Possessing Morgan:
A Matter of Conviction
by Aurelia
Part 7
Chapter 7
“Very nice, Morgan.” Andrea was impressed. The cozy little ristorante, which sat on the corner of one of the less busy intersections, was nearly full with diners, attesting to the quality of the food. They stepped through the decorated glass door into the cool air and the murmur of background conversation. “Very nice indeed.” The tall detective’s chest puffed up at the compliment, glad she was able to make her companion happy.
“Ahhh, Officer O’Callaghan! Ciao bella!” The proprietor bustled to greet his favorite New York policewoman. “You have been away too long, Morgan. Please, please let me get you your usual table.”
“Vittorio, please, just a quiet table towards the back would be nice.”
“Ahhh Miele, I’m so sorry to hear about your papa. We were mourning for many a day.”
“Grazie, Vittorio. It was a sad day for us all.” She could feel those dark eyes on her questioning her, but she chose to ignore it for now. Too many memories close to the surface. It was a matter to discuss when the memories and pain had faded with time.
The short, middle-aged owner of the restaurant escorted them to a small corner where a lone table sat surrounded by a thin wall of plants, affording the diners a modicum of privacy. He snapped his fingers and two young men appeared, menus in hand. Morgan took the proffered wine list. “Red or white?”
“White, thank you.”
She surveyed the list, “Vino bianco, se voi per favore”. The boy was intercepted by the older man who whispered in his ear, before scuttling away to the basement.
“If I may, I recommend the special. The seafood is especially fresh today and the sauce is… mwaa.” He smacked his lips, placing his fingers to his mouth and expressing his joy as only he knew how. “We have a new chef since you last came, little one. It has been way, way too long. Why do you stay away?”
“I’m sorry, Vittorio. Too many memories, I guess. Too many reminders.”
He patted her shoulder. “Don’t, quello piccolo. Don’t hurt yourself this way.” He sighed deeply and turned his attention to her dinner companion. “And who is your charming dinner companion?”
“This is the new Assistant District Attorney for our division, Vittorio, Andrea Worthington. I’m just showing her how to get around. You know how hard that can be.”
“Of course, of course. Signorina, any friend of Morgan here is a friend of mine.” He bowed with a flourish, taking Andrea’s hand in his own and bringing it to his lips. He turned to Morgan. “And you, il mio amico, don’t make a stranger of yourself. Goda ilvostro pasto.” He wandered off, chuckling.
The waiter turned up with a bottle of wine, a very expensive bottle of wine. “I’m sorry, I didn’t order this.”
“Compliments of the house, signorina.” Morgan looked over at Vittorio, who winked back at her. Her reputation was really taking a beating today.
“Should I ask how they know you so well?”
Should she explain or just let the memories rest? “This was dad’s old beat way back when he was a uniformed officer.”
“I’m sorry about your dad, Morgan. He must have been a special man.”
“He sure was,” she whispered.
“I’m sure he would be very proud of his daughter too.”
“I dunno… maybe.”
“No maybe about it. You are a damn fine cop, Morgan, don’t ever doubt that. And I’m discovering that you are a very decent... and sweet person too. Couldn’t ask for more than that.”
“Sweet? I’ve been called many things, some unrepeatable, but sweet never came up. And considering how we started out, how can you even say that?” Maybe the counselor knew her better than she knew herself.
“Well, knowing now what I know about you, I can understand why you were... ah... hostile.”
“You can, huh? I’m glad one of us can.”
“In a round about way, yes I can. You were just trying to protect both of us.”
“I think I was just trying remind myself that we’re here for the job.” No, that wasn't exactly true but she sure as hell wasn't going to tell the woman how she had felt when she looked up to see her standing at the squad room door. Morgan had simply forced the issue to nip any attraction in the bud... long before it had a chance to bloom. Somehow, she didn’t think she had succeeded very well. “Anyway, this was Dad’s piece of New York City and I came with him here often after mom died. It was like his beat had taken us in and looked after us. A surrogate family, if you like. He had looked after them all those years ago and now they were looking after us.”
“That’s something very special, Morgan.”
