Chapter Text
Prologue
Blake, in her martini soaked dress, dragged Doris past the busy ladies room as she laughed hysterically, “I can’t believe you said that to Frank!”
“What?” the mayor asked.
“About me being his ex!” the author laughed.
Doris suppressed a giggle as Blake pushed her against the wall, moving in close. “Well, it’s true, isn’t it?” the mayor practically shouted, before covering her mouth in mock embarrassment. “I do think he’s right. I think we’ve had too much to drink.”
Blake grinned, eyeing Doris appreciatively. “Maybe.” She ran her fingers up and down the lapel of the mayor’s suit. “This IS nice,” she breathed, licking her lips. “I’m starting to see why Natalia can’t keep her hands off Olivia when she’s in Armani.”
Doris allowed her eyes to roam Blake’s enviable figure, particularly the flushed décolletage peeking out of the redhead’s little black dress. “Hot,” she muttered unintentionally. “I mean, you look nice too. Little black dress – you can’t go wrong with a classic, right? Anne Klein?”
Blake smiled. She knew she had Doris flustered and she loved it. “Good eye,” she complimented the mayor in a smoky tone. Leaning forward, she brushed her mouth against the skin just beneath Doris’s ear. “And you smell delicious. Good enough to eat.” The redhead looked around – they were alone in the corridor. “Do you wanna get me outta this wet dress?”
Doris’s mouth was suddenly dry and her eyes went wide for a second.
Blake blushed and buried her face against Doris’s neck as she giggled. “I mean do you want to get out of here…and…?” The question hung in the air.
Doris managed to choke out the words, “Yes, I do.”
Blake smiled as she raised her head again. Then, wordless, she dragged Doris over to the elevators before she could change her mind.
“What floor?” she finally asked, punching the ‘up’ button on the elevator panel.
“Nine. Room 915.” Doris tried but failed to wipe the silly grin off her face as the doors opened.
“Mine’s closer.” Blake pulled her inside and pressed the button for the sixth floor. The doors had just barely closed when she threw herself at Doris, wrapping her arms around the mayor’s neck and kissing her passionately.
Doris returned Blake’s kiss with enthusiasm, thrusting her tongue inside the redhead’s mouth, thrilled when she felt Blake’s tongue pressing back. She squeezed Blake’s ass, growling when she felt the redhead pulling at her hair, moaning in genuine pleasure. They looked at each other with surprise.
“Holy shi-,” Blake exclaimed before Doris pulled her back into another searing kiss.
Suddenly, the elevator stopped on the second floor and they both released a frustrated groan in unison. Doris stepped away from Blake, trying to catch her breath while straightening her hair as much as possible. That’s when a custodian with the name tag ‘Julianna’ entered the elevator carrying a tool kit. The Beacon employee found the two formally dressed women next to each other, a little out of breath and standing on shaking legs.
“Good evening,” she greeted the guests with what seemed like a knowing grin. They nodded politely back to her. Julianna stepped forward slightly as she pressed the button for her floor. Blake and Doris took the opportunity of the woman’s turned back to lock eyes with each other again. The carnal expression of Blake’s face was almost irresistible to the mayor. Doris had to fight the urge to pull the woman back into her arms. When the elevator didn’t seem to move quickly enough for them, Doris motioned her hands in a ‘hurry up’ fashion to no one in particular while Blake tried unsuccessfully to suppress a giggle.
“God, this is a slooooow elsevator,” the redhead slurred slightly, which resulted in more giggles.
“Elsevator?” Doris teased with a smile.
Blake slapped Doris’s arm playfully. “You know what I mean.” What began as a slap was now turning into a caress as Blake ran her fingers up and down Doris’s arm. It seemed like forever, but finally the doors opened two floors later. With a brief goodbye without turning around, the worker was off to fix something and the doors were closing. Like two magnets, Blake and Doris came together again in a fury of lips and skin.
When the elevator doors opened again, Blake pulled away, taking Doris by the hand. She tugged her down the hallway while fumbling inside her own bra, trying to remove her keycard. Once at the room’s door, Doris stood behind Blake, pressing her torso against the redhead’s back. She moved the author’s hair to one side to place a hungry kiss at the base of Blake’s neck. One hand went to Blake’s hip while the other snaked up and grasped the redhead’s breast.
“Fuck,” Blake whispered, as she tried to swipe the card, missing it on the first two attempts.
