Ditch The Halo: Chapter 5 (All My Children/The L Word Crossover)
Title: Ditch The Halo
Author: cgirl
cgirlspalace
Rating: R for mature themes. Please read responsibly.
Archiving: Only for Passion & Perfection
Fandom: All My Children, The L Word
Pairing: Bianca Montgomery/Bette Porter, Bianca Montgomery/Maggie Stone
Note: I shall be posting new chapters daily. And don't worry if you don't follow the ABC soap opera, All My Children. I only know it through the YouTube videos. Trust me; it won't take much to catch on to the action. Thanks very much for the feedback!
Extra Note: The timeline for Bette is midway through Season 4 - After her and Tina have agreed to joint custody of Angelica, but before Bette meets Jodi Lerner.
Chapter 1: I'm A Bomb
Chapter 2: We Be Like This
Chapter 3: "Oh, F*ck!" And Other Such Important Realizations
Chapter 4: Wherein More Sh*t Hits The Fan
Disclaimer: Bette Porter and Angelica belong to The L Word and Illene Chaiken. Bianca, Maggie, Kendall, Greenlee and other AMC characters belong to AMC/ABC.
__________________________
DITCH THE HALO
CHAPTER 5: DON'T YOU DARE STOP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING
Bianca locked her car, and hurried into the Valley Inn. The conversation with Maggie had taken a decided downturn after the interruption with Kendall. She had wanted to take the time to talk through what had happened, but the phone call had broken the mood, and the tone of honesty and openness was irrevocably lost for the time being. Maggie had barricaded herself once again behind her emotional walls, and Bianca had been too overwrought to try to break through them.
So, they had agreed to table it for now, and had awkwardly left the living room for their respective rooms. Now, an hour later, Bianca was showered, dressed, and not at all ready to join a business meeting. But Kendall had insisted, and Bianca hadn't had the energy to argue. As she hurried into the lobby and made her way to the restaurant, she realized that she desperately needed a drink. Good God, she was becoming more like her mother everyday.
As she entered the restaurant, Bianca tried very hard not to think about the last time she was here, but the thought of running into Bette was enough to make her smile. What were the chances...
__________________________
Kendall, who was well on her way to being sloshed, noticed her darling baby sister walk into the restaurant, and Kendall tried to stand up, only to clutch the table so that she didn't fall down.
"Easy there, Kenny, don't fall and spill your drink."
Kendall threw her an icy glare and waved out to her sister. "Binks! Over here!"
Bianca noticed her sister's somewhat dramatic antics, and wondered what the hell she was in for now.
As Bianca walked towards Kendall's table, she saw Greenlee and...it couldn't be. The breath caught in her throat, as she saw her past from last night turn around to greet her. She saw the shock in Bette's face, as well.
Bianca had stopped moving, as she flashed back to just a few hours ago: Bette beneath her, her back arched, panting harshly, grabbing Bianca's forearm in an almost bruising grip as Bianca's fingers thrust inside her, begging Bianca in a heated whisper to give it to her harder. Bette, on the verge of a giant orgasm.
Bette, recovering first, stood up to greet her. "Bianca. It's good to see you."
Bianca blinked, and blushed as she felt Bette move towards her and kiss her on the cheek. "You too, Bette," she stammered, as Kendall and Greenlee exchanged slightly incredulous looks in their inebriated state.
Kendall might be tipsy, but she still had a few functioning brain cells, "You two know each other??"
Bette turned to her and smiled. "I had the pleasure of meeting Bianca at a club. I didn't realize that Binks was her nickname though. She left that out during our conversation," Bette said so smoothly that none of what she said hinted at the carnal activities that had taken place after their "conversation" at the club.
Bianca finally caught up to reality, which insisted on bombarding her with surprises at the worst possible time. Nothing new in that, she supposed. "Yes, I just didn't realize that Bette was whom we were meeting for lunch, Kendall." She turned to Bette. "It's wonderful to see you, too. I see you've already had the pleasure of Kendall and Greenlee's company," she said, aiming to match Bette's smoothness as she took a seat opposite Bette.
"Binks, we've got you lapped. It's time for you to play catch up," Greenlee motioned with her drink, as she sloppily waved a waiter over to their table. "What will you be having?"
"Um, I'm not sure I should be drinking...."
"Oh, don't be silly, Binks. We're all on our way to getting plastered, so might as well join in. Learn to let go a little, will ya?" Greenlee retorted, not noticing Bianca's blush at the phrase. "She'll have what I'm having," Greenlee told the waiter and summarily dismissed him.
Kendall, however, noticed, and she also picked up on the now charged atmosphere between her baby sister and the Dean. Bette was looking at Bianca with a secret smile, while all Bianca could do was blush. Somthing was definitely going on, and Kendall smelled juicy gossip like a shark smelled blood.
Kendall leaned forward. "So, Bianca, Fusion has agreed to be a part of the fabulous fundraiser that Bette's organizing for California University, where's she Dean of the School of Arts."
