Of all the possible reactions, this was not one Maggie had anticipated. Had she mistaken Susan’s interest? “Susan, don’t you understand? There’s no reason we can’t be with each other.”
“Yes, there is. Now will you please take me back to work?”
No one had ever told Maggie no. “Just sit. If you don’t want to pursue a personal relationship, then I must remind you that we have a business one. I’ll have my assistant come in and we’ll start,” she said, turning to the phone.
Susan struggled with her tumultuous feelings. She remained silent except when asked a question. Her answers were short and to the point. Only when informed that she would be accompanying Maggie to Atlanta for a concert the next day did she protest. “Maggie, I can’t just abandon my family on short notice. If you want me to review financial records, I’ll be glad to do that from my office.”
“I expect you to be available whenever I need you,” Maggie said. “I’ll call Maureen, Ed, and anyone else. Now, let’s finish our business.” Forty minutes later Maya left to finalize their travel arrangements.
Susan couldn’t remember ever being this angry. Accustomed to controlling her actions and emotions, she just wanted to run out of the damn room, but she wanted it to be a graceful run. At this point she wasn’t sure she was capable of that much coordination. “If we’re finished, I need to go home, pack, and spend some time with my family.”
*
Maggie wanted Susan, but she knew Susan had to come freely. To get beyond the business side of Susan, Maggie had to be patient, a characteristic she had never mastered.
The next day the private jet was loaded and waiting when Maggie and Susan boarded. Maggie provided introductions. “This is Karl. He’s been my manager for four years. Outlasted all the previous ones. Guess I pay him well.” Karl rolled his eyes while shaking Susan’s hand. “This is Jeremy. He and I formed Reckless eight years ago. He’s the drummer, and a damn good one.”
“And I put up with all her bad jokes. Glad to meet you.”
Susan remembered briefly meeting Maya, Maggie’s assistant, and said hello. Susan doubted she would remember most of the rest of the crew.
In Atlanta, the entire top two floors of the Peachtree World Resort had been reserved for Maggie’s entourage. In spite of Susan’s protests, Maggie insisted they share a large two-bedroom corner suite.
“I’m sure you want to meet with your own staff later, and I’ll want to sleep. I’ll arrange for my own room.” Susan started to walk up to the desk.
“Susan, we’ll be sharing a large two-bedroom suite and you will have your privacy. I…” Maggie hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “I would appreciate having you nearby…to consult with or answer any questions about our business.” Sighing, she realized Susan wasn’t smiling and the twinkle in her eye was dimmed. “I also want to get to know you better. I don’t have a lot of experience with this friendship thing, but I really want to try.”
Susan stared at Maggie, fidgeting with the ring on her finger, then shoving her hands in her pocket, and finally nervously running her fingers through her hair. Could Maggie be as uncomfortable as I am? She nodded. “I guess I can put up with a suite for a couple of nights.”
A corner of Maggie’s mouth lifted in a hopeful smile.
*
Shortly after settling into their hotel rooms, they headed for the theater and a dress rehearsal. Maggie thrived in the intense, hectic pace of the evening. The music, the tension, and even the atmosphere ignited the passion within her. She absorbed the energy and it came back out in a raw sexuality. Susan was mesmerized.
When Susan was introduced as a financial consultant, people gave her a blank smile and said, “How nice.” Like “The archipelago represented interesting biodiversity.” How nice. Susan quickly learned what the word “groupie” meant. How nice.
A tall, thin man named Dan introduced himself, welcoming them to Atlanta. “Ms. Carson, thank you for sponsoring this fund-raiser. I can’t tell you how much AIDS Atlanta appreciates you stepping in and pulling this together. When Elton John had to cancel, we didn’t know what we would do. Then Karl called and said you would do the show and sponsor the entire thing.”
Susan stared at a blushing Maggie. Sponsoring? An AIDS fund-raiser? She felt more confused. There was much more to Maggie than Susan imagined. As Dan introduced the board members, Maggie greeted each person, quietly walking around shaking hands, not hesitating in hugging or touching.
While Maggie spent time talking individually to the board, Dan walked up to Susan. “She’s amazing.”
“Yes,” Susan said.
“She’s done so much for our community. And most of the time, she does things quietly. There are probably only two or three people who know she’s footing the entire bill. It’s become fashionable in some large cities to sponsor AIDS fund-raisers. M.J. does more. She really cares. She’s also a big sponsor of breast cancer awareness. I think her mother died of breast cancer when M.J. was young. With her these issues are personal, not just another headlining opportunity.”