The next few minutes were a blur. Before she knew it, Blake was backed up against the door to her suite at the Beacon, with the mayor’s hip thrusting between her legs.
“Is this what you want?” Doris asked against Blake’s neck, her hands pulling the redhead’s dress higher on her hips. She reached down, cupping Blake’s sex on the outside of her panties, rubbing her thumb across the fabric that covered the redhead’s center.
“Oh my god,” Blake panted, looking a little overwhelmed. For a second, Doris thought the redhead might push her away. Instead, Blake kept one hand buried in the mayor’s hair while the other held a death grip on the keycard. Doris took the card from Blake’s hand. With expert precision, she slid it into the lock behind Blake, who then pushed the door open with her foot before pulling the mayor inside.
The keycard fell to the floor as Doris kicked off her heels. The lighting in the suite was low so Blake went to turn on a lamp before Doris grabbed her hand, pulling her back. Reaching down, the mayor hiked up Blake’s dress again and lifted her a few inches onto the mahogany console table in the foyer. She grabbed Blake’s hips, pulling her close so she could bury her face in the redhead’s neck and chest.
Blake leaned back a little to give Doris more access, wrapping her legs around the mayor’s waist. She pushed the mayor’s jacket off of her shoulders and onto the floor so that Doris was left in the emerald green silk shell she’d been wearing underneath.
“Yes,” Blake heard herself moan as Doris’s tongue dipped inside her dress, brushing across a nipple. She felt a wet heat growing between her legs and suddenly wished, to her own surprise, that they were both wearing a lot less clothing.
Blake was startled out of this thought when she felt Doris’s hand push between her legs. The redhead felt pinned to the wall by Doris’s intense gaze. She cried out as the mayor’s fingers moved inside her panties, grabbing the fabric roughly and pulling down until they ripped away.
“Oh fuck,” Blake cursed, digging her nails into Doris’s bare shoulders when she felt mayor’s long, talented fingers ease into her now drenched sex. Doris smeared the wetness up and over Blake’s clit, rubbing the sensitized bud in rhythmic circles.
“Fuck, yes…” Blake reached out, trying to gain purchase on the console, and inadvertently knocked over a table lamp which fell to the ground with a loud crash. “Don’t stop!” she shouted when Doris hesitated. “Don’t you dare stop.”
The need in Blake’s voice sent Doris over the edge. Any doubt about Blake’s desire evaporated when she felt how aroused the redhead was. She pulled her hand away as Blake protested, dragging her into the bedroom.
“Take off your clothes,” Doris commanded.
Blake flipped the light on as she entered the room, aware of the questioning look in Doris’s eyes.
“I want to see you,” the redhead offered bravely. Doris looked positively ferocious as Blake unzipped her dress and allowed it to drop to the floor. Slipping out of her black lace bra and panties, the redhead climbed onto the bed, lying back on her elbows, legs spread. “Your turn, Mayor Wolfe.”
Doris had never gotten undressed more quickly. In seconds, she was naked, climbing up the bed towards Blake, like a cougar stalking her prey.
Blake laid back, ready to feel the weight of Doris on top of her, anticipating how their bodies might fit together, but she was astonished when the mayor grabbed her ankles instead.
Doris pulled Blake forward until her back hit the mattress. The redhead looked on in wonder as the mayor’s head suddenly dipped.
“Oh my god,” she cried out as Doris’s tongue licked a path up her thigh. “What…what are you…” she mumbled, gripping the sheets at her sides. “Are you…”
Doris ignored the question on Blake’s lips as she leaned in, licking the redhead’s clit from bottom to top in one clean swipe. Blake’s back bowed off the bed and she buried her hands in Doris’s hair, torn between pushing her away and holding her fast. “Oh my god, Doris…Doris…you don’t have to…” she mumbled as tears of absolute pleasure formed in her eyes.
Doris looked up, just for a second, to make sure Blake was okay.
“Trust me, okay? You’re going to feel so good.” She licked her lips in anticipation but waited until Blake nodded before returning to the task at hand. Her tongue swirled around Blake’s clit until the redhead’s hips pumped impatiently against her mouth. Blake was moaning so loudly, and with such enthusiasm, that Doris knew they could be heard in the adjoining rooms. She just didn’t care. She knew that Blake was close, that it would only take a few more strokes…
“Wait!” Blake cried out breathlessly, forcing Doris to look up again. At first the mayor was worried Blake might be having second thoughts, but her next request dispelled those fears. “I want to feel you on top of me,” Blake said as she reached down to caress Doris’s cheek.