Bianca looked up at Bette, having received more information about Bette's background in that one sentence than she had gotten all of last night. And she'd slept with the woman. She blushed again. "Um, that's great, Kendall. It sounds like a great collaboration."
Kendall smirked. "You haven't heard what the fundraiser is for, or what Fusion will be doing for it," she reminded her sister as the waiter set Bianca's drink in front of her. Bianca attacked her drink as if she were dying of thirst. The pieces were coming together for Kendall.
Bianca briefly looked up from her drink, long enough to send a sidelong glare at her sister. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's great, Kendall."
Kendall only smiled. "Why don't we let Bette give you the pitch." She turned to the woman who hadn't taken her eyes off her sister. "Bette, would you do the honors?"
Bette smiled at Kendall, before turning her eyes to a very nervous Bianca. Really, that blush of Bianca's was too cute. Her smile widened. "California University is holding a seminal retrospective on fashion as an art form. For centuries, clothes have defined how civilizations have evolved, and are an art form unto itself. It's actually a two-part show, stretching over two nights. The first night, we are focusing exclusively on Western haute couture, with designers like Lagerfeld and Gaultier participating."
Bianca could only nod along, absorbing what Bette was saying, but really all she could focus on was the hypnotic movement of Bette's lips, as she remembered just how the divine Ms. Porter had used them a few hours ago. And then she felt it. A smooth, stocking-clag leg at her ankle. Bianca jerked, knocking her knee against the table, and rocking the drinks on the table.
Kendall and Greenlee moved back abruptly, to avoid being splashed by their drinks. They both looked incredulously at Bianca, who was behaving so strangely. "Binks, are you okay? What was that?"
"Yeah, Binks, you can't just spill high quality alcohol."
"Greenlee, can you stop thinking alcohol for one second??"
Through this exchange, Bette just leaned back in her seat and grinned, winking at Bianca when she looked at her.
Bianca bit her lip, trying desperately to keep her composure. "I'm fine, Kendall. Sorry, Greenlee. I just had...a cramp in my leg. It's fine now." She was tempted to glare at Bette, but knew that would give away too much.
Greenlee seemed to accept the explanation, but Kendall only looked at her sister with narrowed eyes.
Bianca turned back to Bette, and tried to apologize as calmly as she was able. Which was saying a lot given that just the touch of Bettel's leg against hers had gotten her wet. "I'm sorry, Bette, you were saying..."
Bette smiled at her lazily. "No problem, Bianca." Her toes made delicate contact again with Bianca's ankle, and she could see Bianca tighten her grip on her drink. Bette was infinitely pleased that Bianca chose to wear a skirt to this meeting. This was going to be so much fun. "Well, as you well know, fashion and cosmetics go together, especially in the Western aesthetic, very much as a horse and carriage deal. To that end, we at CA have approached the greats of the Cosmetics industry, such as L'Oréal, Estée Lauder, and, of course, Enchantment. Erica Kane was extremely gracious and wonderfully receptive to being a part of our show." Bette's foot slowly caressed Bianca's calf, sensually and slowly rubbing the curve of muscle under her knee. Bianca gulped down the rest of her drink. Bette's smile widened a fraction at the reaction.
Bette continued, imperturbably. "And it was actually Ms. Kane's suggestion to include Fusion, since the younger designers, like Zac Posen, are starting to embrace the younger cosmetic looks." The foot moved to the inside of Bianca's thigh, just at the hem of her skirt, teasing the sensitive skin there. Bianca's breathing became more labored, and she suddenly couldn't take it anymore. She turned her head, and practically yelled, "Waiter!"
Both Kendall and Greenlee looked from Bette to Bianca, wondering what was causing Bianca to behave so strangely...almost verging on rude. As Bianca hurriedly ordered another drink from the slightly harried waiter, Kendall noticed her baby sister squirming her chair. She had never known Bianca to act like this. Kane women didn't squirm...
Unless...
Of course...
How could she not have seen it?? She mentally slapped herself. Oh, her sister was so going to have to spill details. How had her saintly baby sister bedded the divine Dean in a seemingly sordid one-night stand? It was all very tabloid-grade gossip, something Kendall could never resist. However, if she were reading the situation correctly, both Bette and Bianca weren't regretting their actions at all. From what Kendall could see, Bianca was in a constant state of a full-body blush, while Bette was smiling beatifically at her sister.
Kendall turned to Greenlee, wondering if her friend had put the pieces together, but from what she could tell, Greenlee was checking out this guy at the table across from them and smiling rather glassily at the fellow, who seemed to be minding his own business while at a lunch with his wife and kids. Oh, Lord...
While Bette took a sip of her drink, Kendall saw her opportunity. Putting on a shocked face, she turned to Greenlee, "Oh, my God, Greenlee. Did you forget the 4:30 meeting with the Northwest supplies department?"
Greenlee turned away from ogling Mr. Married With Kids. "Uh, what 4:30 meeting, Kendall? I thought we had the afternoon free..."
