“What the fuck was that?”

The huskiness of Tina’s voice made Bette smile against her bare skin, relishing in Tina’s sweet scent and the contentment of bringing her to utter ecstasy.

“Wait until you see what I do to you, pretty girl.” Tina’s finger tapped against Bette’s head as she twirled strands of chestnut waves around it.

Bette got up and kissed Tina on the cheek. “Why don’t we have some dinner?”

Tina stood and pressed herself into the lean body, wrapping her arms around Bette’s waist.

Bette looked into the hazel eyes that pierced with an impassioned amber unable to mask the tears brewing in her own. The emotional toll of being with Tina like this again was becoming overwhelming.

“Bette…” Tina held Bette’s face, her thumb stroking her cheek.

“Tina…”

“What is it?”

“I…Tina, I love you and I know you know that.”

Tina nodded. ”I do.”

“But I don’t know how much longer I can do this. It’s not that I don’t want to because I always want you. Always.” Bette gracefully shook her head as she said, “But I can’t just be your fuck buddy.”

Tina inhaled sharply bringing Bette’s face closer to her own with both hands.

”Is that what you think this is?”

Tina searched Bette’s eyes for any silent revelation.

She never wanted Bette to feel as if she was using her. She rested her forehead against the brunette before kissing the tip of her nose. Tina hovered her mouth over Bette’s, continuing with tender smooches, to a deeper tension, before their tongues passionately slipped past each other. Tina brought her arms around Bette’s head holding her close and letting their lips devour one another, not giving Bette the chance to slip away.

A tear fell down Bette’s cheek as Tina pulled away to catch her breath. Still hand in hand, she watched her ex-wife gather her clothes.

“Are you leaving?” Bette squeezed Tina’s palm, a gesture mixed with please don’t and I understand if you do.

“No. I’m not leaving. I’m taking you upstairs to our room. And I’m going to make mad passionate love to you, Bette Porter, because I still love you, too. I have loved you my whole life.”

Bette rested her weary head against Tina. “Don’t you need to get home?”

The ring sitting between their wine glasses shined in Bette’s line of sight.

Tina wrapped her arm around her ex-wife, shaking her head. She gazed longingly into her dark, stirring orbs, realizing she was already home. “We have some time. The night is still young.”