Read this and learn the plot, ok? That afternoon, after countless exhilarating jumps with Bette, the air was thick with the scent of earth and leaves, and the hum of cicadas filled the space around them like a chorus. Back home, Tina leapt from the back of the motorcycle, her cheeks flushed from the biting wind, strands of hair wild by the ride. 

Bette remained seated on the bike, fingers curled around the handles; eyes locked onto Tina with a penetrating gaze that seemed to slice through the air between them. Her hair moved gently with the breeze, sunlight catching in strands of dark silk. A moment of silence unfolded, heavy with the weight of unsaid words.

“I’m sorry I can’t stay,” Bette finally said, her voice laced with a hint of regret. The prior commitment to a friend’s gathering lingered like a shadow, cutting the bubble of intimacy they had created.

“Don’t worry about it,” Tina replied, her voice soft but steady, though she felt a pang of disappointment at the thought of their time together ending.

“I had a great time today. I hope you—” Bette started, but Tina interrupted her, urgency spilling out in her response.

“Absolutely,” she said, the word tumbling from her lips with a breathless quality that surprised her.

She could feel the air around her, charged and electric, as if their shared experiences had heightened her senses. Bette’s lips curled into a warm smile and as she shifted slightly on the seat of the bike, a subtle yet palpable awkwardness washed over them, like the stillness before a storm.

Tina stepped forward, closing the distance with a deliberate slowness, almost drawn toward Bette like a magnet. Tina's pulse quickened, heat spreading through her as she inched closer, wanting to break that last fragment of distance. At that moment, it felt like every nerve in her body was alive and reaching out for what she knew she couldn’t yet have. 

Bette’s eyes met hers, and they held the gaze, both aware of the electric pull drawing them together. 

Tina si concentrò sul mantenere i piedi ben piantati in posizione. Se non l'avesse fatto, avrebbe coperto la distanza che le separava e non sarebbe stata più in grado di fermarsi. Sognava di accarezzare con il suo pollice le labbra di Bette, immaginando come sarebbe stato baciarle e sentire il loro sapore. E dopo di ciò, non sarebbero più potute tornare indietro. Ed entrambe sembravano perse in un pensiero simile. Their breaths synchronized but just as the space between them seemed on the brink of dissolving, a voice interrupted from behind.

"Good evening, Ms. Kennard," called Kostas, dispelling the moment as if shattering glass.

Tina jumped slightly, caught between frustration and a longing that still hummed beneath her skin. She swallowed hard and glanced at Bette before she mustered her best polite smile and turned to Kostas, engaging in a brief, mundane exchange of pleasantries. Her mind, however, was elsewhere, running wild with thoughts of what might have transpired had they not been interrupted.

The brief interaction was enough to disperse the simmering tension that had enveloped them. With a slight sigh, Tina bent down to pick up her bag from the ground, signaling her intent to retreat indoors. Meanwhile, Bette kickstarted the bike, its headlight flickering to life and casting a stark beam across the olive grove before them.

"Tomorrow I have to cover for my mom here at the resort as we have two guests checking-in," Bette explained, hesitating as though the bike itself held her back.

"What about dinner together?" Tina blurted out once more, her words escaping faster than she could command them. The expectant silence stretched before being pierced by Bette’s beaming smile.

"Yes," Bette accepted, the agreement leaving her lips as a whispered promise.

"I'm not sure where, though..." Tina added, uncertainty threading through her voice.

"I'll take care of it," Bette reassured her, the smile on her lips deepening. Then, before revving the engine and easing the bike forward, she offered a final, playful glance "See you tomorrow."

***

That evening, as Tina prepared herself, an unfamiliar tension had settled heavily between her shoulders. She let the ivory silk dress with its delicate straps glide over her skin like a soft caress. The fabric brushed against her skin, grazing her nipples, sending a shiver through her body. The tension she had felt in her shoulders suddenly shifted, moving down to her lower abdomen, pooling there in a mix of anticipation and desire. She glanced at herself in the mirror, admiring her sun-kissed skin and the highlights in her hair, lightened by the sun. Approaching the mirror in the entryway, she applied a sheer layer of lip gloss. Pressing her lips together, she moved them sensuously against each other, feeling the gloss smooth and sticky.

Grabbing her small purse, she stepped out and made her way to the entrance of the resort, where she had arranged to meet Bette. As she climbed the last stretch of the familiar path, she lifted her gaze. Bette was already there, waiting, leaning casually against her motorcycle. As Bette fiddled with her phone, Tina took the opportunity to drink in the sight of her.

