After their eighth couple's therapy appointment, Bette and Tina focus on creating new experiences together.
"For your homework assignment this week," Dr. Coleman began at the end of their session, "I want you to think about new experiences—make a list of all your past 'firsts' together as a couple and then a list of what you can do for the first time together in the future."
Bette and Tina nodded.
"It's important to reflect on your history. And, as I've mentioned before," the therapist continued, "with long-term relationships, you'll want to continue to grow together, to explore new experiences and activities, in order to combat the ennui and prevent any patterns of one partner feeling lost inside the other." Her eyes knowingly settled on Tina for a moment, and then she looked between the two of them. "Try to come up with ten things from your past and ten to try in the near future. Sound good?"
In the parking lot outside, Bette's palm came up to the small of Tina's back. "I love how she said 'try to come up with ten things' as if we haven't known each other for twenty-five years."
Unlocking the car and climbing into the driver's seat, Tina noted, "I can think of ten things in our first few months together alone. For me, anyway," she added with a small smile. "I mean, you were the first woman I fell in love with. And, at this point, you'll be the last."
At that—the reminder that Tina was in this for the long haul, that she felt the same way she did—Bette felt her stomach flutter. "For me, too."
Tina leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to full lips before backing out of the parking spot and heading toward the street.
Instinctually, Bette lifted her hand to the back of Tina's head, fingers carding through blonde hair. "Who was the second woman you fell in love with? Helena? Carrie?"
Braking for the stoplight, Tina shook her head. "I was never in love with either of them. I really liked Helena, and I loved Carrie, but it was a different kind of love. Simpler, I think."
"Whereas loving me is harder?" Bette joked.
Sensing the insecurity beneath the jest, Tina's tone turned soft as she met brown eyes. "No. Not 'simpler' as in 'easier.' 'Simpler' as in 'lacking depth.'" She reached down, thumbing Bette's knee through her woolen pants. "Even now, sometimes you'll say my name, and I'll feel it in my whole body. Or you'll touch me, and it's like we're back at the beginning again."
Slowly, a smile bloomed on Bette's face, cheeks flushing. And, when Tina smiled back—her expression full of so much affection—Bette exhaled a shaky breath, overwhelmed with love. "When you look at me like that . . ."
When the light turned green, Tina tapped on the gas, driving through the intersection. "I know," she said. And she did. "Me, too."
Bette reached down for a freckled hand and brought it up to her lips.
After dinner that night, Bette and Tina settled onto the couch to work on their homework assignment for the week.
As Bette reached toward the coffee table to grab her journal and pen, Tina spread out a throw blanket over their legs.
Wrapping an arm around her back, Bette flipped to a blank page. "Okay. So a list of all our 'firsts.'"
Feeling a little nostalgic, Tina shook her head in wonder. "You were my first for so many things, really. Like, we've had so many 'firsts' as a couple—having a house, having a baby and all that. But, also, you gave me so many of my own first experiences."
Bette waited, her eyes attentive on Tina's face.
"I mean," Tina continued, "you're the first person I really fell head-over-heels for. You're the first person I knew I could spend the rest of my life with."
"Yeah," Bette breathed, hand running down Tina's back. "You're the first—and only—person I ever wanted to live with. You're the first person I wanted to become my family."
Tina snuggled in closer. "Okay, so what about a list of 'firsts' for the future—things for us to do together this week and in the coming months?"
"I really want us to try that Spanish restaurant that just opened up," Bette offered, making a note in her journal.
"Should we try some tourist attractions since you're still new in town?" Tina suggested. "I haven't spent any time in High Park, and you might enjoy the Royal Ontario Museum."
Bette nodded, scribbling down notes. "We could take a weekly class together once the season wraps. Something fun."
"I always wanted to try ceramics."
After jotting that down, Bette looked up at her with a smile. "So have I."
"We could take another trip somewhere soon," Tina mused.
"Or maybe a few places," Bette added. "We haven't taken a road trip together in probably ten years."
Tina scrunched her lips together, thinking. "We could go camping."
Bette leveled a look at her. "Do you remember the last time we went camping?" She thought back to the time—almost fifteen years ago—when their affair had come to light.
Tina laughed. "It wouldn't be like that this time. Just you and me looking up at the stars and then cuddling in a tent." She lifted an eyebrow, adding, "No one around for miles."
Bette tried to bite back her smile. "I guess that doesn't sound so bad."
Tina pressed her lips to Bette's temple.
"Okay, that's seven things. Let's think of three more."
