Previously~~~~~~~~~~~~

After eating a quick dinner of fast food, they finally made it back home. The girls walked towards their room in Hedrick Hall, side-by-side or one in front of the other, never holding hands or maintaining a physical connection. Despite her cinematic climax, Bette still felt slightly rejected by Tinas inability to publicly express their union.

However, as they entered their room and Tina pulled Bette close to her and hugged her fiercely, Bette vowed that she would continue to fight the battles that separated her and Tina from true happiness.

Nothing is going to keep us apart. Nothing., thought Bette.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bette applied one last coat of lipstick and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. Tina was sitting on her bed and watched, a small smile playing on her lips, as her girlfriend primped for her pretend date. Tinas amber eyes roamed her lovers frame, fighting the temptation to glide across the room and slowly remove her girlfriends clothes. Her eyes started at the black Marc Jacobs pumps, flowed upwards to the fitting black slacks, moved up higher to the red blouse with dark grey buttons, and finally rested on Bettes back, noting how her straightened hair fell down below her shoulders, begging to teased by Tinas fingers.

Bette felt Tinas eyes on her and slowly gazed over at her girlfriend. She recognized the dark lust in Tinas eyes and smiled nervously. Tyou okay?, she asked.

Tina nodded, her amber orbs locking with Bettes dark brown pools, conveying every amorous inkling she possessed. Bette felt the heat rise to her cheeks and tried to swallow the lump in her throat. Tina absently licked her lips and Bettes eyes couldnt help but follow the movement of her lovers tongue. Bette felt her arousal begin to grow, a dull ache began to throb between her legs.

T..please dont look at me like that., Bette whispered.

Like what?, asked Tina .

Like you want to attack me where Im standing., said Bette.

Tina smiled suggestively. Bettebaby.Id love to just walk over to you, nibble on your erect nipples, slowly kiss my way down to your *****, enter you with two fingers, and make you scream.

As Tina spoke, Bette struggled to swallow, she could feel herself growing more and more swollen with each word from Tinas lips. The pounding between her legs growing more and more intense.

Tina continued on. But babeI know you have plans tonight. So, Im trying to be on my best behavior.

Bette walked over to Tina and stood beside her bed, looking down into her eyes. Tinayou are driving me up the wall. She cupped Tinas chin with her hand. We have some business to take care of later, Ms. Kennard.

Tina continued to smile and stood up. She slipped her arms around Bettes waist and hugged her tightly. As they stood, Tina moved her hand down to Bettes crotch.

What are you doing, T?, asked Bette, her heart pounding in her chest.

Shh.just a second., Tina whispered. She quickly undid the button and zipper of Bettes slacks.

T.I have to go.what are you doing?, asked Bette. She wanted to sound concerned, but she was too aroused to put up much of a fight. Ninety percent of her wanted Tina to push her up against the wall and ravish her body. The other ten percent of herthe sound, reasonable part of her was rapidly disintegrating.

Tina slid her hand into Bettes underwear and lightly grazed her *****. Bette moaned at this touch and leaned into Tina, her knees growing weak, her eyes tightly closed. Her body craved this sensation, the feel of Tinas touch on her most sensitive jewel. As quickly as it had come, the touch was gone and Tina was replacing her girlfriends clothes.

Bette opened her eyes and stared questioningly at Tina. T.why did you do that to me?

Tina slid her arms around Bettes waist and held her at arms length. BecauseI wanted to remind you that you belong to me. I want you to have something to look forward to this evening. I dont want you to get any ideas on this date of yours.

Ideas? The only ideas Im getting involve you, me, and massage oil. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about, baby., said Bette.

You sure?, asked Tina.

Yep. Matter of fact, do you have any idea of how Im supposed to walk now? I need you, T, said Bette, looking pleadingly into Tinas eyes.

Tina smiled. Well, right now Damon needs you. But Ill be sure to take care of you when you get home. Okay?

Bette sighed. Okay. Ill miss you this evening, baby. Have a good time with Dana.

I will. I love you, babe., said Tina.

I love you, too., said Bette.

They kissed lightly and Bette looked longingly at Tina one last time before slipping out of the room and heading down to Damons room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, you ready?, asked Damon. He was smiling nervously at Bette as they stood at the door of the ground floor stairwell, peeking out at Damons parents through the small window.

Would you relax!, said Bette. This is going to go fine. Just dont start freaking out, here. Suck it up, D. Be a man., she said with a smile.

Oh, okay. You got jokes., said Damon.

Yes, I do. Can we get this over with already? I need to get back and see my woman., said Bette.

Oooh, your woman. You sound so possessive Ms. Porter. Didnt know you had it like that., said Damon.

