One Degree of Separation Read online

  Marian had told her she was beautiful when her body was covered in sweat, hair tangled, skin mottled with exertion and passion.

  She’d been nearly asleep at one point, and Marian’s magic fingertips had gently played with her hypersensitized nipples, then again between her legs until she climaxed again.

  She had never ... so many times.

  She kissed Marian’s forehead tenderly. Breathing hard, she nuz-zled Marian’s mouth and felt it come alive. Marian’s hands went to Liddy’s hips and then it seemed like it wasn’t the morning after, just a continuation of the night.

  She had meant to make love to Marian, but found herself on her back, again, tasting Marian’s name in her mouth as Marian’s slender, sensitive hand slipped between her thighs.

  “Good morning,” Marian murmured some time later.

  “Hi.” For a long while, all Liddy could think about was breathing.

  “Be right back.”

  She missed Marian’s warmth, but a visit to the bathroom was necessary for her too. Her mouth was so dry. Small wonder.

  Marian returned with a full glass of water in her hand. “You must be thirsty.”

  Liddy grinned. “You think?” She gulped nearly half the glass without stopping. “Okay, my turn for a break.” With all her other lovers she had felt shy the morning after, not wanting to be naked in front of them no matter what they had done the night before. Robyn had complained that Liddy was always covering up. Guys had mostly asked that she leave her top off at least.

  She didn’t feel that way with Marian. Naked felt wonderful, and Marian’s gaze following her movements was very welcome. It seemed silly to close the bathroom door.

  A few minutes later she was rinsing her mouth with a dollop of toothpaste on her finger, and aware that Marian was watching her from the doorway. She’d donned her T-shirt, but it no longer hid the generous female attributes Liddy knew were there. Marian liked her breasts touched, Liddy knew that much. Their gaze met in the mirror and the intimate smile turned from sweet to heated in a matter of moments.

  “I don’t believe this,” Liddy muttered. She washed her suddenly shaking hands.

  “Believe what?” Marian slowly moved behind her and Liddy broke out in a sweat when one hand lazily caressed her lower back.

  “I can’t believe the way you make me feel.”

  “You let me in and let yourself feel it,” Marian murmured.

  In the mirror, Liddy could see her chest and shoulders reddening with a sexual flush in response to the intimate look in Marian’s eyes.

  Chagrined, she splashed water on her face, then let out a choking gasp as Marian’s hand sensuously caressed her ass.

  She gripped the sink as Marian’s fingers slipped again through all the wetness and went inside her. She moaned helplessly when the other hand found and gently pulled one nipple. “Oh, Marian, I can’t ...”

  She could. She nearly fell, but somehow she stayed standing as Marian bent over her, whispering, “That’s right, Liddy Emma Peel, come for me one more time.”

  Marian helped her to stand upright again, then turned her around. The embrace and kiss wasn’t for cooling down, but heating up. Kisses so deep and sensuous that Liddy arched against Marian’s pelvis in a dance of sexual abandon. Never in her life had she been like this, not with anyone. She didn’t want it to ever stop and she had no idea how much more her body could take.

  Marian reached behind her to turn off the forgotten tap, then pushed Liddy up onto the counter. Standing between her legs, rocking slowly, she whispered, “I like fucking you.”

  “I’m glad. It makes it all so much easier that you like it.” Liddy gasped. “Oh ... Marian, yes, touch me again.” Marian’s fingertips were unbelievably sensitive, pressing firmly, then retreating to tease. How could she know with such certainty when Liddy wanted what? How did she know it was time ... to go inside ...

  “Yes, sweetheart, one more time. Feel me inside you and let go.” Their mouths met for a deep kiss and Liddy felt Marian trembling. “Do you want me to? Come for you again?”

  “Yes, please. Please.”

  It had only been a few minutes since the last one. It ought to have been impossible. But the ragged plea in Marian’s voice unlocked any last door to Liddy’s mind and body and she cried out, thrusting herself again and again against Marian and reveling in the moans that Marian breathed into her mouth.

  Which way was up? Liddy wasn’t sure, then decided that up would be away from Marian’s shoulder.

  “Liddy,” Marian was saying, “I have to lie down ... I can’t ... hold you up anymore.”

