Page 3 of Marked By Mayhem

“No escorts, though, that’s strange enough,’ she looks around. ‘Every other lavish club I've reviewed is crawling with them. I guess every powerful man wants a pretty woman on his arm.”

I admire your taste and your sharp tongue, Ella. But it is too distracting for my business dealings.

“I don’t think your review is going to be on the positive side, Ella,” I sneer.

“Honesty is the essence of a good review,” she says, putting her notebook in her bag.

Don’t leave, Ella. Not yet.

“Well, if you want a unique angle for that review, you can always add an exclusive interview with me,” I beam.

“And you are?” She raises an eyebrow, a teasing smirk on her dark red lips. “If you’re trying to charm me into a secluded corner with that line, it won’t work.”

I chuckle, playing along with her teasing. “Well, I thought it was worth a shot. I don’t get to have gorgeous food bloggers review my club every evening.”

In a fraction of a second, her playful and flirty expression changes into an incredulous one. She gawps at me with those big blue eyes.

“I need a drink.” She chokes out.

Chapter Two

ELLA

He flashes a smug smirk at me. Oh God.

Why didn’t I get the hunch? He’s tall, handsome, charming, dominant, why did I mistake him for someone ordinary?

I blush and look at my fingers. “I… I didn’t know, Tommaso, listen–”

“It’s not a big deal, Ella,” his laugh is masculine and deep. Fetching. I blink in surprise, the realization dawning, “I appreciate your honest review,” he winks at me.

“You really own this eight-story hulk of a place?”

He nods, the smirk on his face growing. “Don’t worry. This is not a deal-breaker. By the way, my offer still stands if you happen to have changed your mind.”

I burst into laughter, a mix of shock and embarrassment. “Well, this just took an unexpected turn. Interview it is, I guess. Let’s see what the man behind the curtain has to say.”

“How about somewhere less ritzy? And more private?” He steps closer to me, the warmth of his body radiating through his clothes. It’s so overwhelming I feel dizzy from his proximity alone.

“A private interview?” I say, attempting to regain my poise. “You certainly know how to keep things interesting.”

His virile scent is intoxicating. He smirks, a glint in his brown eyes. “Alright, let’s say I wouldn’t want to pass up on a golden ticket.”

“Oh, really? And here I thought you were just trying to spice up my review,” I ease my shoulders.

“Can’t blame a man for wanting to savor the mystery a little longer.”

The drawl in his voice is attractive. He closes the distance between us, his movements deliberate. A subtle brush of his fingertips against my shoulder sends a tingling sensation through my skin.

“You know,” he starts, his voice a velvety whisper that sends a shiver down my spine, “I must say, you have a way with words. Quite the talented writer. I read what you were jotting down."

I meet his gaze, refusing to let the intensity of his stare unravel me this time.

"Flattery won't change the fact that I'm not here for pleasantries." I scoff.

He chuckles, a low, rumbling sound. "Feisty. I like that. But business and pleasure can coexist, can't they?"

I shudder, the proximity between us feeling too intimate. "I'm not here for games, Mr. Handsome. I have a job to do."

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