Page 117 of Glass Spinner

When Kathleen unlocked the door of her apartment and let them in, everything felt different.

Marise stood in the doorway, watching her. “I was proud of you at your parent’s place.”

Kathleen gave a quiet smile. “I meant what I said. You’re not just someone I hired, Veronica. You’re someone I chose.”

Marise crossed to her slowly and took her hand. “I’m yours if you want me.”

Kathleen didn’t answer with words. She stepped in close, wrapped her arms around Marise’s waist, and kissed her.

It wasn’t rushed, but filled with gentle love.

They undressed slowly in the bedroom without awkwardness. Kathleen’s hands trembled only once—when she unbuttoned Marise’s shirt and saw the scar near her shoulder, a memory of who she had been.

Marise caught her gaze. “That one wasn’t as bad as it looks.”

Kathleen leaned forward, lips brushing over it in a whispering kiss. “Still, I hate that it’s there.”

Marise said nothing. She couldn’t, not with the way her throat closed up.

Kathleen slid her hands under the shirt and pushed it back off Marise’s shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. She stood there for a moment, looking at her like she couldn’t believe she was there.

Marise’s libido took a giant leap. Of all the women she’d had in her bed, no one had ever looked at her like that.

She reached for Kathleen, hands curving around her waist, then up beneath her top. She lifted it slowly, feeling each inch of warm skin give way beneath her palms until it was over Kathleen’s head and tossed aside. Kathleen's breath hitchedslightly as Marise kissed the hollow between her breasts, then wandered her lips down lower.

By the time they were in bed, skin to skin, all the nerves had melted into something else. Marise moved slowly, her hands mapping out every freckle, every breath, every small sound Kathleen made. Kathleen arched toward her, wrapping her legs around Marise’s hips, her breath coming in shallow gasps as Marise kissed her throat, her collarbone, the curve of her breast. She made soft, desperate noises that sent heat rushing through Marise’s core.

“You feel like everything,” Kathleen whispered.

Marise’s mouth was on hers again before she could think. “So do you.”

Their rhythm grew intense, Kathleen’s hands tangled in Marise’s hair, her body pressing up to meet every movement.

When Kathleen finally came undone beneath her, it wasn’t loud. It was a breathless release, her eyes fluttering shut, her mouth parting around Marise’s name like a prayer. She clung to her tightly, like she couldn’t quite let go.

Marise kissed her cheeks, her lips, her brow. She held her close until Kathleen’s breath began to slow.

Afterwards, they lay wrapped around each other, the bed covers tangled at their waists. Kathleen had her head on Marise’s chest, one arm slung lazily over her stomach.

“I never thought I’d get this,” she murmured, her voice sleep-rough. “Someone who didn’t try to fix me.”

Marise ran her fingers through her hair, anchoring herself in the warmth of her. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Are you going to stay?” Kathleen asked, and this time her question went far deeper than those superficial words.

Marise looked up at the ceiling and let the question settle. Then she turned her face toward her and kissed her softly.“Where else would I want to be. I love you, Kathleen. I think we will do very well together. We complement each other.”

“What will you do? I can’t imagine you sitting still.”

“I have a degree in psychology. I’d like to set up a practise, but first I’ll have to sell my apartment in Boston and wind up everything.” Then added with a touch of pride. “You won’t have to worry about supporting me in the interim. I am very well off.”

“Me too,” said Kathleen. She gave a sleepy smile and burrowed closer. “I love you, Veronica.” She gave a little chuckle. “Dad does too.”

“What about your mother?”

“Mom likes you. Didn’t you notice she gave you the parson’s nose off the chicken. She usually keeps that for herself.”

Marise laughed. “Well. Who would have thought the best compliment I’ve received would be given via a chicken’s butt.”

She lay back with a happy smile. For the first time in years, Marise wasn’t drifting through borrowed lives.

She was exactly where she wanted to be, beside the person she wanted to be with.