The Beginning, page 16
part #0.50 of Off Screen Series
Addison nodded. “Well, I guess that’s true,” she said. She took a deep breath and looked at her father calmly. “It was good to see you, Adam. Take care of yourself,” she said before taking Emma’s hand and leading her away.
“Addy?”
Addison opened her eyes and turned to Emma.
“I know it’s not the same, you have my family.”
Addison smiled. “I’m okay, Em. I just don’t understand him is all.”
“I know.”
“I wish you could have known my mom,” Addison said.
“Me too,” Emma replied.
Addison leaned over and kissed Emma’s cheek and smiled.
“What?” Emma asked.
“Just thinking that you remind me of her sometimes.”
“How so?” Emma asked.
“Little things. You just do. You’ll be a fantastic mom someday,” Addison said assuredly.
Emma’s heart skipped a beat and she lifted a brow at Addison. “You think so?” she asked.
Addison’s smile broadened.
“So, will you,” Emma said.
“I hope so.”
Emma squeezed Addison’s hand gently. “I know so,” she said. Emma closed her eyes and relaxed. She and Addison talked about everything. Emma was completely aware that one day Addison wanted children. Their conversations on that subject had always been general, both of them cautiously gauging the others reception to that idea. Addison’s declaration now carried a different tone. Emma was almost afraid to read into it what she thought she heard. She already had a life with Addison. She wondered where that life would lead them both. As she let her thoughts drift, Emma realized, not for the first time, that a life with Addison was exactly what she wanted. Not just a life—a family. She smiled at the possibility as sleep began to claim her. Maybe someday.
***
“So?” Tamara asked.
“So, what?” Addison laughed.
“Oh, come on, Addy! You’ve got to have stories. How is it producing your own show? I mean, people work for years and never see their idea make it to the screen.”
“True,” Addison agreed. “I guess it’s interesting.”
“You guess it’s interesting?” Tamara questioned.
“It is interesting. I just prefer writing,” Addison explained.
“You get to work with Emma every day. That’s got to be a bonus.”
Addison shrugged. “To be honest, I don’t see her much at all. She’s on set and I’m in the office most of the time.”
“Don’t you want to go watch?” Tamara asked.
“Tam, you work in production. You know how it is. Yeah, I do but I have other things I have to deal with most days. Besides, I don’t think it’s healthy for Em and I to be on top of each other.”
“Really?” Tamara asked hinting at the unintended innuendo in Addison’s remark.
“Jesus, Tam.” Addison chuckled. “Are your thoughts always in the gutter?"
“No, usually they are in the bedroom, or the kitchen, or the pantry, or the—”
“I get the point.” Addison laughed. “You know what I mean. I love to watch her work,” Addison admitted. “I just have other things I have to deal with lots of days.”
“What do you think?” Tamara asked.
“About?”
“Think it will be a hit?” Tamara wondered.
“I think it’s a good show but let’s face it, I am as bias as they come,” Addison admitted.
“It’s everywhere, you know?”
“What is?” Addison asked.
“The show. You two. People wondering about you two. Wondering what the show will reveal about you both.”
“Wondering? I thought they were speculating,” Addison said.
“That too.”
“Well, Jack and Genevieve are not Addy and Em. That much I can tell you for sure,” Addison said.
“Yeah, but the previews of some of these loves scenes. Whew! Sure fires up the imagination.”
“Tam, don’t ever suggest that anything makes you imagine my love life with Emma. It’s creepy,” Addison said.
“Hey, I’m only human!”
Addison shook her head. “That’s debatable.”
***
Addison walked in the back door. She had enjoyed her evening with Tamara. Her trip home had weighed on her heart for weeks. Tamara knew better than anyone what Addison’s life had been like when her mother died. She’d witnessed the change in Addison’s father and how it affected Addison. Everyone needed at least one friend that they did not have to explain things to. Tamara was that friend for Addison. She was adept at helping Addison shift her moods. Their dinner date had dragged on later than expected. Addison was surprised to see the kitchen light still on. She made her way toward them, wondering what Emma was up to at eleven o’clock.