  Liddy raised her head, a smile hovering, but Marian wasn’t smiling. Her eyes were unfocused. Her skin showed patches of red.

  Liddy said, “Bed, that’s a good idea.”

  Had her migraine returned? Liddy yanked back what covers were in the way and pulled a pillow into position for Marian’s head. She expected Marian to collapse so was surprised when Marian reached up, arms open.

  Their bodies melted together and the kisses began again.

  Dizzied, Liddy resisted the impulse to roll onto her back and realized that for the first time, Marian was the one arching with more and more urgency.

  “I’ve been so selfish,” she whispered in Marian’s ear. “You are an amazing lover, Marian. I have never been like that with anyone.”

  “Neither have I. You ... needed. It felt wonderful to take care of you.”

  “And now you need, don’t you?” Liddy touched her tongue to the tip of Marian’s ear, then rubbed her lips along Marian’s cheek and jaw. “I am not a pillow queen, Marian. I don’t think you want me to be, either.”

  A smile flitted over Marian’s mouth. “I can’t say I minded your being that way last night. Not at all.”

  “But now ... please, can we take off this T-shirt?”

  “Yes.” Marian smiled nervously but sat up enough for Liddy to pull it over her head.

  “Oh, my ... you’re so beautiful,” Liddy breathed.

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  “I’m not beautiful.”

  “Isn’t beauty in the eye of the beholder?” Liddy kissed Marian’s collarbone, slowly moving down Marian’s body. “I like what I see. It’s beautiful to me.”

  Liddy moved slowly on top of Marian, sensing a skittishness that could shatter the mood in a heartbeat. Their nipples brushed and they both gasped.

  “I liked the way you touched me,” Liddy admitted.

  She felt Marian relax slightly. “That was apparent. You’re very responsive. Wonderfully so.”

  “I mean, my breasts. You touched them ... just right. So gently.”

  “They are lovely.”

  “I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with them. You made me love them last night. This morning. Thank you.” Marian swallowed noisily as Liddy kissed the underside of one breast. “You are incredibly good for my ego.”

  “I hope ... to be good for more than that.” Her lips closed around one nipple and she felt it harden in her mouth. Could anything be more sensuous than knowing Marian liked her touch? She gently bit down and teased, listening to Marian’s ragged breathing to know when she should be less gentle or more tender.

  Marian’s skin was so soft. Liddy sat astride Marian’s hips and let her hands roam over stomach and ribs, shoulders and breasts, always ending with a caress of Marian’s nipples. It made Marian moan and move her hips under Liddy, and Liddy began to feel drunk on Marian’s voice. She bent, slowly, to kiss Marian and they both gasped again as their nipples brushed.

  “I may not survive,” Marian murmured. “If you don’t make love to me soon, I think I might have a stroke.”

  “Darling, I’ve been making love to you all along.” She slid her hand between their bodies and cupped Marian’s heat. Marian gave a startled gasp that was all hunger and Liddy inwardly smiled. “But you mean like this, don’t you?”

  “Yes.”

&
nbsp; “I love touching you, Marian. I love saying your name and feeling you against me. I want to love every part of you. I don’t think I can do what you did to me—”

  “That’s not what I want—”

  “Tell me. Help me get it right. I want to make you feel wonderful.” She pressed gently with her fingers and shuddered at the explo-sion of silky wet that greeted them.

  “Yes, like that. Kiss me, stay close to me. Don’t ... don’t go.”

  “I’m here,” Liddy said urgently. “I’m here.” She pushed carefully inside Marian, glad of her long arms that let her slowly move inward while holding Marian close. She kissed the corners of Marian’s mouth, then her neck. Marian was panting and rising to meet her.

  “Like that? Is this okay?”

  “Yes ... yes ...” Marian’s hands gripped her shoulders, then pulled Liddy down for a deep, hot kiss. They shared the same air, striving together while Marian grew more and more frantic.

  “Here with you, darling, I’m here. Feel me.” They kissed again and one last time, then Marian pulled Liddy against the length of her body as she shuddered. Her shaking had barely subsided when she burst into tears. Before Liddy could wonder if that was a bad thing, Marian was calming down.

  I made her cry. Liddy felt ... like a goddess. She wiped the tears off Marian’s cheeks, fancifully thinking she was touching diamonds with her fingertips.

