Training Days (29 page)

Morgan raised a slow hand to cup Ally’s cheek. “You do know that I love you too.”

Ally didn’t know why, but never before had she ever been so certain of the truth in another’s words. She grinned impishly, newly confident in her success. “You’re just saying that ’cause I’m good in bed.”

Morgan’s eyes twinkled with laughter as she grabbed Ally by the wrists and pulled her down on top of her. “Come here then and prove it.”

Morgan carried the tray that had previously held the hotel room’s coffee cups and tumblers over to the bed. She placed it in the middle of the mattress and sat down carefully so as not to upturn the open foil packages. “Dinner is served,” she announced formally.

“Do you think that now we can hold our heads up high in Spanish society?” Ally asked as she selected a baby aubergine that—from the smell of it—had been cooked with a bucketload of fresh marjoram. She took a bite and held out the remainder.

Morgan chewed slowly on the morsel that was popped into her mouth. She’d been right; marjoram dominated the flavor. “Apart from the fact I don’t think too many of them dine in the nude, I reckon we’ve outdone most tonight.” She reached for her watch on the bedside table and presented the face to Ally. It read two thirty.

Ally grimaced theatrically as she read the time. “No wonder I felt like I was about to faint.”

Morgan peered at the foil packages and selected a chicken croquette. “And here I was thinking it was me making you swoon.”

“Oh, no.” Ally’s impish tone was back. “I was just hungry.”

Morgan offered her croquette to the little vixen, watching as the crumbed ball disappeared between lips that were still puffy from being kissed so long and so often. And that had kissed Morgan back so long and often.

Everywhere.

And so well.

Morgan shivered at the memory of Ally’s tongue rolling and swirling over her. And of the fingers that joined her mouth, slipping so easily inside, thrusting and pushing her to ever-increasing heights. Ally had played her body as if she already knew it intimately. Goodness only knew what would happen when she
did
have the benefit of experience. Morgan shivered again. She was in for one glorious ride.

If Ally would agree to the terms of a relationship with her, that is.

Morgan took the slice of cured ham that Ally had decided was next in line for consumption and set it back on the foil. “Ally.” She took her hands within hers and raised them to her lips, kissing their tips. “I want to see you again . . . and again . . .”

“I’m glad,” Ally replied, all traces of levity gone from her tone. “Because I want to see you again and again, too.” She kissed Morgan’s hands, which still encased hers. “I just wish it could be every day.”

“Me, too.” For the first time in a very long time, Morgan really wished she didn’t have the job everyone else in the world wanted. “But you need to realize I’m gone more than I’m home—”

“I know that.” Ally nodded, even though she slumped a little.

“And when I am home we can’t exactly be open. Our relationship will have to remain . . . our secret.”

“I understand.”

“No, I don’t think you do.” Morgan tipped Ally’s chin a little, forcing their eyes to meet. “We can do what we want when we’re alone. But apart from that I have to . . . stay in my closet. No kissing in restaurants, no holding hands in public. No doing anything that may raise questions or speculation.”

“But”—confusion crossed Ally’s features—“on the train—you told me you were with a woman. How’s that ‘staying in your closet’?”

“She was a . . . moment of weakness.” Morgan averted her eyes, not quite sure how Ally would react to the story of Marie. But she told it anyway, in its entirety.

“She really wanted money?” Ally asked at the end of the telling, her expression incredulous.

Morgan nodded.

“I don’t want your money.”

“I never thought you did.”

Ally ran the tip of her index finger over Morgan’s lips. “But I always wanted to see what it was like, living in a closet.”

“It’s a deep closet,” Morgan warned. She was still not convinced Ally really understood what she was walking into. “If I was any farther inside it, I’d end up in Narnia.”

“I read the book and I saw the movie. Narnia seems like a wondrous place.” Ally took the tip of Morgan’s finger into her mouth. “I’d go there with you anytime.”

“And will you water my houseplants when I can’t be there?” Morgan asked, tight-throated, her heart beating madly. She was imagining coming home, not to an empty echo, but to Ally.

