She sat, deflated. Was there anything sadder than a lovesick Bette who can’t deliver? James didn’t think so. He tapped his fingers on the table.

“Bette… may I be honest?”

“By all means, James, please. Tell me what an utter fool I am for not thinking of this sooner.”

“Tina’s never wanted anything more from you than for you to just… be you. She likes the simple things, not the grand gestures. She wants you. Full stop. It’s that simple.”

Bette blinked, sitting back in her chair to stare at James like he just discovered how to fly.

“Thank you for saying that. You can take the rest of the week off, James. See you Monday…”

Valentine’s Day morning, the sun peeked through the blinds, shining on the sleeping couple. Tina was naked, on her stomach, close to Bette who had one leg resting on the back of Tina’s legs. Bette wore a white tank top and panties and as she stirred, she reached for her fiancé, who rolled towards her.

“Babe, you’re like an electric heater. Why are you so warm?”

“Why are your toes so cold?”

Tina snuggled in more, purposely running her feet along Bette’s legs, her mouth pressed to the hallow of Bette’s throat. She listened to the throaty chuckle, kissing her way up to Bette’s earlobe, moaning in deep appreciation at the warmth, the taste, the softness.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Baby…” she breathed into Bette’s ear, her hand reaching under her pillow to pull out a small teddy bear, holding a pink heart that said “Be Mine”.

She offered it to Bette with a lopsided grin, her hair in her face, so beautiful Bette felt a hitch in her heart. Chuckling again, she accepted the bear, pressing it to her chest like it was a cherished heirloom.

“I have the day off today…” Tina whispered, kissing Bette’s mouth and chin and cheeks.

“So do I… “ Bette answered, rolling Tina to her back, the bear forgotten, one hand finding a warm, full breast, squeezing. “Whatever shall we do….”

Arching her back into Bette’s hand, Tina groaned loudly, feeling her nipple harden under Bette’s fingers, her spine tingling.

So good.

“I think you should keep doing that… and I will do this…” she licked that spot on Bette’s neck, that spot where her neck met her shoulder then just a fraction lower to the left, that spot that when properly attended to would turn Bette into a liquid mess.