Possessing Morgan:
A Matter of Conviction
by Aurelia
Part 24
See Part 1 for Disclaimers
Chapter 24
It was the strangest feeling waking with someone draped over her like a blanket. Even in Morgan’s halcyon days it was rare that someone stayed overnight, preferring instead to wake up alone. Why was that? Even back then was there no one she deemed worthy of that trust? Morgan didn’t like the thought of her life being governed by destiny, preferring to shape her own future, but could she deny this simple truth?
“What are you thinking about?”
“Mmmmm? How do you know I’m thinking?”
“I can hear the squeaky wheels from here.”
“It’s too early in the morning for humor, Counselor.”
“Sometimes, Morgan, you are so stuffy. You are just no fun at all.”
“Well, if I didn’t have a human blanket I might be in a better mood.”
“Sorry…” Andrea began to move but a large hand tightened around her. “Make up your mind, woman. Move, don’t move…”
“I was just happy to lie here quietly.”
“I can do that. I’m a lawyer, you know.”
“So you keep telling me. You don’t think I believe you?”
“You know, Detective, you have to learn to go with the flow. I’m joking! Sheesh.”
“I can see you’re not used to my sense of humor either.”
“You were trying to be funny? Ahhh. You better nudge me when you do that.”
Morgan didn’t dignify the comment with a reply. “Now, shhhh. Back to sleep, Andrea.”
* * *
Some time later they woke to sunbeams streaming in through the large window. Morgan glanced at her watch. “Damnit!” she mumbled, gently shaking the blonde. “Hey sleepyhead, time to wake up.”
“She’s not at home at the moment. Please leave a message after the beep.”
“Okay, fine by me but don’t complain when we’re caught in bed by room service.”
“What time is it?”
“About seven o’clock.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Because I was asleep. I’m good, but not that good.”
“Good?” Andrea was nearly salivating at the word, rich dark eyes looking up into mischievous green ones. “How good?” White, even teeth emerged in a cheeky grin, Morgan’s dimples given full reign. “Oh God,” Andrea whimpered. It wasn’t until she received the nudge she had asked for that she realized that the redhead was playing with her. “You… you…” Morgan pulled the blonde in gently, placing a kiss on her forehead.
As the detective was in a giving mood, Andrea asked the question that had been haunting her. “Then why all this hesitation?”
Ahh there it was, the crux of the situation. Should she tell her or keep her little secret?
“I have my reasons.”
“And you’re not going to tell me?”
“Not yet.” But darkening emerald eyes said everything to Andrea. They both knew this relationship was too important to be rushed. Whether the young woman liked it or not she was going to have to bide her time until the redhead was ready. She had no doubt that it would be worth the wait.
A knock on the door broke the intense moment. “Now if you don’t want to be caught in your skivvies, I would suggest that you throw something on… shorty.”
“Do you have to say that?”
“I think it’s rather cute.” There was another knock on the door, this time a little louder. “I think breakfast is getting impatient.” Morgan tossed a T-shirt at Andrea, who placed it over her body as quickly as her injury would allow. Dressed, the detective grabbed her gun, unlocking the door. “Come in!” Warily she watched the waiter arrive with the food, her gun hidden behind her back. Uneventfully the young man left, leaving the two women to sniff at the hot food. “Let’s eat. For some reason I have an appetite this morning.”
Morgan poured Andrea a coffee, refusing to seek out those eyes intently watching her as she handed it over. As if saved by the bell, Morgan’s cell rang. “Hello? Uh huh… okay thanks.” An inquiring eyebrow rose. “We’re being picked up at nine.”
“I wonder if it’ll be Cheryl?” For a moment Morgan thought Andrea could read minds. “I rather like her.” Yes, she could.
“Well, my dear Counselor, we have less than two hours to have breakfast and get ready. Can you do that?” Morgan, if she had both hands free, could do it in twenty minutes.
Andrea smirked. “I think I can just manage that.” Despite what the detective thought, she did not take all day to get ready.