Kendall glared at Greenlee. "No, no...I definitely remember a meeting. A. Very. Important. Meeting. And, oh, look at the time. If we take a cab, we can just about make it in time."
"Kendall, are you on crac--"
Kendall kicked Greenlee under the table. "Ow! Kendall, what--"
"Come on, Greens. We gotta run." Kendall turned to Bette as she rose from her chair. "Bette, I'm so sorry. This thing completely slipped form my mind. But it's a super important meeting. And I need Greenlee. But Bianca can stay. Why don't you finish filling her in on the show? I'm really glad to have met you. I can't wait to see you in LA. Just let us know what you need from us, and you've got it. You have my card, right?"
Bette barely had time to absorb the sudden hurricane force of Kendall's exit, and could only nod as Kendall continued her exit speech. "Great, great. So just e-mail me, or Greenlee, though, really, I'm more reliable."
"Hey! I heard that," a slightly drunk Greenlee slurred.
Kendall ignored her. "Really. Fusion is so happy to be a part of this fundraiser. We're very excited. Thanks for taking the time to meet with us. I can't wait to meet up in LA, and go shopping! Yes, it's very exciting, and I know it's going to be fabulous. And, Bianca, make sure Bette fills you in on all the details. Really, there are a lot of details. So, it would be great if you could just take notes or something, and get completely filled in on the situation. That would probably take all afternoon. Maybe even well into the evening. Or the night." Kendall paused before starting up again. "Right. So, yeah, I'll see you tomorrow at work, Binks. Bette, again, it was wonderful meeting you. Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us. I look forward to seeing you in LA. Have a safe flight back. And, Greenlee shares all the same sentiments, she's just too sloshed to articulate them as well as I can. So really, all of that is from both of us. Oh, and don't worry about lunch, I'll tell the maître d' to put it on my account. Okay. Take care, Bette. See you in LA. Right. Bye."
The whole time Kendall had been giving the rushed speech, she'd gotten Greenlee out of her seat, and their purses collected, while she held Greenlee in place with one hand, and shook Bette's with the other. With last meaningful glance at Bianca, Kendall smiled at Bette, and dragged Greenlee out of the restaurant as Greenlee waved drunkenly at Bette and shouted her goodbye, as well.
Bette blinked. She had never seen anyone leave a lunch so quickly. Bianca was frozen, realizing that Kendall had put the pieces together, and had rushed her and Greenlee out of the restaurant so that she could be alone with Bette. And then it hit her. Kendall had basically given her the rest of the day off.
Bette turned to Bianca. And grinned.
"Some family you've got there, Ms. Montgomery."
Bianca finally smiled, then chuckled, then gave up and just out-right laughed.
Bette just looked at her. Her young, beautiful one-night stand. "Race you to my room."
_________________________
As soon as the room door closed, Bianca was on her. She whipped around and pushed Bette against the door, kissing her with all the lust that had been simmering inside her since she’d first seen her sitting at the restaurant table.
Bette moaned into the kiss, loving how Bianca took control of the kiss. Her lover’s hands were everywhere.
Bianca couldn’t wait to make Bette come, it was like a need that was pulsing inside her, driven by a combination of desire for sexual intimacy and to erase images of the woman who owned her heart, at least for a few hours. This tryst was all about desire and temporary amelioration.
Bianca pulled away from the kiss. “God, I wanted touch you since I felt your foot under the table. That, by the way, was so very devious.”
Bette only grinned back, completely unrepentant. “Glad you approve.”
Bianca smiled as her fingers slowly undid the sole button on Bette’s pants. The sound of the zipper lowering was loud in the silence of the room. They were both breathing harshly, and Bianca took a moment to just look at Bette, the beauty of the woman in front of her.
Just looking at Bette was all it took for Bianca to want her. This was sex, in its most visceral form; conversation was not a prerequisite, only lust was necessary. And there was so much of that in this room. She might not have Bette for very much longer, but Bianca was going to leave her mark on this woman. Bianca didn’t bother with Bette’s shirt as she sank to her knees. “I’m going to make you come so hard for that stunt…”
As Bette felt the first rasp of Bianca’s tongue on her, she caressed her lover’s hair with one hand, holding her head to her body, while the other grabbed the door knob for purchase as she leaned against the door and promptly lost all ability to think.
_____________________________
An indeterminate amount of time later, once Bette had recovered the use of her legs, they had fallen into bed, and Bette had taken charge. She had Bianca bent over in front of her, and Bette was draped over her lover’s body, kissing her neck, nibbling on her shoulder, as her hands reached around and caressed her young lover’s supple body.
“Tell me what you want.”
Bianca could barely think, let alone articulate what she was wanting. She’d never been in this vulnerable a position with a lover, with Bette curved above her, where she couldn’t see where this would go. But she loved the sense of subtle domination, because she knew she was safe with Bette.
“Oh, god, please…just…touch me,” she didn’t care that she was begging. Bianca was so turned on, she would have done anything to just feel her lover’s fingers inside her. But Bette wasn’t going to give in that easily…this time.
“Bianca. Tell me what you want.”
“You.”
