by Ronica Black
“No more tears.” Maggie’s lips drifted lower, down her neck to her chest. She left Ellie’s hands and brought her own down her body. Her left hand found Ellie’s eager nipple where it pinched lightly, sending a bolt of searing hot lightning between her legs. Ellie’s fingers knotted in her hair, and she opened her legs, welcoming Maggie’s other hand.
Maggie grazed her fingertips across her center and then fingered her open carefully. Ellie sighed as she found her slickness and then called out when she eased herself inside.
“Maggie,” she said, arching into her hand. “Oh, God.” She clenched her eyes as Maggie enveloped her nipple and sucked. She sucked and fucked her in an insane rhythm until Ellie was writhing in euphoria beneath her.
“Please, Maggie,” she begged with a ragged voice. “Take me away.”
“I’m right here,” Maggie said. “Stay with me.”
Ellie bucked into her. “Maggie,” she panted.
“Look at me,” Maggie said. “When you come.”
Ellie opened her eyes and held her head. She stared into her, so intently, so passionately, that she felt like she was giving herself, all of herself, to Maggie at that moment.
“Take me,” she said. “Take me in, Maggie.”
“I’ve got you,” Maggie said. “Come for me.”
Ellie pulled her closer. “I am,” she said. “I am. I’m coming. Oh God, Maggie, I’m coming.” She burst open then, shattering right into Maggie, giving herself to her, every last tiny piece. “Take me.” She melted against the bed and held Maggie tightly. She kept saying the words over and over until they faded away with the last of the lingering orgasm.
“I’ve got you,” Maggie said, rolling to her side to hold her in her arms.
Ellie snuggled in close and relaxed. She hadn’t felt this safe, this wanted in many, many years. And she’d never completely trusted her roommate like she did Maggie.
“Shh,” Maggie whispered into her ear. “Go to sleep. I’ve got you.”
Ellie’s eyes drifted closed. She breathed deeply and inhaled Maggie’s scent. She fell asleep knowing she’d never felt so good.
Chapter Fifteen
Maggie held her for a long while. She studied her angelic face as she slumbered, wanting the image to burn into her memory for all time. She knew what she felt, what she wanted to say, but she knew it was too soon, too good to be real. Could it really be this good? The intense attraction, the fiery passion, the entwining of souls. Dare she think it real?
She kissed her warm cheek and pulled away carefully. She tucked the comforter in around her and climbed from bed. She decided it was real. It was the realest she’d ever felt.
Lincoln followed her as she slipped into sweats and a flannel robe and headed into the kitchen. She turned on the coffee and sat in her easy chair in the living room. The snow had stopped and the sky was clear though gray. The white on the ground and in the trees looked soft and billowy. Like piles of miniscule down feathers. Any other time, she’d take Lincoln out to play while she cleared the steps and the doors. But right now she was still lost in Ellie, heavy with bliss and heavy with a storm of worry she couldn’t yet see but she knew was coming.
“What am I going to do when she goes, boy?”
She checked the weather on her phone. The storm had cleared. It was sunny skies for the next few days. Maggie’s heart sank. The storm, though troublesome, had been their accomplice, their reason for staying together. Now it was gone and Ellie could go.
Maggie tried to push the thought away, but it was no use. She stared out the window, wishing Ellie could stay forever. She was mulling over the thought when her phone rang. It startled her, and she knew it was about Ellie. No one else had ever called her so early.
She picked up the phone and answered. “Hello.”
“Maggie?” It was Frank and he sounded distressed.
“Hi, Frank, what’s going on?”
“Is Ellie still with you?”
“Yes.”
“You gotta tell her to call her manager. Right away.”
Maggie shifted, growing uncomfortable in more ways than one. “Why?”
“They’re looking for her and they’re panicked. They’re on to me and I can’t lie to them anymore.”
“Don’t lie, Frank. Tell them she’s fine.”
“They hired investigators. They’ve traced her to me, and I don’t know what to say anymore.”
