As Bette entered the elevator, she shakily pressed the button for the lobby floor, while moving to the back of the car, welcoming the opportunity to lean against it, taking some of the burden of holding up her body from her weakened legs.

God damnit she softly exhaled, looking up at the mirrored ceiling, seeing her image and recognizing what she saw.

There it was, the flush in her cheeks, the half-mast, almost drugged position of her eyelids, the open mouth still greedily taking in air and the tussled look of her hair. There was only one person in this world that had ever been able to elicit that kind of almost animalistic physical response from Bette, and that was the woman that she had just left behind in their apartment.

God, what she ***** does to me she whispered while shaking her head, almost in awe. She peeled her eyes away from the ceiling of the elevator, pushing herself off of the back wall that she had been using for support and mentally prepared herself for the outside world that she would be invaded by once these doors were to open.

Ok, focus she said to herself as she walked through the lobby to the front doors.

Good morning, Ms. Porter said the doorman as he opened the door for her.

Good morning replied Bette as she breezed by them, trying to shift her thoughts from the still aching throbbing in between her legs, to what would be required of her at the gallery today.

Just think fabric swatches she mentally said to herself, dont think about what your thigh was just thrusting against moments ago, its all about the fabric swatches. Thats it, fabric swatches, golden hues, soft tones she trailed off.

Golden hues and soft tones? Wait a minute? Are those fabric swatches or mental images of Tina? she laughed to herself. God, is it ever going to be a long day… she chuckled as she made her way downtown to the gallery.





As Tina slowly closed the door behind her, a huge smile landed on her face. Bette, Bette, Bette she said out loud. Now, I know she continued, Baby, you do still want me, it is still there

Tina had not witnessed the kind of passion on Bettes face that she had just seen, in, well, probably years. The ragged breathing and almost pained expression was the look that she used to see on Bettes face when their love life was at its peak. When they were first together, Tina had almost feared this look on Bette, not really knowing how to interpret it, but as she got to know her, Tina came to crave this side of her, wanting desperately to pull these emotions from the deep place that she knew that Bette had them safely stored. The lovemaking that would ensue was indescribable and there was nothing in Tinas power that she could do to possibly reciprocate. When Bette allowed herself to really feel what they had, what was between them, Tina could only lay there and allow Bette to completely take control of her body. Tina was nothing but a very willing accomplice, not necessarily aiding and abetting, but certainly participating.

She knew how close they had just been to that point of no return. As much as she had wanted it at the time, she also knew that Bette had been right in stopping them.

When in the ***** did Bette get so much restraint and discipline? she wondered.

There would be a time though that that discipline would not be needed and she sure as ***** would not let anything come between the two of them when that time were to arrive.

Ok she said out loud, time for a run, knowing that she had a ***** load of excess energy to burn.

She quickly changed and headed out of the apartment, the smile of before still there, happy in her most recent confirmed knowledge that there was no doubt as to Bettes true desires.





The day passed quickly for both of them. Bette spent it buried in a number of different projects, welcoming the diversions that had kept her mind off of her morning with Tina. She had not spoken to her all day and so around 5:15, decided to see what she was up to.

She pressed #1 on her speed dial and after no one answered, the machine with the automated greeting asking for a message to be left picked up. We really need to change that thought Bette referring to the message.

T, hey, its me. Just wondering what youre up to and how your days been. Call me here at the gallery when you get a chance, ok? See ya.

She hung up and decided to try her cell. Her phone went directly into voice mail and so she left a similar message, asking her to call her.

She replaced the phone in the cradle just in time to hear, Lookin for me?

Bette whipped her head up and saw Tina nonchalantly leaning against the door frame of her office with a big smile on her face.

Well hey, T said Bette, with a huge beaming smile on her face. She stood up and quickly walked around her desk, directly over to Tina, taking her face in her hands and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

Hey Baby smiled Tina, happily returning Bettes kiss.

What are you doing here? asked a surprised Bette, not having heard or seen her come in. I was just leaving a couple of messages for you she trailed off.