Doris rewarded Blake with a feral grin before climbing up the redhead’s body. Holding herself up on one arm, she reached down between them with her other hand. Blake let out a deep sigh as the mayor’s fingers began circling her clit. Suddenly emboldened, she pulled Doris’s head down so that she could taste her own arousal on the mayor’s face. She licked Doris’s lips hungrily before thrusting her tongue deep inside the mayor’s mouth.
Doris smiled against Blake’s lips, thrilled by the redhead’s enthusiasm. “I want to fuck you so badly, Blake. Can I please?” The mayor didn’t wait for an answer, her fingers darting lower, pushing deftly inside the redhead as Blake’s fingernails ripped across her back. Doris fucked Blake with short, quick strokes, fingers curled to reach the place the made Blake’s eyes roll back in her head.
Suddenly, and without warning, Blake flipped them over so that Doris was on her back. The look of surprise that Doris first wore was replaced with a smile of anticipation.
“Don’t stop,” Blake commanded through gritted teeth, reaching down between them to stroke the mayor’s clit as she had been stroking Blake. Blake’s fingers moved at a frantic pace until Doris caught up with the redhead, their bodies moving together in a primal rhythm. “You’re so wet …” she chanted in surprise and delight, over and over.
Doris felt so good she thought she might levitate off the bed. It had been so long, too long, since someone had claimed her this way. She wrapped one arm around Blake’s neck, pulling her down close, so they could look into each other’s eyes. She felt the Blake’s heart pounding against her own and it was almost as if time stopped. “Blake…”
Blake pressed her forehead against the mayor’s. “Shh,” she whispered, moving their bodies faster. “I know. I know.”
They came, hard – first Blake; then Doris immediately after her. They rode out their climax looking into each other’s eyes, and continued to thrust against each other until every last ounce of pleasure passed through their bodies. Blake collapsed next to Doris, her face buried in the pillow where she fell.
“That was…” Doris struggled with her words as she looked up at the ceiling above them, unable to wipe the silly grin off her face.
Blake smiled too. “There’s a problem though,” she whispered as she turned her head slightly to face her lover. Doris’s head shot up and she looked at Blake with immediate concern. However, when she saw Blake was smiling she relaxed a little. “I don’t know what YOU taste like,” Blake told her.
Doris grinned again. “You wanna know?” she asked as she took Blake’s hand, kissing her knuckles in a gallant fashion.
Blake bit her lip in anticipation and nodded. That’s all the invitation Doris needed. She moved to her elbow and led the redhead’s hand toward the apex of her legs. Suddenly, Blake stopped her, weaving their fingers together. Doris tried to hide the look of disappointment on her face.
“I won’t push,” Doris replied softly.
“Okay,” Blake replied as she rolled Doris onto her back again, smiling wickedly. “I can’t make that promise though,” she purred, working her way down Doris’s torso with a series of strategically placed kisses – her taunt nipples… belly button… hips.
“Blake,” Doris called down when the author got to her pelvic bone. “I don’t want you to think you have to…”
Blake grinned before her tongue crept out and wiggled quickly against Doris’s clit that was now peeking out from its hood.
Doris could only suck in a breath at the sensation and moan as Blake giggled.
“You were saying…?” Blake teased, as she looked up, making eye contact.
“Fuck if I remember,” Doris shot back with a chuckle.
Blake laughed too and then slowly licked her lips as she looked back at Doris’s glistening sex. Her face became more intent the longer she looked. Glancing up at Doris, whose body clearly ached for her touch, she uttered one word.
“Mine.”
Chapter 1
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Doris said in a rush from the doorway of Olivia’s office at the Beacon.
“What’s wrong?” Olivia asked with mild concern. Doris looked white as a sheet. At first, she thought it might be something to do with Ashlee.
Doris looked down the hallway both directions before darting inside. She quickly shut the door, locking it behind her as she wore a nervous expression.
Hmm… Can’t be about Ashlee, Olivia considered silently. “Why are you locking me in?” she asked the mayor.
“I had a lot to drink last night,” Doris said very matter-of-factly.
“I know.” Olivia smirked. “But that doesn’t answer my question. Why did you lock the door?”
“I don’t want anyone coming in.”
Olivia looked confused. “You’re not still drunk, are you? You’re not gonna… get naked, right?”