Karl then appeared, urging M.J. and the band to get on stage. Many of the other performers and visitors settled into seats, choosing to remain for the entire rehearsal. Susan was on overload. Who was this woman?
Maggie walked up to Susan. “Will you sit on the stage and wait for me?”
Susan nodded. “Thanks. I’d like that.”
Throughout the rehearsal Maggie glanced over at Susan, actually walking off stage twice to smile or wink. Susan’s heart and head were at war. Unable to handle the conflicting emotions, she slipped into the audience, hoping to sort through her feelings. When Maggie next walked to the left side of the stage, she stumbled over her music as she searched for Susan. Every few minutes she searched the backstage area, but she did not stop the rehearsal. This caused comments from people in the audience, wondering what, or who, she was looking for. Finally, at eleven, the band quit.
Susan wanted to be alone, but those left at the end of rehearsal were hungry and thirsty. Dan recommended a local deli and the band, other entertainers, Maggie, and her staff descended on the place. Conversation was loud and animated. Maggie glowed in the attention and admiration but she was also considerate, even gentle with fans who sought her attention.
As she walked around, Maggie spent time at every table. “I am so glad you could join us this evening. What do you folks do in Atlanta?” Maggie sat and listened to them describe their jobs.
The next group she joined was a local all-women rock band. “I want you to know how much I enjoy your music,” she said. “I didn’t recognize it. Are you performing your own stuff?”
The woman with spiked red hair answered, “Yeah, we are. Thank you. That means a lot. I write most of it, but some of it we write as a group.” Maggie made each person feel important, as if no one else mattered.
“Hold on. Maya!” She called her assistant over and introduced her to the group. “Maya, will you give them one of your cards and be sure to get their names and phone numbers. We’re going into the production business and we would like for you to consider recording on our label.”
Susan admired Maggie’s ability to be such an engaging hostess. She no longer knew what to believe about Maggie. Her well of reserve was being drained quickly.
As if reading Susan’s mind, Maggie slid into the booth and whispered, “I’m ready to leave. How about you?” Susan nodded, realizing she had become a nonverbal idiot. Around Maggie, she had trouble remembering her own name. Maggie took her hand and helped her out of the booth. Thirty minutes later, they were alone in the room.
Susan tried to escape to her bedroom but was short-circuited by a quicker Maggie as she stepped in front of the door. A seductive smile spread across Maggie’s face. Susan stepped back. Maggie moved closer. They continued this two-step until Susan backed into a wall. Maggie leaned one arm against the wall and moved against Susan.
“When you disappeared off the stage,” Maggie said, “I had a moment of panic. I missed you. Tomorrow will you promise to stay backstage?”
Susan took a deep breath and agreed. She was confused. Why is it that every time this woman comes near me, all my bodily systems go into overdrive and my brain goes on vacation?
Maggie leaned closer. Susan was well aware of what would happen next. The touch of Maggie’s lips was as soft and gentle as Susan remembered. Maggie barely brushed her lips over Susan’s. She pulled away, but only inches, searching for any hesitancy. Susan met her eyes and did not turn away. Finding an answer, Maggie’s next kiss was not nearly as tentative. It was urgent, demanding.
Susan’s body responded to the probing tongue. A low moan escaped as Susan opened and welcomed her in. An incredible hunger started in her center and spread until Susan wondered how she remained standing. She pulled Maggie closer and felt the soft swell of her breasts. Susan was drowning in such exquisite hunger.
Maggie caressed the back of Susan’s neck as she trailed kisses down her chin and neck before moving back up to recapture her lips. Susan drank in the tenderness. Never had she wanted anyone as much as she wanted Maggie. As she started to unbutton Maggie’s shirt, Maggie pulled back.
“Not tonight. I don’t want you to have any regrets. Not just because you may be tired. Not in one moment of passion.” She stroked Susan’s cheek. “Good night. I’ll see you in a few hours.” She placed one more gentle kiss, turned, and walked into the other bedroom, closing the door behind her. Susan stood there breathless.
Getting to sleep wasn’t easy. Maggie scared her.
*
Maggie closed the door behind her and leaned against it, afraid to turn around. She couldn’t believe she had walked away from Susan. What was happening? She wasn’t sure she would know how to handle involvement without her old crutches. What would she do if Susan still said yes tomorrow? Sleep eluded her. Too many questions swirled in her dreams. For the first time in a long time, Maggie was confused and afraid.