Gun Brooke - Course of Action

Carolyn backed off a little and something in her face altered. Eyes suddenly fiery, she said, "I don't know what you're talking about. You barge in here in the middle of the night, when I'm trying to get some work done. You know how backed up we are. What the hell's going on?" She glared at Annelie, half-playful, half-serious, coaxing her to tread the line between fantasy and reality.

Annelie leaned back on her arms, sitting on the desk the way she'd always imagined Erica would in this scene. "You know very well what's going on," she said, eyes narrowed. "For days you've acted like we're no more than casual acquaintances."

"We're working on a case involving a dead kid, Erica. There's no time for anything personal."

"Don't even go there. If you had your way, you'd skid around this issue, case or not. Why do you think I'm here now, in the middle of the night?" Annelie imagined Erica hurt, distraught, yearning for more than Diana was willing to give. Her tone conveyed her emotions. "Because you're here... alone. And there's nowhere to run."

"You want to talk, so talk." Carolyn stood, arrogant and outrageously desirable, her thighs almost between Annelie's legs. "What the hell's going on? Can you explain that to me? We've worked together for more than two years. We've been to hell and back, witnessed the things monsters do to innocent people, and we've supported each other through all of it. I thought we were friends!"

Annelie raised her hands and took Carolyn by the shoulders, barely able to resist shaking her. "We are friends! We're friends and so much more." She pulled her closer, lips trembling. "I'd give my life for you, Diana."

Carolyn tried to pry Annelie's hands off her shoulders but ended up stroking the soft skin instead. Her hands slid up Annelie's arms to the softness of her neck.

"Oh, God, Erica. If you let me touch you…"

"What are you afraid of? This?" Annelie lowered her hands to Carolyn's waist and drew her so close she could feel the damp of their merging breaths.

***

Carolyn stopped resisting as soon as Annelie's tongue entered her half-open mouth and found hers. Moaning out loud, she kissed Annelie deeply in return, lowering her onto the desk. "All right," she whispered feverishly. "If this is what you want."

"It's all I've ever wanted," Annelie gasped. "You're all I want, Diana. Only you. I've waited so long…for this…"

Carolyn's weight descended on her, sliding between her legs. She pushed Annelie's skirt up and traced the naked skin above her stockings with hands that shook slightly. Devouring her with long kisses, she caressed her way up to the lace and satin of her panties. "So you want me to make you mine here and now?" She rubbed the damp fabric between Annelie's thighs. "No romance, no declaration of love, nothing?"

Annelie went rigid, turning her head away from the insistent words. But she was unable to prevent herself from undulating against the probing fingers. "You don't understand. It doesn't matter…"

Carolyn stopped moving, her hand slowing down. "What do you mean?"

Annelie faced her squarely. "It's impossible to make me yours."

"So it's just sex."

Annelie pushed herself up, sitting on the edge of the desk, Carolyn's hands still between her legs, waiting. "No. Never just sex." Tears ran down her face, and she threw her arms around Carolyn's neck, holding on tight. Her hips started moving against Carolyn's motionless fingers. "Don't you see? It's a done deal. You can't make me yours—I already belong to you."

Carolyn's eyes suddenly brimmed with tears, and she shuddered slightly as she gave in to Annelie, accepting what she offered. Kissing her deeply, she pushed the panties aside and entered her with two fingers, evoking a low moan.

Annelie arched and whimpered as Carolyn took her thoroughly on her desk. Clinging to her, she gasped as yet another finger entered, stretching her. "Diana, please…" She reached inside Carolyn's jacket, her fingers sliding over the gun harness as she unbuttoned the white shirt. Pushing the bra up, she eagerly sought the soft skin so long denied her.

Carolyn whimpered as fingertips found her nipples, the sweet torment increasing her efforts to bring Annelie pleasure . "Oh, yes."

She held Annelie close with one arm, her fingers on the other hand caressing the shivering woman. Feeling her own sex convulsing while Annelie tweaked her nipples, Carolyn didn't take her eyes off her lover for a second. "I love you, Annie…I love you so much."

"And I love you. Don't let go of me."

"I won't. Ever."

The leather couch in the office was useful when the two women needed a more comfortable way to catch their breath while adjusting their clothes.

"I can't believe we did that." Carolyn nuzzled Annelie's cheek. "You bring out the strangest behavior in me sometimes."

"Strange as in good, or strange as in bad ?"

"I'd say this was pretty good. Any better and I'd be unconscious."

Annelie smiled and raised her eyebrows. "You play well, darling."

"And you make an excellent Erica, completely irresistible." Carolyn winked at Annelie. "I always knew playing Maddox would be rewarding. I just didn't know how right I was."

Annelie leaned down for a kiss. "How clever of you. Why don't we go home before the guards begin their rounds, and I'll show you just how many rewards you deserve?"

Returning the kiss with fervor, Carolyn hugged the woman she loved close. "You gorgeous woman, you. You're full of excellent ideas this evening. Yes, let's go home."

Epilogue

Carolyn stood motionless by the balcony railing, her hair the only thing moving in the wind.

Annelie stopped on the threshold, enjoying the view for a moment before walking up to her. "A penny for them?"

Impressed with how Carolyn didn't even flinch, Annelie encircled her lover's waist.

"Just listening to the city. So many lives, crammed into one tiny island."

"Why this philosophical mood?"

Turning, Carolyn cupped Annelie's cheek. "I came out here to get some air after a long day at the studio, and it hit me." She gestured toward the busy city below them. "Can these people possibly be as happy as I am right now?"

A warm glow started in the pit of Annelie's stomach, spreading toward her heart. "Some of them, surely."

"I don't know. I'm here with you. I love you more than anything or anyone. I've never felt like this in my life. Playing Maddox is the role of a lifetime, which will make me financially secure for the rest of my days. I called Beth earlier, and she's doing fine. She'll be home tomorrow. We're blessed with such good, loyal friends…" Tears rose in Carolyn's eyes. "The only cloud is…what if I lost you?"

Annelie took her by the hand. "You won't. Unless I fall under a bus, which I have no plans to do, you're stuck with me." She guided Carolyn into the living room, where a fire crackled in the fireplace. Looking expectantly at Carolyn, Annelie held her breath.

"Oh, my, when did you do this?"

On the floor in front of the fireplace, on a red wool blanket, lay an assortment of cheese and crackers, a bottle of chardonnay, and several large pillows. An Eva Cassidy CD played in the background, her clear voice filling the room.

"While you were deep in your reverie on the balcony. But I admit I planned it in advance. I thought we'd have a romantic evening together, now that we're alone again."

"You're a genius." Carolyn expressed her appreciation with a firm hug, which soon turned into a heated kiss. "Why don't we sit down, and you can pour me some of that wine."

They lounged in front of the fire, arranging the pillows so they could rest comfortably. After filling the rounded crystal glasses, Annelie raised hers. "To us."