* * *
Morgan carried out the empty tray and placed it on the floor outside their room. “I’m going to take a shower.” She rifled through the duffel bag for fresh clothes, grabbing her shower bag as she went. “Be back in twenty minutes.” A few moments later she re-emerged seeing Andrea sitting on the bed. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you? Oh God…”
“Stop worrying.” Andrea was caught going through the bag from the doctor. “I’m just seeing if there is…” Her eyes dropped to its contents. “…aaah, just what I’m looking for.” She triumphantly held up a waterproof patch. “I wanted to see if I could have a shower too.”
Morgan’s heart had been thumping frantically when she entered the room to find the small blonde sitting on the edge of the bed with her hand in the doctor’s supplies. She felt nearly sick at the thought of Andrea in pain. Her head hung in relief as the woman held up the dressing, feeling slightly dizzy as the adrenaline washed through her, leaving her weak and disoriented.
“Heavens! Come and sit down.” Concern tinged Andrea’s words as she watched the tall woman shake, her own heart thumping when Morgan sat down without another word. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah…,” but Morgan’s voice sounded harsh and gritty, mirroring her battered senses still recovering from the scare. “Give me a moment.”
“Honey, I’m fine… really. It’s just that I haven’t had a decent shower since I left home.”
“I know that now. But seeing you searching around in that bag just… oh God...,” she murmured. Somehow, the detective just couldn’t say the words to express her anxiety.
Andrea slowly stripped off the T-shirt. “I could use a hand putting this on.” Pale eyes rose to lock with hers before absently sliding down her body. She imagined it was like to have the detective’s large hands caressing her, warming her skin in their passing.
Morgan stood, closing the gap to stand in front of her companion. She reached for the old dressing, gently pulling away the surgical tape that held it in place. She stopped every so often when the counselor grimaced, waiting for the twinge of pain to subside before continuing. Finally it gave way, leaving behind red stripes where the tape had contacted the skin.
“Ouch…” Andrea whispered.
“Yeah, I just bet.” Andrea handed over the new patch, watching as Morgan placed it over the wound.
“Get that thought right out of your head now.”
“Huh?”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Are you reading my mind again? That could be dangerous.”
“I can see it on your face. Now, why are you here? That shower was awfully quick.” Morgan held up her damaged wrist. “Ahhh.” Andrea scanned the room, her eyes falling on the empty plastic shopping bag. “Now all we need is something to keep it in place.”
Morgan went back to the bathroom, emerging a moment later with an elastic band. Andrea helped her wrap the bag around her cast and secured it with the band. “There you go.” She turned the woman and pushed her through the door. “Now don’t take too long, we haven’t much time left.”
* * *
The hot sting of water hitting her body felt great, and she allowed it to wash away the sweat, adrenaline and fear. But she was worried about her reaction to the thought that Andrea was in pain. This woman was becoming too important to her and long-borne instincts were trying valiantly to protect her from heartbreak. What was she going to do?
While Morgan contemplated the next step in her life, she was blissfully unaware that someone had entered the room standing quietly outside the shower stall hungrily watching her. Andrea had no desire at this point to disturb the tall woman as she took a shower, quietly enjoying the expanse of flesh on display. This woman had turned her world upside down, questioning her sexuality, her life and her very essence. Somehow whatever happened between them her life would never be the same.
The redhead felt the shift of air as the door of the stall opened. Wary green eyes looked over her freckle-clad shoulder to the woman standing behind her. “I haven’t finished yet.”
“I thought you could use a hand to wash your hair.”
“Is that what it’s called these days?”
“Why, Detective, you doubt my sincerity?” Mischievous eyes captured the redhead, challenging her to say otherwise.
“Okay, if you say so.” Long fingers grabbed the shower cap and ripped it off, reaching for the band that held her braid secure. Morgan ducked her head under the showerhead, allowing the warm water to massage her scalp. One large hand came up to the wall in front of her, allowing Morgan to shift her weight forward to lean into the watery sensation. “Ohhhh, God.”
