Seduced By The Bachelor

“Ahhh...water?”

“No. Rum and Coke.” The phone on the end table rang, but Markos ignored it. He wanted to know if Caroline was as self-absorbed as he thought she was, and he wasn’t letting her off the hook until she answered his questions. “What’s my nephew’s name?”

“Mason!”

“Wrong again. Matteo.” Annoyed, Markos shook his head. “Where was I born?”

“I know! Somewhere in Italy.”

“We’ve known each other for over a year, but you still know nothing about me.”

“That’s a lie. I do,” Caroline argued, speaking in a confident tone. “You’re a partner at one of the most prestigious law firms in the state, you have vacation homes in Ibiza, Saint Tropez and Palm Springs, and you have an impressive sports car collection as well.”

Yeah, but none of those things matter. Material things don’t mean shit to me.

“We’re going to the Governor’s Masquerade Ball together,” she insisted. “Everyone’s expecting us to be there, and as my man, you have to ensure I look my best. We’re going to New York next weekend so I can get the perfect gown, shoes and jewelry.”

“I can’t drop everything to take you shopping out east. I’m an attorney, Caroline, not a stylist or a human ATM.”

“Do you want to be my boyfriend or not?” she snapped, her tone thick with anger.

“Not.” Ending the call, he tossed his cell phone into his briefcase. His stomach grumbled, reminding him he needed to eat, and he rose to his feet. Markos was starving, hankering for a steak burger from the resort sports bar, but first he needed to shower.

A sharp knock on the door drew his gaze across the room. It was probably Immanuel. His brother was an early riser, who exercised first thing in the morning, and Markos wouldn’t be surprised if Dionne was at his side. These days, the couple went everywhere together and when they were apart, Immanuel looked lost, sadder than a kid who’d lost his lucky dollar.

Crossing the room, Markos noted how bright it was outside. The sun was shining, promising another gorgeous day in Cigar City, and a fragrant aroma wafted into the suite through the open windows. He opened the door, expecting to see his brother, but his gaze landed on Tatiyana. She was clad in a floral hair scarf, purple bikini top and a white, flouncy skirt, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her big, beautiful breasts were spilling out of her flimsy top, tempting him. Markos pictured himself burying his face in her décolletage, could almost taste her nipples inside his mouth, and swallowed hard.

“Hey, you!” she said with a radiant smile. “I brought lunch...”

At the sound of her cheery voice, Markos broke free of his explicit thoughts. Tearing his gaze away from her cleavage, he noticed the food cart in front of her. A sweet, piquant aroma tickled his nose, and Markos licked his lips. Forget lunch, he thought, his hungry gaze sliding down Tatiyana’s mouth-watering curves. Let’s start with dessert...

“I apologize for dropping by unannounced, but I called your room several times with no luck. I figured you were hard at work and could probably use a break.”

A group of bare-chested men in swim trunks approached, talking loudly, but conversation stopped when they spotted Tatiyana. They gawked at her, drooling all over themselves, but she paid them no mind and gave him her undivided attention.

“I hate eating alone. You have to keep me company.”

Images of her naked body flashed in his mind, derailing his thoughts. Seconds passed before his head cleared, and he reunited with his voice. “I’d be honored. Nothing beats having lunch with a smart, captivating woman.”

“Not even winning a huge court case?”

“Not even wining a huge court case,” he repeated, speaking from the heart.

Stepping aside, he watched as Tatiyana strode into his suite, switching her hips.

“I wanted to thank you for last night, so I hijacked a room-service cart and here I am.” Tatiyana lifted the covers off the entrées with a flourish. “I hope you like Chinese food because I brought wonton soup, sweet and sour pork, shrimp fried rice and spring rolls.”

“Everything sounds delicious. Let’s eat!”

Within minutes, the coffee table was covered with plates, utensils and alcohol from the minibar. Over lunch, Tatiyana entertained him with stories about her childhood, books she’d read and loved, and her volunteer work at the Los Angeles Women’s Shelter.

Opening a bottle of wine, Tatiyana asked Markos about his educational and professional background. Markos loved his job, enjoyed talking shop and was impressed with her questions. She had an opinion about everything, wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, and argued her point with the skill of a seasoned attorney.