Deeper

by Ronica Black

  “That was beautiful,” she told Liz.

  “It was good,” Liz replied, her focus serious. She moved quickly to the director with the script in hand, which they both pored over and spoke about softly.

  Erin sighed, still trying to adjust to the fact that the story wasn’t real. Around her people moved about, changing the lighting, changing the set. “Coral” stood in the corner with a cell phone pressed to her ear while “Hazel” downed a bottle of water.

  Rather than continue staring at the actors, wishing their characters were real, Erin took in her surroundings. Erotique Studios was housed in a brand-new building not far from La Femme. Every time they pulled up in the parking lot in front of the large building, Erin was amazed. Liz had taken a small dream of making movies and turned it into a reality. Erin envied and respected her for that.

  Liz returned from her conversation with the director and scribbled on the script. When she looked up Erin noted the dark patches under her eyes.

  “You sure you’re okay?” Erin asked.

  Liz had been especially quiet the previous few days. She’d holed herself up in the study at the house, working well into the night and crawling into bed long after Erin had tossed and turned herself to sleep. In the mornings, she rose before Erin, showered, and headed back into the home office. Her face was perpetually drawn and pale, her reassuring smiles tired and strained. Erin only bothered her to pop in with meals, since her attempts at casual conversation failed every time.

  “I’m okay.” Liz gave a weak smile. “You okay?”

  “As long as you are.”

  They kissed softly. It was the most contact they’d had in days. Erin closed her eyes briefly, allowing the feel and smell of Liz to linger. She was starved for her lover, missing her touch, her laugh, her presence. She gave Liz a smile. She didn’t want her to know just how worried she was and how lost she felt trying to help her. At least today they’d left the house. Erin hoped the change in scenery and getting back into the swing of things would help them both.

  As they headed back toward the offices, a loud voice brought reality smack-dab back in front of them. “Oh, my God. Is it true? Please tell me it’s not true!” Antwon De Maro shrieked, running up to them.

  He fixed Liz with stricken eyes but she brushed past him to continue into her office, the topic obviously off-limits with her. When his gaze swung to Erin she nodded solemnly.

  He covered his mouth with his hand and squealed in horror, “Oh, my God!”

  Erin wiped away tears of her own as she enveloped the makeup artist for a brief hug.

  He continued to share his scattered thoughts, just as he always did. “Who would do such a thing?” He touched Erin’s face. “Are you and Ms. Adams okay?”

  Erin held his hand. “We’re fine. Just a little shook up.”

  They moved farther into the building and Erin offered the other employees a soft smile. Some walked away, content to go back to work, while others remained staring, discreetly whispering.

  “The cops were here, asking all kinds of questions. Even about Ms. Adams.” Antwon sniffed. “Arrogant pricks. Of course, they wouldn’t answer any of my questions. They wouldn’t even say what happened. They said I wasn’t next of kin, so they weren’t obligated to say anything. Bastards.”

  “They’re just doing their job, don’t take it personally.”

  She sat down at the desk she’d been using for weeks and pulled her laptop from her soft briefcase, anxious to do more prodding into the Gillette murder. She’d been compiling the newspaper articles and trying to put the pieces together in her mind. She typed in her password and gave Antwon a pointed look, hoping he’d catch the hint that she needed to work.

  He hugged himself as if he were cold and didn’t budge. His small muscles rippled under the tight-fitting red T-shirt that contrasted nicely with his dark mocha skin. Raising perfectly trimmed eyebrows that matched his goatee, he leaned forward and whispered loudly, “They were asking about Ms. Adams like she might be the one who offed him.”

  Erin held up a hand. “Antwon, I assure you, it was just a routine formality.”

  “I mean, I know Joe and Ms. Adams had their differences, but that doesn’t mean she killed him. Even I thought Joe was a pompous ass, but would that lead me to murder? No, of course not.”

  “Antwon.” Erin tried to calm him down, but it was always difficult to curtail one of his verbal tirades.

  “Bastards. Why in the world would they do that? Come in here like that, asking all sort of crazy questions.”

  “They think she did it,” another voice added, even and confident.

