Arcana | 5 – The Emperor

Arcanum 5 – The Emperor

The Emperor will easily represent the father figure as the central constituent element of the personality. The direction he is looking can orient us upon the centers of interest to a father: is it toward the family, or toward the outside? Toward his daughter, his wife, his son? Toward his own parents? Well placed, The Emperor evokes a stable companion and protector and a balanced home. For a young man, it could also pose the question of masculinity: how has it been passed down by the father, what are the means of fulfilling oneself as a man in reality?

Los Angeles, two days later

He loved not being at the center of the attention, for once. Even though he was standing there, near John, the focus of the guests sitting on the little white chairs under the perfectly decorated tent was all on the bride and the groom. Which was precisely the way it was supposed to be, given that they were all taking part in a wedding.

Michael stood perfectly still, his hands clasped behind his back, his shoulders straightened, and took his time to observe Lisa, sitting with her mother in the front row, in a position where he could see both of them just fine. That girl looked so beautiful and innocent in that evening dress that hugged her gorgeous body just right. Beautiful to the point that he couldn’t stop watching, and had to force himself to try at least to be subtle. In all honesty, he didn’t care if Priscilla noticed – because at this point he knew he was hooked good. He was way too enthralled by Lisa’s eyes finding his every now and then. The looks she would give him were subtle, sultry, shy… and a concoction of all the above. The result was tantalizing.

Slowly he started to space out, his memory going back to what had happened a couple of days earlier, at Leigh’s apartment. He stopped listening to the long sermon and his ears filled with Lisa’s soft sighs and moans. It was all so incredibly vivid that he almost felt her hands on his skin, burning him, singeing him.

What the hell was going on? How had it happened that he had so randomly met this girl after so many years – at a small funfair in Pensacola, of all places! – and had made out with her, just to meet her again in Los Angeles a couple of days later because fate had decided they were going to be in the same place, at the same time? It was all so eventual and confusing, and he didn’t like the feeling of uncertainty that came with it.

More than anything else, Michael was surprised at what had transpired at Leigh’s place. There had been a moment when he had been pretty sure he and Lisa were going to screw then and there, but it hadn’t happened. Not that he didn’t want it. And not that she didn’t look like she didn’t want it. Only, the circumstances weren’t ideal and he was way too private and self-aware to do anything of that sort in a place he was not familiar with. At the same time, he didn’t want Lisa to feel as if she was some kind of fast-food fuck for him, because the more he kissed her, the more he realized that he wanted to see her again. Touch her again, hold her again. Kiss her again. And then maybe…

He blinked and tried to disentangle himself from the recollection of her body against his own, her hands in his hair, her breathing in his ear. He failed miserably. The truth was that he was glad Alan hadn’t reappeared up until early in the morning, looking like someone who hadn’t slept much. That lucky bastard.

Well… Not that Michael had rested much either. He and Lisa had been up pretty much for the whole night, kissing, cuddling, making out like teenagers. Every now and then they had somehow managed to stop, at least for a while. At one point they had even tried to watch a movie, but they had soon discovered that fighting that all-consuming attraction was impossible, and so they had resumed kissing.

Lisa was… unique. The more Michael had held her, the more he had allowed himself to feel comfortable with her and trust her with what was happening, the more he had realized that she was unlike any other girl he had ever met. She was not impressed by his fame, nor she didn’t seem to care. She looked at him in a way that went way beyond the appearance, as if seeing the public persona was almost an impossible task for her. As if she could only see the man that he really was, behind the mask.

And then… Man, she was so sexy. She was drop-dead gorgeous.

Michael loved having her in his lap, loved her small, warm fingers touching him all over. His hands caressing her, discovering that body that seemed created to fit with his just perfectly. When he had taken her hand and rested it on his crotch for the first time, he had been afraid she would pull back. She hadn’t.

Staring right into his eyes, she had touched him gently, her fingertips exploring him lightly, threatening to make him lose it just by touching him that way. Then she had pressed her palm against his steel, forcing him to close his eyes. They had kissed again and everything else had turned into fog. Nothing else existed – nothing but this girl, the scent of her skin, her soft lips. She tasted and felt amazing, and Michael still remembered how he had longed to make her his. So it was shocking how chaste and mutually respectful they had managed to be, all things considered.

