The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 16

Marcus was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe Leonard would go so far as to bid on a person with the rest of the crowd. But he also couldn't argue. He couldn't explain why but the thought of her spending even one moment at another table with the men leering at her was inconceivable. It still didn't seem real, not even when the MC appeared a few minutes later with the diva alongside him. Suddenly nervous Marcus nearly leapt to his feet and offered her a seat. She seemed genuinely surprised by his gallant attitude but sat down with a quiet thank you. Leonard smirked but Marcus ignored him glancing down at their guest and noticing what appeared to be a small birthmark in the shape of a butterfly. Was that how she came up with her stage name? But even more importantly, that mark was very familiar. Silently he sat down studying every inch of her. She had a round face and dark brown eyes. Despite the mask he could tell her brown skin was smooth with a gentle glow about it. Her full, lightly glossed lips looked soft and enticing. He had to suppress the urge to kiss her.

It had been a long time since a woman stirred him like this. There had been so many over the years he couldn't even remember their faces let alone their names yet he was dying to know hers. Her body was curvy and voluptuous ready to mold itself to his. And that mark...it had to be her.

As she turned to talk with Leonard Marcus continued to study her. He wished for Superman's x-ray vision as he tried to impose the face he remembered on the masked one in front of him. Though he tried to be objective he couldn't help but think they were a perfect match. There was no other explanation for the uncanny familiarity he felt. It just had to be her.

Marcus listened while she idly chatted to Leonard. He didn't like that all her attention was on his friend but it gave him the opportunity to look at her and memorize her voice. It was low, sultry. Perhaps it was because she had only just finished singing but it seemed a little raw. A glass of water would be better than alcohol to sooth her vocal chords.

He was about to suggest it when she suddenly turned to him. Startled he glanced at Leonard to find him smirking. Marcus fought a frown. He had been too enthralled with her to pay attention to the conversation.

"Did you enjoy the performance as well?" she asked.

"I thought it was amazing. You have a beautiful voice."

Her carefully constructed expression slipped ever so slightly. Her eyes went wide for a split second before her expression returned to normal. It happened so fast he thought he imagined it. But no. Despite her attempt to act disinterested she had definitely tensed. Did she realize who he was underneath the mask? Did she remember their night together as clearly as he did?

Before he could ask the MC arrived with their drinks. Picking up her sparkling champagne flute she smiled once again in full control of herself, "Gentlemen, to you."

"Here, here!" Leonard smiled accepting the toast. "So...Madame Butterfly, where else can we see you perform? I know I would love to see more."

"In that case you'll have to come back next Saturday," she smiled benignly. "I'm afraid this is the only stage I have on my schedule."

"In that case...I know a few people in the entertainment industry. I could put in a good word for you," Leonard smiled and earned a glare from Marcus.

Was he really flirting with this woman right now? Was this meant to taunt him because Leonard sensed an attraction even Marcus was afraid to admit to?

Madame Butterfly didn't seem fazed in the least as she replied, "Is that so? And for this you hope to earn my unyielding gratitude and perhaps a reward...maybe even a spot in my bed?"

"Well......." Leonard cleared his throat not used to women being so blunt with him.

Usually the women he spent his time with giggled and blushed as he fondled them and casually mentioned what he intended to do to them later. They always acted so innocent and demur but none of them would deny him. He had never met a woman who wouldn't willingly submit to him. But this one was different.

She seemed to know all the tricks. She didn't act embarrassed by the illicit implications of his offer. In fact she almost seemed amused. It was actually a bit of a blow to his ego if he cared to admit it. He was just as intrigued by her as Marcus, maybe even more so

now.

"Do you know how many times I've heard this same offer?" she asked. "You men should really learn to change it up every once and awhile. It's rather dull to hear the same lines over and over again."

Leonard chuckled at her boldness. Her rejection didn't sting as much as he thought it might. She was indeed a formidable opponent and he was beginning to want to truly tame her. But a glance at Marcus had him reconsidering. There was no mistaking the irritation in his friend's eyes. Even though this was Marcus's first time at the club and meeting Madame Butterfly he seemed to have already staked a claim on her. Now he was intrigued for another reason.

While they both had many conquests in the past Marcus never seemed particularly attached to any of those women. The only time Marcus ever approached someone first was because of their game. If not for that he always let women approach him first. So when Marcus showed more than a little interest in the masked diva Leonard had been inspired enough to bid for her time.

Now it seemed Marcus was far more interested in her than Leonard originally thought. It was such a strange situation he didn't even know how to properly digest it. Just what was Marcus thinking especially now that his family had made a formal announcement about his engagement and pending union?

Marcus always claimed he had no intention of marrying Elizabeth but what he wanted was secondary to his family's desires. That was the part he didn't seem to understand. When it came to prominent families marriages were important contracts and they didn't always concern themselves with genuine feelings. Families like the DaLairs, Prescotts, Stantons and Worthingtons were not normal. Marrying for love was simply a dream.

"Have you always been a singer?" Marcus asked.

Their guest seemed startled by his question, or perhaps it was the genuine interest he was showing that caught her off-guard. She hesitated a moment considering what kind of answer she should give. To Leonard's surprise she gave them a genuine one. "Yes. Being on stage is all I ever wanted, ever since I was little. I used to put on plays for my cousins and family," a real smile softened her expression for the first time all evening. "They all thought I'd be a star."

There was a note of sadness in her voice. She grew pensive as she sipped her champagne. Marcus couldn't help but wonder if there was more meaning behind her words than she let on.

"Well, you certainly have the talent," Marcus assured her.

He wanted to cheer her up and perhaps see her smile again but her mood stayed quiet and contemplative. She muttered to herself words he almost missed, "I used to think so too."

What did she mean by that? Marcus was bursting with questions but how to ask them? He had sense enough to know she wouldn't give away details about herself. It was like an invisible wall. She only ever showed her stage persona to the world. Her real self she kept hidden. Perhaps to protect herself?

Last night she had acted like she didn't remember him at all but tonight at least he was certain she recognized him. It was probably the unexpected nature of this meeting that caused her to reveal that much. She had recovered from that initial shock quickly and now was on guard against it again.

He wanted desperately to just ask about their night together but not in front of Leonard. The last thing either of them needed was for him to feed the rumor mills when Marcus still wasn't sure what he wanted from that night or her for that matter. "Excuse me," the MC arrived before Marcus could make up his mind. "Madame Butterfly, time for your second performance."

"Well, gentlemen...our time together was short but...interesting," she stood offering something close to a real smile. "I hope you enjoy the next performance as much as the last."