“Frank, tell them the truth. She’s okay. She’s safe.”
“They’re coming for her, Maggie.”
“What do you mean coming for her? She’s fine. She just needs a few days to rest.”
“They want her now.”
“Well, tell them no. She wants to be here. Needs to be here.”
“They won’t listen. They’re serious. And they’ve threatened me and I can’t do this anymore. I know Ellie is a dear friend, but I can’t deal with these people anymore.”
“Frank, just tell them—”
“Can’t do it, Maggie. I just can’t. Tell Ellie… tell Ellie I’m sorry.”
“Frank. Frank?”
But the line went dead. Maggie tried calling him back, but the line went straight to voice mail.
Ellie had been right. Her people were coming. And nothing was going to stop them.
She crossed back to the bedroom and stared at Ellie’s peaceful face. How could she live like this? What all had she been through? No wonder she felt so alone, so used. She never had a moment’s peace without someone wanting her, wanting something from her.
Maggie wanted to bolt shut the doors and keep her safe and sound and loved. She wanted to fall asleep in her arms every night and awaken to her face every morning. She wanted to reach over and feel her heart in her chest and fall into rhythm with her gentle breathing. She wanted her.
Maggie slipped into bed next to her, snuggled close, and inhaled the shampoo smell of her hair. Ellie was sleeping softly, but she made a small noise of pleasure as Maggie wrapped her arms around her.
She was safe for now. And now was all they had. Maggie closed her eyes, made a wish, and fell asleep with her.
Maggie awoke with a start. Lincoln was barking, claws scratching against the wood floor as he bolted down the hallway.
Ellie stirred and Maggie sat up.
“What is it?” Ellie asked, rubbing her eyes.
Maggie couldn’t speak; the lump in her throat too big.
A loud drone-like thumping came from outside. It sounded like it was on top of the house.
Ellie’s face fell. Maggie reached out and touched it, her heart crushing at the sight.
“It’s them,” she said, eyes filling with tears.
Maggie nodded, a hot tear of her own slipping down her cheek.
Ellie hugged her fiercely and sobbed. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”
Maggie held her, trying not to sob herself. “You have nothing to be sorry about.”
Lincoln returned to the room, barking and carrying on. He jumped on the bed, trying to alert them and took off down the hallway again.
Maggie felt angry then, violated. What gave these people the right?
“I’m going to go take care of it.” She kissed Ellie on the cheek and jogged into the living room. She covered her ears as she watched the black helicopter hover outside her window. Snow flew up in a cloudy mist as it touched down about a hundred yards away.
“No.” She leaned against the glass and willed it to go away. But the sound of the spinning blades continued and a door opened, spilling out two men and a woman. They knelt and stumbled into the snow.
Maggie ran back to the bedroom. Ellie was dressed and staring into the fire.
“I have to go,” she said.
Maggie tore off her robe and hurried into jeans and a sweatshirt. “No, not yet.”
“Maggie.”
“I can’t.” Maggie rounded the bed and kissed her hands. “Not yet.” She turned and walked briskly from the room. A pounding came from the m
udroom door. The pounding continued, and she clenched her fists as she neared the door. She scooped up Lincoln and yanked open the door.
Three intense faces stared at her, and the helicopter sputtered to a silence in the distance.
“Ms. Maggie Douglas?”
“Who wants to know?” Lincoln growled in her arms.
“We’re looking for Ellie Falcon. Is she here?”
“Who wants to know?”
One of the men smiled forcefully. “Ms. Douglas, if you have Ellie in there I suggest you bring her out at once.”
“Kidnapping is a federal crime,” the other man said.
“Kidnapping?”
“Yes, holding a person against their will—”
“No one is holding anyone against their will.” Who the hell were these people?
“Where is she?” the woman asked. She took a step toward the door, and Maggie took a step forward, heading her off.
“You still haven’t told me who you are. Trespassing is also a crime.”