Well, I do. And Id like to get back to Tina sometime this evening, so can we get started? Or are you too chicken?, said Bette, knowing her words would jump start their evening.

Not funny. Lets just do this., he said, reaching for her hand.

The joined hands and wished each other luck as they headed out to meet Damons parents.

A short, tan-colored, thick-waisted woman with a very chic, short hair-cut stood next to a tall, brown-skinned man, both of them smiling at Damon and the woman at his side.

A broad smile spread across Damons mothers face as she saw them approach and Damon hoped that he would not be too embarrassed on this Friday evening. As they reached each other, Damon spoke to his parents and gave them both hugs and kisses. He turned to Bette and said, Mom, Dad.this is Bette Porter.

Bette smiled warmly at Damons parents and shook their hands. Her captivating smile put them both at ease and Damons mom smiled a little wider as she began the introductions.

Well, hello Bette Porter. Im Patricia and this Edmond. Its is such a pleasure to meet you., she said.

Its a pleasure to meet you, too. Damon talks about you all the time., said Bette.

Hed better., said Patricia. She looked at Damon and said, Boy, you have finally found a nice young woman. I was worried about you. The way you kept dodging my questions I didnt know what to expect. And look, Ed, they even dressed alike., said Patricia, her eyes beaming as they danced back and forth between Bette and Damons red button down shirts and black slacks. Damons shirt was long-sleeved and he was wearing a black sports coat as well.

Edmond Lawrence smiled at his son, subtly breathing a sigh of relief. He hadnt wanted to get carried away with his wifes concerns, but hed been nervous about this mysterious new girlfriend as well. After his daughter Debbie had brought home another woman, hed been ready to expect just about anything from Damon. Edmond was glad things were starting out on a good note. He smiled, just thinking that hed probably get a good nights rest tonight without his wife going on and on about what the potential disaster Damon was dating.

Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you, Bette. Well, I think wed better get going. We dont want to miss our reservation., said Edmond.

The group made their way towards the doors and as they exited, Damon held the door as Bette walked through, his hand resting against her lower back as she walked past him. As they made their way to the Lawrences rented vehicle, Damon and Bette held hands as they walked across campus, making small talk with his parents. As they walked, Bettes mind began to wander.

When was the last time I did this? Held somebodys hand walking across this campus?….,Probably when I was dating Sidney. Ive never done this with Tina. I really wish shed let me.

When they reached the car, Damon opened the door for Bette and she smiled up at him, enjoying this star treatment. His parents were watching him out of the corner of their eyes, making sure their son remembered his manners. So far, they were pleased with what they saw.

When the foursome arrived at the Napa Valley Grille, Damon again took Bettes hand as they made their way through the restaurant to their table. He pulled out her chair and made sure she was comfortable before taking a seat beside her. Bette smiled, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of this situation and reminded herself that this would be over soon enough.

Twenty minutes later, the entrees had been ordered and Damon was regaling his father with tales of his football induced injuries, aches, and pains. Bette watched their interaction, sadly noting how effortless the conversation was. Conversations with Melvin were never truly conversations. He dictated and she listened and responded affirmatively. As the father and son talked, Bette could feel Patricias eyes on her. She didnt want to look up and make eye contact, so she pretended to study Damons movements.

Finally, Patricia couldnt take it anymore. She had to know more about this beautiful, poised, young woman that had captured her sons attention.

So Bette, tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from?, asked Patricia.

As the interrogation began, Damon and Edmond stopped talking, all eyes turning toward one Ms. Bette Porter.

Bette smiled. It was showtime!

Well, Im from San Diego. Im pretty local., she replied.

San Diego. So youre used to this beautiful weather all the time., said Patricia.

Absolutely. I love the west coast., said Bette.

So, do you have any siblings?, asked Patricia.

I actually just have one half-sister. Her names Kit. Kit Porter., said Bette.

Edmonds eyes lit up. Kit Porter? The same Kit Porter from N2Soul??, he asked.

Bette smiled, Thats the one. Shes my older sister.

Well, Ill be. Thats amazing., said Edmond. He turned to look at Damon. Boyyou just made me feel like I won the lotto. Im so proud of you.

Damon smiled. He was glad that his parents approved. Inside he was hurting a little bit because he knew that eventually, hed have to break their hearts. Bette wasnt really his girlfriend. His girlfriend had blonde hair and blue eyes and if his parents found out about her, there would be no smiles coming from Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence.

Wow. Kit Porter. Its a small world. So, do you sing, Bette?, asked Patricia.

Bette shook her head. Sorry. I didnt get that gene. Kits the one with all the talent.

So, what are you studying?, asked Edmond.

Im an art history major. I hope to open my own art gallery some day. I just love art. I have since I could remember., she replied.

Art history. Now how did you get into that?, asked Patricia.

