Mark

Bachelors Incorporated

by Allison LaFleur

She's a penniless orphan. He's a brilliant scientist. Will spilled beer lead to love, or will the seedy underbelly of Dublin end their future before it starts?

***

I tiptoed around the edges of the rug, crossed the six feet from the couch to the tiny kitchen, and tried to quietly brew coffee on the stove. I must have been louder than I thought, or maybe the scent from the old french press of my mothers was too much, because moments later the back of my neck prickled, and I turned to find sleepy unfocused eyes blinking at me over the back of the couch.

“Good morning,” he rumbled, running his fingers through his hair, and reaching for his glasses.

I pulled at the neck of my nightshirt, suddenly self-conscious, realizing more skin showed than I normally displayed in public. “Um, it’s good afternoon, I think.”

He nodded, and sat the rest of the way up, the blanket falling away to expose a shirtless, well-muscled chest. My eyes widened, and I sucked in a breath. I hadn’t a clue his neat button-downs were concealing such a treasure.

Good God, his body was a well-kept secret, the kind that made me want to step out of my comfort zone and do something reckless. But I wasn’t a reckless girl. I was the one who always chose the safe path. The one where I wouldn’t get hurt.

“Hungry?” I padded the rest of the way into the kitchen, the linoleum slick and cold under my bare feet, the tail of my night shirt barely covering my ass.

“I could eat.” I had to work hard to keep from staring. Those abs!

“Cereal? Or I can run down to the corner market and grab a quiche.”

“Cereal’s fine.” He unfolded himself from the couch and stood, scratching his sculpted stomach and stretching, muscles rippling as he moved. I had trouble tearing my eyes away, to go grab the Cheerios from the cabinet and milk from the fridge.

Mark was an unexpected wrinkle in my boring life. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

***

The queen of adventure romance, Allison LaFleur brings you explosive sex, passion, and peril in Mark, the latest installment in Bachelors Incorporated.

56 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2020

About the author

USA Today bestselling author of steamy romantic suspense, Allison LaFleur created of the Bachelors Incorporated series. She loves to make her characters miserable before finally allowing them to find their happily ever after.

Despite an intense, lifelong desire to create, Allison didn’t search for a job in the arts after college. Instead, she obtained a degree in photography, then set off to hike the Appalachian Trail. Her world view changed after six months away, she returned to the working world and obtained a Masters Degree in both Spanish and Elementary education--and started writing secretly at night. .

She loves books so much, that she writes both children’s books and science fiction with her son, under the names Grant Allison and Grayson Walker.

When she's not reading, writing, or spinning tales with her teenager, Allison spends time relaxing at her home in the Florida Keys, where she searches for the green flash, and is constantly entertained by two fuzzy yorkie pups.

You can find Allison at www.allisonlafleur.com, or email her at allison@allisonlafleur.com

Follow Allison on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Allison-LaFleu... to hear about new releases or sign up for her reader group at http://allisonlafleur.com.

