Chapter 12

Bette laid on the sofa bed listening to Tina snore as she counted the number of rotations the ceiling fan made in an effort to push hot air around the room.

“Thirty,” Bette mumbled as Tina began to snore louder. “This is ridiculous. It’s too hot to sleep.”

Bette slowly climbed out of bed and slipped her Levi’s on along with a t-shirt that Tina packed for her without Bette knowing. She opted for no shoes as the lights were off and she’d have to make a production out of finding where they landed when she kicked them off quickly to get ready for the party on time.

She slid the door open that led to the backyard and walked on the path toward the tent, one of the only signs left of the party. Bette listened to the sounds that only the night could produce in North Carolina. The harmony between the crickets and a few frogs seemed like nature’s way of serenading those that were restless into a deep sleep.

Bette, however, was unable to sleep due to the stifling humidity and sexual frustration that had built up over the course of the trip. Her mind flashed to that afternoon in the hotel room, Tina’s boldness created an even greater need in Bette for sexual release, one that was increasingly difficult to ignore laying next to Tina in the sofa bed.

Bette made her way to the end of the path and pulled back the flaps on the tent to enter into what was now a deserted area. She looked around and saw a completely different picture then earlier that night. The flowers that once decorated the entire tent were gone. Donna Kennard made a point of giving away the centerpieces to those family or friends that expressed an interest in the flowers. She was proud of the fact that the flowers were easily transferable and could compliment almost any garden. The bar had been closed and the dishes and glasses were all packed in crates awaiting transportation to the catering company in the morning. The lights were left hanging on the parameter of the tent, but not turned on. The only light allowing Bette to see came from the moon and the small lights in the back of the Kennard’s house shining through the screened in windows left open in the tent. The tablecloths that once covered the wooden tables were folded in a corner, leaving the tables scattered around the room uncovered.

Bette let her fingertip graze over the treated wood on the table she sat at during the party as a smile graced her face remembering Dana’s horrible attempt at a speech honoring Jonathon and Donna Kennard. She chuckled once and shook her head, quickly breaking out into an all out laugh at the memory playing in her head.

“God I love your laugh,” Tina said from behind Bette startling her.

“Don’t sneak up on me,” Bette held her hand to her chest and felt her heart beating abnormally fast. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”

“I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“What are you doing up?” Bette questioned.

“I woke up and you weren’t there,” Tina explained. “I was afraid you were roped into another pool game with Dad so I hunted around the house thinking I was going to save you from the sheer torture. When I couldn’t find you up there I assumed you were down here for some reason.”

“I needed some fresh air,” Bette chuckled.

“Why?” Tina asked smiling. “The ceiling fan pushing the stifling air around the living room didn’t cool you off?”

“Hardly,” Bette said as she leaned on the table and crossed her arms over her chest staring at Tina.

“I love that look on you.”

“Frustration?” Bette teased.

“Not that one.”

“Sweat?” Bette questioned again.

“No, not that one either.”

“Which look would this be then?”

“The casual look,” Tina answered smiling. “Don’t get me wrong, you looked amazing tonight, but that pair of jeans fits you almost as well as my body does.”

Bette raised her eyebrow at the drop in Tina’s voice, smiling at the seductiveness that laced Tina’s words effectively.

“You know what I missed the most tonight?”

“A coherent sentence out of Dana’s mouth?” Bette joked.

“That too,” Tina laughed as she walked toward Bette. “Dancing with you.”

“Well I didn’t think it would be appropriate.”

“That didn’t stop Alice and Natalie!” Tina argued. “I thought the highlight of the evening was when Alice and Natalie did their own rendition of ‘Dirty Dancing’ until James cut in.”

“Just so you know, I’m noting the sarcasm in your voice.”

“I can’t believe Alice shattered her image by blurting out that she’s seen that movie 9 times since it’s been out in the theatres.”

“It is ‘Dirty Dancing’ Tina, get with the times,” Bette teased.

Tina’s response was a soft chuckle as she wrapped her arms around Bette’s waist and lightly brushed her lips against hers.

“You’re just mad Alphaville didn’t get the first chance at the script,” Bette laughed as she winked at Tina.

“That’s right,” Tina smiled. “There’s something about Jennifer Grey that I’m sure I would have pushed it through.”

“I like Cynthia Rhodes,” Bette said smiling. “God the way that woman moves.”

“Oh really?”

“I have a thing for blondes,” Bette smiled.

“Should I be worried?”