Around five in the morning, both exhausted and on the verge of combustion, and also quite shocked at what was going on, they finally had lain down on the couch, just being there, together. They hadn’t spoken much. The TV was still on, but Michael had turned the volume on mute. After a bit, Lisa had fallen asleep, her head resting on his chest, her arm draped across his stomach. And he had loved every minute of it, not even knowing why.

He was not used to… that. His affairs were easy, noncommittal, no real intimacy was ever involved. Once he and his lady were done, either she would go her merry way or he would. He very rarely had spent the night in the same bed with one of his lovers, and certainly not that way.

And this – well, this felt new.

There was just something so intimate and familiar in what they were doing, as if they cared for each other. Holding her like that had made him feel relaxed and peaceful, and at one point he had even drifted off for a bit, just to wake up a few minutes – or had it been an hour? – later, discovering that Lisa’s hand had now come to rest on his belly, near his belt. As if it belonged there. He had smiled, kissed the top of her head, and she had let out a contented sigh. She was sound asleep. Michael had moved his head slightly, just glancing down at her. Her face relaxed, her lips slightly parted. Her hair half-covering her face. And that expression: calm, peaceful, as if she, too, was enjoying that intimacy. She looked beautiful and that moment had felt as perfect as making out with her.

When a few hours later Alan had finally reappeared in the living room, looking like someone whose dream had come true, Michael had almost burst out laughing. Then he had noticed the way his friend was looking at him, lying down on the couch, still entangled with the Presley girl. Michael’s shirt was half unbuttoned and crumpled and he had wondered if Alan thought he had fucked Lisa. He hadn’t liked the feeling one bit. Whispering, he had asked Al to please wait for him in the other room, as he didn’t want Lisa to wake up and find him staring down at her like a creep.

When he was finally alone with her again, he had brushed her hair from her face, kissing her forehead.

“Lisa…”

“Mh…” She had snuggled closer to him, her eyes still closed. Damn… And just like that, he had smiled again.

“Lise… baby girl…”

Her turn to grin, ever so slightly. She had heard him. Her eyelids had opened almost in slow motion and she had found his eyes. She had kissed his chest, right over his heart and the small, tender gesture had about left him speechless. It had obviously come naturally to her, as she was still half-asleep and her defenses weren’t up yet. This girl, who on the outside loved to project such a sharp, fiery, fearless image, was also so much else. And just like that, Michael had realized that he was curious to know what that much else was.

“Am I drooling on your shirt?” She had lifted her head and touched the fabric. Michael had giggled.

“I don’t think so.” Tilting her chin up, he had kissed her lips. Slow, gentle pecks that she had reciprocated. Her hand on his cheek, warm and soft. “But I gotta go.”

“And I’m crushing you…” She had sat up, wincing a bit. “Sorry.”

Michael had chuckled again.

“Crushing me? Girl, you’re as light as a feather. I really would like to stay here with you all day, but Alan…”

“He has finally stopped fucking my friend? At least for now?” Lisa’s mischievous grin was a sight to behold. He blushed, hoping she couldn’t read his dirty thoughts.

“I guess so.”

They had stared at each other for a moment.

“Am I gonna see you again?” Reaching out, he had touched the side of her face with the back of his fingers. He couldn’t help it. He had to keep the contact as long as he could.

“Would you want to?” Her blue-green eyes had narrowed slightly, but her expression had remained unreadable.

“Really a lot.”

“Then…” Lisa had kissed him lightly. Then she had brushed his messy hair a bit, as if she was trying to make him look more presentable. Michael’s heart had melted some more. “I guess you’ll see me again in a few days, at that wedding…”

He squinted his eyes and came back to the present, listening to the bride and groom exchange their vows. They looked happy and he smiled, then glanced over at Lisa, discovering that she was staring back at him. Once again with that Mona Lisa smile on her face and that unreadable expression.

Wondering if he would ever experience that moment himself, Michael blinked and bit his lips when he noticed Lisa’s smile becoming more visible. However, he closed his hands in fists when he saw Priscilla nudging her daughter. The witch had caught up their little flirting, and it was apparent that she wasn’t pleased with it one bit.

