Chapter One

Elysia's POV

'Damn, I'd like to get me a piece of that hunk', Sam bit his lower lip, batting his eyelids at someone. I followed his gaze to see a familiar face in the dimly lit room. 

'It's the stranger from the elevator' Now it was my turn to bite my lip.

I met him on my way back from the gym earlier today. We had lodged into the same hotel, the same floor too. 

'Omg! He is hot," he purred and as if he heard him, he turned, his piercing gaze locked with mine. My cheeks flushed and an electrifying jolt went through my body. 

'Sam, this is supposed to be an office dinner, not some manhunt expedition. Plus, you're getting married soon, I groaned, snatching my eyes from Mr handsome, his silhouette a daydream.

'Yes, I'm getting married and I don't regret it one bit but now, I have to live frivolously through you', he pursed his lips.

I chuckled.' you're unbelievable', I said, shaking my head.

'Girl, come on! All you do is work. You need to unwind, live a little, have fun. I looked into his eyes, searching as my mind imagined a thousand possibilities. I've never really done anything like this before. What if something bad happened?

'You know what?', he continued, 'Go talk to hottie over there, I'll give you a thousand bucks if anything goes wrong'.

I turned to see that he was still staring. He threw me a weak smile, which I unconsciously returned with a wink. Blame it on the alcohol-third glass.

'Plus, you look good', he continued, ' what could go wrong?', he shrugged.

I took a deep breath in. What could go wrong? The fact that he was watching me had to mean that he was interested. Right?

'Well, here goes nothing'.

Lifting my champagne flute, I said a little prayer before starting the walk towards Mr handsome- but not without Sam smacking my ass and blowing a kiss when I turned to glare at him.

I took my time walking over to him, swaying my velvet-covered hips, holding eye contact. He turned away from me and my heart dropped as panic surged through my bloodstream. Was my seduction tactic that bad?

'Um… hello, I couldn't help but notice you from across the room. My name is Elysia, what's yours?' I tried for a flirty tone that probably missed the mark. Yeah, it was bad.

'Ronald, how can I help you?', he asked and I couldn't help but notice the gruff edge in his voice. 

'A lot, but let's start with a drink first', I twirled my glass to distract myself from the sweat that was trickling down my spine.

'Not interested', his voice cut through like ice and I winced inwardly.

'Ohh..okay', I glared at Sam. Bitch! You owe me a thousand bucks and my pride.

Sam held up a hand and mouthed a sorry as his fiance caught hold of his shoulders, turning him for a hug and kiss. 

Great! Now, who am I going to vent to? I knew fully well that I wouldn't be seeing him till later tomorrow.

'Excuse me', I heard a gruff voice behind me as I watched Sam and his fiance walk away.

I turned back to the man who had already rebuked her. "How can I help you?" I went with a professional tone. 

"I wanted to ask you a question," he said.

I waited without a word. It was no doubt going to be some crap.

"I may have assumed something and I wanted to know how wrong I was. Are you here, at the lodge, with anyone?"

"My friend, as I think you noticed. I didn't make this trip alone, "I huffed. It took a second and then it clicked. "Oh my gosh, Sam? Absolutely not! No way."

"I see that I misjudged things. I apologize," he said.

"You thought I was leaving my date to come over here and flirt with you?" I asked, still shocked.

"I apologize. It says more about me than you," he said.

"I don't see how that's true. It seems a lot like you thought I was a real piece of work." I put my hands on my hips as I spoke.

"I thought a lot of things, it started with how pretty you were," he soothed.

"Oh no, too late to be charming," I said the words, but it had worked, and I was already caving.

"Can I request a second chance at a first impression?" he asked.

I flushed and fiddled with my dress. It was a party so I could be more forgiving. It wasn't like I would see him again. What harm was there in flirting?

"Hmm," I pretended to think about it. "I don't know if you can redo the first impression. How about just a chance to make up for it?"

"I'll take it." He put his hand on the small of my back and led me to the bar. "What are you drinking?"

I told him and he ordered me a drink. It was a mix of feelings for me as we stood at the bar chatting. He was fun and great at communicating.

I avoided any questions about what I did other than work for a startup. He didn't press. I needed this to be casual for the weekend. No strings. He seemed to want the same, and when he invited me back to his room, I didn't deny him. I took his hand and let him lead me out of the bar and to the elevators.

"Come in," he held the door open for me to his room.

"I'd comment on your place, but it looks a lot like mine," I joked.

"You're on the second floor, right?" he asked.

"Yep, not as far to go as you."

"Take a look out here." he walked to the curtains and slid them open.

I followed light-headed and marveled at the view. Sure, I could take the stairs, but the lights reflecting off the snow from the view of the sixth floor were a lot better than mine.

"Impressive," she told him.

I turned away from the window to find him watching me.

I embraced the bold party version of myself and closed the distance between us. He leaned down, a good eight inches taller than me, and closed the gap further, pressing his lips to mine. 

He deepened the kiss as his hand went to my cheek.

A tremor ran through me as I leaned forward, close enough that our breaths intermixed. A groan came from deep in his chest, his hands tightening on my hips.

I moaned as my fingers ran down his tie. blood drummed in my ears, and rushed through my veins.

He tried to slow the kiss, but I didn't want to stop. Couldn't.

I pressed my mouth to his, gave his top lip a gentle lick, and stole his breath straight from his lungs. He tasted so good, like chocolate whiskey.

In mere seconds, my dress was sliding down my ass and he was completely naked. He carried me to the bed, laying us both down but I had other plans.

I turned on him, making sure to sit on him, and bucked my hips as he slid into me, slowly. A shiver rolled through me, pressure and heat sparking as I ground my clit against his pelvis. His hands ran down my back, gripping my ass and pulling me harder against him. 

The sensation of him deep and still inside of me drove me to the edge. A moan escaped me as I rose an inch and then slid back down.

Rough hands held me tightly.

He let me get used to fucking him before his hands started moving me up and down. Sweet, hot pressure began to build. I moaned in his mouth. His head lowered towards my boobs and he sucked on my nipple, the pressure boiling over. A shudder shook me as pleasure burst and finally dissipated. My breath came out heavy and erratic as I rested my forehead on his.

His body tensed, and his hands tightened on my waist as he rocked me.

He pressed his face against my throat, let out a masculine groan that sent goosebumps down my spine, and bit my neck hard enough that it would leave a mark.

We both collapsed on the bed, exhausted- satisfied.

Several hours later, I woke up wrapped in Ronald's arms. I slid free, careful not to disturb him. I gathered my clothes and slipped them on, preparing for my walk of shame back to my room.

I'd never had a one-night stand before. It was weird. I looked back at the bed as I slipped away from the room. What I wanted to do was crawl back in there with him. Rational thoughts won out and she carried her shoes and headed back to her room.

I had a job to keep and a new boss to impress- whoever he was. I dressed hastily for work. I noticed a letter from my new boss, asking me to come to his office immediately after I got to work.

Thanks to my midnight rendezvous, I got to work late. Muttering a little prayer, I ran to the office of the CEO, my new boss, and knocked.

I heard a familiar voice ask me to come in.

'Delusion', I said to myself. My brain was playing tricks on me.

I walked into the office and froze when I saw the person sitting in front of the desk.

'Oh hell no!