HAPTER 1
Ellyn Johnson walked home to her crappy apartment in the Bronx looking forward to hugging her son Derek. The lunch rush had been long and her feet hurt. The only saving grace of the day was the pocket of tips she had. With the tips, she could afford new shoes for Derek and pay her friend Shalia for watching him that day. Her usual sitter, her mother, had not been available to cover her for the last-minute shift she’d taken.
The sun shone brightly, and a slight breeze held the hint of the spring that was only a few weeks away. Ellyn stopped for a moment to let the sun shine down on her face, warming her. She wanted to wash away the day so Derek wouldn’t get the bad version of her. He always had the good version of her.
“Hey, Mamacita,” a voice said out a window.
Crap, she thought. She had to move along. No need to encourage Rashawn. She had no desire for any man at the moment, least of all one that had no job and was baby daddy to at least three women that she knew of. She already had her own baby daddy who didn’t pay child support because he was in jail. No need to take on another one. She hadn’t been on the pill when she’d met Chance and he’d charmed her into bed without a condom. As much as she would never regret having Derek, she didn’t plan on giving him any siblings until she had a husband. Since she wasn’t looking, that was a long way off.
She strode up to her apartment, a third floor walkup. It wasn’t the projects, but close. Her salary and tips at the waitressing job covered her rent and very little else. If she had a sugar daddy, she would be okay. However, there weren’t any sugar daddies in the Bronx and she hadn’t snagged any at the upscale restaurant she worked at, either.
She walked in the door, expecting Derek to come running to her like he always did. Instead, Shalia greeted her with a finger to her lips.
“He’s asleep. I think he’s coming down with something,” Shalia said.
“Oh, no. He must have caught what my mother had last week,” Ellyn said.
She put her purse and keys on the table by the door. Derek sick would not be good. She wasn’t sure she could bring him to the doctor this week. The free mobile clinic didn’t come around for another three days. She’d worried about what would happen when Derek was in kindergarten. He was sick so often.
She tiptoed into the one small bedroom she and Derek shared. He was asleep, with the covers kicked off on his toddler bed. It was the only kind that fit in the room with her single bed. She’d found it tossed out for trash pickup on her way home from work one day. She and Shalia had dragged it back to her place and cleaned it up.
She felt his forehead and he was warm, but not too bad.
“I gave him some Tylenol before he insisted on going down for a nap,” Shalia said when Ellyn returned to the living room.
Her friend sat on the safe part of the couch. It had holes in it, with a spring sticking out of one them. No one could sit on that end that had some holes in it. A spring stuck out at one end so no one sat there.
Ellyn hung up her coat. “Hopefully he’ll sleep it off. Did he eat?”
“Not much at all. How was work?”
“Busy. I had great tips today,” Ellyn said.
Then Shalia’s eyes lit up. “Did you see the box in front of Connie’s apartment?”
Ellyn laughed. She had glanced at it. Connie often stole credit card numbers and bought herself all sorts of nice clothes. “I did.”
“She won’t be home for hours. Let’s go look at it. You still have that packing tape so we can reseal it?”
“I do, but should we?”
“She’d probably do the same to us.”
“Yeah, if I could afford to buy clothes,” Ellyn said.
Shalia returned with the box and she gently opened it. Inside sat a sparkling green dress. Ellyn fell in love. “That is so beautiful.”
“It is.” Her friend pulled it out of the box. “I’m trying it on.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
She glanced at the bedroom door then stripped down to her underwear. She slipped the dress on, but was unable to zip it up. She sighed.
“You try it on,” Shalia said.
Ellyn shook her head, but she did love the dress. “Oh, okay.”
She did the same while Shalia dressed. The dress fit as if it had been made for her. She wished for a full-length mirror.
“Oh my God, Ellyn. You look amazing. It’s perfect and brings out the flecks of green you have in those brown eyes.”
Ellyn looked in the small mirror by the door. Shalia was right. She also felt beautiful in this dress. She’d better take it off before she wanted to keep it.
“You should keep it,” Shalia said echoing her thoughts.
“No.”
“Ellyn. It’s fate.”
“What would I do with this dress? I can’t go to the grocery store in it.”
“We’ll find a use for it,” Shalia said. “Let’s sneak into that party after the New York Awards.”