  Both Erin and Antwon focused on the two men who’d just emerged from the sound stage. Reggie Lengel and Don Altman. Don was one of their biggest financial backers and Reggie was one of their bookkeepers.

  “At least that’s the impression I got,” Don added.

  Reggie nodded and gave Erin a regretful look. “Me too.”

  “But why would they think she did it?” Antwon asked, the drama obviously building in his mind.

  “Probably because of her past. This isn’t the first time she’s been accused of murder,” Don answered matter-of-factly.

  “Falsely accused.” Erin stood, the conversation quickly getting on her nerves.

  “That’s true,” Reggie said, but he sounded uncomfortable. It was obvious the whole thing bothered him. He seemed to live a simple, straight and narrow, predictable life and he tried to apply those principles to his work, much to the dismay of some of the other more outgoing employees. “She was cleared of all charges.”

  Erin wanted to scream but she held back. “That’s right. And I don’t think this conversation needs to go any further. Liz had nothing to do with Joe’s or anyone’s death. The cops are just doing their job. Now I suggest we get back to ours.”

  Reggie and Don walked away toward Don’s desk and Erin eased back into her chair. Antwon was still watching her, his eyes full of fear.

  “I’m scared,” he said. “If it could happen to Joe, it could happen to anyone.” He looked around and pointed at some of the lingering actors. “Blake, Tommy, James, any of us.” He glanced back to Don and Reggie. “Even them, the straight guys.” He looked back to Erin. “Or you. Or one of the other lesbians.”

  Erin stopped him, unable to take any more. “Antwon. I’m scared too. So is Liz. But you’re safe here, okay?” She held his gaze. “Just go back to work and try not to think about it. We’ve got two more scenes to shoot this afternoon.”

  “But what about Joe?”

  “What about him?”

  “How are we gonna shoot without him?”

  “Shit.” Erin looked to Liz’s office. The blinds were closed. “We’ll have to find someone else and do his scenes over. Go ahead and get the others ready. We’ll shoot something without Joe’s character for today.”

  She looked down at her laptop. The cursor blinked in the Google box. She folded down the lid. The murder would have to wait. At least for now. She left her desk and headed for Liz’s office.

  Chapter Seven

  “What’s up?” Liz stopped pretending to scribble, knowing she wouldn’t be able to fool Erin.

  “I just realized that the scenes we were supposed to shoot today involve Joe.”

  Liz looked away. The image of the young actor dead and dumped raced into her head. She cleared her throat and regained her composure. “I’ve already spoken with the alternate. He can start tomorrow. I’ve got it under control.”

  “I know,” Erin said softly. “But I was thinking that maybe we should just cancel today’s shoot altogether, at least until tomorrow. Give everyone a little break.”

  Normally Liz would scoff at such a suggestion. Time was money. But everyone had continued to come in to work since the news of Joe’s death, with the exception of her and Erin. Maybe Erin was right.

  “Antwon’s a mess, and the others are talking. I think everyone is freaked out. I know I am.”

  “Leave it to y
ou to worry about everyone’s feelings.” Liz smiled.

  Erin smiled in return. “Someone has to. You’re a ball buster.”

  Liz took in her lover’s shapely legs under the pressed chinos and the weight of her breasts under her tight, thin sweater. Sometimes she couldn’t decide if she liked Erin better with or without clothes. She was beautiful regardless.

  “Come here,” Liz murmured.

  Erin walked around the desk and came to stand before her, straddling her thigh. Liz gripped her backside and pulled her in closer.

  “Do you know how much I love you?” Liz felt her throat tighten with emotion. She hadn’t been able to do anything but throw herself into work for the past few days. Her mind wouldn’t stop and Erin was so full of questions she couldn’t answer that she had just tried to avoid her, and that hurt. What was she going to do?

  Erin touched her face, bringing her back from that cold desolate place of fear and confusion. “Tell me,” she whispered.

  Liz held her hand and kissed it softly. “I wouldn’t know what to do without you.”

  Erin shuddered as Liz’s breath tickled her palm.