Bette wore ice-colored linen pants and a matching white shirt, unbuttoned just one button too many. It was enough for Tina to catch a glimpse of the delicate gray bra beneath and the wooden necklace that danced lightly against her bare skin.

Tina was captivated by Bette's beauty, the sight of her igniting the tension in her abdomen further. When Bette finally looked up from her phone and set it aside on her bike, Tina felt truly seen for the first time in so long.

A blush crept up her neck and flared across her chest. She felt vulnerable under that gaze, a gaze that seemed to hold her completely captive. Her skin tingled with embarrassment and heat, feeling utterly exposed and yet unable to look away.

As Tina approached, Bette pushed herself upright, and they halted a mere half step away from each other, the same distance that had separated them the day before when they were interrupted. Now, the air was filled with Tina's scent, soft and intoxicating, drawing Bette in as she breathed deeply. It was like inhaling an altering perfume.

“You look incredible,” Bette said, leaning forward in a gesture that surprised them both. She moved close enough to place a soft kiss on Tina's cheek.

They had never been this close before, and that gentle contact seemed to breach a gap that Tina had been adamant about maintaining. As Bette pulled back, the sensation of her lips lingered on Tina's cheek, delicate and enduring, as if marking the moment. The tension inside Tina twisted into a tight knot in her throat.

“You look amazing too,” Tina managed to say, trying to anchor herself in the present and not get lost in the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind.

They held each other’s gaze in a prolonged silence, as if neither knew the right step to take next. Finally, Bette cleared her throat, breaking the trance, and looked away. She reached for the helmet and handed it to Tina.

“How about we go?” Bette suggested, a gentle smile lighting up her face.

“You should really get another helmet; it’s dangerous to ride without one,” Tina responded, taking the helmet without further questioning and mounting the bike with ease. Bette offered her hand as Tina settled in, feeling secure and wrapped around her. Once Tina was comfortably seated, Bette started the engine and they took off.

Unlike the day before, when Bette spent most of the ride chatting and pointing things out to Tina, this journey was wrapped in silence. Tina tightened her grip around Bette’s waist, relishing the warmth and solidity of her body. She leaned her head against Bette's back, seeking refuge from the wind. Bette focused on the road ahead, battling the urge to surrender to the comfort and desire that came from having Tina pressed close against her.

Tina couldn't help but be amazed each time a new part of the island was revealed to her, each new corner more captivating than the last. Every spot felt like a secret unveiled just for her.

As they dismounted from the motorcycle, Bette offered Tina a warm smile, waiting patiently while the blonde adjusted her hair. With a gentle motion, Bette rested her hand on the small of Tina’s back, where the dress dipped into a deep, daring plunge. The moment Bette’s hand touched her, a shiver ran through Tina, and a wave of awareness fluttered in her chest, causing her heart to skip a beat. They exchanged a glance loaded with meaning, then set off together toward their destination.

A quaint taverna sat beside the beach, its charm accentuated by a scattering of a dozen tables stretching to the edge of the calm sea. A veranda provided shelter, its protection extending until a few palm and olive trees took over, shading the sand. The sea unfurled in a serene inlet, the turquoise of day slowly giving way to the deep blue of night.

An elderly man, short and stout with a notable belly, approached them. As Bette stepped forward to greet him, she withdrew her hand from Tina's back, creating an unexpected sense of absence in its wake.

“Laris! Kalispera,” Bette greeted, spreading her arms wide to draw him into an embrace. The stark contrast in their heights brought a smile to Tina’s lips.

“Ah, my girl” the man said, patting Bette’s cheek affectionately a few times. “You’re getting thinner each time I see you. Is your mother feeding you? You should come here more” he teased, a smile lighting his face. Bette laughed, nodding in response.

“Is Zoa here?” the brunette asked, glancing around.

“Zoa!” the man called out in a booming voice. Soon, a woman, equally elderly and perhaps even shorter, with round features and hands that spoke of a lifetime of hard work, emerged from a small blue door, wearing an apron.

“Bette, glykiá mou!” the woman exclaimed, drawing Bette into a warm embrace. Tina watched as Bette interacted with the couple, noticing how her hands moved gracefully, her eyes soft and bright as she spoke animatedly. Then, Bette turned to Tina, extending a hand, inviting her to step forward.

