“Let me be the judge of that, OK?” she gently cupped Bette’s face with her free hand, hoping the contact would help convey what her words were failing to do. “I’m here for you, Bette; all you have to do is reach out.”

“I wish … I wish I had your courage. Then I could share a part of me with you.”

“Then draw strength from my courage. Draw comfort from my presence,” Barbara whispered. “I told you before, I’m not going anywhere.”

For long moments, Bette studied the woman in front of her. Barbara was right. All she had to do was reach for it, and she would have all the love in the world. She turned her head and held the hand on her cheek. Gently, Bette planted little kisses on the palm, adding more pressure with every kiss.

“Bette,” Barbara tried to keep the arousal out of her voice.

“You’re right,” Bette said as she peeled away the hand on her face, pulling the senator close.

“Bette,” Barbara warned amidst the roar of her arousal. “What are you doing?”

“Reaching out.”

Her response was swallowed by the connecting of their lips, a soft current coursing through her body as Bette deepened the kiss. Parting her lips, Barbara teased Bette with the tip of her tongue.

Bette shifted their positions, pushing Barbara against the back of the couch without breaking their kiss. With Bette hovering above, the senator snaked her hands inside Bette’s top and caressed the warm skin within.

“Please,” Barbara half moaned as Bette broke the kiss.

“Please what, Barbara? What do you want me to do?” Bette leaned backward to regard the woman in her arms.

“Slow,” she struggled to find her words when she felt Bette trailing kisses down her neck.

She chuckled at the monosyllable state Barbara was in. “You want me to go slow?”

“Please.”

“I can do slow,” Bette said. She leaned in for a kiss, applying just enough pressure to part delectable lips. Her hand rested on Barbara’s neck, drawing the woman to her. “That slow enough for you?”

The rapid burn caused by Bette’s proximity was dying a slow death, each moment more excruciating than the last. Her heavy, ragged breaths matched her heart’s up tempo beat.

“You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” Barbara recovered in time to say.

Instead of replying, Bette kissed the palm of Barbara’s hand, cupping her own cheek with it. She closed her eyes and basked in the simple touch, letting it wash over her.

“Thank you,” Bette said to her after she opened her eyes.

“For what?”

“For letting me be myself. For giving me courage to take the first step,” Bette replied. “For believing in me.”

“If your first step almost killed me, I shudder to think what lies ahead,” Barbara teased, her voice laced with arousal.

Bette smiled, enjoying the calmness instilled by Barbara’s presence. “Still think I’m more than enough for you?”

“Ever since the day I met you.”

She took a sip of her drink, buying herself some time to gather her thoughts. “I know I said a friendship is all I can offer you right now.”

“I think we’re way past that,” Barbara offered.

“I don’t want you to think I’m blowing hot and cold. I do want you, Barbara.”

“But you have to take care of things with Tina first. I understand.”

“Do you?” Bette raised an eyebrow.

“That Tina will always come first? Yes, I do,” Barbara answered evenly. The shift of their conversation had doused her arousal. “I might not like it, but I respect your decision and I can comprehend it.”

“Bette, she was a big part of your life, and she will always be,” Barbara continued. “She is the mother of your child, and nobody should come between you and your family. I only ask for a chance to be a part of your life.”

“That’s a lot to ask for at this point.”

“Maybe, but we’re past playing games and I know it’s not a short term thing for you,” Barbara pointed out. “Question is, do you want me to be a part of your life?”