“Thanks for the compliments, but i’m still glad to see you here”

Bette Porter had a penchant for elegance as was obvious when she came forward to greet them. She spoke a friendly greeting to Jenny, but her eyes burned into Tina’s as she curled her fingers around her elbows.

“I’m glad you could join us on such short notice, Tina”

Tina grounded her teeth in an effort not to remind her that she had no say in the matter. Instead she replied with cool politeness, “Thank you for the invitation.”

Bette seemed slightly amused by Tina’s sarcastic words. Her lips tilted at the corners. “Mister Smith is already here. This way”

They made small talk around the table. But Tina could not concentrate, all she could think about was close Bette was. Mister Smith was saying… “I’m so glad to have finally met you, Miss Kennard, Miss Porter has told me so much about you. I understand you have been friends for a long time”

Tina ignored Jenny’s bemused look and said. “Yes, we met through a mutual friend several years ago.”

“At your wedding?”

“Yes it was, Tina mumbled, covering her agitation by adjusting her skirt over her knees, and placing her purse between her and Bette’s thighs. Immediately she picked it up and laid them on the far side of her. Tina shot her a warning look, but she didn’t catch it. She was asking Jenny what she wanted to drink.

“And you, Tina? What do you want?”

I want you to stop pressing your thighs against mine she wanted to shout…. instead she answered with cold civility. “White wine on the rocks, please” Tina released her pent up breath when Bette turned her head and gave the waitress their order. If only she wasn’t so close. If only she couldn’t smell her tantalizing perfume. If only Bette wasn’t so damn good looking. If only Tina couldn’t remember how her name had sounded on lips that had kissed her with more passion than she’d ever known. If only she couldn’t remember the way Bette’s mouth had tasted as it devoured hers…._____

When the meeting was over and they had finished dinner, Tina excused herself to use the ladies room. After she finished Bette cornered her just outside the door. She lay a single hand on Tina’s shoulder,as she asks softly. “D-id you speak to Helena today?” But Bette didn’t seem as interested in her meeting with her boss as, much as she was interested in the diamond __studded earlobe she was studying intently. She move her fingers along Tina’s arm,only enough to stir the hairs.

“yes” she said, Jerking her arm from beneath Bette’s.

“And?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“I wasn’t sure you’d come. You didn’t have to.”

“oh, I had to or, believe me, I wouldn’t be here,” she scoffed. “you knew damn well I’d come, Bette. Don’t you always get what you want? Don’t you do exactly as you please.?”

“No, Bette answered under her breath. Leaning dangerously close to her. “If I’d done as I please four years ago , I’d have carried you off that night, made love to you until we were both senseless, and use force, if necessary, to keep you from marrying Henry. Furthermore, if I was doing what I wanted to at this moment, it wouldn’t be engaging in this seemingly polite conversation, but thoroughly kissing that succulent mouth of yours.”

Tina was left speechless…__________

mean while across town at the -Parks Restaurant

TBC