Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
M arise leaned back in the seat as Kathleen pulled up in front of the Alderidge. The buzz of the city felt distant here, softened by the trees lining the sidewalk.
“Thanks for today,” Kathleen said, her voice quiet in the stillness of the car. “It was—” She trailed off, fiddling with the clasp on her seatbelt.
“Perfect,” Marise finished for her. “Yeah. It really was.”
They looked at each other. Neither moved.
Marise pushed her door open, pausing with one hand on the frame. “I’m not ready to call it a night. Do you want to come up for dinner?” she asked casually. “I’ve got a decent bottle of wine and we could order in a take-away.”
Kathleen hesitated. It wasn’t a long pause, but Marise saw the flicker of doubt in her eyes. Before she could pull back, Marise said softly. “No pressure. It’ll be a friendly dinner. You don’t even have to pretend to be charming.”
That earned a faint, nervous smile. “I’m not sure I ever manage to be charming.”
Marise took a step closer and murmured, “You really don’t know how attractive you are.”
Kathleen blushed to the tips of her ears and nodded. “I’ll come up.”
Marise led her through the foyer to the lifts. They were silent on the way up, and when it slid open at the thirty-third floor, she said with a smile. “I’m down the hall.” She led her to her door and slipped in the key.
Kathleen strolled into the living room, taking in the quiet luxury and the view of the city skyline through the glass window. “This is nice,” she said softly. “I don’t know what I expected.”
Marise slipped off her jacket and walked into the kitchen. “It’s a nice place, but hotel rooms can be lonely.” She pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses. She poured the wine, passed one to Kathleen and raised hers. “To tipping kayaks and not drowning.”
Kathleen laughed quietly. “To the rookery.”
They sipped. The silence stretched again—but not uncomfortably. Marise watched her over the rim of her glass. The sun had left Kathleen’s skin faintly pink on her neck, freckles more vivid than usual.
“You’re easier with me now,” Marise said quietly.
Kathleen’s eyes flicked to hers, then away. She set her glass down. “I like your touch. Which is a bit odd because I have a problem with intimacy.,” she said, her voice low and unsure. “It’s not easy for me. It never has been.”
Marise stepped forward, close enough that she could see the uneven breath rising in Kathleen’s chest. She cupped her cheek, waited a beat, then kissed her softly and slowly, giving Kathleen every chance to stop her.
She didn’t.
When they parted, Kathleen drew in a breath like she was bracing herself.
Marise didn’t move. “Okay?”
“I don’t want to keep freezing or panicking,” Kathleen said, the words tumbling out now. “I want to learn. How to be close to someone. I want you to teach me.”
There was no seduction in her voice. Just truth and a little desperation.
Marise exhaled slowly, letting go of the need to be clever or in control. “Then we’ll take it one step at a time,” she said, brushing a strand of hair behind Kathleen’s ear. “No rush. No expectations.”
Kathleen nodded. Her eyes were wet, but she didn’t look away. “Please...don’t give up on me if I get it wrong.”
“I won’t,” Marise whispered, pressing another kiss to her temple. “I’ve got you.”
“I know you have.”
“Have you—” Marise hesitated, then plunged on. “Have you ever had sex with anyone?”
Kathleen hesitated then mumbled, “Three times…with men.”
“Did you like it?”
Kathleen shook her head vehemently. “No.”
“Did they hurt you?”
Kathleen started to whimper. “They didn’t, it was me.”
A wave of anger hit Marise. She could imagine some bastard on top of her while she was terrified. “Did you tell them to stop?”
“No. I only wanted them to finish.”
“Why did you do it?”
Kathleen scrubbed the tears from her eyes. “Because I didn’t want to be different. I …I hated that I didn’t like it. “
“Oh, honey,” Marise said taking her hands in hers. “Is that why you asked the agency for a woman escort?”
Kathleen gave a tremulous smile. “No. I like women. They weren’t bad guys; I only went out on the dates to please my mother. She wants me to find someone and settle down.”
“Well, I’m pleased you like women,” said Marise with a small smile. “It’ll be easier to teach you.”
Kathleen folded her hands tightly in her lap, as if she didn’t know what to do with them. “I... I don’t like anyone touching me. I always get awkward, and stop before it goes anywhere.”
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
“I want to,” she said quickly. “I don’t know how.”
Marise gave her a gentle smile. “That part never really goes away. I can show you, if you want.”
A slow nod.
Marise reached for her wine glass and set it on the table. “Okay,” she said softly. “Start with this. Touch me.”
Kathleen blinked. “Where?”
Marise guided one of Kathleen’s hands, warm and tense, to the side of her waist above the curve of her hip. “Hold here.”