"I know Dad appreciated the helping hand because it was so unexpected. He didn’t think I saw it but I knew it really meant a lot to him that they would think about us. Sometimes there would be casserole dishes or a meatloaf sitting on the doorstep. The store owners would come out to say hi, bring him out a cold drink or cup of coffee, or just shoot the breeze. They treated us like one of their own.”
“Wow. I didn’t think a sense of community existed anymore.”
“In a big city like this, it tends to get swallowed up with all the crime and self-absorption. It’s nice to know that somewhere out there are still generosity, friendship… and family.” A small hand reached across the table to touch her own.
“So that explains why you’re so comfortable being alone. There is always someone around if you need them.”
“I suppose so. I never really thought about it. It’s how I live my life and I’m happy with it.”
Morgan did indeed order the special of the day, while the smaller woman ordered something a little lighter. Andrea sipped her wine nervously, observing her dinner companion, who looked decidedly more beautiful in the candlelight. Wisps of long hair floated around her face like a fiery halo, setting freckles dancing across her light skin.
Morgan knew she was being studied like an ant under a microscope, so she busied herself with her meal. Time slowed. What seemed like several minutes was in reality only one. She could stand it no longer and looked up, watching the blonde staring off into space, slowly swirling the contents of the wine glass in her hand. It took a moment for Andrea to realize that she was being watched as well. “What?”
“Is the wine good?”
“Yes very good, in fact.”
“Your linguine is getting cold, by the way. It would probably be a good idea to eat something with the wine.”
“You ain’t my mama, honey…”
“No...I ain't, but I don’t wanna tote your butt home either.” As appealing as that thought was, carrying the woman several blocks would test even Morgan’s strength.
“I’m just fine. Stop worrying.” She watched Morgan return to her meal, her eyes focusing on the food sliding off the fork past those curvaceous pink lips. The full, firm jaw moved as she chewed, her throat bobbing with a swallow. Andrea’s small pink tongue emerged to swipe her dry lips, unaware that the motion had not gone unnoticed.
“Fine, but if you don’t eat something soon you’re not going to like tomorrow morning.”
Andrea glanced at the food then her glass, opting for another sip instead of a bite of food.
“You worry too much.”
Placing a piece of her pasta and seafood on her fork, Morgan passed it across the table in the hope of enticing the young woman to eat. She begged, “Please? For me?”
Those eyes… Andrea swallowed hard, her heart racing at the soft, pleading look. Her mouth opened involuntarily, allowing Morgan’s fork to slide in slowly. It sat there until the counselor remembered to close her lips, the utensil withdrawing slowly and sensually. She watched eagerly as that same fork disappeared into the redhead’s mouth, Morgan’s soft lips wrapping invitingly around the food.
“So, are you trying to seduce me?”
Morgan coughed, almost sending a mouthful of food across the tablecloth. She grabbed the water glass and took a healthy swig. “Excuse me?” Had she heard correctly?
“I said… are you trying to seduce me?” Nope, she heard it right.
“Why am I…? What the hell kind of question is that?”
“I think a fairly reasonable one. I know you’re interested. Are you trying to do something about it?” Andrea’s sense of propriety, along with her inhibitions, with had flown out the window with the wine.
“I thought I had made it pretty clear, Counselor. I’m not the kind of person who chases after someone else’s woman. Then, of course, there is the fact that you’re heterosexual.”
“Who said I was het-er-o-sex-u-al?” Andrea was taking delight in Morgan’s confused expression. She took another sip of her wine, reaching for the near empty bottle to refill her glass.
“In case you haven’t noticed, Andrea Worthington, you are marrying a man in less than a year. Or have you forgotten that little tidbit of information?”
“Oh no, I have not forgotten, but who says I’m happy about it?”
“You don’t love him? Why on earth would you marry someone you don’t love?”
“Lots of reasons, none of which involve love.” Now Morgan was seriously confused. Andrea leaned over the table and whispered, “Why do you think I came all the way to New York?”
“Ahh… for the job?” Why was she beginning to get the feeling that that wasn’t the right answer?