The party Shalia mentioned was the largest gathering of billionaires and celebrities New York saw each year. More than even the Tony awards. “How?”
“I’ll explain.”
***
Colton Hamilton III glanced at the invitation on his desk for the New York Awards. Those awards were given for entertainment professionals who had somehow advanced the entertainment industry in New York in the last year.
He wasn’t up for an award, but his job as head of a talent agency made it mandatory for him to attend, including the after-parties.
Well, at least this one was being thrown by Doug Lavalette, his best friend and former client. Security was so tight the Secret Service took notes on how it was done.
“You have to go,” his secretary, Marcia Cross, said. She stood in the doorway, her arms crossed, as if she knew that he’d been thinking about bailing on the party.
“Is my tuxedo—“
“In your closet here. You should take it home,” Marcia said.
Behind every great executive was a great administrative assistant. Marcia was the best of the best and he’d searched high and low for her when he started his company, Hamilton Talent. She’d come highly recommended and she’d never failed him.
Standing just five feet tall, she was all of one hundred pounds of scary. His name was on the office door, but she practically ran the company. Never let him forget it either. He valued her opinion and she never steered him wrong.
She strode into his office, her little legs eating up the ground between his door and his desk in the large corner office.
“I’m probably dressing here.”
He could, since his office had its own bathroom. Only he and Marcia were allowed to use it.
“No date?”
He grimaced. He’d just broken up with a client whom Marcia had warned him against. The one time he didn’t listen. The woman had dropped him faster than a bungee jumper when she realized he wasn’t going to marry her. She loved his wallet more than she loved him. His heart still ached a little, but not for the woman, but for the idea of the woman.
“You know I’m going without one. Do you have to rub it in?”
“Yes I do, so that you’ll remember next time to listen to me. Now, I have a niece.”
He held up his hand. “I can find my own dates.”
“Yes, you can get dates. Do you want a wife?”
“Not sure that I do.”
She frowned. “What is all this if you don’t have someone to share with?”
His secretary and her husband celebrated their fortieth anniversary just last week. He’d given them a cruise that they would take later in the year. She’d been bugging him ever since he turned thirty that he should settle down.
He wasn’t sold on the idea since he’d had too many gold diggers in his bed. “Maybe I should use a matchmaker.”
Marcia rolled her eyes and planted her hands on her hips. “You just need to get out more to where real people are. You won’t find someone at one of those parties that Doug throws.”
“So why do I have to go?”
“Because it’s good to schmooze and be high profile. Never rest on your laurels.”
He sighed. She was right. “I do have to go. I have a few clients who will be there and they liked to be taken care of.”
“Their asses kissed, you mean. They should be kissing your ass. You made them stars.”
“I just saw the star quality they had.”
“You sell yourself short, Colton. You have a gift.”
He shrugged. They’d been through this a thousand times. The argument bored him now.
“Whatever.”
“Just spend an hour and then you’ll be done.”
He sighed. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“Then you can escape back to your empty, lonely penthouse in the tallest residential building in Manhattan.” She loved to say that to him.
He rubbed a spot on his chest, still smarting from the last break up. Maybe Marcia was right. He needed to find someone without Botox and that did normal, everyday things. He didn’t know where those people hung out. Having been born with money meant he’d been to the best schools all of his life. He had been a city kid and wasn’t sure he even knew how to get anywhere outside the city other than the airport. How sad his life had become.
“Okay. I’ll go, but I won’t bring anyone home.”
“Then this weekend, you take a walk in Central Park or go to the movies. Do something pedestrian,” Marcia said. “Put a pair of jeans on and sit in a café drinking coffee. Come down to where we mere mortals exist.”
Colton laughed. “Mere mortals. You make enough not to be a mere mortal anymore, either.”
“Yes, but I still live in a brownstone in Brooklyn.”
“I know, but you could live anywhere you wanted.”
“We’re blue collar still in many ways, Colton, but we have a great retirement nest egg.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve approved your raises.”
She leaned on his desk, her hands on top of the mess. “And I’ve earned each and every one. Don’t forget it.”
Like he ever could.
*
As Ellyn stood outside of the after-party for the New York Awards, she wondered how Shalia had talked her into this. Derek was with her mother. He’d slept through dinner the day before, but woke up feeling much better.