  Their heartbeats matched rhythms for several minutes, then Marian whispered, “Thank you, Liddy Emma Peel.”

  “You keep saying my whole name.”

  “Does that bother you?” Marian arched an eyebrow.

  “You could pick one part.”

  “Peel is good. Very evocative.”

  “My dad calls my mom that when they’re lovey-dovey.” Marian’s shoulders rocked with laughter. “I’ll avoid it. Emma. How about that?”

  “What’s wrong with Liddy?”

  “Nothing, except I’m not sure you like it.” Liddy blinked at Marian, a bit awed by her perceptive conclusion.

  “You’re right, I’m not sure I do either.”

  “Emma does roll off the tongue well, though.”

  “So does Marian.” Liddy kissed Marian’s nose. “You’re okay?” Marian’s sudden smile could have lit up the Golden Gate. “Okay is for peanut butter. I am much more than okay.”

  “Do you ... It occurs to me I haven’t ...” She kissed Marian, using her tongue to suggest what she would like to do.

  Marian shivered. “I do like that, but I’m not like you. I will need some time.”

  Liddy blushed. “I’m not like me either. I have no idea how I did all that. I’ve never been like that. I don’t know how you knew I could be.”

  Marian’s smile was gentle. “I didn’t know you couldn’t be, dear Emma.”

  A wonderfully gooey sensation filled the pit of Liddy’s stomach, then it growled loudly. “I’m starved.”

  “Me too.”

  “Breakfast?”

  “What a good idea.”

  Liddy thought about the contents of her refrigerator. “Want to go out?”

  “Why don’t I make you breakfast at my place? I need to check on my critters.”

  Liddy was deeply pleased. Going out meant their time together might end. Besides, she was willing to bet that being seen at any local breakfast place in Iowa City was certain to make the rumor mill.

  They’d be the local gossip by noon. “I’d love that.”

  “Do you want to shower first?”

  “If I can stand up. Join me?”

  “I’d love to.”

  They stood under the hot water together, taking turns shampoo-ing each other’s hair and washing each other’s back. When Marian started to run the soap over her own breasts, Liddy snatched it away.

  “Please, you need help with those. Breasts get so filthy and yours are simply atrocious.”

  Marian chuckled and leaned back to allow Liddy’s touch. Once the soap was rinsed away, Liddy flicked the inviting nipples with her tongue.

  Laughing, she looked up at Marian. “I would really like to do this, but I find I’m more interested in the water.” Marian pulled her up for a joyous kiss. “I’m thirsty too.” Her tongue licked over Liddy’s lips. Liddy shivered as she recalled Marian’s tongue between her legs last night. Marian made a sound that was almost a growl, then her tongue took possession of Liddy’s mouth.

  This can’t be happening, Liddy thought. It just can’t. Marian’s hands gripped her waist firmly, and then the shower wall was at her back. It was like the first time, against the door. Hot, hard and explo-sive.

  “I’ve got you,” Marian said, when Liddy’s feet slipped. “I’ve got you. Let it go for me.”

  Liddy’s voice became a wail. “Fuck me, oh, don’t stop.” She said more, pleaded, and felt the waves of orgasm start in the small of her back.

  Marian answered in a low, intense voice that cut through the sound of water and Liddy’s racing heart. “I’m not going to stop, you know I won’t. I love being inside you. Emma ... yes ... Emma, I’ve got you.” Then words were lost in a frantic kiss.

  Emma, Liddy mused a few minutes later, with her head still on Marian’s shoulder, was obviously multi-orgasmic. Wherever the hell Emma had come from, it felt fantastic. Marian made her feel different, made her feel alive in ways she never had before. Emma was a lucky woman. She giggled.

  “All right, let’s dry off and get some food.” Marian directed Liddy to the house, but didn’t realize until the Hummer was in the driveway that it would announce—early on a Monday morning—that she and Liddy had spent the night together.

  There was no way any of her friends, including Hemma and Amy, would interpret its presence any other way.

  Question was, she asked herself, did she care?

  She watched Liddy’s lithe body climb down out of the Hummer.

  No, she decided, she really didn’t care. Maybe sex was the best therapy of all. She had let go of Hemma. She had no idea where things were going with Liddy, but she was free to ride the rollercoaster.