Bette chuckled. “You’re going to have be more explicit, darling. Do you want my fingers? How many? Or my tongue somewhere in particular? ” she said as she teased her lover’s upper body, feeling Bianca’s body grow heavier with arousal, her breath becoming choppy and ragged.
“Bette. Oh, God, all of it…Please…”
“You can have anything you want, Bianca, in any way you want it. All you have to do is ask for it…whatever you want, it’s yours. Just tell me...”
And thus began the sexual re-education of Bianca Montgomery.
_____________________________
Somehow they both knew it would be the last time. She looked into Bianca’s eyes, and touched her softly, her fingers whispering past her forehead, tracing the arching of lover’s nose, down to her lips. Bianca suddenly lunged and caught Bette’s fingers playfully with her teeth. Bette laughed.
Bianca let Bette’s fingers go, and reached up with her hands to hold Bette’s face in her palms. She leaned up slowly, and kissed her lover softly.
“I’m going to miss you,” she whispered against Bette’s lips. Bianca wasn’t sure she should have said it, but she couldn’t hold it back either. And when before she may have made the declaration with her eyes closed, not wanting to face the reaction, now, she made it with her eyes wide open, staring into her lover’s eyes, unapologetic in expressing her feelings.
Bette didn’t say anything, but she smiled and kissed Bianca, pressing her down into the bed, letting her hands trail up the side of Bianca’s body, causing goose bumps everywhere they went. Bette felt her lover shiver in her arms, and she realized in that moment that she didn’t really want to leave this haven. Which is why she was going to have to. She was worldly enough to know that Bianca was running from something, and Bette herself had too much to deal with in LA. Damn Robert Frost and his prescience.
She shoved all thoughts out of her head, and bent to her lover. She wanted this to be soft, something for both of them to remember. She kissed Bianca’s neck, felt her lover arch into her hands. Bette could feel Bianca’s arousal, and suddenly wanted nothing more than the reliable assurance of lust. As she gently parted her lover’s legs and entered Bianca slowly, she leaned down, with her eyes looking directly at her lover, and said, “I have loved every moment with you.”
_______________________
Bianca was on her back, staring at the ceiling, not really seeing it. The past two days had been the good sort of crazy…well, mostly. And all of that had to do with the woman next to her.
Bette lay on her side, with an arm folded underneath her head, looking at the young woman who had swept into her life, the woman she’d be leaving in a few hours. This had nothing been but enjoyable to both of them. If things were different in her own life…but Bette wasn’t one for regrets, and she was struck yet again with Frost’s iconic words:
…Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Bette looked again at the angelic profile of her companion. “You remind me of my daughter.”
Bianca turned her head to face her lover. “I didn’t know you had a child.”
Bette grinned. “Conversation hasn’t been our number one activity.”
“I’m definitely not complaining. What’s her name?”
“Angelica.”
”That’s a beautiful name.”
“She’s a beautiful girl. The most beautiful girl in the world.”
”I would imagine so, if she were yours. Why do I remind you of her?”
”The sense of innocence is something both of you share. And an ability to believe in the purity of the world. I think it’s even rarer in adults, because they’ve seen the world, are aware of the sordid underbelly of humanity. With all of that, Bianca, there’s a sense I get that you have an infinite capacity for compassion. Almost as if you seem untouched by the evil.”
Bianca rolled away, on to her back. “Believe me, Bette, I haven’t been untouched by that.”
“I realize. But that just makes you even more precious. And forgive me for saying this…”
Bianca turned her head again, looked at this exquisite woman by her side, a woman who wasn’t afraid to look directly at her and see her for everything she was. Bette was a beautiful woman who wasn’t afraid to want her, a gorgeous woman who definitely desired her, and had taken her, in a dozen different ways, and given Bianca back herself in so many more.
“What?”
Bette sighed, almost as if she were fighting her next words. “…If, or when, you ever decide to have children, you are going to be the most wonderful mother.”
The breath in Bianca’s body froze, and she couldn’t make a sound. She was staring at Bette with such wide eyes, feeling like she was going to come apart any moment.
Bette continued. “I think that…should you ever decide to take that road…you’re going to raise the most amazing children. The way I think Angelica is going to go out there and change the world, in her own way. It’s enough to make me feel like my heart is going to burst. I think you’re going to have that same feeling about yours someday. I just know it.”
This time Bianca couldn’t fight the tears building in her eyes. With a slight catch in her breath, she rolled to her side, and buried her face in Bette’s shoulder. Bianca couldn’t tell Bette just how shattering that pronouncement was, but as she felt her lover’s arms close around her, Bianca thought that maybe Bette understood something of the conflagration of trauma that had been Miranda.
Bette held her lover, her arms tightening around Bianca as she felt the tremors from the sobs. She didn’t know exactly what had caused such a strong reaction, and she didn’t want to guess. She held this precious woman in her arms, kissed her forehead, while whispering words of comfort. She wanted to leave Bianca stronger and healthier than when she had found her. And, with that thought, Bette knew exactly how to spend the last few hours she had with Bianca Montgomery.