“No, I’m not still drunk. But, truth be told, I have a hell of a hangover.”
“You know, it’s a mystery you made it home,” Olivia sighed.
“Actually, I didn’t,” Doris admitted. “I stayed here. I spent the night. At the Beacon. With someone.” Doris looked concerned as the words came out in a rush.
“A man?” Olivia asked in an incredulous tone.
“What?! No! Why would I be with a man?!” Immediately, Doris grabbed her temples in pain. The volume was becoming way too loud for her pounding head.
“Well, you seem like you’re in shock, or something!” Olivia nearly shouted.
“Please. Can we go back to whispering?” the mayor begged as she rubbed the side of her head.
Olivia giggled quietly. “You’re being more cryptic than usual. Wait. It wasn’t Natalia, was it? They say the person your spouse is most likely to have an affair with is your best friend.”
“I wouldn’t do that. Besides, Natalia went home with you, so that’s a dumb question and you know it.”
Olivia grinned again. “Fine. Tell me. Who was it?”
Doris paused. Should I say it? Blake did work for Natalia at one point and they still seemed pretty close. And sure, the wedding to Frank didn’t go off as planned, but Blake is still close to Francesca and the Spencers. Would I be gossiping if…?
“Doris! Spill it!” Olivia insisted.
“It was Blake,” Doris muttered.
“Frankie’s ex?”
“She’s more than just Frank Cooper’s ex!” Again, Doris found herself holding her head. “And quit making me shout,” she added softly. “Anyway, back to my point. Do you have to call her Frank’s ex? How’d you like it if I referred to Natalia as Frank’s ex every chance I got?”
“Point taken…” the hotelier conceded. “So you spent the night with Blake…” Slowly, Olivia got a devious grin. “She any good?”
“Why? Are you looking to ‘trade up’?”
“No!” Olivia was offended.
“I repeat…No yelling.”
“And no being evasive -- Was she good?”
“It was one of the best sexual experiences of my entire life,” Doris confessed in a whisper with a naughty grin.
“Wow! Really!?” Olivia was taken aback.
“Inside voices,” Doris stressed again as if she was talking to a group of small school children.
“Sorry,” Olivia apologized. “I know after Ross died Blake threw herself at any man she could find for a while and then ended up with Frank again until she got cold feet.”
“I swear if you mention that man one more time I’m walking out and never speaking to you again.”
“Will not,” Olivia retorted. “You need someone to gossip with… So tell me…”
“Tell you what?”
“What happened?”
Doris got a faraway look in her eye as she remembered the previous night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It all happened at the gala, which even Doris would have skipped out on if she could have. Instead, she found her herself sitting at the bar sipping her second martini as beautiful, well-dressed couples circled around the ballroom floor at the Beacon. At this point in her career, she’d hosted so many community events… they were all starting to run together in her mind. Christmas Balls, Easter Egg Hunts, Founder’s Day celebrations – it was always the same routine. Make some opening comments, shake a few hands, smile for the cameras and then head for the bar.
The mayor smiled against her will when she caught sight of Olivia, twirling Natalia around the dance floor. Who would have thought that Olivia Spencer of all people – the Succubus of Springfield, a woman who had fallen from grace so many times it was a wonder she hadn’t broken every bone in her body – would finally land safely in the welcoming arms of Saint Natalia Rivera. The women were out. And happy. She rolled her eyes, taking another gulp of her drink.
You’re pathetic, Doris. Don’t wish for what you know you can’t have, the mayor chided herself. But Doris couldn’t deny that something stirred inside her every time she looked at them. And, based on the way that Blake Marler was ogling Springfield’s new super-couple, it appeared that the mayor wasn’t the only one in the room enjoying the view. She watched as Blake shook her head before making her way toward the bar.
And that would be my cue to depart, Doris grimaced as she watched Blake approach. The mayor unconsciously licked her lips, appreciating the way that Blake’s little black dress hugged the redhead in all the right places. As much as the birdbrain annoyed her, Doris couldn’t deny that Blake was one of the sexiest women in Springfield.
As good as she looks in that dress, I’m sure she looks even better out it, Doris thought, cursing her rampant libido. It had definitely been too long. Springfield was a small town and she’d just about run through every available option for a one night stand. These days, the average gal’s gal wanted more than a quick lay and a kiss goodbye. Ever since Ellen DeGeneres came along and made lesbianism all cute and cuddly, ladies wanted the whole package: commitment ceremonies, hers and hers registries, and a frequent fliers discount at the local sperm bank. Even Jamanda talked of settling down, but Doris simply wasn’t ready to take that kind of a step and things soon fizzled between them. Sure, her close friends knew, but the entire town? No…not yet anyway.
