She turned, and there he was Marcus, standing at the bar, a glass of whiskey in hand, his eyes locked on her. He started walking toward her, without minding the looks from all sides. Especially from the single girls admiring his demeanor, handsome looks. This time, she didn't have Jane to buffer the interaction.
Marcus grinning as he approached
"You really can't avoid me, can you?
"I didn't know you'd be here. Otherwise, I would have reconsidered." Lisa lashed out, rolling her eyes away from Marcus.
Marcus chuckled, but his eyes were sharp, studying her closely.
Teasing at Lisa, he grins.
"Liar. You knew. Part of you was expecting me, wasn't it?"
Lisa clenched her jaw, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
"Believe what you want. I'm here for business, not to entertain your ego." Lisa growing impatient with him says with a froun crossed her face.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Maybe my ego isn't the only thing that's interested in you."
Lisa's pulse quickened, but she refused to let him see her flustered. She took a step back, her gaze fierce.
"I'm not one of your conquests, Marcus."
Lisa furiously lashed out.
For the first time, Marcus's smirk faded slightly, replaced with something more serious, almost contemplative.
"I know." Marcus softly intoned.
Lisa blinked, taken aback by the sudden vulnerability in his voice. She hadn't expected that. Before she could respond, a photographer came over, asking for a picture.
"Miss Anderson, Mr. Blackwood can I get a shot of you two together?" The photographer mumbled with a smile.
Lisa hesitates, but before she even say no. Marcus already have her by his arm, with his hand around her waist, pulling her close. His touch sent an electric shakes running through her senses, but she kept her face composed as the camera flashed.
Marcus whispering against her ear
"Smile, Lisa. You wouldn't want them thinking you're not having fun."
Lisa forced a smile, her heart racing as the camera clicked. Once the photographer left, she immediately stepped out of his grip, glaring at him.
"Don't you dare touch me like that again."
Lisa lashed out.
"Relax. It's all part of the game, right?"
Marcus mumbled in a ridicule manner, raising his hands.
"Not for me."
She turned and walked away, leaving Marcus standing there, watching her with a look of confusion. For the rest of the evening, she kept her distance, but she could feel Marcus's eyes on her.
Some days later, Lisa was sitted in her studio, still in confusion with the last encounter she had with Marcus. While she buried her head down, working on a dress she desperately need to finish. Her phone buzzed with a message. She glanced at the screen and then frowned. an invitation to a private meeting. The name at the bottom made her discouraged.
Marcus Blackwood
"You've got to be kidding me." Lisa muttered while glaring at the message.
She considered deleting the message, but curiosity got the better of her. Why was he reaching out again? Against her better judgment, she decided to go, if only to finally set him straight.
Later in the evening, Lisa arrived at one of Marcus's high end restaurants. She was greeted at the door and escorted to a dining table where Marcus was waiting, casually leaning back in his chair. The glittering of her gown, and the beauty of her got the attention of many. Even Marcus was full of admiration staring at her in a deadpan expression.
Marcus grinning trying not to show too much of interest in her breath taking looks. as she entered
"You actually came. I'm impressed."
Lisa sitting down, arms crossed
"Let's skip the games. What do you want?"
Marcus leaned forward, his expression serious for the first time since she had met him. "I want you to design for me. For my charity event next month."
Lisa blinked, caught off guard. That wasn't what she had expected. "Why? You have access to every top designer in the world. Why me?"
Marcus shrugged, but his gaze was intense.
"Because I don't want just any designer. I want the best. And you, Lisa, are the best."
Lisa stared at him, not sure of what to say. She wasn't used to hearing such praise from him. Her instincts told her to walk away, but the offer on the table is some how tempting.
Lisa still not convinced by his sudden humble act. "What's the catch?"
Marcus softly intoned. "No catch. Just business. I know you're not interested in anything else."
For the first time, Lisa felt the tension between them shift. Marcus wasn't just playing a game anymore. He was serious.
But that only made him more dangerous.