- TBC -
Author: cgirl
cgirlspalace
Rating: R for mature themes. Please read responsibly.
Archiving: Only for Passion & Perfection
Fandom: All My Children, The L Word
Pairing: Bianca Montgomery/Bette Porter, Bianca Montgomery/Maggie Stone
Note: I shall be posting new chapters daily. And don't worry if you don't follow the ABC soap opera, All My Children. I only know it through the YouTube videos. Trust me; it won't take much to catch on to the action. Thanks very much for the feedback!
Extra Note: The timeline for Bette is midway through Season 4 - After her and Tina have agreed to joint custody of Angelica, but before Bette meets Jodi Lerner.
Chapter 1: I'm A Bomb
Chapter 2: We Be Like This
Chapter 3: "Oh, F*ck!" And Other Such Important Realizations
Chapter 4: Wherein More Sh*t Hits The Fan
Disclaimer: Bette Porter and Angelica belong to The L Word and Illene Chaiken. Bianca, Maggie, Kendall, Greenlee and other AMC characters belong to AMC/ABC.
__________________________
DITCH THE HALO
CHAPTER 5: DON'T YOU DARE STOP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING
Bianca locked her car, and hurried into the Valley Inn. The conversation with Maggie had taken a decided downturn after the interruption with Kendall. She had wanted to take the time to talk through what had happened, but the phone call had broken the mood, and the tone of honesty and openness was irrevocably lost for the time being. Maggie had barricaded herself once again behind her emotional walls, and Bianca had been too overwrought to try to break through them.
So, they had agreed to table it for now, and had awkwardly left the living room for their respective rooms. Now, an hour later, Bianca was showered, dressed, and not at all ready to join a business meeting. But Kendall had insisted, and Bianca hadn't had the energy to argue. As she hurried into the lobby and made her way to the restaurant, she realized that she desperately needed a drink. Good God, she was becoming more like her mother everyday.
As she entered the restaurant, Bianca tried very hard not to think about the last time she was here, but the thought of running into Bette was enough to make her smile. What were the chances...
__________________________
Kendall, who was well on her way to being sloshed, noticed her darling baby sister walk into the restaurant, and Kendall tried to stand up, only to clutch the table so that she didn't fall down.
"Easy there, Kenny, don't fall and spill your drink."
Kendall threw her an icy glare and waved out to her sister. "Binks! Over here!"
Bianca noticed her sister's somewhat dramatic antics, and wondered what the hell she was in for now.
As Bianca walked towards Kendall's table, she saw Greenlee and...it couldn't be. The breath caught in her throat, as she saw her past from last night turn around to greet her. She saw the shock in Bette's face, as well.
Bianca had stopped moving, as she flashed back to just a few hours ago: Bette beneath her, her back arched, panting harshly, grabbing Bianca's forearm in an almost bruising grip as Bianca's fingers thrust inside her, begging Bianca in a heated whisper to give it to her harder. Bette, on the verge of a giant orgasm.
Bette, recovering first, stood up to greet her. "Bianca. It's good to see you."
Bianca blinked, and blushed as she felt Bette move towards her and kiss her on the cheek. "You too, Bette," she stammered, as Kendall and Greenlee exchanged slightly incredulous looks in their inebriated state.
Kendall might be tipsy, but she still had a few functioning brain cells, "You two know each other??"
Bette turned to her and smiled. "I had the pleasure of meeting Bianca at a club. I didn't realize that Binks was her nickname though. She left that out during our conversation," Bette said so smoothly that none of what she said hinted at the carnal activities that had taken place after their "conversation" at the club.
Bianca finally caught up to reality, which insisted on bombarding her with surprises at the worst possible time. Nothing new in that, she supposed. "Yes, I just didn't realize that Bette was whom we were meeting for lunch, Kendall." She turned to Bette. "It's wonderful to see you, too. I see you've already had the pleasure of Kendall and Greenlee's company," she said, aiming to match Bette's smoothness as she took a seat opposite Bette.
"Binks, we've got you lapped. It's time for you to play catch up," Greenlee motioned with her drink, as she sloppily waved a waiter over to their table. "What will you be having?"
"Um, I'm not sure I should be drinking...."
"Oh, don't be silly, Binks. We're all on our way to getting plastered, so might as well join in. Learn to let go a little, will ya?" Greenlee retorted, not noticing Bianca's blush at the phrase. "She'll have what I'm having," Greenlee told the waiter and summarily dismissed him.
Kendall, however, noticed, and she also picked up on the now charged atmosphere between her baby sister and the Dean. Bette was looking at Bianca with a secret smile, while all Bianca could do was blush. Somthing was definitely going on, and Kendall smelled juicy gossip like a shark smelled blood.
Kendall leaned forward. "So, Bianca, Fusion has agreed to be a part of the fabulous fundraiser that Bette's organizing for California University, where's she Dean of the School of Arts."
