The Beginning, page 29
part #0.50 of Off Screen Series
Emma laughed. “You are such a wuss.”
“Can’t hear you. Chopping.”
Emma shook her head in amusement. She found herself thinking about her surprise. I certainly hope Addy has a different reaction.
***
Addison pulled into the driveway feeling as if she had just conquered the known world. She’d spent the better part of two years suffering from bouts of frustration dealing with Don Bellson. She had no illusions that her victory did not signify the last battle. Addison was confident that Bellson had gained a new found respect for her. He would think twice before pushing too far with her again. More than that, Addison was proud of the creative decision she had made and the product that she knew her crew and cast would deliver. She was anxious to share her news with Emma.
Once again, Emma had served as Addison’s inspiration, albeit in a different way. Addison intended to celebrate. She’d stopped for two simple things: a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of flowers. She intended to greet Emma with a deep and tender kiss. That would be followed by changing and taking Emma to an elegant restaurant. The evening would be capped with a bottle of champagne and Addison slowly making love to Emma
Addison grabbed her purchases and her bag and headed for the door with a bounce in her step. The moment she opened the door her senses were greeted by a savory smell. Emma was cooking. “Guess we’ll be having dinner at home,” Addison said happily.
The new script had consumed so much of Addison’s time over the last week, that she hadn’t shared a full meal with Emma. She would hop up from the table after a few bites, kiss Emma on the cheek and scurry off to hibernate in her office until the wee hours. She set down her bag and wound her way through the house with flowers and champagne in hand. She smiled broadly when she reached the sliding doors that led to the patio and pool.
Emma was standing by the small table that sat beside the pool. It had become their favorite place to enjoy a meal or a glass of wine. In the evening, as the sky darkened, the moon reflected off the water of the stone set pool. The soft floodlights that ran along the edges of the patio highlighted the flowering plants and the fruit trees that lined the backyard. People paid thousands of dollars to rent suites and homes that offered this type of stunning atmosphere. It was quiet. It was aromatic. It was calm. It provided an escape from reality without ever having to leave the comfort of home.
Emma smiled at Addison. Addison found herself frozen in place. Emma was wearing a black evening gown. She had her hair swept up similarly to the way it had been styled for their wedding. Slowly, Addison found her feet and made her way to Emma. She handed Emma the arrangement of yellow and red roses she had purchased with a smile and displayed the bottle of champagne in her hand.
“What’s the occasion?” Emma asked sweetly.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“Mm,” Emma replied. She leaned in and captured Addison’s lips in a passionate, slow burning kiss, turning the tables on Addison’s plan in an instant. “I promised you black,” Emma whispered.
“You look stunning in black. Is that my real present?” Addison let her eyes roam over Emma’s curves appreciatively.
“It’s part one,” Emma said.
Addison raised an eyebrow. “Only part one?”
“Mm-hm. Tonight is a three-act show,” Emma flirted. “Why don’t you sit down while I go put these in some water and get our dinner?” she suggested.
“You know,” Addison said. “I had planned to come home and sweep you away for the evening as a surprise.”
“You can still sweep me away,” Emma promised. “I had planned this for last Friday. I just hope it’s worth the wait,” she whispered before heading for the kitchen.
Addison swallowed the lump in her throat. Emma’s seductive tone had turned up the heat on Addison’s already active libido in less than a minute. She popped the cork on the champagne and poured it into the wine glasses Emma had set out, then finagled it into the ice bucket that held a bottle of Addison’s favorite Riesling. “It’s definitely a champagne kind of evening,” Addison mused.
A few minutes passed before Emma reappeared carrying a tray with their dinner. “I thought you could stand to have something besides pizza, beer, and pasta,” Emma joked. She set down the tray of seafood, vegetables, and rice and winked.
“You hate cooking lobster,” Addison remarked.
Emma shrugged as she took her seat. “You’re worth it,” she said.
Addison looked at Emma in awe. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?” she asked.
