~ Bette Porter ~

I watch her speak to Alice and as she hangs up, I’m feeling a little guilty. She’s watching me with those beautifully starry eyes.

“Coffee?” I ask, and move to get into the kitchen. As I pass her, I feel the warmth from her hand on my arm stopping me. I’m tempted to slide my eyes back in my head and lose myself in her touch but her sweet voice stops me.

“Bette, I can only thank you for your hospitality, As much as I’d like to stay up and talk some more with you, it really is quite late and I fear tomorrow will be a long day.” She says, nervously.

How stupid of you. Of course she’s tired; you’ve had her out at a diner for most of the night.

“Of course. I’ll show you the spare rooms and you can decide which you’d like to take, all the sheets are fresh and I’ll get you some bed clothes. There are clean towels in each of the bathrooms.” I say, trying to think hat else she may need. “There’s a set of new toothbrushes in the cabinet of the bathroom down the hall, I’ll get you one while you change”

Tina’s smirking at me and I suddenly feel extremely self-conscious.

“What?” I ask, worried.

“Are you always so prepared?” she asks smiling still. My worry washes away as her smile stretches. I don’t stop my mouth until it’s too late.

“I wasn’t prepared to meet you.”

Silence. I try to study her face but she’s turned it away.

Damn it, Porter.

“Tina, I didn’t.. I’m sor-“

“No, it’s OK. To be honest, I was hardly expecting you either.” Her smile is tainted with sadness. “If I had been, I would’ve made sure we encountered one another in a distinctly different circumstance.”

Once again I can’t stop myself, “You mean you would’ve made sure neither of us were in façades of relationships?”

That’s it, insult her engagement while you’re at it.

She considers it, then speaks. “I can’t speak for you, but I’ve never wanted out of mine more than I do now. Is the end bedroom OK?” she says and starts along the corridor.

I follow behind her as she unknowingly enters my room. “If that’s the one you wish to occupy, then it’s fine.” I say as she looks around.

“It’s rather homey for a spare room.” Tina comments with raised eyebrows, “You entertain a lot then?”

“A relative amount. My friends will sometimes stay over if we’ve consumed a little too much alcohol, but nine ever stay in this particular room.” I smile.

“Why’s that?”

“Oh, because it’s usually occupied by the home-owner”

I smirk as Tina’s expression switched from confusion to clarity then straight to embarrassment.

“It’s fine. I have nothing to hide, I’ll take the adjacent room for tonight. There’s an on-suite through there, and,” I moved to the chest of drawers, “There’s a selection of nightly attire in this drawer here for you. Is that all?”

Tina’s face was still a blushing crimson, “Bette, I can take one of the other rooms, it’s no trouble. I didn’t know it was your room.”

God, she’s even stunning when she’s nervous.

“Quit blushing, it’s fine” I say with vehemence and move to the door. Taking hold of the handle, I look back to the beauty stood near my bed, “Good night, T. Sleep well.”

“And you, Ms Porter” I hear as the door shuts. I linger a moment before returning to the kitchen and making a pot of coffee. I sigh in solitude as I picture the blonde hair spread across my pillows, the milky skin encased by my wife beater and pants, the inevitable warmth exuding from her body between my sheets.

“Usually I at least make it into the bed with them.” I mock myself and take a long swig of hot coffee.

“This happens a lot them?”

I jump at the unexpected voice and spill the remains of my cup in my lap. Tina, the owner of said voice rushes to my side, immediately apologetic and cursing profusely. I can’t help chuckling, despite the burning.

“Bette, don’t laugh. Your leg could be seriously injured. You have to get this under running cold water.”

“Come on then, Mother” I say sarcastically, making my way to the bathroom and removing my trousers.