Blake must have read something in Doris’s resigned expression.
“Oh, Mayor Wolfe – don’t leave on my account!”
The redhead was clearly tipsy, stumbling a little as she approached the bar. Doris surprised them both by reaching out to steady her. “Careful, Blake.” The mayor’s heart sputtered when she noticed a spray of goose bumps traveling up Blake’s arm where she’d grabbed her.
“Oh, don’t worry about me, I’m just getting my second wind,” Blake vowed breathlessly. “Love your suit,” Blake ran a hand across the mayor’s shoulders, “is this Armani?” she asked before plopping down on the barstool next to Doris. “Hope this seat’s not taken.”
“Be my guest,” Doris muttered, finishing her drink.
Blake eyed the taciturn mayor carefully before placing her order. “Let’s get the good mayor here another martini and I’ll have one too.”
“None for me, thanks. I want to be able to walk out of here tonight.”
“Oh come on Doris, don’t leave me hanging!” Blake pleaded. “In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re just about the only single women here and I’m getting tired of talking to myself.”
Against her better judgment, Doris wearily accepted the drink. Truth be told, it felt nice, just sitting next to Blake, quietly enjoying a martini. It wasn’t just sex she missed.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Blake asked.
The alcohol made Doris a little bold. She gestured to the dessert table where Matt and a few other men were standing. “I was just thinking that there are several eligible bachelors here tonight and I’m sure you could have any one of them. Why hang out at the bar with me?”
Blake’s mouth opened in surprise and she blushed a little.
“Be careful, Doris. That sounded a little too much like a compliment.”
“You’re evading. Answer my question.”
“Forceful! I like that…What’s the saying? A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle?” Blake smiled.
Doris chuckled. “I didn’t realize you were a closet feminist.”
“I’m not the closet type.” Blake shook her head with a playful grin.
Doris looked away, as if she might bolt, but Blake put a hand on her wrist, making her stop.
“I’ll answer your question,” she offered. “I’ve just recently made an important life decision.”
“And that would be…?”
The redhead cupped her hands to her mouth, as though she was issuing an official proclamation. “I’m done hitching my wagon to losers!”
Doris couldn’t help but laugh – Blake was definitely buzzed. “Well, good luck with that. Seems to be an epidemic around here.” She smirked, taking another sip of her drink.
Blake nodded in agreement. “And what about you?”
“What about me?” Doris looked confused.
“You’re a powerful, successful and attractive woman yourself,” Blake gave the mayor a good looking over. “Is there no one here that catches your eye?”
Doris held the redhead’s gaze for a long second. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” She had absolutely no intention of sharing her personal feelings with the town gossip.
“Oh ho, that means yes!” Blake practically shouted. “Who is it?!” she demanded, looking around the ballroom.
Doris just laughed, shaking her head. “You’ll never guess,” she teased.
“Don’t be so sure! I’m excellent at reading people – it’s why I’m such a good writer,” Blake boasted, hopping off her barstool. She grabbed the mayor’s shoulders, turning her towards the dance floor. “Look around – I’m going to study your reactions.”
“You’re drunk,” Doris protested.
“So are you! What does that matter? Just look around,” Blake insisted.
For reasons she couldn’t explain, Doris decided to indulge the redhead. She swiveled in her seat from left to right and then back again while Blake studied her face closely. It wasn’t hard for Doris to hide her feelings – she’d been doing it her whole life. Sure, there were dozens of attractive people on the dance floor. The men didn’t interest her, of course. And although there were certainly a few gorgeous women in attendance that night, none of them stoked her fire the way that…
Suddenly, Doris found her eyes glued to Blake’s curvaceous form. Strong, shapely legs. A deliciously taut ass. Narrow waist leading up to firm, round breasts. Alabaster, freckle-kissed skin, flushed and dewy around her décolletage. Graceful neck, pouty lips. And her eyes…those eyes…
Doris felt her heart stop. Blake was looking right into her eyes and Doris could tell that she knew. Just like that. The truth of her life laid bare. So much for keeping secrets, she thought miserably. She half expected Blake to throw a drink in her face, or run off to tell the rest of Springfield the latest news, but Blake didn’t do either of those things. In fact, she just stood there staring at the mayor with her mouth slightly open and a glazed expression on her face.