Ally sucked Morgan’s finger into her mouth. “I will create a garden of paradise for you.”

Morgan took the tray of tapas and moved it to the carpeted floor, determined to make the bed theirs again. She kneeled on the mattress, motioning for the woman she loved to join her. She did. “Ally . . .”

“I have to go,” Morgan said with a distinct lack of enthusiasm at six thirty a.m. She and Ally lay together under the covers, having finally succumbed to sleep just a few hours before dawn. The tray of almost untouched tapas was still on the floor.

Ally stretched like a cat and yawned widely. “I’ll walk you to your hotel.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Morgan stroked her hair. “Sleep while you can. You have a long journey ahead.”

Ally stretched again then sat up. “I do have to. Or you might get lost.”

“That is a distinct possibility,” Morgan murmured, pulling Ally back down to pillow level. She buried her head into Ally’s neck and breathed in deeply, committing her scent to memory. The floral fragrance of her perfume lingered. It mingled with the remnants of their night’s passions, creating an intoxicating bouquet. Morgan moved her head just a little, enough to kiss her tenderly on the lips. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.” Ally smiled into her eyes. “Would you like a crappy instant coffee?”

“Yes, please.” Morgan arranged her pillows and sat up. At eight a driver would arrive at her hotel to take her and the rest of the crew to some beach on the Costa Brava coast, where she would be filmed exploring the cliffs, caves and coves in a kayak. If the light that filtered through the curtains of Ally’s hotel room was anything to go by, the day promised to be perfect for such an activity and, normally, she would be looking forward to it. But right now, as she watched Ally’s bare behind wriggle away to make coffee, Morgan would have given almost anything to stay in bed and ignore the day . . . ignore everything except Ally and the feeling of euphoria she had in her presence. But that wasn’t to be. Twenty minutes later, their crappy instant coffee had been consumed and they strode out into the bright Barcelona morning.

“Come up to my room?” Morgan asked as they walked into the lobby of her hotel.

“Try and stop me,” Ally said seductively, reaching for her hand.

“Not here,” Morgan murmured, tilting her head slightly in the direction of the reception desk. A group of men were standing around a cluster of suitcases, either checking in or checking out. In addition to the green and yellow rugby shirt that one wore—advertising he was a Wallabies supporter—their strong accents gave away their nationality. “Aussie alert to our right.”

Ally turned to watch the group and then turned back, scowling. “What are they doing here? You haven’t even finished filming your Barcelona segment yet.”

Morgan chuckled. “Yes, I know. How dare they make a travel decision without my recommendation!” She headed for the elevator. “Let’s go somewhere a little less crowded.”

After a ride in a divinely empty elevator and a dash down a deserted corridor, Morgan opened the door to her room. The room’s phone was ringing, but it stopped before Morgan could get to it. Not that she moved toward it with any great hurry. Her time with Ally was limited. She didn’t want to waste a moment of it talking to anyone else.

“I told you my life wasn’t all glamor and chic hotel rooms.” Morgan watched Ally scan the quite small and utilitarian surrounds. She’d donned some casual-fitting jeans and a sleeveless shirt for their walk. Even in such a simple outfit, Morgan thought her beautiful beyond belief.

Ally pushed at the mattress as if testing it for firmness. She glanced knowingly up to Morgan. “So long as the bed works . . .”

“We won’t get to find out.” Reluctantly, Morgan pulled Ally away from the bed. She worked at the first button of her shirt, revealing the beginnings of cleavage. “I don’t have time. But maybe you can test-drive the shower with me?”

Ally’s response was to turn Morgan around in her hands and slowly undo the zipper on her dress. The room phone began jangling again as she brushed Morgan’s hair to one side. “Are you going to get that?” Her voice was low and Morgan sucked in her breath when she felt a gentle bite on her earlobe. “Maybe it’s the driver calling to say he’ll be late.”

