The Long Shot

by A. L. Brooks

  The doorbell rang, breaking the spell. Morgan lifted her head, her eyes unfocused, although she kept Adrienne pressed close against her.

  “Ah, shit!” Morgan muttered. “I completely forgot about that.”

  “What?” Adrienne murmured, and she leaned in to kiss along the line of Morgan’s jaw, delighting in the shudder that rippled through the body in her arms.

  Morgan chuckled as the doorbell rang a second time. “That’s the grocery delivery. I’d better answer, or we’ll go pretty hungry this evening.”

  Adrienne smiled up at her. “Well, yes. You promised me dinner after all, and you’d better deliver.”

  With a smirk, Morgan pulled way. “All right, smart-ass.”

  “But be quick,” Adrienne said, her voice even huskier than before, her body already missing Morgan’s touch.

  “Jesus,” Morgan murmured, before she stumbled backward out of the kitchen.

  Chapter 16

  After tipping the delivery guy, Morgan closed the front door and leaned against it. She needed a moment to…breathe. The kiss in the kitchen had been every bit as electrifying as the one in the elevator, albeit gentler and more tender. She was almost afraid of what might happen next, given how intense her desire was after that far-too-brief moment. The feel of Adrienne in her arms made her forget her own name, and the loss of control bordered on overwhelming. She’d never fully let go with Naomi, scared to fall too deep, but with Adrienne, holding back really didn’t seem like an option. Her heart fluttered at the thought.

  She took a couple more deep breaths, then straightened her shoulders. Come on, you’re a grown-up. Get back in that kitchen and focus on spending the evening with Adrienne. Whatever happens will happen.

  The two bags were reasonably heavy—possibly she’d gone overboard in her eagerness to prepare them a special meal—and she chuckled as she picked them up and carried them down the hallway.

  When she entered the kitchen, Adrienne sat at the table, talking on her phone, and rolled her eyes at Morgan as she listened to whoever was on the other end.

  Morgan smiled and set about unloading the bags.

  “Yes, Daniel, I know. But I’ve literally just completed that last segment with Morgan Spencer, and we’re well on track.” Adrienne sounded tense, and Morgan occasionally glanced at her as she arranged the groceries on the countertop. “Yes, the budget will be fine, I promise.” Another pause as whoever this Daniel person was said more. “No, absolutely not! I’ve already got Annika ready to go the minute the film’s wrapped. With all due respect to Ms. Thomson, she’s not in Annika’s league. I don’t care who she knows or what she’s threatening.” Adrienne rubbed her forehead with her free hand. “Daniel, do you want this film done properly or not? Right, in that case, you have to trust me, okay? Right, fine. Yes, I’ll catch up with you then.”

  After ending the call, Adrienne mimicked smashing the phone on the table, then dropped it carefully into her purse instead.

  “Trouble?” Morgan asked, leaning against the counter. She wanted to walk around it and wrap Adrienne back up in her arms, but there was a tension in Adrienne’s shoulders that gave her pause.

  Adrienne rolled her neck a few times before answering. “I’m not sure.” She sighed. “That was my boss, Daniel McGovern. It seems Cindy Thomson might be trying to muscle her way into this film. Remember she was talking to me the other day?”

  “When she dropped some hint that she thought there was something between us?”

  “Yes. Well prior to that, she offered to do the voiceover for the film. It seems she didn’t take my ‘no, thanks’ well and has been putting some pressure on a couple of the directors of the company. Apparently made some veiled threat about making things difficult for us if she doesn’t get her way.”

  Morgan stared at Adrienne. “Are you worried?”

  “A little,” Adrienne admitted. A frown marred her features. “I’m not sure what she knows and whether she’d find a willing ear to listen to it. So far, it seems the directors think she’s playing a silly game and are happy to ignore her, but she has a history of doing this to me, so I’m concerned, yes.”

  Now Morgan did walk around the breakfast bar to the table, where she placed a comforting hand on Adrienne’s back and rubbed soothing circles.

  “Sorry,” Adrienne said, a rueful smile on her face. “It seems the, um, lovely mood we’d created has been shattered.”