They were at a venue that overlooked Chelsea Pier. Ellyn wore the dress she’d taken from her neighbor. Thankfully, the woman had not been home when she left. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be home later on when Ellyn returned to her apartment. While Ellyn waited, Shalia was around the back looking for glasses for them. Champagne glasses, of course. Ellyn had procured some ginger ale and still didn’t know what she was doing with it.
Shalia returned, finally. Ellyn was glad. She was shivering; Shalia had insisted that they couldn’t wear coats.
“Now, what are we doing?” Ellyn said. Her heart raced. She had never done anything like this. According to Shalia, she did it a couple of times a year.
“Give me the ginger ale,” Shalia said.
Ellyn did as she asked. Shalia poured some ginger ale in each of their glasses. “Why?”
“It looks like champagne. We’re going to say we wandered out to have a cigarette and we got lost. We have drinks, so they will assume we’ve been in the party already. They won’t check.”
“What if we have to show our invitations?”
“Our dates have them,” Shalia said. “Just follow my lead. Don’t say a word.”
Ellyn nodded, but she was ready to run. She wouldn’t run very fast in the six inch heels that she’d borrowed from Shalia’s mother. Nevertheless, she followed her friend to the front door where three large bouncers stood, with wires in their ears. They reminded Ellyn of the Secret Service guys she’d seen in many movies. They were there to intimidate and it worked. Shalia smiled up at them. They looked her up and down, their gazes clearly resting on Shalia’s ample bosom. Men were all the same.
“We came out to have a cigarette, and we can’t find our way back in,” Shalia said.
A skinny man with a clipboard looked down his nose at them. He sniffed. “Okay.”
He opened the door for them and it took all of Ellyn’s self-control not to sprint inside. That wouldn’t have looked classy. When they reached the ballroom, Shalia let out a noisy breath.
“We’re in,” she said.
“You were so cool.”
“It’s the rack, honey. No one turns down double Ds.”
Ellyn had to laugh. Too bad she wasn’t so endowed, maybe she would have gotten further in life. Then she realized she’d probably never do that, anyway.
“Holy crap,” Shalia whispered to her as they entered the ballroom. “That’s George Clooney.”
Someone bumped into Ellyn and she looked up into the most handsome face she’d ever seen. It was rugged, with ice blue eyes. “Excuse me,” a voice said from deep within the man’s body. She felt the sexiness to her soul.
“No problem. My fault.”
“No, I wasn’t paying attention,” he said.
“No harm, then,” she said.
He nodded, smiled, then left her. Shalia stared after him. “That man has money. That was a Giorgi Armani tuxedo. You may find your billionaire yet, tonight.”
“Is that why we’re here?”
“Yes, to find us men who will take care of us.”
Ellyn didn’t think it would be that easy. “What’s my story again?”
“You’re a graduate student, going for your Master’s in Fine Art and French Literature.”
“French Literature?”
“Yes. I’ll stick with the Masters of Fine Art. That I can wing,” she said.
“We need some real drinks.”
She put her ginger ale filled glass on a passing waiter’s tray.
“I feel like some of these dresses cost more than my rent,” Ellyn said.
“They do, but let’s not think about that. Think class and refinement. And champagne that costs at least a hundred dollars a bottle.”
Ellyn almost choked but she put her glass on a table when Shalia found them real champagne glasses, filled with real champagne, to carry around. The bubbles were tiny. Someone in a movie had said that the smaller the bubbles were, the finer the champagne. She wondered if it was true. She spun around because she’d lost sight of Shalia, and ran into a waiter who dropped his tray.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She bent down to help pick up the glasses.
“Don’t,” he said through gritted teeth.
She stepped away and managed to step on someone’s toes. The older woman glared at her. “They let anyone in here nowadays.”
Ellyn’s eyes widened at the snobbery. Did the woman know she was poor or was it because of the color of her skin? Shalia appeared, a man tugging on her arm.
“I spilled some champagne and this man thinks I’m drunk,” Shalia said.
“We just got here, sir and we didn’t party beforehand, I promise,” Ellyn said.
The man looked them over then let go of Shalia’s arm. “I’m keeping an eye on you.”
The large man left them and Shalia laughed. Ellyn just shook her head. “We should stick together and keep each other out of trouble.”