Tina shrugged. "Visiting Angie at school at some point?"
Bette nodded as she wrote that down. "We could go to brunch together sometime this week."
"And try a new recipe for dinner some night," Tina finished.
"Perfect," Bette agreed, writing down the tenth thing.
"We can add more as we think of them," Tina vowed, "because I'm sure we'll think of more."
"What else do you want to do tonight?" Bette asked.
Tina jutted her chin toward the half-read script lying on the coffee table. "I really need to finish that."
"Next episode?" Bette asked, reaching for it and pulling it onto her lap.
Tina nodded, and they spent the next few minutes reading the remainder together, alternating on flipping to the next page, leaning against shoulders—happy to sit beside each other and read the narrative in companionable silence.
When Tina got to a funny line of dialogue, Bette heard her breathing shift, coming faster through her nose, and smiled. She found herself suddenly focused on the blonde's face instead of the papers in front of them—watching as Tina kept reading, the laugh-lines by her eyes deepening as she squinted, lips scrunched up in concentration. Instinctually, she leaned in, pecking a soft cheek before returning to reading.
Tina turned her head, her expression amused. "What was that for?"
Feeling shy, Bette shrugged noncommittally. "Nothing."
Tina's smile widened, and she buried her hand beneath the fabric of Bette's shirt, palm smoothing over the skin of her back. "I love you."
The following day, Tina had a full day of work, and so did Bette—doing research, answering emails, and taking work calls from Tina's home office.
Late that evening, Bette cleaned up her wayward lunch dishes, stacking them in the dishwasher, her phone started vibrating with an incoming phone call.
"Hi, Shane," Bette smiled as she picked up the phone.
"Hey!" Shane exclaimed. "I wasn't sure if you'd answer. I know it's late for you there."
Bette waved off the concern. "I'm up. Tina's at work late, so I'm just waiting up for her. How are you?"
"I'm good," Shane quipped—a little too quickly.
And, knowing her well, Bette's brows furrowed. "Are you okay? Can I help?"
"I'm fine," Shane insisted. "Things are just . . . complicated. You know how it is."
Bette pursed her lips. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No. I want to hear about you. Catch me up. How is domestic life in Toronto?"
Bette didn't answer right away, debating whether or not to press Shane further for details about her source of stress. Finally, she opted to wait until her friend was ready to share and, as she answered the question, she couldn't help but smile. "It's actually really good. Like . . . better than ever."
"Yeah?"
Bette nodded. "We've been seeing this couple's therapist, and I think I might be a convert."
"No way," Shane laughed. "You and therapy?"
"I know," Bette conceded. "But she's been giving us all this homework—all these things to talk about and things to do—and it's actually been good for us."
"Really? Like what kind of homework?"
"Well, this week, she's having us think about what 'firsts'—what we've done for the first time together in the past, and what to try together in the future. We've been working on a list: trying new restaurants, going to new museums, exploring more places . . ."
"Oh, yeah. Carmen and I once did something like that. It was just sex stuff, though."
Bette laughed. "You and Carmen were together for a year. Tina and I have known each other for twenty-five. I don't think there's any sex stuff left for us to try."
"I'm sure there is," Shane countered. "Like, have you guys ever tried edging?"
Bette's brows flew up. "What—where you have sex but stop right before orgasm?" She chuckled a little. "Why would anyone ever want to do that?"
"Because it's hot!" Shane insisted. "I mean, think about it—Tina literally begging you not to stop. You can't tell me you wouldn't think that's hot."
Bette felt her mouth go dry at the mental image. "Well . . ."
"Or, I don't know," Shane continued, happy to brainstorm, "what about defiling every room in Tina's house? Replace her memories of Carrie for good."
Bette bit back a smile, feeling a little self-satisfied. "From my understanding, they barely even defiled one room."
"It still could be a fun activity," Shane smirked.
Bette stood at the bathroom sink in her pajamas, reaching for her toothbrush, when Tina came up behind her, wrapping her arms around her middle.
Bette smiled at her through the mirror, her whole body filling with warmth. "Hey."
"Hi." Tina nuzzled her nose into the taller woman's shoulder, happy just to breathe her in her scent. "I'm excited for us to sleep."
Bette chuckled. "Long day?"
Tina nodded. "I missed you."
Together, they crawled into bed, and Bette wrapped her body around Tina's, exhaling a contented breath against the nape of a freckled neck.
Tina felt goosebumps line her spine, and she hummed in approval as Bette dropped a kiss against her skin. "Goodnight."
