She proposed an outing for a play’s debut for the upcoming Thursday and that didn’t coincide with my growing need to spend time alone with her.  I pleaded my case for a quiet dinner at her house and thankfully, she yielded. We’d agreed I would bring the ingredients, she would provide the wine and make sure the kitchen was in working order then we would cook together.

Thursday came and I found myself at her doorstep.  After inviting me in, she helped me with the heavily packed bags of groceries. “Wow!  May I remind you there’s only two of us tonight.”  She was right – I had gone a little overboard.  Besides, she could tease me as much as she wanted if I was rewarded with that smile.

Bette led us to the kitchen and it was my turn to taunt commenting at how clean her kitchen was.  Presumably because she’d been busy before my arrival.  The stove was gleaming, as were the countertops. 

“It’s clean,” she jokingly confided, “only because I’ve been too busy to cook lately…as in two months ago.” Along with a sparkle in her eyes, I was rewarded with another smile flashed in my direction.  More to the point she explained, a consequence of her focus on a recent exhibit at the gallery.

The playful and contented banter stretched through the dinner’s preparation, cooking and consumption.  We’d moved into the living room to enjoy more wine and the company. However, it didn’t take long before we were in each other’s arms kissing and touching only as much as our clothing would allow. 

The passion she apparently reigned in during previous encounters was unchecked tonight.  Soon we were trembling with desire as we’d gone further than was typical.  My body was reclined on the sofa and she was leaning into me.  Our hands actively exploring as our mouths were fused. 

Permitted only given our lungs demanded air, the pause in our ardor interrupted long enough to allow her to collect herself.  Looking up with eyes closed, she regained control of her unsteady breathing.  Then, she suggested calling it a night under the pretext of the following day being a workday for us both.

That didn’t agree with my desired end for the evening.  So I asked her to show me the rest of the house, I’d seen most of it but reasoned I wanted to see everything.