  “Someday soon I’m going to marry you. I promise. Things have just been so hectic and…” Liz held her gaze for a long moment. “I’m sorry about all this.”

  “About what?”

  “All this. This new mess, the old mess. Trouble seems to follow me. Maybe you’d be better off without me.” The thought had stabbed at her insides for a long while. Saying it aloud nearly killed her.

  “Hey.” Erin held her face. “Don’t ever say that again. Don’t even think it.”

  Liz started to protest but Erin placed a finger over her lips. “I mean it. You aren’t responsible for any of this.”

  “I’m responsible for you. And for Jay. I need to protect you…”

  Erin dropped down to her knees. “All I need from you is love.”

  Liz swallowed back the stinging anxiety. She managed to smile, her heart swelling in her chest just as it always did when Erin looked at her like that, so full of unconditional love and compassion. But her ribs were tight and confined with guilt. She flinched inwardly, hating those dark feelings. Erin was before her declaring her unconditional love. She should enjoy it. Take it.

  She cupped Erin’s face and drew her in close for a soft, lingering kiss. Erin moaned and Liz felt her own flesh ignite when Erin’s tongue pleaded for permission to enter. She plunged her tongue into Erin’s mouth, this time groaning as Erin kissed her back. Their tongues made love. They swirled and caressed, hungrily, hurriedly. She was always amazed at just how easily and quickly Erin could turn her on. Head and heart pounding, Liz gasped when Erin forced some distance between them, pushing against Liz’s chest.

  “I didn’t come in here to do this,” she rasped before Liz could speak. “We should talk about Joe, about the studio, about what happened. We haven’t talked in days.”

  Liz tightened her grip. No, hell no. Not now. She’d finally torn the situation from her mind and needed the time out. “Let’s not.”

  “But, Liz, it’s not going to go away.”

  “I know. But for right now, let’s just focus on us.” She inched up Erin’s sweater. “Help me get this off.” She hadn’t touched her in a week and the sudden feel of her hot mouth and warm skin made Liz want to throw her against the wall and consume her. She had to have her. Now.

  “The door,” Erin said, concerned.

  “It’s locked. You know that. It locks when you close it.” They’d gone through this countless times before.

  “I know, but I can’t relax until the dead bolt’s locked.” Quickly, Erin stood and rushed to the door.

  Liz watched as she set the top lock and turned back to face her. A knowing smile spread across her face as she walked slowly toward the desk. With each deliberate step she exposed more skin. Liz watched carefully, so wet she could already feel it saturating her underwear.

  “You are so beautiful,” she said. Her cell phone rang, breaking the intensity for only a moment. She silenced it and tossed it aside.

  Erin pinned Liz with a lustful look and then pulled off her sweater and tossed it to her. Liz caught it with one hand and stood, unable to take much more. She rounded the desk but Erin held out a hand to stop her. She unhooked her bra and draped it around Liz’s neck.

  “Fuck,” Liz whispered.

  Erin laughed and pulled her closer by tugging on the bra. “Is that the best word that comes to mind?”

  Liz took in her light brown nipples, already puckering, and imagined them in her mouth. “At the moment, yes.”

  She reached for Erin then, growling as she bit and sucked on her neck. Erin made a noise, one of aching desire as she arched into her. Liz fed furiously, unable to get enough. The scent of her lover, the taste of her skin, the sound of her soft moans, all of it drove Liz’s libido into a tailspin. Hurriedly she unbuttoned Erin’s pants and shoved them down as best she could. She knelt to help Erin out of them and stared in disbelief at Erin’s light brown hairs.

  “Where are your panties?”

  Erin laughed not so innocently. “I must’ve forgot.”

  Liz kissed her thighs lightly and felt her quiver. “Well, here’s to your poor memory.”

  Erin laughed again and then yelped a little as Liz lifted her onto the desk. “What happened to the couch?”

  “Not today.” Liz pushed her back so she was lying down, neat stacks of papers pushed to the side. She ran her hands all over her body, relishing her warmth, her softness, her pleas for more.

  “Take me,” Erin said, her green eyes full of fire.

