At the sight of this, Tina let out a small laugh, tickled by the brunette’s dexterity that seemed to be ever-present in all parts of Bette’s body.

Bette didn’t completely understand the sudden giggle coming from the blonde, but she was overjoyed just the same to hear the light sounds coming from Tina.  Bette released a chuckle herself, so happy to hear Tina’s own laughter. 

The women sighed in unison as they relaxed into one another again, Tina resting comfortably between Bette’s legs as Bette wrapped her arms around Tina’s collarbone.  The water gently lapped around their bodies as they dissolved into one other again.

Bette allowed her eyes to travel the landscape of the naked blonde that lay before her in her own arms. 

Tina’s head rested just below Bette’s chin, providing Bette with an unobstructed view of this beautiful territory…Bette’s breath hitched as the sincerity of the moment gave way to deep desire. 

Without thinking what it might cost her, Bette inhaled a deep breath and began to speak.  Somehow, with the blonde facing away from her, what she had to say would be easier…And what she had to say was something she had never said to anyone before.

"Tina…" Bette began slowly, wanting verbal affirmation that Tina was listening.  She could only manage to be this candid while her confidence allowed, and she wanted to be sure the blonde was going to hear what she was about to say.

Tina stiffened slightly, instinctively bracing herself for what may come.

"Yes…" Tina answered tentatively, her eyes shifting to the peripheral of her vision, trying to capture any sight of the brunette’s face that she could. 

 The brunette’s words couldn’t come fast enough as the nervous tension began to build in the blonde’s body.  Tina’s chest began to rise and fall deliberately, naturally responding to the anxiety that she was once again beginning to feel.

"I think….I think there’s something that needs to be said….something that I need to say…to you…" Bette was perplexed by her own stumblings, a feeling she was not well acquainted with.  She closed her eyes briefly, trying to regain some sort of composure that instantly began to erode as she watched the blonde’s heaving breasts ripple through the water.

Get it together, Porter.  Bette seethed at herself, so obviously falling prey to the mercy of her emotions as well as to her libido.

"Bette…you don’t need to say anything…I…I didn’t tell you that in order to receive a similiar response…I told you that because…." Tina stopped suddenly, unaware that Bette was hanging on her every word. 

Tina inhaled deeply and this renewing breath seemed to give her the ambition to continue.  "I told you that because that’s how I feel…and I thought you should know…I wanted you to know."  Tina finished strong, but her voice fell flat as she whispered, "….and now I’ve fucked everything up…."

Bette straightened immediately, all at once lifting Tina and turning the blonde to face her head on.

"You did not fuck anything up….do you hear me?" Bette had her hands placed on both of Tina’s shoulders, her gaze imploring Tina to believe what she was saying because it was absolutely true.  "I swear to you, you have done nothing to change the way I feel about you…if anything…." Bette inhaled as she prepared to lay it all out on the line.  "If anything, at this moment, I’ve never felt quite like this before…"

Tina was intrigued by the brunette’s ability to express herself without directly responding to the sensitive situation at hand.  She knew exactly what Bette meant, and if that’s all that Bette had to say, then that would be enough for her.

Bette lost herself in the hazel orbs that gently searched her own.  The swell of emotions that began to rise within her conflicted against her cautious nature. 

For the first time in her life, Bette was at the mercy of her emotions.  She felt her armour being stripped away…the armour she had fought so hard to adorn for so long now…and the walls she had erected around her heart were now effortlessly crashing down…

And Tina Kennard was to blame…