The first man stared at her coldly. “I’m Marco Di Palma. Ellie’s manager. This is Liz Martinez, her lawyer, and this is Bill Haggerty, private investigator.”
Maggie looked into the eyes of each one of them. “So you’re insinuating kidnapping, but you send a lawyer, a manager, and a P.I.?” Maggie scoffed. “Must not be a serious case of kidnapping. Otherwise you’d have F.B.I. all over the house.”
“We’re trying to keep this as low a profile as we possibly can.”
“I see. Easier for you that way, right? Less explaining to do when she tells you she doesn’t want to be found.”
“Maggie,” Ellie said from behind.
Maggie turned and found her looking ashen and shaken. She had on her own clothes except for Maggie’s college sweatshirt.
“Ellie, my God.” Marco pushed his way inside. He grabbed her and pulled her to him for a strong embrace. He was a small man, a little bigger than Ellie. “I’ve been worried sick. Everyone’s been worried sick.”
“I’m okay,” she said. She didn’t return the embrace. “I haven’t been gone that long.”
“You shouldn’t have been gone at all. And without telling anyone, Ellie really, do you know how dangerous that was?” He held her arms and then embraced her again.
Maggie felt sick watching the exchange. It didn’t feel real. He didn’t feel real.
“Ellie, what happened? Was this woman holding you captive?” The attorney brushed her way inside and gave Maggie a look of distaste.
Ellie looked to Maggie in apology. Tears filled her eyes. But just as quickly she swallowed them down. “This is Maggie Douglas. My friend.”
A sharp pain stabbed Maggie’s heart. She could no longer look at Ellie. It hurt too badly.
“She saved me,” Ellie added.
“Oh?” The attorney suddenly changed her tune. She approached Maggie and offered her hand. “I believe a thank-you is in order.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“No need.” Maggie felt like a stranger in her own home as the three talked. Ellie answered in as few words as possible, her eyes burning Maggie’s skin. Maggie could only glance over from time to time. Ellie’s pained eyes seemed to bore right through her.
“Sweetie, we’ve got to get back. Production has been down a day already. Everyone’s up in arms. Steven is about to shit himself. This little escapade of yours is costing a lot of money. And you missed the L’Oréal shoot over the weekend. But don’t worry. I’ll fix it. Let’s just get out of here.” He tried to straighten her hooded sweatshirt. Maggie’s favorite college sweatshirt. Ellie looked so good in it even if it was a little baggy. “Whose is this?”
“Mine,” Maggie said firmly. “Ellie’s are in her vehicle, which is covered in snow. You’re welcome to go for them. The snowmobile is outside.” Maggie knew he wouldn’t dare. But she couldn’t help but push him. She wanted him out of her house.
He looked Maggie up and down quickly, and a knowing but distasteful look came across his face. He squeezed Ellie’s arms.
“We’ll worry about that later. Right now we need to get you to the airport. Dr. Burnam is there, ready to check you out. We have the jet ready, and we’ll be back in L.A. in no time.”
He walked her to the door. She gave Maggie a look of complete devastation and Maggie found that she could not speak. Her throat was burning with tears. Ellie mouthed a good-bye and stepped out of the house and out of her life.
Maggie stood watching helplessly. The attorney got in her line of sight. She looked stern, the smile long gone. “I need you to sign this document,” she said, holding out a piece of paper.
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a confidentiality contract. It states that whatever happened here will remain confidential.”
“Of course it will remain confidential.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. So you won’t mind signing the contract then.”
Maggie had had enough. “Get out of my house.” She clenched her jaw and felt her face heat with anger.
“Ms. Douglas—”
“Get out of my house!”
The attorney jerked at her tone and then hurried from the house. Maggie slammed the door after her and then headed for the living room. She reached the window just as the helicopter started up. Ellie was crouched under her manager’s arm as she approached. And then just before she stepped in, she looked back. Maggie placed her palm on the windowpane. Ellie wiped away tears and then stepped into the chopper.
