The Beginning, page 18
part #0.50 of Off Screen Series
Addison was taken by surprise by the emotional declaration in a playful moment. She felt Emma pull her close and wondered what was running through the actress’s mind. She held Emma as the hot water cascaded over them. “I love you too,” she promised. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
Emma held on tighter and breathed Addison in.
“Em? Something is bothering you,” Addison stated the obvious.
“I wish we could stay home,” Emma said softly.
Addison closed her eyes and reveled in Emma’s closeness. She didn’t need any more words to understand that Emma was worried about her. “I’ll be fine,” she said. Addison felt Emma nod against her. “And, I promise to be on my best behavior,” she tried to lighten the mood. She felt Emma chuckle, but she could still sense the tension in Emma’s body. “Trust me,” Addison said.
Emma pulled back abruptly. “I do.”
Addison was surprised at Emma’s apparent stress regarding their trip east. Emma had been in front of the press countless times. While Addison would have preferred to have avoided this all together, she was determined to handle herself with grace. “I promise, I won’t embarrass you,” Addison said with a grin.
Emma finally laughed.
Addison reached for the shampoo and poured some into her hand. “I wish we had time for more,” she said honestly.
Emma kissed Addison tenderly.
“What was that for?” Addison asked. “Not that I am complaining.”
Emma ran her hands over Addison’s chest. “Sometimes you have to make time,” she said.
“Em?” Before Addison could muster a coherent thought, Emma had dropped to her knees in the shower. “Em?” Addison called out helplessly. She felt herself backed against the shower wall and surrendered. Emma was kissing her stomach and steadily dropping her kisses lower. “Emma, we’ll miss our flight,” she attempted to protest.
Emma made no response. She held onto Addison’s hips and lapped the water from the insides of her lover’s thighs before moving to taste Addison’s arousal. Addison heard Emma’s lustful moan and closed her eyes. It seemed that Emma had little care of schedules this morning. Addison whimpered when she felt Emma’s tongue travel over her. The sensation of Emma’s gentle licking combined with the flow of hot water cascading over her was produced a rising storm in Addison.
Emma felt Addison’s hand drop into her hair. Addison’s throaty moan spurred her to continue. She wasn’t sure that she could explain why she felt a sudden overwhelming desire to make love to Addison. The next two weeks would not be their own. They would be at the mercy of a harried and hurried schedule. Perhaps she just needed to have some control. More than that, she wanted to remind Addison of their connection. At times, Addison brought out a lustful urgency in Emma that was rooted in a simple need to be as close to the writer as possible.
Addison relaxed into Emma’s touch. It was gentle but persistent, and Addison knew that her ability to withstand the pleasure would be short lived. Emma sucked on her gently and Addison cried out. Addison had no intentions or expectations when she stepped into the shower behind Emma. None, that is, except to continue their morning banter and get ready to face the rest of the day together. Emma clearly had other ideas. Addison grasped Emma’s shoulders to steady herself. Emma’s tongue traced each side of Addison faintly before returning to her center deliberately. Addison’s grip tightened as Emma’s tongue finally found its way higher and flicked lightly. In an instant, Emma’s tenderness shifted to an insistent sucking that brought Addison over the edge.
Emma held Addison still as the writer shook uncontrollably.
When Addison’s shaking subsided, Emma kissed her way up the front of Addison’s body until the two came face to face once more.
“Sweet Lord, woman,” Addison said. “What brought that on? Not that I’m complaining.”
Emma smiled and kissed Addison. “Sometimes I just can’t help myself,” she said.
Addison understood. “I hope you always feel that way,” she said.
Emma gave Addison one last kiss. “I don’t have any doubt at all.”
***
“Hey,” Christie greeted Tamara at her door. “What’s in the bag?” she asked.
Tamara giggled as she stepped into her girlfriend’s kitchen. “Curiosity killed the cat,” she said.
“Good thing I don’t own any pets,” Christie returned.