Shaking her head, Andrea clicked her tongue. “Morgan, Morgan, Morgan. I could have easily gotten the same job in Atlanta, let alone Columbia. My family owns substantial chunks of the business in both cities.”
Damn. This was not good. All the reasons she had used to protect herself from this woman were being negated. “But you’re not a lesbian…”
“Well, no, I can’t say that I ever considered that option before… until now.” Slightly unfocused eyes bored into the tall detective. Oh shit… Who was hunting who now? “Did I tell you that I had this... interesting... dream last night? It was about an American Express card… and you.”
Morgan waved frantically for the waiter. “Check please!” she croaked. She had been stressing over that dream since she woke up in a hot sweat in the wee hours of that morning, and now the ramifications were returning to bite her in the butt. “Let’s get you home.”
“Now you’re talkin’!” Andrea giggled at her own silliness.
Throwing down a handful of money to cover the bill, Morgan wrestled a tipsy Andrea towards the front door.
“Hey, Morgan! Don’t be a stranger, eh?
“Arrivedierci, Vittorio, e grazie.”
* * *
The detective looked up and down the street, trying to figure the quickest route to Andrea’s hotel. “You gonna take me home now?” She looked down to an impish face staring back, a silly smile plastered on her inebriated face.
“Uh huh. Let’s go.” She guided her companion downtown, glad for the cooler air and fewer number of pedestrians to negotiate.
“You got your American Express card on ya?”
“You know damn well I haven’t got one.”
“Wanna borrow mine?” Andrea’s speech was slurring slightly as she blurted out her inner thoughts.
“No! No, I do not. We will not be using that card... or any other card. Am I making myself clear?”
“Awww, Morgannnnnnnn. Where’s the fun in that?”
* * *
Nearly there… nearly there… Those two words were like a litany in her brain. The virtual octopus next to her had her hands everywhere, and Morgan had more than enough to handle with the shopping bags, let alone this woman trying to climb all over her. Finally the bags gave out, dropping everything to the sidewalk. “Andy! Hey! Listen to me! You stay put, you understand me? I’ve just got to pick this stuff up.” She knew she sounded like she was talking to a two year-old but at this point it was probably all the counselor could understand. She leaned the petite woman against a parked car while she crouched down to shove the gym clothes back into the bags.
“Aw, c’mon honey, let’s go home.” On unsteady legs Andrea wandered between the parked cars, her focus on the far side of the road.
Morgan had just about gathered everything when she heard a squeal of tires. Her eyes shot up, searching for her charge who was blissfully unaware of the approaching car. Without thought she moved, forcing her long legs into blistering motion to outrun a speeding car headed for the young woman. Her heart exploded with panic and the adrenaline released flowed through her, increasing the speed she could see she was going to need.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw the dark vehicle approach, its speed increasing as it raced towards its unsuspecting victim. It seemed to be deliberately heading straight for the small woman, its headlights outlining her body in vivid relief.
Andrea's inebriated state did not allow her to hear the yelled warnings from the detective, only to focus on the shifting sidewalk on the other side. Unsteadily she made progress across the wide street, intent on showing Morgan that she was quite capable of taking care of herself. That was until the beam of light hit her, immobilizing her like a deer caught in the headlights. Try as she may, Andrea just couldn’t get her limbs to move, helplessly pinned in place by the sheer terror at seeing death approaching her at breakneck speed.
Andrea closed her eyes, not wanting to see when it hit her, and braced herself for the inevitable pain. Seconds later a fast-moving body hit her, knocking her to the ground with bone-crunching force. Her mind flashed back over her life, sadly wishing that some things had been done differently, but it was too late to do anything about it now. It took her several seconds to realize that she wasn't dead... but something was on top of her...something warm and incredibly soft…
Morgan had never felt such terror as she did seeing Andrea in the sights of the speeding sedan. When all her options had disappeared she threw herself forward, using every inch of her long body to intercept the young woman before she became roadkill. Long arms wrapped around the small body throwing it, and her, towards the gutter and the relative safety of the parked cars.