Andrea’s body twitched at the drawn out moan, an answering plea vibrating through her. As if watching from outside herself her hands moved to cup the detective’s breasts, fingertips slowly sliding over slick flesh for the first time.
Desire spiked through the detective’s body as those hands innocently discovered her. Morgan was swiftly losing control as she felt Andrea press herself into her back. She turned abruptly, the last of her resolve going down the drain with the soapy water. Pale lips swooped down onto the unsuspecting blonde, plundering her mouth and brooking no argument. The large wet body forced the counselor back against the glass wall, hands grasping in desperation.
The action was rough and lust-filled, Morgan’s mind no longer her own. Pain lanced through her broken wrist as fingers grabbed soft flesh, actively seeking a response from the small woman. Panting breaths mingled as tongues fought for domination, pain and discomfort forgotten as eager bodies sought pleasure.
“Yes… oh yes.” In one final act of desperation Morgan’s mind sought control of the situation, logic and common sense rising to the surface to stop the frenzy of activity. “No…” she whispered.
“No?” Andrea’s accelerated breathing left her weak, the legs unsteadily holding her weight against the wall. “Don’t stop… please.” Morgan was so, so close to giving in and take what she wanted. Take it… her mind whispered. Take… her. Don’t deny yourself any longer.
Passion-laden eyes looked down at the smaller woman, so close that she could see every speck in those dark depths. “We have run out of time.”
“No, we haven’t. Take me, Morgan. I’m offering myself to you.”
An unsteady breath emerged on an agonized sigh. “You don’t know how much I’ve wanted to hear you to say that.”
“Then do it, sweetheart. We’ll make time.”
“Don’t do this to me, Andrea.” A small hand grabbed hers and drew it seductively down the counselor’s body, leaving it to rest at the heart of her. Morgan’s eyes rose to the heavens. “Oh God, woman.” Her mind was teetering as Andrea shifted, allowing the tall detective to feel… everything.
With her last shred of self control Morgan stepped back into the spray, putting some space between the two of them. Her body was soaring with unfulfilled passion, pale green eyes darkening moment by moment with need as she watched her tormentor leaning against the back wall. Morgan knew what expression her face held because she saw it in Andrea’s face as well.
“So, what do we do now?” Andrea’s body was singing, nerve endings alive with pleasure and looking for relief.
“You wash my hair and I’ll wash yours.” The voice was barely recognizable as Morgan’s, now laced with desire and need. Andrea knew that she was struggling to keep a clear head and one more plea from her would probably change the detective’s mind. But without those lips touching her and those hands caressing her, a glimmer of reason surfaced.
As much as she wanted otherwise, Andrea acquiesced. “Okay.” That was all she could manage. All else seemed redundant.
* * *
It wasn’t until the knock on the door minutes after they had finished dressing that Andrea fully understood the ramifications of making love in the shower. Damn the woman! Why did she always have to be right?
“Hey, girls! Long time no see.” The brunette graced them with a dazzling smile.
“Why do you have to be this bright so early in the morning?”
“Well, what crawled up your butt this morning, Sergeant?” Cheryl’s good cheer was just… irritating.
“Sorry. Good to see you, Cheryl.” Morgan moved out of the way to let the detective in. She dared not look at Andrea, knowing very well that ‘I told you so’ was written on her own face. The counselor’s unexpected move took her breath away, leaving her hungering for more. If she thought it was hard before, having caught a glimpse of what could be left her starving for the small woman’s touch.
“So what have you two been up to?” Cheryl pointedly asked. The brunette watched the two faces intently, silently chuckling at the confused looks.
“Nothing,” Morgan mumbled.
“Yeah. What she said.” Andrea stuffed her soiled clothes into the duffle bag.
“Uh huh.” Both women knew the detective didn’t believe a word, but any denial would make it worse.
“Are we in a hurry?” Andrea took control of the situation.
“Nah. We’re meeting Mr. Chang in an hour.”
“How about a cup of coffee then?”
“Sounds good.”
