Falling for Her, page 17
Marisa put her hand in the small of Kim’s back. “Nathan is your date,” Marisa said. She arched an eyebrow and Kim remembered their cover.
“Oh,” Kim said. “Well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m usually not interested in blind dates, but I have a good feeling about this one.” She slid an arm around Marisa’s waist and pulled her close.
Marisa chuckled. “Andrew and Nathan have been together for quite a while.”
“That’s an understatement,” Andrew said. “I think we’re common law by now. Does anyone object to shrimp in their food?”
Marisa explained, “We got a combo platter.”
Kim nodded. “Ah. No allergies, open to trying anything at least once.”
“Adventurous,” Nate said. “I like it.”
“Hands off,” Marisa said, swatting his stomach as she went past him. “Kim, can you come upstairs with me for a second?”
Kim picked up a piece of chicken with two fingers as she passed Andrew and his creation station. “No problem.” She followed Marisa up the stairs to the study where they’d met during the first party. The lights were still off, but extra light was spilling in from the bathroom when Kim stepped inside.
Marisa immediately turned, closed the door, and pressed herself against Kim. Their kiss was deep, hungry, and Kim pressed one hand against the door to keep from falling over. When they broke apart for air, Marisa pressed her forehead to Kim’s and said, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. But as soon as I saw you downstairs, I...” She licked her lips. “The truth is, I’ve been wanting to do it all day. I’m just not much of an exhibitionist.”
“I understand.” Kim smiled, feeling more than a little lightheaded. “I’m not exactly complaining.”
“I didn’t pull you away from anything major, did I?”
Kim shook her head. “No, just a poker game. Nothing important.”
Marisa looked down at Kim’s blouse and slacks. “But you’re all dressed up.”
“That’s for you. I was planning to see if you wanted to do something after the game.”
Marisa smiled. “Oh. Well, it’s not necessary. We may look Beverly Hills, but I’m just Mary Prewitt from Iowa. I rarely even wear shoes in the house.”
Kim looked down at Marisa’s bare feet. “Well, with feet that pretty, I can understand. Seriously, is there any part of you that isn’t beautiful?”
“Stop it, flirt.” She kissed Kim again, and Kim let her. She was getting used to the feel of Marisa’s lips against hers and she realized that any other pair of lips would be a disappointment after kissing these. When they parted, Marisa whispered, “Will you stay over tonight?”
Kim’s smile faded. “Yeah.”
“I don’t want to move too fast. I don’t...”
“Hey. We can just sleep, if you want. As long as I’m with you.”
Marisa smiled and said, “Good.”
“And if it will make you feel more comfortable...” She sat down in the nearest chair and undid the buckles of her boots, setting them aside and wiggling her toes in the carpet.
“Don’t forget those when you leave tomorrow,” Marisa said.
Kim said, “If I do, it’ll give me a reason to come back.”
Marisa pulled her out of the chair and kissed her. “You don’t need a reason.”
Kim smiled and they left the study together. As they went back downstairs, they saw that Andrew had managed to sort out all the dinners onto three different plates.
“Three?” Marisa said.
“Nate is already out on the deck with his,” he said. “It’s such a nice night, I thought we’d eat dinner out there.”
“Sounds good,” Marisa said.
Andrew looked pointedly at their empty hands and nodded upstairs. “So, did you find whatever it was you were looking for?”
“Yes,” Marisa said. She looked at Kim and said, “I’m pretty sure I finally did.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nathan obliged Kim, a longtime fan of his series Royal Canadians, with stories from the set. As they ate, Sheryl Crow sang from a stereo inside the house, wafting through the open doors just loud enough to be heard but not enough to be obtrusive. As the meal went on, the “couples” broke apart. Nathan and Andrew, on their side of the table, turned more toward each other. Marisa and Kim also turned their attention to each other as well. Marisa told Kim about things that had happened on the set that day, and occasionally glanced toward the pool. Every time she caught Kim watching her watch the pool, she blushed and bent over her food.
“Maybe we can go for a swim later,” Kim said.
