Kisser

35

AT FIVE MINUTES after the appointed time the phone in Rita’s flat rang, and Mitzi picked it up. “Yes, please send them up,” she said, then hung up.

“They’re not going to like having a lawyer here,” Stone said.

“I’ll handle it,” Mitzi replied. She went to the door and let in Derek Sharpe, Sig Larsen, and Sig’s wife, Patti. This time there was no maid to serve, so Mitzi trotted out some pre-prepared hors d’oeuvres from the bar fridge, then handed Stone a bottle of vintage Krug champagne to open.

Stone was stunned that Mitzi would waste such a fine bottle on these people, but he uncorked it and filled their thin crystal flutes.

After some small talk Sig placed his briefcase on the coffee table, snapped it open, and lifted the lid. “Mitzi, we have some very exciting things to talk with you about,” he said, “but do you always have your attorney present at financial meetings?”

“Stone is not my attorney,” Mitzi said. “He’s just a friend I’ve been seeing a lot of who happens to be an attorney.”

“Still,” Larsen said, “I’d be grateful if we could meet alone with you. We’ll be discussing some highly confidential information.”

“Perhaps a good investment would interest me,” Stone said.

“With respect, Stone,” Larsen replied smoothly, “I think we’re out of your league here.”

“Stone,” Mitzi said, “would you mind?”

“Not at all,” Stone said, rising.

“Patti,” Larsen said, “why don’t you keep Stone company?”

Stone walked off down a hallway, having no idea where he was going, and Patti trotted along behind him. After a short walk, he emerged into a kitchen, a large room filled with the latest in appliances but decorated as though it were a part of someone’s comfortable home. Stone opened a refrigerator door. “Can I get you something, Patti?” he asked.

Patti came over and looked into the fridge, placing her hand on his ass and squeezing. “Mmmm. Why don’t you open that half bottle of champagne?” she asked.

Stone brought it out then searched the cabinets until he came up with a pair of flutes. He opened the half bottle and poured. There was a sofa in the room, but sexually sated as he was, he didn’t want to share it with Patti, who, on their previous evening together, had been very seductive, so he took a kitchen stool at a counter in the center of the room.

Patti used a stool as a ladder that allowed her to sit on the butcher-block countertop beside him. “I’m glad we have a little time together,” she said. “Last time we met I didn’t see enough of you, so to speak.”

Stone glanced at her hiked-up skirt, which hadn’t been long to begin with and was now near crotch level. “Well, I’m seeing a lot of you now,” he replied.

“Would you like to see more?” she asked playfully, hiking up the skirt until there was nothing between the countertop and her ass. She was not wearing panties, and her wax job was Brazilian.

“Is that the new fashion?” Stone asked. “No underwear?”

“Like it?” she asked.

“What’s not to like?” Stone asked. “I’m sure it attracts a lot of attention.”

“It attracts the attention of only those I’m attracted to,” Patti replied.

“That’s very flattering,” Stone said. He couldn’t think of anything else to say. Clearly, Patti had been sent by her husband to keep him out of the living room, and she was using every technique at her disposal. “I hope no one suddenly walks in here,” he said.

“Oh, no one will,” Patti said. “It’s obviously the maid’s night off, and the others are talking about money, which will hold their attention for some time. I’d say we have at least an hour alone before someone invites us back to the living room.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Stone said, becoming aroused in spite of himself. He sipped his champagne. “Are you always so free with your favors?”

“When I feel like it,” Patti replied, “and I feel like it tonight. In fact, I’m getting wet just thinking about it.”

“Then I don’t think you need me for a satisfactory resolution to your, ah, condition.”

“Oh, I never need a man for that,” she said, “but there are times when I’d like one, and this is one of those times.”

Stone was short of words again.

“In fact,” she said, “all you have to do is stand up. This counter is exactly the right height for you to just sort of walk into me.”

“I suppose it is,” Stone said.

She reached over and stroked his crotch. “And I can tell you’re ready.” She squeezed.

Stone twitched involuntarily. God knows, I’m ready, he thought. He looked for a way out of this without insulting her. “Actually, I was quite active last night, and I’m pretty sore.”

“I’ll be gentle,” she said. She took his arm, pulled him off the stool onto his feet, and kicked the stool away. She put a hand inside his belt and pulled him toward her.

“I really am very uncomfortable with this,” Stone said, removing her hand from his belt.

“Then let’s free things up,” she said, reaching for his zipper.

“Let’s not,” Stone said, removing her hand again.

“Stone!” a male voice called from the hallway.

Stone turned. “Yes?” he called, trying not to sound relieved. When he turned back, Patti had hopped off the counter and returned her skirt to its full length.

Derek Sharpe walked into the kitchen. “Sig would like you back,” he said.

“Sure,” Stone replied, and followed Patti, who was following Derek.

She reached back for his crotch, but he evaded her by sidestepping.

Stone concentrated on reducing the bulge in his trousers, but it was difficult. He took a seat. “How can I help?”

“Derek,” Mitzi said, “may I speak to you privately for a moment while Stone chats with Sig?”

“Of course,” Sharpe replied. He got up and followed Mitzi from the room.

“I’ve been explaining to Mitzi how profitable it can be to invest in emerging technology,” Larsen said.

“What sort of emerging technology did you have in mind?” Stone asked.

“A new software company that’s developing software for the iPhone,” Larsen replied.

“Lots of people are developing software for the iPhone,” Stone said. “What’s so different about this one?”

“It’s very, very different,” Larsen said, “but I’m afraid I can’t go into that.”

“Did you go into it with Mitzi?” he asked.

“In broad terms. I’m prepared to give her a prospectus, if she’s interested, but she wanted your opinion.”

“It’s hard to have an opinion,” Stone said, “when you’re talking in generalities.” He really wanted to be listening to the conversation between Sharpe and Mitzi, but at least downtown was listening.

“I’ll make sure that you see the prospectus,” Larsen said.

“Do you have a copy with you?”

“Yes, but that’s Mitzi’s; I’ll send someone to you tomorrow with a copy that you can peruse, then return to me.”

“You’re being very cautious,” Stone said.

“The opportunity is large; I don’t want word to get around until I have my investors in this company.”

“Good thinking,” Stone said. Then it got very quiet. He caught Patti looking at his crotch and involuntarily crossed his legs.