Eyes falling shut, Bette reached for her hand. "Goodnight."
The next day, Tina and Bette stopped at the grocery store before heading to High Park for a picnic.
At the edge of the meadow—a creek babbling a few dozen yards away and no other visitors in sight—they laid out their blanket and sat down.
Crossing her legs, Tina unpacked the grocery bag, setting out the hummus, crackers, tabouli, and fruit, and they ate in contented silence for a few minutes, taking in the sounds of rustling leaves and children laughing in the distance.
After they finished eating, they lay down right there, side by side, Tina's fingers brushing over Bette's arm.
After a minute, Bette opened her eyes, perusing Tina's face. "There's such a nice breeze and chilliness here. It feels so different from LA's muted seasons."
Tina just hummed in agreement, verging on sleep.
Bette scooted forward so that her lips could trellis up the length of Tina's neck.
"Mmm." Tina reached for her, hand running down her back.
Bette maintained contact, lips moving south as she mouthed the column of Tina's neck, the skin at the top of her chest.
And then Tina was pulling Bette's face toward hers, ravenous, sucking on a full bottom lip as she arched her back, pushing her chest forward, wanting to feel more of Bette's body against hers.
Taken off-guard, Bette moaned in surprise, which Tina instantly took advantage of, her tongue dipping into Bette's mouth to get a better taste of her.
Bette exhaled a shuddery breath, her heartbeat quickening.
Tina smiled into the kiss and then brought her lips to Bette's neck as she worked to steady her breathing.
Bette chuckled, palm smoothing over blonde hair. "I can't believe how easy it still is for you to get me worked up like this."
Tina pulled back to meet brown eyes, her chin dimpling. "I'm really glad it's not just me."
"Never," Bette vowed, kissing Tina's forehead before sitting back up. They smiled at each other for a moment, and then her eyes widened a little. "Oh, I forgot to tell you: Shane called yesterday. She sends you her love."
"How is she?"
Bette made a face. "There's something going on with her, but she didn't want to talk about it."
Tina shook her head, her voice full of affection. "It's still so new to me—you not always pushing. Like with Marcus and his wife and meeting Angie. Before the divorce, you pushed no matter what."
"Well, I've grown," Bette shrugged.
Tina bit her bottom lip. "You certainly have."
"She'll tell me when she's ready."
"Yeah. She will," Tina nodded. "Did you talk about anything else?"
And, remembering, Bette felt her cheeks redden. "I was telling her about our therapy, and she had an idea for us."
Tina raised an eyebrow, already suspicious. "A good idea?"
"A crazy one, maybe." Bette pursed her lips. "She suggested we try edging."
Tina laughed. "Of course she did." She shook her head. "Why would anyone want to do that? It defeats the whole purpose of sex."
"That's what I said!" Bette agreed. "I don't know, though. She made it sound like it could be fun."
Tina shrugged. "Okay. So let's try it."
Bette's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yeah." Tina smiled softly. "I'll try anything with you."
That night, turning off the lamp on her bedside table, Tina lay down beside Bette, her gaze on Bette's face. She brushed her hand over a strong shoulder, down a toned arm. "Tell me a secret."
Bette's eyes kept caressing her face. Then, after a long moment: "I think you're the most beautiful woman in the world."
Even as she smiled giddily, Tina shook her head, countering, "Doesn't count. You've told me that before."
"And it's still true," Bette insisted with a shrug. She was quiet for a minute, trying to think of what to share—of what Tina didn't already know. "Okay. After you left, I, um, started drinking a lot of white wine. Not in a sad way," she quickly added when she saw Tina's expression. "And not, like, in excess. I just mean that, instead of having a glass of red wine with dinner, I had chardonnay."
Tina's eyebrows furrowed. "Really? You always preferred red."
Bette chuckled. "I know. And I don't think that I was conscious about why I suddenly started liking white so much at first. And then, one night, I realized it was because it tasted like you."
Tina's eyes widened, and then her lips curled up as the meaning registered. She imagined Bette missing her on lonely nights—longing for the taste of her mouth, traces of wine still on her lips. And it thrilled her, a little—to be reminded, once again, that Bette had missed her just as much as she had missed Bette. She leaned in for a kiss.
Plodding into the kitchen the following morning, Bette froze momentarily at the sight of Tina, eyes taking in her effortless beauty—in slippers and little shorts, tank top riding up enough to reveal a strip of soft skin that she wanted to press her lips to.
Sensing Bette behind her, Tina turned away from the sink. "Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep okay?"