Marisa’s blush deepened. Her foot slid sideways and rested on top of Kim’s. Kim curled her toes as Marisa’s foot slid across hers, and she suddenly understood the appeal of footsie. She let Marisa toy with her for a moment, then turned to face her more completely. She slid the arch of her foot up Marisa’s thigh, stroking it through her jeans. Marisa smiled and poked at her food with chopsticks and she touched her tongue to her bottom lip.
It was almost fully dark before they finished eating. Andrew gathered up the plates. “I think I’m going to head on up to bed. You girls going to be okay?”
“Yeah,” Marisa said. “I think I’ll spend the night in the guest house again.”
Andrew nodded. “Okay.” He bent down and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast. Night, you two.”
“Goodnight.” Kim watched as Nate helped take the dishes into the kitchen and then, without comment, they both headed upstairs.
Kim leaned back in her chair. “Nathan Worth. Wow. You’re not the only one with a faulty gaydar. I never would have guessed. I thought he was dating that chick who plays a robot on A.Eye.”
“Camouflage,” Marisa said. “Like me and Andrew. But she’s going to be filming in Europe for a couple of months so we needed an emergency sub.”
Kim shook her head. “Are there any straight people in this business?”
Marisa shrugged. “If there are, they play it close to the vest.” She wiped her lips and fingers on a napkin and shifted in her chair. “Kim, I don’t want to seem... I don’t want you to feel like our relationship is just based on sex, but...”
“Do you want me to take you to the guest house?”
“Yes, please.”
Kim stood up and held out her hands. Marisa took them, brushed her thumbs over the back of Kim’s hands, and stood up. She slipped her arms around Kim’s waist and walked her to the guest house, their bare feet making quiet sweeping noises through the dewy grass.
***
Marisa turned the lights on and twisted back to face her. The light shone off the waves of hair falling across her face. “Do you want anything to drink?”
“No.” Kim pulled Marisa to her, kissing her gently as their bodies moved together. She broke the kiss and touched Marisa’s hair, breathing heavily as Marisa rested her hands in the small of her back. “We went a little fast yesterday. I want us to take our time tonight.”
“Yeah,” Marisa whispered. She kissed Kim again and walked her toward the bed. “Do you want to watch TV? Maybe talk about politics?” She tugged on Kim’s shirt, untucking it from her pants.
“Who did you vote for?” Kim whispered as she started to unbutton Marisa’s shirt.
“The human being,” Marisa said.
“Good.”
She let her shirt fall to the floor and pushed Kim onto the bed. She straddled Kim’s hips and carefully undid each button of her shirt, spreading the halves aside to reveal a lacy bra. Marisa smiled and ran her thumb over the material. “Lingerie.”
“What about it?”
“Nothing, I just... didn’t expect it from you.”
Kim said, “Well, I would hate to become predictable.”
Marisa stroked Kim’s cheek with the back of her hand. “Never.” She kissed Kim and slid a hand inside her shirt, cupping the breast and brushing her thumb over the lace fringe of one cup. Kim arched her back into the caress and pressed her thigh against Marisa’s crotch.
“I bought it special,” she sighed when the kiss broke. “Just for you.”
“Just for me?” Marisa whispered. She slipped her hand around Kim’s back and undid the clasp. Kim wriggled from her blouse and Marisa pulled the bra away. She let it drop to the mattress and lowered her eyes, taking in every curve. She licked her lips. “I like it better over there.”
Kim breathed a laugh and pulled Marisa to her for another kiss. Marisa settled on top of Kim and slid her hand down, teasing the waistband of Kim’s pants, and Kim lifted her hips to invite further exploration. Marisa undid the catch, slid the zipper down, and folded her fingers together and slid inside. Kim’s breath caught in her throat and her eyes closed as Marisa’s hand moved between her legs, cupping her through her underwear.
“I’m so scared,” Marisa whispered.
“Don’t be,” Kim said. “I’m right here.” She kissed Marisa’s cheek, tasting a salty tear, and put her arms around Marisa. “Touch me. Please, Mary.”
Marisa stilled for a moment.
