Tina’s vocalizations were driving Bette crazy. She couldn’t help but react physically, her muscles tensing.

            The crescendo of Tina’s orgasm was unmistakable. The sounds were especially familiar to Bette who knew the other woman’s physical responses so well.

            “Oh yes.” The intimate sensations were causing Tina to lose control. “Yes! Yes!”

            Bette was drawn closer. “Tina?”

            “Bette?! What the – ” Tina pulled the sheet up around herself and her partner, rubbing her arm comfortingly on the other woman’s arm.

            “But, I heard…” Standing in the doorway of the bedroom, Bette looked sheepish and cleared her throat. “I heard you.”

            “Whatever you heard was none of your business.” Tina rolled her eyes.

            Bette lingered, leaning against the doorjamb.

            “Out,” Tina directed.

            Shane started to slip from the bed, “Maybe I should take off.”

            Tina gave the younger woman a very hungry stare. “No, you stay.” She then turned her attention back to the doorway and pointed at her former partner. “You leave.”

            At this request, Shane was only happy to comply.

            Bette complied, also, but less happily. “Close the window” she muttered as she left, closing the bedroom door behind her.

            “Are you sure we’re cool?” Shane looked concern. “I don’t want to screw anything up.”

            “Shane, do you think we’re dating?” Tina smiled, knowing that she’d get a truthful answer.

            “No,” came Shane’s response, with a chuckle and a smile of her own.

            “Nothing wrong with being friends with benefits.”

            Shane rolled on top of the blonde woman. “Nothing wrong at all.”

            Back at her house, Bette took a seat in the dining room and picked up a magazine.

            “Everything okay?” Jodi asked.

            Bette flipped a page violently. “Just fine,” she said through gritted teeth.

            Jodi nodded, certain that she was missing something but not interested enough to pursue the subject.

            Bette tried to ignore the new round of sounds coming from the neighboring house. But there was something about being an eavesdropper; she knew she had to listen. Again.

            “Everything’s fine.” Bette said again, not believing a word.

the end