After just a few minutes, Bette placed the clams, warm butter and sauce on the table.

The ladies playfully enjoyed the clams.  They fed each other, laughed and generally enjoyed making a big mess.  They were just finishing their clams, admiring the beginnings of a beautiful sunset, when they could hear the unmistakable Etta James sing the first notes of “At Last”.  Bette stood and extended her hand to Tina. 

“Tina, may I have this dance.”

“Yes, please.”

Bette led Tina to the middle of the lanai, drew their arms in close and wrapped her arm around Tina’s waist.  Tina placed her around Bette’s shoulder and left her fingers to trails in Bette’s hair.  Bette leaned into Tina and caressed Tina’s cheek with her own.  She hummed along and then she sang along on the refrain:   ‘At Last, my love has come along…My lonely days are over… And life is like a song….’ 

Tina leaned into Bette and pulled her as close as possible and placed a tender kiss on Bette’s lips.

“Oh Baby…”

The song ended and the women held each other tight for several minutes.  Bette pulled back and lifted her hand to wipe her face, but Tina grabbed Bette’s hand and with tears in her eyes she said.

“No baby, that’s my job”.  And she leaned in and kissed the tears away.

They bowed their foreheads together and looked deep into each other’s eyes.  Tina smiled and broke the silence.

 “Hey what about that lobster?”

Bette smiled back and said “You’re right.  Let’s get the rest of the food going.”

The ladies brought the food out and Bette set about grilling their meal.  They watched the setting sun and resumed chatting and laughing as the food cooked.  Before they knew it Bette declared.

“It’s done.  Let’s eat.”

They enjoyed the meal immensely.  The lobster was superb, the corn and asparagus were delicious, the wine was perfect and of course they laughed and talked.  They cleared the table quickly placing practically everything into a trash bag. 

They sat back down to finish their wine.  The candles were lit.  The sun had set but there was the faint glow of the moon on the water, there was the sound of the surf and soft jazz playing in the background.  They sat quietly sipped their wine and enjoyed the atmosphere.  Bette reached for Tina’s hand.  She caressed it between both her hands and then brought it to her lips and while still caressing she placed gentle kisses. She began licking and sucking the hand as if feasting.  Tina was mesmerized by the sight and the sensations but somehow found her voice.

“Bette, please, Bette…take me to bed.”

Bette looked deep into Tina’s eyes. 

“Baby, are you sure.”

“Oh God Bette, please.”

Tina reached for Bette and pulled her into a very deep kiss.

“Where to T?”

Tina pointed to a door on the right side of the beautiful room. 

“Off this room there’s a guest bedroom.”

Bette reached around Tina and put her arm around Tina’s waist, pulled her close, and led them to the door.