by Donna Raider
“Um…now you’ve caught a priest, wearing it,” Mika struggled to get her emotions under control.
Leah started toward her. “Don’t!” Mika pleaded. “Unless you want to spend the rest of the day in bed.”
“That’s a tempting offer,” Leah tilted her head slightly, “but I suppose we should keep our appointment with Mr. Devon.” She picked up her purse and walked to the elevator doors.
Mika quickly crossed the room and pressed the button, opening the door for her. She was still reeling from Leah’s beauty. “You know you’re supposed to negotiate with Marcus, not seduce him,” Mika winked.
Leah waived her hand down the front of her and smiled. “Oh, this isn’t for Mr. Devon, darling. It’s all for you.”
“Excuse me a minute,” Mika laughed “while I keep my knees from buckling.” Mika was thankful the elevator doors had opened, and she could lean against the sides of the car as it began its descent.
James was waiting at the curb for them. He opened the door of the white limo as Leah walked from their building. James half bowed, as she nodded her thanks to him. Mika entered from the other side of the car so Leah wouldn’t have to slide across the seat.
“This is grand,” Leah smiled. “When you said we had a car at the penthouse, I never dreamed it would be a limousine, and a white one. I forget about you good guys and your white.”
“Don’t forget,” Mika took her hand, “you are one of the good guys, too.”
Leah nodded happily, as she examined the interior of the car. James had a bottle of her favorite wine iced in the bucket sitting on the small bar along with two wine glasses. She could see a plate of cheeses and crackers through the glass door of a small refrigerator. She was thankful for that since they had skipped breakfast.
She raised an eyebrow at her wife. “To celebrate after you finish with Marcus,” Mika grinned.
“Hum, I think the celebration will start after I finish with you,” she lowered her voice and looked at Mika seductively.
Mika tried to control the fire that shot throughout her body but failed. Thankfully, their destination was thirty minutes away.
“Stop doing that to me,” Mika pleaded. “Unless you want me to wait in the car for you.”
“Oh, no,” Leah laughed. “I want you at my side.”
The car stopped in front of one of the newer, gauche buildings of New York. James immediately opened the door for Leah, while Mika joined her on the sidewalk. They were inside the building when Leah noticed she had left her purse in the car. “Mika, I left my purse in the car. Will I need it?”
“Probably. People want to see identification when signing contracts.” She was already calling James. “You go on up. I’ll get your purse.”
It took James ten minutes to negotiate the traffic and one-way streets of New York and get back to Mika. The priest quickly snatched the purse from the back seat of the limo and headed for Marcus’ office.
##
Marcus Devon was a player. At the top of his field. Only thirty-eight, he was considered one of New York’s most eligible and desirable bachelors. Over six feet tall, with the body of an athlete, he had always had his pick of the women in his city, both married and single. His dark good looks and easy smile had always opened doors for him. He re-read the contract as he waited for Mayor Cross to keep her appointment.
Marcus rose slowly from his desk as his secretary ushered Leah Cross into his office. Normally he moved quickly but found he was mesmerized by the beauty of the woman being introduced to him. He shook his head slightly to clear the haze that had engulfed him and tried to overcome the feeling of moving in slow motion as he stared at the woman.
“Mr. Devon,” she spoke his name again. “Are you okay?”
“Mayor Cross, what a pleasure it is to meet you.” He extended his hand, but she had already walked past him and seated herself in a chair in front of his desk. He shook his head again, trying to clear the inappropriate thoughts that had taken up residence in his mind.
Marcus Devon was accustomed to dealing with beautiful women, but he had never seen anyone as majestically breathtaking as the mayor. He nervously shuffled the papers on his desk, desperately trying to make his tongue work.