Well, I was just in the neighborhood, and wanted to see if I could talk my beautiful girl into knocking off a little early today? she said, arms still lightly thrown around her neck, fingers tucking some of Bettes unruly curls behind her ears.

Hmmm pondered Bette, still holding Tina around the waist. What exactly did you have in mind? she asked while leaning in to nibble her ear.

Well giggled Tina, enjoying the tickling sensation of Bettes attention to her earlobe, I was assuming that you have eaten no lunch

Correct mumbled Bette, resuming her nibbling.

And so, I thought that an early dinner could be in order, and that would then give us more time at home tonight to spend together

I see said Bette, finally lifting her head and looking at Tina. I think that that sounds great, T smiled Bette. Let me just talk to James and let him know that thats what were doing.

Ok babe smiled Tina, reluctantly dropping her arms from Bettes shoulders.

James called Bette out to the gallery as she walked back over to her desk.

James arrived at the doorway of her office in no time and teasingly said, You rang?

Yes, I rang she laughed. Im going to call it a day as you see I have a surprise visitor said Bette while raising her hand in Tinas direction across the office.

Yeah, I did happen to see her come in James said, while smiling conspiratorially at Tina who returned the smile.

Uh huh said Bette, the look between the two not missed by her.

Anyway she said, bringing his attention back to her, if anyone needs me, can you please just take a message and not direct them to my cell?

This time, it was Tina who raised an eyebrow in surprise at Bettes directions to not be interrupted, especially since it was still during business hours. Jot that one down as another new twist of Bette Porter she thought to herself.

Of course said James. You will not hear from any of us until tomorrow morning he confirmed.

Bette had finished shutting down her laptop and as she did every night, debated whether or not to take it with her. She came to the same conclusion that she had all of the other nights since Tina had re-entered her life, just leave it behind. Tina was now here and she did not need the distraction of work to keep her preoccupied.

Tina walked around the office while Bette and James talked, looking at all of the books on the bookshelves and knick knacks on the coffee table. She was noticing that just like the apartment, with the exception of the picture of the two of them buried in the closet, there was absolutely no mention of Bettes personal life, sterility playing a very strong role in the dcor. She made a mental note to do something about that when she felt the time was appropriate.

Tina she heard.

What, baby? she asked, shaken out of her mental musings.

You there? asked Bette teasingly.

Oh, Im sorry, just kinda lost in thought she smiled back.

You ready? asked Bette.

You better believe it she replied.

Ok, lets go said Bette, waiting for Tina at the door to her office.

James was back at his desk, talking to someone on the phone. From the conversation, Bette could tell that it was one of the needy artists that she was courting and James looked at her in a way that said, Please, take him off of my hands?

Bette walked by him and with a shake of her head and a smile in his direction, reached for Tinas hand and kept on walking to the door, ignoring his silent pleas.

Well, dont I feel lucky Tina said to Bette while squeezing her hand in appreciation.

For what? asked Bette as they left the gallery, walking down the street. Putting you first and treating you the way you’ve deserved to have been treated all along?

Tina just looked at Bette, not really sure how to respond.

Thats not luck, T. Thats called decency, that’s called respect, that’s called admiration, that’s called consideration, whatever word you wish to apply, anythinganything at all but luck she sadly said.

Tina heard the tone in Bettes voice and stopped walking. She pulled back on Bettes hand, forcing her to turn back towards Tina.

What? asked Bette.

Come here was all she said as she pulled Bette into her arms.

They stood there in the middle of this busy New York sidewalk, wrapped in each others arms, streams of people rushing by on either side.

Do you have any idea how much I love you Bette Porter? asked Tina as she pulled Bettes head off of her shoulder to look her in the eyes.

I think so smiled Bette.

You have changed so much whispered Tina as she leaned into Bette, kissing the tip of her nose and then resting her forehead against Bettes.

I hope so, T she whispered in return.

Lets go, baby said Tina, reaching down for Bettes hand and leading them to the restaurant.

I love you too, T smiled Bette.

I know, babyI know.