As soon as her arm hit the road she felt pain pulsing through her wrist. Her mind valiantly tried to push it aside, focusing her energy on protecting the woman beneath her. She lay flat on top of her until the screech of the tires told her the driver wasn’t going to wait to see if he had done any damage.
Morgan just laid there, her body screaming in protest at being pushed past its limits. Meanwhile, her other senses kicked in and immediately noticed the body she was lying on top of. Slowly, she lifted her head and looked down to see a stupid grin on that adorable face. Thankfully, Andrea was drunk enough to be suitably relaxed and fell like a sack of potatoes when Morgan hit her.
“Are you alright?”
“Oh, yeeaaahhhhh….” Morgan wasn’t sure if she should kiss her silly for being fine or kick her in the butt for not staying put in the first place.
The pain resurfaced and she could sense her wrist swelling. This was going to mean all night at the damned hospital. “Come on.”
“Are we going to bed now?”
“No, we’re going to the hospital.”
“Yeah, they’ve got beds there.”
Was there any point in having this conversation? Andrea was babbling, so anything Morgan said would be lost on the woman. She considered just taking her home and going later but the pain surged, sending bolts of white light across the insides of her eyelids. It was not going to wait.
“Come with me. It won’t take long.” I hope.
* * *
When they walked into the emergency room Morgan’s hopes for a swift visit took a nose dive. There were at least a dozen people ahead of her.
“This is boring.” Andrea snuggled up alongside Morgan, her head nuzzled her chest. “Let’s go home…” The quiet plea in her voice asked all sorts of questions.
“I can’t, Andrea.”
“Why?” The little girl inside the small woman wanted to play. “Oh, pleeeeze. This is no fun at all.”
“Tell me about it.” Morgan would trade places with her right now, as the pain in her wrist was screaming blue murder at her. She would certainly put up with the hangover tomorrow if she could change it from the agony of tonight. The redhead looked up to see a triage nurse watching her, a gentle smile on her face at the antics of the counselor.
“Looks like you have your hands full there.” The middle aged woman strolled over to the two of them.
“I really don’t need this…” Morgan muttered. Tawny eyebrows knitted together as Andrea jostled her arm. “Oh God,” she sighed. She looked up into the blue-gray eyes of the triage nurse and spoke. “You wouldn’t by any chance have a sedative for her? Hell, even a baseball bat would work.”
The woman chuckled at the detective’s dilemma. “Unfortunately, I can’t give you either.” Her eyes wandered to the swollen wrist. “I’ll see if I can hurry things along for you.”
“Hallelujah! Dear God in Heaven shoot me now,” Morgan cried to the heavens, hoping that some divine intervention would alleviate her pain and frustration. The triage nurse didn’t even feel sorry for her predicament, pushing through the ward doors laughing at her expense.
* * *
Despite being a cop she still had to wait for three hours, playing tag with a restless and half-intoxicated Assistant DA who could not sit still. By the time they saw a doctor Morgan was begging for a painkiller, not only for the injury but for the misery this woman was putting her through.
A trip to Radiology, the series of X-rays that had to be read by a 'trained and certified radiological professional’, another trip, another waiting room, this time for the Plaster Room, a cast put on from her knuckles to her elbow, and a bottle of some strong ass pain killers later told her what she already knew; she had fractured her wrist. Great. Just friggin' great. This was going to put a whole new spin on police work for a while. She only prayed that she would not have to wrestle anyone to the ground in the meantime.
* * *
Morgan could stand it no longer. Hailing a taxi, she just wanted to deliver the woman safely home, then she could find her own bed and suffer in silence. Finally… thank you sweet mother of God… she reached the counselor’s door, having to search through the young woman’s purse for the card key. The alcohol had just about worn off and now the counselor was suitably drowsy, putting an extra strain on Morgan’s one good arm. The detective fumbled around trying to put the card in the lock, hampered by the small woman draped over her, and the shot they gave her for pain was finally starting to catch up with her.
Sighing in relief, she lowered Andrea to the bed, seriously thinking of leaving the woman where she lay. Somehow, she just couldn’t do it. She went back to the hallway to retrieve the torn shopping bags, leaving them just inside the door. Returning to the bed, she looked down to see the disheveled counselor lying there drowsily looking up at her with a dopey smile on her face.