Though Kathleen's fingers trembled slightly, she didn’t pull back. She curled them against Marise’s side, her palm slowly flattening.
“That’s good,” Marise whispered. “You’re doing fine.”
Kathleen let out a shaky breath. “You’re so calm.”
“I wasn’t the first time. Most people aren’t.”
They sat like that for a long moment, until Marise gently took Kathleen’s other hand and brought it to rest above her chest.
“Now this,” she said, her voice even softer. “If you’re okay with it.”
Kathleen hesitated. Her hand hovered awkwardly, fingers fluttering.
Marise nodded encouragingly. “Go slow. You’re not trying to impress anyone. Just explore.”
Kathleen touched her tentatively, her palm brushing over the fabric of Marise’s top. Her breath caught.
Marise guided her again, covering Kathleen’s hand with her own and pressing it more firmly. “Don’t think about what you’re supposed to do. Simply feel.”
Kathleen swallowed, focusing. Her fingers moved in small, careful circles, growing bolder by degrees. She cupped her breast and looked up, wide-eyed. “Does that feel good?” she asked, voice barely audible.
Marise smiled. “It feels amazing.”
Kathleen’s cheeks were flushed now, but she didn’t pull away. Her fingers slid curiously over the curve of Marise’s breast, learning the softness, the way her breath changed beneath the touch.
Marise tilted her head, closing her eyes briefly. “You’re a quick study.”
“I’m memorizing,” Kathleen said seriously. “I want to do it right.”
“You are .”
Kathleen drew her hand back slowly, like she was afraid of ruining something. “You can touch me too,” she said then, eyes shining. “If you want.”
Marise leaned in, one hand brushing over the hem of Kathleen’s shirt. She paused, seeking permission in her eyes.
Kathleen nodded.
Marise slipped her fingers beneath the fabric, far enough to feel the bare skin of her ribs. The touch made Kathleen shiver, but she didn’t flinch.
They kissed again, slower now, deeper, Kathleen’s mouth opening to her with growing confidence. Marise could feel the tension in her easing, replaced by something warmer, more electric.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing harder, Kathleen let out a nervous laugh and rested her forehead against Marise’s shoulder.
“I have no idea what I’m doing,” she murmured.
“You’re doing fine. We won’t rush anything. We’ll cuddle on the couch.”
They stayed curled together, fingers linked, until the knock at the door broke the quiet spell.
“I’ll get it,” Marise said softly, brushing her thumb once more over Kathleen’s knuckles before standing. She pulled her shirt straight, walked to the door, and paid cash for the two pizzas.
Marise set the boxes down on the low coffee table, then opened them. The smell of garlic and melted cheese filled the room.
“I didn’t know what toppings you liked, so I guessed,” Marise said. “One’s a veggie with goat cheese. The other’s spicy sausage and mushroom.”
“Both sound good,” Kathleen murmured.
They tucked in side by side, cross-legged on the couch. Kathleen took a bite, then let out a surprised hum. “That’s incredible.”
By the time the last slice was gone, the wine was down to the dregs, and Kathleen was curled into Marise’s side, barefoot, her head resting on Marise’s shoulder.
“I should go,” she said at last, though she didn’t move. “I’ll book you next week, if that’s alright.”
“I’ve been thinking it over, Kathleen. I’ll take ten days off and we can meet every second night for your lessons. You won’t have to pay that way.”
Kathleen blinked. “You’d do that for me?”
Marise squeezed her hand. “I’m ready for a break. Would you be happy with that?”
“I’d love it, Veronica.”
“Good, then we’ll start Monday night. Only you and me here. I’ll order in a meal. Now, I’ll walk you to your car.”
Marise took her down the lift to the lobby, careful to give her space. Outside, the street was quiet, washed in the glow of the streetlights. Kathleen’s car was parked beneath a tree, leaves shadowing the windscreen.
They paused beside the driver’s side.
Kathleen looked up at her, the streetlight catching in her eyes. “Thank you. For tonight, and not only for the pizza.”
Marise touched her cheek, letting her thumb trace the edge of her jaw. “Anytime.”
She leaned in and kissed her gently. Kathleen didn’t freeze or flinch. She slid into the warmth of it, into her.
“I’ll see you Monday at six-thirty.” Kathleen said, then got into the car and started the engine.
Marise stepped back onto the sidewalk, watching as the taillights blinked red and disappeared around the corner.
For a long moment, she stood still. Then she turned, walked back into the lobby, and leaned against the wall of the elevator, arms folded tight across her chest. She hoped she knew what she was doing. She hadn’t expected to feel so much.