For the next hour they dallied over coffee, skillfully avoiding the delicate subject of last night and concentrating the conversation around the various precincts and mutual acquaintances. Andrea had no idea who they were talking about and left the bulk of the talking to Morgan, interjecting every so often so they knew she was still awake.
* * *
As Cheryl was about to leave to get the car, she added “And please girls no getting in the trunk. Just sit in the back seat like normal people.”
“And what if we’re still being watched?”
“Don’t you think someone climbing into the trunk of a car would be more noticeable? Just… just get in the car…,” Cheryl nearly forgot an important word. “…Sergeant.” She grinned wickedly at the two women. Grabbing the duffel bag, the brunette walked out the door. “Give me five minutes to find your transport.” Morgan was amazed that the woman was able to find a parking spot… twice… in a city that supposedly had none.
They were alone again. “So…”
“So…” Andrea looked at her protector pacing the floor. “Just sit down. You’re making me nervous.”
“Look…”
“Don’t you dare apologize for this Morgan!” Andrea snapped. She had taken a chance stepping into that shower, a gamble that she thought had paid off. It would break her heart if the detective was back-peddling now.
Morgan sighed deeply. “No, no I won’t.” Nervous eyes looked at the counselor. “I was kind of hoping you would do that.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I was afraid to make the first move.”
“You? Afraid?” Somehow that didn’t seem true of Morgan. Andrea knew she was a strong willed woman who was afraid of very little except perhaps her.
“Yeah. I’m not very good at this relationship stuff.” Andrea tried very hard not to laugh at the crestfallen look on her companion’s face. A smart remark sat on her tongue but she swallowed it. The woman was very insecure about her ability to have a relationship and she was not about to destroy her courageous first steps in that arena.
A small hand came up to cup Morgan’s face. “You’re doing fine.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I haven’t left… yet.”
“We’re okay?”
“Yeah, we’re okay.” Andrea should have left it there but she had to know. “Did… did you feel anything at all?”
Morgan hesitated. How could she show the small woman what she felt? In a bold move, she grabbed Andrea’s hand and placed it over her breast. “Oh yeah,” she whispered. A breathy moan escaped her pale lips as Andrea’s fingers involuntarily clenched, grabbing a handful of breast. “Oh yeah,” she repeated.
* * *
Actually Morgan was glad Cheryl insisted they sit like normal people in the car. One look at the trunk and her back cringed. It seemed that that part of her anatomy had a long memory. If she had been more alert, Morgan may have noticed a dark sedan pull out from the curb following some distance behind them.
* * *
“Mr. Chang, I’d like to thank you for helping us out.”
“Detective, please call me Arnold.”
Morgan knew that Henry’s dad was Hiew Xiang, but for some strange reason people called him Arnold from the TV series ‘Happy Days’. He didn’t cook burgers but he did have a passing resemblance to Pat Morita.
“Thank you, Arnold. I can see where Henry gets his good manners from.”
“My son thinks very highly of you, Detective.”
“Morgan, please. And your son is a very fine detective, Arnold. He’s a credit to the police force and to his family. It’s a pleasure to call him ‘friend’.”
The small Asian gentleman puffed out his chest in pride. “I had wanted him to join the family business but he had other ideas.”
“Well, thank goodness for the City that he became a police officer. He’s very good at it.”
“Let’s look at your accommodation.” They wandered down a side alley alongside the large building marked ‘Chang’s Noodle Factory’. Morgan assumed that the laneway was for deliveries and pick ups. A small doorway near the roadway was padlocked and showed no sign of recent use. Arnold continued down the lane towards the back of the building, passing a large roller shuttered door, obviously for trucks or possibly even forklifts. He stopped at the far end of the lane, opening the final door. He wandered around to the back of the building to a large box sitting on the back wall, opening it and flicking a couple of switches. “Now you have power. We have been closed down for renovations but no work as been done for the last few days because of a dispute with our contractors.”
He opened the door, the squeak reverberating through the large empty building. It was like stepping into one of those horror movies where the teenage girls wander through a dark empty building, jumping at every squeak and rumble in the night. It was creepy, and it was going to be home.
