Gun Brooke - Course of Action

Carolyn shook her head, giving Leno a somewhat patronizing glance. "I never go into a role thinking it's not a big deal, regardless of who the character is. Playing a lesbian is a first for me, if you don't count doing the Maddox audiobooks, and I intend to do my best to give Maddox credibility and to keep her natural. A certain percentage of all women are lesbians or bisexual—and the concept of love in any way, shape, or form between consenting adults is a good thing, right?"

Looking slightly stunned to be on the receiving end of Carolyn's firm glance, Leno nodded willingly. "Absolutely."

Carolyn was obviously not finished with the subject. "And as for her being tormented and complex, that has more to do with her persona than her sexual preference." Carolyn delivered the correction with an enticing smile, but her voice was forceful.

Leno reached for his tie knot, only to stop halfway. Clearing his voice, he returned the smile. "Now, I only have one final question."

"Shoot."

"Are you going to do all the stunts yourself? I know from the books there's some nudity, for instance."

Carolyn rolled her eyes, making the audience giggle. "Jay, you have a one-track mind. Well, in my contract, I've agreed to partial nudity when it's called for in the story." She leaned toward Leno, putting a hand on his arm. "I suppose by ‘stunts' you're also talking about the love scenes?"

"Eh…yeah."

"The only time I'd demand a stand-in or a stunt woman to take my place would be if it concerned…cooking."

The audience roared, and Leno laughed along with them. Annelie knew Carolyn was in control of the show and admired the way she charmed both her host and the spectators.

"I know I said that was my final question, but, if you'll indulge me, what are your plans for tonight? Are you going to paint the town with your colleagues and Ms. Peterson or…?"

Carolyn smiled wistfully. "You know, I'm going straight to bed. Tomorrow will be a long day, and I want to be at my best for the people attending the convention. They're even coming from Europe and Australia."

"Well, we've certainly enjoyed having you here on the show, Carolyn. Thank you so much for coming."

Carolyn rose and took a bow as applause thundered, then left the stage. Normally, Leno's guests remained on his couch, but Carolyn had refused to stay longer than her slot.

Annelie rose and turned to Gregory. "Wasn't she great?"

"Outstanding. She charmed them all. They'll want her back when the movie premieres."

"I'm sure they will."

The door opened and Carolyn entered, with sparkling eyes and a broad smile on her face. "All done," she proclaimed, energy vibrating in her voice. "We can leave right away, can't we?"

"Sure. Are you in a hurry?" Annelie raised her eyebrows.

"I want to get back to the hotel and order something from room service. I'm starving."

"Your wish is my command. We have an early start tomorrow."

Carolyn walked up to Annelie and studied her closely. "I was okay, right?"

Annelie wanted to stroke her lover's cheek, but decided not to since studio personnel were present. "You were awesome. Come on."

Hearing loud music from the house band in the background, Annelie noticed a new bounce in Carolyn's walk as they left the studio, making her realize her lover was on her performance high. When Annelie felt a soft caress of Carolyn's hand on her own, a thumb stealthily rubbing her palm, she shivered and glanced at her.

"Behave."

Carolyn smiled innocently. "All right."

***

They barely made it over the threshold.

Annelie turned to close the door, and Carolyn leaned past her, shutting it with the palm of her hand and locking the deadbolt. Pushing Annelie against the wall, she slipped her hands eagerly under her white silk shirt and stroked the skin on her stomach.

"Carolyn?" Annelie managed, before the other woman claimed her mouth, parting her lips in a passionate kiss. "You were going to call room service…"

"Shh." Carolyn pushed Annelie's jacket off her shoulders while she kissed her way inside the shirt she was unbuttoning. Tracing the delicate collarbones with open-mouth kisses, she made Annelie moan as she pushed down the shoulder straps of her bra and let it fall to the floor, together with her shirt.

"You're so beautiful," Carolyn murmured. "Exquisite." She closed her lips over a taut nipple, making Annelie arch into the touch. She nibbled Annelie's breast just the way she liked, making her gasp with pleasure and almost moan with pain.

"You're insatiable," Annelie gulped. "What brought this on?"

Carolyn didn't answer. Instead, she unbuttoned her lover's black slacks, pushing them down her hips. Annelie stepped out of them, watching in awe as Carolyn suddenly knelt in front of her, sliding her lace panties down next. Slowly, interrupting her intentions by placing kisses on Annelie's thighs, she undressed her completely. Carolyn's beauty, her dark eyes brimming with desire, made Annelie's heart ache.

Carolyn began to caress her way up. Carefully letting her nails trail up along the smooth thighs, she closed in on the blond tuft of hair, making Annelie tremble.

"Come on, love, spread your legs for me," Carolyn encouraged. "That's it…more…I want to look at you."

Feeling utterly vulnerable and even more aroused, Annelie complied. Carolyn had often taken the initiative in making love, but never like this. The contrast between Carolyn's elegant appearance and Annelie's own nakedness added to the feeling of being exposed. Yet it was such a thrill.

Annelie gasped when gentle fingers parted her folds, carefully exploring. Carolyn rose to her feet, her hand still working between Annelie's legs. "So wet," she whispered. "For me?"

"Yes." Feeling vulnerable about her body's reaction, but unashamed, Annelie closed her eyes at the tender examination. She ached for Carolyn's touch, knowing how her lover could feast on her, drive her toward the abyss with her mouth. "Only for you…"

Watching Carolyn slowly undress, Annelie noticed her lover's hands were shaking. She moved toward her, close enough for Carolyn to feel the heat radiating from her body, then wrapped her arms around her, pulling her tight against her naked frame. Lowering her head, she devoured Carolyn's lips in an endless kiss.

As she pulled back, she gazed into Carolyn's hypnotic eyes— narrow slits shining with desire.

"You drive me insane," Carolyn confessed. "Your voice, your body…your touch. You make me want to do…" Her voice trailed off as she suddenly blushed.

"What?" Annelie whispered, cupping the back of Carolyn's head. "Tell me."

Reaching for Annelie's breasts, Carolyn let her thumbs work the nipples relentlessly. "I have fantasies…" She pushed her thigh between Annelie's. "About us. Doing things."

Oh, God. Annelie swallowed, her head swimming with the sensations raging through her body. The slender thigh between hers made more moisture pool at her center. "And what do we do in your fantasies?" she asked.

Carolyn leaned down and took one of Annelie's aching nipples in her mouth, sucking it for agonizing seconds before replying. "For some reason, I have this image in my head…" Her hand slipped in between their bodies, finding the aching ridge of nerves between Annelie's folds and rubbing it in slow circles. "…of you, on your knees, on a chair, holding on to the backrest ..." Her fingers pushed farther ahead, spreading the wetness. "…and me, behind you, exploring all of you."

Two fingers entered Annelie, curling inside her until they found the spot that made her go rigid. "And you ask me to take you, to make you mine…" The fingers began an in-and-out motion while she kissed Annelie's neck, her tongue painting a blazing trail along her jaw. "You whimper my name, and I have access to any part of you I want. Nothing's taboo. You want me to take it all."