Chapter 2

Bette came home feeling hopeful that she might have someone who could help with the growing workload and stress.  She changed into her bathing suit, grabbed a glass of wine and went to sit by the pool.

After a few sips she jumped in the pool and started some slow laps in the pool.  After only a few, she felt someone grab her around the waist and pulled her head up to see Jody standing smiling at her.  She hesitantly smiled back, deciding to hide the annoyance at having him interrupt her alone time.

“Hello, darling.” He greeted as he pulled her upright against him and continued moving his hands down her waist to her buttocks and pulled her tighter to him.

Bette put her hands around his neck.

“Hello.  I didn’t expect you home.”  The couple was spending less and less time together as Bette focused on her training and Jody spent increasing amounts of time with tasks of managing her career.  Although, Bette was starting to see that this was more about him than her.

“Mmm, I just couldn’t be without my beautiful wife any longer.” He answered as he gave her a thorough kiss.  Bette knew this was code for the fact that he was horny and wanted sex. 

And after weeks without any sexual activity, as his kisses deepened, her body began to respond in kind.  Shortly, she felt herself being lifted out of the water and lowered on to the lounge chair.  He made quick work of getting rid of their bathing suits and all too soon, entered her and was driving into her.  She tried to simply enjoy the feel of him inside her but knew by the increasing grunts that she would be left wanting.  With a final grunt, he came and dropped down on top of her.

She rubbed his back absently, used to this conclusion to their love making but none the less frustrated that he couldn’t at least carry on to ensure her pleasure.

He finally picked his head up and looked into her eyes for the first time since he initiated sex.  “Fuck, that was great.” He expounded.

It was all she could do not to roll her eyes, while mentally challenging what was wonderful about it.

‘Sweetheart, can we talk about having a baby?” she broached the subject again.

Jody abruptly pulled out of her and stood up in all his naked glory.  “Bette, you didn’t…”

Bette was shocked at what he was insinuating.  “No Jody! I’m still on the pill because I know you said you weren’t ready but I am.  I’m 30 years old and we’ve been married for 3 years.  You know I love children.”

Jody drew his hands through his ash brown hair in frustration.  “Bette, it will ruin your career.”  He argued.

Bette stood up in front of him and caressed his arms.  “My career is almost over.  I’ve been playing for 20 years-I want a baby.”

Jody backed away from Bette.  “I don’t think either of us is really ready right now.  We’ll talk about it after the US Open.” He determined, kissed her quickly and started towards the house, grabbing up his trunks on the way.

Bette watched after him, shocked at his dismissal of her.  “Cabron” she mumbled and dove into the pool.

Chapter 3

By the time Friday came around, Bette decided she would take the day off from the court and only do her aerobic and weights.

At 11 on the nose, the doorbell rang and she decided to intercept Nan, her housekeeper and answer it herself. 

She wasn’t prepared for the person on the other side. Opening the door, the blonde woman on the stairs gave her a huge smile, her hazel eyes twinkling.  Bette thought she was one of the loveliest women she had ever seen.  In her celebrity she had met supermodels and actresses but on one had created the immediate reaction like this woman did.

Tina stuck out her hand. “Hi my name is Tina Kennard.  I’m here to meet with Bette Portera.”

Bette smiled back and took her hand.  “Hi.  I’m Bette Portera.”  She said as she laughed.  Tina blushed as her faux pas dawned on her.  “I’m sorry.  I’ve seen you play a hundred times but I guess I’m not used to seeing you in something other than Adidas work out gear.”  Tina commented, embarrassed.

“That’s ok. Come on in.  By the way, I know my sponsors would be pleased you knew their brand.”  Bette joked as she lead Tina inside. 

Tina followed behind.  She couldn’t believe that she didn’t realize that this was Bette but in her defense the woman was even more beautiful in person than she was on the court...or on television…or in the magazines.  No wonder she was the tennis darling.  Tina couldn’t get over how gorgeous her mocha skin was that set off her big white smile or how dark her eyes were.  Easy Tina, she admonished herself.

“Tina?”

“I’m sorry.  What?”  Again she was caught out and blushed slightly.

“I asked if you found the house all right.”

“Oh yes.  Fisher’s quite small.”

“True.”

Tina looked around as they made their way through the house.  It was warm and tastefully decorated.  She noticed the décor had a decided Latin flavor, not unusual for Miamibut still unique and not like the usual Cuban style.  She remembered reading that Bette was actually Gabriela Isabette Portera who grew up in Argentina her mother was a light skinned Argentinean and her father was a African Brazilian.  Tina breathed a mental sigh of relief that it seemed like her brain was finally kicking in for the first time since meeting the gorgeous tennis star.

“I love the art work.  Is it from Argentina?”  Bette turned to Tina, pleased that Tina recognized the connection.

“Yes.  My mother is an artist.  Very famous in Argentina but just starting to become so here.”

“I can see why.”

Bette opened the doors to her office and directed Tina inside.  “Thank you.  Have a seat.”