“You really want to see?” Tamara asked.
Christie rolled her eyes. “Tam, you just walked into my house with a bag from my favorite jeweler. Of course, I want to see!”
“Okay,” Tamara agreed. She reached into the bag, pulled out a small velvet box, and handed it to
Christie. Christie’s heart started beating double time. She looked at Tamara in shock.
“You wanted to know,” Tamara reminded her girlfriend.
Christie opened the lid and gasped.
“No kidding, huh? I can’t believe Addy bought it,” Tamara said. She saw Christie’s crestfallen expression and smacked her forehead. “Oh no. You thought—Oh, boy.”
Christie came back to her senses. “I don’t know what I thought,” she said. She looked back at the ring and then to Tamara. “Are you telling me that Addison is going to ask Emma to marry her?”
Tamara shrugged. “Damned if I know.”
“I’m confused.”
“Yeah, well consider it your invitation to join The Confusion Club. Membership is free,” Tamara laughed.
“I didn’t know they had talked about marriage,” Christie said.
“They haven’t,” Tamara replied.
Christie handed the box back to Tamara with an inquisitive yet concerned glance.
“I know. Addy can be impulsive. She said she saw Emma looking at a ring like this one on the computer. When she saw it in the window, she decided to buy it.”
“You sound worried,” Christie said.
“I don’t know if worried is the right word. I just—Well, I know Addy.”
“What do you mean?”
Tamara sighed and put the ring back in the bag. “I mean I know what Addy wants. I’ve known her a long time.”
“And, she wants to marry Emma?” Christie guessed.
“I would say that is a safe bet. What I mean is that she wants to be married. That’s Addy. Always has been. She wants the white picket fence, 2.5 kids, and a dog named Buster.”
Christie lifted an amused brow at her girlfriend. “Buster?” she asked.
Tamara shrugged.
Christie noted the deep concern in Tamara’s eyes. “And you think that Emma might not want that. Is that what I am sensing?”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t matter what I think.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Christie agreed.
“I just wish Addy thought things through a little more sometimes.”
Christie nodded. “You know, they are supposed to be on Jennifer Daly’s show in an hour.”
“Yeah, I know. Addy called yesterday when Emma was doing her solo appearance on The Late Show.”
“Surprised she found the time.” Christie chuckled.
“Well, her real reason was that she was worried about that ring. I left her a message earlier in the day to tell her that the store called, and it wouldn’t be ready until this morning,” Tamara explained. “She was relieved that the week was almost over without any major upsets. I think she was rather proud of herself. Might be feeling just a little confident,” Tamara noted.
“I see,” Christie said. “So, do you want to watch them? I’ll grab us some coffee.”
“Watch Addy on TV? Sure. I always find fish out of water amusing.”
***
“Why are you fidgeting?” Emma asked Addison with a giggle.
“I’m not fidgeting.” Addison pulled on her jacket. “You told me to sit on my jacket. I’m just getting ready.”
Emma smirked. “Yes, I suppose I did,” she agreed, taking a moment to wipe a piece of lint off of Addison’s black blazer. “Last one, honey,” Emma whispered.
Addison smiled at the endearment.
“Then we get to go home.”
“Yeah, and then I get to go back to work while you traipse around with Sandra for a week,” Addison grumbled.
Emma tried not to laugh. “Green is not your color,” she quipped.
“I’m not jealous,” Addison said quietly. She was watching the bustle of the television studio personnel as they prepared the set for the interview. “I’ve just gotten used to being with you.”
“Starting to enjoy yourself with all of this?” Emma teased.
Addison shot Emma a horrified stare.
Emma laughed. “Would you rather do this,” Emma gestured around the studio, “for another four days? And, have to do it with Sandra in tow babbling about how she has a boyfriend the whole time or go back to work?”
“When you put it that way,” Addison agreed.
“That’s what I thought,” Emma said.
“Emma! Nice to see you again,” Jennifer Daly greeted the pair.