“Hey,” she called when she reached the door.
Emma did not answer.
Addison took a step closer and heard the music playing loudly in her lover’s ears. She laughed. Emma was completely focused on the screen of her laptop. Normally, if Emma was up this late she was engaged in preparing for the next day. Seldom was she on her computer. “Em?”
Emma focused on the screen in front of her, never hearing Addison.
Addison moved a step closer and stopped abruptly. “Rings?” she muttered. Emma shifted in her chair and Addison quickly made her way out of the room and toward their bedroom. “Just what are you thinking, Em?” she wondered silently.
***
“Addy?” Jeff called into Addison Blake’s office.
“Yep,” she answered without looking up. “Are they serious with some of this?” she grumbled to herself. “I mean, really? Jack seducing Genevieve in a backseat?” she mumbled in disbelief.
“Yeah, just a suggestion there, Addy. You know, they just want to rev up the tension for the viewers.”
Addison looked up incredulously. “Rev up the tension? That’s not tension, Jeffrey. That—That is just—.Well, it’s pointless.”
Jeffrey laughed. “It’s not pointless, Addy. It’s sexy.”
“Correction, it’s sex.”
“Okay, so maybe it is more sex than sexy.”
“No maybe about it.”
“Sex sells,” he said pointedly.
“Sexy sells more.”
“Well, you can fight that battle,” he told his friend.
Addison smiled.
“Right now, I need you to meet Emma and me in Bellson’s office.”
Addison groaned. “Do I want to know?” she asked.
Jeffrey shrugged.
“That’s what I thought.”
***
Emma took a seat on the love seat in Don Bellson’s office. Bellson spearheaded development for Rain Tree Productions. Rain Tree was the driving force and parent company behind the new television production Off Screen, which was gearing up to premiere its first episode in a month. “She is not going to love this,” Emma said plainly.
“Well then, convince her why she should love it,” he told the actress.
“Who are we convincing?” Addison asked as she walked through the door and made her way to the loveseat. “Hey,” Addison said, placing a quick kiss on Emma’s cheek.
Emma smiled at the writer adoringly.
“So?” Addison asked again. “Who needs convincing?”
Don Bellson offered the writer a charming grin. “Addison, nice of you to join us.”
Addison smirked. She was not overly fond of the man sitting across from her. Don Bellson had his job to do and that often collided with Addison’s vision for the show. Addison had written Off Screen as a love letter to Emma. The characters and the project meant something to Addison that few people would be able to understand. So much so, in fact, that she had hesitated in taking the final steps to develop the concept as a television show. In the end, the opportunity to work with Emma won out over all of the writer’s misgivings. Bellson’s job was to ensure that the show was a commercial success. Addison’s was to preserve it artistically. More than once, Addison had suggested to Emma that developing the show would lead to a new screenplay about Hollywood called Oil and Water.
“So, why am I here?” Addison asked pointedly. “Not that I don’t enjoy your company, but I was busy trying to find an eloquent way of depicting a back seat romance.” She felt a slight jab to her ribs and forced a smile.
Bellson chuckled. He liked Addison, although Addison would never have guessed that. He found Addison refreshing, and he secretly understood that her persistent push back would make the show better. Often, he found that people were so excited to lift a project off the ground that they ceded to his requests instantly. Addison Blake did not fall into that category. She had earned his respect over the last nine months. He enjoyed her veiled yet witty retorts. It made the day entertaining and interesting
“Don wanted to review some of the promotional schedules with us,” Emma interjected.
Addison sighed. Emma’s statement signaled an inevitable separation for the pair that Addison had been trying to ignore. Emma would need to complete a host of personal appearances to launch the show.
“That’s right,” Bellson said as he handed the pair each a paper. “You can see that it’s a bit of a whirlwind tour. The first week is mainly print interviews. Some of those, you will be able to complete by phone. The second week is television appearances. That will require travel. Most of the shows are filmed in New York. A week or so should cover it for you both.”