They walked across the width of the factory floor towards a two-storey room. “Your room is up the stairs. The room below is the office.” He stopped to unlock it. “There is a phone inside if you need to make a call.”
“Thanks, Arnold.” They both seemed to ignore the fact that her cell phone was hanging off her belt in plain sight. Morgan had no battery charger with her so maybe this was a good idea, especially not knowing how long they would be in hiding. The climb up the stairs had her wondering how long in fact they would be here, knowing that her natural restlessness would make it hard for her to stay put.
“Here you go.” Arnold waved his arm around the room. It was better than she had hoped for. While there was one regular bed and one camp bed, the other facilities were quite acceptable. The small man moved to the tiny fridge, opening it up for her inspection. “There is enough food here for your two for the next couple of days.” Morgan could see fresh milk, bread, eggs and soft drink peeking out through the crack in the door.
“Thank you, Arnold. You have been more than kind.”
“And thank you, Morgan, for looking after my son.”
“No need to thank me, Sir. Your son is my best friend. It’s no work at all.”
“I knew you would say that.” A broken-toothed smile graced his pixie-like features. “He feels the same way.”
Morgan could feel the beginnings of a blush and shuffled on the spot in an effort to hide it. “So…”
“I’ll deliver dinner to you tonight. The food here will get you through the day but I’m sure a nice hot meal will be welcome by then.”
“You bet it will.” Deep dimples winked at the wiry Asian, drawing a laugh from his happy features. “But I would suggest that you announce yourself so I don’t blow your head off.”
“I don’t think my son would like that.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t. Let’s not upset him, shall we?” Arnold handed over a spare set of keys. “What are these for?”
“In case of an emergency. If you have to leave you can get back in. The others will give you access to anywhere in the building.”
This was a big concession by Mr. Chang senior. “Why? You don’t need to do this.”
“Like I said, just in case.” He paused. “Henry trusts you with his life, Morgan. I can trust you with my business. It would upset me greatly if your safety was in danger because you didn’t have the key.” A big trust indeed.
“Thank you, Arnold, for your trust in me.”
He shuffled around. “Yeah, well, until tonight then. Make yourselves comfortable.”
“Until then…” What more could be said? Morgan was surprised by the turn of events, taken aback by the show of generosity from a man who didn’t know her. In a way, she felt ashamed that he had the courage to take a chance with a perfect stranger and yet she baulked at trusting a woman who supposedly meant everything to her. There was a lesson to be learned here and she only hoped that it would finally sink into that thick skull of hers.
* * *
She was going to have to find herself a hobby. Morgan was bored out of her brain. The television yielded nothing and the book she had been reading was left by the wayside as her restlessness increased.
“Where are you going?” Andrea looked up from her magazine.
“I’m going for a walk. You wanna come?”
“I thought we were staying put.”
“It’s just inside the building, nothing more. I want to stretch my legs and check out the layout.” Just in case. Morgan hoped she would never have to use the information but it was stupid not to at least have a look.
“Sure. Why not?” Andrea was going to make sure Morgan didn’t get into mischief more than anything else. Besides, if she was lucky she may get to hold her hand.
Luck was with her, the tall redhead holding on tight to Andrea’s hand as they walked around the perimeter of the building. If she closed her eyes and squeezed her legs together real hard she could nearly imagine that they were strolling through Central Park on a cool winter’s day. It was overcast because she could not feel the sun beating down on her skin, but the sun shone brightly within her as she wandered around with ‘her girl’. It was a nice daydream and one she hoped one day to emulate.
Morgan was strangely calm and content as they investigated every nook and cranny of the deserted building, searching out possible escape routes and areas that would need watching. Her keen mind took in all the possibilities that they could be facing, cataloguing them for future reference.
The detective felt her companion move closer, snuggling into her arm for comfort. Before she had time to think her arm came round the small woman pulling her in to her side. As Andrea looked up at her Morgan felt a small hand wrap around her waist. Yep, despite the morning’s events in the shower, Andrea harbored no ill will about the outcome. As she had said, everything would be fine.
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