“About what? Me running into Cynthia Rhodes and making a fool out of myself trying to waltz to get her attention?”

“You can waltz.”

“Oh, well then yeah you should be worried,” Bette said laughing as Tina swatted at her arm. “Ouch!”

“You asked for that.”

“Now you have to kiss it and make it better,” Bette pointed to the red mark on her skin where Tina had swatted her.

“My pleasure,” Tina leaned down and gently brushed her lips against Bette’s skin. She allowed them to linger for a moment, enjoying the closeness of the moment. “So how ’bout it?”

“What’s that?”

“Dancing,” Tina backed up and held her hand out with a smile on her face. “Will you dance with me Bette?”

“My pleasure,” Bette took Tina’s hand and wrapped her other arm around Tina’s waist. “Don’t step on my feet though, I don’t have shoes on.”

“I don’t step on your feet!”

“Sure,” Bette mocked her with a smile. She turned Tina around and began humming a melody for them to move around the dance floor.

Tina remained silent and allowed Bette to guide them through the tables as they danced in perfect rhythm with one another. Tina laid her head on Bette’s shoulder and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath in through her nose to enjoy the scent that was uniquely Bette.

“Thank you,” Tina said almost breathless against the skin on Bette’s neck.

“Hmmm?”

“For being here with me this weekend,” Tina kissed Bette’s neck slowly causing her to bite down on her lower lip in an effort to control her reaction to Tina kissing a sensitive spot on her neck. “I’m not sure if I’ve said it to you, but it does mean a lot to me.”

“I think you have, but you don’t have to thank me,” Bette allowed her hand to travel lower on Tina’s body playing with the small of her back. Tina squirmed in her arms as Bette’s fingers tickled the skin right above the waistband on her jeans. “It’s my pleasure to be here.”

“That painting,” Tina picked her head up and looked into Bette’s eyes and smiled. “If you would have given that to me for Christmas I would have cried harder then I did tonight.”

“Your parents liked it.”

“They loved it,” Tina corrected. “I did too. It meant so much to me that you did that.”

“Well you know what this means don’t you?”

“What’s that?”

“The Lisa Euscavage we have now will still prominently be displayed as you walk into the house,” Bette smiled pleased that her painting was staying longer then she anticipated. “See how we all win?”

Tina laughed as she shook her head at Bette’s statement. She smiled as Bette twirled her around effortlessly and began a journey to a different part of the dance floor. Tina laid her head back down on Bette’s shoulder as she ran a hand through Bette’s hair and began to massage the back of her neck as they danced. The feel of Tina’s fingers on her skin began to arouse Bette. She smiled and pushed Tina away from her body, twirled her around, and then pulled her back into her body as Tina laughed at Bette’s failed attempt to defuse the sexual chemistry between them.

“It never works,” Tina stated. “You know that right?”

“What’s that?”

“Even if I’m not standing near you, I still want you.”

Bette’s hand, once again, lingered at the small of Tina’s back playing with the delicate skin there. She tickled that area using her nails under the hem of Tina’s shirt. Tina turned her head into Bette’s neck and began to nip at the skin and suck on Bette’s earlobe causing her to moan her approval.

“I love you,” Tina said quietly as she watched Bette’s pulse jump out at her.

“I love you too Tina.”

“I know that,” Tina said with conviction. “If I didn’t know that before this weekend, I know it unconditionally now.”

“Actions speak louder then words,” Bette whispered as Tina ran her hands up her shirt and down her sides brushing against the sides of her breasts. Bette’s head fell to the side and they stopped dancing as they looked into each other’s eyes. Bette’s lips were parted, as she struggled to regulate her breathing. Tina ran her hands back up the front of Bette’s t-shirt, over her taunt stomach, and up to Bette’s hardened nipples. Bette took a deep breath in as her eyelids fluttered and she closed them momentarily.

“Watch me Bette,” Tina demanded in a soft tone.

Bette’s eyes opened and she smiled at the sight of Tina staring into her eyes. Bette began to sway once more, holding Tina’s hands against her breasts, and walked them toward the stage until Tina’s back was pressed up against it and both women stopped moving lost in the moment.

“I need to be with you,” Tina pleaded.