Bette took a step forward so that she could kiss a pink cheek. "I always sleep well next to you."
"Do you have a lot of work to do this morning?" Tina wondered. "Because, if not, we could go to that new brunch place."
Bette smiled. "I'm in."
Sitting down at a table and opening the menu an hour later, they suddenly heard a man's voice at a nearby table.
"Tina?"
Bette turned toward the sound just as the blonde caught sight of her former colleague a few yards in front of them. "Hey, Ben," she greeted enthusiastically and then turned back to Bette, explaining, "This is my friend, Ben. He and I used to work on the show together."
"Oh, hi," Bette smiled at the man. "It's so nice to meet you."
"And, Ben," Tina continued, resuming her introductions, "this is my . . ." She trailed off, looking for the appropriate word to describe Bette. Finally, with her cheeks flushing, she decided on: "This is . . . my Bette."
As Ben warmly greeted Bette, Tina felt those big brown eyes fixed to her face—and felt her blush deepen at the way the brunette was looking at her.
"Why don't you two come sit with us?" Ben suggested. "The hubby just went to the bathroom, but he'll be back. We haven't even ordered our food yet." He smiled at Bette. "We'd love to treat you to brunch. We've heard a lot about you over the years."
Bette raised an eyebrow, a slow grin taking over her face. "Have you now?" Somehow, knowing that Tina had talked about her—and positively, from the sounds of it—thrilled her to her core. She looked over at the blonde, wanting to make sure she was okay with eating with friends instead of it just being the two of them. "Do you want to?"
"Yeah, of course." Tina squeezed Bette's hand and then smiled at Ben. "We'd love to."
Ben and his husband, Robert, ended up being a lovely couple, and Bette was glad to have met them. They were pleasant, funny, and charismatic—and, even better, they offered a little insight into Tina's life during those years they'd spent apart.
"Oh, Tina talked about you all the time," Robert informed Bette, his tone conspiratorial. He turned to Tina and grinned. "You tried not to, but you always did."
Tina looked down, feeling herself blush again. "I don't remember doing that!" she defended. She risked a look at Bette and found the brunette already looking at her, her expression adoring.
Ben laughed. "Carrie would make a ridiculous face every time it happened." He tried to parrot the expression, scrunching his lips together.
Bette couldn't help but chuckle a little bit at that one. It was an easy sight to picture.
Robert shrugged. "We could just tell that it was one of those things, you know? A love that's special enough that the feelings never really go away."
At that, Bette dropped her hand to Tina's knee, squeezing it a little.
Tina brought her hand down to rest over Bette's, thumb affectionately stroking tan skin.
As they crawled into bed that night, Bette instinctively curled her body toward Tina's, legs tangling between them. She dropped her palm to the curve of a soft waist, her touch reverential. "It was nice meeting Ben and Robert earlier."
Tina's lip quirked up. "You liked them?"
Bette nodded. "I always like the people you like."
"You didn't like Helena."
"No, I wanted to kill her," Bette admitted, "but only at first. Eventually, she grew on me."
Tina laughed. "And that's what matters, I guess."
Her eyes moving over Tina's face, Bette exhaled a long breath, suddenly contemplative. "It's still funny—realizing how much you still cared after the divorce."
"You knew I cared," Tina countered. "Or you should have, anyway. I told you we were family. I took a red-eye and showed up at your door. And, then, when you asked me to stay, I did."
"I know," Bette conceded. "At the time, I thought it was out of some co-parent-ex-wife obligation, though." She shrugged. "I wish I had thought about what all that really meant sooner. In my mind, I was all alone in my longing, back in LA, just . . . constantly imagining you."
Tina's thumb moved over the contour of Bette's cheek, traced the line of her jaw.
"I guess I'm also glad that I didn't think about it, though," Bette realized, "because that time apart forced me to work out so much of my own stuff."
"My stuff, too," Tina agreed.
Bette shook her head. "You've always been pretty steady."
"Not always," Tina countered. "You just think that because you love me."
Bette reached out and tucked a blonde strand of hair behind Tina's ear. "I do love you."
Tina leaned in, pressing a kiss to full lips.
As they pulled back, Bette met hazel eyes, her expression a little shy. "Do you want to try it?"
"Now?" Tina asked, feeling oddly nervous.
Bette nodded, hand tucking beneath Tina's shirt to touch the hot skin that lay beneath. Cupping a smooth cheek, she guided Tina's face back to hers.
