Chapter Nine – Mixing Business with Pleasure
Tayvion went down a list of things I needed to think about, ranging from the hair on my puss to the hair on my head. She reminded me I needed a touch-up, because more and more of those pesky grays were peeking through.
And she got to me, because the next morning, I scheduled a wax.
She was right; my girl needed some attention.
Listen, I expected nothing to happen with Likosa, but a fresh wax was one of those things that just gave me confidence.
It was like stepping out of a luxury car or getting a fresh cut.
It just boosted my self-image. The feeling of a freshly done pussy did the same, with or without someone else ever laying eyes (or anything else) on it.
But you hope she sees it.
The thought passed through my mind as I pulled up to the restaurant she’d chosen.
It was one of those spots you had to call at least a month in advance to get a reservation.
I wondered just how long she’d been planning to do this.
Maybe she was just really that well connected.
For some people, there were no constraints money couldn’t make disappear.
I left my car with the valet and headed inside, where a woman met me at the front.
“Hi, welcome. Do you have a reservation?” she said in a voice so soft, I knew it was the product of training and not her natural tone.
“Yes, actually. My name is Shontae Carter. I’m here to meet—”
“Oh yes, Ms. Carter. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Lauren, your premier hostess for the evening. Anything you need, you just let me know.” Her eyes lit up before I could even tell her who I was there to meet. “Right this way. She’s waiting for you.”
I followed the woman, who wore a sleek black dress that hung from her body like a showpiece.
As we moved through the space, I saw several women who could have been carbon copies of her.
Everything in the restaurant was intentional, from the soft tones in the décor to the gold etchings on the chairs.
Subtle yet opulent, and the women who worked inside were the same.
I followed Lauren back to the private room, which was up a short flight of stairs on a second level, with five black doors with unique golden symbols in the center.
Each one was different. I tried to place them but couldn’t.
She stopped just in front of the third door, tapped a button next to it, paused for a moment, and opened it.
“Right inside.” She waved me forward. “She’s waiting for you.”
“Thank you,” I said, feeling some hesitation but quickly shaking it off as I headed inside.
“Shontae. You made it.” Likosa stood next to a dinner table big enough to fit eight people. “I was beginning to think you might decide to stand me up. I’m glad I was wrong.”
I had to pause for a beat to take in the view of her body wrapped in a pink and black velvet mesh bodycon dress.
The design fit her like a glove, and the neckline plunged to dangerous depths, showing off her perfectly structured sternal line.
I had to shake the assessment out of my head. I was not there for this.
“Of course,” I responded as the door behind me slid shut with a quiet click that echoed in my ears.
“I was worried you might chicken out.”
“Chicken out? Me? Never.”
“Good.” She took me in. “You look good.”
I glanced down at the suit I wore and was glad I had gone with the lapel collar and cinched waist. It looked like we went together perfectly, like we’d coordinated looks.
And why the hell does that make you so happy?
“Thank you. I wanted to look my best, of course. I knew you would show up looking fly, and I was definitely right about that.” That natural urge to flirt came out a little too easy, and I had to remind myself to put it back in the box. This was business, nothing more.
“You flatter me.” She smiled.
“I—” I paused my pending statement as the light above the door lit up, and a moment later, it swung open.
I stared at the light as the server entered and laid out the appetizer plates on the table. When he left, I turned back to face Likosa.
“Isn’t it so nice how they have the light? A warning so dirty old men can stop talking and not risk letting any of their secrets be overheard.” She pointed to the seat at the table in the center. “Shall we?”
“Yes.” I took the seat she pointed to, expecting her to sit across from me, but she took the seat right next to me.
I turned to look at her as she plucked a piece of food from one of the shared plates.
“You wanted to talk to me about a potential investment?” I asked to keep my eyes off her lips painted a soft rouge.
“Right to business, even with all this food in front of you?” She slowly sucked the sauce from her fingertip. “Don’t you know it's customary to eat before discussing business?”
“I never cared too much for what’s customary.
” I leaned back in my seat and watched her wipe her finger on the napkin next to her.