Well… fuck her. Michael set his jaw, remembering that Lisa hadn’t even known that he had tried to get in touch with her. Priscilla had censored and blackballed him from the get-go as if he was some kind of… what? Pariah? Intruder? Monster? What did the lady think he wanted to do with her daughter? Michael had brought himself to reach out after finding out that Lisa still hadn’t been coping well with the death of her father. He had heard rumors about drugs and erratic behavior, and they had concerned him. It was just his nature. He had called Priscilla because he wanted to make sure Lisa was OK and ask if there was something he could do to help her. Priscilla not only hadn’t allowed any contact: she hadn’t even told Lisa he had reached out. And that was the part he had issues with.

But now things were different. Now Lisa was an adult and she could make her own decisions if she wanted to. Shifting on his feet and slightly changing his position as the wedding ceremony approached its final passages, Michael thought that after all, it wasn’t that bad that he and Lisa had met again now, when they were somehow even. When he could see her for the young woman that she was, and not Elvis’ kid.

The thought made him smile: maybe, without even realizing it, Priscilla had done them both a favor.

Lisa didn’t really know what to make of Michael. Why was he acting that way? He was behaving in a bizarre fashion. He almost looked as if he was trying to avoid her. There was something about him that was off, very different from the way he had behaved at Leigh’s. When they had kissed and cuddled, and he had made her soar and transported her into a cosmos she didn’t even know existed.

Yeah… letting him go pretending that everything was fine and dandy, that morning, hadn’t been the easiest of tasks. More than anything else, it had been very hard not to show him how spending the night with him had affected her.

At one point during the night, Lisa had thought they were going to fuck and, honest to God, if Michael had made a move, she would have let him, and to hell the consequences. Like she had allowed other guys to do the same thing, only to feel dirty and worthless afterward.

However, Michael hadn’t moved things along. It was obvious that he had been restraining himself, and yet he had been respectful. His body had sent Lisa all the right signals – the way he kissed her, his arousal, his touch couldn’t lie to her – but he had kept himself in check as best as he could. As if she genuinely cared about her. And that had been more than endearing to Lisa. It had been something she had never experienced before with any other man. Not to that extent, at least.

And so to let him go… Well, it had been only tolerable because she knew she was going to see him again, at this damn wedding. Where everything had gone well until Priscilla had managed to push her claws into Bill, Michael’s head of security. She had made it possible to bump into him after the ceremony and they had spoken a bit in a hushed tone. Unfortunately, Lisa hadn’t been able to understand what they were saying because her mother had taken Bill by the arm and they had moved together near the buffet, at the opposite corner of the tent.

However, Lisa knew her mother very well. She knew how to read her facial expression and body language and could tell when she was flirtatious on purpose. Of course, she didn’t think that Priscilla was truly interested in Bill, but more like that she wanted something from him. Gather intelligence, maybe, or deliver a message. Both options made Lisa see red because they came from a place of hyper-control and manipulation. Whether her mother was fully aware of it or not, it was not important. Priscilla’s behavior impacted Lisa’s life, it always had, and now it was time for her to stop.

Lisa needed to talk to Michael as soon as possible.

It had been tragic to realize that, when Michael was in a public – or sorta-kinda public – space, being around him wasn’t as easy as it had been at the funfair. Here, at a collective event, he was Mr. Jackson, the star, and not Mike. It didn’t matter that he was only the groom’s best man and many people already knew him personally, this was Michael’s “public” element and he was swarmed the moment the wedding ceremony came to an end. Everyone wanted a piece of him and, at one point, Lisa simply lost sight of him.

When finally she was able to spot him again, he was talking to Bill. Then he disappeared one more time, she had no idea where. She had asked around and, apparently, Mr. Jackson was engaged in some very important “business call”.

Lisa had taken the chance to drink some wine and try to soothe her rattled nerves, waiting for him to reappear, somewhere, somehow. Why was she so anxious, after all? She barely knew the man. They were nothing to each other, and just because they had made out once, it didn’t mean that they had something going on. As a matter of fact, they didn’t. And yet it was important for Lisa to let Michael know that she had enjoyed his company, and that his opinion mattered to her. Which was so against the basic rule she had set for herself: never mind what other people think, just move ahead, forget about them.

