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.”
“Iwantto,” 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.”