Maggie turned then, unable to watch. She heard the helicopter rise and fly overhead. It had the strings of her heart, and just as they tore and fell to earth, she collapsed to her knees and cried.
Chapter Sixteen
Ellie awoke just before her shades rose to let in the morning light. Soft classical music played through the house speakers, and she could smell the omelet Bianca was making her through the closed doors.
She rolled over and burrowed beneath her duvet. Her hand dug under her pillow and retrieved Maggie’s sweatshirt. She brought it to her face and inhaled, then clung to it as sleep threatened to overtake her once again. In her mind, she saw Maggie’s face, the look of shock and sadness as she had walked away. As if the life were being drained from her with every step Ellie took.
The pain bored into her already waning heart, digging deeper and deeper. She didn’t know how she would survive. She wondered if Maggie was still feeling the same. She wiped a wayward tear and rolled to search the nightstand for her phone. The shades rose and the television came alive with CNN. She scrolled her contacts for Maggie’s name. Thanks to Frank, she had her number.
She pressed call, and her heart raced as she anticipated. Would Maggie answer this time? Or would she have to leave another voice message? She’d left three already, and each time Maggie did not call back, her heart shattered a little more.
The phone rang and rang. Ellie’s heart sank with each ring. She was just about to hang up when she heard a voice.
“Hello?”
Ellie sat up, mind racing. “Hello. Ma—” But she knew it wasn’t Maggie. The voice was too deep.
“Maggie’s unavailable,” the voice said.
“I really need to speak to her, please. Tell her this is Ellie.” She gripped her phone tightly, desperate to reach her.
“I’m sorry, but she’s sleeping. She really needs her rest. Can you call back later?”
“I’ve tried several times. She hasn’t returned my calls.”
There was a pause. Then a sigh. “Ellie, this is Mark, Maggie’s brother.”
Ellie stood, alarmed. “Oh. Is she okay?”
Another brief silence. “To be honest, no, she’s not.”
Ellie strode to the large windows and stared out at the enormous garden view. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Mark cleared his throat and stammered as if he wasn’t sure he should share.
“Ellie, I know you’re a busy person, a famous person, and you have a lot going on. But calli
ng her and leaving her these tearful voice messages and then not answering her when she calls you back...it’s really getting to her.”
Ellie’s knees went weak. “What? Maggie’s called me? When?”
“She’s called you several times.”
Ellie felt her face heat with anger. “Who has she spoken to?”
“I don’t know. People. People who promised to give you the message.”
“God dammit.” Ellie wanted to throw the phone across the room. “Mark, you have to believe me. I had no idea she called. I’ve been trying to reach her for days. Please, I need to talk to her.”
“Maybe this isn’t a good idea,” he said. “Your people obviously don’t want Maggie in your life. This whole thing is killing her. Maybe you should just let go. For her sake.”
Ellie didn’t hesitate. “No. I’m not giving her up. I want Maggie in my life. I don’t care about anyone else. Now please, let me talk to her.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea. My sister, she’s very fragile. Very private. I think this whole thing is only going to cause her pain. But I’ll wake her. Hold on a second.”
Ellie paced the room as she waited, her mind spinning.
“Ellie?” Maggie’s voice sounded groggy and hoarse.
“Maggie. Oh God, Maggie. It’s so good to hear you.” Tears came, and her throat felt weak. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I miss you too.”
“Are you okay? Mark told me you’ve been calling me, but I swear to you I didn’t know. I didn’t know.”
“Ellie...it’s okay. It doesn’t matter. You live in a different world.”
Ellie sank to the floor. “No, don’t do this. Please, Maggie.”
“Ellie, how could we ever be together? If they won’t even give you a phone message—”
“Maggie, come and see me. I need to see you. There’s a benefit tomorrow night. Lots of writers will be there. Your agent—”
“Ellie...Ellie, don’t. We need to—just—”
“No, Maggie. I can’t. I won’t. I won’t give you up. I just found you. I want you in my life. Please, Maggie. Give us a chance. Give me a chance.”