An hour passed and nothing happened, and Lisa started to think that maybe Michael had been poisoned by Priscilla by proxy, via Bill, and he had left. Thinking God only knew what about Elvis’ wild little girl. Likely regretting having wasted his time with her.

Swallowing the acidic feeling of disappointment, she ventured outside the huge tent where the celebrations were still ongoing, in a triumph of laughter and music. Leaving everything and everyone behind and wanting so much to just go back home, she stepped into the night alone, making sure her mother had no idea where she was.

It was a bit past nine and the sky was dark, but the moon was full and milky white, painfully luminous against a starless black curtain, and despite the dimmed down lights decorating the huge, flowery garden, the path toward the small artificial lake near the tent was very clear. Slowly, feeling a bit chilly, Lisa walked over to the water, as if the soothing sound of the small waves could somehow speak to her and make her feel better, less lonely and insecure.

And there, sitting on a large stone and throwing small rocks in the water, she found Michael.

Lisa stopped cold and saw him freeze as well. She cleared her throat.

“Hi…”

Michael turned his head slightly and gave her a small, unreadable smile. The kind of little smile she had seen a million times in pictures or on TV, nothing like the ones he had shared with her at the carnival, or in that living room, only two nights earlier… Warm, disarmed, genuine smiles.

“Hey… Lisa Marie…”

God, he looked amazing, wearing that beautiful, classy black suit and that lilac shirt. With only the faintest trace of makeup on, Lisa didn’t think he had any idea how gorgeous he was in her eyes.

“I couldn’t find you anywhere… And I thought we were gonna spend some time together, today. That’s what you told me, at least.”

“I know… I just had… You know, people around. And things to do. Stuff…”

She saw him squint his eyes, as if he was uncomfortable in her presence. Well… They hadn’t spoken at all, but all of a sudden his demeanor became as clear as a bell and she felt completely out of place. Stupid, too.

Lisa blinked.

“Well… I am going to leave you at… you know, your peaceful solitude.” She gave a small, humorless laugh, embarrassed and devoid of any joy. “I think you deserve it.”

She spun on a dime and started walking back toward the tent. Wanting to disappear, vanish into the night.

“No… Lisa…” She heard him clear his throat and then his voice was suddenly closer. Had he moved? So quietly? Like a shadow in the dark? Or a blade of light… “Lise. Wait…”

His tone had softened, becoming more vulnerable. Realer. Lisa stopped and stayed perfectly still, her eyes fixed on the tent.

“Please, stay. Just for a little bit… Stay here with me.”

His hand reached out and took hers, and he gently turned her whole body so that he could find her eyes. When they locked gaze, he grinned and his expression became once again something she was familiar with.

“I understand if you wanna be on your own, Michael. It’s not easy to be… well, you.”

“It isn’t. But it’s different when you’re around. Easier…” He cocked his head to a side, and his shoulders seemed to relax. “Stay, please.”

“OK…” How was she supposed to say no to this? To him? To this sweet, subtle seduction? To this magic.

“Besides… You owe me a dance. Remember?” His grin became lopsided and mischievous and this time Lisa smiled.

“Well, yeah… But there’s no music here.”

“It doesn’t matter. Music comes from within.” He stepped into her personal space. “Here… Let me show you…”

Still holding her hand, he pulled her closer and his arm came around her body, circling her waist. He took Lisa’s arms and put them around his neck, enjoying the amused look in her eyes. She couldn’t possibly know how relieving it had been for him to see her appear from the darkness. Especially now.

“You’re too much, Mike.”

“Yeah. I heard that before.”

He started swaying and she just went with the flow. Being guided by him in the dance felt almost like an extra-corporeal experience. Opening her eyes slightly, Lisa stared at the calm waters in the lake and realized that Michael felt just like that. Liquid and solid at the same time. His body, strong and lean, carried her into a slow dance accompanied by the sound of the breeze sweeping through the leaves. Resting her cheek against his shoulder, she relaxed and felt his breathing on the top of her head, slow and regular. His scent – once again, familiar.

“Lisa… I’ve been thinking about you…”

Her eyes now closed, Lisa grinned. When she spoke, however, her voice sounded neutral, old mechanisms kicking in once again. Never retreat, never show any weakness.

