Course of Action Page 15

  “And I pulled back.”

  “I thought I’d offended you. When you explained, I was prepared to accept and respect your standpoint.” Carolyn smiled ruefully. “After the convention, which frankly was quite the ego trip, I was on such an emotional high. I was feeling giddy, excited, and simply unable to wind down. When we were on the couch together and you looked so beautiful…oh, God, Annelie…” Reaching out for support, Carolyn took the other woman’s hand in hers. “I was hot and cold at the same time, and more so, I knew I had to hold you. I had no ulterior motives, no thoughts of the next day. I can be a calculating bitch, but I had no plans to seduce you, I swear.”

  Annelie studied her for a moment, as if trying to make up her mind. “I want to believe you. What I couldn’t believe, though, was how your voice, the look on your face, made me feel. I was about to pull back, to leave you alone to watch TV, when I saw the passion in your eyes.”

  “You did pull back, in a way. You never let me touch you, Annie.” The words were hard to say. Carolyn cleared her throat. “I was naked but you never fully undressed.”

  “Self-preservation. I was trying to protect myself somehow.” Annelie paused. “I thought, if she touches me, like I used to fantasize, I’ll break. It wasn’t because I didn’t want you to. I was afraid.”

  “I wanted to touch you, the same way you caressed me, so much. I wanted to know how it felt to make love to you. Not just any woman. You.”

  Annelie’s eyes welled up with tears. Blinking them away, she squeezed Carolyn’s hand hard before she let go. “Me?”

  Carolyn rose on her knees on the couch. Framing Annelie’s face with her hands, she didn’t take her eyes off her lover. “You. I’ll go out on the proverbial limb now and tell you the truth. I have to.”

  Annelie swallowed and pressed her lips together into a thin line. “Will I like it?” she whispered huskily.

  “I don’t know. You might feel awkward or look at me with pity. Or you might give me a chance, despite your principles.” Carolyn let one of her hands stroke Annelie’s hair down to her ponytail. Freeing it from the large hair clip, she watched as the blond abundance cascaded down around Annelie’s shoulders. “I’m falling for you, Annie. I really am.”

  Annelie gave a muted gasp.

  “It’s true,” Carolyn repeated.

  Annelie suddenly rose, making Carolyn’s hands fall into her lap. She paced back and forth in front of the couch a couple of times, making Carolyn hold her breath, fearing she’d overstepped the final boundary and made her presence in Annelie’s life impossible.

  “Please, Annie.” Her voice was merely a whisper.

  Annelie stopped pacing and knelt in front of her guest. “I have to be blunt, Carolyn. This whole situation scares the living daylights out of me. I’m independent and treasure my freedom. I keep to myself for a lot of reasons. Now…having you here…I’m afraid! You have a reputation for doing just about anything to get what you want—even if it means sleeping your way to it. How can I possibly know this isn’t just part of your plan?”

  Knowing there could be no excuses if she was going to stand a chance with Annelie, Carolyn reached out and pulled the visibly distraught woman up next to her on the couch. “Some of those rumors are true, and I deserve to be criticized for some of the things I’ve done, especially in my younger days. But listen to me. This is important.

  “I have never cheated on anyone. I have never had a one-night stand with anyone to get ahead. I’ve schemed and also lied, fought tooth and nail for roles, but I’ve never willingly or deliberately lied about personal feelings.

  “Grey constantly tells me I’m too frank for this business—he could be right.” Forcing herself to stay calm, Carolyn sighed. “I care about you. I don’t want to lose what I’ve found with you. That’s why I’d rather tear up the contracts than risk—”

  “No, don’t even say that.” Annelie’s eyes probed hers. “If I’m to take a chance on you…on this…it will be my decision, based on how I feel—not on how much you’re prepared to prove or give up.”

  Carolyn held her breath when Annelie leaned forward, sliding her hand underneath Carolyn’s hair, caressing the soft skin on her neck.

