The doorbell rang at precisely eight oclock. Though I was obviously expecting to find Bette Porter at my door, it was still a shock. She was just too beautiful. The kind, of beautiful, that, would shock you, if you hadnt seen her for a while. Like an hour maybe.

T. She said and leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. You look fantastic, that dress is amazing on you.

Her face so close to mine, sent shudders through my body, and I wanted to forget all about dinner, and just drag her in to the bedroom. I sprang away from her, realising the proximity of being so close to her was sending my lust factor off the Richter scale.

Hi Bette, you look beautiful, Ill . . .just . . .get my . . .purse. I stammered, backing in to the living room. I quickly grabbed my purse out of the kitchen. I hid behind the door and took deep breaths and tried to calm down.

I was wound up like a spring on the journey to the restaurant. I kept stealing glances at Bette as she drove her Mercedes through the traffic. Every time she shifted gear, her hand would drop tantalisingly near to my thigh, so near that I could feel the heat coming from it, as she reached for the stick shift. It took every ounce of energy I could muster not to groan out loud.

Bette chatted away, unaware of the effects she was inflicting on me. Every now and then she would glance at me with those incredible deep brown eyes, and I wouldnt hear what she was saying, and lose myself in those eyes. This was going to be a very long night.

We were shown to a small table, in a secluded alcove. There was a candle on the table and a beautiful vase, filled with a tiny spray of flowers.

You wouldnt believe how quiet this place used to be T, but since it had a review in the LA Times, its almost impossible to get a table now. Said Bette, as she picked up the menu.

I nodded and smiled my response, but if truth be known, I didnt care about the restaurant, I was just sat admiring her, and looking around the place to see if anyone else was admiring her too.

I, think Ill have the fetucchini. She said. What about you Tina?

I tried to focus on the menu, but it was all, Italian to me.

T.

Yes. I said.

I have an idea? Bette said. Let me order for the both of us. She leant across the table and started rubbing the back of my hand with her index finger. I took deep breaths and prayed the back of my hand wasnt as sweaty as my palm.

Would that be okay? She asked.

M mm. I said.

A friend of mine owns this place, and I know the menu, inside out. So is that okay? She smiled.

I nodded and smiled back at her.

And the wine, lets see, a nice Frascati, something Italian anyway. Ill get Antonio to recommend something.

She beckoned at a waiter from across the room.

Id promised my self I was going to keep a clear head and stick to mineral water, but I couldnt let Bette, drink by herself, and besides, it would relax and calm me. So thats when I had my first glass of wine.

After consulting with Bette, the Chef brought us small plates of everything on the menu. The food tasted superb, but anything would have tasted good, if you could look at this beautiful woman while you were eating it. We ate in silence most of the meal, both of us just savouring one anothers company.

Is there enough Cannelloni for two? I asked.

Theres more than enough. She said. Spearing some on her fork, and holding it towards my mouth. Her eyes were like deep black pools in the candlelight, and I could feel myself slowly drowning in them.


I leaned forward and she pushed the food in to my mouth, slowly and gently, as if she was kissing me. Bette smiled and stretched out her hand and caressed my cheek with her fingertips.

Ive missed this T. Ive missed spending intimate dinners with you. She whispered.

Me too. I said, and sipped from my wine glass, the promise to myself of sticking to mineral water floating back to me through a haze of alcohol.

“Why are you here Tina? She said in a hushed voice, the uncertainty in her eyes clearly visible.

Because I wanted to have dinner with you. I found myself answering. I was too afraid to tell her the real reason. But I could tell by the look on her face, she wasnt going to settle for anything less than the truth.

And what about Helena? How does she feel about you having dinner with me? She asked, peering over lowered lashes.

She doesnt know Im having dinner with you. I replied, not taking my eyes away from hers.

You mean you lied, to her about who you were having dinner with? I dont understand Tina, why wouldnt you tell her you were having dinner with me?

Because I dont need to tell her. I said. Were no longer together.

What? she frowned and shook her head. Did she leave you?

No . . .I told her I was never in love with her. I said in a whispered voice.

Bette took hold of my hand, and said softly.

But you said you were happy, you told Kit you were happy with her?

I have been happy with Helena, in my own way, I was very happy, and I do love her, but Ive never been in love with her because . . . I hesitated, scared of what her reaction would be when I told her. Because I never stopped being in love with you. I stammered, closing my eyes for a second.