“Really…”

“Yeah, really.”

He kept swaying, without missing a beat. Sounding very much defenseless, or maybe just pretending to be.

“I thought you had left. I couldn’t see you anywhere.”

OK, well… Maybe implying that she had been keeping an eye on him kind of gave her weakness away just a little bit.

“I know, but I wasn’t gonna leave without seeing you first… talking to you. I just needed a moment on my own.”

“Something bad happened, Michael?”

Because that had been her feeling. That something was wrong with him. She had seen it in the tense expression on his face, before his mask snapped back into place like you would expect from a performer like him.

He didn’t reply, but slowed down his movements and pulled back ever so slightly. In an automatic motion, Lisa lifted her head and gazed up at him. His eyes were so very dark, so very deep. They made her feel like drowning and flying, and yet she couldn’t, for the life of her, make out what they hid.

Swallowing, Michael touched her chin and then lowered his head, kissing her softly on the lips. Just a chaste little kiss, at least at first.

It felt natural and sweet, and Lisa’s hand moved into his hair as she tilted her head and the kiss deepened. It was almost automatic, the shift from tenderness to passion. When it ended, she smiled and spoke almost against his lips.

“If my mother sees us now…”

It was supposed to be a joke, obviously, but Michael stared at her, his face serious. As if her words had triggered him somehow.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’re engaged?”

The question took the wind out of her sails.

“What?”

She was surprised. Both by his words and what seemed to be a hurt look in his eyes. At the same time, behind the fog the certainty of what her mother had told Bill was starting to become very clear. And yet she was speechless for a moment.

“Your mom went to speak to Bill. She couldn’t stop talking about your fiance. About how amazing he is. About how lucky you are to have him.”

Without even realizing, Lisa’s automatic defenses came up just like that. She had gone looking for Michael to explain, to counterbalance whatever bullshit her mother might have indirectly thrown at him, but him assuming the worst didn’t really sit well with her.

“And of course, you think it’s true.” Her stance became as rigid as a lance, but Michael didn’t let go of her and they stayed in their dancing position. Perfectly immobile.

“I’m asking you.”

“No, you’re asking me why I didn’t tell you something, not if it is true or not.”

He blinked, frowning. It was evident that he wasn’t used to be contradicted that much. However, she had to appreciate his calm demeanor.

“Are you telling me it isn’t?”

Of course, the easiest thing would have been, at that point, to just spill the beans. Tell him that yes, she had been seeing Danny, and sometimes they had ended up in bed together, but sure as hell he was not her fiance and that was only her mother’s wishful thinking. A nice guy from the Church for his little daughter in constant need of guidance. However, being honest about that also meant to admit that her mother controlled – or at least tried to control – her life way more than Lisa would have liked. As a matter of fact, she didn’t like it at all. The uncomfortable feeling she experienced every time she realized that was the truth was hard to explain. Her mom’s behavior made Lisa feel insecure, unappreciated, untrustworthy. It made her feel small. And she didn’t want Michael to look at her like that, as if she was some weird, weak kid. She wanted him to look at her for who she was. Like he had looked at her while they were together, at Leigh’s.

“No, it is not. But that’s not even the point. Why do you care anyway, Michael?”

“Why do I…?” He snorted, seemingly taken aback by her question. “Lisa, are you kidding me? If you were into some other man, I wouldn’t want to make out with you.”

“And you think I would have made out with you if I was in love with someone else? Or in some committed relationship?” Her blue eyes narrowed. “What kind of woman do you think I am?”

His cheeks reddened and he blinked.

“That’s not what… Look – I really don’t know. You’re so young, maybe it ain’t serious, maybe you got some friends with benefits thing going on and…”

Well, bullseye. Then why rage started to boil inside of her before she could even stop the wave?

“Well, of course. I am younger than you, so I must be the little slut that wanted to make out with the big star. Or, to use a more polite term, I must be at least experimental.”

Michael set his jaw. At this point and given her straight-out attack, she expected him to pull back and at least stop holding her, but that didn’t happen. Her self-sabotage mechanism needed some serious inspection! He was a confusing man and Lisa was not sure she liked how jumbled up inside he always made her feel.

