Chapter 1 Chapter One

ELENA’S POV

The chandeliers in Grand Hotel glittered like strays. I stood beneath them in a black gown that cost more than my rent for six months and smiled like I belong here. Around me, the country’s elite clinked crystal glasses as they laughed. 

I gripped the tablet like my life depended on it and of course my life did. It contained my boss’s entire schedule. I stayed in the corner, to not draw attention. Assistants were meant to be invisible. 

“Where’s Mr Vitros?” A board member demanded for the third time in fifteen minutes. 

“Speaking with Mr Cadelar near the west end. I’ll alert him you are looking for him” I said smoothly. 

But I wouldn’t.

My boss was not going to like that at all. He didn’t like distractions and I wasn’t going to be the one to make him angry. 

I needed air.

Slipping past a pair of laughing investors, I pushed open the glass doors leading to the balcony. Cool night air brushed against my skin, loosening the invisible grip around my ribs.

The city sprawled below alive. Unlike the ballroom behind. 

“Escaping too?”

The voice came from the shadows. I jumped startled, turning toward the far end of the balcony where a man leaned casually against the stone railing. 

He held a glass of whiskey, untouched. His tuxedo jacket hung open, bow tie slightly loosened, he looked like sin and I licked my lips unconsciously. 

He stepped forward into the light.

He was tall and broad shouldered. His muscles ripped through his clothes. His dark hair slightly unruly, like he’d run a hand through it one too many times. But it was his eyes that had me staring, it was sharp, assessing, and amused.

“I prefer to think of it as reset” I replied. A corner of his mouth lifted.

“Ah. A tactical retreat from the battlefield of the elites” I laughed before I could stop myself. A real laugh.

“You’ve been standing in that corner for a while, haven’t you?” I asked.

“Yes” He raised his glass slightly. 

“Cal”

Cal. 

I said in my mind, it sounded sexy.

“Elena” His brow arched. He studied me for a beat, slow and deliberate.

“That Elena?”

I raised a brow, confused about what he meant. 

“Elena Alvarez. Your name is on the building” I let out a shaky laugh. 

“Oh. I-I don’t….” I was cut off before I could finish my sentence 

“It’s nice to meet you Elena” I smiled. 

“Same here Cal” I said emphasizing on the Cal. 

“So you like charities too or are you here voluntarily?” he guessed.

“I’m here because my father believes philanthropy photographs well.” I leaned against the railing, deciding to act along. Cal chuckled softly. 

“My condolences”

“And you? Who dragged you here” I asked. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass but still didn’t drink. 

“Curiosity”

“That’s a vague answer”

“I find vague answers more interesting. They leave room for interpretation”

“And what am I supposed to interpret?” I challenged.

His gaze slid over me, not crudely, but appreciatively. His gaze raked over my body as if he was trying to memorize it. That look caused me to shiver and my nipples turned hard.

“That you look like you’d rather be anywhere else” he said. 

“So where else do you think I’d rather be?” I asked in a low voice. 

“At home, in bed with me in between your legs” I coughed loudly, surprised at his flirtation. 

“Come on….is that not what every woman wants?” He asked with a raised brow. 

“T-that’s not what I want” I said with finality. 

Deep down, I wanted that to but I could not let him know. 

“Your body says a different thing”

The intensity of his gaze made my knees weak and it made something in my chest tighten. 

“What do you mean?”

“I can see your hard nipples. You say you don’t want that your body wants a different thing. When last did you have someone worship your body? When last did you scream out in pleasure? Don’t you want to forget about everything and get lost in pleasure?”

I tried to remember what made our conversation turn into a sexual one but I couldn’t think. The only thing I could hear was his sultry voice. 

“Yes” I admitted softly. His expression shifted. 

“I knew it”

“Doesn’t mean I would sleep with a random stranger”

“I’m not a stranger if that counts. We’ve been talking”

His eyes dropped to my lips briefly before returning to my gaze. The look was subtle but unmistakable. A flicker of heat sparked low in my stomach.

“I want nothing more than to kiss you” he said in a voice that made my knees weak. I could feel his breath on mine and I didn’t even realized he had moved. 

“I..I..” 

I couldn’t complete my sentence as his lips covered mine. The moment his lips touched mine I was lost. I couldn’t remember where I was. Our tongues danced in tune and he pulled back a bit. 

“Come home with me” he whispered. 

The way he said it made me want to forget what I came here for.

Just one night. 

Something in my heart whispered. Before my brain could process the information I had already spoken. 

“Yes”