“Is that okay?”
Marisa nodded. “Yes. I want you to know who you’re making love to.”
“Then touch me, Mary,” Kim whispered. They kissed again, Marisa’s tongue pushing into Kim’s mouth as her fingers twisted Kim’s underwear out of the way. Kim groaned, and Marisa pressed forward with two fingers. She rubbed in slow circles, watching Kim’s face, and the sound of their breathing filled the small space of the guest house.
When Marisa withdrew her hand, Kim clutched her arm. “No, don’t stop, please...”
“Slow,” Marisa whispered. She slipped off the bed and tugged Kim’s pants down her legs, letting them drop to the floor. She dragged Kim’s underwear off and dropped it as well, while Kim pushed her already discarded clothing off the foot of the bed.
Kim propped herself on her elbows. “Now you.”
Marisa unbuttoned her jeans, eyes on Kim, and let them fall, stepping out of them before hooking her thumbs in her underwear. She was shaking when she straightened back up and reached behind herself to undo her bra, and her breasts shook when she let it slide down her arms. She stood naked in front of Kim, blushing and shy.
“It’s not like the movies, is it?”
“No. Thank God.” Kim held out one hand, and Marisa took it, letting herself be pulled back onto the bed. They kissed, and Kim flipped them so that she was on top. Their arms crossed, Marisa’s hand back between Kim’s legs and Kim’s between hers. They kept their eyes open, for the most part, whispering to one another as they worked each other slowly to orgasm.
Kim succumbed first, tightening her thighs around Marisa’s hand. “Mary,” she whispered, throwing her head back and biting her bottom lip. Marisa lifted her head and kissed Kim’s neck as she came. Kim sagged against her, still thrusting with her hand, her thumb extended to brush Marisa’s clit, and Marisa pressed her shoulders into the mattress and came with a series of long, shuddering sighs. Kim kissed her cheeks and lips, and once Marisa was capable of movement, she returned them and rolled onto her side.
Kim stretched out next to her, sliding her hand up to Marisa’s stomach. Marisa put her head on Kim’s shoulder, slipped her leg between Kim’s, and cuddled against her. “I want to just lay here a minute. Is that okay?”
“Fine by me,” Kim said, stroking Marisa’s stomach in slow circles. Within a few seconds, Marisa’s breathing had grown steady and she was asleep. Kim kissed her forehead, pulled her closer, and tried to drift off herself.
It would have been easier if she had been able to stop smiling.
***
Kim woke to Marisa nibbling her ear. She stirred slowly and tightened her grip on Marisa’s waist. “Again?” she whispered.
“If you want,” Marisa whispered back. At some point, the lights had gone out. Kim assumed Marisa had gotten out of bed to do it, which made her wonder just how deeply she’d been sleeping. “That’s not why I woke you, though. I need to tell you something.”
“Okay.”
Marisa shifted on the bed, pulling the blankets up to her chest. “My last real relationship was about six years ago. Before Andrew. We met on some show I was doing, and she worked backstage. She asked me out, and I was so relieved to not have to go through the whole ‘is she or isn’t she’ game, that I jumped on the opportunity. We went out to dinner a few times, and then she invited me back to her place. We had sex. I’ll spare you the gory details...”
“Thank you.”
Marisa smiled. “It was my first indiscretion as a quote-unquote ‘famous’ actress. It made me feel good. It showed me that I could have a relationship without sacrificing my career.”
Kim stroked Marisa’s bare hip. “I assume something happened.”
“She showed up a couple of days later with a video on her phone. She played it for me on the living room TV. It was... us. Having sex. She’d filmed it with a little camera on her nightstand. She told me it was the only copy, and I could have it for one hundred thousand dollars.” She focused on Kim’s stomach, drawing circles over her navel. “I had enough money to cover it. Barely. So I paid, even though I knew the chances of her really keeping quiet were next to nothing. I had to. I couldn’t bear the thought of being... pulled out of the closet like that. But she was true to her word. She left me alone after I paid.”
“God, Mary. Have you ever seen her again?”
