"OH DEAR....", Lorraine laughed heartily along with her two lunch dates as they sat talking in a coffee shop near the Burlesque club, "......you two are a joy I tell you"
"Now Lorraine don't lie....I'm the charming one", Saen added quickly dodging a slap from Tess who just rolled her eyes
The ring of a cellphone broke their laughter, Tess reached into her jean pocket and excused herself from the table, "Hello"
"Hi there sexy"
She rolled her eyes, "What do you want Marcus I told you I'm not interested-"
"Calm down.....God you're always so tense"
"Goodbye"
"NO NO WAIT.....okay the reason I called-"
"Why the fuck do you even have my number by the way?"
He snickered on the other end, "You really are sexy when you're mad even the sound of you're voice"
"Get to the point", she went on annoyed
"Okay....so I was thinking we could go to dinner maybe talk things over....you know without Vince maybe we can make some sort of deal here"
"I don't want to do business with you Marcus"
"Just.....come to dinner and hear me out huh? Please"
She sighed turning around and looking at Saen and Lorraine who were still laughing and enjoying each other, "What time?"
He smiled victoriously throwing his fist in the air, "How bout seven? Pick you up at the club?"
She hung up aprubtly and he smiled to himself throwing the phone on the chair opposite his glass desk and jumping up doing a small dance
"Tess, Tess, TESS......just you wait baby"
He pulled his top desk drawer open and grabbed a picture he had taken a while ago of Tess performing
"You are gonna be working for me, in more ways than one"
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It's a cold and crazy world that's ragin' outside
Well baby me and all my girls are bringin' on the fire
Show a little leg, gotta shimmy your chest
It's a life, it's a style, it's a need, it's
Burlesque
"Hi ma"
Lorraine turned ber attention from the stage to her son who was handsomely dressed in a classic black and white suit
"Hi sweetheart don't you look handsome"
"Thanks....Tess called and said she had to go to dinner with some guy who wants to talk about the club and she wants me to accompany her.....you think she'll like it?"
"I think she'll be thinking of something other than dinner that's for sure"
His eyes grew wide, "Mother"
She just smiled and gestured with a nod to the stage, "She's really talented"
He nodded proudly looking towards the stage at his lady who was confidently owning it
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Marcus walked in his ears instantly recognizing the voice that was singing, he walked forward seating himself at the very front of the stage
It's a passion, and emotion, it's a fashion, Burlesque
It'll move you, goin' through you, so do what I do, Burlesque
All ladies come put your grown up, boys throw it up if you want it
Can you feel me, can you feel it? It's Burlesque
Tess waited for the light to go out and as she did made eye contact with Marcus in the front who gave her a wink, she felt the hairs on her arms rise up but not in a good way. She went backstage to change into her gown
Knowing the kind of placed Marcus dined at were expensive since he's dated half of her staff she decides to dress up and also asked Mitchell to do the same, she asked him to come along because a) she didn't trust Marcus in the least and b) it wouldn't look too good if she was to dine with a guy alone that wasn't her boyfriend
"WOW"
She smirked at Saen's expression and walked towards him kissing his cheek, "You sure you don't want to come?"
"I'm sure.....I'm also sure that Marcus wouldn't be too happy with one Mr. Handsome joining much less two"
"I don't give a fuck what he thinks", she turned to one of the mirrors and put on some bright red lipstick
"I never thought you did....he is hot though, if he played for the 'other' team I would gladly take him off you're hands"
She smiled, "I think he's banged just about every girl in this club even though I warn them against him they keep falling for his bullshit and now he thinks he can do the same with me....but I've got news for him"
"I feel sorry for the guy.....don't go breaking his heart"
"I intend to do much worse.....oh you're sure you'll keep Mitchell's mom company till we get back?"
"Lorraine is a doll I can gossip with her for HOURS"
"Okay then don't talk about me though"
"Bye bitch"
She threw her head back as she laughed and walked out towards the bar where Mitchell and his mother were waiting, she felt heads turn and stare as she walked past the tables
"Hi you ready?"
Mitchell turned towards her almost choking on his own spit, Lorraine gasped and put ger hands together
"Good Lord you look incredible", she exclaimed making Tess chuckle
"Thank you"
She looked towards Mitchell who was still staring at her dress completely gobsmacked and lost for words. His mother elbowed him making him cough and let out a huge breath
"I....uh yeah.....what she said"
Tess smiled seductively as his eyes met hers, "You look extremely sexy this evening sir"
He smiled and took her hand kissing it and holding it intertwining their fingers. She looked over her shoulder noticing Marcus wasn't where she'd seen him from the stage, she turned her attention back to the two people in front of her
"Oh Saen is probably busy back there I'll just go and see what's taking him so long, I'll be right back"
They nodded as she walked off in search of Saen and scanning the room for a certain-
"Looking for me? I'm flattered"
She didn't need to look, "Marcus...."
"You look amazing", he caressed her hip with one of his hands leaning into her whispering in her ear, ".....who is that guy at the bar"
She spun around pushing him back, "What the hell does that have to do with you?"
"I was under the impression we were dining alone"
"I was under the impression this was a business dinner"
He half smiled, "Touche"
"MARCUS!"