Humming in approval, Tina rested her hand on Bette's hip, pulling her closer. Parting her lips, she let their tongues brush and then playfully nibbled a top lip, feeling Bette smile at the movement.
Their lips still pressed, Bette slowly pushed the blonde onto her back, her hips falling between splayed-open thighs, her breasts and abdomen resting against Tina's.
Pulling back for air a minute later, their eyes locked, shallow breaths mingling between them.
Bette reached down, fingertip tracing a pink cheek. "You're so pretty," she whispered. "Like, it still blows my mind how pretty you are."
Tina dimpled, feeling herself blush. "Come here." She grabbed the back of Bette's neck, pulling her face back to hers.
After another minute of kissing, Bette moved lower, pressing her lips to Tina's chin, down her jaw. They puckered against the side of her neck, and then sucked on the column of her throat, aware that the skin was bruising beneath.
Tina chuckled. "God, you're such a vampire."
Bette laughed with her, breath hot against freckled skin. "Only with you." Burying her hands beneath an oversized T-shirt, her palms stroked Tina's sides and belly, moving up to cup her breasts.
Tina's breath shuddered out at the sensation. She splayed her hands against the warmth of Bette's back, forcing her closer, and—as usual—that touch was enough to make Bette's skin line with goosebumps.
Bette lifted her lips to the shell of Tina's ear. "I'm so turned on by you." Slowly, she pushed her pelvis down against Tina's pubic bone and was rewarded with a low moan.
"Bette . . ."
Self-satisfied, Bette grinned as her tongue ran over an ivory earlobe. "I love hearing you moan like that," she exhaled, fingertips moving up Tina's thigh, edging closer and closer before moving back down toward her knee.
"You're a tease."
Bette chuckled. "Isn't that kind of the point of the exercise?" She pressed a quick kiss to a smooth cheek, and Tina felt the brush of black eyelashes against her temple.
Bette's hand began making its way up a freckled thigh again. "I want to make you feel good." Ever so lightly, over the fabric of Tina's shorts, she used two fingers to stimulate her clit, brushing them up and down, up and down, at an achingly slow pace.
Tina's thighs tightened around Bette, trying to keep her in place. She lifted her head to cover Bette's lips with hers, tongue sliding into a warm mouth, eager for more.
Instantly responsive, Bette exhaled a heavy breath against her lips, and she had to remind herself to keep her movements slow and steady against Tina's clit, wanting to draw out the experience for as long as she could. Then, tearing her mouth away after another minute, she ducked her head to Tina's chest, nipping at a nipple through the fabric of her T-shirt.
Instinctually, Tina arched her back, pushing her breasts against Bette's face and silently encouraging her to keep going.
Bette continued exploring Tina's left breast for another few minutes, taking her time, her fingers steadily stroking her clit through her shorts. As she moved to the opposite breast, she took a nipple between her teeth and playfully tugged at it, earning herself a loud groan from the depths of Tina's throat.
"You're so good," Tina sighed, grabbing Bette's ass and pulling her closer.
Bette laughed softly, tongue circling an areola. Then, finally, she tucked her hand under Tina's shorts, middle finger running over her slit, and felt arousal coat her finger. "I love how wet you are." She brought her finger higher to moisten her clit and grinned when Tina twitched in response. "I love how your body reacts to me," she breathed, pulling back enough to look at Tina's face as her finger swiped over her bundle of nerves again.
Tina's eyes fell shut at the sensation, and she hissed out an uneven breath.
"You have no idea how sexy it is to me," Bette husked, "watching your reactions." She teased her entrance before pushing a finger inside her, thumb coming up to rub her clit.
Tina blinked her eyes open and took in the sight of Bette's dilated pupils, the look of concentration on her face. "More," she encouraged, hands traversing the expanse of the brunette's back, moving over her sides.
Obeying, Bette pushed in another finger and let them curl inside her to stimulate the G spot. As she pulled them out and then pushed back in, she brought her lips back to Tina's and kissed her hungrily, her fingers maintaining their rhythm.
Tina kissed Bette back, their teeth colliding in eagerness, before suctioning a full bottom lip into her mouth and noticing the way it made Bette's breath shudder out. She tongued the ribbed roof of her mouth, her hips starting to thrust against a bronze hand, matching its rhythm.
Bette pulled back just enough to watch Tina's face, and she felt Tina's shallow breaths against her cheeks. "I can feel you getting close."
Tina grunted softly. Tucking her hands under Bette's shirt again, she kneaded her breasts, rolling her nipples between her thumbs and forefingers as her hips' movements increased in pace.