She smiled and waited for him to initiate the conversation. She was even more glorious when she smiled. He felt a light sheen of perspiration cover his forehead and chastised himself for behaving like a teenage boy. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
The door to his office opened, and his secretary ushered in a priest almost as magnificent as the woman seated in front of him. The brilliant smile that brightened the mayor’s face at the sound of the priest’s voice told Marcus Devon everything he needed to know. Mayor Cross was in love with her parish priest. His mind began to work, and he quickly filed that tidbit of knowledge away for future hardball negotiations.
Moving quickly, Marcus crossed the room and shook hands with Mika. “It was kind of you to accompany the mayor on this trip,” Marcus smiled.
Mika flashed a dazzling smile and nodded. “You know, the old two heads are better than one,” she said. “However, I seriously doubt Mayor Cross will need my help.”
“I do rather enjoy your company, dear,” Leah turned her brilliant smile on the priest.
Not nearly as much as she enjoys yours , Marcus thought to himself as he watched the priest’s eyes rest momentarily on the mayor’s cleavage. Marcus growled to himself. He hadn’t even noticed her other assets. He had never gotten past her perfect face.
“Nice purse,” Marcus couldn’t help jabbing at the priest for no other reason than to pull her eyes away from the mayor.
“Oh,” the priest handed the purse to Leah, “Mayor Cross accidently left this in the car.”
“Mr. Devon,” the mayor seemed impatient, “If we can go over the plans for the next concert now that would be nice. I have a very pressing appointment this afternoon.”
Marcus noticed her emphasis on pressing and the priest’s blush. “Yes,” he cleared his throat. “We are considering several venues and would like to leave our options open to see how ticket sales go. Where we hold the concert will depend on dates available.”
“May I see a list of the venues and the seating capacity of each,” she asked.
Marcus handed her a list that ranged from Radio City Music Hall in New York with a capacity just over 6,000 to The American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas with a seating capacity over 19,000.
“We would prefer the Music Hall with the smaller capacity,” the mayor said firmly. “I am concerned for our children and the performers. If we hadn’t had the foresight to bring our security, I fear our band members would have been in grave danger from the mob.”
“We don’t refer to our ticket holders as a mob,” Marcus grimaced. “Honestly, in all fairness to the contest promoters, no one expected your singer to blow away the crowd the way he did.”
“You won’t have to worry about that,” the mayor smiled slightly. “We will be substituting another singer for him. He just stepped in to help us out in an emergency.”
“Could you provide me with his contact information,” Marcus picked up a pen and began doodling on his pad. “Perhaps I can persuade him to perform with the band one more time.”
“He has specifically asked us not to give out any information about him,” Leah insisted.
“I assume you have read the contract; I believe you signed,” the agent began flipping through his copy of their contract. “In the fine print on page twelve, you will notice it specifically says, ‘all original performers must participate in the second concert.'”
“Yes, I did see that,” Leah scowled. “What if we have no knowledge of whom the man is and have no idea how to contact him?”
“Then we would have no choice but to declare your Choir Boys ineligible to win and the first place would go to the band from Brighton.”
Leah looked down, studying her hands. She truly wanted to accept the disqualification but knew being disquali
fied would be a big disappointment to Richie, the band, and the entire town. The thought of the women rubbing all over her wife sent a wave of fury through her.
Mika placed a calming hand on her arm. “I’m certain Mayor Cross will be able to persuade the singer to perform.”
“Okay,” the mayor growled. “We will bring the same singer, but only if we get to select the venue from your list, and the performance is scheduled before Christmas.”
Marcus considered her proposal for several minutes, weighing the pros and cons of it. “What venue?” he asked.
“Radio City Music Hall,” she said, selecting the hall guaranteeing the smallest crowd.
Marcus nodded. “What about talk show appearances, interviews, etc.?” he pushed.
“If it can happen in December,” the Mayor said. “The band members are out of school the entire month of December to celebrate Christ’s birthday.”
“You are religious?” Marcus queried.
“Yes,” she smiled proudly. The priest’s smile let her know how pleased she was with her. Leah’s eyes locked with Mika’s and held a little too long.
You are sleeping with your parish priest; Marcus thought as he watched the brief exchange between Mika and Leah.
