Bette briefly ponders the question, furrowing her brow as she does.  She looks at Tina and as she is about to speak Tina interrupts, “Baby, I don’t think that would be such a good idea.”

“What’s the matter, T?  Are you afraid you won’t be able to control yourself?” 

Tina stumbles over her words, “I.. you..we..I don’t know.”

“Look, Tina, we both want the first time to be special.  I don’t think taking a shower together can hurt.  It may just add to the build up of anticipation and in the long run make the first time even better.  I promise to keep my hands and mouth to myself.  Can you do the same?”

Tina says, with a painful expression, “I’ll try, but if I can’t, I’ll at least keep them above the waste.”

Bette laughs out loud and says, Come on, lets get wet.”  She grabs Tina by the hand and leads her into the bedroom.  Once in Tina’s bedroom, Bette walks over to the night stand and takes the picture of Tina with Eric and lays it face down.  Tina looks a Bette, rolls her eyes and shakes her head.  Bette and Tina stand there staring at each other; they each start to remove their shirts.  The process of literally laying themselves bare is a slow one.  They each want to savor the sight of the other as they strip away their view restricting garments.  Bette removes her bra slowly and lets it drop to the floor.  Tina gasps at the sight of Bette’s aroused, dark nipples.  Tina goes next and inspires the same reaction from Bette.  They remove their panties together, never taking their eyes off each other as the drop them to the floor.  They stand in awe of one another, taking in as much as possible and committing each vision to memory.

“T, I know I’ve said this before but you are absolutely gorgeous.” drooled Bette.

Tina would have blushed at that comment if she hadn’t been struck silent be the beauty before her.  She just stood there with her eyes locked on Bette’s striking form.  Her body was taut and well disciplined.  Her hips were full; her arms and legs well defined.  Her ***** were perfect.  She is perfect.  “My God, Bette, you are breathtaking.”  

“Come on T, you’re embarrassing me.”

“Baby, you have NOTHING to be embarrassed about.  Looking at you is like looking at a work of art.”

“Geez T, I hope you don’t mean a Picasso.”

“T, when I cast my eyes on you I envision a heavenly body.  I guess that makes you my own personal angel.”

“Bette, will you stop?”

“Sorry T, sometimes I just can’t help myself.  You’re just so stunning.”

“OK, OK, we’re not getting any showering done this way.”

“Well I did say ‘let’s get wet and I don’t know about you but”

Tina cuts Bette off, “BETTE PORTER, GET IN THE SHOWER.”

Bette slowly turns toward the bathroom and slinks in like chastised child.  Tina, however, took advantage of the view as she followed, sighing heavily.

“I heard that T,” says Bette chidingly.

“What? I didn’t say anything,” says Tina.

“I heard that lecherous sigh.  I know you were ogling my bum.”

“Bette, what makes you say that? Do you think I would objectify you like that?”

“No T, I know you would never objectify me.  But I also know if I were in your position, just then, I would certainly be checking out your bum.”  They both laugh. 

Tina turns on the shower and they take turns shampooing each others hair.  They each relish the feel of the other’s touch.  They embrace several times during their shower, reveling in the feeling of their bodies touching without anything to separate them.  They share brief, tender, but passionate kisses, but both hold to their promise to control themselves.  Their objective for the day was a rather significant purchase.  That was foremost in their thoughts.  That one acquisition promised to change their lives forever by allowing them to sanctify their love for one another.  They finish their shower and dry off.  Tina gets Bette a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt; she chooses the same for herself.  They dress and leave on their journey to buy their own little piece of nirvana.

TBC