Bette ducked her face into a damp neck, inhaling deep. "You always smell so good."
Tina just hummed absentmindedly, unable to focus.
Bette sucked on the skin by her clavicle, knowing she was leaving a mark. "I never get tired of the feeling of you sucking me in deeper." It was a telltale sign that Tina was right on the edge, though, so Bette slowed her rhythm, lightened the pressure of her thumb against a swollen clit.
Tina lifted her hips off the bed, pulling Bette harder against her, desperate for maintained pressure. "Don't stop," she whimpered, voice tight.
Unwilling to give in—no matter how badly she wanted to—Bette slowly pulled her fingers out entirely and then lifted herself up onto her knees to create a little distance between their bodies. She pressed a kiss to Tina's forehead before lying down beside her, waiting for her breathing to slow.
Finally, Tina opened her eyes, her gaze on the ceiling.
Bette brushed blonde hair away from Tina's forehead. "You okay?"
"Yes," Tina assured her. Then, turning her body toward Bette's, she made a face. "That was anticlimactic."
"Literally," Bette chuckled, lips against Tina's. Pulling back a moment later, she turned serious. "Was it awful? Are you uncomfortable?"
"No," Tina promised. "It was hot." Rolling onto her back again, she pulled Bette back on top of her, wanting the weight of that toned body against hers.
"It was hot," Bette agreed, voice full of desire. She kissed her way down Tina's cheek, over her jaw, down her neck and sternum. Moving lower, she grabbed for the waistband of Tina's shorts and underwear, and the blonde shimmied her hips, helping her pull them down her legs. Settling at the apex of her thighs, she met hazel eyes. "Let's do it again."
The following night, Bette and Tina got ready for dinner in their bedroom, excited to try the new Spanish restaurant.
"Bette, are you ready?" Tina called toward their adjoining bathroom's shut door.
"Almost!" Bette called back, her voice relaxed and light.
As she waited, Tina took in her reflection in the mirror, cleaning up the lines of her lipstick, then smoothing down the waist of her dress.
Bette opened the bathroom door and stepped out into their bedroom. "Okay. I'm ready."
Tina turned to face her, prepared to sigh a playful finally!, when she was stopped short by the sight before her, breath suddenly caught in the back of her throat. Because there was Bette: the image of beauty, looking so effortlessly regal and sexy as she adjusted the bracelet on her wrist.
Noticing those hazel eyes staring unblinkingly at her, Bette looked down at her blazer and dress pants, suddenly self-conscious. "Is it too much?"
Finally finding her voice again, Tina shook her head, and her voice came out lower than usual. "It's not too much."
Bette's eyebrows furrowed, trying to read her expression. "Are you sure? Because—"
"It's not too much," Tina repeated, stepping forward and into Bette's space. "It's just that you genuinely just took my breath away."
Slowly, Bette's lips curled up into a wide grin, her cheeks flushing. "Yeah?"
Tina nodded, biting her bottom lip as her eyes raked down Bette's body.
And, watching Tina's expression—so full of desire—Bette felt her stomach flutter. "I love you."
Tina smiled back. "Should we go?"
At the restaurant, Bette and Tina sat across from each other with half-empty plates of olives, croquetas, patatas bravas, charcuterie, and a bottle of wine sitting between them.
Bette lifted an olive to her lips. "This is a good shared first. I'm glad we discovered this place."
"I'm glad you suggested it," Tina agreed. "It's making me want to go to Spain."
"Well, we've never been to Spain together . . ."
"Very true," Tina dimpled. "Another first to add to our list."
"Cheers to that." Bette lifted her glass.
Meeting brown eyes, Tina clinked her glass against Bette's before taking a sip.
Setting down her glass a moment later, Bette dropped her elbows onto the table, her focus wholly on Tina. "Tell me a secret."
"Okay." Tina's fingertip traced the lip of her glass. "To follow your lead, I have a wine secret, too."
Bette waited.
"I never liked red wine before you."
Bette's brows flew up. "Really?"
Tina nodded. "And then we met, and it was always around, and I started liking it. And now I'm kind of drunk on it," she added, chuckling a little.
Bette laughed. "So am I." Reaching for the bottle, she poured more into Tina's glass and then poured the final dregs into hers. "Tell me another."
"It's your turn tonight, you know," Tina reminded her, "for me to . . ." She trailed off, knowing Bette knew what she was talking about—and not wanting any other restaurant patrons to hear her explicitly discussing edging.
