The Kiss

LISA'S POV

It took a while to recover and when I finally did, he was pouring himself another drink. I frowned, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed for freezing like that. I made my way to the stage where the lights were red and I grabbed the pole, touching it lightly and moving my fingers up and down the length.

No questions asked, huh? That sounded good enough. I could do that. I stood behind the pole and held it from behind with my legs wide apart. I exhaled deeply to prepare myself.

I was uncomfortable, I won't lie. There was no music, the silence was so thick that a pin could be heard. I began to hum a familiar tone in my head and I swayed my hips to it. I danced around the pole before climbing and twirling on it.

I didn’t know how long I danced for but it all came to an end when his rough voice hit my ears.

"What are you doing?"

I paused.

Did he seriously just ask that? I blinked in his direction in shock and saw him staring in my direction. "What?"

His silence reigned for a moment while I tried to process an answer to his bizarre question.

His words made no sense, so I stepped a little closer. That man in the suit had warned me not to try to touch him without his permission. I didn’t know what that was about and stubborn as I may be, I didn’t want to find out.

I opened my mouth to reply to him but he spoke again.

"Leave,"

My heart hammered in my chest. His voice was cold like ice. "What?" I asked in a whisper. What did he mean by that? Surely it wasn't what I was thinking… right?

I've never had a client send me out before. I mean… I was the best here. I was good at my job.

"Don't make me repeat myself,"

I almost shivered at his cold tone. What was with that attitude? He had to be joking!

"Listen here-''

"Call me once you get back home,"

The words died in my throat. He pulled his hand away from his ear and a light suddenly came up, shining on his face. I caught a glimpse of his frowning brows and his bangs before the light switched off.

That little glimpse and I was already smitten by his good looks.

He lifted his head to me in the dark and we stared at each other for a while.

"Why are you standing there?" he asked in a curious and lazy tone. He was either drunk or just not interested.

"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know it was okay to keep dancing when you weren't paying attention!" I snapped through gritted teeth. This bastard had made me second guess myself!

"Oh!" he sounded clueless and he looked down at the table. "I thought you were here to clear the tables… sorry-"

"Are you kidding me!" I half yelled, suddenly getting irritated. My night could not have gotten any worse. "Wait tables? What do you think this is?"

He went silent again and I was starting to believe he wasn't going to respond but he did, "I'll pay you for your time. How much is it?"

His attitude was just like all the others; proudful. Stinking. Arrogant. Stinking. Disrespectful. Stinking.

"Parker!" he called in a loud voice that made me recoil in shock. How did his voice go from calm and gentle to bold and fearsome? I was too stunned to speak.

The door opened and I shielded my eyes from the sudden light.

"You called, sir?" It was the voice of the man that had led me here.

"Yeah… pay her,"

"We already made payment for her services to Madam Alex," he informed.

"I see," he went quiet for a moment. "Will it get to her? I know how these things work," he chuckled. It was soft and lazy.

"Her relationship with him seemed very flexible. I'm sure they can handle themselves," he reported like he had done his background check on me.

"Is that so?" he didn't sound the least interested. "It doesn't matter. Pay her directly. She should get an extra."

"Did you enjoy yourself that much, Sir?"

"Hey, wait a minute! What the fuck do you two think you're doing?" I yelled. "I'm standing right here, you know? I can hear you!" their arrogance and nonchalance was bemusing.

My client turned to me in slow-motion, "Oh! I forgot again-"

"What?"

"Sorry," he apologised absentmindedly.

Had he just referred to me as 'invisible'? It sparked ugly memories that I had thought I had buried under fire and brimstone.

"Turn on the lights," I growled with my head down. When I heard no movements carrying out my order, I yelled this time, "I said turn on the fucking lights!"

"How dare you raise your voice before the boss?" Parker gasped like I had committed such a grave offence.

"Boss of what? Ignorance?" I scoffed. "Just because you have money doesn't mean you can treat people like shit."

"Don't yell," I heard my client groan softly. Under the dim lights, I watched him lean forward and rest his head on his hand.

I was pleased to know he was suffering from a headache already. His head was probably already banging and I smirked, getting ready to increase the tempo of my voice.

If he was the leader of a gang, I could always beg for my life later. Maybe give him good heads till he forgets my offence. Men were ruled by their dicks.

"Leave this place right now," Parker whispered loudly, obeying his bosses order like a good dog.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" I started to yell. "I couldn't hear you over loud music-"

A hand circled around my throat. I never saw him move. He was suddenly so close with his breath on my face. There was a light stench of alcohol. I sucked in a breath with my eyes wide in terror.

I gulped as my breathing became harsh and my chest heaving and falling. I had brought this upon myself. This wasn't the first time that my stupid big mouth and daring attitude was putting me in trouble.

The room was silent and I silently hoped that Parker would beg for my life but I didn't count on it.

"I said," he gruffed low under his breath that added anxiety to the pool of my stomach. My legs were shaky in my heels and I feared he would send me flying with one hand.

"Don't yell," he repeated in a fearsome warning tone and I found myself nodding. There were tears in my eyes and when he finally let go of me, my legs gave out. I was about to hit the table when his strong hands caught my arm and held me up.

I steadied myself in under two seconds before pushing him away and making a run for it in my heels. I was so used to running that even my feet would pass on its experience to whatever shoe I was wearing.

I dashed out into the hallway and I paused by one corner to catch my breath. I placed my hand on my collar bone, imagining my neck being wringed out like a lifeless chicken.

I scanned the bar and I found my boss laughing with Chantel. She saw me coming first.

"That fast-"

"That bastard tried to kill me!" I yelled over the loud music. His face scrounged up in a frown and it seemed like he was having trouble believing it.

"That's impossible," he said. "He's never that violent."

My heart almost sank, "What? Are you saying I'm lying?" I thrust my neck in his face, "I'm sure there are bruises-"

"I don’t see anything,'' Chantel said. "Did he really-"

"He's over there. I'll confront him," Madam Alex concluded and headed towards them. I followed behind him with my confidence skyrocketing.

"Parker!" They stopped at Madam Alex's voice.

Now that we were out in the open, I saw what he really looked like. He turned around; he was handsome, had a perfect figure, wide shoulders and interesting height. The sleeves of his white button up shirt was rolled up and his tie hung loosely on his neck.

His bangs sat over his forehead and his hair looked like he had been running his fingers through them.

He didn't look away from my gaze. In fact, he stared at me like he was seeing something strange and wonderful at the same time. I slowed down as he started to walk towards my direction.

He wouldn't dare touch me again... I hoped.

He got to Madam Alex and walked past him like glass. His hands stretched towards me.

"What the-" I couldn't get away fast enough.

He cupped my face, pulling me forward and he leaned down, crashing his cold lips on mine in a kiss.