Tinas mouth slowly opened, her head tilting slightly as the light danced off the gilded chalice behind the display glass. She looked around, but Bette must have still been in the previous room, studying the engravings on the doorway that led to the garden. Since they would be spending the evening at the art gallery party in Soho, they agreed to do something Tina wanted to do, and being that it was Tina, it wasnt your usual tourist attraction. They were at the Cloisters, a sprawling complex composed of several medieval monasteries, which contains the medieval branch of artwork and architecture for the MET. It was quite the trek from Chelsea, being that its located at the northernmost tip of Manhattan. But fortunately, the pair discovered the A train, express along the Upper West Side from 59th street to 125th. They managed to get from Midtown to Fort Tryon in about 45 minutes on a Friday, which is amazing for Manhattan (trust me).

Tina retraced her steps to the garden, but Bette was nowhere in sight. She walked along the paths, listening to the birds chirping overhead when she spotted Bette over on the terrace overlooking the Hudson River. Tina snuck up behind her, snaking her arms around Bettes waist and burying her face in her now dry and wavy hair. God, Tthis is amazingly beautiful, Bette whispered, almost rhapsodizing. And they say New Jersey is a landfill, Tina joked, squeezing Bette a bit. She felt the vibrations of Bettes chuckle through her cheek pressed into Bette’s back. Taking one last deep breath of Bettes hair, she stepped over to stand next to her and enjoy the quiet afternoon. After the shower, they managed to summon enough strength to crawl into bed for a much needed midday nap. Waking up refreshed about two hours later, they found a picturesque little bistro a couple of blocks away. Thats where Tina found the info page on the Cloisters in her guide book. They got the tip about the A train from their waiter, a handsome redhead who insisted on giving them his number. He was an artistic photographer AND an actor. What a coincidence, Bette muttered archly as he walked away from freshening their glasses of water.

Tina leaned forward against the edge of the wall, What time is it? Bette glanced at her watch, Almost 5:30. Hmmmtheyre gonna be closing soon, we better head out. Bette nodded in agreement, slipped her hand into Tinas and led the way. On their way back to the subway station, they passed by a street vendor selling I (heart) NY: three for ten dollars. Bette and Tina looked at each uttering perfect in unison. Backtracking, they purchased the t-shirts, trying to ignore the leery eyes the toothless vendor was using to look at them. They caught their train back downtown just in time, even though Bette almost got caught in between the sliding doors. They seated themselves in the last car of the train along with a Bob Marley dead-ringer, a short Hispanic woman with three adorable children (one in a stroller of course), and a fresh-faced, clean cut twenty-something guy wearing a Columbia Med t-shirt and hospital scrubs. Still feeling all warm fuzzie from their trip to the Cloisters, Tina curled her arm into Bettes, who was still catching her breath from her near death experience.

The train screeched and wailed to the next stop, depositing the mother and her little entourage. The eldest one with the ghetto afro waved goodbye to Bette and Tina, needless to say they gushed about it until the next stop. A pair of what looked like subway break dance performers boarded, but noticing the slim pickings used the sliding door to show themselves to the next car. At 168th street, the Columbia Med guy took his leave, stealing one last glance at the now hand-holding couple while he feigned to adjust his iPod earbuds. Tina tugged on Bettes arm to pull her closer. I want one of those, she said loudly over the noise of the train, pouting slightly. Christmas? Bette said, reading the advertisements overhead. Sooner, Tina replied, following her gaze. They spent the next several minutes discussing whether Bette should wear the jacket that accompanied her suit or just go with her sleeveless top.

Tina: I think you should show your arms off

Bette: Yeah, but what if it gets cooler.

Tina: (grinning) Ill keep you warm

Bette: Yeah, thatll be quite a show!

Tina suddenly noticed a pungent smell, and as she sniffed in the direction of its origin, her eyes landed on Mr. Rasta Man. Bette, she said looking askance at the dread-locked wonder. Bette answered with a quick hmmm since she was busy examining one of the souvenir t-shirts. We have to do something about that package back at the loft. Bette turned around to look at the subway map which was behind her head, Well, she muttered placing her finger on the blue line that designated the A train’s route, were gonna be going through Harlem any minute now. Tina gave Bette her dont be a smart-***** look to which Bette shrugged exasperated, What do you propose, that we smoconsumeall of it ourselves! Tina crossed her arms over her chest and sighed, Well, we cant take it back to LA. Bette took her time folding the t-shirt and placing it back in the bag as she spoke, Wellnotsucha badassnoware we?

They reached 145th street and still no one boarded their car and their dreaded friend was still in his seat. Bette picked up the jacket discussion again, but Tina stared blankly ahead at the blurred blue lights of the tunnel whizzing by through the window. She shifted a little closer to Bette, curling her arm with Bettes once again. At the sensation, Bette stopped speaking and turned her head to look at the wild brown eyes sparkling with mischief. What? Bette asked with no shortage of apprehension. Youve seen Risky Business, right? Tina asked, her voice velvety smooth. Bette rolled her eyes slowly, thinking hard about Tinas question: sounded familiarsomething about a kid dancing in his underwearhookers? Tom Cruisereally young, Bette offered, still a little fuzzy. Tina nodded slowly as the 135th street platform flew by. Bette wrinkled her brow again: something about being on the subway was nudging at her braintrainsTRAINon the TRAIN! Bettes eyes widened, and Tina knew all the pieces had fallen into place.

Tina: After 125th street, the trains express for like 70 blocks

Bette: Oh my god

Tina: I have a feeling hes gonna be getting off there

Bette: What if someone decides to transfer cars?

