“Wait!”  The command penetrated the haze of arousal.  Tina eased back with effort from the brunette’s body.

“Sorry” She murmured trying desperately to collect herself.  It felt like pieces of her were all over her would be lover.  Damn Bette made her so hot.

Bette turned suddenly and slipped the key into the lock.  She turned the key and pressed the handle opening the door.

Tina was frozen on the doorstep.  Bette reached out and pulled her in with a chuckle.  This was the second time tonight that Tina had to be pulled across her threshold.

“Brandy or a cognac?”  Bette queried throwing her bag on the table and moving off towards the antique liquor cabinet she and Tina had purchased some years ago.  Tina threw herself onto the sofa and kicked off her shoes.  She tucked her legs under her thighs as she watched Bette move around the space that was once home.

“Cognac” Tina answered.  She continued to watch Bette as she reached for the cognac glasses and poured the amber liquid into glasses.  Bette crossed the room and handed one large snifter to Tina.

“Sit with me.”  Tina demanded nodding at the space at the end of the sofa. Once Bette was settled Tina fired.  “Why did you stop me?” She racked her brain trying to figure out what had brought their passion to a sudden halt.  She swore that Bette was there with her until she demanded a halt.  “Is it Jodi?” The note of insecurity cut Bette more sharply than any reproach. 

“Jodi broke up with me when I told her I planned to date other people.”  Bette wanted Tina to know that Jodi was not an issue. 

“I thought Jodi had a hard time with commitment, why would she react that way?”  Tina wondered aloud. 

“It seems that she could not reconcile herself to dating without sex” Bette challenged.

“Why would she have to?”

“I haven’t been able to…umm…it seems that I am having trouble…” Bette faltered to a stop.  I haven’t been able to let Jodi touch me.  I’m having trouble getting aroused with her.  Tina would not believe her based on her responses tonight. 

“You haven’t been able to fuck her since we have been together?”  Tina was surprised.  Bette had alluded to something along these lines a few days ago.  If Bette felt so strongly how could she have fucked Candace when they were together?

They weren’t really together then.  They had lost this connection.  This connection, she realized was beyond sex, beyond words.  This connection made her whole.  It made her alive everywhere.  She understood that she had a self and a life beyond Bette.  She no longer depended on her to define her being. 

“When I lost you…when I lost this…I got lost” Bette answered the unspoken question.  “When I held you and we made love the other day it all came back.  All of it.”

Tina was rapidly losing her ability to hear or to think.  Somewhere inside her the light flashed ‘go’.