  “Hey, it’s okay. Not your fault.” Morgan gave what she hoped was an encouraging smile. “We’ve got all evening. I’m sure we can find our way back there again if we want.”

  Adrienne smiled too and hooked an arm around Morgan’s waist. “Maybe we can. I mean, it seems as if my big plan to not pursue this”—she pointed between them—“until after we’ve finished filming has gone up in flames anyway.”

  Morgan laughed, leaned down, and kissed the top of Adrienne’s head. “How about you let me make you that dinner now, then? And we’ll just see how things…develop?”

  Adrienne blinked. “Sounds good.”

  “Morgan, is there anything you can’t do?” Adrienne asked in mock exasperation after she swallowed her second bite of the incredible dish before her. “This is delicious!”

  Morgan blushed sweetly. “Thanks, I’m really glad you like it.”

  Adrienne loaded her fork with fish, wild mushrooms, and a swipe of the delicate truffle sauce and chewed contentedly. “Who taught you to cook?”

  “Well,” Morgan said after taking a sip of her water. “I learned quite a bit from my mom when I was growing up. But we also ate out a lot, and each time a dish wowed me, I’d experiment with trying to recreate it at home. This one,” she said, pointing her fork at her plate, “I had in London at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Kensington. I’m sure mine is only half as good as theirs, but I love the flavor combination, and I’ve cooked this a few times since.”

  “To impress the women?” Adrienne asked, and she smirked, even though her question made her stomach churn with a mild jealousy that was definitely unbecoming.

  Morgan snorted. “Hardly.” She sighed and shook her head. “Adrienne, I think you have this idea that I’ve played the field. Is it because I’m younger? I mean, at the risk of sounding rude, I’d imagine you’ve had more partners than I have.”

  She sounded mildly irritated, and Adrienne was immediately contrite. “I’m sorry. You’re right. That was a cheap shot.” She sat back in her chair and met Morgan’s gaze. “I know I need to get away from this issue with our age disparity, and I promise to do better.”

  Morgan nodded and relaxed visibly. “For the record, you’re only the third woman I’ve…dated. Are we dating?”

  She looked so unsure of herself, Adrienne had to physically resist the urge to throw herself across the table and hug her. “I think that’s a word we could use,” she said with a smile. Then she grinned wryly. “And yes, you’re right. I have had more partners than you. Though not by much—you’re number six.”

  “Well, okay. That doesn’t actually make me feel so bad.”

  “Why would you feel bad?” Adrienne was mystified.

  Morgan fiddled with her fork. “Um, well, because you’re… Well, I just assumed you would have more, um, experience than me, and I was a little worried I, you know, wouldn’t measure up.”

  “Oh my God, you are… I don’t even know what to say.” She reached across the table, her heart pounding, and ran her hand over Morgan’s. “Trust me, that is not something you need to worry about. Whenever we…take things further, there’s not going to be any scorecards involved.” She smiled as Morgan chuckled. “It seems we both have some issues with confidence. I mean, I still can’t believe someone as wonderful as you is interested in someone like me. So please don’t sell yourself short.”

  Morgan’s smile was slow but lit up her face. “Well, then I’d say the same to you. You’re inc
redible and beautiful, and I’m honored you’re here with me now.”

  Adrienne swallowed the lump in her throat. “Well, okay then,” she said. She pointed at her plate. “Now that we’ve got that settled, I’m going to finish this amazing meal, okay?”

  Morgan nodded and smiled, then released Adrienne’s hand. “Yes, let’s eat.”

  After eating, they cleared the dishes together, chatting about anything that popped into their heads. The more they talked, the more Adrienne realized that Morgan’s age was immaterial. She was sharp, knowledgeable about many subjects, and a good listener. The only thing that kept niggling at Adrienne’s mind was the thought of getting more physical with Morgan. Not that she didn’t want to—far from it. But that was the one area where their age difference still bothered her.