  “Carolyn, tell me. Will you spend the night? Will you sleep next to me and, I mean, just sleep? Things are moving too fast, and I’m afraid of doing the wrong thing. I don’t want you to go, but I don’t want us to rush headlong into it—making love. Not yet. Last Saturday we ended up in something way too soon. We couldn’t resist each other, and we risked destroying a budding friendship and a great working relationship. Now, as I said, I don’t want you to go. Please stay?”

  Taken aback, Carolyn nodded. “I don’t want to go either. I’d love to stay all night. We’ll take it slow. We can take it at any pace you like or feel comfortable with, just as long as you know I’m sincere.”

  Annelie looked intently at Carolyn. “There’s still so much to settle, to learn, about each other. Is it enough for you if I say I believe in your good intentions?”

  Carolyn realized this was the most she could hope for at this point. “Yes.”

  Suddenly Annelie blushed faintly, looking down at her hands before raising her gaze again.

  “You can have the guest room, if you prefer. I didn’t mean to assume…”

  “Shh. I want to sleep next to you. I don’t want the guest room.”

  *

  Annelie watched Carolyn approach the king-size bed. After they had finished their reheated meal, they had listened to soft music, both of them lost in thought, until bedtime. Annelie’s mind had wandered to how Carolyn had sounded, asking Annelie to trust her motives, without sounding pleading or begging. The whisky voice rose and fell, its timbre setting off the strangest sensations inside her. It was the voice she had admired for so long and yet completely different. Mulling it over, Annelie had finally realized the new qualities, the urgent tone, in the famous voice had been the sincerity so clearly present. And here she comes, dressed in one of my T-shirts. Oh, God, she looks so innocent, shy almost…and so sexy.

  Carolyn climbed into bed, the fragrance of Annelie’s citrus shower gel clinging to her. As she looked at Annelie hesitantly, she raised an eyebrow. “So, where do you want me?”

  Annelie gave a faint smile. “Right here. Any way you want.”

  Poking at the big pile of pillows, Carolyn pushed a large one encased in a satin pillowcase close to Annelie’s right shoulder. Then she settled down next to Annelie without touching her.

  “Comfy yet?”

  “Getting there.” Carolyn moved around a bit.

  “May I assist you, ma’am?” Annelie joked, trying to take some of the tension away.

  “I’m all right, I just…I usually fall asleep on my right side.”

  Annelie’s chest filled with tenderness when she realized Carolyn was feeling shyer than she let on. “Then lie down on your right side. There, that’s it.” She moved until she could almost feel Carolyn’s back. “Lift your head.” She pushed her arm under the pillow. “Now lie down again.”

  She adjusted her position, spooning behind Carolyn, her right arm under her neck, her left hand stretched down along Carolyn’s thigh, touching the naked skin just below the hem of her T-shirt, though feeling no sexual sparks.

  “Comfy?” Annelie repeated.

  “Oh, yes,” Carolyn sighed. “Very.”

  Placing a tender kiss on the auburn hair, Annelie closed her eyes. Nothing could have prepared her for this day. She was playing it by ear now, completely against her normal method of operation.

  Carolyn stirred slightly. “Good night, Annie. Sleep tight.”

  “You too.”

  Chapter Ten

  Jazz music seemed to come out of nowhere. Carolyn stirred, unsure of where she was until she managed to open her eyes and see blond hair cascading across the pillow next to her. Lifting her gaze further, she looked at Annelie’s relaxed face, realizing she was still asleep.

  “Annelie.” Carolyn ge
ntly rubbed the naked shoulder next to her. “Annie, your alarm clock says it’s time to get up.”

  Slowly ice blue eyes opened, and the head next to her turned. “Carolyn?”

  “Yeah, time to wake up.”

  Obviously still half-asleep, Annelie rolled toward Carolyn and wrapped a slender arm around her waist. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning.” Carolyn’s heart raced as she inhaled Annelie’s sweet scent. Unable to resist, she buried her face against her neck, amazed at the softness. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Very well. And you?” Annelie whispered, stroking her hands up and down Carolyn’s back.

  “Dead to the world. I don’t even remember dreaming.”

  Annelie rose on one elbow and looked down at Carolyn. “You look rested,” she murmured. “You look wonderful.”