Bianca looked up at Bette, having received more information about Bette's background in that one sentence than she had gotten all of last night. And she'd slept with the woman. She blushed again. "Um, that's great, Kendall. It sounds like a great collaboration."
Kendall smirked. "You haven't heard what the fundraiser is for, or what Fusion will be doing for it," she reminded her sister as the waiter set Bianca's drink in front of her. Bianca attacked her drink as if she were dying of thirst. The pieces were coming together for Kendall.
Bianca briefly looked up from her drink, long enough to send a sidelong glare at her sister. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's great, Kendall."
Kendall only smiled. "Why don't we let Bette give you the pitch." She turned to the woman who hadn't taken her eyes off her sister. "Bette, would you do the honors?"
Bette smiled at Kendall, before turning her eyes to a very nervous Bianca. Really, that blush of Bianca's was too cute. Her smile widened. "California University is holding a seminal retrospective on fashion as an art form. For centuries, clothes have defined how civilizations have evolved, and are an art form unto itself. It's actually a two-part show, stretching over two nights. The first night, we are focusing exclusively on Western haute couture, with designers like Lagerfeld and Gaultier participating."
Bianca could only nod along, absorbing what Bette was saying, but really all she could focus on was the hypnotic movement of Bette's lips, as she remembered just how the divine Ms. Porter had used them a few hours ago. And then she felt it. A smooth, stocking-clag leg at her ankle. Bianca jerked, knocking her knee against the table, and rocking the drinks on the table.
Kendall and Greenlee moved back abruptly, to avoid being splashed by their drinks. They both looked incredulously at Bianca, who was behaving so strangely. "Binks, are you okay? What was that?"
"Yeah, Binks, you can't just spill high quality alcohol."
"Greenlee, can you stop thinking alcohol for one second??"
Through this exchange, Bette just leaned back in her seat and grinned, winking at Bianca when she looked at her.
Bianca bit her lip, trying desperately to keep her composure. "I'm fine, Kendall. Sorry, Greenlee. I just had...a cramp in my leg. It's fine now." She was tempted to glare at Bette, but knew that would give away too much.
Greenlee seemed to accept the explanation, but Kendall only looked at her sister with narrowed eyes.
Bianca turned back to Bette, and tried to apologize as calmly as she was able. Which was saying a lot given that just the touch of Bettel's leg against hers had gotten her wet. "I'm sorry, Bette, you were saying..."
Bette smiled at her lazily. "No problem, Bianca." Her toes made delicate contact again with Bianca's ankle, and she could see Bianca tighten her grip on her drink. Bette was infinitely pleased that Bianca chose to wear a skirt to this meeting. This was going to be so much fun. "Well, as you well know, fashion and cosmetics go together, especially in the Western aesthetic, very much as a horse and carriage deal. To that end, we at CA have approached the greats of the Cosmetics industry, such as L'Oréal, Estée Lauder, and, of course, Enchantment. Erica Kane was extremely gracious and wonderfully receptive to being a part of our show." Bette's foot slowly caressed Bianca's calf, sensually and slowly rubbing the curve of muscle under her knee. Bianca gulped down the rest of her drink. Bette's smile widened a fraction at the reaction.
Bette continued, imperturbably. "And it was actually Ms. Kane's suggestion to include Fusion, since the younger designers, like Zac Posen, are starting to embrace the younger cosmetic looks." The foot moved to the inside of Bianca's thigh, just at the hem of her skirt, teasing the sensitive skin there. Bianca's breathing became more labored, and she suddenly couldn't take it anymore. She turned her head, and practically yelled, "Waiter!"
Both Kendall and Greenlee looked from Bette to Bianca, wondering what was causing Bianca to behave so strangely...almost verging on rude. As Bianca hurriedly ordered another drink from the slightly harried waiter, Kendall noticed her baby sister squirming her chair. She had never known Bianca to act like this. Kane women didn't squirm...
Unless...
Of course...
How could she not have seen it?? She mentally slapped herself. Oh, her sister was so going to have to spill details. How had her saintly baby sister bedded the divine Dean in a seemingly sordid one-night stand? It was all very tabloid-grade gossip, something Kendall could never resist. However, if she were reading the situation correctly, both Bette and Bianca weren't regretting their actions at all. From what Kendall could see, Bianca was in a constant state of a full-body blush, while Bette was smiling beatifically at her sister.
Kendall turned to Greenlee, wondering if her friend had put the pieces together, but from what she could tell, Greenlee was checking out this guy at the table across from them and smiling rather glassily at the fellow, who seemed to be minding his own business while at a lunch with his wife and kids. Oh, Lord...
While Bette took a sip of her drink, Kendall saw her opportunity. Putting on a shocked face, she turned to Greenlee, "Oh, my God, Greenlee. Did you forget the 4:30 meeting with the Northwest supplies department?"
Greenlee turned away from ogling Mr. Married With Kids. "Uh, what 4:30 meeting, Kendall? I thought we had the afternoon free..."
Kendall glared at Greenlee. "No, no...I definitely remember a meeting. A. Very. Important. Meeting. And, oh, look at the time. If we take a cab, we can just about make it in time."
