed never breaking eye contact with Bette. She smiled as she climbed up the length of Bette’s body and straddled her. She moved her hips slightly so that she could get any contact possible between her swollen clit and Bette’s body.

Bette leaned up, grabbing Tina by the hips, and kissed her lips hard. Tina squeezed her thighs tight to hold Bette’s hips still, but was jabbed by something in Bette’s pocket.

“Fuck,” Tina said looking down at Bette’s pants expecting to see what stabbed her in the thigh.

“Sorry,” Bette said breathless. “Keys.”

Tina reached into Bette’s pocket quickly and grabbed for her keys to throw them onto the ground. She came up with her keys as well as the pink message slip from earlier. Suddenly Tina felt a sense of dread wash over her.

“You saw this?”

“What?” Bette asked breathless trying to gain Tina’s attention back to the moment between them.

“The slip.”

“What slip?”

“The message slip I had on the bed.”

“Are we really talking about this now?” Bette asked astounded.

Tina smiled given the opportunity to avoid the discussion even longer. When Bette saw the smile grace Tina’s beautiful and flushed face, she smiled back and simply put her emotions into words.

“I love you.”

Tina cupped Bette’s breasts in response, and allowed her thumbs to tease Bette’s nipples through the lacy material of her bra. Bette arched her body upward needing more of Tina’s touch. Tina pulled the bra down releasing Bette’s breast and took the nipple in her mouth, slowly sucking on it. Her tongue rolled around Bette’s nipple and then she took it between her teeth and gently tugged at it. Tina’s fingers dragged the other cup of Bette’s bra down and massaged her nipple while she continued to tease Bette’s other breast with her mouth.

“Oh,” Bette moaned as her head tilted back into the pillows.

Tina kissed her way down to Bette’s stomach excruciatingly slow. With each bend of her head, she teased the area of Bette’s stomach while inching closer to where Bette wanted her most. Tina picked her head up and focused on the button and zipper on Bette’s pants. Her hands shook as she struggled to unbutton the simple plastic circle that held Bette’s pants together. She lowered the zipper with a smile on her face. She stopped momentarily as she looked at Bette, her head thrown back, her breathing erratic, and her eyes closed in pure ecstasy.

Tina crawled back up as she slid her hand down Bette’s stomach and under her waistband. Bette opened her legs wider, inviting Tina to touch her intimately. Tina gasped when her fingers met Bette’s wetness, her arousal seeping out of her lips, and pushing Tina closer to the edge herself.

Tina’s finger massaged Bette’s opening as Bette arched off the bed.

“Please,” Bette pleaded to Tina for release.

Tina slowly dipped one finger, then two, deep into Bette massaging her most sensitive spot. Bette’s hips began to rise off the bed, desperate to find a rhythm with Tina’s fingers. Bette’s head moved from side to side as she fought to hold off her impending orgasm.

Tina’s fingers began to move faster, working to bring Bette a release, picking up the pace as Bette reacted to her movements. Tina took Bette’s earlobe between her teeth and flicked her tongue over it quickly. She placed her thumb on Bette’s clit and massaged it in a circular motion, increasing the pressure as Bette’s breathing quickened.

“God right there!”

Tina released Bette’s earlobe and watched as Bette threw her head back hard into the pillows, her mouth open, her eyes shut in pure bliss as her orgasm washed over her body. Tina felt Bette’s muscles clamp down on her fingers, making it extremely difficult to move them inside and draw out her orgasm. As Bette’s body went limp, Tina moved so that Bette’s thigh was between her legs.

Tina moved her hips so Bette’s thigh made contact with her clit and quickly took her to the point of no return. Bette merely held Tina’s hips and watched as she took what she needed from her. Tina’s head was thrown back, her mouth agape, her concentration on the pressure building between her legs. She ground into Bette’s thigh harder, grasping at the sheets as she leaned back bracing herself by locking her arms.

“God!” Tina screamed as her body shook with her orgasm.

Tina fell forward onto Bette as Bette held her tight in her arms. She stroked Tina’s back, feeling the sheen of perspiration that covered her skin. Bette’s breathing returned to normal as she drew small circles on Tina’s back to relax her.

“That was amazing,” Tina said smiling into Bette’s shoulder.

“I’m glad you waited up for me,” Bette teased as Tina rolled over and lay next to her.

Tina laid her head on Bette’s chest, drawing circles on her stomach with her index finger. Bette shrugged her shirt off and removed her bra easily. She threw them off the side of the bed and relaxed once again staring at the ceiling.

She allowed her hand to move off of Tina’s shoulder and onto the bed where it encountered the pink slip that was the source of Tina’s anxiety earlier. She picked it up and looked at it once again.

