After dinner Bette picked up the half empty bottle of Cabernet Merlot and led Tina out to the lake. There was a narrow wooden jetty which jutted out into the water, they walked hand in hand and sat at the end. Bette lent back against one of the posts and Tina rested comfortably against her partner, cradled in her arms and nestled between her legs. Bette had always loved holding Tina this way, protecting her, loving her. They watched the sun set while enjoying easy conversation, discussing whatever happened to float into their minds.

God when was the last time we did something this decadent? Bette asked filling Tinas glass with the remaining wine before handing it to her.

Tina thought about this while she took a sip of her wine.

Probably when I flew to New York for your birthday

Bette smiled remembering New York. She had to attend a four day conference which ended on a Friday but had been invited to an exhibition opening that weekend much to her displeasure, she hated going to these things alone. There would always be some middle aged man trying to monopolize her time in the hope that she might desire his company for the night.

That Saturday was her birthday and the only place she wanted to be was at home with her partner, not going to bed in a hotel room clear across the country, alone. Bette had vocalized her frustration to Tina on numerous occasions but her pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears. Tina claimed she was in the middle of a major project and there was no way she was going to catch the red eye on Friday to then turn around on Sunday afternoon and fly back again. Being practical as ever she suggested that they just celebrate her birthday when she got back from New York. In the end Bette relented, she couldnt fault Tina for her level of dedication to her job.

Friday night found Bette putting the finishing touches on a speech. Her intended audience was whomever eventually delivered her room service. Shed ordered her food over an hour ago and was now tired, starving, and pissed off to be spending the night alone in a hotel room. To make matters worse Tina had told her earlier in the day that shed be pulling an all nighter tonight and that shed call in the morning to wish her a happy birthday. When the knock came Bette opened the door ready to vent all her frustrations on the unsuspecting room-service guy, but those thoughts evaporated as her eyes rested on the petite blonde standing on the wrong side of the threshold. Words temporarily failed Bette but the look on her face confirmed that Tina had done good.

I love you Bette smiled, reaching out to take her partners hand and pull her into the room. Tina complied, feeling Bette squeeze her hand right before she felt herself being backed up against the closed door. Bettes lips immediately began devouring her neck.

Surprise, Baby Tina let out a small sigh and ran a hand through Bettes hair, continuing down and eventually coming to rest on the small of her back, pulling them closer together.

Should I be worried? Bette mumbles, her breath hot against Tinas ear

Huh? Was the most coherent reply Tina could manage, she was busy enjoying the sensations flooding her body thanks to Bettes incessant touching.

That youve suddenly mastered the art of lying to me and on such a grand scale too. Who knows what you could get up to?

No lies Baby Tina struggled to reply, her breathing now labored with Bettes hands wandering as they pleased all over her body This is my major project, I didnt catch the red eye and I have every intention of pulling an all nighter With that Tina guides Bettes lips to her own and wastes no time on pleasantries, ravaging her partner with kiss that communicates her deepest desires. Just as she feels Bette grow weak with need there are three short, sharp knocks on the door, right behind her head. Startled Tina jumps slightly, pushing Bette away.

Room service Bette laughs quietly at her panic stricken lover as she runs a hand through Tinas hair, her hand coming to rest on Tinas jaw. Stealing one last kiss Bette ushers her partner further into the room before opening the door.

****

That room service guy had no idea how lucky he was Bette laughs as she looks over her shoulder at the remnants of a sunset now well past its prime If you hadnt shown up he would have ended up bearing the brunt of my rather unsavory mood

Yeah, well, good thing for him I know exactly how to take care of your moods Tina smiles at the memory of that night. It had been like so many of their reunions. Initially both women were reckless in their need for each other, clothing discarded in the fastest possible manner. Anything that hindered access was dealt with swiftly as their burning desire to touch and taste governed every thought, every action. Once the rawest of desires was satiated their pace shifted to a slow burn. Moving to a place where lingering touches and languid kisses allowed them to revel in the intense pleasure that only they could provide mutually and exclusively.

Bette turns back and kisses Tinas hair lightly, her desires stirred with the memory of that night. Knowing what she wants is simple, asking her wife for it is an entirely different story.

Silence grows between them, Tina waits silently hoping, while Bette hesitates and before too long the moment has passed them by.

Tina clears her throat

Its starting to get cold out, should we go in? She raises a hand behind her to touch Bettes cheek

Yeah, theres a chill in the air Bettes response is distanced as though her mind is elsewhere Maybe its gonna be an early winter this year