Bette answered her by sliding her hands down to Tina’s hips and urged her to boost herself up onto the wooden rectangle serving as a stage. Bette tilted her head, her mouth beckoning Tina to lower her head and kiss her. Just before their lips touched, Bette’s tongue escaped past her lips and licked them to wet her mouth. Tina took full advantage of the moment and launched an assault on Bette’s mouth to leave her speechless. Bette allowed Tina’s tongue to pass through her lips and begin to lick the roof of her mouth. Her hands traveled back to Bette’s nipples, massaging both her breasts aggressively.

“No,” Bette tore her mouth away from Tina’s and took in a much-needed breath to calm her desire.

“No?” Tina asked confused by Bette’s actions. Her breasts were rising and falling quickly, matching her ragged breathing.

“This time it’s about you,” Bette said as she placed both her hands on Tina’s hips and stared into her dilated eyes.

Tina licked her lips in anticipation of Bette’s touch and leaned down to capture Bette’s lips once again in a kiss as she held onto her shoulders. Bette placed her hands on Tina’s legs and began to rub her thighs slowly, urging Tina to spread them further apart. Bette stepped closer to the stage and broke the kiss to enable her to look at Tina in the current state she was in.

“Please,” Tina begged for Bette to kiss her once more.

Bette answered by simply laying her head down on Tina’s thigh and rubbing her cheek against the denim that covered it. She picked her head up once more, allowing her hands to roam Tina’s legs freely.

“Lay back,” Bette instructed her in a loving tone.

Tina, with her legs still dangling off the stage, leaned back on her elbows to watch Bette’s movements, but quickly gave up when Bette snaked her hand up the front of her t-shirt and fumbled with the button on Tina’s jeans finally releasing it and slowly pulling the zipper down. Tina’s head moved to the side as she took a deep breath in, anticipating Bette’s next touch.

Bette grabbed the waistband of Tina’s jeans and yanked on them, urging her to lift her hips in an effort to remove her jeans. Tina did so easily, desperate for Bette’s touch. Bette made a point to also take Tina’s underwear off at the same time so Tina only had to accommodate Bette once by lifting her hips.

“You’re so wet,” Bette quietly confirmed what Tina had already known. Bette struggled with setting a slower pace as she saw the evidence of Tina’s arousal seep out and down her thighs.

“It’s all for you.”

Tina lifted her own shirt up and began to massage her nipples, knowing they were out of Bette’s reach, but craving that sensation.

“Take your shirt all the way off,” Bette instructed.

Tina easily pulled the cotton t-shirt over her head and threw it to the side where her jeans and underwear were piled. Bette surprised Tina by lifting herself up on the stage to lay with her, allowing her greater access to Tina’s body. Bette laid on her side and smiled down at Tina, working hard to control her breathing and allow herself time to explore Tina’s body.

“Please Bette.”

Tina arched her back in an effort to have any part of her body connect with Bette’s skillful hands. Bette allowed her index finger to travel down the valley between Tina’s breasts, gliding through the perspiration that glistened on Tina’s skin. She traced a curvy path to Tina’s stomach, feeling her abdominal muscles twitch with each stroke of her finger.

Bette watched as Tina’s full breasts rose and fell with each determined breath she took. Bette allowed her one finger to move upward once more, touching the side of Tina’s breast but avoiding touching her hardened nipple that cried out for Bette’s touch.

“Stop teasing me,” Tina demanded in a voice clearly indicating to Bette that she did not want to draw the teasing out for any great length of time.

Bette chuckled as her mind processed her next move, one that was directed at just that, teasing Tina and pushing her closer to the edge of ecstasy. She stilled her hand on Tina’s hipbone and used only the tip of her tongue to caress Tina’s lips. She licked the top one and felt Tina’s breath on her face urging her to be bolder. Bette licked her bottom lip and smiled at the moan that escaped Tina’s mouth.

Tina placed her hand on the back of Bette’s head and pulled her down for a full kiss. She easily snaked her tongue into Bette’s mouth and lightly began to massage Bette’s tongue with her own. Bette continued the kiss as her hand lightly traced patterns on Tina’s glistening skin as it journeyed from her hip to her thigh and massaged that area harder then her previous touches.

Tina broke the kiss to take in a much-needed breath, allowing her head to fall to one side and exposing her neck for Bette’s pleasure. Bette wasted no time in attacking the newly exposed skin, sucking hard but cognizant enough to not leave any marks. Her hand moved up to tickle Tina’s stomach causing her to smile as Tina’s muscles contracted with every touch.

Tina laced her fingers through Bette’s hair, massaging her scalp and focusing on prolonging the inevitable orgasm that Bette was urging her toward. Tina spread her legs wide, bending them at the knee, and allowing her knees to fall outward giving Bette as much access to her center as she wanted.

