Seduction In Ink

Chapter 23

Intrigues and Seductions

Isabela sat on the edge of her bed, fingers gliding over the keyboard as she immersed herself in the vivid memories of her time with Tyler. Her pulse quickened with each word, her emotions pouring into the scenes she crafted. The thrill of reliving those intimate moments was intoxicating, and the weight of her unspoken thoughts lent her writing an electric charge. Every keystroke seemed to pulse with the intensity of her emotions.

Beyond her door, Zek stayed in the hallway and watched her through a small opening. His lips curled into a mischievous smile, intrigued by her absorbed expression. He had always been fascinated by people who could lose themselves in their work, and Isabela was no exception.

"Interesting woman," Zek whispered, pulling out his phone. Quietly, he dialed a number. "Hey, it's me. I need a favor. Pull up some details for me—I'll send you the specifics. Thanks."

Zek smiled and put his phone away, then continued to watch her. His interest in Isabela grew with each passing second.

***

In the kitchen, Tyler stood at the stove, his brow furrowed as he tried to follow Nana's instructions. He was set on surprising Isabela with a home-cooked lunch, which he thought would make her day. Nana, always willing to mentor, explained with patience and encouragement.

"Don't rush, Tyler," she said, her hands demonstrating a more precise technique. "Take your time, and the food will speak for itself."

Tyler nodded, grateful for the distraction. Cooking kept his mind from wandering too much—from thinking about Zek and Isabela upstairs.

***

At a nearby café, James lounged at a corner table, swirling his cup of coffee as Allysa approached, slipping into the seat across from him.

"You're late," James quipped, barely glancing up.

Allysa gave a dismissive grin. "You're just early. As usual." Her tone was flirty, but you could feel the strain between them.

James raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Always the charmer. What's this about, Allysa?"

She exhaled sharply, her playful demeanor dropping. "I need your help," she said, her voice lowered in seriousness.

James tilted his head, intrigued. "Help with what?"

Allysa's eyes gleamed with determination. "I need you to keep someone away from Tyler."

James blinked, taken aback by the request. "You want me to what?"

"Get close to her," Allysa continued, her voice calm but firm. "Distract her, flirt, whatever it takes to pull her attention away. I'll pay you well."

James chuckled, setting down his coffee cup with a smirk. "You're serious."

"Very serious," she replied, leaning in. "I want her out of the picture."

James stared at her, his mind racing. Allysa's statements were more than a petty plot. "And you think a little charm from me will do the trick?"

Allysa's smile grew sly. "You've always been good at it. And trust me, the reward will be worth it."

He grinned, leaning back. "Alright, consider it done."

Just as Allysa nodded, James's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, eyes widening in disbelief.

"What's wrong?" Allysa asked, sensing his surprise.

James turned the phone towards her. "Cassandra Hart. She's posted a new chapter."

Allysa's eyes lit up. "Cassandra Hart? I love her work!"

James tapped the link, opening the latest update. The two of them turned red as they read together because of how intense the scene was. The graphic details left them momentarily stunned, unable to hide their reactions.

"Wow," Allysa whispered, shaking her head. "That was... something."

James cleared his throat awkwardly. "Yeah. A bit... unexpected."

The café patrons glanced in their direction, their curiosity piqued by James and Allysa's obvious shock. James smiled sheepishly as he closed the chapter, attempting to calm himself.

"Well, that was quite the distraction," Allysa said, her voice teasing.

James smirked. "I'll keep it in mind when I work my magic."

Allysa pulled a small envelope from her bag, handing it to him. "Consider this the first payment. The rest comes when you succeed."

James pocketed the envelope, flashing her a confident smile. "Don't worry, cousin. I always deliver."

***

Back in her room, Isabela finished typing her latest chapter, the emotions from her scenes still clinging to her like a second skin. The rush of passion, desire, and satisfaction lingered in her chest, making her pulse race even as she hit the final keystroke. She leaned back in her chair, savoring the feeling of accomplishment. Her newest post, a fresh chapter of her novel Mafia Boss: Taint Me, would definitely make her readers feel something.

The sudden knock at the door startled her. She glanced up to see Zek standing there, his warm smile catching her off guard.

"May I come in?" Zek asked, his voice soft yet confident.

Isabela quickly adjusted her attire, suddenly self-conscious under his gaze. She nodded. "Of course."

Zek entered, his presence filling the room as he sat by the window. His gaze lingered on her, but there was no malice—only curiosity.

"Even with my brother's company, it seems you've managed to stay productive," He said with a hint of amusement.

Isabela smiled nervously. "Writing is what I do, Zek. It's how I work through things."

Zek's eyebrow quirked in interest. "So, you're a writer? What kind? Content? Script?"

Isabela hesitated for a moment. She wasn't sure if she should reveal the true nature of her writing, but something about Zek's genuine curiosity made her relax. She blushed slightly. "I write novels."

Zek leaned forward slightly, clearly intrigued. "Fascinating. You're part of this family now, and I'm sure we'll have many more opportunities to talk."

She felt a strange sincerity in his words, something she hadn't expected. "I suppose so."

Their conversation was interrupted by Tyler entering the room. His eyes flickered between Zek and Isabela, a subtle tension hanging in the air. Despite Zek's calm demeanor, Tyler felt protective over Isabela, watching closely as Zek continued to engage her in conversation.

Suddenly, Tyler's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw a comment on Isabela's website that made his blood boil. It was a crude remark about their private moments together, something far too explicit for public eyes. His jaw clenched in anger, fingers trembling as he typed out a furious response.

"Reveal yourself," Tyler typed, his protective instincts flaring. "Only a coward hides behind fake names. If you have something to say, say it to my face."

He hit send, his heart pounding with rage and frustration. He promised to protect Isabela against anybody who crossed that boundary, unknowing that this single statement would start a sequence of events they could never have imagined.