CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
NATHAN
AN AFTERPARTY ATTENDED by Hollywood A-listers followed the Fire and Ice Award Show, held this year at the Sunset Towers.
Elise came along as my plus one.
Normally, I’d bring one of the women I had in rotation with me as I had done in the past, but considering the circumstances, it was only right that I asked Elise to accompany me this year.
When I gave her my Amex and told her to buy a dress for the occasion, I knew she’d looked beautiful, but I had no idea she would look like a fantasy in gold silk.
It shouldn’t matter. There was a deadline tightening and a clause in my father’s will breathing down my neck like a loaded gun. Every day that passed without Elise seeing me as more than her boss was another day closer to losing everything I’d built.
But the moment I saw her walk out of her house in that gold dress I knew I would be in for a long night. And I was right.
Every fucking head turned when Elise and I walked into the room, especially the men, and I shot the brave motherfuckers a look that let them know that if they stared at Elise for one more second that their eyes would be floating in a champagne glass before the night was over.
“Everyone is staring at us.” Elise whispered nervously as we made our way further into the room.
“Not us, Cupcake. Just you.” I clarified, before leaning down close to her ear. “You’re mesmerizing.”
I smirked at the glow that crept up her cheeks at my compliment, loving how easy it was to make her nervous.
“Thank you.” Elise flashed me a smile and I was temporarily stunned by her beauty. “You look very handsome as well.”
I needed to use that to my advantage tonight. I needed to make her see me as something more than her boss, move this whole thing forward. I needed her to fall. I just hadn’t expected I’d be the one slipping first.
Everyone was here. Faces ranged from some of the top music execs to Hollywood royalty. The latest rap song filled the air, alcohol flowed through the room, and celebrities covered the dance floor, chatting or letting loose.
It was nothing I hadn’t seen before. And if it wasn’t for the fact that I knew Elise would enjoy the experience, I would’ve called it a night after the award ceremony. It was also because I knew a night like tonight would help distract her from whatever had her worried.
And I needed her distracted. Happy. Open. Because time wasn’t on my side, and I couldn’t afford for her to pull away now, not when the entire future of Edge Records depended on her saying yes.
Sure, she smiled and was her usual bubbly self, but there was something in her eyes that troubled me and she wouldn’t tell me what it was.
I figured a night out amongst the stars would cheer her up.
“Oh my gosh!” Elise was suddenly squeezing my bicep. “It’s Titan!”
I followed her gaze to see the triple-threat artist, followed closely behind by his security team and entourage which included an equal number of men and women.
The R&B singer was Edge Record’s biggest-selling male artist. Every song was a hit, every album went platinum, and every tour was sold out within seconds.
It wasn’t only his musical talent that turned him into a household name, but his looks as well.
Titan was tall with a warm brown complexion, dark brown eyes, and a lean build that was covered in colorful tattoos.
This was my first time seeing Elise’s reaction to him outside the office and I didn’t like that shit at all.
“I didn’t realize you were such a big fan.” I grumbled.
“Are you kidding me? His latest single is on repeat. I was literally just playing it while I was getting ready for tonight.”
My lips twitched. “Is that why it took you so long?”
“That’s not the point,” She rushed to say, her gaze still lingering on the singer as he made his way around the room.
“The point is, I showed up, danced my heart out at the audition, and asked to be taken seriously. He’ll either hire me or he won’t.
But tonight? I’m just a girl at a party.
And I’m going to see if he wants to dance. ”
“Good luck getting past his team.”
“You underestimate my ability to get what I want.” Elise replied with a teasing lilt in her voice.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. If only she knew how much I needed to be the one she wanted.
How much I needed her to look at me the way she was looking at Titan.
Every man in this room could see her worth.
I just had to make her believe I was the one who deserved it.
“Besides, wasn’t it you that said I look mesmerizing tonight? ” She added.
I opened my mouth to tell her I didn’t care if she was on the clock or not, that she was representing me and the company so she shouldn’t be trying to get close to Titan.
Not to mention, that she was out of her fucking mind if she thought I was going to let another man near her when she was wearing this dress.
But before I could say any of this, Tom Rossi, CEO of Dauntless Records, stepped in front of us.
“Nathan,” The short and stocky billionaire greeted me coolly.
