The flight back to Orlando was quiet. While Maggie was attentive and affectionate at the hotel, once aboard the plane she quickly fell asleep. Susan’s insecurities kicked in as she tried to apply logic to the emotional chaos of the previous day.
Thirty minutes into their flight, Maggie awoke and smiled. “Sorry. Guess something wore me out.” One side of her mouth lifted into a most intimate smile. “Or someone.” Almost immediately Susan felt heat creep up her neck. “You’re so cute when you blush.” Maggie gently stroked Susan’s cheek.
“Looks like most everyone else is sleeping. Guess it was the concert.” Susan hoped Maggie hadn’t noticed her awkwardness. Quickly changing the subject, she asked, “How long has your band been together?”
“Is that what you really want to talk about?”
“No.”
“Good. Honey, please, no work.” Feeling chastised, Susan quietly nodded. Maggie pulled her closer and was soon asleep again, leaving Susan more confused.
The arrival in Orlando at a private airport was organized chaos. Limos parked near the hangar swiftly moved out to the plane. Suitcases of various shapes and sizes lined the tarmac and were haphazardly thrown into the waiting vehicles. After a quick hug, Maggie jumped into a waiting limo with a promise to call later. The driver of the remaining vehicle grabbed Susan’s bag and helped her into the car.
Susan felt as if she had been caught up in a tornado and unexpectedly dumped in some cornfield in Kansas without Toto. Her emotions were raw. She was exhausted and confused, and she wanted to sleep. At the same time she dreaded the modern version of the Spanish Inquisition she’d face when she arrived home. Maureen surprised her by not asking many questions. Instead her mother sent her off to bed, with promises to wake her in a couple of hours. At last Susan felt a return of normalcy. As she drifted off to sleep, she reminded herself of how relieved she was to be home.
*
Susan returned to work in a foul mood. Two days had gone by without any word from Maggie. Susan barked at the staff, rewrote the same paragraph twice, and spilled coffee on her new wool suit. She tried to focus but thoughts of Maggie kept intruding.
When Ed came into her office to discuss Maggie’s production company, Susan wanted to yell at him. M.J. Carson was the last person she wanted to discuss.
“I’ve gotten some preliminary interest from folks who have winter homes in Florida. I was at a party up in Heathrow and there was money. Here’s some of the names. What do you think? Think Ms. Carson will be interested?”
“Ed, why are you asking me? This is your area of expertise. If you want me to run financial profiles on them, I’ll be glad to. Just don’t ask me to do a thumbs up or thumbs down.” Susan looked at the open file on her desk hoping the conversation was over.
“Look, Susan, can you run these by Ms. Carson’s folks and see what their interest is?”
“No. If you want the financials on these people, I need to get started. If not, let me finish reviewing these contracts. I have to overnight them and they will be picked up at three.”
Ed perched on the edge of her desk. “You are the damnedest person I work with. You’re hard-nosed and focused. You’ve kept me, and the company, from losing big bucks. I love to see you do that with our clients. And I hate it when you do it to me.”
“Thanks, Ed. I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
Ed smiled as he spoke. “I made a good decision persuading you to come to work for me. I get the hint. I’m going.”
By two thirty, Susan had arranged to overnight the package and was ready to check the names Ed had given her. Susan signed on to her computer and began the research. If people knew how much information was accessible, Susan was sure they would think twice about some of their spending and credit decisions. As she finished her last query at four, she realized she was finally able to concentrate. At that moment her office assistant informed her that M.J. Carson was on the phone. Her safe world was again threatening to disintegrate.
*
Maggie yawned and stretched, waiting for Susan to answer the phone. Her head pounded, her eyes ached, and conversation was difficult. She’d spent Sunday working with her staff on the upcoming tour. Work was easier than thinking about Susan. Later, pleased with the plans, she celebrated with her staff and the band members, finally falling asleep around four a.m. When she awoke at two in the afternoon, she realized she hadn’t called Susan. She was pleased she had gotten through a whole day without thinking about her.
“Susan Hettinger.” Susan sounded distant.
The ground shifted. Maggie quickly adjusted. “Hi, beautiful. I’m sorry I didn’t call yesterday. I just got busy.”
“No problem. Is there something you need?” Susan was not getting any friendlier.