“Let’s go stand at one side and pick which billionaire is yours and which is mine.”
Ellyn followed her friend to one side of the elegantly decorated ballroom, but didn’t really think she’d find her rich man.
***
Colton drank some champagne and various women walked past him, their gaze clearly undressing him, or checking his wallet. No one had come close to the woman he bumped into when he first arrived. She’d smiled at him and he noticed green flecks in those brown eyes. She’d been slim, but curvy, just how he liked them. She’d also been beautiful enough to be a model.
He tried to shake the image of her but he hoped he’d see her again. Right now, he had to schmooze. The orchestra precluded talking to anyone in that part of the large room, so he headed for the door. Doug, his best friend, intercepted him.
“Hey, Colton.”
The men shook hands. Doug was a few years older than Colton. His hair was beginning to gray early for his mid-thirties but the man rocked it. He didn’t dye it and he was still in demand as a model but had retired a year ago. Despite not being current in the industry, Doug’s after-party was still the hottest thing in New York.
Someone had sold fake invites and many people were turned away. One year, several crashers got in, but had been caught before they could get into the ballroom. Colton found it all amusing.
“There’s a hot blonde who wants to talk to you,” Doug said.
“Oh?”
He’d had enough of hot blondes. They had only caused him heartache. One had almost gotten him to the altar. Every once in a while, he saw her on the arm of some other sucker. No one had taken her bait yet and married her. Damned gold diggers, he thought.
“Let me guess. She wants to be a model or married to a billionaire.”
Doug leaned closer to him. “I think she’d settle for sucking you off, but who knows where that mouth has been.”
“Gross. I’ll pass. What does she look like?”
“Big tits, blonde hair; nothing remarkable other than that. Last time I saw her, she was at the bar.”
Colton glanced that way. “Then I’m going the other way. Thanks for having my back.”
“No problem, bro.” Doug left him as one of his assistants snagged him with a story of a crisis in the kitchen.
Colton looked around, but didn’t make eye contact with anyone. Then, he saw the woman in the green dress. She looked even better than the first time he saw her. Not huge on top, but he didn’t need too much to satisfy him. She wasn’t falling out of the dress, which showed some class. She glanced his way but didn’t stare at all. She was talking to a woman. He hoped he could get her alone.
A hand on his arm stopped him from walking over to her. He turned to see one of his top clients, Jess Cairn.
“Hey, Jess.”
She smiled back at him. “I wanted to thank you for handling that photographer.”
The man had been a pig to his best client. Jess could command the highest salary in the industry and the photographer treated her like a common whore. Jess had put him in his place, but the photographer had made the mistake of using social media to slander her.
Colton had personally spoken to the man and threatened his career. It wasn’t too long after that the man put out retractions all over the place. Colton had never been so pissed. He didn’t understand men like that. Women, no matter who they were, should be treated well.
Maybe that was his problem. He was too nice a guy.
“You won’t ever have to work with him again.”
She kissed his cheek. “You’re the best agent, Colton. You didn’t even have an underling take care of it.”
“You’re my biggest client. You deserve first class service,” Colton said. He looked over her shoulder to see if the woman in the green dress was still there. She was, but her back was to him.
“You have that look in your eye.” Jess threw a glance over her shoulder. “Anyone I know?”
“No. I’ve never seen this woman before.”
Her one eyebrow went up. “Oh? I didn’t think there was anyone left who wasn’t after you or you hadn’t dated.”
“Funny, Jess. I’m not nearly the man whore that I’m made out to be.”
“I know. You spurned my advances.”
“I don’t like to mix business with pleasure.”
“How I know that,” she said. “If you’re single when my career is done, I’m coming back to get you.”
He squeezed her arm. “Thanks for the warning.”
Jess laughed as she walked away. She was attractive and sweet, but she never really did anything for him. Doug had the hots for her at one time, but she seemed to only have eyes for Colton. Doug had moved on, finally.
Colton watched the woman in the green dress. No one seemed to notice her and he couldn’t understand why; she was gorgeous. Her beauty took his breath away. She held herself as if she had no idea. For once in his life, Colton Hamilton III was tongue-tied. He wanted a wing man, but Doug was across the room. He would have to go it alone. He adjusted his bow tie then took a deep breath.
