Gun Brooke - Course of Action

"I mean, move in with me during the filming." Annelie swallowed, realizing she was backtracking. "The studio's nearby, so it'll cut your travel time. And I can't imagine you not coming home to me. If you feel crowded…you can always go back to your place." Annelie hated how pleading she sounded. This is too soon. She's going to turn me down. Holding her breath, she waited for Carolyn to say something.

"You sure?" Carolyn's voice was noncommittal.

"Very sure." Am I? Yes, I am. I want this so much.

Carolyn kissed Annelie firmly, then smiled wryly. "All right. I'll stop by my place and pack some things. I'd love to stay here." Carolyn's eyes began to twinkle. "Of course, I'm only doing it for one reason."

Annelie exhaled, the tension starting to leave her. "Really?" She quirked an eyebrow.

"The pool," Carolyn deadpanned.

Stunned at how quickly Carolyn could distract her, Annelie chuckled. "Naturally. The pool." Then her laughter broke free as she hugged Carolyn. "I'll love having you here. I may not let you leave." Realizing she'd spoken again without thinking, she stopped laughing and put a hand to her mouth.

Carolyn seemed unaware of her lover's discomfort. "You may have to pry me out of here with a screwdriver."

Relaxing, Annelie reveled in Carolyn's embrace and their morning ritual of showering together. Maybe now I can make it through the day .

"I'll be back fairly early," Carolyn said. "If you need anything or just want to talk, call my cell."

"I don't want to bother you…"

Carolyn grasped Annelie's shoulders gently and looked at her firmly. "Listen to me, love. You can never bother me."

"I hate feeling this vulnerable. I feel like apologizing."

"Not to me, and not to anyone else." Carolyn leaned forward, brushing her lips over Annelie's. "You're going to work from home today too, aren't you?"

"Yes, I'll be here. Hiding."

"Annie, you don't owe anyone any explanations. You're just waiting to hear what Margo finds out. Then we'll decide what road to take. That's it."

But I feel like such a coward. I'm not used to hiding and letting other people fight my battles. Still, Carolyn's probably right. "All right. I've got a ton of work to do." Annelie smiled wistfully. "Hopefully time will fly. "

"I'll hurry home," Carolyn promised. "Gotta run."

Annelie switched on her computer and heard its muted hiss. Sipping some hot Earl Grey tea, she was happy to see Kitty's name in her inbox. Soon she was looking at her friend's smiling face with Sam at a South Beach restaurant.

Raising the mug again to her lips, Annelie blew on the steaming tea and read.

From: Kitty McNeil Subject: What's going on?

Hello babe!

What's happening in your neck of the woods? Sam and I watched E! News today, and your pretty face was plastered all over the damn thing. Are they insane? This is even more proof the press is only out to make a fast buck—not check their sources! What can a hardworking ex-journo like me say to redeem my former profession? Honestly, it's the fat cats at the top controlling this. If they'd bothered to check, they'd have known what a deadbeat your dad is! Damn, this makes me so mad!

If there's anything I can do, don't hesitate to ask—I'll try to call you tonight if I can figure out the time difference again. I'll set the alarm if I have to.

Oh, by the way, I visited the Diana Maddox official Web site and saw there's going to be another convention in L.A. this weekend. Are you going to be there

with the cast? In that case—pictures, please!

Love you, gorgeous. Don't let them get to you.

Kitty

Kitty didn't know about Carolyn and her. Suddenly she longed to talk to her and reached for the phone, but was startled when it rang.

"Hello?"

"It's me." The familiar husky voice surprised Annelie and made her throat ache with unshed tears.

"Carolyn. Did you forget something?"

"Not a thing. I just wanted to hear your voice before I got to the studio. I miss you."

Feeling as if her heart settled in the softest of cotton, Annelie released a wistful sigh. "I miss you too. Are we being silly?"

"Of course not. Will you be all right, love?"

"Yes. I'll be fine." Now that you've called .

"Good. Guess I needed to hear that. Oh, we're here. Talk to you later." A kiss sounded through the phone.

"Love you. Have fun, Carolyn."

"I will. Ciao."

Annelie leaned back into her chair. It's unbelievable how she reaches deep down inside me. All she has to do is speak. The words don't matter. It's how she sounds. Carolyn's voice resonated within her, warming her. Stretching and finding it easier to breathe, Annelie reached for her mouse and started to work.

***

Carolyn glanced around the bedroom of her apartment, checking to see if she needed anything else. After putting some clothes and toiletries into two large suitcases, she paused, reaching for her phone and dialing Annelie's number. The soft alto voice replied immediately.

"Peterson."

"Hi, love, it's me. I'm at the apartment and almost done packing."

"Good. I miss you."

"I'll be home soon." Home. Carolyn smiled to herself. "How was your day, Annie?" She pressed the last of her items down into one of the bags, closing it with one hand as she held the phone closer to her ear.

"Long, but okay. By the way, Margo's coming over later with more information."

Carolyn hesitated. "Look, if you need privacy while…"

"No, no. I need you. I want you here when she comes."

Carolyn's heart melted at Annelie's hurried tone. "We're in this together, love. I'll be home soon. Want me to pick you up anything?"

"No, just come home."

"I'll just grab my mail and leave. I'll have it forwarded to your address, if it's okay."

"Certainly. Good idea."

"See you soon." Carolyn placed two fingers to her lips and blew a loud kiss at the phone. Annelie's soft laugh was well worth it.

"Soon."

***

What will she think of me, meeting her by the door like this? Waiting in the open doorway for the elevator to reach the fifteenth floor, Annelie felt her face grow warm when she thought about how needy she must seem. After a muted ping, Carolyn exited, followed by an enthralled doorman pulling her suitcases behind him. God, she's beautiful, even when she's worn-out.

"Thank you so much for your help. I'm fine now." Carolyn tipped him generously, and then she and Annelie pulled the bags over the threshold. "Hello. I'm home."

Closing the door, Annelie wrapped her arms around her lover and hugged her close. "Yes, you are, and it feels so good to hold you." Softly kissing Carolyn's lips, she pulled back a little. "You look tired."

"Long day. We're all set for the promotion picture shoot tomorrow. Regina and I finally settled for a look. Simple but modern." Carolyn continued to tell Annelie how a crowd of fans had been waiting in front of her apartment when she dropped by to pack. "I had no idea they could find out where I live. My number's unlisted."

Annelie frowned. "They have their ways. I've always made sure nobody knows where I live. I'm really glad now."

Carolyn had pulled one of her bags into the bedroom. "Me too. Where do you want me to unpack my things?"

"In that closet and the drawers over there. I'll help you later. Margo should be here in"—she checked her watch—"twenty minutes. I ordered Italian for us, and it's staying warm in the oven."

"Without the cardboard plate, I hope?" Carolyn raised an eyebrow, making Annelie smile.

"No cardboard plates." She walked up to her lover, enfolding her in another embrace. "No fires today…well, at least not in the kitchen." Leaning down, she traced Carolyn's lips with her tongue, coaxing her to open her mouth. "Mmm…oh, yes." Annelie deepened the kiss while stroking Carolyn's back underneath her jacket.