“How long will you be in town?” Marcus asked.
“Why do you ask?” Leah smiled her politician’s smile.
“I just need to go over this with the promoters. Using the Music Hall greatly limits the income from ticket sales.” I want to get you alone. Marcos thought.
“Call me before noon tomorrow,” the Mayor instructed. “After that, I will be unavailable.”
“I will do my best to have an answer for you, this evening,” Marcus smiled, his white teeth sparkling against his dark complexion. “Perhaps we can finalize things over dinner.”
Leah brought her left hand to her lips, trying to decide her answer. It was then Marcus noticed the wedding band on her left hand.
“What an exquisite ring,” Marcus frowned.
“Yes,” she smiled, “my wife is a woman of exceptional taste.”
“In every way,” Marcus said as he slowly let his eyes move from her face to her body and back. If she is married and having an affair with her priest, she is not as prudish as she appears and obviously fools around , he thought. He had to find a way to be alone with her.
Marcus’ blatant scanning of her wife’s body did not escape Mika’s attention. Leah ignored it. Men had always looked at her that way. She was used to it. It always worked to her advantage.
“What time?” she asked finally.
“What time, what?” Marcus pulled from his thoughts of her.
“Dinner tonight,” she smiled, “what time and where?”
“Seven. I will pick you up.” Marcus smiled slyly.
“That won’t be necessary,” she stood. “Just text me the restaurant name and address. I will be there at seven.”
“Mika,” Marcus addressed the priest, “there is a special mass tonight at Old St Peters. You might enjoy it. St. Peters is the oldest Catholic Church in New York. It’s quite lovely.”
“Thank you,” the priest nodded as she followed the mayor out of the office.
James was waiting for them when they walked from the building. Once they settled in the car, Mika leaned over and kissed her gently. “It was all I could do not to strike him blind,” she scowled.
Leah nodded, “Wasn’t he typical?”
“A typical lecherous male,” Mika huffed. “Men like him give the gender a bad name.”
“I hate to break it to you, darling, but most men are like him. I’m afraid there are few exceptions.” Leah’s eyes danced as she spoke to her wife. “Is there a way to give us privacy in this limo?”
Mika pushed a button, and a partition slid up between the driver and the passengers.
Leah slid her dress up to her waist, as she straddled her wife’s lap, kissing her deeply. Mika was pleased to find Leah wore no undergarments. A look of surprise crossed Leah’s face as Mika pulled away from her lips. After a moment’s hesitation, Mika pushed the intercom button. “James, please drive around until further notice,” she said trying to keep the excitement out of her voice.
Mika kissed her cheek, her ear, slowly moving down her neck. Her chest ached as she inhaled the scent of Leah. “Leah, I love you, so much,” she breathed into her hair. Mika’s hands slid down Leah’s back, then back up to the zipper of her dress. She slowly eased it down along with the top of the dress. She kissed each new inch of skin revealed as she undressed her wife. Mika kissed the flesh she had been eyeing during the entire meeting, slowly kissing and caressing her ample breasts as Leah moaned her approval.
“Yes, oh yes, baby,” she whispered. “You know what I like.” Leah slipped her hands behind Mika’s head, pulling Mika harder against her as she strained toward her.
Still holding Mika tightly to her breast, with one hand, Leah let the other slide down to unfasten her slacks. She was briefly gleeful Mika hadn’t worn a belt. Leah flicked her wrist, and Mika’s slacks were on the floor of the limo, around her ankles.
After they had satisfied each other, Leah slumped against Mika’s shoulder, still straddling her lap. “Mortal lovemaking has its advantages,” she mumbled. It was a good fix for those times she needed Mika desperately.
“Um,” Mika murmured against her neck.
They drove around New York for a long time, just holding each other. Leah moved to sit in Mika’s lap, her legs stretched across the seat beside them. Mika fed her cheese and crackers. Mika loved the way Leah took a fresh strawberry between her teeth then closed her lips around it. “Thank you for getting my favorite wine,” she kissed Mika softly. She waved her hand, redressing them. Finally, Mika asked James to take them home.