  It didn’t take much. A few light touches, a few heated kisses, and Erin was always starved and eager for more. Liz spread her legs wide and groaned when Erin took her hand and placed it where she wanted it most. Liz nearly closed her eyes at how hot and impossibly wet she was.

  Erin moaned at her touch and gripped her shoulders. “Now, baby. Now.”

  Head spinning, Liz thrust into her with three firm fingers. Erin cried out and lifted her head and shoulders off the desk, her mouth open, eyes wide with pleasure. Liz pushed onto her and their mouths locked in a dangerous kiss. Liz fucked her mouth and her body, thrusting and pushing, giving and demanding. Erin clung to her, crying out into her mouth.

  Faster and harder Liz fucked her until she felt Erin dig into her shoulders with her short nails. Then Liz slowed, pulling in and out, long and hard and deliberate. She sucked on Erin’s tongue, keeping time with her fingers until Erin groaned loudly.

  “More, Liz. Please, baby. Harder.”

  Liz felt her tighten, felt her throb with need. She kissed her again, feeding her need, pushing her fingers up deep inside. Erin’s body sucked her fingers. Hot, tight, wet walls of spongy muscle clung to her, encased her. Erin cried out again. Liz laughed devilishly as they rocked together, her own swollen flesh grinding against Erin’s thigh. Oh, she felt so good. So perfect, so demanding, so giving.

  “Liz,” Erin panted over and over, her voice giving way to short, rapid breaths as Liz fucked her, faster and faster, deeper and deeper. “I’m gonna come. Oh, God. I’m gonna come.”

  Liz sucked on her ear lobe and whispered, “Come for me, then. Come hard.”

  Erin clamped her mouth to Liz’s neck as her body shook hard with the climax. Her cries were stifled and Liz knew she was trying her best to keep quiet.

  “Just let it out, Erin. Just let it out.” Liz pulled away to watch her.

  Erin arched her back and opened her mouth, but no sound escaped. Liz leaned in and licked slowly up her straining neck, loving every second. Erin coming was the most incredible sight she’d ever seen. And each time was more and more captivating. Liz pumped into her, her own fingers collapsed against one another as Erin’s body held tight and fed.

  “I. Love. You,” Erin finally managed to say, the last of the orgasm sparking through her.

  Liz smiled through the impending darkness, her fingers still up inside where sh
e wished she could disappear forever. “I love you too.”

  *

  Erin smoothed down her sweater and tucked the short strands of her hair behind her ears. She moved quickly but caught the knowing glances from more than one of Liz’s employees. It seemed that no matter how careful or quiet she was, everyone seemed to know what went on in Liz’s office. Of course, exiting with swollen lips and marks on her neck didn’t help any.

  “Shit.” She felt her face heat. She wasn’t used to people knowing about her personal life, especially her intimate life. But try as she might, she just couldn’t tell Liz no, no matter where they were.

  Erin wound her way through to the large wardrobe and dressing area where Antwon sat talking with a couple of the actors. His voice trailed off when he saw her and he stood, a perfect eyebrow lifted curiously.

  Erin willed the heat in her cheeks to cool. “The shoot’s off for today. You guys can go home and get some rest.”

  Tommy grinned. “You did some convincing?”

  “Don’t you all thank me at once.”

  “Damn, girl. You must be good,” Antwon teased.

  Erin rolled her eyes. “I did it for you. I thought you were frightened.”

  “We are. Can’t you tell?” He stood looking like a little teapot, one hand on his hip the other up in the air.

  “Go on, get out of here.”

  “Doing the boss in her office. That’s hot. Damn hot,” Tommy said. “You should write that down.”

  “It would make a great movie,” Blake, another actor, added with an amused grin.

  “I can see it now.” Antwon ran his hand through the air. “Dykes on Desks.”

  Erin’s flush deepened. “Get out of here before I have her fire your asses.”

  Laughter erupted as she walked away. With a sigh, she sat down at her own desk and concentrated on her search.

  Joseph Gillette.

  “Damn.” Nothing new. Part of her was grateful, knowing that anything else might spark talk of Liz and her possible involvement. For now the cops had kept her out of it.