Manipulations
A DWP (MirAndy) story
By Gun Brooke
Part 5
Miranda could feel the tension in Andrea at her words and saw the shock in her eyes.
"You're firing me?" Andrea drew a trembling breath. "Really? You're…you're just…"
"You can't stay on as my assistant if we're going to date."
"So what'll I be? How does it help me if everyone thinks I'm your…your keptwoman, or something?" Pressing her full lips together didn't help. They were still trembling.
Miranda had to smile at Andrea's choice of word. Who knew the girl had such a melodramatic side? It was quite attractive. "Don't be ridiculous, Andrea. You're not going to be a kept woman. With your well-deserved recommendation from me, you'll be able to get a job doing what you really love. Writing is why you came to New York, after all."
Andrea gazed down at where Miranda held on to her arm. She slid her hand down to take Andrea's hand instead, squeezing it gently for emphasis.
"So, how long do we continue this dating thing?" Though she met Miranda's gaze again, Andrea's voice held a small catch.
"You misunderstand. I want to date you." Miranda knew this was where they either moved on together or apart. Her stomach rolled and the aspirin threatened to make an embarrassing reappearance, but swallowing against the threatening bile, Miranda kept talking. "You asked why I created these pictures. What's your theory?"
"Oh, God. I don't know!"
"Make an educated guess based on what you know of me." Miranda knew this was a stalling tactic on her part, but it was also a way to find out just what Andrea thought of her, and what she thought her capable of. It was one thing for the rest of her staff to think she ate assistants for breakfast or tossed them out the window if they failed to bring her coffee.
"Fine. Okay." Andrea pulled her eyebrows together, her eyes darkening. "You never do anything you don't want to. You don't care what others say or think. You chose to manipulate photos, and very expertly created situations that included both of us. Situations that were intimate…sensual…even sexual?" Andrea's eyes grew wide. "It seems impossible, at least to me, but could it be that you find me attractive? That the pictures were in a sense wishful thinking? A visual fantasy of what you might want?"
Miranda always knew Andrea was brave. Now she had it confirmed beyond a doubt and this made her feel uncommonly ashamed at how she'd first suggested they'd deal with her mess. Her mess. Andrea was an innocent bystander who had been prepared to sacrifice way too much to help Miranda avoid scandal. Was it right to even ask Andrea for more? Probably not. Probably so very selfish. Another one of her not-so-admirable traits. At the very least she needed to act as bravely as Andrea. If it was possible.
"Yes. These last months, have reacted to your presence in a way that I can't explain. I've never found a woman attractive in a personal way before. You know I'm surrounded by women, many of them supermodels or superstars in the entertainment industry. I can see their beauty, their perfection, from a fashion point of view. They leave me utterly indifferent on a personal level. Then there is you. Much too young. Beautiful in a profound way that comes from within. It's not just your stunning outer appearance; it's that light, that kindness and caring glow you emanate, that pulls me in. Your scent. Everything."
Andrea's lips formed a soundless "oh" and now she clung to Miranda's hand. "And now you want to date me. Why?"
Miranda frowned. Hadn't she just explained how she felt?
"Yes. You find me attractive. You find me kind and a decent human being, I get that," Andrea said quickly. "I believe you. Still, you need to mitigate the scandal caused by these pictures hitting the press and deal with Irv. So you want to go on dates with me in public…but my question remains: for how long?"
Miranda realized Andrea hadn't understood at all. "I'm sorry I acted so carelessly and so without concern for your reputation. This is all my doing. You're right; you don't have to date me. I will write your recommendation, of course. I just wish…" Her temples were throbbing again and somehow she sensed that Andrea's head hurt as well. "I…" Her words failed her. Clearly there was no end to her failings and embarrassment this evening.
"No, no. Miranda, I'm not saying I don't want to date you, or help you. I'm not saying that at all." Andrea shocked her by taking her by the shoulders. "You must know I care about you. I wouldn't be here if I didn't. It's just that…if we date and time goes on and then you decide that Irv is dealt with accordingly and the situation back to normal, and you don't need me anymore..." She sobbed almost inaudibly. "That will break me." Her hands fell down into her lap where she clasped them hard.
"Break you?" Miranda's heart skipped one contraction. Then one more. "I had no idea. Please, Andrea. Listen to me." Her hopes beginning to simmer again, Miranda dared to pull Andrea in for a gentle hug. "Let's forget about the stupid pictures for a moment. Let's pretend I just asked you on a date for all the right reasons, like you deserve. Because I find you irresistible."
"All right?"
Miranda knew she wasn't exactly making the headache go away by holding her breath, but if she inhaled more of Andrea's enticing scent, she might lose her resolve to act in an appropriate manner. "May I take you out to dinner again on Thursday? You can pick which cuisine and I'll arrange it."
"Uhm. Yes. That would be lovely. I like Thai food."
Miranda managed to mask her wince as the only Asian food she liked was sushi and sashimi, but perhaps she could scare up a restaurant that managed both. "Very well. I will let you know what time I'll be picking you up." Miranda still held Andrea in a loose embrace. She didn't want to let go of her just yet. It was an irrational fear, perhaps, but what if Andrea just decided to run, to pull back and out of her life? Miranda turned her head and buried her face into Andrea's long hair, inhaling greedily.
"You—I like how you hold me. Feels very different. In a good way," Andrea murmured. Her hands started moving against Miranda's back.
Humming out of sheer pleasure, Miranda noticed how her headache began to lessen. "You're far more understanding and forgiving than I deserve," she whispered, hoping she wouldn't jinx everything by stating this. "I know as long as Irv has the pictures published, you'll be targeted and I want you to come to me when that happens. I know a great deal more than I care to about how to deal with the paparazzi leeches. Don't feel you have to be the perpetual assistant and protect me." Raising her head, Miranda skimmed her fingertips across Andrea's lower lip. "I want to be there for you."
Andrea's lips moved against Miranda's fingertips as if of their own volition. "Mm." She hummed in what seemed like agreement.
"I think we need to call you a cab now or I will do something for which it is way too soon. I don't want to ruin things more than I already have." Miranda gave a one-shoulder shrug.
"What do you mean?" Andrea tilted her head against Miranda's palm, which rested against her cheek.
Her cheeks warming, Miranda pushed her hand into Andrea's hair. "I might kiss you. Or try to persuade you to stay." She braced herself for Andrea's shock and disapproval.
"Oh!" Instead, Andrea's eyes shone brightly. "I agree staying the night is jumping the gun a bit, but…there's nothing wrong with a kiss, is there? A real one."
"As opposed to my manipulated embraces, you mean?" Miranda smirked. "As long as that kiss doesn't escalate—"
Andrea moved in and pressed her full lips against Miranda's. Holding her close, Andrea moved her mouth in several small caresses over Miranda's lips. She didn't deepen it, but it still made Miranda so weak, so breathless, she melted into Andrea's arms. She had envisioned being held like this, being kissed like this, but those fantasies had not even come close to reality. Andrea's lips were intoxicating and Miranda had to force herself to end the kiss and pull back.
"Oh, my." Miranda wondered if she looked as dazed as she felt.
"Yeah. And then some." Andrea sounded as taken aback as Miranda.
"Let me call you a—"
"I've got it." Andrea produced a phone the way a magician pulls a rabbit out of a hat. She ordered a cab within seconds and then hung up, looking pensively at Miranda. "So, Thursday, right?"
"Yes."
"What should I wear?"
"Casual elegance will do nicely."
"Gotcha. I mean, will do." Andrea smiled shyly. "I look forward to our date."
"As do I, Andrea." Oh, God, as do I.