"Oh, I know," Bette recalled. "Should I be scared?"
"No," Tina assured her. "It's just something to try, right? And then, tomorrow night, we can . . . stop trying."
Bette grinned. "Deal."
Walking into the foyer that evening, Tina looked over at Bette. "Do you want to take a shower with me?"
Bette smiled. "If I ever say no to that question, I want you to take me to the hospital immediately because it'll mean I've had a stroke."
Delighted, Tina offered out her hand and led them upstairs.
Bette turned the faucet, letting the water heat up. Then, turning back toward Tina, she watched as she took off her earrings and set them on the counter. She watched as she reached for the zipper at the back of her dress.
"Here, let me help," Bette offered, taking a step forward and pulling the zipper down from Tina's neck to the base of her spine. She pushed back blonde hair, briefly kissing the smooth nape of her neck before pulling away to take off her own clothes.
Pushing her sleeves down her arms, Tina turned back and watched as Bette unbuttoned her blouse, eyes tracking her long fingers' movements.
Bette looked up, face flushing at the sight of Tina's focused expression. "What?" she asked, feeling shy.
Tina's lips curled up and she stepped forward, resting her hands on a toned waist. "Nothing. I just like looking at you."
"Me, too," Bette agreed, gaze inadvertently falling to a full cleavage.
Tina pushed Bette's blouse down her shoulders. She unbuttoned Bette's fly and pulled down her zipper.
Bette smirked. "You're impatient."
Tina reached behind Bette's back to unclasp her bra. "I want payback for yesterday."
Shutting the shower door behind them, Bette watched as Tina stood under the water, watched as she tilted back her head to wet her hair.
A minute later, Tina pulled Bette into the stream as she stepped back, switching places with her.
Bette let the shower flatten her curls, breathing in the steam spreading around them. She reached for the shampoo.
"Wait." Tina grabbed it herself, pouring some into her palm. She offered Bette her sweetest smile. "Turn around." And, when she did, Tina began running it through dark hair, lathering her scalp and massaging her head.
Bette shut her eyes, lost in the touch. As Tina continued to scratch her head, to run her fingers through her hair—making sure each strand was coated—Bette felt like she was floating.
Then, pushing dark hair forward and onto Bette's chest, Tina grabbed the soap and started sudsing up a toned back, a toned ass, toned arms, using her body to spread it all over, her breasts running across a strong scapula.
Bette exhaled a long breath, relishing the sensation of Tina's body against hers.
Slowly, Tina rinsed her clean, using her hands to splash her skin, running her fingers through her hair as she rinsed out the shampoo, her touch gentle. She rubbed conditioner between her palms before spreading it through curls, nails scraping pleasurably against Bette's scalp.
Turning in her arms, Bette let the water wash it out, hands resting on the soft curve of a waist. Then, switching places, she urged Tina to stand under the water's stream before paralleling her actions: massaging shampoo into blonde hair, then spreading conditioner over the ends, combing it through with her fingers.
Sudsing some body wash between her palms, she rubbed it over Tina's arms, her neck, her chest, her stomach. She rubbed it over full breasts, palming them in her hands, thumbs swiping over pink nipples.
Tina wrapped her arms around Bette, pulling their bodies close, and Bette immediately reciprocated, hands resting against a lower back, wrapped in a tight hug. She ducked her head into the crook of Tina's neck, lips warm against skin.
In bed, Tina didn't waste any time before encouraging Bette to lie on her back, damp curls splaying across the pillows. Settling over her, Tina grabbed the back of her neck to keep her close as she pulled her in for a kiss. Her tongue dipped into a warm mouth, and she moaned when Bette's tongue met hers.
"Mmm," Bette exhaled against pink lips, her hands moving over Tina's shoulders, down her biceps.
Feeling goosebumps line her arms, Tina pulled back for air, her lips hovering right above Bette's. When she spoke, her voice came out quiet. "Spread your legs."
Lifting her head to capture Tina's lips in another insistent kiss, Bette obediently spread her legs.
"Spread them wider," Tina insisted, their mouths still pressed.
Again, Bette obeyed. "Are you talking dirty to me?"
Tina's lips moved lower, running over the line of a sharp jaw. "Do you want me to?" Continuing her descent, she sucked on the column of Bette's neck. "Do you want to hear about how hot I find you?" she pressed, well aware of the effect of her words. "Do you want me to tell you how badly I want to fuck you?"
Bette exhaled a strangled breath.