“Jen. How are you?” Emma asked politely.
“Good.”
“You’ve had quite the year,” Emma observed. Jennifer Daly went from a guest host on a major network morning program to hosting her own show. So far, the ratings had surpassed everyone’s expectations.
“Nothing compared to yours,” Jennifer replied.
Emma smiled. She wasn’t certain if the comment was intended as a mere observation, a compliment, or a backhanded insult. Emma nodded and took Addison’s hand. “Jennifer Daly meet Addison Blake.”
Addison smiled broadly, oblivious to the posturing that was taking place between her girlfriend and the morning show host. “Nice to meet you,” she said genuinely.
“Mm. And you,” Jennifer said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “You two certainly have piqued everyone’s curiosity—two beautiful women in the spotlight who are in love, producing a show about two beautiful women who hide behind that spotlight because they are in love,” she said to Addison.
Emma watched as Jennifer virtually undressed Addison with her eyes. It didn’t surprise the actress. Addison was a gorgeous woman. Emma was perfectly aware of her girlfriend’s ability to turn the heads of either gender. What made that ability completely endearing was the fact that Addison honestly had no idea how attractive she was. In the past, Emma might have felt threatened by the attention one of her lovers commanded. Now, she found it flattering. Addison wasn’t only her lover, she was Emma’s partner. Emma tightened her grip gently on Addison’s hand and felt her heart swell when Addison turned and offered her a wink.
“Addison is the one who created Off Screen. I’m just glad she saw fit to agree to cast me as Genevieve,” Emma said sincerely.
“Jen!” a man’s voice called to the host.
Jennifer held up a finger to the man in the distance and turned back to the pair of guests before her. “I look forward to our chat. Glad we had a minute beforehand to meet, Addison,” she said.
“Me too,” Addison said before Jennifer turned and walked away. “She seems nice,” Addison commented.
Emma watched the talk show host carefully in the distance.
Addison turned and noted the strain on Emma’s face. “What’s the matter?” she asked.
Emma forced a small smile. The brief interaction with Jennifer had left her feeling unsettled.
“Hey,” Addison said. “Last one, remember? Besides, you know what they say.”
“What’s that?” Emma asked.
“They always save the best for last,” Addison said cheerfully.
That’s what worries me.
***
“Addison looks pretty comfortable,” Christie observed.
“Yeah. Weird,” Tamara agreed.
Christie laughed. “What were you hoping—that she’d throw up on the set or something?”
“No! Well, nothing that humiliating anyway,” Tamara said.
“You’re terrible,” Christie scolded her girlfriend with another bout of laughter. “She’s been doing this all week. I’m sure she’s gotten used to it by now,” she said before returning her attention to the television screen to listen to the end of the interview:
Jennifer: So, you two met quite by accident, isn’t that the story?
Emma: I crashed into Addison at an event and spilled coffee all over her. Seemed only right that I buy her a coffee as a truce.
Jennifer: And, that led to all of this?
Addison: Pretty much. We take coffee very seriously in our house.
Jennifer: It’s interesting that you say that, Addison.
Addison: Doesn’t everyone take coffee seriously?
Christie laughed along with the studio audience. “Holy crap, she really is quick on her feet.”
“Yeah, it’s all the coffee she drinks.” Tamara laughed. She had to admit she was proud of Addison.
Jennifer: Coffee definitely has its advantages. I agree. It’s interesting, though. Your house—a lot of people will wonder what that really means.
Emma: I don’t think it’s a secret that Addy and I have been living together for the better part of the last year.
Jennifer: That is true. But, don’t you two feel some sense of obligation to your followers to clarify that?
Addison: Clarify that we are living together?
“Uh-oh,” Christie said quietly.
“What?” Tamara asked fearfully.
“This is heading south fast.”
Jennifer: No, I mean that people are looking to the two of you, and to this new show as a model. Face it, the news is full every day of stories and debate about same gender rights.
