How To Marry A Billionaire: A BWWM Billionaire Romance (2 page)

“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.