JENNIE
Kauffman Center is less than a mile south of where I live.
I take a Lyft anyway because I want a glass or two of champagne, and no way will I walk that far alone wearing three-inch heels.
Inside the entrance is a table of women checking in guests.
"Welcome to Harvesters' fund-raiser. Can I please get your name?" One of them says.
They want me to wear a name tag? I look at my dress. It's somewhat conservative for me, but I'm not sure where a name tag will go. "Jennie Kim. And any suggestion on where I should wear it?" One of the ladies walks over to me and, after trimming the tag, gently pins it where the shoulder strap and the fabric of the dress meet. She taps it in place and steps back to admire the results.
"There. I think that'll work." She returns to her seat eager to help the next people in line.
I smile in thanks and enter Brandmeyer Grand Hall in search of the nearest bar. A waiter stops me and offers me champagne instead.
I thank him and take a crystal flute from his tray. The schedule on the pamphlet says I have about twenty minutes before the mayor addresses us. The room is getting crowded, and I'm starting to bump into people. I work my way over to look out of the floor-to-ceiling windows to admire the setting sun. I'm not being social at all, but it's nice to be out of my robes.
"Jennie. What are you doing here?" Chanyeol Park approaches me with big smile and an attractive blonde clinging to his arm. He shakes my hand and introduces me to his wife, Daphne. She pastes on a fake smile, and her hand instantly goes limp the moment we shake. I give her hand a quick squeeze before dropping it.
"It's so nice to finally meet you. Chanyeol has had nothing but wonderful things to say about you and your boys," I say.
Daphne gives me a slight smile and grabs a drink from a passing waiter. "Funny. Chanyeol hasn't mentioned you before."
I raise my eyebrow at Chanyeol, who slightly shrugs. "We went to judicial training together. There were a lot of people there," I say. I want to lean closer and tell her he's not my type and that she has a better chance with me, but I choose to remain courteous and professional.
"I see you tried your first case," Chanyeol says, changing the subject.
"Yes. It was pretty fast and went just like they taught us."
"You're a judge?" The amount of judgment and disbelief in Daphne's voice makes me laugh out loud.
"Yes, I am. That's how I know your husband." I literally just told her we went to training together. I dismiss her by turning to face Chanyeol. "Do you attend a lot of fund-raisers?"
"More than my share." He chuckles at his little joke and smiles sweetly at his wife. "Daphne is very involved in the community, and I do what I can to support her and her causes. Also, my parents are here, and they always strongly encourage me to attend. You never know who's going to show up." He looks around the room. "You should meet my parents. They would love to meet the lawyer who took down Big Pharma."
"Well, I didn't take them down, but I did knock them down a drug or four." I went after MedPharmo for two drugs, but they ended up taking four off the shelf.
It can't hurt to meet Chanyeol's parents. They don't practice anymore, but they still know a ton of judges, lawyers, and other influential people. I can almost feel Chanyeol's wife's hatred for me at his suggestion. He waves them over after he spots them in the growing crowd.
"Mother, Father, meet Jennie Kim. Jennie, these are my parents, Aubrey and Reginald Park."
Chanyeol's father is dashing. It's not a word I use a lot, but for some reason he reminds me of a lord or duke from a regency historical romance. His mother is beautiful, and even though she's outwardly relaxed, I can tell she's studying me intently. The next few seconds just might determine if we become friendly or not. I already know Reginald is on the Jennie train, just by his welcoming body language and slightly lecherous grin. Aubrey is a different story.
"So, you're the David who took down the giant."
Like that wasn't every headline for weeks as the story of my win traveled the globe. "Something like that, only whoever the female version is."
She pauses and tilts her head back and laughs. "Figuratively speaking, but my apologies. I know women aren't given enough kudos for what we've done in this world. Congratulations. A truly remarkable feat. And congratulations on your judgeship. I'll be keeping an eye out for you."
"It's nice to meet you both."
We spend the next few minutes discussing other big Kansas City cases. I can tell they're impressed with my knowledge. Meanwhile, Chanyeol's wife is gulping down her second flute of champagne. He won't have a good night. I decide to excuse myself but not before I give Aubrey my business card. I haven't passed a lot of them out, but tonight I came with a handful.
"Find me later, and I'll introduce you to the mayor," she says.
Something about her is professionally exciting, and I make a mental note to take her up on her offer. The mayor is new this term.
I follow him on Twitter and Instagram, so I know a little about him.