Reaching for Bette's hands, Tina brought strong arms above her head. Then, she lowered her own hand, forefinger teasing the left side of Bette's clit.
And, immediately, Bette groaned at the feeling, chest pushing up against Tina's.
"I love the way your back arches when I touch you," Tina murmured, looking down at Bette, all her attention focused on her face. She felt her heart beat faster just at the sight of her biting back a moan, eyes shuttering closed in pleasure when a finger swiped over her clit again.
"Fuck."
Feeling a little prideful, knowing that she had this immediate effect on Bette, this power over her, Tina asked, "Did I ever tell you how, after our first date, I went home and touched myself while I thought of you?"
At that, Bette's eyes popped open, suddenly focused on Tina's face. "You did?"
"Mmm-hmm." Tina nodded, her finger maintaining its ministrations around Bette's clit. "When you dropped me off and we kissed, I felt that kiss everywhere." She licked her lips, watching the way Bette's eyes tracked the movement. "I wanted to imagine what it would feel like—to actually be with you." She lowered her head, latching her lips onto the column of a bronze neck.
Bette's eyes shut as she fell victim to the feeling of Tina's hot, meandering mouth against her. She lifted her hands to the skin of her back, smoothing over the muscle at her trapezius.
"Tell me what would turn you on right now," Tina requested, kissing a bronze shoulder. "Do you want my mouth on you?"
Bette's arms tightened around Tina's back, pulling her closer.
Lifting her head, Tina's lips moved to Bette's ear. "Do you want me riding you?"
Bette felt her breath grow ragged.
Tina looked, unblinking, into dark eyes. "Do you want to feel how wet I am for you?"
Yes, Bette thought—or maybe she said it aloud because, a minute later, Tina had readjusted her position to sit up and rest her knees on either side of Bette's outer thighs.
With intention, Tina parted Bette's folds, spreading them to give herself better access to her clit. Then, lowering her body to straddle her, she rolled her hips once and felt heat of Bette's arousal coat her skin.
Bette gasped when she felt how wet Tina was, a new slickness spreading against her pubic bone.
And, wanting to draw out Bette's experience—just as Bette had done for her the night before—Tina started off slow, rolling her hips a second time as she leaned down to meet full lips.
Loving the feeling of Tina's stomach and breasts on hers, Bette's tongue dipped into a warm mouth.
Grinding down again, Tina felt Bette's breath shudder out against her cheek as their clits nudged against each other.
Gingerly, Bette pushed back the soft strands of hair that had gotten between their lips, and Tina's hair moved to form a curtain around their faces.
After another minute, Tina met Bette's gaze, checking, "Does this feel okay for you? Do you need me to readjust?"
Bette shook her head, her voice coming out husky. "You're exactly where I want you to be." She reached for Tina's ass, pulling her closer and simultaneously achieving movement against her clit, desperate for more friction.
And, knowing what Bette wanted, Tina sat back up and then rolled her hips again, building a slow rhythm, their bodies making a slight wet sound every time she moved. "I love feeling you against me like this," she commented before grinding down again, the movement nice and slow, working hard to keep her own desire in check.
Entranced by the sight of Tina riding her at a measured pace, breasts bouncing with every movement, Bette couldn't help but reach out, cupping them in her hands. She gave them a quick squeeze and felt pink nipples harden under her palms.
Feeling a build-up of tension in the lower part of her belly, that warmth rising, Tina bit the inside of her cheek, stifling a groan.
Bette pushed her hips up urgently against Tina's, easily matching her rhythm. "Kiss me." Her hand moved over a freckled shoulder, wordlessly urging the blonde closer.
Continuing her steady movements, Tina hurried her mouth into Bette's—their tongues brushing, the occasional moan and unintelligible murmur falling from their lips.
Bette's hips continued arching off the bed. "God, you're going to get me addicted to this."
Sitting up straight again for better control, Tina ground down harder. Her mouth fell open, eyes falling shut, lost in the sensation.
Bette's hands came up to Tina's hips to help support her movements as they continued bucking against each other.
"Bette, we need to—" Losing her train of thought, Tina didn't finish her sentence.
"Fuck, that feels so good," Bette groaned, hips lifting off the bed at a quickening pace.
And, remembering the goal was to get to the edge of orgasm—and not to actually go over—Tina forced herself back, trying to sit up on her knees to build some distance between their bodies.
Before she could, though, Bette's grip tightened on her hips, forbidding her from pulling away. "We're not done," she growled as one hand came up to cradle a pink cheek, pulling Tina's face back to hers.