“He’d call Kitty.” Morgan’s pulse quickened at the thought of some extra time, even though she knew the chances of getting any were next to nil. “It’s probably her, since my mobile’s still turned off. And knowing her, she’ll keep calling till she gets an answer.” She undid another of Ally’s shirt buttons. “You keep going with this and I’ll get rid of her as fast as I can.”

It
was
Kitty, wanting to know why Morgan hadn’t yet appeared for breakfast. Morgan told her she’d had a very late dinner and so wasn’t hungry. She hung up on the promise she’d be downstairs at eight, as arranged.

“That was quick.” Ally was just at the point of peeling away her shirt when Morgan hung up the phone.

“Hmm.” Morgan’s breath caught in her throat as she watched Ally undo the button and zipper on her jeans. She’d stepped out of them by the time Morgan had shrugged out of her dress. By the time they reached the bathroom they’d stepped out of their underwear. Morgan reached over to turn on the spray. She turned to Ally while she waited for the water to get to temperature. “Now, remember, we don’t have much time.” She wagged her finger at her. “Be good.”

“Cross my heart and hope to die.” Ally blinked innocently as she made the motions that went with the words. She tested the water with her hand, declared it as warm enough and stepped in. “Mmm.” She sniffed at the open bottle of Morgan’s almond body wash. “Now I know why you smell so good.” She squeezed a good amount into her palm and rubbed her hands together. “Turn around and I’ll wash your back.”

“I thought you promised to be good,” Morgan accused a minute later. Her reprimand was not very convincing. She was too intent on the sensation of Ally’s soapy body slithering and sliding up and down hers.

“Is this bad?” Ally whispered throatily into her ear.

“No.” Morgan groaned as Ally’s hands slid from her waist, to her breasts. Her lathered palms circled over Morgan’s nipples in a slow rhythmic motion. Morgan shuddered and groaned again. “It’s very good.”

“So what’s the problem then?” Ally asked, her mouth still at Morgan’s ear. “You asked for good. I’m only giving you what you wanted.”

“You’re a vixen.” Morgan closed her eyes as her breath caught in her throat. One of Ally’s hands was traveling down her stomach. The promise in the slippery fingertips caused her desire to grow exponentially. “That’s a technicality and you know it.”

“Maybe.” Ally slipped the tip of her tongue into Morgan’s ear and pressed her body closer against Morgan’s back, grinding lasciviously. Her hand slid lower. “All I know is I can’t keep my hands off you.”

“Oh, dear God!” Morgan threw her head back as Ally entered her. Morgan reached for the stability of the shower wall, laying her palms flat to the tiles.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” Ally held onto Morgan tightly when her hands kept slipping, unable to gain purchase on the polished surface.

Yes. You’ve got me.
Morgan thrust more urgently against Ally’s hand. So quickly the first waves of her orgasm approached. She closed her eyes tighter as sensation focused and then spilled to all points of her body. The explosion of energy came with a rush of emotion so strong that her cry of pleasure was accompanied by a choked declaration of love. And then, totally unexpectedly, tears rolled down her cheeks. “Ally . . .” She turned around in her arms. “I love you.” She took Ally’s face into her hands, punctuating each declaration with a kiss. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”

Morgan laughed through her tears in pure joy when the words were repeated back to her, and under the warm spray of the shower they kissed and kissed again.

Kitty rang at ten past eight. “Where are you?” she demanded.

Morgan rolled her eyes at Ally, pointing to her phone and mouthing
Kitty
. “I’m just stepping out of the elevator.”

It was true. By some miracle they had managed to finish their shared shower, get dressed and still have enough time for long good-byes in the privacy of Morgan’s room. All without running too grossly over schedule. Of course, their lovemaking had been rushed, but still, Morgan was impressed with their efficiency.

Once outside the hotel Morgan pointed to the other side of the street. Mark and Nick were loading their gear into the back of a gleaming silver four-wheel drive. “There they are.”

“I’ll leave you here?” Ally tugged on the short sleeve of Morgan’s T-shirt, bringing her to a halt.