Emma smiled. “So, you had your own plan tonight. What are we celebrating, or do I have to guess?”
“No guessing,” Addison replied. “I met with Bellson today,” she said.
Emma arched and eyebrow and sipped her champagne. “Based on the contents of my glass, I assume it went well?”
Addison laughed. “It did for me.”
Emma smiled.
“Do you remember when you told me to use my anger as inspiration?”
“I do.”
“Well, it gave me an idea. I mean, Bellson and Jeff were right about one thing, the show needs some kind of unexpected, dramatic event to keep it interesting. So, do the characters if I want to keep them relevant and layered.”
Emma smiled as she listened. She never doubted that Addison would find her way through the latest mini-crisis at work. Addison was immensely talented—more so than she gave herself credit for. As Emma listened to Addison’s thoughts, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for the life they shared. She was proud of Addison—proud of the way Addison’s mind worked, and of the way that Addison carried herself. Most of all, Emma continued to marvel at how her love for Addison continued to grow.
“So, I started thinking about the pressure cooker they are all living in. Dominick not being able to have the woman who technically shares his life, but only as a façade. Jack. Imagine how painful it is for Jack when Genevieve has to appear next to Dominick. When Genevieve leaves Jack and goes home with her husband? And, Genevieve, living someone else’s life—in a manner of speaking. Living this public lie that defies her heart.”
“Well, it certainly is a situation ripe for disaster,” Emma commented.
“Exactly. They wanted sensual. Genevieve could never be physical with Dominick. She would never betray Jack willingly, not in that way,” Addison said.
Emma set down her glass and took a deep breath. She sensed where Addison’s thoughts had traveled.
“So, I just channeled my frustration and imagined Dominick’s—frustration, that is. I could see him throw back one glass of scotch after another. He comes home to the beautiful woman that the world thinks adores him. This woman whose career continues to skyrocket as his wanes. His star shines mostly due to the façade of his marriage. It becomes too much. One night, he consumes one too many glasses of scotch, endures one too many comments at an event, suffers through one too many glances Genevieve shares with Jack in the distance. He looks at his wife and feels entitled—tust at that moment,” Addison explained.
Emma nodded.
“Genevieve fights—fights to resist him—calls for Jack. She loses herself in the lie that has become her life. Then she has to face Jack. She has to tell Jack what he’s done. Jack. Jack has always regarded Dominick as a friend in spite of the strange arrangement. It tears her to pieces. Did she cause this for the woman she loves? Should she have walked away? It’s a spiral for them all,” Addison finished.
Emma nodded silently.
“You don’t like it?” Addison asked fearfully.
Emma took a deep breath. “I think it’s brilliant. I think it’s a likely scenario for them all. I think Sandra and Dan will agree with me on both counts,” Emma said.
“You don’t sound excited,” Addison observed.
Emma reached across the table and held Addison’s hand. “Did you feel excited when you wrote it?” Emma asked quietly.
Addison nodded her understanding. She felt sick when she wrote it.
Emma smiled seeing Addison’s acknowledgment. “It’s intense,” Emma explained. “I can imagine how that would feel. I have to. I cannot imagine my life that way—living that lie, Addy. I can’t imagine facing you after something like that—the fear, the guilt.”
“Not exactly the most romantic dialogue for our evening, is it?” Addison said.
Emma chuckled. “No. It’s not, but it’s something that you should be proud of creating. It’s real. I’m sure I will love the script, but I’d rather save that for tomorrow,” she admitted.
Addison nodded her agreement.
“I would love to know, however, how you convinced Bellson.”
Addison smirked. “Well, first I threw your contract at him,” she explained.
Emma laughed.
“Then, I told him I would quit and take my grievances to the press openly.”
“You did not!”
“Oh, yes I did. And, then I told him if he didn’t like his options he could feel free to drop us. The network could drop us for all I cared. There are plenty of networks that would jump at the chance to pick up the show.”