"Kendall, are you on crac--"
Kendall kicked Greenlee under the table. "Ow! Kendall, what--"
"Come on, Greens. We gotta run." Kendall turned to Bette as she rose from her chair. "Bette, I'm so sorry. This thing completely slipped form my mind. But it's a super important meeting. And I need Greenlee. But Bianca can stay. Why don't you finish filling her in on the show? I'm really glad to have met you. I can't wait to see you in LA. Just let us know what you need from us, and you've got it. You have my card, right?"
Bette barely had time to absorb the sudden hurricane force of Kendall's exit, and could only nod as Kendall continued her exit speech. "Great, great. So just e-mail me, or Greenlee, though, really, I'm more reliable."
"Hey! I heard that," a slightly drunk Greenlee slurred.
Kendall ignored her. "Really. Fusion is so happy to be a part of this fundraiser. We're very excited. Thanks for taking the time to meet with us. I can't wait to meet up in LA, and go shopping! Yes, it's very exciting, and I know it's going to be fabulous. And, Bianca, make sure Bette fills you in on all the details. Really, there are a lot of details. So, it would be great if you could just take notes or something, and get completely filled in on the situation. That would probably take all afternoon. Maybe even well into the evening. Or the night." Kendall paused before starting up again. "Right. So, yeah, I'll see you tomorrow at work, Binks. Bette, again, it was wonderful meeting you. Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us. I look forward to seeing you in LA. Have a safe flight back. And, Greenlee shares all the same sentiments, she's just too sloshed to articulate them as well as I can. So really, all of that is from both of us. Oh, and don't worry about lunch, I'll tell the maître d' to put it on my account. Okay. Take care, Bette. See you in LA. Right. Bye."
The whole time Kendall had been giving the rushed speech, she'd gotten Greenlee out of her seat, and their purses collected, while she held Greenlee in place with one hand, and shook Bette's with the other. With last meaningful glance at Bianca, Kendall smiled at Bette, and dragged Greenlee out of the restaurant as Greenlee waved drunkenly at Bette and shouted her goodbye, as well.
Bette blinked. She had never seen anyone leave a lunch so quickly. Bianca was frozen, realizing that Kendall had put the pieces together, and had rushed her and Greenlee out of the restaurant so that she could be alone with Bette. And then it hit her. Kendall had basically given her the rest of the day off.
Bette turned to Bianca. And grinned.
"Some family you've got there, Ms. Montgomery."
Bianca finally smiled, then chuckled, then gave up and just out-right laughed.
Bette just looked at her. Her young, beautiful one-night stand. "Race you to my room."
_________________________
As soon as the room door closed, Bianca was on her. She whipped around and pushed Bette against the door, kissing her with all the lust that had been simmering inside her since she’d first seen her sitting at the restaurant table.
Bette moaned into the kiss, loving how Bianca took control of the kiss. Her lover’s hands were everywhere.
Bianca couldn’t wait to make Bette come, it was like a need that was pulsing inside her, driven by a combination of desire for sexual intimacy and to erase images of the woman who owned her heart, at least for a few hours. This tryst was all about desire and temporary amelioration.
Bianca pulled away from the kiss. “God, I wanted touch you since I felt your foot under the table. That, by the way, was so very devious.”
Bette only grinned back, completely unrepentant. “Glad you approve.”
Bianca smiled as her fingers slowly undid the sole button on Bette’s pants. The sound of the zipper lowering was loud in the silence of the room. They were both breathing harshly, and Bianca took a moment to just look at Bette, the beauty of the woman in front of her.
Just looking at Bette was all it took for Bianca to want her. This was sex, in its most visceral form; conversation was not a prerequisite, only lust was necessary. And there was so much of that in this room. She might not have Bette for very much longer, but Bianca was going to leave her mark on this woman. Bianca didn’t bother with Bette’s shirt as she sank to her knees. “I’m going to make you come so hard for that stunt…”
As Bette felt the first rasp of Bianca’s tongue on her, she caressed her lover’s hair with one hand, holding her head to her body, while the other grabbed the door knob for purchase as she leaned against the door and promptly lost all ability to think.
_____________________________
An indeterminate amount of time later, once Bette had recovered the use of her legs, they had fallen into bed, and Bette had taken charge. She had Bianca bent over in front of her, and Bette was draped over her lover’s body, kissing her neck, nibbling on her shoulder, as her hands reached around and caressed her young lover’s supple body.
“Tell me what you want.”
Bianca could barely think, let alone articulate what she was wanting. She’d never been in this vulnerable a position with a lover, with Bette curved above her, where she couldn’t see where this would go. But she loved the sense of subtle domination, because she knew she was safe with Bette.
“Oh, god, please…just…touch me,” she didn’t care that she was begging. Bianca was so turned on, she would have done anything to just feel her lover’s fingers inside her. But Bette wasn’t going to give in that easily…this time.
“Bianca. Tell me what you want.”
“You.”
