It was Tina who led their kiss; her tongue dancing against Bette’s, tasting her right in the middle of a sea of lovers. She could feel Bette moan into her mouth and her hands gripped the brunette’s waist tightly. The dark brown eyes were blazing with need when they opened, peering lovingly into soft hazel pools.

Bette suddenly felt shy and looked away.

Tina pulled Bette’s hands so that they rested at Tina’s back. Now they were even closer. Tina moved her hip slightly so that it crested against her lover’s center. She watched as Bette’s eyes closed.

“I’m ready, T. Do you want to get out of here?” asked Bette.

Tina waited for Bette’s eyes to open before she smiled and replied, “No. I want you to really want me.”

Bette swallowed thickly. “I already do, Tina.”

The blonde tilted her head, contemplating her girlfriend’s words. “You do?”

The brunette bit her lower lip and nodded. “Yes.”

“Babe, look at me,” said Tina.

There it was; the raw emotion in Bette’s gaze that spoke truth where words might deceive. There was the shyness and the passion. The desire for love laced with the fear of rejection. There was an innocence about Bette, a pureness in her expressive eyes that set her apart from anyone Tina had ever known.

The enormity of the challenges they had conquered to stand in this moment seemed to register with Tina all at once. Her eyes watered and her lips trembled.

“No more teasing. Let’s get out of here,” she said.

Bette’s dark eyes were heady and focused. She leaned into her girlfriend and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Bette took her time, tasting her lover’s mouth, savoring the feel of Tina’s tongue against her own. Her long fingers slipped behind Tina’s neck, tickling the fine hairs at the base of her skull, holding her close. At long last, the deep kisses gave way to more chaste meetings of their lips.

The hazel eyes were now heavy; filled with both want and curiosity.

Bette leaned in, whispering into Tina’s ear and answered the question lingering in her lover’s cautious gaze. “I see you, Tina. Our journey was reflected in your eyes. I wanted you to know that I see you. And I crave you. I am so honored to have you here with me. I love you, Baby.”