Bette took a sip of her water. Well, when I was younger, my mother would drag me along with her to art exhibits and to galleries. She had a lot of friends that were artists and she just took me along to see their works or visit with her friends. I actually got a kick out of it. I loved the effect the works could have on me. I loved staring a good piece and noticing the subtly of the artwork, the skill of the artist, the nuances of the piece. It was really the only choice for me.

Their entrees arrived and after everyone was settled in with their meals, the session continued.

So, what do your parents do?, asked Edmond.

Bette quickly chewed the chicken in her mouth and replied, Actually, my parents are divorced, My father is an executive vice president for AT&T. My mother doesnt work, but she used to do marketing before she stopped working.

Executive vice president. Thats impressive., said Patricia.

Its okay, I guess. It keeps him pretty busy., said Bette, trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

Damon, how did you guys meet?, asked Edmond.

Bette and Damon shared a look. Theyd worked this story out before hand. This one was a softball question.

Well, Bette was in my classical literature class in the fall. She was just so pretty and smart, I had to ask her out. Weve been dating ever since., said Damon.

And what convinced you to give this knucklehead the time of day?, Edmond asked Bette.

Bette chuckled lightly and said, He was just so persistent. I finally gave in.

Edmond laughed. Thats my boy. Just keep wearing em down.

Damon pretended to be hurt. Very funny. She meant to say that she just found me too cute to pass up.

Bette gave him a deadpanned expression that Patricia found too humorous. She laughed at their antics and felt her heart swell with pride. This Bette Porter was worth keeping.

Their meal drew to a close and they ordered desert. While waiting for it to arrive, Patricia needed a restroom break and invited Bette to join her. Bette accepted the invitation nervously and moments later, found herself in a stall, trying to make herself go.

When shed finished, she stood at the sink with Mrs. Lawrence and met the older womans endearing smile. Bette, you just seem like a dream come true., said Patricia.

Bette blushed and said, Thank you.

No, I really mean it. You are a very special young lady. I know how these Lawrence men can be. If he gets to acting up, you just give me a call., said Patricia.

Bette grinned at the idea of this and responded. Ill do that, Mrs. Lawrence.

Oh, call me Pat. Im not that old yet.,

Okay, Pat. Ill try to keep Damon in line for you., said Bette.

Please do. And girl, again, if he acts up, you just call me. Ill take care of him., said Patricia.

As they shared conversation and headed back to their table, Bette understood that she had been instantly accepted by the Lawrences. She had the right background, the right complexion, the right future. She was want they wanted for their son. Without her even desiring it, shed been automatically approved to partner with their son. It had all been so easy. She and Damon had really only had to tell a few fibs here and therebesides the fact that Bette wasnt his girlfriend and actually had one of her own. As Bette sat down and prepared to bite into her apple crisp, she realized that she and her play date hadnt needed to do very much to gain the approval of Patricia and Edmond.

Ill be fighting for the rest of my life to win acceptance in Tinas world. It was given to me tonight and I didnt even have to ask for it., she thought.

At long last, the night drew to a close and Damon walked Bette back to the dorm before rejoining his parents. As they stood outside of Hedrick Hall, he said, Bette, thank you so much. They are so happy with me right now, I could fail all of my classes this semester and still be okay.

Bette smiled. Im glad I could help out. Let me know if you need any more help. It was fun.

Damon smiled. Yeah, it was.

Their eyes met and they shared a look that told of their mutual pain and conflicted emotions.

Why cant it be this easy for us, Damon?, asked Bette.

Damon sighed. I dont know, B. I dont know. Everything was so.,he said, his mind hunting for the right word.

Simple., said Bette.

Yeah, simple. We didnt even need to meet up and plan to fool them. They wanted to see what they wanted to see., said Damon.

Yeah, they did. We are quite a pair, arent we? You with your blonde girlfriendme with mine., said Bette with a slight smile.

Damon smiled in return. We sure are. Maybe one day itll get easier. Maybe we can both be happy with whats real. Maybe we can feel free to enjoy our reality with out all the pain it brings.

I hope so. Cuz Ill be damned if Im playing your girlfriend in 10 years. We gotta get some things worked out., said Bette.

You never know. I just may need you to step in at my pretend wedding. We could go for years., said Damon.

Bette smiled and realized that underneath their jokes rested an uncomfortable kernel of truth. Lets hope not.You should probably head on back, D. Theyre waiting on you.

Yeah. Im going. Have a good night, B. Ill see you later. Thanks again., said Damon.

No problem. Ive got your back, Damon. Ill see you., said Bette.

They parted ways; Damon heading back to the conditional acceptance of his world and Bette to the conditional acceptance of her own.

TBC (To Be Continued)