Addison looked up in surprise. “You want me to go with Emma?”
“It would be difficult for you to make an appearance from here,” he commented.
Addison was confused. “I don’t think I am following. Aren’t Sandra and Emma going together?” she asked. Sandra MacMillan had been cast as Jack opposite Emma’s Genevieve. She was a relative newcomer and Addison had assumed that the press junkets and tours would be the first highlight of the on-screen pairing.
Bellson laughed. “Sandra has her own schedule. She and Emma will meet up for a few interviews the week that you get back.” Addison was still puzzled. “It’s not the on-screen romance that is going to whip up interest in this show, Addison,” he explained.
Addison flinched as if she had been struck by lightning.
Emma immediately noted the tension emanating from her lover’s body and placed her hand on Addison’s back to calm her. Addison was a private person. She had adapted well to silently accompanying Emma at events and offering a smile or a few cheerful words, but she had never had any desire to be in the spotlight. Emma understood that completely.
“What do you mean by it’s not the on-screen romance?” Addison asked.
“Addison,” Bellson began. “People are interested in you and Emma. It’s just that simple. This couldn’t be more perfect, a show called Off Screen and the off-screen love affair at its heart? Come on, Addison. You can’t buy that kind of ready-made publicity.”
Addison groaned audibly.
Emma rubbed her back gently and spoke softly. “Addy,” she said almost in a whisper. “Look at it this way, we will get to spend so much time together that you will be sick of me.”
Addison sighed and then chuckled. She could scarcely imagine ever getting tired of Emma. Of course, the pair had their challenging moments over the last year. Addison could become distant and Emma was still learning how to coax the writer out of her occasional sullen mood. Emma would refuse to slow down, and Addison would become frustrated with the actress’s need to constantly move. Day by day, the couple had learned to balance one another. They had grown content to be together in silence and secure in the need to have time apart. Neither relished any lengthy separations. A few days apart had a way of reminding them of what they shared, but neither actively sought reasons to be separated. Emma knew exactly what tact to take with Addison. The idea of time together would alleviate the writer’s apprehension about sitting in the interview chair, if only slightly.
“I really don’t see what anyone finds so interesting,” Addison said honestly. “What do they want to know? Which one of us cooks or which one of us is on top?” She snickered.
Emma smacked her playfully and then laughed.
“Ouch! Geez, Em,” Addison scolded her partner.
“Yes,” Bellson answered with a slight chuckle.
“Yes?” Addison asked.
“Yes, they will be curious about both,” he told her.
Addison shook her head.
“Like it or not, Addison, you two are the poster children for the LGBT community right now. Everyone who has an opinion one way, or the other is looking at you to find either a reason to justify their bigotry or a reason to believe in love.”
Addison rolled her eyes. “More like they want to fantasize about Em,” she mumbled.
“That too,” Bellson agreed.
Addison shot him a disgusted glare.
“All right,” Emma interjected. “Let’s be clear, Don. Addy and I are not going into any of these interviews intending to discuss our intimate life. That is off limits.”
He sighed.
“I mean it,” Emma said. “Set that stage now,” she directed him firmly. “I will, however, be happy to tell anyone how Addison burns water.”
“Hey!” Addison piped up.
Emma grinned and kissed Addison on the cheek. “Truth hurts, doesn’t it?”
Addison nodded. “This is really that important?” she directed her question to Bellson.
“You need to trust me on what we need to do to market this show,” he told her sincerely.
“Okay. I’ll agree if you agree that you need to trust me on what needs to happen in order to keep them watching once they tune in,” she returned.
He sighed dramatically.
“I’ll go answer questions about who makes the popcorn on movie night, and you back off these trashy back seat, bathroom, and bad-taste love scenes.”
“Addison,” he said in a warning tone.
Addison raised her eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest in defiance. “That’s my offer,” she said.
“What makes you think you have any choice?” he tried to ask menacingly.
Addison saw right through his bravado. As a writer, she made a career at observing people’s actions, behavior, and expressions. She held his gaze confidently. “Deal or no deal, Don.”