  Morgan was fit—super fit—and lithe and, well, owned a body only thirty-one years old. Adrienne, while not exactly out of shape, hadn’t been to a gym in about two years, couldn’t touch her toes anymore, and had knees that creaked alarmingly whenever she sat down too quickly. And there were wrinkles in many places other than her face. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more her panic rose and the idea of ever being able to get naked with Morgan seemed ridiculous.

  They finished loading the dishwasher, then Morgan stepped away to wipe the table. Adrienne watched her, mesmerized by the play of her muscles under the short sleeves of her checkered shirt. Such an incredible physique, and, oh God, I so do not compare with that. Adrienne’s gaze drifted, her eyes unfocused as her thoughts enveloped her.

  The heat from Morgan’s body behind her startled her. Morgan wrapped her arms around her and nuzzled her neck. Shivers careered down Adrienne’s spine, setting off a chain reaction somewhere south of her belly.

  “You okay?” Morgan murmured. “You’ve disappeared on me.” Then she tensed. “Sorry, is this okay?”

  “Mm, yes,” Adrienne said softly. “I’m sorry, I just…drifted.”

  She couldn’t tell her, not yet. Besides, it wasn’t like it was going to happen tonight anyway. Adrienne was not a sex-on-the-first-date kind of woman.

  “Want to get comfy on the couch?” Morgan asked. Her lips, less than an inch from Adrienne’s ear, sent pulses of heat throbbing along Adrienne’s shoulders and collarbone.

  It’s been so long since I felt like this. And it had been. When the dust had settled from Paula’s departure, Adrienne had come to the realization that they hadn’t been intimate for at least the last year of their relationship—and Adrienne hadn’t noticed. Of course, Adrienne realized much later, Paula hadn’t mentioned it because she was already finding intimacy elsewhere. Adrienne pushed back her irritation at that thought and concentrated on the sensation of Morgan’s arms encircling her.

  Over two years since someone had touched her so intimately, and while it felt wonderful, it was also unnerving. Sensations she’d forgotten she could experience were sending her synapses crazy.

  “Couch…would be…good,” she managed to stammer out as Morgan’s lips moved to the back of her neck and kissed a sweet trail across her skin.

  Morgan chuckled and gradually let her go. “How about I make some coffee?”

  Snapping herself back into the moment, Adrienne took a step back and remembered to breathe. “Decaf?”

  “Sure, I can do that.” Morgan gazed at Adrienne intently. “You okay?”

  “Yes. No.” God, I can’t even form proper sentences when I’m around her! “I mean, I am, but I do have some things on my mind.”

  Morgan opened her mouth to speak, then paused. “Okay, I’ll make coffee and join you on the couch. We can talk or just watch a movie. Whatever you’re more comfortable with.”

  “Thank you.”

  Adrienne slowly walked out of the kitchen to the living area, her mind whirling. Why was she letting Morgan carry all the weight in this burgeoning relationship? So much for being the older, more mature woman.

  She settled into the comforting softness of the big couch and laid her head back against the cushions. She would have loved to reach out to Tricia for some advice, but she feared Tricia would try to talk her out of this. If there was one thing she was sure of, she didn’t want to be talked out of whatever this might be. Being with Morgan was scary, yes, but it was also fun and exciting and easy. They could talk about anything, it seemed, and do so with a calm honesty that Adrienne found a joy to experience.

  Can I do this? Can I really embark on a relationship with this woman?

  The answer that came back to her from deep in her gut was a resounding yes, because having had a glimpse of who they could be together, there really was no other option. Morgan’s obvious respect and care for her was enough on its own, never mind the sizzling chemistry between them. Adrienne had known, somewhere in her mind, that at forty-nine, she wasn’t dead yet, but she never would have imagined it would be a thirty-one-year-old who would make that crystal clear.

  “So, I thought while coffee was a good idea, an even better idea was some dessert with that,” Morgan said as she walked into the room.

  She rounded the couch with a tray containing a coffee pot, two cups, a jug of what was presumably cream—and a pint tub of Ben & Jerry’s Coffee Coffee BuzzBuzzBuzz! ice cream with two spoons resting beside it.

  Adrienne laughed as Morgan placed the tray on the low coffee table in front of the couch.

  “What?” Morgan asked innocently.