“Laris, Zoa, this is Tina,” Bette introduced, as Tina approached with her hand outstretched. But Zoa took her hand only to pull Tina into a heartfelt embrace.

“Hello, Tina, dear. Wonderful to meet you,” Zoa said, stepping aside so her husband could greet Tina with an even more enthusiastic hug. Bette struggled to suppress a smile as she watched Tina, slightly taken aback by the affectionate welcome. When Laris finally released Tina, he beamed at her.

“This girl only keeps company with the most beautiful women,” Laris commented, causing Bette to blush slightly, a subtle reaction that didn’t go unnoticed by Tina.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Tina said, offering the couple a genuine smile.

“Now go and eat, both of you are nothing but skin and bones,” Laris instructed, waving them off as he guided his wife back toward the kitchen.

Bette turned to Tina, shaking her head, a soft laugh illuminating her face. “Don’t pretend I didn’t catch that he used the plural…” Tina whispered playfully, making her way toward a table right by the sea, sheltered beneath the veranda.

“*Laris, I’ll get you for this*,” Bette muttered under her breath as she watched Tina approach the table, moments later joining her.

They didn’t need to order; a pitcher of red wine was promptly placed in the center of the table, soon accompanied by a parade of dishes arriving one after another.

“You seem to know them very well,” Tina remarked, intrigued to learn more about Bette’s life.

“Yes, well, they’re very dear to my parents,” Bette explained, pouring wine for Tina, her eyes fixed on the rich red liquid flowing from the ceramic jug. “When my parents decided to buy the land to build the resort, they had to stay here for a few months to oversee the start of the construction, and Laris and Zoa welcomed them into their home down in the village,” she continued, setting the jug down gently. “They watched me grow up, learned English for and with us, and what little Greek I know, they taught me. They don’t have children, and I believe they’ve given me all the love they had to offer,” Bette said, a warm smile spread across her face.

Their conversation flowed as naturally as the wine, their words intermingling with laughter and shared glances.

"Don’t you miss all this when you’re in New York?” Tina asked, holding the small wine glass in her hand.

“Yeah, I do, but I can’t imagine living here full-time, you know? I love my life, the chaos that comes with it. Plus, living in NY is much more bearable when you know a place like this is waiting for you. Don’t you think?” Bette lifted her glass, nodding toward Tina in invitation for a toast. “To you,” she added softly, as their glasses clinked together with a gentle chime. Tina sipped her wine, savoring the rich, fruity notes.

“Tell me about your studies. What do you plan to do afterward?” Tina inquired, genuinely curious.

“Oh, I have about a year left,” Bette replied, settling back into the wicker-backed chair, her posture relaxed yet confident. Her eyes lingered on the wine glass as she absentmindedly traced the rim with her finger in a slow, deliberate motion.

“And then?”

“I’ll probably work in a museum for a few years, trying to carve out my own path and make a name for myself. But eventually, I’d love to open a small gallery, travel the world, find unique pieces by unique artists, and make someone feel incredibly lucky when they fall in love with one of those pieces—”

“Is that the sound of ice melting I hear?” Tina teased, placing a theatrical hand over her chest as if genuinely surprised. “Bette Porter, was that a romantic illusion I just heard?”

Bette rolled her eyes playfully, a smile tugging at her lips as she shook her head. Just then, Laris approached their table, his manner gentle yet firm.

“Bette dear, I don’t want to interrupt, but be careful. It looks like rain is coming.”

Tina turned to look at the sea. In her conversation with Bette, she hadn’t noticed how dense the darkness had grown, the sky now a foreboding shade of cloudy black.

“Thanks, Laris. We just need to head back home, and it’s a short ride,” Bette reassured, her voice steady, as she reached out to shake his hand warmly, his grip filled with paternal care.

“Do you think it’s safe?” Tina asked, meeting Bette’s gaze with genuine concern. Bette nodded confidently, her eyes steady and reassuring.

For a while, they sat in silence, sharing the dishes that crowded the table, passing flavors between them, each new bite revealing something about their tastes and preferences. The food was perfection, and the wine continued to flow as did their laughter, both learning and sharing pieces of their lives.

They stayed late into the night, time slipping away with a rhythm of its own as the palm leaves began to rustle gently overhead, the sound a soft reminder of the coming storm. Laris started clearing the paper placemats from the tables, the air around them nearly deserted except for the two women lost in conversation. Tina glanced around, realizing they were the last patrons remaining, the clock already ticked past eleven. Yet it all felt so natural, the evening remarkably simple and easy, like a story unfolding in its rightful place.