Bette pulled her head back and smiled at the sight before her. Tina’s lips were swollen from the desperate kissing that had just occurred. Her breath was coming in short gasps causing her breasts to rise and fall quickly. Tina’s nipples were hard, the contrast between her pale skin and the color of her areola was breathtaking. Tina chuckled as she looked down in the direction that held Bette’s gaze. She grabbed Bette’s hand off of her stomach and brought it to her breast in a silent plea for Bette to tease her nipple.

Bette used one of her fingers to gently trace a pattern on Tina’s areola, careful not to touch her nipple just yet. She smiled as the path she traced had goose bumps appear almost instantaneously. Bette then brought her finger to her mouth and sucked on it, drawing a primal groan from Tina. Bette used the one wet finger to play with Tina’s nipple, wetting it completely as if her mouth had just been there. She leaned down close to Tina’s nipple and simply blew cold air on Tina’s wet skin.

“Oh God,” Tina arched her back and let her head fall back slightly enjoying Bette’s manipulation of her body.

Bette leaned closer and gently touched the tip of her tongue to Tina’s hard and wet nipple. She massaged the nub with the tip of her tongue for a short time, resisting Tina’s efforts to push more of her breast into Bette’s mouth. However, upon further insistance on Tina’s part, Bette allowed her to pull her head down to Tina’s breast. Bette opened her mouth and took Tina’s nipple and part of her breast fully in her mouth. She sucked hard, her hand now snaking down Tina’s body, feeling the sweat beading on Tina’s skin. Bette allowed her hand to rest right above her hairline teasing the area close to Tina’s pubic bone.

Tina moaned as Bette switched breasts, treating her other one to the exact same treatment she had just provided causing Tina’s arousal to escalate exponentially.

“Bette,” Tina pleaded in a husky tone.

Bette moved to the valley between Tina’s breasts and licked her way down to her stomach. Tina’s skin became electrified, as Bette’s tongue stimulated it first followed by Bette’s nose caressing the same path. When Bette reached Tina’s stomach, she gently nipped at whatever skin she could easily devour. She placed kisses all over Tina’s skin and then dipped her tongue into her bellybutton, which had a pool of perspiration residing there.

Tina grabbed Bette’s hair with both hands and tried to force her head down to her center quicker then Bette was prepared for. No amount of pushing Tina did urged Bette to move any faster. Tina ran her fingers through Bette’s damp hair as sweat beaded on her forehead and dripped down onto Tina’s skin. Bette looked up and then moved up inserting her Levi clad thigh between Tina’s legs. When the denim came in contact with Tina’s throbbing clit she moaned and threw her head back in ecstasy.

“Fuck me,” Tina pleaded.

Tina’s hips began to buck against Bette’s thigh, desperate for release. Bette moved her thigh up and down encouraging the movement of Tina’s hips.

“Not yet,” Bette said softly as she pulled her thigh out of Tina’s reach.

Bette moved down Tina’s body once more and slid her hands around Tina to hold her hips up giving her greater access to the juncture between her thighs. Bette kissed one thigh, wet from Tina’s arousal seeping out quickly. Using the tip of her tongue, Bette licked the inside of Tina’s thigh, tasting her for the first time during the intimate moment. Tina’s head was bent back, her back arched, as she listened to Bette moan her approval of the unique taste and scent that was Tina’s alone.

Tina began to touch her own nipple with one hand and she snaked her other hand through Bette’s hair and began to tug at her to move closer to her center. Bette licked her way up Tina’s thigh to the area covered in wet hair. Bette took a deep breath in to smell Tina’s arousal, which fueled her to become more aggressive. The smile that graced Tina’s face was a mixture of pleasure at Bette’s tongue and relief for the contact she received on her clit. Bette touched the tip of her tongue to the throbbing nub, causing Tina to grab fistfuls of Bette’s hair.

“God that feels so good Babe,” Tina said in a low, sexy voice. “I need you inside me.”

Tina’s hips began to buck into Bette’s face, she was desperate for her release. She felt her orgasm begin to build and desperately wanted to feel Bette inside when she came.

“God now Bette,” Tina demanded. “Inside me…I need…God please!”

