Chances (Mystic Nights #1)
M.J. Nightingale
Chapter 1
?
The woman was stunning. Absolutely gorgeous. There was no denying it. But ever since she started a month ago, she’d been avoiding him like the plague, giving him the cold shoulder.
Tonight, she was acting differently. She kept glancing Jonathan’s way across the large, festively decorated ballroom. He nodded her way and she gave him a bright smile, her onyx eyes crinkling in the corner as she tossed her long mane of dark waves over her shoulder yet again. God, how he wanted to run his fingers through it. Pull her hair to gain access to her mouth. Those lips beckoned him. He could barely keep his eyes off of her, let alone will his manhood not to react to the temptress with the most amazing legs he’d seen in years.
Encouraged by the alcohol, Aliya lifted her cocktail, something fruity and celebratory he guessed, in his direction. Not that he was counting, but it was at least her third drink that evening. He’d never seen her let her hair down before. Figuratively, and literally. He was most certainly enjoying it, too. Immensely.
Her rich mahogany hair cascaded just past her shoulders in a curtain of perfection. He had spoken to her just a few times in the past month, complimenting her, and letting her know he was interested if she was game, but she’d always shut him down. Quickly.
He had never gone beyond the light flirtation though. If a woman wanted to take him up on his offer, she had to let him know in no uncertain terms. As their boss, he didn’t want any misunderstandings, or sexual harassment issues to plague him.
Jonathan Sassacus never had to work hard to attract someone of the opposite sex. He had plenty of more than willing partners. Plus, he didn’t have the time for a relationship, didn’t want one at the moment, and unless the woman was willing to enjoy a quick fling or one night of passion, he was normally not interested.
But Aliya Chance was something else. She was all legs, and the rest of the package was pretty incredible. Her eyes were black coals, almond shaped, and intriguing.
His body was definitely telling him he was interested. He felt his cock begin to stir again when she looked his way once more, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Tonight she was on fire, and showing her hand. Well, quite a bit more than her hand. Her tight red cocktail dress was stunning. It reached mid thigh, and the slit on the left went higher. The bodice was low, revealing the tops of her perfectly sized high breasts. His palms itched to test their weight.
Eyes sparkling in their intensity, he tipped his glass in return. Aliya smiled coyly, and the two girls she sat with laughed while nodding his way. They were encouraging their friend’s bravery and he’d have to thank them later.
“Go mingle,” his mother’s interruption into his lascivious thoughts only slightly dampened his desires. He gave her a quick glance as she stood proudly on his left surveying the ballroom before her, and all of her employees. “Go. Have fun,” she encouraged with a nod of her head in the direction of where the dancers congregated. His mother never missed a thing. Even in this massive crowd. He glanced down at her once more. Tawny Sassacus was still stunning at forty-eight. She had a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
“I plan to,” he smiled affectionately before handing his empty glass of champagne to a passing waiter. He pressed a kiss to his mother’s cheek before beginning to make the rounds of the tables surrounding the dance floor. He weaved his way around making sure to stop at each table and say just a few words to each department before moving on. These parties helped to keep morale up at the Mystic, and the employees enjoyed having a night out with each other.
He nodded at the dozen people sitting at the table before him. “Happy New Year, Tom,” he greeted his head of security at Mystic Nights casino. “I hope you’re all enjoying yourselves.” Tom sat with a few other very large men on the security team. They were accompanied by their girlfriends and wives, and all seemed to be enjoying themselves, but Tom was focused. The man had a hard time putting the job behind him. He was always on alert, blue eyes scanning the crowds periodically. Those in security not working were almost all in attendance. It took four tables just to seat half of the casinos security detail.
The New Year’s Eve party was for all of the employees of the casino. Tomorrow night, they would have another party for the remaining staff who worked this evening but still wanted to attend. It was a tradition his mother, Tawny Sassacus, started four years ago when the casino first opened. She gave the employees their bonus, and threw a party for the entire staff. It worked wonders to keep morale up and there was also less employee turnover that way. In the summer, she hosted a series of barbecues and family events.
From the corner of his eyes, Jonathan saw Aliya and two of the other dancers employed by the casino hit the dance floor. The woman knew how to move. He’d seen one of her performances, and it had impressed him. But this kind of dancing had a very different effect on him, one much more enjoyable. He couldn’t help but imagine her dancing for him, just him. Again his cock stirred.
He greeted ten people sitting at the next table. Many of them were from the kitchens. All the while Aliya stayed in his peripheral vision. Damn it all. He wanted that woman, dancing in the sheets beneath him.
After four more tables, he finally saw the girls return to their table. He waved casually and smiled at the next few groups, card dealers, slot techs, money counters, bartenders, waitresses. There were over 500 employees in attendance tonight. Another 400 hundred responded for tomorrow night’s gathering.