“Okay Andy, you gotta help me here…” Pulling on a relaxed arm was hard work. “C’mon Andy, you can’t sleep in those clothes.”
“He he he…” Oh boy. The childish giggle spelled trouble.
“Don’t make me spank you.”
“That might be fun.” A flurry of fingers tried to get to Morgan’s shirt. She smacked them away, leaving her vulnerable to attack. This one-handed thing is a real pain in the butt… The detective finally gave up trying to stop Andrea from undoing the buttons, concentrating her efforts on getting the counselor’s clothes off as quickly as she was able to do one-handed, yanking them off when it looked impossible to get any cooperation from the tipsy ADA.
She pulled back the covers, patting the sheets invitingly. “In ya go.”
“This is more like it.”
“Oh no, you are going to get some sleep, young lady.”
“You’re not going to tuck me in?” Andrea spread herself out on the cool sheet, looking up seductively at her intended target.
Morgan backed away, “Oh no, no, no, no, no….” Her eyes swept over the small lithe body laying in front of her in invitation, her heart thumping wildly at the vision. This was hell, she was sure of it, her own little personal hell.
As much as she had sworn to herself to leave the woman alone, Morgan’s eyes drank in their fill, greedily skimming over the soft skin as if her hands were gliding over her. This would be her only chance, and while she wouldn’t touch, she would most certainly look. After all, she was being strong-willed, not stupid.
Andrea Evangelina Worthington was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen, not that she had seen many women in their underwear, but this woman made her blood boil. Hungry green eyes slowly roamed over the expanse of flesh undulating on the sheet, visually caressing every hill and valley they could find. Where black lace blocked her view, her mind mentally stripped it off, allowing those glittering jade orbs to see it all, to devour the porcelain skin at will.
A low moan escaped her, unable to hold her obsession at bay any longer. She had to get out of here… now! Morgan reached for the blanket to tuck Andrea in but a small hand shot out, grabbing a handful of Morgan’s shirt and pulling. “Come here…,” she whispered. The tall woman sensed the danger a moment before her bad arm hit the mattress, forcing her to roll onto her back to protect herself but not before the blonde had climbed on top and wriggled around. “Ah, now that’s better.”
“Andy, get off me.” She was really not in the mood for this. Her wrist was still aching, even though the pain killer was taking the edge off nicely, and she was not about to do something that, in the light of day, was going to seriously affect their relationship.
“Well, it’s going cost you.”
“Cost me?” This didn’t sound good.
“A kiss, Morgan.” The larger woman jerked up, trying to dislodge the small blonde, but to no avail. “Now it’s gonna cost you two.”
“Don’t do this, Andy. You’re drunk. You don’t know what you’re doing.” Morgan really wished for her second hand right now so she could end this game, but she was stuck trying to fend her off with the proverbial one hand tied behind her back.
Andrea’s fuzzy mind thought hazily that Morgan was probably right, but the feel of her underneath her as she sat up was just too good to ignore. Reason tried to assert itself but was quickly shuffled aside as her baser instincts reveled in the freedom that the alcohol had given her. Despite everything, she wanted to experience this woman in a way she knew that, in a more coherent state of mind, she would never have the courage to do.
Before the detective could protest, Andrea lowered herself so that their bodies touched, protected only by Morgan’s shirt and pants. A large hand came up and spanned her naked waist, holding her in place, as she brought her lips closer to the paler ones below her. Hesitating before that first contact, Andrea breathed in, inhaling the scent that was Morgan. Yes, there was sweat and gutter grime, but underneath there was a more subtle aroma, of soap and skin, which appealed to her senses. Freshly showered, Morgan would be an aromatic feast.
Why was Morgan fighting this? She so desperately wanted to taste those lips, but at what cost? “If I let you kiss me will you go the hell to sleep?”
“Two kisses, detective. That was the deal.” Long fingers slowly trailed up and down her back, leaving goosebumps in their wake. “Two kisses. Now hold still. This won’t hurt at all.”