Addison: I’d like to think that we stand in contrast to Genevieve and Jack. They lived at a time where openness about their commitment was not possible.
Jennifer: Ah, yes. There is that word—commitment. Any chance we will hear more about that from the two of you soon?
Christie and Tamara both moved to the edge of the sofa in anticipation as Jennifer Daly began to clarify her meaning.
Jennifer: It’s everywhere and it’s legal. So, any wedding invitations in our future?
Christie looked at Tamara. “Oh, shit,” Tamara whispered before looking back at the television where Addison’s jaw had fallen open in shock. Emma’s expression was unreadable. It appeared she was waiting to see how Addison would respond.
Emma: No one has gotten down on her knee yet.
“Good recovery, Em!” Christie shouted at the television. Emma’s response had been playful, but still pointed.
Jennifer: Yet? People see you two as a beacon of possibility. Don’t you feel some amount of pressure—
Addison: I don’t think anyone should be pressured into marriage.
Jennifer: I agree. You don’t feel any degree of urgency to confirm your commitment legally? Politically speaking, a number of high-profile gay and lesbian couples have tied the knot in recent months—Ken Bell and Jason Rodgers, Larry Stein and Michael Burton, and Stephanie Chase and Rebecca Lauren to name a few. All have cited the need to make a statement in support of that right for the community.
Christie and Tamara awaited a response from one of their friends. Both were surprised when Addison spoke.
Addison: When I do get married, it won’t be to make any kind of political statement. The only statement I will be making will be to the person I am asking.
“She’s pissed,” Tamara said.
Christie concentrated on Emma’s expression. She was trying to decipher what she saw there. For a brief second, she thought her friend was struggling to hold back tears. In an instant, the actress’s training had taken over, and Emma swept in to rescue the interview.
Emma: Truthfully, Jen (she took Addison’s hand) We have been so busy with this new show, we haven’t had much time to brew our coffee in the morning, much less discuss politics or marriage.
“Nice recovery!” Christie cheered as a soft chuckling erupted from the audience.
Emma: And, you already know how seriously we take our coffee.
Tamara shook her head. “Thank God Emma is there.”
Jennifer: Touché. I can’t argue that point at all as it seems we’ve run out of time. I want to thank you for taking some of your time to visit us here in New York. You can catch Off Screen on The Blaze beginning Sunday, May 22nd at 10 p.m. Thank you again to all of my guests this morning—
Christie clicked off the television. “Well, if they haven’t talked about it before, my guess is they will be talking about it now.”
Tamara frowned. “I don’t know,” she said. “Addy hates being backed into a corner. I hope this doesn’t—”
“You think she’ll change her mind because of an interview?”
“About Emma? No, but it might make her think twice about proposing.”
“Tam, if one crappy interview makes her doubt wanting to marry Emma, then they really do have a lot to talk about. They’ll figure it out. Don’t worry.”
Tamara sighed. “I don’t know. I hope you’re right.”
Chapter Thirteen
Emma was stretched out on the sofa reading a book when Addison blew into the room. Addison was on her cell phone and her voice was riddled with aggravation. Addison had been quiet and distant all weekend. Emma wasn’t sure what was driving her lover’s mood. She suspected that it had something to do with their last interview in New York. She couldn’t put her finger on what exactly had upset Addison the most.
Jennifer Daly could be brash. It was her style. Emma had not been shocked by the talk show host’s decision to get extremely personal. Jennifer knew she was the last stop for the couple in New York. That provided her a unique opportunity and she took it. At best, she could have ended up with the scoop of the week, or better yet a dramatic response that raised speculation, and thus ratings. The worst case scenario for Jennifer was a measured response to her questioning that quelled any expectations or speculation at all. Emma felt confident that she had managed to salvage the interview and that little conversation about the direction of Addison and Emma’s relationship would ensue. There would be some, but Emma understood that was inevitable with or without Jennifer Daly’s help.
