Wet. So far beyond aroused. Bette has, with intention and forethought, worked me into this state of existence. She’s done it before. Repeatedly. And then backed away. Out of some sense of nobility. Wanting me to be certain. Fuck, I can barely think. I’m not letting her leave tonight.

”Let’s go to the bedroom.”

”Don’t you have to work tomorrow?” Bette asked.

”I don’t care, I want you to stay.”

”Tee, I’m patient.”

She stopped kissing me to say it. So she could look me in the eye. Fine, you want to look me in the eye. Then keep doing it. I can’t take it anymore. I unfasten the top button on my jeans before taking her hand and slipping it past the waist band.

”I’m not as patient as you are.”

Even as I say the words, I feel her fingers graze over me. It’s subtle, but I see her lick her lips; a hint of a grin brings up the corner of her mouth.

I am consumed by the revelation. This was what she was waiting for. To know I didn’t harbour any doubts.

She withdraws her hand. Her fingers lose contact. I ache for her to touch me again. Then both hands work my jeans down over my hips. My briefs stubbornly remain.

We can be more comfortable than this. She’s still sitting up after having removed my jeans. She places them neatly onto the arm of the couch. I stand up as she turns to face me again. I can see the question in her eyes.

”Come with me.”

I reach for her hand and back away a few steps while still looking at her. She stands and walks with me. That’s no hint of a grin any longer. It’s the smile that tells me she knows we’re not going to be getting any sleep tonight.

Heat. I feel the heat of her skin when I place the palm of my hand on her chest. In the ”V” that mercifully exposes part of her to me. I run my hand down to undo the buttons while we stand beside the bed. She reaches to accomplish the same from the bottom and I’m soon slipping the blouse off her shoulders.

I’ve seen her dressed in less. In the yard. In a bikini. But you know – you can’t just stare when you’re at someone’s house for a casual afternoon by the pool.