“I don’t think you’re a slut.”

“You don’t? A liar, then?”

Something cracked in his impassible expression.

“Why you wanna beef with me, Lisa? Did I strike a nerve?”

Shaking her head, she pushed him off her slightly, intending to just walk away. Far away from this man who was as confusing as he was fascinating. A man that made her feel way more vulnerable than she had ever allowed herself to be. That she wanted to be. The risk was too significant.

However, before she could fully turn around, he grabbed her arm and pulled her around, back against him. Lisa didn’t even have the time to utter a word, because her lips were suddenly busy. Busy kissing him again.

This time there wasn’t any tenderness. Only passion. And when he pushed her back slightly and her back collided with the massive trunk of an oak, all she did was moan into his mouth, her fingers tangled into his hair, his tongue sliding against hers. His chest was pressing against her torso and she could almost feel his erratic heartbeat. As a matter of fact, Lisa could feel everything. The contrast between the rough surface of the trunk and the softness of his jacket. His cologne, aftershave maybe, or something else that was uniquely is. His hands, on her waist, holding her there. She went into overdrive.

They kissed and kissed, and everything became a blur. Where Michael ended. Where she began. The contours of their respective individualities blending as if their whole world was reduced to a smeared watercolor.

After what felt like forever, he broke the kiss and panted against her lips. Their foreheads touching, their eyes closed.

“Don’t leave this way…”

“Why? Why not…” Lisa’s hands cradled his face, her thumbs caressed his cheeks.

“Because…”

She had to giggle.

“Because? That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”

“I know… Try to fill the blanks… You confuse me…”

Did she? Well, Lisa was glad she wasn’t the only one stuck in Chaosland.

“I wanted to be with you all day… I couldn’t stop looking at you during that flipping wedding… The sun was kissing you… You have no idea… You were so beautiful, girl. You were all I saw.”

Yeah. She had noticed him staring at her. And she hadn’t been able to take her eyes off him either. Lisa bit her lip, trying to keep that detail secret as his eyes unhinged her self-defenses, lock by lock.

“And then your mom saying those things to Bill… I don’t know…” Michael sighed and motioned to back off a bit. She pulled him close once again and kissed him some more, deeply, needing for him to know what whatever they were doing, it was intense. It felt real. He got lost into the kiss and his body pushed against her once again. God…

Lisa broke the kiss with immense difficulty. Just looking at him for a moment. Madame LeFleur’s words echoing in her ears: he’s tall, and dark, and handsome. Could it be? No… It was stupid to think that. All this was random. But not less captivating.

“It made you jealous?”

Michael winced.

“I’m not a jealous guy.”

He blushed and she immediately knew that he was lying. Lisa took a deep breath, deciding to let him off the hook, at least for the time being. As she spoke, her hands kept caressing his cheeks, his neck.

“I am not engaged to anyone. I have been seeing a guy before meeting you… His name is Danny… But it was never serious. We’re mostly friends. I love him, but… you know, not like that.”

His eyes studying her again, as if he was looking for deceit. She knew the feeling and recognized the signs because she, too, had spent her life in fear of being used and discarded like a commodity.

“Are you still seeing him?”

“Not right now, no. I haven’t seen him since…” She shrugged. “I haven’t seen him in a while.”

Since she had found Michael. But he didn’t need to know.

Shaking his head he cupped her face with both hands and they resumed kissing, hidden in the dark, under the safe shelter of the huge tree. For a moment, everything was forgotten. The uncertainty of what they were experiencing. The limited time at their disposal – that night and otherwise, as Lisa knew that Michael would be gone in a few weeks, anyway. Everything was forgotten but the intense desire, the fire that was ravaging them from the inside. Lisa felt as if Michael’s body had become warmer, almost boiling hot. Their kisses held a frantic quality that had never been there before, and certainly not that night at Leigh’s. It was a mixture of things. It was like flames.

The thrill of doing something forbidden. The fear of being seen and busted. The anticipation of spending some more time together. The desire to be alone… someplace else. Someplace private.

Once again, without even knowing how, Lisa was somehow able to pull back. Her breathing was uneven and she did her best to ignore his hard ridge as his body still pressed against her, holding her captive between heaven and a tree.