“Is there something you want to share with me?” Bette asked with a hint of humor in her voice.

“Such as?” Tina said in a sleepy voice as she struggled not to fall into a deep slumber.

“You tell me,” Bette said kissing the top of Tina’s head and then laying her cheek where her lips just were.

Tina opened her eyes to see the pink slip in Bette’s hands.

“I can explain that,” Tina said hesitantly.

“I’m waiting with baited breath.”

“I’m sure you have questions.”

“I’m sure you have an explanation,” Bette said with a hint of humor in her voice. “Do I need to go fishing for answers?”

“What’s the most pressing question you have?”

“Do you really believe I’d participate in this?”

“I was hoping…” Tina said sadly as her voice trailed off and her hand stilled on Bette’s stomach.

“We haven’t even talked about it Babe.”

“I thought that’s what we were doing right now.”

“Don’t get upset,” Bette said surprised at the tone in Tina’s voice.

“I’m just on edge about it.”

“What’s there to be on edge about?”

“The fact that you won’t even listen before you dismiss what’s on that message,” Tina pointed out shocked that Bette would question why she was upset.

“Tina,” Bette sat up slightly in an effort to look at Tina. “I’m teasing you.”

“I’m already on edge about it Babe.”

“Why?”

“How can you ask me why?” Tina said in awe of how oblivious Bette was to her feelings.

“I wasn’t aware it meant that much to you.”

“How could it not?” Tina asked with sarcasm in her voice.

“You really think that I could just go along with it?”

“I thought you’d at least try to make an effort to support me.”

“Tina,” Bette said fully sitting up to look in Tina’s eyes. “Could you really see me changing my name?”

“Your what?” Tina asked confused.

“Elizabeth Kennard?”

“What?”

“Did you really think I could change my name to Elizabeth Kennard?” Bette asked seriously, the teasing she tried to hint at in the conversation had long since disappeared.

Tina burst out laughing and fell back into Bette’s arms.

“I mean,” Bette began to try to approach the topic once more. “We’ve never even talked about changing our names to be in this relationship. I don’t even know how I would handle things professionally either given my name is integrated into the name of my gallery.”

“Oh God if only that’s what I was upset about,” Tina said as she wiped tears away from her face, continuing to laugh. “I’d feel a lot better about that fucking piece of paper.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Not changing your name,” Tina laughed. “I was talking about what was on that message.”

“Uh-huh.”

Bette was very confused by the turn of the conversation and Tina’s laughter.

“I’m talking about the message itself.”

“Which has my name doodled all over it with Kennard after it.”

“Does that really freak you out Babe?”

“I just,” Bette stammered. “I think it needs to be a discussion point if it’s your expectation.”

“It’s not, I always doodle our names on paper when I’m deep in thought or conversation.”

“So what’s going on with the message?”

“It was a message that my mother called,” Tina approached the subject carefully.

“Your mom?” Bette seemed genuinely surprised. “She doesn’t call that often. Is everything ok?”

“Yeah, everything for them is fine. It’s their anniversary in a week and they’re having a party at home.”

“Oh,” Bette was still fairly confused by how that message upset Tina.

“She wants me to go there for the party.”

“Ah,” Bette said finally clueing in on why Tina was upset. “This blows Alice’s theory that you were raised by wolves.”

“Yes it does,” Tina said laughing.

“So are you going to go?”

“I called her back and yes, I should likely attend their party.”

“That’s good,” Bette said. “You haven’t seen your parents in a long time and the trip home would be good. It gives me time to get some work done on the show.”

“Bette,” Tina said hesitantly. “That’s the issue really.”

“What is?”

“My parents want you to come, they want to meet you.”

Tina looked at Bette and saw the pure panic that flickered in her eyes. Bette’s mouth remained open, her silence offering Tina a chance to continue the conversation.

“It’s for a long weekend.”

“Are you serious about this?”

“As a heart attack,” Tina said in a somber tone.

“Before a show?”

“I’m aware of that,” Tina confirmed. “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important to me Bette.”

Bette let out the breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding once Tina told her what the message meant.

“Babe?” Tina asked hesitantly.

“What are the odds that this is a dream and I’m going to wake up soon?”

“Slim to none,” Tina said feeling angry toward Bette’s lack of enthusiasm for meeting her parents.

“That’s what I was afraid of.”

“This is important Bette,” Tina said sitting up to look into Bette’s eyes. “I may not be happy about it either, but it is my family.”

Bette just nodded in silence feeling dread wash over her.

“So what’s it gonna be Babe?” Tina pushed. “Will you do this for me?”