She reached up and cupped my face with her hands, and softly kissed me on the lips, her eyes glistening in the candlelight from the tears that were threatening to fall.

Do you know how long I have waited for you to say that? She said huskily. I could feel her hands shaking against my face. Ive never stopped loving you Tina. I dont think I ever will. She looked at me with a contented smile on her face, as if a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders.

Do you want to go? Bette said arching her eyebrows.

I nodded, fully understanding what she meant.

We drove back to my apartment in silence. We didnt need words, we both knew how the other was feeling right now, and that was enough.

When she pulled up outside my building she leaned over and kissed me gently on the cheek.

Are you sure about this T? Is this what you want? She whispered.

Her eyes shone in the dim light and her eyelashes threw a shadow on her face, she looked so beautiful and yet so vulnerable.

Yes, Im sure. I said. I want this more than anything.

She smiled. Me too. She leant forward and kissed me, a long expert kiss that almost made me faint.

I made coffee in the kitchen while Bette relaxed on the couch. I had to pinch myself to check that I wasnt dreaming, and my beautiful Bette actually was in my living room.

I brought in the coffee, and sat down on the couch next to her. She took my coffee mug from my hand and placed it on the small table beside her.

Come here. She whispered, and pulled me in to her chest.

I let Bette take me in her arms and envelop me in her smell, that lovely Bette smell, and then I let her kiss me. I put my arms around her neck and kissed her back. I was, loving every minute. I loved everything about her, and I wanted her here and now on my couch. She ran her hand tantalisingly up and down my spine.

Are you sure . . .you know . . .are you sure you want to? She murmured in my ear.

I reached down with my hand and softly stroked her cheek. I think she knew from my face, what the answer was. She caught my hand in hers and turned it over, kissing the palm, then she kissed each finger one by one, until I thought I was going to scream from wanting her. She looked at me all the time, never taking her eyes off mine.

Oh God Bette . . .

She didnt say anything. She just kept kissing my fingers, gently, barely touching the tips. It was incredibly *****, and it was all Bette. The wonderful *****, teasing Bette, I knew so well.

It all happened quickly after that, it was like both of us had been starved for a long time, and we needed to take our fill of each other as fast as we could manage. We ended up on the floor making mad passionate love.
I concentrated on Bette, and the way her body seemed to fit mine, exactly. We climaxed together, perfectly, beautifully, spectacularly.
We held on to each other tightly afterwards, our bodies a tangle of sweaty satisfaction.

God T . . . . .Im sorry . . . . I wanted it . . . You.

I wanted it too Bette. I said, as I leaned over her and kissed her on her mouth. I kissed her ear then, and her neck and then that beautiful mouth again. Always back to that beautiful mouth. Then we really made love, taking our time and savouring every single moment. We made slow tantalising love, that only lovers can.

Bette stroked my neck. I love you T. She said, as her hands wandered down my body again.

I love you too. I said, and kissed her slowly.

Dessert. Bette said, licking my neck, as we both basked in the afterglow of our lovemaking. Was that dessert? Because if it was, it sure beats cheesecake any day.

Ill get you cheesecake if you sleep in my bed tonight? I chuckled.

Thats blackmail T.

Yeah, I know. Isnt blackmail great every now and then? I said, kissing her ear.

Ill cut you a deal T, Ill sleep in your bed, if you let me have you for dessert again, instead of cheesecake?

Deal. I replied, dragging her toward the bedroom.


I woke suddenly in the middle of the night. I was disorientated for a minute as my eyes became accustomed to the dark. I buried my head in Bettes bare chest, and tears sprung to my eyes, but I didnt want to cry. I was too happy, the, thoughts of having fell asleep in her arms made me happier still. I could hear her steady breathing, and I sat up slightly to look at her. I was able to make out the outline of her face against the pillow. She was asleep on her side facing me, just a single sheet covering her sleek naked body. I had done this many times before, watched Bette asleep, when sleep wouldnt come to me. But tonight was different. It was if I had never seen her before. I studied her face in front of me, dark hair tousled on the pillow. She had perfectly shaped eyebrows and beautiful full lips, God I loved that mouth, and what it could do to me. I laughed softly at the thought. Bette stirred and stretched her body, turning on to her back. Her profile looked angular and sculpted, in the half, light of dawn. I bent down and kissed her, light enough, so I wouldnt wake her. Minutes later we were rolling around the bed making love.


Once again, like old times. This ***** thing was becoming very difficult to resist, for the both of us.







(To Be Continued.)