The desperation in Tina’s voice rang out in the almost silent darkness that the night brought. Bette slipped two fingers into Tina easily and curled them instantly hitting Tina’s G-Spot. She moved up to kiss Tina and allow her the chance to taste her own arousal on Bette’s lips. Tina’s hips jerked off the stage, suspended in midair as she felt the familiar rush of an orgasm. She relished in the feel of Bette inside her and her lips crushing Tina’s in pure aggression.

Tina tore her lips away from Bette’s as she held her breath, her head thrown back, and arched her body off the stage. She dug her fingers into Bette’s shoulders and then threw her head up while she wrapped her arms around Bette’s body holding her close. Her teeth sank into cotton and the flesh beneath as she bit down on Bette’s shoulder, her body shaking with a powerful orgasm. Bette massaged her G-Spot left to right, passing over it slowly, drawing Tina’s orgasm out even further. Bette bit down on her bottom lip and shut her eyes as Tina’s teeth dug further into her shoulder.

As Tina’s body began to relax, she threw her head back once more, taking in a much- needed breath. Bette still held her up, but stilled the movement inside of her, allowing her a chance to regain her breath.

“Oh my God,” Tina muttered with her eyes closed and her body limp. She tickled Bette’s skin and smiled at the sweat that she felt as her hands glided over Bette’s strong back. “That was amazing.”

Bette smiled at Tina in her relaxed state. She began to remove her fingers when Tina stilled her movement by grabbing her wrist.

“Stay where you are,” she mumbled.

Bette chuckled and kissed Tina’s neck lightly while leaving her fingers deep inside her lover. Tina ran her fingertips lightly over Bette’s forearm, relishing in the closeness of their intimate moment.

“God I need this,” Tina said smiling with her eyes closed. “After this afternoon it was all I could think of.”

“Too bad we don’t have ice now.”

“God, I don’t think my body could take that.”

“Not for sex,” Bette laughed. “It’s stifling hot tonight.”

“Alice would accuse you of being sexually frustrated if you chewed on ice.”

Bette’s answer was simply a roll of her eyes. Bette removed her fingers and laid on her back next to Tina to cool down as much as possible given the brutal humidity.

“Do you think we’ll make it 30 years together?” Tina asked as she opened her eyes and looked at Bette beside her.

“I think so.”

“Are we going to have a big party like my parents did?” Tina asked smiling.

“Better.”

“Do you think we’ll be as happy as they are when we’ve been together 30 years?”

“Happier,” Bette mumbled beginning to feel relaxed enough to drift off to sleep.

“You’re really not falling asleep are ya Darlin’,” Tina said in her best Southern drawl.

The small attempt at humor caused Bette to open one eye and glare at Tina until Tina broke out into laughter.

“You know how wrong it is that you just called me Darlin’ after your mother has been calling me that all weekend right?”

“Well mentioning my mother just had the same effect as the aforementioned bucket of ice being dumped on my head,” Tina said as she rolled on her side to face Bette with a smile on her face.

“Oh I’ll never look at ice the same way,” Bette said chuckling and closing her one eye again.

Tina watched the steady rise and fall of Bette’s chest as her breathing deepened. She used one finger to tickle Bette’s skin, only adding to her relaxed state.

“Babe?”

“Hmmm?” Bette half moaned and half breathed her answer.

“Are you falling asleep?”

“Maybe,” Bette mumbled without opening her eyes.

“You know that book Mom borrowed said you shouldn’t fall asleep right after sex,” Tina teased hoping to gain her desired effect which was Bette opening her eyes and looking at her.

“Uh-huh,” Bette moaned as she started to drift off to sleep.

“You can’t sleep,” Tina prodded her. “I have an important question that’s been on my mind all night. It’s the reason I woke up actually.”

“Uh-huh,” Bette mumbled and then groaned when Tina began to shake her, knowing they couldn’t fall asleep outside in the tent without questions being asked.

“Babe you have to get up. I know how you are about people thinking we’re sex-starved teenagers and can’t keep our hands off each other. It’d be kinda obvious if we fell asleep on the stage.”

“What’s the question?” Bette asked slightly more alert then moments ago.

“You’d have to open your eyes for me to ask it.”

Bette opened her eyes and cocked an eyebrow in Tina’s direction waiting for the important question.

“I was wondering,” Tina started now suddenly nervous about her question.

“Yes?”

“What dwarf do you find sexy in case I wanted to role play?” Tina said smiling at Bette’s exasperated look on her face.

“I’m changing my mantra from ‘actions speak louder then words’ to ‘kill me now’ if that tells you anything,” Bette answered coupled with an exaggerated eye roll making Tina laugh harder.