He strode over to where she stood talking to whom he guessed was her friend. People swirled past the two women. This crowd was about networking with people who could advance their careers; these women could do nothing for them, so they were ignored.
Before he could say anything, the blonde that Doug had warned him about was in his face. Sigh.
***
“It’s like a rich man’s smorgasbord,” Shalia said. Ellyn looked around at all the handsome men in suits and had to agree. “So we need to talk to at least one of them since no one has approached us. Any ideas for conversation starters?” Shalia thought for a minute then said, half amusedly, “Where do you get your yacht serviced? I’m having trouble with mine,” Shalia said.
Ellyn couldn’t help laughing. “I’m hungry. Let’s find some of those tiny appetizers.”
“And eat a thousand of them.”
Ellyn smiled as she followed her friend to a table with trays with food on them. They each took a plate and piled it high with food. When they left, the table several people stared at them.
“Don’t people eat?” Shalia said.
“I guess not. Oh, there’s an empty table over there.”
Ellyn led her friend to a tall table they could stand at and eat. “Everyone is stick thin. Did you notice that?”
Shalia frowned. “They are. I’d rather eat food.”
“Maybe that’s why no one’s eating. They’ll have to throw it up if they do.”
“What a waste.”
A man in a tuxedo approached them. “Ladies, how are we?”
The two women exchanged glance. This one was for Shalia, they agreed with a single look. Shalia smiled. “We’re good, and you?”
“I’m good. I’m Doug Lavalette. I’m the host.”
Oh crap, they were so busted. Ellyn readied herself to bolt. Shalia didn’t look upset at all. No, she hooked her arm around the man’s. “You throw an amazing party.” She let her breasts brush up against his arm. Ellyn thought the man’s eyes were going to roll into his head.
He stammered a little. “Uh, thanks.”
“What great food, too. I’m really impressed. I’ve been to Elton John’s party and his food is not this good,” Shalia said. If her friend was going to lie, she was in it for all she was worth.
Ellyn chose to sip her champagne. She was not getting involved in this subterfuge.
The man straightened. “You’ve been to Elton John’s party?”
“We have. Just before we came here. Not as many people as here.”
Ellyn wanted to laugh but chose to just put food in her mouth so she wouldn’t say anything wrong. Where did her friend get these balls she obviously had?
The man turned to Ellyn, Shalia still attached to him. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes, immensely.”
“I’ve been dying to dance,” Shalia said. “Would you please dance with me?”
The man looked as if he wanted to say no, his gaze darting around the room as if looking for something or someone to save him but then he smiled, “Of course.”
Shalia led him to the dance floor. Ellyn finally let out a laugh. She continued to enjoy the food she’d put on her plate. Then she saw the man who’d run into her earlier. She didn’t make eye contact but kept him in her peripheral vision. He was handsome and that tuxedo was clearly made for him. He carried himself as if he wore it on a regular basis.
She could see those eyes from ten feet away. They sparkled and stood out against his jet black hair. He had a close-cropped beard around his mouth. No sideburns. The beard was the same black as his other hair. Made her wonder what was on his chest. Did he have that line of hair down his stomach that was like an arrow telling a woman the location of the playground? The thought made her shiver for a moment.
She wouldn’t have considered herself overly sexual, but this man made her think naughty things. She sipped her champagne, and then another glass appeared in front of her. Full this time. She looked up to see that the man she’d been having a fantasy about was standing next to her.
“I hate to see an empty glass of champagne,” he said. There was that bedroom voice again. Were his vocal chords deep in his chest? Or the size of apples?
“Thank you.” Her mouth had gone dry but she didn’t want to guzzle the champagne. She wasn’t driving but she had to navigate her way back to the Bronx tonight. He touched her glass with his. “You’re welcome. And I brought one since I hate to see anyone drink alone.”
“How chivalrous of you,” Ellyn said.
He tipped his head, a smile dancing around his lips. “I try. I’m Colton.”
“I’m Ellyn.”
“Pretty name.”
“Thank you.” She glanced around. “A lot people here.”
“Yes, Doug’s parties are renowned. This your first time?”
“Yes.”
She hoped he wouldn’t ask too many questions about their invitations.
“I haven’t seen you around the circuit.”
“Circuit?”
“Of these parties.”
“I’m not too much of a partier but my friend really wanted to come,” Ellyn said. “I’m a homebody.”
