Page 41 of Wicked Flirt
Marcus’s voice rumbled in her ear. “I thought you might bail. Come on, walk with me to Ellie’s place, and then we’ll go to my place.”
She pushed at his arm, a steel band of muscle holding her hostage. He turned her to face him and held her by the shoulders. “I want you, only you.”
The tension left her body. He understood her fears over men who couldn’t be trusted and took the time to reassure her. She kept her voice low. “Could you ask someone else to walk her home?”
“Yes.” A determined gleam in his eye was the only warning she got before he plucked her off the ground by the waist and deposited her on a bar stool. “Do not move,” he ordered.
“Thank you.”
He shoved a hand through his hair, looking around the bar. “Women,” he muttered before disappearing through the employees-only door.
Ellie flounced over to the bar. “Where’s he going?”
Lexi lifted one shoulder. “I think he forgot something.”
“He’s such a great boss,” Ellie said, looking at her manicured red nails. “He really looks out for me, for everyone, really.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Isn’t The Burrow great?” She didn’t wait for a reply. “I’ve been working here since it opened. A lot of bars fail in their first year, but Marcus got us off to a flying start. It’s been big tips and pay bumps ever since.”
“He’s smart. I’m not at all surprised to hear it.”
Ellie sighed and pulled out her phone.
Lexi hopped off the barstool the moment Marcus appeared with a guy wearing a hairnet. Marcus closed the distance between them, his hand closing over hers as he spoke to Ellie. “Mike will walk you home. Your alarm system will be installed tomorrow. Goodnight.” His hand went to the small of Lexi’s back, guiding her to the front door. “Now where were we?”
She glanced over her shoulder at Ellie walking toward the back of the bar, Mike following behind. “Ellie sure sings your praises.”
Marcus held the door open for her and followed her out. “I don’t want to talk about Ellie.”
“What do you want to talk about?”
“How about what you sound like when you’re coming?”
“Marcus!” She glanced around the sidewalk. No one was close enough to hear.
He chuckled, low and deep. “Maybe you could just show me.” He stopped walking, tipped her chin up, and kissed her. “I adore you; you adore me. We’re exclusive, so now we can enjoy some of that exclusive-couple stuff.” He searched her features. “Or I could drive you home.”
“Are you crazy? You’ve been teasing me all night. If it weren’t for that cock-block Ellie, I would already be in your bed.”
His lips curved into a sexy smile. And then they were kissing, the heat igniting once more.
He broke the kiss, grabbed her hand, and walked so fast she had to practically run to keep up.
“Where’s the fire?” she teased.
“In my pants.”
~ ~ ~
Lexi followed Marcus upstairs to his condo on the top two floors of a brownstone, her fingers entwined with his, her pulse thrumming through her with excitement. He turned on the lights in the living room, revealing modern Scandinavian-style furniture. A tan leather sofa on a wooden frame, glass coffee table curved like a comma, and brown leather chaise lounge were set on a warm jewel-toned geometric-shaped rug. Hardwood floors throughout the space. Not the bachelor pad she’d expected.
He turned to her. “Want a drink?”
She shook her head. “Bedroom, mister. No more stalling.”
He chuckled. “Right this way.”