Tina: Thats part of the thrill

Bette shot a none-to-subtle glance at their car companion, then looked back at Tina. For a second her expression was disheartening, if not unreadable to Tina, but as the screeching of the brakes began, she saw that maddening corner of Bettes mouth rise. They laced their fingers together and waited. The man stood up before the train reached a complete stop, taking his place by the sliding doors. As they opened, he looked over, bowed his head in a gentlemanly way (although Tina swore she saw him wink), and walked out. They braced themselves for the next 30 seconds or so, until the doors finally closed (thank the ***** gods/goddesses!). Bette was now full-out smiling, and Tina wasted no time jumping into her lap. She grabbed onto a nearby pole and scanned the map for all the upcoming stations. Bette pushed Tinas top up over her *****, pulling the cups of the bra down to suck on one nipple and tease the other with her fingers. Okay, baby, Tina began, her voice both business-like and thickened with arousal, we have to.aaaahhooooh. Tinas instructions were strangled by a deep moan.

Bette was beginning to work her magic, flicking her tongue across Tinas hardened nipple before sinking her teeth into the sensitive flesh. Tina relished the sensation, fingering through Bettes silky hair and scraping her fingernails against the scalp. Bette smoothed both hands down Tinas torso, setting her hands to the task of unbuttoning, thankfully, much looser fitting khaki capris. She continued her ministrations to Tinas ***** as she began slowly stroking through her underwear until they were soaked. Tina set herself to the task of kissing every inch of Bettes face: her forehead, both cheeks, her nose, her eyes. Finally, she laid a lip-sucking kiss on her before pulling back and gasping, 116! Bette took the hint and pushing the underwear aside, slipped two fingers inside of her now thoroughly moistened lover. Bette stroked in and out, flicking Tinas ***** with her thumb; Tina rode Bette handhard. Her hips were bucking of their own will, her head was thrown back, her mouth open in a half-smile warped with pleasure. Bette panted heavily, both from watching Tina completely dissolve under her careful touch and from having to keep one arm tightly around her waist, preventing that Tina buck right out of her lap.

Bette tore her eyes from Tina’s rosy nipples for a split second to watch the 110th street platform fly by. Tina leaned back into her and buried her face into Bettes neck. She was going to be coming soon, and when she did, she wanted Bettes scent to inundate her senses. She curled her arms around Bettes head, rocking her hips just a little slower, savoring the feeling of Bettes hand making her body tremble. Babe, a puff of air more than a word, but as soon as Bette felt it warm her ear she pulled Tina closer and pinched her flesh. When the ***** wracked her body, Tina arched her back slightly, released a throaty groan, and then went limp in Bettes arms. Bette watched the people on the 103th street platform waiting for the local train as Tina continued to recover. She gently kissed the top of her sweaty blond head and withdrew her hand, moving her head slightly so that she could see Tinas face. Are you okay? she asked quietly, pushing Tinas hair out of the way. Tina nodded and moaned weakly, taking a few more minutes to catch her breath. She lifted her head and pressed her forehead into Bettes temple, God, Bette

Bette kissed her shoulder through her shirt, Tina, do you think people could see us? Tina shook her head, her ultra-relaxed face brightening a bit, Were moving too fast. She bent down and captured Bettes lips in her own, sucking and licking until she had her partner moaning out loud. Tina copied Bettes strategy, pushing her top over her *****, but opted for sucking and kissing through the lace cups. Bette bent her head back on the laminated map, closed her eyes and concentrated on the feeling of Tinas lips on her body. Tina alternated between Bettes chest and neck and all the while grinding her soaked self into Bette. She spent the next two stops just working her up. After 86th street, Bette couldnt take it anymore: she undid her own pants, grabbed Tinas hand, and shoved it down in there. Tina chuckled low against her supple neck, slipping one, then two more fingers into Bettes hot body. Bette clutched Tinas back and neck, tugging her closer as her own hips glided back and forth in her seat. OhTinaohahmmmTfuck! were the only coherent things leaving Bettes mouth.

The 81st street platform came and went, but Bette sill hadnt. After the initial fast pace, Tina had slowed down, enjoying the slow build evident in Bettes strained expression. Once she felt Bettes body begin to contract around her fingers, she pressed their foreheads together again and cooed to her, Cmon, babycmon (kiss)I love you Bette banged with her head against the Governors Island (the map remember) with every wave of her climax, Oh! God! Yes! Yes! Tina left her hand where it was, not wanting to disturb Bettes trip to another galaxy, but she couldnt help wanting to kiss when she looked and acted this uninhibited. Leaning in slowly, thats what she did. The train screeched through 72nd street, and they were still kissing, slowly and sensuously enjoying that last few minute of their subway ride in a private car and taking turns to tell each other “I love you.”

***

***** A trainI wish it ran more frequently. Oh, thank god, finally. Alright, people there’s enough room for everyone, no need to push! Fine, Im gonna walk to the end of the platform, because people act like theyve never seen a goddamn train before. Doors open, slip in. Ah, beautiful, its nearly empty. WhoaHELLO! Wow, these women are beautiful. ***** whyd Id sit right in front of them, I have nowhere to look now. I wonder if they had to run to catch the train, they looked pretty windedthe blondes all red in the cheeks and *****. And the brunette looks like she was in a cat fightlook at that hair! But notwithstanding the mussed up hair and the tousled clothes, they are breathtaking. Oh, theyre holding hands, how cuteOH! Theyre holding hands! Well, thats interesting. Yeah, sorry I didnt mean to stare, thanks for smiling though. Must be tourists, cause any native wouldve cursed me out for that. I wonder what two good-looking women like these were doing in a subwar car all by themselves since 125th street?