“Come on,” Blake finally panted, gently touching the mayor’s arm. “Let’s get another drink.”
The women gingerly returned to their stools, drinking in silence, wrapped up in their own thoughts until they were interrupted by Frank Cooper. Blake rolled her eyes – it was too late to hide.
“Hi Blake. You look great,” the detective complimented her earnestly.
“Hi Frank,” she greeted him politely. Doris gave him a nod but he just ignored her, his eyes totally focused on the redhead.
“I was wondering if you might like to dance.” Frank stepped in front of the mayor so that he could get closer to Blake.
Doris cleared her throat and said, “I’m actually too tired to dance, Frank, but thanks for asking.”
Blake giggled as Frank shot the mayor a dirty look.
“Sorry,” Doris replied insincerely. “I figured you were talking to me since she’s your ex. Technically.”
Frank took a breath, as if he was going to retort, while Blake winced apologetically. Before he could say a word though, she interjected, “I’m really sorry, Frank. My feet are killing me.” She quickly kicked offer her stilettos, rubbing her feet dramatically. “I don’t think I could, but thank you.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. Would you like me to take you home? Despite Doris’ observation about us, I’d still like to make sure you get home safe.”
Behind Frank, Doris made exaggerated monster faces, sticking out her tongue and scrunching up her nose. Blake’s eyes widened, but she kept herself from laughing by biting her lip.
“Oh, that’s okay, Frank. But thanks for offering.”
“Are you sure? It’s just that, you’ve been drinking, and I’d hate to see someone take advantage of that.” Frank gestured around ominously as though they were surrounded by perverts and mashers.
Just then, the bartender brought the women two fresh martinis and before anyone knew what was happening, Doris accidentally spilled hers all over Blake’s dress.
“Oh god, I’m so sorry,” Doris told her. “Your beautiful dress! We’d better get you cleaned up right away.” The mayor grabbed Blake’s hand, quickly leading her away from the bar.
Blake had just enough time to snatch up her shoes before Doris dragged her away.
“Goodnight Frank!” she called back to the detective.
The women barely made it into the hallway before bursting into giggles. “I’m so sorry. I had to do that. He was never going to leave!” Doris guffawed, nearly tipping over.
“Thank god you did,” Blake put a hand on her shoulder. “He’s been following me around like a puppy dog for weeks. I almost feel bad for him. Almost.” Blake burst into another round of giggles.
When they walked down the hallway to the ladies room, they quickly realized that the line was about a mile long. “Oh no,” Blake sighed, looking at her nearly ruined dress.
“I have a room for the night!” Doris nearly shouted. “Um, if you want, you can get cleaned up there.”
The women stared at each other for a few seconds before Blake walked toward Doris, never breaking eye contact.
“It was me. I was the one you were watching.” Blake didn’t ask a question. She simply stated a fact. All Doris could do was nod.
Blake stopped when they were only inches apart, raising a hand to brush an invisible piece of lint from the mayor’s suit. She ran that same hand up and down the lapel of Doris’s jacket.
“Let’s go,” she breathed huskily.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back in Olivia’s office, Doris snapped out of her daydreaming to reply, “Let’s just say everything came together perfectly. But…”
Olivia noticed the pensive look on Doris’s face. “But what?” she asked.
Doris took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. She couldn’t look at Olivia as she muttered, “I’m scared as hell.”
“Why? I mean, sure it might have started as a one night stand, but maybe there’s more there.”
“That’s what scares me.”
“Yeah, well, love is scary, Doris. It’s-.”
“Complicated,” Doris replied.
“Sometimes, yes,” Olivia agreed.
“You’re missing the point.”
“Then what is the point?” Olivia asked impatiently.
“I’m out to you, Natalia, Ashlee, a friend or two, okay? But the entire world…”
Olivia nodded. She understood what Doris was saying. “Otherwise you’re still in the closet.”
“The rest of Springfield doesn’t know. So what do I do? Like a dumbass, I bed the town gossip. Everyone is going to find out about this.”
“What’s in it for Blake if she tells everyone she slept with Doris Wolfe?!”
Doris looked back at the door a moment before facing Olivia again.
“Can you say that a little louder for crying out loud? I don’t think Buzz heard you over at Company. Sheesh.”
