Previously…

Her look turning serious now, and unable to fight her feelings any longer, Bette looked deep into Tina‘s entrancing hazel eyes.

“What?” said Tina, knowing there were words hanging on Bette’s lips.

Bette swallowed hard.

“I booked us a room.”

_________________

Tina opened the sliding doors and stepped out on to the balcony. She folded her arms and rested against the railings, taking in the view. She inhaled deeply, the smell of the sea-air invigorating her, the gentle sea-breeze causing wisps of blonde hair to float about her face. She was only out there for a couple of minutes when Bette followed her.

“Okay?”, Bette enquired, a little worried that Tina might be regretting her decision to go with her to the beachfront hotel.

“Mmm. Bette, it’s wonderful out here. The view, the smell of the sea…and now you. It couldn’t get any better.”

Bette smiled, knowing fine well that it could get better – much better.

“You know, Bette,” Tina smiled as she gazed out over the ocean, “I loved that poem you sent me about the beach. I’ve read it over and over.”

Bette moved forward and pressed herself up against Tina’s back. Tina closed her eyes, at once terrified and thrilled at the desire coursing through her body. Bette slid one hand around Tina’s waist and lifted her other hand to her neck. Tina let her head ease back as Bette gently teased Tina’s hair out of the way as she leant in, her mouth so close to Tina’s ear that she shuddered at the heat of Bette’s breath. Bette whispered a little of the poem…

“She says, "I knew you’d be here.” She says, "I knew you’d come."

Then they stand there in silence and wait for the sun.

Now neither are alone and no more are afraid.

For tonight by the ocean true love may be made.”

Tina turned.

“Every word is so much more beautiful now that I can hear you say them,” and she lifted her hands up, cupping Bette’s face.

There, out on the balcony, wrapped in a warm sea-breeze – and Bette’s arms – Tina kissed Bette for the first time.

Parting momentarily to take a breath, their mouths met again, each woman realising that the kiss they’d dreamed of over and over couldn’t hold a candle to the one they were experiencing now. Bette could feel Tina giving in and took the opportunity to ease her tongue between her own lips and seek a way between Tina’s. Her mouth opened and welcomed the gentle teasing of Bette’s tongue, touching it softly with her own. Tina’s mounting feeling of desire manifested itself in a wonderful little yelp which escaped from the back of her throat. No sooner had Bette heard it than she emitted one of her own.

They wanted each other.

They needed each other.

They loved each other.

Love?

There had been so many times in the course of their correspondence when both of them had felt ready to mention the l-word. But each had shied away from it, thinking how crazy it would be to say that to someone they’d never even met. Now though, in each other’s arms, kissing, and knowing what was inevitably to follow, surely it was there ready to be said?

They broke their kiss, each wanting to say the same thing. Those three words.

I

love

you.

Those most glorious words.

Those most exhilarating words.

Those most inadequate words.

The words that appear to say it all, and yet sometimes, this time, don’t seem to say enough.

So they said nothing as they moved to the bed.

And that said everything.

Still standing, their kiss became deeper, so involved. They knew each other so well, yet nowhere near well enough. But they realised they finally had their chance to change that. Bette’s hands moved all over Tina’s back, before dropping down to her waist and sliding round to her stomach. They wanted to travel upwards.

Suddenly acutely aware of Tina’s situation, Bette hesitated.

“Tina?”

“Ssssh,” responded Tina, bringing a single finger up to rest against Bette’s lips, “I want to, Bette. I want to so much.” She leaned into Bette again to reassure her with another kiss, and she took hold of Bette’s hands and put them where they both wanted them to be.