A mischievous glint in the blonde’s eye worried the art enthusiast somewhat. Although recovered from the recent bustle she did not necessarily want a repeat performance.  So when Tina moved her hands Bette couldn’t help but flinch to shield herself from the next intentional onslaught.  Her throat would soon be sore if the blonde kept this up much longer. 

Tina looked at her girlfriend, a small smile donning her pink lips.  “Do you trust me?”

Even if not intended, Bette’s almost immediate and truly genuine answer simply crushed the younger woman.  Swallowed her in emotion and passion.     

“Only with my heart T.”

The eyes of the one who asked fluttered closed and her mouth delicately parted to sigh softly.  Tina exhaled then inhaled as deep feelings simply engulfed her.  And yet it felt like she was not breathing at all because in those seconds that followed, she actually held her breath so as to devour the emotion that flooded all senses. 

How could someone do this to her? 

How could everything come to a stop with four simple words?

When she opened her eyes Bette looked upon her freely with a gaze that was full and sincere.  Tina smiled and leaned forward.  Her forearms by Bette’s shoulders, she moved her lower half so the couple was better aligned. 

With lips curved in delight, the mischief on her face influenced the woman beneath her to tense ever so slightly.  Given Tina’s mood Bette couldn’t help but foresee another attack to again prove she was indeed ticklish and leaving her laughing like there was no tomorrow.

Palms against familiar skin and starting at strong shoulders Tina ran her hands down the length of her lover’s arms.  Arms she loved.  Ones that held her in the privacy of night and in plain sight of anyone who cared to notice. 

The woman on her back exhaled through a huge grin while anticipating what was likely to come. Likewise, Tina beamed from ear to ear.

Carefully, Tina then pressed her hands lightly against Bette’s middle.  Fingers were splayed just above the very sensitive area to a particular playful touch.  Bette was resigned and ready to request reprieve but Tina’s tender hands only caressed.

She held her lover softly…surely.  The fair skinned woman moved evenly, touching her partner’s body unhurriedly then stilled in the area that would make her writhe and gasp in laughter.  Bette didn’t pull away this time and all the while, the couple held each other’s gaze. 

“Trust me,” Tina said and asked as a privilege.

Bette reached up and touched Tina.  With a smile that lit her face in joy; with her whole heart she answered and promised, “Always.”

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