I meet other people who pique my interest, including the marketing director for Harvesters, the group we're there to support.
She's confident, fresh, and queer. My sexuality never comes up, but hers does, and she can't keep her eyes off me. I feel like she's an option if, at the end of the evening, I'm up for drinks elsewhere.
"Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please."
The event organizer says a few words to quiet down the hall and introduces our mayor.
Sterling Moore jumps up on the makeshift stage as though he's fun and friendly, even though I saw him on a heated phone call just a few minutes ago. "Kansas City has always been my hometown," he says. "After I went away to college, I came home after I graduated because I knew I wanted to make a difference here. This is a place I've always believed in. Our community takes care of one another. We step up when our neighbors need help or our children need safer schools." He takes a break, as if pondering what to say next, when we all know he's memorized this speech to death. He looks over the crowd and makes eye contact with several people. "We provide shelter for the people who don't have homes, and we feed people who are less fortunate. Harvesters has been around for over forty years and has fed thousands of people in our community. So, I encourage you to donate what you can. Money, food, your time. You'll find donation stations around that accept credit cards. I'm donating ten thousand dollars tonight. Imagine if we all did that." He pauses for effect and looks over the crowd. "Imagine if every single person here donated ten thousand dollars and what that would do for our food pantries across our great city." He motions for somebody to climb on stage with a Square so he can make his donation very public. I have a feeling our new mayor already has Kansas City in his rearview mirror on his way to Washington.
I applaud, as expected, and line up to donate. I chat with an older couple in front of me in line. She compliments my skin and my dress and says I'm Marilyn Monroe with dark hair. Her husband is smiling at me, but respectfully his eyes never leave my face. I tell them to stay adorable and take a moment to regroup. I look out at the Kansas City skyline and smile at all the lights that have flickered on since night fell.
"You moved." Lisa's voice startles me and excites me at the same time. The commanding smoothness sends a warm rush over me, and I stifle a shudder at the instant heat. I put my hand to my throat and turn to find her standing two feet away.
It takes me a few moments to slip into my cool self. "I did." I squelch the need to smile because she thought of me enough to visit.
"I'm sorry. It didn't occur to me to tell you."
Her eyebrows jump, and she takes as step back. "Oh. I'm sorry."
I reach out to stop her retreat. "No, not like that. I just wasn't sure where we stood on things." I'm not about to give her some lame excuse about not having her phone number, even though it's true, because it's the twenty-first century, and anybody can be found.
She takes a step toward me. "How have you been?" Her dark-gray suit is tailored perfectly. The white shirt underneath makes her tan pop. I'd forgotten how tall she is, even though I'm wearing three-inch heels. I wonder if she just arrived. My gaze roams her body appreciatively. I feel like I haven't seen her in ages, when it's been less than a month.
"Still adjusting to my new life. I'm surprised to see you here,"I say.
She points her glass of whiskey at several suits huddled over a tall bar table. "These guys dragged me out, and I'm forever thankful they did. Remind me to buy them the next round."
"Are you leaving me already?" I fold my arms in front of me to stop myself from touching her. The need is strong.
"Definitely not. I finally found you."
Her eyes are bright and are focused solely on me. I normally run from women when they give me that look, but the exact opposite is happening. I'm not done with Lisa. I explode with desire at her obvious lust and take a step back. "You need to stop looking at me like you're going to rip my dress off right here."
"Something tells me you might enjoy it."
I turn around to gaze out the window again. She moves to the side of me so that she's staring at my profile, but I don't even glance at her. "I'd love that."
"How long do you have to stick around?" she asks. I watch as she brings the glass up to her lips and swallows. A tiny bit of whiskey is left on her mouth when she pulls the glass away. I want to suck her lip, taste it, taste her.
"I have an introduction with the mayor whenever the circle around him dies down, so I don't know how long I have to be here."
"Have you been to the Kauffman Center before?" she asks.
"I have season tickets to The Kansas City Symphony."
"Have you been inside all the halls?"
I smile when I realize she's trying to get me somewhere private. "It's probably quieter in Helzberg Hall, but I think the ratio of attendees to attendants is two to one. Our chances of sneaking off without getting caught are slim."
"Since when do you shy away from a challenge?"
"Since I became a judge."
She takes a step closer. My body blossoms at her nearness.
"The same judge who touched a Rubens?"
I nod.
"The same judge who," she pauses and lowers her voice, "let me fuck her in a museum?"