Bette stood gracefully, leaving a few banknotes on the table with an easy gesture. "I'll be right back," she said, as she moved towards the couple, embracing them warmly in farewell. Tina watched her with a smile, raising a hand in her own goodbye.

They made their way to the motorcycle, settling onto it just as the first raindrop fell. A low rumble of thunder followed, distant yet threatening. Bette quickly started the bike, and they were soon back on the road.

Tina's eyes tracked the flashes of lightning as they illuminated the horizon, each strike painting fleeting reflections across the dark, churning waters. The sky, a canvas of vibrant and electric displays, embraced them as they rode.

As the rain gained intensity, Tina experienced a curious sensation. She raised her arms skyward, eyes closing to the warm rain on her skin, the sensation both invigorating and liberating. The rain felt like a gentle embrace, washing away concerns and grounding her in the present. Bette glanced back, catching sight of Tina's joy, her own lips curling into a smile despite the downpour.

“It’s beautiful, Bette!” Tina exclaimed, her voice lifted by the exhilaration as she inhaled the fresh, earthy scent that the rain brought, her skin now glistening with moisture.

“I know,” Bette replied, her voice cutting through the rain as she turned her head slightly to ensure Tina could hear her. “I’ve always preferred the restless sea to the calm one.”

Tina wrapped her arms back around Bette’s waist, feeling the warmth and strength beneath her palms. They continued riding, the storm’s intensity making the ride thrilling but soon challenging as visibility waned and the road became slick.

“We need to stop, Tina. Let’s wait this out. It won’t take too long,” Bette shouted over the elements, steering the bike onto a narrow path a short distance away. They parked near one of those charming small white-and-blue chapels Tina had noticed upon arriving. The chapel provided a sheltered entrance, a brief respite from the now heavy rain.

Under the sanctuary of the porch, the rain drummed a relentless rhythm around them. They laughed, sharing the exhilarating unpredictability of the moment. Bette ran a hand through her wet hair, pushing it away from her face, while Tina set the helmet gently on the ground, their laughter mingling with the rain's melody. The air between them crackled with a different kind of electricity now, charged with shared adventure and the intoxicating proximity of one another.

Around them, the world was alive with the insistent rhythm of rain pelting the dry earth. The occasional crack of lightning sliced through the night, followed swiftly by the resonant rumble of thunder echoing across the landscape.

Bette turned to Tina, her voice just audible over the storm. 

“Are you okay?” she asked, trying to keep her gaze steady, resisting the pull to glance down at Tina's breasts, where her nipples pressed against the silk. Under the small roof, they were close—so close that Bette could almost feel Tina’s warmth seeping into her skin, an enticing magnetic heat that drew her in.

Tina turned to face her, and their eyes locked. Her gaze flickered down to Bette's lips before returning to meet her eyes, the moment stretching between them, thick with unspoken intent and longing.

Bette edged closer, the air between them charged, electric. They found themselves chest to chest, Bette slightly taller. She searched Tina's face, looking for any sign of hesitation, any indication that she might not want this, but found nothing of the sort. With a single step, Bette closed the remaining distance, bringing their bodies together and letting out a soft sigh as their lips met, brushing lightly in a whisper of a kiss. Tina yielded to the touch.

Bette’s mouth closed over Tina’s lower lip, savoring the sensation that felt so perfect, so irreversibly right, as if age gap and complications melted away, leaving just this single, pure moment. It felt like the first time, like a beginning.

Tina moaned softly, her hands clutching Bette's shirt, pulling her closer as Bette cupped her face, threading fingers through her hair, deepening the kiss. Bette gently tugged at Tina’s lower lip with her teeth, just before their tongues met, sending a surge of warmth through Tina that settled between her thighs.

Tina opened to Bette, and Bette opened to her, exploring and embracing, lost to everything around them except the hungry dance of tongues, Bette’s hands framing Tina’s face, and the soft sounds of pleasure escaping their lips, a harmony to the relentless rain.

Tina’s hands found the hem of Bette’s rain-dampened shirt, sliding underneath to discover the hot skin beneath, a smoothness tinged with shivers. She drew Bette closer still, tracing Bette’s upper lip with the tip of her tongue, earning a gasp in response. “Bette,” she murmured, tilting her head to offer her neck, inviting Bette's lips to follow.

