“Of course.  It’s not too big.  It’s just a lot easier with two hands on deck.”  Tina giggled, that is if you can handle taking orders while we’re out.”

Bette smiled and replied.  “Oh Kinnard, I’d take orders from you anytime.”

The women laughed.  Tina stood up and said, “Okay, we’ll need to change.  I’ll grab you some clothes and be right back.  Hey one piece, or two?”

Bette smiled and winked at the excited blonde.  “Well, I think I’ll take a one piece, but you, my dear, definitely need a two piece.”

Tina stopped and stared at Bette.  “Wow there you go hittin’ me when I least expect it. Wow.”

Tina turned and made her way quickly toward the stairs.

______________________________________

The women enjoyed a long relaxing run on the beach and then took a brief swim to cool off.  They took Tina’s sailboat out and enjoyed a picnic lunch while on the ocean.  Bette loved the feel of the sun and wind.  Tina was eager to share sailing with Bette and she was able to pick up the basics pretty quickly.  She loved it. 

They returned to shore by mid afternoon, laughing and touching like teenagers. 

They were walking back to the house and Bette turned to Tina. 

“Hey, um any plans for dinner?  Would I be pushing my luck if I asked you to have dinner with me tonight?”

Tina turned toward Bette still holding her hand, she placed her hand on Bette’s hip and brought them in close to each other.

“Porter, I thought you’d never ask.”

Tina leaned up and kissed Bette sweetly on her lips.  Bette leaned into the kiss and then pulled her into a tight embrace. She then buried her head in Tina’s neck, placed tender kisses on Tina’s neck and shoulder and breathed in her scent. 

“Oh God, you smell so exquisite.”

Tina arched into the embrace and sighed, “Oh Bette…”

Bette slowly pulled away from the embrace, looked into Tina’s eyes and quietly murmured.

“Ah T, we certainly do seem to like the beach, don’t we.”

Tina leaned her head into Bette’s shoulder and the women laughed.  After their laughter slowed, Tina shyly looked into Bette’s eyes and whispered.

“You know we don’t have to stop.”

Bette smiled at the simple statement and then pulled Tina gently into her and spoke in her ear.

“T, baby, I don’t want you to feel rushed.  I want you to be sure.  I want this to be …ya know, perfect.”

Tina pulled Bette into another tender kiss.  When the kiss broke Tina looked into Bette’s eyes.

“Babe …um, are you ready?”

Bette looked deeply into Tina’s eyes and then closed her eyes to compose herself before she spoke.

“I’m scared Tina, I so scared…”

Tina pulled Bette down to her and hugged her close.  She buried her arms in Bette’s beautiful hair and kissed her head tenderly.

“Baby, I would never, I mean never hurt you.”  She leaned down and looked into Bette’s eyes and then earnestly continued.  “Trust me Bette.  Trust me.  I know how I feel.”

They held each other close for several minutes until Bette leaned away from the embrace to look at Tina and spoke quietly.

“Tina, I feel like such an idiot.  You’re the one who should need the reassurance.  I’m sorry.”

“Babe, I don’t need reassurance, because I already know I can trust you.  I know that you will take care of me baby.  You’re just not used to someone taking care of you.”

They shared a sweet smile until Tina broke the embrace, grabbed Bette’s hand and started walking back to the house.  Just before they entered the house, Tina turned and looked at Bette and spoke.

“Let’s just see where tonight takes us. Okay?”

Bette smiled and replied. “Okay.”