That first contact was electric, sensual sparks springing from one body to the other. Andrea pulled back sharply, her little tipsy haze suddenly focusing with great clarity. Nothing… NOTHING had ever affected her like this.
“That’s one…,” Morgan whispered.
Andrea swallowed hard. “Then I better make the second one count.”
The surprise of that first discovery was replaced with passion, Andrea quickly seeking, and gaining, access to Morgan’s mouth. They touched, teased, consumed and caressed, neither willing to break contact for it would mean the end of the wager.
Morgan could feel her body slowly slipping out of control, wanting so desperately to take what was being offered to her. Not in her wildest dreams had she expected to find the counselor so warm, so enticing… so willing. No. She had to stop this now. Morgan shifted her wrist, allowing the pain to cut through her libidinous haze and bring her back to her senses.
The tall redhead broke the kiss. “That’s two…” she murmured.
“One more. Please, just one more.” Somehow, Andrea just knew that one more was never going to be enough. She could see the resolve residing in those lucid green eyes and knew that her night was coming to a close. Her libido fought for control, her small hand unconsciously reaching behind for the snap of her bra. A much larger hand rested on top.
“Don’t do it, Andy. Please. Not this way.” She looked up into pleading eyes desperate for love and nearly faltered. No, if this was meant to happen, then it will happen in daylight and with a clear mind. “Now please, you have your two kisses. Let me up.”
“Why are you fighting this?”
“Because I will not be responsible for ruining lives, Andrea. I’m not coming between you and…ah.”
“Ahhh… Joel.”
“Joel. If you have problems, then you sort it out, but I won’t be the excuse.”
“But…”
“Come on, we’re both tired and sore. Let me up and I’ll go home.” Reluctantly, Andy moved, sitting grumpily in bed while Morgan struggled out of it with one good hand. Energy reserves were quickly buckling under the onslaught of the medication flowing through her, and Morgan knew she would be struggling to get home. Stiffly, she drew up the blanket and draped it over the reclining woman. “Good night, Andy.”
“Mmmmmm….” Finally, Andrea’s body gave way to the alcohol, relaxing into a peaceful slumber as if nothing had happened.
“Wish it was that easy.” Morgan knew her sleep wouldn’t be so simple. She picked up the phone. “Room service, please. This is room four eleven. Could you please pick up some clothes for dry cleaning? I’ll leave them in the bag outside the door. I don’t want to be disturbed. No, there’s no immediate hurry. Thank you.” Folding the dark suit, Morgan noted the liberal smudges of dirt and slime, sending a shiver through her as to how close she came to losing Andrea. She sat down, running her good hand over her head in agitation. How long had she known this woman? Three days? Three days, and she was throwing herself in front of a moving car to rescue her. Nuts. She was certifiably nuts.
Standing took just about all of her strength, causing her to reconsider her plan to go home. Dropping the clothes bag on the floor outside the hotel room, Morgan reentered, eyeing the armchair at the other end of the room. It looked like she was here to stay.
Morgan stepped into the bathroom, finally getting a look at the damage in the large mirror. Considering that she had bodily thrown herself in front of a car, a broken wrist seemed to be the only major piece of damage her body absorbed. Besides the odd smear of dirt here and there, and the obvious smell of rolling around in a gutter, she considered herself lucky that she didn’t end up a smear on the guy’s windshield. She cleaned herself up as best she could, grateful to find some mouthwash to rid herself of the taste of stale wine and fear that lingered there. Morgan was coming off a high, the adrenaline finally wearing off and the pain relievers finally kicking in with a vengeance.
Grabbing the blanket off the closet shelf, Morgan’s vision started to narrow as she staggered towards the comfy chair near the window. Untying her boots, she slipped them off, wiggling her toes in delight at the freedom right before she unceremoniously dropped into the chair, extending her legs over the coffee table and covering them with the blanket. Drug-laden eyes glanced at the bed in a silent vigil over the small woman asleep, right before green eyes disappeared under heavy eyelids. Morgan’s last thoughts were of moist lips and hot wet tongues…
Feedback is always appreciated. You can contact me at aurelia_fan@yahoo.com.au