“Besides, I’d rather get it over with so I can enjoy my food in peace.
If it’s important to you, we could do all the pleasantries, but you don’t strike me as the type to enjoy that kind of stuff any more than I do. ”
“Oh, I enjoy the pleasantries, but you’re right.
Not when it comes to business.” She picked up a spanakopita and held the flaky pastry near her lips.
I watched as she placed it into her mouth, allowing the drizzled sauce to drip on her bottom lip.
Her eyes, brown with a slight pink, locked on me as she licked the sauce from her lips.
I cleared my throat and looked away from her, grabbing a pastry from the plate in front of me. “What is your proposal here?”
“Right.” She finished her bite. “You are looking to expand your business, correct? Take your gym brand nationwide, perhaps even internationally? I would imagine, after the attention you’ve garnered from the recent television spot, that is something you want to jump on right away. Am I correct?”
“You are. That’s the goal.” I glanced at her but quickly realized it would be harder to have the conversation if I did.
“I want to see my brand around the world, but not just a copy and paste system. I want to customize operations for the region, take in the habits and culture of the people in the area. Helping people do what they need to do to be healthy in their current environment. Often, people treat it like a one-size-fits-all situation with health and fitness, and that’s not the case.
Each person is different, and their environment plays a big part in that. ”
“And admirable cause,” she said. “You’ve really thought this through.”
“Oh yeah, I have full write-ups of the data and even have full profiles by location and category of needs.” I nodded.
“I’ve traveled around the world with my friends, collecting information for the profiles.
I even asked people what their trouble spots were, and you’d be surprised how different the answers are depending on where you are. ”
“I’d like to see that.”
“I looked into your company but couldn’t find much in your portfolio that has anything to do with health and wellness. Is there a reason why you want to make the pivot now?”
“You’re the reason, Shontae. My pivot is because of you.” The confidence she spoke with tickled the back of my neck like a challenge. “Whatever it is you want, I would like to help you make that happen. If you’re sure that’s what you want.”
“Why do you question if that is what I want?” I glanced at her.
“I find most mortals don’t really know the answer.”
“And you already know I’m not like most mortals.” I couldn’t help the laugh that slipped from my lips. “Come on, Likosa, let’s not play with each other here.”
I envisioned my energy blanketed and pressed it out from me, folding it around her, but she lit up in a pink hue.
It wrapped around her protectively, not allowing my magic to touch her.
I had never noticed that before, but here, in this intimate setting, it was clear as day. Likosa was protecting herself from me.
Why would she want to help me if she thought I would hurt her?
“You’re shielding yourself from me right now, aren’t you?” I turned in my seat to finally look at her straight on.
“Yes, I am.” She shifted so we were face to face.
“Tell me what this really is.” I looked around the room and then back at her. “What do you really want from me, Likosa?”
“This is me being intrigued by you and wanting to help make your dreams come true. Is that enough, or do you need more?” She gave a bullshit answer. She had no reason to feel that way about me, no reason to be compelled to give me anything.
“It would be enough if powerful magical beings didn’t always offer help at a cost. What’s the cost?” I asked. “Be up front with me and let me decide if I’m willing to pay it. I’m not opposed to a deal if it's mutually beneficial.”
“Damn, you’re a lot smarter than I gave you credit for,” she said, but I could tell by the lift at the corner of her lips that she was joking with me. “Not your typical gym rat.”
“You’re right. I’m not. So, tell me what’s real, Likosa. What’s Tea?”
“Tea?” she looked at the table. “I didn’t order any tea. Would you like some?”
A soft chuckle slipped from me as she let that confident show slip. “I mean, what’s the real reason you’re here?”
“Oh, well, I need help, and I believe your particular skill set, if done on a grander scale, could be exactly what I need.” She lifted her chin, assessing my physical response to her. “I see your potential and believe you can do so much more with your abilities. Things you have yet to tap into.”
“What do you need help with?” Talk of my potential power didn’t faze me.
I’d had enough of those questions, and far too many of them went unanswered or left me even more confused than when I began.
I’d reached a comfortable understanding of who I was and how to navigate life with my power. That was good enough.