Emma laughed. “Well, I think you officially just learned how the business works,” she said. “I would have paid to see his face. I bet he looked like a little pimple ready to pop!” She laughed harder.
Addison raised her glass. “That is an excellent visual,” she toasted with her wife.
“I’m proud of you, Addy.”
“You are?”
“Yes, I am. No more talk about work,” Emma lightly admonished. “Let’s finish this dinner so we can move to Act II in our evening.”
“Will there be anything else in black?” Addison asked hopefully.
Emma winked.
Addison returned her attention to the dinner in front of her, suddenly wishing she could skip through to dessert.
***
Addison’s body trembled slightly as Emma led her to their bedroom. She wasn’t certain what Emma had planned, but she was positive there would be surprises ahead. Emma had a familiar glint in her eye. It signaled to Addison that Emma was not only excited, but also slightly nervous about the evening ahead. She couldn’t help but wonder what Emma had up her sleeve. Running through the vast possibilities in her mind was making Addison anxious in the best of ways.
Emma stopped in front of the bed and kissed Addison tenderly. “There is something on the bed for you,” she gestured to a box on the bed. “Why don’t you take a look while I get part two of your present,” Emma suggested.
Addison glanced at the box on the bed with the red bow. “That’s not part two?” she asked.
“No, that’s the third act.” Emma winked. She kissed Addison’s cheek and headed for the bathroom.
Addison watched Emma go, her heart pounded forcefully in her chest. Once Emma had shut the door, Addison made her way to the gift that had been left for her. On top of it was a small envelope. Addison opened it and removed the simple notecard to read Emma’s message.
Addy,
This has been so hard, being apart from you when we’ve just started our life together. Most days, I feel as though I will never be able to be close enough to you. I don’t always know how to explain that need to you—the need to be closer. It isn’t desire. It’s a need—a need to look into your eyes and lose myself completely. I hope that never changes. You’re the master of words. I sometimes have to show you how I feel, even show you what I need. I don’t always have the words to tell you. I just hope you will understand.
I love you,
Em
Addison opened the box and felt her breath catch. It took her a moment to process the contents. She looked back at the note and smiled. Emma was more adventurous as a lover than Addison. Addison had been used in the past by lovers. It made her timid with Emma, not because she feared Emma was using her. Addison never wanted Emma to feel anything less than loved. It had taken a while for Addison to grow bolder in their lovemaking. She also knew that Emma was hesitant at times to verbalize her desires. The way each approached their intimate life created an interesting dynamic.
In her past, Addison had been more adventurous in the bedroom. She had never simply had sex with Emma. That was a departure from her previous relationships and experiences. No matter where they ventured, Addison always felt loved and endeavored to cherish Emma at the same time. Emma’s gift was a request and an admission. Addison understood it completely. She suddenly understood the tentative tone of Emma’s voice that belied Emma’s confident words as she left. She took a deep breath and removed her present from the box with a smile.
Emma emerged from the bathroom in a black negligee. Her hair fell freely down her back in loose curls.
Addison was lying on her side in bed with the sheet over her. Emma smiled nervously. “Come here,” Addison called to her.
Emma complied with Addison’s direction and made her way to the bed tentatively. Addison pulled Emma to sit over her hips. She looked up at a pair of hopeful, yet apprehensive eyes and smiled. Addison let her hands travel over the silky fabric that clung to Emma’s body slowly. “So far, I am enjoying Act II,” she told Emma.
Emma sighed as Addison’s hands caressed her hips and back, and methodically made their way to brush over her breasts. She closed her eyes as Addison lightly grazed her nipples through the soft material that covered them.
Addison watched Emma’s expressions change gradually as she explored Emma’s body gently. She had intended all day to make love to Emma slowly and tenderly. Emma’s evening of surprises only fueled that need more. She intended to silence all of Emma’s fears about their intimate life. She would give Emma anything within her power. She never wanted Emma to question that for even a moment. She never wanted Emma to hold back out of fear.
“Do you know how beautiful you are?” Addison asked.