Need? thought Maggie. I don’t need anything or anyone. She stopped. That was no longer true. When had that changed? “Look, Susan, I’m sorry. I called because I just wanted to hear your voice. I’ve missed you.” Maggie needed to be her most persuasive self. “How about if the kids and I come pick up you, Cady, and your mom, and we go someplace to eat?”
“Thanks, but—”
“And maybe afterward we can rent a video and watch some movies. I really miss you.”
“I think my mom has already made plans and—”
“I’ll call her and work something out. I’ll call you right back.” Maggie hung up and dialed Maureen. Whenever her emotions threatened to get out of control, she switched to autopilot. Do, don’t think. She didn’t want to give Susan a chance to say no. Five minutes later she was again on the phone to Susan. “Your mom invited us for dinner. Want me to pick you up at work? We can ride to your house together.”
“Thanks, but I don’t…Maggie, we need to talk—”
Maggie interrupted and promised to meet Susan at her office. At five thirty, Maggie and her two children arrived, driven by Maya in one of the rental cars. Susan was grateful that at least no more limos would be pulling up to her house. Maggie had just said hello when she was pulled into Ed’s office. The children ran around until they found Susan’s office.
“Miss Susan,” Beth said, “is Cady at your house?”
Surprised at the question, Susan replied, “Yes, she lives there with me and her grandmother. Why?”
“I wanted to play with her, but I thought she might be with her daddy.”
Susan stared at her and tried to imagine where the questioning had come from. Lifting Beth on her lap, she said, “Cady doesn’t have a daddy. She lives with me and her grandmother. And you can play with her anytime.”
“Me too?” D.J. added.
“Yeah, you too. Come on. Let’s get your mom. I’m hungry.”
Susan claimed Maggie, telling Ed to make an appointment during working hours. “I need to get these hungry kids fed, and me too.” She pulled Maggie out of her chair. “Don’t think about it,” Susan warned as he started to speak.
“Okay,” Ed said. “Ms. Carson, can we get you in tomorrow to talk about some tentative plans? We just need a little more information so that we can put together a presentation and Susan can run the numbers.”
Maggie quickly called Paul in Tampa and set up a meeting for nine the next morning.
As they left, Maggie spoke. “Thanks. I tend to get excited about my work. I’m sorry.” Maggie ran her hand through Susan’s hair as they drove away.
“Mmm. That feels good.” Susan leaned into the caress. Her previous anger dissolved with the gentle touching.
Her mother met them at the door with hugs and ordered the kids off to wash hands. “Dinner is ready. Susan, you and Maggie clean up. I don’t want dinner getting cold.”
Susan led Maggie to the other side of the house. Once they were alone, she felt strong arms encircle her. There was something about Maggie that Susan found irresistible. She wanted to stay angry, but her head was losing the battle with her body.
“Susan, what’s the matter?” Without waiting for an answer, Maggie nibbled at Susan’s neck, moving from one side to the other.
Susan’s knees shook, threatening to send her tumbling to the floor. She abandoned thought and gave in to her body’s burning need. She lifted Maggie’s face until she captured the warm lips. The kiss became demanding. Susan wanted to call her body a traitor but she couldn’t remember why.
Maggie pulled away. “Have I told you how much I’ve missed you?” Susan shook her head. “I have.” As if to prove how much, she again kissed Susan, a kiss filled with promise.
After dinner, they all adjourned to the family room. Susan watched as Maggie rolled on the floor playing with the kids. There was something childlike and innocent about her. Giggles filled the room as Maggie pretended to be a cat and batted at a ball on the floor. Complaining followed Susan’s disruption to put Cady in bed. In thirty minutes, all three kids were clean and tucked into bed. Susan, Maureen, and Maggie talked for another hour before Maureen claimed it was her bed time. As she hugged Maggie, she whispered, “Glad things are working out.”
“Me too,” Maggie said. After her mother left, Maggie grabbed Susan’s hand. “Why don’t we take a shower and then go to bed? I’ve been dreaming all day about you being naked next to me. And”—she paused, lowering her voice—“what I wanted to do.”
Susan leaned against the side of the Jacuzzi, allowing Maggie’s hands to slowly move down her body. When Maggie reached her feet, she lifted them and held them against her breasts. Susan was in heaven. Maggie tenderly massaged the bottoms of the feet, then slowly worked up the legs. By the time Maggie stroked her thighs, Susan was having trouble breathing. She tried to pull Maggie closer, but Maggie pushed her away.
“Be patient. Enjoy.” Maggie’s hands drifted slowly to the inside of Susan’s thighs and briefly touched her heated center.