Bette chuckled. “You’re going to have be more explicit, darling. Do you want my fingers? How many? Or my tongue somewhere in particular? ” she said as she teased her lover’s upper body, feeling Bianca’s body grow heavier with arousal, her breath becoming choppy and ragged.
“Bette. Oh, God, all of it…Please…”
“You can have anything you want, Bianca, in any way you want it. All you have to do is ask for it…whatever you want, it’s yours. Just tell me...”
And thus began the sexual re-education of Bianca Montgomery.
_____________________________
Somehow they both knew it would be the last time. She looked into Bianca’s eyes, and touched her softly, her fingers whispering past her forehead, tracing the arching of lover’s nose, down to her lips. Bianca suddenly lunged and caught Bette’s fingers playfully with her teeth. Bette laughed.
Bianca let Bette’s fingers go, and reached up with her hands to hold Bette’s face in her palms. She leaned up slowly, and kissed her lover softly.
“I’m going to miss you,” she whispered against Bette’s lips. Bianca wasn’t sure she should have said it, but she couldn’t hold it back either. And when before she may have made the declaration with her eyes closed, not wanting to face the reaction, now, she made it with her eyes wide open, staring into her lover’s eyes, unapologetic in expressing her feelings.
Bette didn’t say anything, but she smiled and kissed Bianca, pressing her down into the bed, letting her hands trail up the side of Bianca’s body, causing goose bumps everywhere they went. Bette felt her lover shiver in her arms, and she realized in that moment that she didn’t really want to leave this haven. Which is why she was going to have to. She was worldly enough to know that Bianca was running from something, and Bette herself had too much to deal with in LA. Damn Robert Frost and his prescience.
She shoved all thoughts out of her head, and bent to her lover. She wanted this to be soft, something for both of them to remember. She kissed Bianca’s neck, felt her lover arch into her hands. Bette could feel Bianca’s arousal, and suddenly wanted nothing more than the reliable assurance of lust. As she gently parted her lover’s legs and entered Bianca slowly, she leaned down, with her eyes looking directly at her lover, and said, “I have loved every moment with you.”
_______________________
Bianca was on her back, staring at the ceiling, not really seeing it. The past two days had been the good sort of crazy…well, mostly. And all of that had to do with the woman next to her.
Bette lay on her side, with an arm folded underneath her head, looking at the young woman who had swept into her life, the woman she’d be leaving in a few hours. This had nothing been but enjoyable to both of them. If things were different in her own life…but Bette wasn’t one for regrets, and she was struck yet again with Frost’s iconic words:
…Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Bette looked again at the angelic profile of her companion. “You remind me of my daughter.”
Bianca turned her head to face her lover. “I didn’t know you had a child.”
Bette grinned. “Conversation hasn’t been our number one activity.”
“I’m definitely not complaining. What’s her name?”
“Angelica.”
”That’s a beautiful name.”
“She’s a beautiful girl. The most beautiful girl in the world.”
”I would imagine so, if she were yours. Why do I remind you of her?”
”The sense of innocence is something both of you share. And an ability to believe in the purity of the world. I think it’s even rarer in adults, because they’ve seen the world, are aware of the sordid underbelly of humanity. With all of that, Bianca, there’s a sense I get that you have an infinite capacity for compassion. Almost as if you seem untouched by the evil.”
Bianca rolled away, on to her back. “Believe me, Bette, I haven’t been untouched by that.”
“I realize. But that just makes you even more precious. And forgive me for saying this…”
Bianca turned her head again, looked at this exquisite woman by her side, a woman who wasn’t afraid to look directly at her and see her for everything she was. Bette was a beautiful woman who wasn’t afraid to want her, a gorgeous woman who definitely desired her, and had taken her, in a dozen different ways, and given Bianca back herself in so many more.
“What?”
Bette sighed, almost as if she were fighting her next words. “…If, or when, you ever decide to have children, you are going to be the most wonderful mother.”
The breath in Bianca’s body froze, and she couldn’t make a sound. She was staring at Bette with such wide eyes, feeling like she was going to come apart any moment.
Bette continued. “I think that…should you ever decide to take that road…you’re going to raise the most amazing children. The way I think Angelica is going to go out there and change the world, in her own way. It’s enough to make me feel like my heart is going to burst. I think you’re going to have that same feeling about yours someday. I just know it.”
This time Bianca couldn’t fight the tears building in her eyes. With a slight catch in her breath, she rolled to her side, and buried her face in Bette’s shoulder. Bianca couldn’t tell Bette just how shattering that pronouncement was, but as she felt her lover’s arms close around her, Bianca thought that maybe Bette understood something of the conflagration of trauma that had been Miranda.
Bette held her lover, her arms tightening around Bianca as she felt the tremors from the sobs. She didn’t know exactly what had caused such a strong reaction, and she didn’t want to guess. She held this precious woman in her arms, kissed her forehead, while whispering words of comfort. She wanted to leave Bianca stronger and healthier than when she had found her. And, with that thought, Bette knew exactly how to spend the last few hours she had with Bianca Montgomery.
- TBC -