Bellson pretended to consider the offer for a moment. “All right, Addison. Deal. This round.”
***
Addison leaned her head back on the sofa, closed her eyes and stretched. It had been a long, arduous, and frustrating day. A pair of gentle hands began to knead her shoulders lovingly. Addison breathed in deeply and relaxed under Emma’s touch. She felt a light kiss brush over the top of her head and reached up to take hold of Emma’s hands.
“You tired?” Emma asked.
Addison caressed Emma’s hand for a moment before answering. “A little. You?”
“I am,” Emma admitted.
Addison tilted her head back and opened her eyes to look at Emma.
Emma smiled and kissed her lover’s forehead.
“Come here,” Addison instructed.
Emma made her way to the couch and collapsed onto it beside Addison. They had been filming for the last six weeks at a pace even Emma was not accustomed to. She felt worn out and looking ahead to two long weeks of personal appearances was adding to her exhaustion.
Addison pulled Emma down into her lap and ran her hands through Emma’s hair. “Are you okay?” she asked.
Emma’s answer was a contented sigh. There were few things she enjoyed more than cuddling with the writer.
“Em?” Addison chuckled at the expression on her lover’s face.
“I’m fine,” Emma said. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the way Addison’s fingers felt on her scalp. Addison’s intended to calm and relax her. Emma had to admit that she was surprised by her body’s reaction to Addison’s touch. Most nights when Addison did this during a movie or when the pair wanted a quiet evening together, Emma fell asleep quickly. Tonight, her body had a decidedly different response.
Addison noted Emma’s expression with amusement. The actress had her eyes closed. That was her usual reaction to this situation. It was typically followed by a faint snoring sound. Right now, Emma’s lips had parted slightly. She inhaled deeply and let it out in a slow, sensuous sigh. Addison smiled down at her lover. Sometimes just looking at Emma overwhelmed Addison emotionally. She’d heard, and she’d even written about love affairs that defied the odds. She hadn’t believed that one could actually exist until she met Emma Bronson. It seemed to Addison that she loved Emma more with each moment that passed. She let her fingers tenderly drift down the side of Emma’s neck and shivered at the soft moan that escaped Emma’s lips.
Emma’s fingers played lightly over the top of Addison’s hand.
Addison bent over and kissed Emma deeply. Emma’s tongue brushed over Addison’s lips. Addison pulled back and looked down at Emma. “You are so beautiful.” Addison allowed her touch to wander across Emma’s chest. Her hand found its way under Emma’s T-shirt and cupped a firm breast. Emma arched her back slightly in response as Addison’s fingers brushed lightly over her nipple. Addison could feel Emma’s heartbeat as it increased in pace and intensity. She watched as Emma’s teeth tugged at her bottom lip each time Addison’s fingers made contact with her. The sound of Emma’s breathing accompanied by faint moans registered in every cell of Addison’s body. She slipped her hand inside Emma’s bra and tugged at a taut nipple.
“Mmm,” escaped Emma’s throat in a deep moan.
Addison moved her other hand inside Emma’s shirt and began playing with both of Emma’s nipples. She touched them lightly for a moment and then pinched each firmly. Emma’s head tilted back further into Addison’s lap. Each time Addison tugged at Emma’s nipples, Emma would shift, inevitably arousing Addison more.
Emma felt Addison’s body tense in pleasant response to her movements. She enjoyed Addison’s attention immensely. Her nipples ached for more and she could feel warmth traveling through her body and beginning to pool between her legs. Addison could produce an overwhelming sense of urgency within Emma with the slightest touch. She still struggled to comprehend the way her body submitted to Addison Blake. Addison was gentle even when she was commanding. She was loving no matter how playful their lovemaking became. There had never, not once, been a time that Addison touched Emma without making the love she felt evident. The reality of their connection continued to amaze Emma. She had discovered that making love to Addison could bring her to climax. She’d heard people talk about that experience, but she had never imagined it was possible. It was more than possible with Addison—it was commonplace.