  “You’re beautiful any time of day, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look this way.” Carolyn traced Annelie’s face with soft fingertips. “No makeup, no jewelry…just you.”

  Annelie smiled faintly and placed a gentle kiss on Carolyn’s forehead. “Time to get up, I’m afraid. I have meetings all day.”

  Carolyn glanced at the alarm clock again. “Seven o’clock…I guess I should go home and change before I meet Grey. He wants to go over some business details with me.”

  Annelie stood up and stretched. Looking at Carolyn, she hesitated. “Want to have lunch today? There’s a nice restaurant a block from the office.”

  Carolyn smiled broadly and rose from the bed. “I’d love to. What time?”

  Walking up to Carolyn, Annelie wrapped her arms around her. “How about one o’clock?” She kissed the top of Carolyn’s head. “You want to hear something silly? I was about to suggest dinner tonight…but suddenly I didn’t think I could wait that long.”

  “That’s not silly,” Carolyn objected. “So, do you want to have dinner tonight?”

  “Yes. We need to talk more, don’t you agree?”

  “I do. And I want to look at you. I can’t seem to get enough of that.”

  Placing her fingertips under Carolyn’s chin, Annelie tipped her head back. She leaned down, kissing her with more tenderness than passion. “We promised to go slow,” she murmured. “Is this slow enough, Carolyn?”

  Wrapping her arms around Annelie’s slender waist, Carolyn rubbed her cheek against her silky tank top after returning the soft kiss. She was still stunned at how Annelie filled her with equal parts of passion, joy, and fear. “Yes, this is slow enough for me.”

  *

  “So you’re meeting Carolyn Black for lunch?” Margo asked while she poured them another cup of tea. She glanced at Annelie. “Is that why you’re blushing, girlie?”

  Annelie dropped the Sweet’n Low dispenser dangerously close to the cup. “What?” She fiddled with the sweeteners before managing to add one to her tea.

  “Aw, come on, Annelie. I’ve known you all your life. You practically bounce in here, cheeks flushed, eyes aglow…I’m not blind.”

  “And certainly not subtle in your approach,” Annelie smirked. “All right. I’m silly enough to be giddy about having lunch with Carolyn.”

  Margo studied her, making Annelie smile sheepishly. “Want to talk about it?” She raised an eyebrow.

  Annelie had worked hard all morning and already finished a productive meeting with her associates. On a small break with Margo in her office, she leaned back against the couch and kicked off her pumps.

  “She’s all wrong for me,” Annelie confessed, “but I can’t stop thinking about her. I simply want to be around her as much as I can.”

  “Are you in love?”

  Annelie’s heart stopped, only to race a second later, pumping color to her cheeks. “I guess I am.”

  “I thought Carolyn Black was straight.”

  “So did I. And she. Now we’re both confused.” Tracing the rim of her cup with a finger, Annelie sighed before continuing. “She says she’s falling for me. We talked all of yesterday evening, and she was very blunt, making no excuses. Still, I’m afraid. I just don’t know if I can trust her. Her reputation isn’t exactly encouraging.”

  “It’s a reputation, not a universal truth. Whatever she did in the past—we know nothing about her motivation, and she certainly didn’t do any of it toward you.”

  “I know.”

  “We can all change. Things can happen in our lives that change everything. You of all people should know that, Annelie.” Margo’s voice was soft. “You won all that money, and it was the start of your new life.”

  Annelie knew the other woman was right. Margo had been with her every step of the way, even long before she began creating a new life for herself. “I’ve known Carolyn for about a month and have become good at spotting when she’s in her professional skin and when she’s just herself. Last Saturday after the convention, as well as last night, she was herself. She let down her guard with me in a way that took courage.”

  “You must be important to her.”

  Annelie sipped her tea. “I believe I am. She stayed the night, and the way she fit in my arms…” She could feel herself blush and was unable to stop a smile. “And before you ask, no, nothing happened.”

