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 h
ate 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.”
How To Marry A Billionaire: A BWWM Billionaire Romance Page 2
