One Night Stand With Billionaire

ner dress was worth more than three months of her rent, and the delicate fabric felt like it might disintegrate if she bre

de with two flutes of champagne. Her best friend and coworker looked effortlessly elegant in h

la, this is the Hudson Foundation's annual charity gala. Half t

with a wink. "Which means they're too busy preening to notice

ffairs, had called in sick with food poisoning twenty minutes before they were supposed to leave for the venue. As the junior planner, Arianna had been the obvious last-m

towers of champagne flutes, while waiters circulated with silver trays of hors d'oeuvres that pro

o network. Smile, be charming, and if anyone asks, you'

h a group of socialites. She took another sip of champagne and bega

he saw

werful people. The media portrayed him as a ruthless businessman-the self-made billionaire who'd taken his

ient hand through it, he exuded an aura of controlled power. His sharp jawline was set in what looke

icing how his presence seemed to create an invisible radius around him-people hov

e buffet table when a booming

to the twenty-fifth annual Hu

Arianna half-listened to the speech about charitable initiatives and corp

y son, Jace Hudson, who has some exci

stage with the confidence of someone who'd never doubted his place in the world.

onating through the ballroom. "As my fat

eedback. Jace's jaw

umbling with the equipment. Th

ence snapped. His fingers flexed once against the microphone stand before he

those nearby to hear. The technician pal

live events could be-but something about the way this billionaire could

r happened. His words were polished, his delivery flawless, but Arianna couldn't unsee that flash of irritation.

ht made h

ard the stage instead of away from it. She wasn't sure what she intended to do-maybe ju

r carrying a tray of champa

on the polished marble floor. She barely managed to catch herself befo

ell aroun

ress with trembling hands. The waiter was already apologizin

g the exit," he

to a private hallway, but that wasn't the point. "I'm sorry

dark brow arching. "It's ma

em is me not anticipating your ballroom's flooring choices

challenged, st

ething about his arrogant tone made her lift her

didn't change, but she saw something flicker in his eyes-sur

Luxe Affairs," he

question. "H

h to talk to me like that," he said, his v

d-this time sending her half-full champagne glass splashing directl

m seemed to ho

ostly pale. "Mr. Hud

ze remained locked on Arianna, who was torn between

n accident,

didn't reach his eyes. "And yet,

in his voice-made her pulse jump. She should have walked away. Instead, she heard herself

her shock, Jace laughed-a low, rough sound th

," he murmured, stepping

could see the flecks of gold in his blue eyes, the faint stubble shadowing his jaw. He

ack down. "I'd say t

wrist, his grip firm but not painful. "You want to play with fire?" he asked, his breath warm ag

closed behind them, his

but something raw and possessive. His hands slid into her hair, tilting her head back as h

ngled in his hair, she was lost. The heat of his body pressed against hers, the way his teeth graze

One reckles

omorr

nd it never