  “You just happened to have that tub in the freezer?”

  Morgan leaned in. “I always have at least three in there.”

  “I didn’t realize your love of ice cream ran to addiction levels.”

  “Uh-huh.” Morgan sat beside Adrienne but not so close as to leave her feeling breathless. “Can’t help it. I’ve always loved the stuff.”

  “You’re adorable,” Adrienne said. She shook her head at the beam on Morgan’s face.

  Then she did what she knew she’d really wanted to do again ever since they were interrupted two hours previously. She leaned in and kissed Morgan, soft and slow, trailing one hand up into the incredible silkiness of Morgan’s hair to wind her fingers deep in its luxurious strands.

  Morgan whimpered, and the sound sparked a deep throb between Adrienne’s legs. The power of it startled her and pitched her forward to hold Morgan even tighter.

  They surfaced minutes later, both gasping for air.

  “Adrienne,” Morgan murmured. She held Adrienne’s hips, her grip strong even through the rough denim of Adrienne’s jeans.

  “Hm?” Adrienne couldn’t manage words in the haze of warmth and desire that swamped her body.

  “You’re making me feel…things.” Morgan pressed her forehead to Adrienne’s, her breath soft over Adrienne’s nose. “I’m falling, and it’s a little scary.”

  Adrienne exhaled slowly. “I know. Me too.”

  Morgan pulled her close, then leaned her head back to look Adrienne in the eye, her expression one of disbelief. “Yeah?”

  Adrienne nodded and kissed her chin. “Yes.”

  Morgan groaned and claimed Adrienne’s mouth once more, her arms encircling Adrienne’s back as she swept her tongue into Adrienne’s mouth.

  Adrienne clung on, drowning in sensation, one hand frantic in Morgan’s hair, the other snaking under the back of Morgan’s shirt to feel, for the first time, the warm firmness of her body. Muscles tensed, then trembled beneath her fingertips.

  Morgan moaned, the sound of it reverberating in Adrienne’s chest where they were pressed so close together.

  When Morgan pushed her back, easing her down onto the couch, she went willingly. With Morgan’s weight fully on her, she ran both hands under her shirt, reveling in the heated skin. Morgan shifted her hips slightly, bringing their thighs together, and Adrienne’s head arched back. When she slipped her fingertips beneath the waistband of Morgan’s cotton shorts, Morgan surged
against her. Her mouth deepened their kiss, and her hands moved under the fabric of Adrienne’s silk shirt, up over her ribs to—

  Adrienne jerked away. “Not…not yet,” she said, breathless. Heart pounding, she eased away from Morgan and sat up. “Sorry, I—”

  “Oh God, no, I’m sorry!” Morgan’s eyes were wide. She sat upright and wriggled back on the couch a little. “I just got carried away, and…” She chuckled. “You’re so sexy. I couldn’t help myself. Sorry.”

  Adrienne brushed her fingertips over Morgan’s soft, rosy lips. “No, no need to apologize. Believe me, there’s a big part of me that wants to but…”

  “But?”

  Adrienne sighed then dropped a soft kiss on Morgan’s mouth before sitting back again. She mentally sorted through the words she wanted to say, to explain what it meant to be on the cusp of being physical with Morgan. “I’m just not ready. And I’ll be honest, mostly that’s because, well, my body is a lot older than yours. I know you say my age isn’t an issue, but in this one respect, for me this is, perhaps, the biggest hill to climb. I’ll need some time to feel confident letting you…see me and…touch me.”

  “Adrienne.” Morgan’s tone ached with tenderness. “You are beautiful. Please don’t ever doubt that. I totally respect what you are saying, of course, but please believe me, you have nothing to fear. I’ve…I’ve never had such a strong physical reaction to someone.” She blushed and looked away. “I’m not known for my, um, sexual appetite. This is…quite new for me. And that’s all because of you,” she said, finally looking back. “That’s what you do to me.”

  “Oh.” She didn’t think it was possible to feel even more emotion today, but there it was. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”

  “That’s the other thing you do to me,” Morgan said with a wry smile. “Make me want to tell you everything I’m feeling. That’s new too.”