Reviews

[Cathy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is set in Dublin, Ireland during the time of Bloomsday Festival in the Temple Bar where Laurie are heroine works as a waitress. Laurie Regan O'Donnell was born and raised in Ireland where she lived on the Emerald Isle. She moved to Dublin because her parents had died and she could not keep up payments on the house so the bank took the house. She didn't really have any friends and she moved in with a girl who worked during the day and spent most of her time with her boyfriend and so the only people that she consider somewhat close to were her bar mates especially the owner or Bouncer, couldn't figure it out, Ryan. Ryan said he had daughters her age. Mark was the CEO of Pharmaceutical Research Company that his father had started. His father died while working on research into rare inherited disorders. Mark was from New York where he had a young good looking successful millionaire brother named Mason with more money than any 20 year old had a right to. His mother still was in New York and he had to get back to her to help her with his younger brother. Laurie had been waiting table and the pub was overcrowded. This group of Rugby players were being rude and was taking advantage of her. They decided that they would take advantage of her because of the overcrowding of the pub and the leader had grabbed her and was kissing and taking advantage of her. Mark who was their to meet with companies such as Johnson and Johnson and Sanofi Genzyme to see if he could get one of these companies to help in the research his father started. So Mark pulls Laurie from the clutch of the Rugby leader and his team mates. Mark and her strike up a friendship where he looks out for her until he has to take a plane back to New York but his plane was cancelled for a week because of some protests and said it was for their own good. Because Mark's flight had been cancelled and their was this festival was going on so he had no hotel room he could book. He called Laurie to let her know and so she invited him to come to her apartment and eventually told him he could stay their and he said he would pay her to sleep on her couch. Their relationship and how it evolved is the plot line of this story and how it evolves. It really was an enjoyable read but it was given enough time to develop, so I guess I would call this a short story but I did enjoy it. I am going to have to read his brother Mason's story to see if we get any more insight on Mark and his mother.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel had a lot of good moments, a lot of sweet moments; BUT it also had lot of just okay moments and just a sliver of the romance that the title implied. However, even though there were times when it would lull, I never pondered choosing another novel for immediately something would grab my attention again. There was always something slightly spicy or mysterious which would  reel me back in to stick by the side of this author. In the end, though, I'm glad I finished reading this novel.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark is in Dublin on a business trip when he rescues Laurie, a waitress in a bar who is being mauled by drunken rugby players. They see each other while Mark is continuing his business meeting, then mark gets stranded in Dublin when the airport cancels all flights. With no beds available in the city, Mark ends up sleeping on Laurie's couch. What is going to happen?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

One night in Dublin

Mark is the ninth book in the Bachelors Incorporated series. This fast-paced and enjoyable short story that find Mark in Dublin on business when he meets Laurie, a waitress at a bar, while he rescues her. But when he ends up being stranded because of a canceled flight it is Laurie who returns the favor.

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing will draw you in after only a few pages and have you finishing the book in one sitting.
There is the perfect amount of angst and romance and grit to keep you hooked.

I loved how their relationship unfolded so we could see these amazing characters grow in ways you never expected.
I would suggest picking up a copy asap, you will not be disappointed.

This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has pulled us into the lives of Mark and Laurie. Mark is stranded in Dublin when all flights to New York are canceled. The only person he knows is the waitress he saved at the local pub. The story flows smoothly and the relationship between Mark and Laurie evolves naturally.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Mark and Laurie's story! It's a fairly quick read that is fast paced, interesting and a good addition to the "Bachelors Incorporated". It's a steamy story that is nicely developed with good characters. This story is set in Dublin where he is on business. She moved there to work and is waitressing. These two meet when he rescues her. She ends up helping him return.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark was the CEO of Pharmaceutical Research Company and Laurie Regan O'Donnell is a waitress they meet when beer is spilled. I loved these characters they have plenty of chemistry throughout the pages and the storyline entertained me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't get any suspense in this book. Laurie moved to Dublin and is a waitress in a bar, that's where she met Mark, who has taken over his dad's company after he died. I guess not my kind of book. But there was a HEA and a surprise for the couple.

[Mary Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute Bachelor Incorporated Novella featuring Laurie and Mark. Mark in pharmaceutical research and Laurie a bartender in Dublin only have a few weeks before he goes home. Good story!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Magali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and tender
The story is simple compare to other books in this series, and I missed the mystery and twists and turns of the other stories. However, it remains a good simple, cute and tender romance.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Mary Sopsko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark is a well written story with a twist in the storyline that pulls you into the story and routing for the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Misty Goan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing short standalone that ties together with a great collection.  This steamy story had me swooning with suspense, action, romance and a HEA. It has interesting, well developed characters that have incredible chemistry.  I voluntarily read and reviewed this fantastic ARC.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. The story was well written and flowed beautifully. The characters were well defined within the story and they had such great chemistry. I loved the ending. If you like the works of this wonderful author, then this book is a must-read.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how this book played out with a very unexpected romance. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the characters and I would recommend it to others!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining fast pace read! The story line is well-developed, emotionally deep, well written, and steamy with suspense, action, likeable characters, and amazing chemistry! Definitely recommended!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alison Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book in this series