Susan wanted more. Instead Maggie traced circles on her hips, thighs, and stomach in ever-widening arcs. Susan groaned, wondering how much longer she could last. All motion stopped. Susan opened her eyes only to be captured by eyes dark with desire as Maggie slowly moved down between her legs. It was enough to ignite a wildfire in Susan. She was floating out of control.
Maggie’s hand slid between wet thighs. Her mouth was consuming. Her fingers explored Susan’s body. She wanted to feel Susan come. Maggie’s own body burned with desire. Maggie sucked on Susan’s swollen clit. “God, I want you.”
“Maggie,” Susan said as she came. For a few moments she leaned against the tub and relished the pleasure coursing through her body. When she was finally able to breathe, Susan said, “I love you.” Susan’s heart raced as she saw a lopsided smile make its way across Maggie’s face. Beautiful warm eyes and that wonderful, miraculous grin again drew her in. Susan let her hand wander until she could bury it in wetness. Maggie’s breathing became shallow. Susan wanted to show Maggie how much love she felt. You must love me, Susan prayed as she made love to Maggie.
*
The rest of the week was a mixture of chaos and lovemaking. And little sleep. Susan finally understood why her friends disappeared at the beginning of a new relationship. Maggie was an incredibly responsive lover. And tireless.
On Wednesday, they flew to California for meetings with Maggie’s manager. Maggie was surprised at Susan’s aggressiveness when it came to business. She knew Susan was bright and knowledgeable, but this was a new side she hadn’t seen before. Another thing to admire, she thought. Karl was out of his league, she decided, if he thought he could browbeat Susan. Maggie desperately wanted to watch him try. Instead she excused herself and called Maya.
“Where are you?” Maya asked.
“We’re in Los Angeles. Did you get my messages?”
“Yeah, I got all of them. Disney has a script they want you to read. They’re going to send someone over to have breakfast and discuss it with you. Just give me the date. I’ve got a studio in Orlando set up for you to redo your track.” Maya searched for her notes and read the date off. “Karl is anxious to book more dates. Have you talked to him?”
“Yes, we’re at his office now. No more dates. Not until I see how the first month goes. I’ll talk to him.” She was frustrated at having this same conversation. “What else?”
“One of the Orlando TV stations called, and they want an exclusive interview. I explained you don’t give many interviews, and certainly not exclusive—”
“Exclusive! Who the hell do they think they are?”
“Look, M.J., I’m the messenger. Karl thought it was a great idea since you were in Orlando anyway.”
“Fuck. Just set it up. And make sure you get a list of the questions beforehand.” She hated this part of her public life. Too many misquotes and two many intrusive questions. “And limit the interview to twenty minutes, no matter what Karl says.”
“Anything else?”
“I’ll talk to Karl. You take care of the other stuff. Stay in touch.” Maggie hung up. The door to Karl’s office opened and he came out. “How’s it going?”
“She’s tough, but smart. Definitely a keeper.” Karl winked.
“Karl, I just got off the phone with Maya. No more dates until we’ve been out on tour for at least a month. And the interview in Orlando—twenty minutes fixed format with questions submitted beforehand, or no interview.”
“Christ, M.J., the station needs lots of tape to edit. They’re not going to like it.”
“Twenty minutes. I want the questions at least three days before.”
Karl took a deep breath. “Done. You know you were less demanding ten years ago.”
“Ten years ago I was lucky if I got an interview once a year even when I sat in the newspaper’s office.” In the last ten years she had lost her privacy and resented it.
*
“I’m impressed,” Maggie said as they headed back to the airport. “I’ve never seen Karl back down from anyone. How did you get him to change that schedule?”
“He’s driven by money,” Susan said, still feeling the adrenaline flowing.
“Susan, he’s also very loyal. Yeah, he’s got his prickly side, but he’s never, and I repeat, never, betrayed me. He’s worth the money.”
Once on the plane, Maggie quickly fell asleep, leaving Susan to question interfering in her business. After all, she reminded herself, she was just a bean counter. Maggie had never said anything that indicated she was more than a friend with benefits.
They arrived back in Orlando around midnight. After her in-flight nap, Maggie was rested and aroused. Susan was exhausted and frustrated. She still didn’t understand her role in Maggie’s life. When they got to the house, Susan reminded Maggie they had an early meeting and then crawled into bed. By the time Maggie had showered, Susan was fast asleep.