“Tom.” My tone carried the same amount of coolness. Dauntless Records was Edge Record’s top competitor and Tom was the biggest pain in my ass. I managed to avoid his presence when coming to these types of events, but it seemed as if my luck had run out.
“I see you’ve brought your lovely assistant with you this evening.” Tom’s gaze was hungry as he looked at Elise. “Word on the street is she won’t be your assistant much longer.”
“Nice to see you again Mr. Rossi.” Elise held out her hand for a handshake to which Tom accepted, taking it a step further by brushing his lips against the back of her hand.
“Tell me, Elise, what are your thoughts on Reyna Ford?” Reyna Ford was the nineteen-year-old South African singer who was making waves online, but other than her beauty, there wasn’t anything else significant about her to make me want to bring her onto Edge Records, but to someone like Tom and Dauntless Records, that was all that mattered.
Knowing Tom, he asked Elise, thinking that someone with her looks and her position was only good for coffee runs and being arm candy to the CEO and the fact that he had such a low opinion of her based on her looks had me curling my fingers into a fist.
I stepped up, ready to defend Elise but she beat me to the punch.
“While it’s undeniable that she’s a strikingly beautiful young woman, her vocal abilities leave much to be desired.
Her tone lacks depth and versatility, which significantly limits the range of material she can successfully perform.
As I mentioned before, her appearance will undoubtedly draw attention.
After all, sex sells. However, I firmly believe her career will peak with a single hit before fading into obscurity. ”
That’s my girl.
Tom looked impressed. “Dauntless Records could use a sharp mind like yours. If you ever decide you want to work somewhere that matches your potential,” Tom reached into his suit jacket, pulled out a business card and held it out to Elise. “My door's open.”
Elise glanced at the card then back at Tom. “Thanks. But I’m not interested in a downgrade.”
“Now if you’ll excuse us.” I grabbed Elise’s hand and steered her away from the blood-thirsty music exec and brought her close to me amidst the other dancing couples.
“What are you doing?” Elise’s eyes widened, resembling a deer caught in headlights.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to dance?” I moved my hand lower, resting on her hips.
“Y-yeah but—”
“Then we’re going to dance. I don’t like the thought of another man’s hand on you.”
The heat in her cheeks intensified as she gave a soft head nod. “Okay.”
I tightened my hold.
“You handled yourself quite nicely.” I complimented as I moved my hips to match her rhythm.
Elise grinned. “Thank you. There’s a reason I vouched for Darryl and not Reyna.”
“You’re gonna be hard to replace.” Every day Elise’s impending final day drew near and the thought of walking to my office and not seeing her face evoked a strange, unsettling feeling in me.
“There’s gotta be someone else on this planet that specializes in dealing with your level of assholery.” Elise teased.
“I’m afraid there isn’t,” I chuckled. “It seems like you’re the only one qualified for the job.”
“Lucky me,” Elise exhaled dramatically.
Damn. She’s adorable.
“The next person who gets you is very lucky,” I told her, my voice low and deliberate.
“Professionally or romantically?” she asked, a teasing glint in her eyes.
“Both.” I said, letting the word hang between us.
“Nathan?”
I turned at the familiar voice and saw Camille Voss weaving through the crowd in a sleek, crimson gown, the fabric catching the light with every step.
“Camille,” I greeted, leaning in just enough to brush a kiss against her cheek. “Didn’t realize you’d be here tonight.”
“Please,” she said lightly, a small smile playing on her lips. “Half my roster is in this room. It would’ve been more surprising if I wasn’t.” Camille’s gaze flicked to Elise, a hint of recognition settling in. “Elise, right?” she said.
“Yes.” Elise returned Camille’s smile without missing a beat, but I didn’t miss that the smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“It’s nice to finally put a face to the voice,” Camille said.
“Camille, would you do me the honor of a dance?” I asked, extending a hand.
Her brow arched. “You hate dancing.”
“True. But my date needs a break.”
Elise stiffened beside me. I didn’t even need to look at her to feel the jealousy simmering.
“He’s right.” Elise smiled even harder, but she wasn’t fooling anyone. “There’s an open bar and I think it’s time I take advantage of it,” She paused. “You two enjoy yourself.”
Camille took Elise’s place, her fingers light in mine as the slow beat of some moody R&B track pulsed through the speakers. She moved easily, gracefully. “You clean up well,” I said, offering the compliment mostly out of habit.