“I am, too. What does Ellyn like to do when she’s home?”
“Watch movies. Netflix is nirvana to me.”
It seemed too easy to talk to this guy. Not snobby at all.
This guy seemed too easy to talk to. Not snobby at all.
“I’ve had a Netflix account since they started. Bought a tablet just so I could bring movies with me.” He looked around. “If I hadn’t had to talk to a few people, I might’ve escaped to the men’s room to watch one.”
Ellyn giggled.
***
Ellyn’s giggle was sweet and clear and touched him deep in his soul. Soul? Colton wanted to take a step back but those eyes enraptured him. Suddenly, all the noise of the place faded and he and Ellyn were the only two people in the room.
“There’s a couch outside. Can we go talk there?”
“Can I bring my plate?”
How sweet, he thought, someone who actually eats. “Yes, of course.”
If she excused herself after eating to head to the bathroom, he wasn’t interested; he had no need for an eating disorder queen.
He held the door open. She swished past him, her green dress hugging her curves. She wouldn’t be your typical model but she wouldn’t be plus sized either. Not runway model, but she had great skin, so maybe a print model for make-up ads. Not one to discount anyone’s potential talent, he still wanted to know what she was like. When you didn’t need the money you could pick and choose clients. No one on his payroll was a diva.
He showed her to the couch, a red velvet number that probably wasn’t meant for sitting on. He’d carried their drinks and she took it from him, her plate on her lap. With ruby red lips, she sipped her drink.
“Let me hold that while you eat,” he said.
“Thanks.”
He waited until she was done chewing before asking her any questions. “The food’s pretty good.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Have you ever done any modeling?”
He was cutting through the bullshit and spoke his mind. He didn’t much care what people thought of him. His friends knew and liked him, and that was all that mattered.
She looked at him as if he had two heads, her eyes blinking. “Modeling?”
“Yes, modeling. Someone takes your picture...” He joked.
She laughed. “I know what modeling is. No, I’ve never done any.” She stood. “Is this where you ask me to pose for you and then I end up naked and in porn?”
His eyes opened very wide. “Uh, no. Nothing like that. Please sit.”
“Why?”
“Why should you sit? Because I’d like to keep talking to you.”
“To get me in naked pictures? Not interested.”
She spun away from him, then spun back, almost losing the food on her plate. She snatched her glass from him.
“Wait, Ellyn. I’m not trying to get you naked.”
Of course, at that moment, all conversations in the hallway ceased. Everyone heard him say that. In a quieter voice, he said, “I run a modeling and talent agency, a legitimate one. None of my models pose nude unless they want to.”
Ellyn glanced at the crowd. “Take a picture, it lasts longer.”
Everyone turned away from them and Colton wanted to smile, but decided she might not be happy if he did that. Ellyn turned back to him. “How do I know that you’re legitimate?”
He pulled a card from his pocket. “Here. And you can ask anyone at this party.”
She looked at the card as if it were a snake. She finally reached for it with the hand that had her drink in it. He tucked it between her fingers, hoping she wouldn’t spill the champagne on him. Her eyes roved over his business card and he felt almost naked in front of her.
Her shoulders drooped. “Okay, you seem legit.” She sat back down, looking at both hands.
“Once again, let me hold your drink.”
“You didn’t drop anything in it?”
“Suspicious much? Would I admit if I did?”
“No, I guess not.”
He signaled to a waiter who happened to be out in the hallway. “Here, give him your drink and take a fresh one.”
She did as he suggested, then handed him the drink to hold. Glad to be a mule. This woman clearly had no idea who he was or what power he wielded. That was refreshing. Instead of fawning over him like many women did, she was treating him like everyone else. How intriguing and beguiling. He held her fresh drink as she cleaned off her plate. Then she traded him the plate for the drink.
“Why are you interested in me?”
“I think you are amazingly beautiful, very interesting-looking. You could make a killing doing face work.”
“Face work?”
“Just photos of your face.”
“Not my body?” She sipped her champagne.
“You’re too short for that kind of work.”
She laughed. It came out true and clear. No pretensions. She didn’t seem to care that several people turned to look at her. She’d thrown her head back. “You don’t sugarcoat things.”
“This is my business. I have no time to coddle anyone but when I see someone I’d like in my client list, I ask them.”
