Page 51 of Wicked Flirt
He leaned close, lowering his voice. “I saw you earlier with Marcus. Don’t be fooled by his charm. He’s not who you think he is.”
A chill ran through her. “What do you mean?”
“I just know what he’s done to other women.” He turned and disappeared into the crowd.
She took her mask off, going up on tiptoe to see where Nate went. He walked right out the front door. Strange. First he offered her a job; then he warned her off Marcus. She crossed her arms, hugging herself, a little creeped out. Why did his name sound familiar?
She went in search of Marcus, but couldn’t find him anywhere. Maybe he’d stepped out for some fresh air. It was hot and crowded in here. She headed back to the kitchen to tell them to bring out the king’s cakes for dessert. She had hundreds of them, way too many to carry by herself.
After she made her request in the kitchen, she took a box of the cakes out, figuring she’d stack them on the long table while she explained the game with the hidden cherry inside. She’d just stepped back into the busy bar when she heard Caleb holler, “The winners of the king and queen contest are Marcus and Ellie!”
She startled. She didn’t even know they’d entered. She looked around for them, her stomach dropping like a stone. Marcus and Ellie were kissing.
Not a peck either, full-on lip-lock.
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Chapter Thirteen
The box of cakes fell from her limp hands, her vision blurring through a haze of tears. She whirled, about to bolt, and then thought better of it. No, she’d done nothing wrong. She wanted him to know that she knew. She’d strangle him with her bare hands and then she’d go for Ellie. But first Marcus. He’d led her on with all his sweet lies! He knew how deeply she’d been hurt by cheating.
She saw red and darted forward, tripping over the cake box. She threw her hands out to break her fall, still managing to hit the floor partially on her face.Ouch, ouch, ouch. She rolled to her side, checking her mouth. Seemed to have her teeth. A coppery taste meant blood. She gingerly felt around her mouth. Great. Her bottom lip was bleeding.
“Are you okay?” a guy asked.
She got up, gathering her dignity around her. “Yes, I’m fine.”
Marcus caught her eye. “Lexi.”
She whirled and hurried to the ladies’ room. She grabbed a paper towel with shaky hands, wetting it to apply to her lip. Her teeth had probably cut into her lip when she fell. After a few moments, the adrenaline drained from her, leaving her fatigued. She stayed in there as long as she could, pulling herself together by sheer will.
She would finish this event, head held high. This was an opportunity that could be big for her future business. She had a job with Nate, and maybe she’d get more offers at the end of the night. Otherwise, it was back to her parents’ house or crashing on one of her coupled friends’ sofas like a third wheel. Maybe she’d move in with Hailey and they’d grow old together, taking care of their fur babies. Fucking A! She should’ve known Marcus hadn’t changed. All of her friends had warned her against him, but did she listen?
She glared at herself in the mirror. When would she learn? She’d taken a chance on him, opening her tender heart, and it bit her in the ass. She looked to the ceiling, blinking back tears. Then she just stood there, waiting for the bleeding to stop, furious with herself for letting Marcus get close. Finally, she tossed the towel in the trash, washed and dried her hands, and left.
Marcus and Ellie were waiting in the hallway. Fantastic. Just who she wanted to see.
“What happened to your lip?” Marcus asked. “You need ice.” It was probably starting to swell.
“Excuse me,” she said, the height of professionalism. “I need to go check on the cake situation.”
“Lexi, wait,” Marcus said. “Tell her, Ellie.”
Lexi kept moving, not wanting to hear a word.
“Lexi!” Marcus hollered.
She made a beeline to the safety of the crowded kitchen. She couldnothave a big blowout breakup fight with him and keep this event going. That was for after the event.
She’d just stepped through the employees-only door when Marcus grabbed her from behind, dragging her back to him, his arms pinning hers to her sides.
“Let go!” she hollered, struggling like mad and getting nowhere. He was much too strong.
He spoke near her ear. “Listen. It’s not how it looked.”
“I am not talking about this right now! I’m finishing this event because I’m a professional. If you want to talk to me after, fine, but I have nothing to say to you.”
He kept his voice low. “She kissed me. I didn’t kiss her back.”