Emma opened her eyes and looked down at Addison. Addison’s eyes had darkened with desire as her gaze and her hands traveled over Emma’s body simultaneously.
“I know that you make me feel beautiful,” Emma said with a sigh.
That was the truth. Emma had never considered herself physically attractive. She often found herself laughing at the comments made in magazines about her physical appearance. It’s not that she thought she was unattractive. Emma simply never regarded herself as anything beyond ordinary. Addison made her feel like the sexiest woman on earth. It didn’t matter whether Emma was wearing an expensive evening gown, her wedding dress, a pair of baggy sweatpants or whether she wore a sexy, black negligée. When Addison looked at Emma, when Addison touched Emma, the world fell away. The only thing that existed for Emma was Addison. It made her feel special and beautiful. It made her feel alive.
Addison sat up slightly and captured Emma’s lips. She traced over them lightly with her tongue until Emma invited her in. Their tongues entwined gently at first. Gradually, the tenderness of their dance grew in intensity and became an impassioned exploration filled with desire and anticipation.
Addison slipped her hand under the black silk that fell over Emma’s curves. Emma’s skin was soft and inviting. She caressed Emma’s thighs as Emma began to move sensually above her. Addison leaned in and tempted one of Emma’s nipples through the fabric. Emma moaned and threw her head back in response.
Addison kept her gaze set on Emma’s changing expressions. Emma’s lips would part slightly for a moment. In an instant, she would grab hold of her bottom lip with her teeth and tug at it in an effort to calm the steady escalation of her desire. Addison noted Emma’s arousal in the flush of Emma’s skin. She was enthralled by the sight of Emma above her, the way Emma moved, and the way her skin flushed to a warm pink. A surge of passion stirred Addison’s arousal. Her skin tingled from watching Emma. Emma moved like a dancer, graceful and fluid. Addison finally allowed her hands to drift upwards and cupped Emma’s breasts.
Emma opened her eyes and offered Addison a pleading gaze. Addison ran her fingertips lightly across both of Emma’s nipples. The tenderness in Addison’s touch took Emma’s breath away. She closed her eyes again just as Addison shifted and deliberately flipped Emma to lie beneath her.
Addison looked down at Emma and smiled lovingly. She said nothing. A hint of insecurity lingered in Emma’s eyes. Addison set out to banish it.
Emma brushed the hair from Addison’s eyes and smiled back.
Addison dropped a trail of kisses down Emma’s throat, tasting the skin beneath her lips and nipping lightly at Emma’s pulse point. She felt Emma’s fingers entwine in her hair, guiding Addison’s exploration as it wandered in a search to discover every inch of Emma’s body.
“Addy,” Emma called to her lover.
Addison pulled up and looked into Emma’s eyes. They were glistening with the emotion of unshed tears. Addison kissed Emma gently.
“I—” Emma stammered.
“Shh,” Addison comforted Emma’s apprehension. “I love you, Em.”
Emma closed her eyes in submission as Addison’s fingers slipped between her legs and stroked her softly. Her hips rose of their own accord, and Addison responded by positioning herself directly above Emma. Emma jumped slightly when she felt the unfamiliar sensation of her gift to Addison as Addison rubbed it against her.
“Relax,” Addison instructed Emma.
Adventure had found its way into their lovemaking a few times. This was new territory for them as a couple. Addison did not need Emma to say a word to understand Emma’s concerns. Would Addison somehow be threatened by Emma’s need or request to add toys to their lovemaking? Addison had some experience in making love this way. She often imagined making love to Emma like this, but she never told Emma that. She wasn’t sure how Emma would feel about the introduction of something other than their bodies together. She let Emma lead their dance.
Addison kissed Emma as she teased her with the phallus that was attached to her waist. “Relax, Em,” she repeated softly. She heard Emma release an anxious breath and delicately slipped inside of her. Emma groaned slightly against the intrusion, and Addison pulled back slowly. She felt Emma’s fingers press into her back firmly and she thrust forward gently again.