##
Leah didn’t agonize over dressing for dinner with Marcus, but she did want to look breathtakingly elegant for her wife. She knew Mika had made plans for them tonight and wanted her to be proud that she was with her.
Mika was glad to see that Marcus had selected a trendy restaurant without much atmosphere for his dinner engagement with Leah. While it was crowded, the faux leather, circular booths did offer a modicum of privacy.
Marcus waited outside the restaurant for the mayor and was surprised when she arrived in a white limousine. The driver was at her door almost as soon as the car stopped at the curb. Marcus watched as an expensive pair of high heels stepped out onto the pavement, connected to the shapeliest legs, he had ever seen. Then the woman slowly emerged looking around as if she owned the world. She looks like a queen, Marcus thought. She smiled and spoke to the driver who closed the door and disappeared into the limo. Marcus was disappointed that she hadn’t dismissed her driver but simply had him pull to one of the limo parking spaces in front of the restaurant.
Ah, but the woman. She made eye contact with Marcus and moved slowly toward him, her hips swaying slightly. Like many men before him, Marcus thought, No one should walk that sensuously. He didn’t move toward her. He couldn’t. Watching her walk toward him seemed to be all he was able to do.
“Mr. Devon,” she smiled, pulling him from his stupor. How kind of you to wait outside for me. The mark of a true gentleman.”
I would wait outside in the pouring rain and driving snow for you , he thought, as she linked her arm through his to be escorted into the restaurant.
Marcus was delighted the hostess remembered him and greeted him by name. She took Leah’s coat, then led them to his favorite table in the far back corner. He had seduced many women starting at this table. Somehow, he knew he wouldn’t be that lucky tonight. Leah Cross wasn’t a woman easily seduced, but there was always tomorrow.
The waiter poured wine into their glasses. Leah raised an eyebrow questioningly. “Oh, I come here often,” Marcus grinned smugly. “They know what I like.”
“Um,” she smiled slightly, “but they don’t know what I like.”
Marcus was dumbfounded. He knew he should have deferred t
o her preference. He wasn’t used to dating an intelligent, self-confident woman who knew not all wines tasted the same. “I am sorry…”
“Not important,” she waved her hand as if the entire thing was of no consequence. “Before we start drinking wine, I would like to conduct our business. I assume you have brought final contracts?”
“Yes,” he frowned, opening his briefcase. “I took the liberty of drawing up two contracts. One is at the American Airlines Center with one performance. The other is for two performances at Radio City Music Hall. Both contracts call for talk show appearances and interviews with the band during the month of December. The actual performance will be the weekend before Christmas.”
She scanned the contract for Radio City Music Hall. “Can the two performances be in one weekend, say Friday and Saturday?”
Marcus and the promoters hadn’t considered back-to-back performances in one weekend. He wasn’t sure everyone would agree with that. “I don’t…”
She leaned forward, and he found himself looking at the most perfect cleavage he had ever been allowed to admire. He couldn’t tear his eyes away. She laid her hand on top of his and said, “It would be an easy change to make,” as he raised his eyes to meet hers, an amused smile decorated her beautiful lips.
“I don’t see why not,” Marcus gulped a drink of wine, trying to hydrate his mouth that had suddenly become parched.
“We can just mark thru this line where is says ‘to be named at a later date’ and print in ‘two consecutive, night performances’ at Radio City Music Hall,” she continued to smile as she pulled a pen from her purse and made the notations on the contract.
“There, I have initialed the changes and signed the contract. Now if you will do the same, we can forget about business.” The sultry, dark-haired beauty smiled coyly at him. She wanted to finish both this negotiation and the concerts a quickly as possible. She had no desire to interact any more than necessary with Marcus Devon.
Not even caring what he was signing, Marcus initialed beside her initials and wrote his signature on the line above his name.