“You’ll leave soon… Michael, you told me. Your tour would resume in what? A month?”

“A little more than a month, yeah…”

“And what is this? What are we doing?”

Uncertainty seemed to cloud his eyes. He didn’t know, just like she didn’t.

“Whatever it is, I would like to find out…” Cocking his head to a side, he touched her cheek with the back of his fingers. “Don’t you? Besides… I won’t be on tour forever, you know…”

It struck her. That polite behavior hiding that domineering streak. Michael truly knew what he wanted and was letting her know. Of course, he was also allowing her to have an out, and she was sure he would let her go if only she spoke the words. Too bad she didn’t want to.

One more kiss…

“I gotta think about it.”

It was the only thing she could say at the moment. The realization hit her suddenly: what if she fell in love with him? What could this man give her, after all? The stability and presence that she had always craved in her life, since her father had left her? She had spent her existence watching so many people she cared for leave, in one way or another, and it had devastated her every time. And this guy had something about him that was larger than life. She could barely see it, still, and yet what she felt was enough to realize that him hurting her would be a black hole she could easily get sucked into. Did she really want to experience that? Could she risk losing herself that way?

“Lisa…”

He had sensed that something was wrong. Her doubts, maybe. It felt like being like an open book in front of a skilled reader. But she too could tell that he usually got what he wanted the moment he wanted it. She knew that kind of man – her dad had been just the same way.

Quietly, she sunk into his embrace and he just held her for a moment, his chin resting on the top of her head.

“Fair enough. Just think about it, OK… I gotta focus on my rehearsals for a bit anyway, but…” He kissed her temple and she about melted. “Just remember, my tour won’t go on forever.”

When Lisa finally walked back to the tent, she was flustered and well aware that her hairdo didn’t look as flawless as it had before her little encounter with Michael. At the same time she felt lightheaded, giddy, her heart hammering in her throat. The emotion she experienced was a bizarre concoction of anticipation, happiness, anxiety and fear. All this was like a jump in the void.

So far, what she knew about Michael wasn’t that much.

She knew that he was charming. That he smelled amazing and what a great kisser he was. She knew he could be seductive and oh so sexy, smart, polite, and sweet. But other than that, complete darkness. For all she knew, he could just be an excellent actor playing with her, the girl with the big name… And nothing else, after all. It wouldn’t have been the first time.

However, the attraction she felt was way too strong to be ignored and she had been honest when she had told him that she would think about it. About seeing him again, before he left for his tour. Worldwide. Lasting months over months.

Lisa was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she almost bumped into Bill. Startled, she looked up and found his eyes. Gentle and calm, and fatherly, as usual. He wore a tuxedo and, for once, didn’t have his usual hat on.

Bill cocked his head and watched her intently.

“Miss Presley… Are you OK?”

“Lisa… Just Lisa. Please, Bill.”

She cleared her throat and hoped he didn’t realize how jumbled up she was.

Bill smiled.

“Are you alright, Lisa? Can I do anything for you?”

Lisa relaxed.

“No, thank you. I’m good. Are you looking for…” She bit her tongue. Damn it! Could she be more obvious?

However, he didn’t seem bothered or surprised at all.

“For Michael, yes. He’s sneaky, that one.”

He squinted his eyes and she laughed, a small laugh that allowed some tension to evaporate.

“He’s over there… Near the lake. He’s just taking a break from all… this.”

Bill nodded his head and, if he understood something, he surely didn’t show it. Lisa was willing to bet that he was used to mind his own business when it came to Michael’s… what? Girlfriends? Lady friends? Or whatever.

“OK. Thank you. Do you need anything?”

Once again, she shook her head.

“No, thank you. I’m going home. Goodnight, Bill.”

She touched his forearm lightly before walking away. She truly liked the man. He was so calm, so peaceful, and indeed seemed to care about Michael. Lisa remembered how many horrible people were around her father, and had perceived the same feeling around Michael. She wasn’t amused at all, but after all, who was she to object anything? She and Michael were barely acquaintances…

Yeah, acquaintances constantly busy making out like teenagers, seemed like.

Lisa shook the thought away as she reentered the cone of light near the tent. She needed to find her driver and leave. All of a sudden, she was exhausted.