“And does anyone ever turn you down?”
“Not often.”
“Well, then I guess I’m in the minority,” she said.
“You’re going to turn me down?”
“You haven’t offered anything so yes, I guess I am.”
He rubbed his chin. “Let’s have dinner tomorrow night and discuss this.”
For a moment, he though he saw panic on her face, then her features softened. “Let me check my calendar.”
“My numbers are on the card. Call me when you know you’re free.”
Those eyes with the gold flecks glanced back at him. “Okay.”
***
Ellyn didn’t know what to think of this man in his tailored suit and ice blue eyes. His hair was cut short but not too short. She didn’t think he had any product in it, which meant he wasn’t vain. He had a presence about him and when he walked by, women noticed. He didn’t seem to see that happening. Points in his favor.
“What do you do?” he asked.
“I’m a graduate student. I’m going for my Master’s in Business Administration at NYU.” If she was going to lie, she was going to make it a doozy.
“I see. You’re pretty set on this career path?”
“Yes, I am.”
“That’s why you aren’t so keen on modeling.”
“I don’t know if I’m keen on modeling. You’ve been pretty vague so far,” she said.
She had no idea what this guy’s game was, but this was a fun time. She’d leave and never see him again. Not thinking he was serious about the modeling gig, she had no desire to call him. She glanced around, but Shalia was nowhere in sight. The time was getting late and she didn’t want to miss the last train up to the Bronx. It would be a long walk, especially without coats.
“You looking for your friend? Last time I saw her, she was dancing with Doug. I think he’s in love but I would caution your friend. He isn’t a long term kind of guy.”
“She can take care of herself.”
What story was Shalia giving the host? That was ballsy of her to be with him. If Colton hadn’t talked to her, she might’ve been content to stay under the radar. That wouldn’t have netted her a billionaire but Ellyn wasn’t sold on that as a possibility, anyway.
“How much longer do you have at school?”
“Two semesters.”
How did all of these lies roll of her tongue so easily? She should wash her own mouth out with soap. She glanced at her phone to see what time it was. Late. Later than she wanted to be.
Her son would have her up early on a Saturday morning. That would be increasingly painful as the night went on. She might not get into bed before the sun came up. And if the sun was up, so was Derek.
“You have to be somewhere?”
“I have to be up early in the morning. Shalia, my friend, does not.”
“I could give you a ride home if she’s not ready to leave.”
A ride home? The last thing she wanted if for this man to see where she lived. Even if she wasn’t sure she was going to pursue him or his modeling gig, she wanted to leave her options open.
“Uh, no. I wouldn’t want to tear you away.”
“I’m ready to leave. I don’t mind.”
She shook her head. She couldn’t think of a place he could drop her in the Bronx that might not look as bad as where she lived and she’d still feel safe walking home. Nope. This was not going to happen.
“No, but thank you.” She was getting the impression that he didn’t want her to leave. She must be wrong. He’d been attentive and sweet and she didn’t want to be rude, but she really did have to get home.
“Okay. I won’t push but think about it. I have a car that can take you back to where you live. May I ask where that is?”
She bit her lip. She didn’t have a ready lie for that. “I just met you. Not sure you need to know that yet.”
He waved a hand. “Right. Shouldn’t have asked.”
“Not a problem.”
“Shall I help you find your friend?”
“Sure. That would be great,” Ellyn said.
He rose and held out his hand for her. She took it. This was only the second time they touched and once again, his hand infused her with warmth. Part of her didn’t want him to break contact with him.
He led her into the ballroom. Shalia was on the dance floor. Had they been dancing this whole time? Only her friend would dance with the host of the party that they crashed. Ellyn was not that brave.
“Looks like they are having a good time. I’ll offer my car again; we can take you anywhere you want,” he said.
Ellyn didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want to travel home alone but she couldn’t seem to get Shalia’s attention. She and Doug were gazing into each other’s eyes. She’d have to suck it up and leave on her own. She sent a text from her phone to Shalia’s telling her that she left.
“So what did you decide?” Colton said.
“I’m leaving without her. I sent a text.”
“She won’t be mad?”
“No, she’ll understand. She knew I had to leave earlier than she did.”
“So, a ride?”