I nod. "And a kitchen, bathtub, and couch."
She holds up two fingers. I tilt my head, and my brows furrow as I try to figure out what that means. "Two couches."
I laugh and blush, remembering the chaise lounge at the museum, and automatically place my hand on her forearm. That simple touch sends chills over me. She notices.
"How about that walk?" Her eyes dip down to my cleavage, and I can feel my nipples harden under her gaze. I have never responded to somebody physically like this before. She leaves me breathless and hasn't even touched me.
"I'll go first." I leave her and work my way slowly around the room. Two attendants are standing in the hallway that leads to the mezzanine and the orchestra levels. I just need to get inside one of the doors without them noticing. The museum was easier to sneak around in because fewer people were standing guard. I walk around the small gift shop until I can sneak through the side door behind them. I open the first door and slip inside. Only the stage is lit. It takes a few minutes for my eyes to adjust, but I find a seat in row N
And wait. I know she'll come for me.
I hear a door behind me, but I don't turn. Her fingertips on my bare shoulders make me jump a little.
"I didn't mean to scare you." Her voice is raspy.
I lean my head to the side, and she places a soft kiss on my neck. "You smell delicious and taste even better."
I moan as her lips move to my shoulders and her fingertips graze the sensitive skin of my breasts. I've missed her touch. "We're in the open here. Do you want to find a more private place?" I ask.
When I look up at her, she leans over and kisses me. It's an upside-down kiss and the sexiest one I've ever had. I slide my hand up her neck to hold her close. It's a passionate yet tender moment. When we break the kiss, I stand. She waits for me in the aisle and reaches for my hand when I get close. She's warm and strong. With my hand in hers, she points to a dark corner over by the stage.
"It's really dark, so watch your step."
She pulls me closer the farther into the shadows we walk. She stumbles over a heavy wooden chair in an alcove by an exit near the stage. It's the perfect place. She checks the door, and it's locked.
"I think we'll have privacy here."
"Come here," I say.
She walks flush against me until my back is pressed against the wall. I sigh as her body molds against mine. I'm surprised by the tenderness in her kiss. I need more, so I deepen it and slip my hands under her suit jacket to pull her even closer. Her moans make my pulse race and my body swell with need.
She sits on the chair she tripped over and pulls me onto her lap. She's warm and wearing the cologne I love. "You always smell wonderful."
"Finding you here is the highlight of my night. Of my week. Of my month. Where did you run off to?" She runs her fingertip down one cheek and up the other.
"I moved to the garment district."
"I was sad that I couldn't find you."
I didn't want to think about what her words mean. This is normally the time I walk away from women because it's easier. But I want her this night. "You have my number. You could have called me or messaged me."
"I'm not clingy," she says.
Her words don't have a bite, but they hit the mark. I run my thumb over her lip and wait until she looks at me. "I never said you were. I think we both know what this relationship is and are okay with it. We both enjoy sex without attachment. Neither one of us has time to date."
"That part's debatable, but I do really enjoy sex with you." She runs her fingers down the vee in my dress and cups a breast. My nipple hardens under her touch. My breath hitches.
"Bite it."
Without hesitation, she frees my breast and sucks as much of it into her mouth as she can. When I feel her teeth graze the delicate nipple, I dig my nails into her shoulders. My legs automatically spread. I need her between them. I slide my dress up the best I can while sitting on her lap. She enters me swiftly, and I grow limp as pleasure overtakes me. I growl my approval and bite her earlobe as she moves inside of me.
"You know exactly what I want and how I want it," I whisper.
"You're all I think about," she says right before kissing me. She sucks my bottom lip into her mouth and scrapes her teeth along the smooth surface of my skin. Her skillful fingers fuck me, alternating between slow and fast. It's hard for me to catch my breath. "Shh. I think somebody's here." She stills her hand, and we both listen. "I think they're right above us."
Their voices grow louder, but instead of stopping and sneaking out, Lisa keeps fucking me. I bite my lip to keep from crying out.
Their nearness only Intensifies the decadence of the moment.
"Don't come," she whispers in my ear.
I stop a moan from bubbling up. "I'll try, but you're so good at…" I pause breathlessly. "Good at me." I don't know if I should be embarrassed at my candor, but it's the truth. Her face is so close that I can hear her smile in the dark.
"We need to rethink the color scheme in the living room. Red fabric with blond wood is so European. I don't think I like it. We don't want our sitting room to look like a theater."