Saen walked up from behind Tess and playfully punched Marcus on the arm. He looked down at his arm then back at Saen
"Saen..."
He looked back at Tess smiling again standing aside gesturing for her to lead the way, as she walked past him he followed putting his hand on her lower back. She walked faster feeling his hand fall away, she turned sharply as she stopped beside Mitchell who put his arm around her waist and held her tightly to him
"Mitchell this is Marcus......Marcus my boyfriend Mitchell"
Mitchell looked at him suspiciously, "Hi", he offered his hand which the man took and shook in greeting
"Boyfriend....", Marcus raised his eyebrows, ".....didn't know you were the type for boyfriends Tess"
"Can we just go to dinner and get it over with?", Tess grabbed Mitchell's hand and led him out Marcus walking slowly following
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The atmosphere was tense as they sat at dinner Mitchell and Marcus having what seemed to be a staring contest
"So how did you two meet?"
Mitchell smiled for the first time looking at Tess, ".....at the club actually"
"Really?", Marcus feigned surprise sipping on his whiskey
"What did you want to talk about Marcus?"
"Well I wanted to talk about the club"
"Obviously"
He smiled, "Cheeky as always...."
Mitchell cleared his throat almost in a warning manner, "What is wrong with the club?"
"Oh Tess didn't tell you?"
"Marcus....", Tess warned but he just smiled in her direction
"No let's be honest with Mr. Boyfriend huh?"
"Tess here is in debt...."
Tess pushed her chair back bit Mitchell put his hand on her thigh stopping her from standing up
"Her ex husband owns half and he wants to sell it but Tess refuses to let me buy it"
Mitchell was silent for a moment then turned to Tess, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Let's not talk here in front of him please"
"Why not?", Marcus interrupted sitting back
"Stay the fuck out of it okay I know why you wanted to have dinner with me alone"
Marcus raised his eyebrows, "Indulge"
"You wanted to seduce me into signing that deal but as I said one hundred times before my club is not for sale I'll find a way to pay off my debt and get rid of Vince so please stay away from me, my club and all my girls"
She stood up and looked at Mitchell who was still looking a bit shocked and confused after the conversation, "Baby I'll explain everything to you when we get home okay"
Mitchell nodded and stood up, "It was uh.....interesting", he gave a last look towards Marcus and waited for Tess
"Marcus please never contact me again"
As they were walking out Marcus got a last word in, "Not even a booty call?"
Mitchell froze and turned on his heel walking up to an unsuspecting Marcus who was high fiveing a guy at a neighboring table, just as he turnes to face Mitchell he got a huge fist to the face knocking him off his chair
"Remember that next time you think of talking to woman like that again"
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"Why didn't you tell me about it?"
Tess sighed and wiped the tears that were rolling down her eyes, "I don't know....I....I just don't like talking about work"
"Tess stop lying to me-"
"OKAY YOU WANT THE TRUTH.....I am broke and a failure because I married an asshole who spent most of the club's money to impress his long line of affairs.....you think I like being embarrassed? Well it's embarrassing to talk about it"
He wrapped his arms around her allowing her to sob against his chest, "Baby let me help you"
"What?", she whimpered lifting her face to look at him
"Let me give you the money"
She wiped her face with her arms, "No"
He sighed and kissed her forehead, "Come on I can afford it"
"I don't want you're money Mitchell"
"I know that....but it's my money and I want to give it to you"
"Mitchell-"
He kissed her lips softly, "No arguing, now let's change the subject......I wanted to ask you something"
She lay her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat, "Anything"
"Come to Sedona with me"
Ger head whipped up, "Sedona?"
"Yeah....I've got a week still after this one then I'm going back to work and I'd like to introduce you to Sedona"
She smiled and bit her lip, "Is sex better in Sedona?"
He moaned and kissed her neck, "With you baby it's phenomenal anywhere.....with this damn dress.....I was ready to rip it off you the moment I saw you in it"
"Do it now"
He groaned and picked her up throwing her on the bed
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They woke up earlier the next morning and just lay staring at each other, Tess stroking his chest while he massaged her hip under the covers, every now again he would lean forward and kiss her. This time she initiated the kiss and he turned it into a make out session
Lorraine thought of knocking but since she was in a hurry she just pushed the door open slightly her presence going unnoticed by the two in bed who were engrossed in one another. She smiled as she saw them and cleared her throat, they jumped a little but she just held her hand up
"Sorry to disturb but I'm on my way"
"What?", Tess sat up clutching the covers to herself, ".....you just got here"
She nodded, "I came to see if Mitch was alright after hearing he and Diane split but I see he's more than alright"
Tess gave a shy smile while Mitchell just chuckled and kissed her cheek, "Thank you for everything mama.....we will quickly dress-"
"No, no I'm taking the bus and I already got a taxi to the bus stop"
"You're sure I could have dropped you off on my way to work.....we could still have breakfast together", Tess said looking sad
"No sweetheart the taxi is out waiting, my bus leaves in a half hour but don't worry we will see each other sooner than you think, Mitchell will get a nice ass kicking if he let's you go"
Tess looked at Mitchell and laughed touching his cheek lovingly while he feigned a look of horror
"Now you two continue....", she gave them a knowing smile, "....I want grandbabies", she exclaimed as she closed the door
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