She smiled up at him and his eager expression. The idea that he liked her warmed her heart. Would this work? Could she pull of this charade? “I really appreciate your offer but I need to get back home and I’d rather do it alone.”
He nodded. “Fair enough. I can walk you out.”
***
Colton noticed that Ellyn stiffened at his third attempt. Her eyes said she wanted to stay and be with him, but her body said the opposite. She was hiding something, but everyone was. Or he made her uncomfortable. He knew his height could make him intimidating, but he’d tried to keep out of her personal space. Tried, being the operative word. She currently held onto his arm. She hadn’t let go yet and he didn’t want her to. Those incredible eyes turned to him. She bit her lip. What was she unsure about?
He could send her in his car without him. He wouldn’t have to know where she lived. “How about you take my car and I’ll promise not to ask the driver where you live?”
Her face showed a myriad of emotions but she wasn’t sure which one of them she settled on. “Would he be obligated to tell you?”
“Not if I don’t ask. And I promise I won’t.” He put a finger on his chest. “Cross my heart.”
She smiled at the gesture. He wanted her to feel safe with him. He didn’t know why, but that seemed important.
“Cross you heart, huh?”
“Yep. Stick a needle in my eye and all that.”
“That might be extreme.”
He figured if he just let her sort it out in her mind, she would decide the right thing. The time was late and frankly, he didn’t care where she lived, she shouldn’t be heading home alone. He was far too much of a gentleman to let that happen. Even if he never saw her again, he wanted her to be safe. He had resources. He might as well use them.
“What do you say? I’d feel better if I knew you arrived home safely,” he said finally.
“Okay. Just to keep you feeling better. I’ll take the ride.”
“Will you at least text me when you get there safely?”
“Okay.”
He put a hand on her back; he loved the feel of her back. He bet it was sexy and for a moment, he had a vision of kissing each vertebrae as his lips traveled down to that luscious butt. Blinking, he shoved that vision down for a more appropriate time. Like when he was alone or in the shower.
“You need your coat?”
“I didn’t bring one.”
“Then take my jacket until the car arrives.”
He retrieved his coat from coat check then put it over Ellyn’s shoulders as they walked out to the street. He dialed his driver’s phone. “I need you to take a young lady home. She’ll tell you her address.”
“Okay, boss. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
He disconnected the call. “He’ll be here in ten minutes.”
“How will you get home?”
“He’ll come back for me,” Colton said.
“Oh.”
“I really want you to call me, Ellyn. We can meet for dinner. I want to discuss your future.”
“You make it sound so serious. I have a future.”
“I know but I have another idea for you. I think you have options.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He opened the door for her when his car arrived. “Good night, Ellyn.”
She handed him his coat. “Good night, Colton.”
He watched his car drive off then turned to go back inside. He wanted to say his goodbyes to Doug though, he wasn’t sure he could tear him away from Ellyn’s friend. Hope she knew what she was doing, Doug had a short attention span.
His friend was just coming of the dance floor. The woman was on his arm, her smile broad.
“Hey, Doug.”
“Colton, this is Shalia,” Doug said.
Colton nodded at her. “Nice to meet you. I just put your friend Ellyn in a car. She’s on her way home.”
“Ever the gentleman, Colton.”
Doug looked at Shalia as if he had other ideas about what to do with her. Sending her home was not on his list. Ellyn had said Shalia would know what she was doing, but should he warn her that this might only be a one night event? Doug would make sure she got home safely but not until he fed her breakfast. How Shalia was looking at Doug, Colton figured that she wanted this as much as he did.
Colton looked around. “The party is waning.”
“Yeah, an early night. Even if it weren’t, no one would notice if I left,” Doug said.
Doug usually left early and usually with a woman on his arm. Colton smiled at him. “Go. I’m heading out as soon as my car is back.”
Doug patted him on the back. “You’re a good man. We should watch football this weekend.”
“I’ll send a text,” Colton said, but he thought that Doug was already undressing Shalia.
He watched the two leave and laughed. Doug probably sorted out all the payments beforehand. There was nothing for Colton to do but wait for his car. He could have tracked its whereabouts, but he chose not to. He’d made a promise to Ellyn and he wanted to keep it. His phone buzzed and he saw she texted him that she was home.
He texted her back. “Sweat dreams, Ellyn.”
She sent him a smiley face.