Page 10 of Stay Here Tonight
“Ms. Kellerman.” Maxine handed her the check she had signed. “Please accept, on behalf of your foundation, this donation of mine.”
Lydia took the check. She gasped when she saw the amount.
“Great. Keep that look. Time for a photo!”
Maxine wrapped her arm around Lydia’s shoulders and brought her in close. A smile flashed in the photographer’s direction; a camera flash came their way in turn.Hope she managed to smile before the camera went off.Oh, well. The cameraman would take another photo whether Lydia was ready or not.
“Ican’taccept this,” was the outburst hitting Maxine’s ears the moment the photo-op was over. The check ended up back in her hands. “Please don’t put that much pressure on me. I have no idea who to give it to at work… and I don’t go back until Monday!”
“It’s fine.” Maxine settled her down with a gentle hand to the arm. “That was for the photo-op.” With practiced precision, Maxine ripped her own check in half – much to Lydia’s disbelieving horror. “I’ll have my accountant wire that money to the foundation’s main account on Monday. Same amount. Don’t worry.”
Lydia heaved a sigh of relief. “Wow. I honestly had no idea what was going on.”
“Sorry to drag you into this,” Maxine said. “Thought my PR manager would appreciate my forethought on the matter.”
Angela scoffed. “Yes. Excellent forethought, Maxine. Now should I escort our young foundation representative out?”
“No need. I’ll do it in a bit. There’s something I need to speak with her about.”
Angela narrowed her eyes. “I’m sure there is. Don’t let us keep you two. I’ll email you about the evening later, Maxine.”
“Please do so. I’ll look forward to it.”
Both Angela and the photographer gave her a look before leaving the office. Lydia remained where she stood, ankles buckling in her high heels and hands folding together. “What do you need to talk to me about? Have I done something to offend you?”
Maxine raided her own wet bar in the corner of the office. She didn’t stock a lot of alcohol – anymore – but the shit she kept was top shelf premium slosh.Yup. Slosh. Slosh it around the glass and watch it work its magic. On me!“Care for some scotch, Ms. Kellerman? Or are you a brandy girl?”
“I… have no idea. I’ve never had either.”
Of course she hadn’t. Oh, well. “I’ve got rum if you’d prefer that.”
“Whatever’s fine!”
That was eager. Maxine kept her back turned while she poured two glasses of scotch. “These are all considered such masculine drinks. As if only men are allowed to enjoy the finer things in life. Potent, but effective. I also happen to like the taste. Hopefully you will too.”
Maxine handed Lydia a glass. Delicate fingers took the glass, nails briefly brushing against Maxine.She certainly is lovely.The more she admired Ms. Kellerman, the more she appreciated those bright eyes and the soft bud of her lips. Part of the fun of seducing a woman was getting to know what they responded to. Did they want to be kissed? Have their nipples stimulated? Shoulders massaged? Butterfly kisses to the back of the neck? Maxine would have to push that hair out of the way if she wanted to touch such a space.
“Cheers.” She tapped her glass against Lydia’s. Crystal liquidsloshedin both of their glasses. Maxine briefly closed her eyes as she savored the bold flavor empowering the dumber parts of her lizard brain.
Lydia’s lips instantly pursed when she took a sip. Were her eyes watering? “It’s… ah…”
“Putrid?”
“Strong.”
“Don’t have to drink it if you don’t want to.”
“It’s fine!” Lydia held the glass close to her chest. “I don’t drink liquor that often. Might have some wine now and then, but that’s about it.”
“Wine is a drink of enjoyment and seduction. Spirits are for the end of a long, hard day. Or party, in this case.”
“I could get used to it.” Lydia took another sip, this time better prepared for the flavor about to slap her across the cheek. “You didn’t answer my question, though, Ms. Woodward.”
“Ah. No. You haven’t offended me. I simply wanted to have a private chat with you. I see you all the time at the resource center, yet we never converse. Not your fault. I’m always in such a hurry to get work done and be on my way.”
Oh, my. Lydia blushed. It couldn’t bejustliquor pinkening her cheeks like that.I know. I’m good.Sometimes it was almost too easy to seduce women. Oftentimes she wondered if it was reallyheror the promise of money that made women drop their panties. Even worse when it was a queer woman she set her sights on.
Maxine almost regretted this. Almost. A little.