Marisa shrugged. “Once or twice. Sometimes she’ll be working on a set. I avoid her and she acts like she’s never met me. But every time I think of how vulnerable I let myself be with her, every time I remember how safe I felt in that apartment, I remember what happened afterward. And I flee. Andrew was so surprised to see you spend the night because I haven’t had a real relationship in three years.”
Kim leaned in and kissed Marisa. When she pulled back, she whispered, “You can trust me completely.”
“You don’t have to tell me that,” Marisa said with a smile. She touched Kim’s face. “You keep me safe. You throw yourself on grenades for me. When I’m with you, I know I don’t have to be afraid of anything. Ever.” She ran her thumb over Kim’s mouth and said, “Thank you. I didn’t even realize I’d been hiding until you brought me out. I love you. You were the first person to ever tell me that in real life, and you’re the first person I’ve ever told it to.”
Kim smiled and kissed her. “I love you, too. I’ll never let anyone hurt you, Mary.”
Marisa slid her hand down Kim’s body, back between her legs. She shifted closer and said, “Can we make love again now? Please?”
Kim smiled and lifted her hips to meet Marisa’s hand. “Well... since you said please...”
***
Kim woke again in the middle of the night, the moon shining in through the guest house window. Marisa was spooning her, hands resting loose on her stomach. She could hear Marisa’s quiet breath against her shoulder, the small twitches of muscles caught in a dream. The world was silent and silver, and Kim pressed tighter against Marisa’s body. She smiled, fluffed her pillow, and fell quickly back to sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kim and Break turned on cue and ran across the sandy terrain, kicking up dust devils behind them as they went. After a handful of steps, the director shouted, “Now!” They both leapt gracefully forward onto the pad as a slew of debris was sprayed over them.
The director called cut, and Break helped Kim back to her feet. They brushed each other off as the director approached. His name was Lenny Stewart, a short and squat man who looked like a tank when he was charging toward you. Regardless of mood, he always seemed moments away from tearing you a new one. “Fantastic,” he said, waving at the scene. “Bar none. Accept no substitutes. Just one thing, though. Kim, you dropped your gun.”
“Ah, damn it.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll do another take.”
Kim picked up her gun and she and Break went back to their marks. Break glanced at her as Stewart returned to his den. “You dropped your gun? Seriously?”
“So I’m a butterfingers today. I wanted to see how you felt all the time.”
“Funny. One thing I know for sure now, though. You are definitely getting laid.”
“You can tell that from me dropping a gun?”
He wiggled his fingers at her. “Tired fingers.”
Kim shook her head and slugged him in the shoulder. “Keep on believing that. I’d rather you fantasize than think I’m some poor old maid.”
“Just give me a hint. Is she married? Famous? Is she someone I would know?”
“Yes and no. It’s your mother.”
Break stared at her. “My mother?”
“Yep. Me and her, hot and heavy.”
Stewart called action, and they broke into another run. This time, it looked more like Break was chasing Kim and she was running for her life.
***
The shoot was on location in one of the only desert-like areas near the studios. Trailers lined the far edge of the land, draped with a tarp in the color of sand in case they needed to shoot in that direction. A green, lush neighborhood was visible just over the tallest dune, with water in the distance. If the camera panned a little too high into the sky, it would reveal telephone wires stretching from one side of the landscape to the other.
Sulfur, the explosives expert, was setting up the big explosion that would be spliced with Kim and Break’s run-and-jump, so the cast was released for lunch. Kim went to Marisa’s trailer and knocked just under the sign that had her name. She heard a muffled, “Come in,” and pulled the door open.
Marisa was lying on the couch with a script, her costume covered by a fluffy white robe. She smiled when she saw who her visitor was and closed her script. “Hey, there.”
“You don’t have to stop just because I’m here.” Kim lifted Marisa’s legs, sat down, and let Marisa’s bare feet rest on her lap.
“What if someone comes in?” Marisa asked. Kim started rubbing Marisa’s feet, and Marisa sagged against the arm of the couch. “Oh, God. Screw it. I’ll barricade the door.”
