“Okay, that’s fine. I, well, I just didn’t want to ruin things between us. You’re my boss and, well, I…I just don’t want to go down that path.”
He nods and looks out the other direction, acting like he’s checking for cars that might be passing by. “Think nothing of it.” Turning back to Lisa, he smiles. “Now, if we’re done with this subject, let’s go." Lisa nods and he pulls out, driving towards Dance 52. The conversation is quiet between them. Some of it due to the calls Samuel receives during their drive. As he hangs up his phone, he turns to Lisa. “So I hear you landed Massacre. Great account. With a name like that...” Samuel chuckles
She nods. “You’d be surprised. Massacre, as he calls himself, is really a nice kid. He loves music, rap most of all. He calls himself Massacre because he wants to massacre it when he raps. You know, ‘tear it up’,” Lisa said, quoting her newest client. Samuel chuckles. Something in his voice sounded a little off…dark, maybe. She turns her gaze back towards the road as he pulls into Dance 52.
It’s early afternoon and people are already lining up to get inside. Walking towards the front door, Mike’s working the line. He’s wearing a t-shirt that looks gray against his dark skin. It’s tight across his chest and arms. He recognizes Lisa, and he smiles at her. “Back for more?” he chuckles and Lisa smiles.
Samuel looks between them. “Friend of yours?”
“Sort of. I’ll explain later.”
Mike removes the red velvet rope so Samuel and Lisa can walk inside. The bass causes vibrations in Lisa’s skin, the dance floor’s already full. The bartenders are busy making drinks as the DJ is working on setting up his next playlist. Samuel places his hand on Lisa’s lower back and leads her toward the bar.
Leaning in so Lisa can hear him, she can feel his breath against her ear. “I didn’t get to properly thank you and congratulate you for your amazing event.” He chuckles. “And congratulate you on landing Massacre.”
Lisa raises her brows to this and shakes her head. Leaning into him, she says, “Samuel, you definitely thanked me the other night.” She blushes. “Many times over.” Pulling away, Samuel smirks as he looks towards the bartender and waves him down.
“Two shots of Grey Goose, please.” Lisa shakes her head and fears what’s coming, but goes with it. The bartender places two shot glasses on the bar and fills them with the clear liquid. Turning to Lisa, he leans in again, his breath tickling her ear. “What would you like?” He pulls away as Lisa looks at him, confused.
She leans in. “Are these both for you?” He nods. “Okay, a lemon drop.” He nods and turns to the bartender, requesting her shot and making it a double. He leads them across the floor to a table. She slides in, Samuel next to her.
Leaning over, he whispers into her ear again, “All of this would not be possible if it were not for you.” He pulls back and picks up his shot of Grey Goose. “To Lisa and your amazing PR skills.” He smiles and clinks his shot glass against hers. Samuel drinks down the clear liquid, his eyes remaining on hers.
Lisa smiles and downs her shot. Setting the glass down, she begins to loosen up some. Samuel picks up his other shot and holds it, giving her a look. “Oh, is it my turn?” He chuckles and nods. Picking up her glass, she thinks for a moment, considering what to cheer. “Well, here’s to you for hiring me or, at the end of the day, none of this would be possible.” He grins and they clink glasses.
Taking her second shot, she begins to feel something touch her mind. She wonders if maybe the alcohol is affecting her already. She feels almost like a veil has been pulled around her.
Loosening up, she begins to talk more freely. They discuss Massacre, upcoming clients that have applied for PR, and Alex. Samuel coaxes the subject out of her, giving her the excuse he knew that she was seeing someone by the conversation they had on the phone earlier.
“So is he your boyfriend now? Or maybe just a friend?” Samuel looks into Lisa’s eyes. She wants to kiss him, she wants to jump into his lap and run her fingers through his hair, she wants to run her fingers across his bare chest while he kisses her neck.