A seat rocks back directly above us in the mezzanine section.
A woman with a distinctively nasal voice sits, then stands, then sits again as though she's testing the furniture. Several voices murmur in agreement. They must be important if they're unaccompanied in the theater heavily guarded by soccer moms and retirees who take their jobs very seriously. Their presence twelve feet above us doesn't deter Lisa. Her hand continues to move inside of me, faster this time, as if challenging me to stay quiet. I stop her hand and readjust so I'm straddling her. She has full access to my pussy. One hand slides up behind my neck and holds me in place. I keep my mouth closed in case I moan or make any noise. She might be quiet during her orgasms, but I'm not. I move my hips against her hand, knowing that the moment I want to come, I will. The second I hear the voices recede and an exit door close, I grab the lapels of her jacket, throw my head back, and come. I am surprisingly quiet.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," she whispers.
"We just did." I kiss her.
She laughs. "I wonder if they heard you."
I press my fingers to her mouth. "You aren't as quiet as you think." I can barely see her, but I think she's blushing. She leans her sweaty forehead against mine.
"You're just so damn sexy that it's hard not to moan with you."
I slide off her lap, but she grabs my hand and pulls me to stand between her legs. She places a kiss on my cleavage after I straighten my dress. I drop to my knees and run my hands along her thighs.
"Do I have time to return the favor?" I don't want to assume she's okay with it.
She leans forward and kisses me. "Probably not. It takes me a little longer." She helps me up and pulls me into her arms. She's strong and feels safe.
"There's always my new place later. I'm just a mile up the road." I mean it, but I'm also nervous at how willing I am to have her over. Desperate has never been a word in my vocabulary, but that's how I feel.
"Why don't you meet the mayor, and I'll ditch my friends and come over later?" She brings my hands up to her lips and kisses them.
It's sweet. "Let's figure out a way to sneak out of here before we get caught." She kisses me one last time and leads me to an unlocked door. She peeks out. "Coast is clear. Why don't you go first?"
I know walking out together isn't wise. I'm a judge, and so many people know that. My discretions have to be that—discreet.
"Good idea." I walk up the hallway and duck into the bathroom to check my makeup and dress. Strands of my hair have come loose, and I take a few moments to re-pin them. I touch up my lipstick and check my body for marks. Thankfully, I have none.
"Oh, there you are, Jennie. I've been looking for you. Are you ready to meet Sterling?" Aubrey touches my elbow to get my attention.
"Certainly. Thank you so much for taking time out of your night to introduce us. I appreciate it." I follow her to where Mayor Moore is talking with Chanyeol and his bitchy wife. She rolls her eyes at me.
"Here she is. Judge Jennie Kim, the muscle who took down MedPharmo a few notches."
Mayor Moore takes my hand and smiles at me. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Judge Kim."
"Jennie, please."
"Sterling."
Although he's very charming and delightful, he feels off to me.
Maybe it's because he has to be on point all night, and I'm meeting him at the end of the evening.
"Looks like we have a lot in common," he says. I look at him questioningly. "We both want justice for the people in our community. That's what I'm talking about."
I see Chanyeol's wife roll her eyes again, and this time I don't blame her one bit, but I play the game.
"That's why I'm still in Kansas City. I like our town. It's my home," I say.
"If you're interested in talking out some ideas, just call my office, and we can meet up," he says.
I can tell he's interested in me. He stands a little too close, and maybe that's the politician in him, but I need to tell him the feeling isn't mutual. I take a small step back. He nods as if he understands.
"I'll definitely give you a call. Thank you for your time." I turn to Chanyeol's parents. "Thank you so much for this evening. Good to meet you both. Chanyeol, I'll see you at the courthouse." I nod to his wife, who has returned her attention to the now-empty glass. I can tell he needs to get her home sooner than later. Chanyeol's too nice for that bullshit, especially in public.
L: The mayor looked very cozy with you.
I smile at the text. Even though it's just a phone number on my screen, I know who it's from. I add Lisa Manoban to my contacts.
Now I have her number. I look around the room until our eyes meet.
Her pants have a wet spot from when she fucked me on her lap.
J: Did you spill your drink?
Lisa looks down and shrugs. She's not embarrassed.
I'm not even blushing.
J: I'm headed out soon. Here's my address.
I order a Lyft and leave through a side door when the car arrives to avoid having to walk by her. If I do, people will surely know.