But as their lips parted, the storm, the scent of myrtle and rain pulled Tina back into reality. The aroma of Bette’s skin was overtaken by the earthy smell of wet ground, the sound of their intertwined moans replaced by the constant patter of rain around them. Quickly withdrawing her hand from Bette's firm abdomen, she returned to the separation of linen and space. Tina placed a hand on Bette’s shoulder with an unexpected resolve and pushed her away, just hard enough for Bette to stagger slightly back, their embrace suddenly undone.

Tina stepped back, bumping against the closed door of the chapel that sheltered them, her breath faster and shallower than it had been moments before, anxiety overtaking every thrill.

“I’m sorry,” Bette said, her cheeks flushed, lips swollen and rosy, an unmistakable vulnerability in her eyes.

"Take me home," Tina commanded, her voice flat and steady, devoid of emotion, a monotone that left no room for argument.

At that moment, the rain seemed to ease slightly, the relentless downpour giving way to a softer drizzle. Tina bent down, picked up the helmet, and slipped it on without looking at Bette. Her eyes focused instead on the ground as she walked toward the motorcycle, the timid raindrops pattering against her skin.

“Please, Bette, take me home,” she repeated, her voice carrying a hint of *something*—perhaps regret or frustration.

Bette approached the motorcycle, mounted it, and started the engine. Tina climbed on behind her, her hands resolute and firm around the grips on either side of the passenger seat. Bette rode with careful speed along the dark road that led them back. She attempted to glance back at Tina a couple of times, but Tina never returned the look, her eyes fixed on the darkened moving surroundings.

As soon as they reached the resort, Tina practically dismounted before the bike had fully stopped. She removed her helmet, her fingers trembling—perhaps from the chill of the rain, the wind of the ride, or the weight of the wrongness she felt from the kiss. She left the helmet on the bike thoughtlessly and walked wordlessly toward the road leading home.

“Tina, please,” Bette called out after her, desperation weaving through her voice.

“Bette, go home,” Tina replied sharply without turning around.

As she hurried home, the rain picked up intensity, sheets of water falling anew. Lightning and thunder tore across the sky, illuminating the bay in stark brilliance. She quickened her pace, the storm pushing her onward.

Once inside, Tina slammed the door shut behind her, leaning heavily against it. She was soaked to the skin, every inch of her drenched, her mind a storm of confusion.

For a long while, she stood against the door, watching the lightning carve paths through the sky visible through the window. Her dress clung to her, an oppressive embrace that made every breath feel constricted.

She remained there, the weight of the evening pressing down on her, until she finally began pacing back and forth in front of the glass window. The dark house flickered intermittently with the storm's light, while rain continued its relentless assault. Her steps were slow, deliberate, as she struggled to decide what to do. A hand found its way to her lips, and for a moment, she closed her eyes. The memory of Bette’s lips against hers flashed vividly in her mind, the sound of Bette's soft moan echoed in her head. Her tongue brushed against her own lips briefly before she opened her eyes again. Confusion furrowed her brow as she rubbed her forehead, trying to make sense of all the conflicting emotions swirling inside her.

Tina flicked on a small lamp sitting on a side table in the living room, casting a soft glow that barely cut through the darkness. But just as quickly, the light was snuffed out by another flash of lightning, which slashed across the sky like a jagged scar. She tried turning on another light, but nothing happened.

She sighed deeply, enveloped once again by the memory of the first blackout she had experienced that night—the moment when Bette’s lips touched hers, just before—

A sharp knock on the door jolted her from her reverie. Her heart thundered in her chest, its rhythm echoing the storm outside, and her breath hitched. Behind her, lightning continued to dance across the sky, illuminating the room with unpredictable bursts of light.

Another knock, more insistent this time.

Tina swallowed hard, wrapping her arms around herself as she moved toward the door. In her mind, she found herself hoping it wasn’t Bette, hoping the girl was stronger, hoping she was the stronger of the two of them.

A third knock, firm and resolved. And Tina opened the door.

Bette stood there, drenched, her chest rising and falling rapidly as if she had sprinted all the way. Tina's gaze drifted to the rapid rise and fall of Bette's chest, the broadness of her shoulders, the droplets of rain rolling down her skin. A bolt of lightning lit up her face, and Tina was captivated by the intense look in Bette's eyes, dark and filled with longing.

“I think you should forgive yourself for feeling something, Tina,” Bette’s voice was husky, thick with desire, low and enveloping. “And maybe accept that we are both dreaming for it to happen.”