  “Oh, girlie, you’ve got it bad.” Margo returned the smile, cupping Annelie’s chin. “I swear, if I thought for a second Carolyn had a hidden agenda, I wouldn’t say this. I’ve seen people circle you like predators, out for your money, influence, or your endorsement for whatever product they’re hustling. I don’t believe she’s one of them. Seeing her come here, practically straight from the airport, gave me the impression very little else but you mattered to her.”

  Annelie’s eyes widened at Margo’s candid words. The Irishwoman was not easily fooled, and to hear her speak this openly about Carolyn meant a lot.

  “Anyway, I have no idea where this is going,” Annelie confessed, “but I know I’m not about to let her slip away from me. I’ve dreamed about getting to know her for years. Now that I’m starting to, she’s everything I thought and more.”

  “Then go to lunch with her, talk to her, and learn who she really is.”

  “I will.” Annelie glanced at her watch. “I’ve got a few more things to do, and then I’m out of here for an hour or so.”

  Margo drank the last of her tea and winked as she set the cup down. “Have fun.”

  *

  Grey Parker rushed through the reception area, greeting Carolyn as soon as she stepped inside the door.

  “There you are!” He beamed before turning to his assistant. “Camilla. Bring us some coffee and those chocolate biscotti, please.”

  Guiding Carolyn into his office, the balding agent grinned at her. “So, sweetheart, I’m taking the best care of you possible. I had Camilla work out the details yesterday. She printed your schedule for the three films and the conventions. You’ll be busy the next three years, darling, but not to worry. It’s a comfortable pace. You start preparing to shoot Dying for Fame in about two weeks.” He pulled out a chair for Carolyn.

  “Have you gotten the script yet? Any news of who’s going to play Erica Becker and Gordon Fisher?”

  “I’ve got it all under control. Chatted up Greg Horton, of course. You’ll all get your scripts Friday at the big press conference at the Pierre.” He handed Carolyn a document. “Here’s the schedule for that, by the way. Starts at two o’clock on the dot, and the media will get a chance to talk to you, Harvey Davidson, and Helen St. Cyr.”

  “I was hoping for Helen and Harvey.” Carolyn smiled broadly. “Will we do individual interviews or a joint session?”

  “Just a joint session at this point. Horton’s saving the individual interviews for the premiere. You know—Leno, Letterman, Conan, the works. You’re going to be very busy, my dear. I also renegotiated the contracts for the three commercials you were supposed to do for the Volvo Corporation. Have to earn my keep, you know.”

  Carolyn had to laugh at her agent’s obvious delight. She remembered how she, as a young
actress, had practically stalked him until he agreed to see her. Their cooperation had been fruitful during the years, and now she considered him a friend.

  “Good. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the fact I’m going to play Maddox, let alone all the stuff that comes with it,” Carolyn confessed. “I can’t even begin to fathom the idea that this is just the beginning.”

  “You’ll be identified as Maddox worldwide, sweetheart. The books have already been translated into ten languages. The Internet will probably overflow with rumors the next few days.”

  Carolyn smiled, shaking her head. “From what I experienced with the Maddox fans at the convention, there’s no doubt about that.” She reached for her bag. “Well, I’m on my way to have lunch, so I’ll get out of your hair. Do you have the contracts I signed handy, by the way? I can take them with me.”

  Grey raised his eyebrows. “I told Camilla to send them by courier down to Supernova.”

  “I’m lunching with Annelie Peterson, so thought I’d give them directly to her.”

  Fortunately the courier hadn’t arrived yet, so Camilla handed Carolyn the thick envelope containing Supernova’s copies.

  As Grey walked her to the door, he gave Carolyn’s shoulders a friendly squeeze. “My best to the lovely Ms. Peterson, my dear.”

  “Of course.”

  Walking out the door and crossing the hallway to reach the elevators, Carolyn was already thinking about Annelie. It was only hours since they’d parted after a quick cup of coffee, and yet she couldn’t wait to see her.

  *

  Annelie spotted Carolyn taking a sip of mineral water and smiled as she glided toward her famous friend.

  “Hi, you.”

  “Hi.” Annelie sat down next to Carolyn. “How’s your day going?”