Chapter 1: Ellie

CEO Billionaire Collection

Book 1: One-night Stand with a Billionaire

ELLIE

"Shot! Shot! Shot!" The chant reverberated through the opulent casino bar, and. I watched with a mix of amusement and horror as one of the bridesmaids—whose name I'd already forgotten—climbed atop a table, shimmying to the pulsating beat.

“Is she…?” I asked myself. 

Yep, she was twerking. 

Vegas. The city where subtlety came to die and was promptly buried beneath neon lights and sequined dresses.

With my cocktail in hand, I navigated through the sea of gyrating bodies, all part of the wild bachelorette party in Jenna's honor. Truth be told, the only reason I'd braved this extravaganza was for my lifelong BFF, Lila Thompson. That, and it was a convenient excuse to escape the overwhelming weight of responsibilities back home for a weekend.

My heels clicked on the marble floor, the sound drowned out by the thumping music. Everywhere I looked, people were laughing, dancing, and, from the looks of it, making decisions they'd regret in the morning.

Suddenly, Lila materialized beside me, her red hair blazing like the neon signs that adorned the Vegas strip. It cascaded over her shoulders in vibrant, untamed waves that reflected her free spirit. She leaned in close, her presence a total contrast to the shadowy ambiance of the club. Her breath, scented with the sweet hint of her fruity cocktail, was warm against my ear. Her eyes, a piercing green, sparkled with mischief as she surveyed the crowd with the confidence of someone who owned the place.

"El, you look like you're plotting world domination. Lighten up, it's Vegas!" With a playful grin, she tossed a lock of her fiery hair back and winked.

I rolled my eyes, my lips quirking into a grin. "And here I was, thinking that watching a woman twerk with a feather boa was the height of sophistication."

Lila laughed, the sound pure and infectious. "I know this, uh, isn’t exactly your thing. But I love you for coming anyway. Even if you do look like you're mentally compiling a business report."

I sighed, leaning against the bar. "Can't help it, Li. My brain’s wired that way. Plus, with everything going on with the company…” My voice trailed off as I took a sip of my drink.

Her face softened, her playful demeanor momentarily replaced with genuine concern. "Hey, you promised me no work talk tonight. I dragged you to Vegas for fun, not to mope about spreadsheets."

I nudged her gently, the weight of the past few months momentarily lightening. "What would I do without you, huh?"

She winked. "Probably sit in a corner and calculate profit margins. Wait a minute… holy shit.”

“Huh? What’s holy shit?”

“That right there.”

I followed her gaze and saw him.

Across the crowded bar stood a man who, even in this ostentatious setting, managed to stand out. Impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, he exuded an aura of controlled power. His jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes were hard to miss, even from a distance. There was something cold, almost aloof, about him, but an undeniable magnetism pulled me in.

A smirk played on his lips as our eyes met, and for a split second, the world seemed to stop.

"Well, well, Ellie Mayer," Lila teased, her voice dripping with mischief. "Looks like Vegas might just be your lucky city after all."

“Wait, what?” Using all the ability I had, I tore my eyes from the man and turned my attention back to Lila. “What’re you talking about? Like, me and that guy?”

"Seriously, Ellie? That kind of chance doesn't just fall into your lap every day. And, let's be real, you could use some spontaneity in your life," Lila exclaimed, nodding towards the striking man across the bar.

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Come on, Li. For all I know, he's got a secret layer of creepy just waiting to surface. I'm not here for some 'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas' fling."

She arched an eyebrow, her lips pursed in mock disbelief. "Seriously? That's your defense mechanism kicking in? Maybe, and hear me out, he's just, you know, a ridiculously good-looking guy at a bar. Occam's razor, darling."

Chuckling, I took another sip of my drink, the alcohol loosening the knots of tension in my shoulders. "Oh, so now you're throwing philosophical principles at me? Someone's had one too many cosmopolitans."

Lila leaned in closer, her expression serious. "Honestly, Ellie, if you don't pounce on that, I just might. Can't let a catch like that go to waste."

I snorted, almost choking on my drink. "Pounce? Really? Since when did you turn into a Vegas cougar?"

Lila laughed but then suddenly squinted her eyes, focusing intently on the mystery man. "You know, there's something... familiar about him. Can't put my finger on it."

Curiosity piqued, I followed her gaze, studying him again. He stood with an air of elegance, every bit the embodiment of calm and confidence. It was intriguing how a man of his stature and striking features appeared to be there alone, sipping his drink with an unaffected ease. He didn't fit the typical Vegas partygoer profile at all. His solitude amidst the chaotic scene spoke volumes about his self-assuredness.

"Maybe he's an actor? Or one of those Wall Street moguls that grace the covers of Forbes?" Lila mused, clearly trying to place him.

I chuckled. "Or maybe he's just a regular guy who knows how to wear a suit."

Lila smirked, pulling me from my barstool. "Enough of this detective work. Let's dance!"

Before I could protest, I found myself being led to the dance floor, the music's thumping beats consuming us. Lila's laughter and our dancing blended seamlessly with the sea of ecstatic revelers. The neon lights painted a kaleidoscope of colors on our bodies as we lost ourselves to the rhythm. Maybe it was the drink I’d finally finished, m. Maybe it was the deep desire to forget about all of my troubles back home. Whatever it was, I felt I could finally cut loose.

Caught up in the exhilarating rush of the night, I nearly forgot about the enigmatic man who'd sparked our entire conversation. But a brief lull in the music reminded me, and I instinctively glanced over in his direction.

He was gone.