Olivia tried not to laugh. “Look, all I’m saying is what does Blake have to gain by outing you? Nothing. So you had fun with her… Are you going to see her again?”
“I don’t know,” Doris sighed. “I’d like to. I really would. I know that’s crazy, but…”
“She’s a good lay,” Olivia said with a nod. “I get that. I’ve stayed with people too long because they were good in bed.”
“It’s not just that, though. She… She’s not at all what I expected. But then I wonder if that just might be the liquor talking since neither one of us were feeling any pain last night.”
“So how did you leave things?”
“Awkward.”
“Awkward? What does that mean?” Olivia asked.
Doris looked guilty. “I wrote her a note and snuck out to come here.”
Olivia just grinned as she shook her head and then hung it in disbelief. With a sigh she looked back at Doris. “Maybe you should go back upstairs and talk to her?” Olivia considered out loud.
“Ya think?” Doris asked, unsure.
“Yeah, I do. And if you tell her your concerns, Blake will listen. Granted, she and I aren't very close but her mother and I are. I think if you come to her with how you honestly feel she won't write you off. She's a lot like Holly that way…It’s worth a shot either way, right?”
Doris couldn’t argue with that.
At the same time, upstairs in her room, Blake was starting to wake up. She rolled over to see a note written on Beacon stationary. She toyed with the note, unwilling to read it, as she recalled the night before at the gala.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blake stood on the edge of the crowd and pretended to check her make-up in a compact mirror. In reality, she was just eavesdropping on Josh and Reva, who were too busy arguing quietly next to the piano to notice. Ooooh, sounds like trouble in paradise, Blake thought gleefully. Honestly though, would anyone be surprised? It’s almost like the woman’s life had been crafted by soap opera writers! She’d married just about every man in town and some of them more than once.
Blake smiled, waving at Natalia when she caught the young woman’s eye as she and Olivia crossed the dance floor to chat with Buzz. A genuinely happy couple, to everyone’s surprise, she thought. Blake was thrilled to be one of the first people in Springfield to know about Olivia and Natalia’s adventures in Lesbo Land. And even though she’d taken much satisfaction in the fact that two of Springfield’s most alluring women were now off the market, she had to admit that she was genuinely happy for them. There was something compelling about the way that Olivia and Natalia moved together, the subtle touches, the visible heat in every glance… Blake shook her head, dispelling vaguely erotic thoughts. She had other items on her agenda for the evening.
But first, I need another drink, Blake thought, noticing that her glass was empty again. That’s when she spotted Doris as the bar and made her way over. Everything was happening as she had planned…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The morning after, Blake continued to toy with Doris’s note, still not quite ready to read it. Oh yeah, she’d had a plan last night. She did. And it went almost exactly as she wanted. But now, in the harsh light of day, things started to feel different. Seducing Doris might have been a success, but she didn’t expect to feel this conflicted... or aroused.
Blake Marler did not identify as gay, or even bisexual for that matter. Sure, she’d been curious – even before Olivia and Natalia’s relationship – but she’d never had enough courage to act on it. Even last night she wondered if she could go through with it… but with ‘liquid courage’ working for her she made it happen. Plus, her growing attraction to Doris blindsided her. She could have chalked it up to a lack of sex. It HAD been awhile since she was with anyone. But it seemed deeper. Doris knew exactly how to touch her and when. They felt like the perfect dance partners and she wondered for a moment if she might be able to make that dance last a little longer. Before she could think any more about it, she heard her phone vibrate.
It was a text from a phone number – no name – with the following message: did you get it?
Blake got up and walked over to the desk across from the bed, picking up a pen that lay facing the headboard. She quickly placed it in her overnight bag and began to text back: I think so but I need to review footage – be in touch soon
The letter from Doris went unread as she stuffed it into her bag. In doing so, Blake felt a pang of guilt she didn’t expect. Shaking off what might have been regret, Blake tried to remind herself why she was there – why the whole evening happened in the first place. Doris, unfortunately, was just a means to an end. Period. Blake had to admit though…the mayor hadn’t been what she expected. She was clever and funny; passionate and tender. Blake felt more alive during their time together than she had in year, maybe even decades if she was being completely honest. And that first kiss in the elevator…well, it felt like junior high school all over again – butterflies and all.
Remembering the text she’d just sent, Blake had to accept the reality of the situation: a deal was a deal.
Besides, what can I do now? The entire night was a deception…or was it?
TBC