  “This is Professor Hill. Down! Down! Sorry.” She pulled Hill off Liddy by the collar and admonished him. “You know you’re not supposed to do that.”

  “He’s a lover,” Liddy said. “A Lassie dog.”

  “Laddie, please. Hill may be fixed, but he’s still very male.” Marian realized there was a three-day accumulation of dishes in the sink. She never had gotten around to vacuuming. The early-morning sunlight caught every piece of pet hair on the furniture. “So, this is home. It’s the maid’s decade off.”

  Liddy laughed. “When I want to see the house, I’ll make an appointment. Right now, I’d like to see some breakfast, please.” She nearly offered ham and eggs, but remembered Liddy’s diet preferences in time. “Bagels? Cream cheese? I have some beautiful early strawberries from next door. Here, let me get the dog chow.”

  “Everything sounds wonderful, except the dog chow.”

  “Smart ass.”

  “I try. Shall I get plates?”

  “Cupboard next to the fridge.”

  Hill’s bowl filled, Marian began assembling their small feast to the sound of his lusty crunching. “Do you like orange juice?”

  “Gives me heartburn. Coffee would be good.”

  “Oh, you got it. What a great idea.”

  “Your dishes are beautiful, the way the blue washes into the red.” Marian turned to admire them with Liddy. “From my folks. Yeah, I’ve always liked the colors.”

  She sliced the strawberries into a bowl and lightly sugared them before setting out knives for cutting bagels and spreading the cheese.

  With the coffee plugged in, she shook Trombone’s food container and the feline sidled into the kitchen, looking suspicious of the extra two-legged creature.

  “This haughty creature is Trombone, just one, not seventy-six.” She grinned, but Liddy looked blank. “You know, from the musical?”

  “You lost me.”

  “The Music Man.
”

  “Oh, I’ve never seen it.”

  Strangely enough, Marian was pleased. “Good, then you can’t sing the words to ‘Marian the Librarian.’ Ellie does that to punish me.”

  Liddy goggled. “Is that where that comes from? I have to admit, I did think of you that way, but it wasn’t from a musical.”

  “Really? Where then?”

  “A book. Marian the Librarian, an S and M queen. I don’t remember the title, though.”

  “Oh!” Marian blushed. “Oh, that book by Nicholson Baker. Yes, I’ve had to live that one down, too.”

  She had the tray on the table when Trombone hopped up onto the chair Liddy was pulling out.

  “Get down,” Marian ordered.

  After a disdainful look, Trombone peered at the chair cushion and began heaving.

  “Oh, no, you don’t!” Marian scooped the cat off the chair and put her in the sink where Trombone finished throwing up. “Ha! Beat you to it.”

  “I think I’m not wanted.”

  “The cat might think she runs my life, but she doesn’t. She’s tried that trick before. I do anything out of the ordinary and I find gifts in my shoes. Heck, I do anything at all and she pukes in my shoes. She only chooses the chairs for new people.”

  Liddy, at least, didn’t seem put off by it. Marian pushed away the memory of Robyn’s disgust at Trombone’s territorial behavior. She hadn’t liked the way Hill smelled either. Face it, she told herself.

  Robyn didn’t like anything about you, that’s why she chose you. It was never about you.

  Liddy tucked into her food with pleasing gusto, finishing two glasses of water along with a cup of coffee.

  Marian found herself grinning helplessly.

  “What?” Liddy licked a bit of cream cheese from the corner of her mouth.

  “You make love like you eat. With energy and appreciation.” Liddy flushed. “I could say the same thing about you. And it’s also true—you fuck like you drive.”

  Marian laughed delightedly. She felt so good she had to warn herself against mood swings. “If you’re done I’ll show you the house, such as it is. I’m sorry it’s such a mess.”

  “A neat house is a sign of sick mind, if you ask me.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way.” Even with Liddy’s assurances, her own housekeeping appalled Marian. She rarely had company, and she’d gotten lazy. The bed was unmade and the sheets were less than fresh. Towels accumulated in the bathroom had a questionable odor after several weeks. “The ongoing presence of allergens can bolster your histamine immune response. And I’ve got a link to a research study that proves it.”