*
On the second trip to California, Maggie gathered her staff together to discuss the upcoming tour while Susan met with potential investors Ed had lined up. During the afternoon they went over various accounts with Karl and his staff. Still energized, Maggie took Susan to her favorite woman’s bar, where they danced until two. Several women greeted her when they arrived.
“Are you a regular in this place?” Susan asked.
“I’ve been here a few times, but two of the women we just talked to have worked on some of my West Coast concerts. You’re not jealous, are you?”
Susan’s emotions were all over the place. “Should I be?”
“Not on my account.” Maggie’s face lit up. “Do you want to be jealous? Should I do something to make you jealous?”
Susan stiffened. “I don’t do jealous. I’m simply asking a question.”
Maggie stopped dancing and led Susan back to the table. “Susan, you have nothing to worry about.” She rubbed the palm of Susan’s hand with her thumb and waited for an answer. Maggie’s expression was hopeful but Susan remained silent. “Come on, it’s late. I’ll call the pilot and tell him to have the plane ready.”
After take-off, Maggie again fell asleep as they flew to New York. While in the city, they checked out three recording studios and spent time with more investors. By seven that night they were headed back to Florida.
“I guess this is called life in the fast lane,” Susan said as she boarded the plane. Her life was spinning out of control, caught in a whirlwind with Maggie as the vortex.
During the following week Susan, Ed, and Maggie spent endless hours discussing details of the proposed production company and the amortization of costs. Maggie’s business acumen continued to surprise Susan.
“So you’re telling me that because this is considered a high-risk venture, the backers get a higher rate of interest on the money they loan?” Maggie asked.
“They also realize there is no guarantee on their investment.”
“I’m no fucking fly-by-night sensation. Everything I have recorded in the last eight years has been solid. This is usury.”
“That’s why we’re trying to set up your own production company,” Ed reminded her. “But we have to get backers for the initial startup.”
“Why can’t Derek and I put up the money?”
“You can,” Susan said, “but you’re talking about tying up a significant part of your assets for an indeterminate period of time. If you commit too much, you could lose everything. Observing your lifestyle, including these planes we’ve been chartering, you’ve got high fixed expenses and you spend freely.”
Maggie glared at Susan. “Are you criticizing my life?”
“No, I’m just making an observation.”
“What about you? You were traveling first class when we met. There are cheaper ways to travel.”
Susan fought for calm. “My house is paid for. My car and furniture are paid for. We have a 401K at work and Ed gives me substantial bonuses, most of which I invest. The first-class tickets are charged to whatever project we’re working on. Any more questions?”
Maggie left the room in frustration but returned twenty minutes later. This time the questions were detailed.
The next two days were spent in a studio in Orlando while Maggie finished up a track on her new CD. After the recording sessions were done, Maggie and Susan were flying to Nashville, New York, and California, still looking at recording studios and asking questions. Any time Maggie and Susan were alone was spent in passionate lovemaking.
Ed continued contacting investors and writing the business plan. As a result of the tie with M.J. Carson, two more clients were referred to the firm. Business was booming.
Susan, however, was exhausted. “And I used to think my life was boring, ordinary. I just want my own bed.”
*
On Sunday, Susan slept late but still was up before Maggie. It was hard to leave her lying there asleep, but Susan wanted some quiet time, maybe even time with her family. As she approached the kitchen, she gave up on quiet. Cady, Beth, and D.J. were sitting at the table in the midst of a rather loud song that her mother was teaching them. Susan hesitated before entering, knowing some of the songs her mother knew were definitely R-rated.
As soon as she entered the kitchen, Cady ran up. “Mommy!” Susan hugged her and joined the others at the table. Susan suddenly realized how much of her quiet life she missed.
“Good morning. Want some coffee?” Her mother placed a cup on the table. “Breakfast is almost ready. What time did you get in last night?”
“Around eleven. Our plane was delayed.”
“We were talking about going to the mall and doing some Christmas shopping. Would you like to come along?”
“That sounds like a great idea.” Susan was pleased at some normalcy. That feeling ended when she returned to her bedroom. Maggie was still asleep, but parts of her body were exposed. Susan couldn’t believe how quickly she was aroused.
“Hey, sleepy.”
“Mmm. What time is it? How long have you been up?”
“Since eight. Mom, the kids, and I had breakfast and we chatted and then I read the paper. Guess what? You were in the entertainment section.”