“If you’re subtle, you can find out yourself in the taxi.”
“Excuse me?” Kaelee’s brows shot up.
Marie laughed. “Lee, I’m not as sedate as you seem to expect. One of my exes had quite the exhibitionist streak.” She shrugged. “I realized I liked it, too.”
And Kaelee followed after her with a silent prayer of thanks. Becoming friends with this woman might be a dangerous prospect, but Kaelee felt sure she could resist catching feelings. Sexandfriendship could complicate things, so she needed a minute to weigh it. Realizing it could work didn’t mean she was ready to commit to that decision, but Kaelee could admit that it was tempting.Mariewas tempting.
On the street, Marie gestured to the taxi stand.
“Love the shirt,” Marie said lightly.
“I can’t spend all my hours working or at the gym.” Kaelee shrugged. “I read a lot.”
“Same.” Marie put a hand on Kaelee’s arm. “I like the results of the gym hours, though. In case I didn’t mention that last time.”
Kaelee smirked. “Which results? The muscles? The strength? The improved lung capacity and energy so I can fuck you longer?”
“Yes. That.” Marie squeezed her arm. “Allof that.”
They stood in a silence that ought to be awkward, but somehow felt comfortable instead. After a moment, Marie pivoted to face her. “Dietary restrictions?”
“Food that’s not expired?” Kaelee offered with a shrug. “I have no known allergies. Not celiac either. I’m not a huge meat eater, but… I grew up in a steak and potatoes household.”
“What’s your stance on salads?” Marie cocked a hip, stared at her, and asked the question like it was the most serious topic ever.
“Versatile. Cheap. Happy if they have tofu, chicken, or steak on them.” Kaelee frowned. “I don’t think fish and salad really works, though. I like salmon, but not on salad. Salmon is for sushi or maybe as a main entrée. Not on my lettuce.”
“Chinese takeout?”
“I’m a fan.” Kaelee grinned. “I spend an hour or two most days at the gym, so I eat like there are no rules.”
Marie gave a nod. “I walk every day, but I’m not really a gym person. Far too many offers to ‘help’ me.” She made air quotes. “Typically by men. Not my scene.”
Kaelee rolled her bag forward and paused as it was their turn, but she had no address to give. She looked at Marie and said, “That’s you. Address?”
Marie rattled something off, and Kaelee pointedly tried not to listen. It was a little foolish, perhaps, because she’d need to get a taxi out later. Trying not to memorize addresses was on the list of rules to prevent relationships.
She opened the door for Marie and then put her own bag in the trunk before going around to the other door.
Once the taxi driver slid into traffic, Marie looked at her. “So your friend needs dating help?”
“Cherie.” Kaelee paused, realizing that she had used a real name. “She wants someone who treats her like she matters,andshe wants that someone to be a person who gets her where she needs to go.”
Marie made no move to reach out, so Kaelee put a hand on her knee. It wasn’t hand-holding or anything. It was just a way to touch her. Perfectly normal. Nothing weird about wanting to have contact with the woman she intended to have moaning in the next hour.
“It speaks well of you that she asked you about that.” Marie parted her knees slightly, an invitation that Kaelee wasn’t sure she should take.
“How long to get there?”
“Usually not very,” Marie said with a laugh in her voice.
Kaelee gave her a stern look. “Be good.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Marie practically purred the word, and Kaelee couldn’t help but laugh as Marie scooted a little closer.
“Patience is a virtue.” Kaelee kept her hand right where it was, not accepting the invitation—although she considered it for a briefmoment. They had all night, though, and a quick touch in the back of a New York cab wasn’t exactly the thrill she was seeking.
After a moment, Marie said, “You know, when I was a kid, I thought the expression was ‘Patience is a virgin.’ I spent a lot of time wondering what a virgin was, and then when I found out when I was in middle school, I had a lot of questions about whoPatiencewas. It was incredibly awkward when I transferred schools to St. Lucia’s and met not one buttwogirls named Patience.”
