21 Nights with Billionaire Boss (Magic Island #1)

1. Chapter One

Chapter One

M addie

I’m unpacking my suitcase when it tumbles out—Todd’s notepad containing scheduled plans for our trip. I snatch it up and toss it across the spacious, primly decorated room. It slams into the wall and tumbles into the trash can.

Satisfaction doesn’t fill me as I expect. Instead, a bone-deep weariness forces me to drop onto the fluffy bed and bury my face in my hands.

“You’re supposed to be having fun, Maddie.” I run shaky fingers through my thick brown waves.

Massaging my scalp always helps me feel better but right now, it just reminds me that it used to be Todd’s job until he fucked another woman.

I gulp back a tear and release a slow breath.

Two weeks have passed since I caught them together.

I should be getting over it by now, but it still stings.

Five years down the drain. Just like that.

Maybe I wouldn’t feel so lost if our breakup didn’t coincide with losing my job. Yep, both on the same day.

Now, at 29, I have no love life. No job. And I’m on vacation in Magic Island knowing that when I get back to the city, I’ve got lots of work to do. Where’s the fun in that?

My phone rings and I grab it from my purse. It’s Nat, my BFF, who gladly took Todd’s spot as my plus-one on this trip.

“Where are you?” The background is filled with cheering.

Nat is already at the garden party we spotted on our way in. It’s open to everyone and she swore she’d get down there once we checked into the resort hotel.

She’s fast.

“I’m just setting aside my stuff.”

“Mads, what are you doing? Did you come all the way to THE Magic Island to clean up? You’ll fix your clothes whenever. Come down and enjoy the party, dude.”

“But—”

“No excuses. You only fix your closet when you are sad and I’m not letting you mourn Todd for a second longer than necessary. And that second expired two weeks ago. Come out now or I’m coming for your perky ass.”

“Fine.” I throw my head back with a groan. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“See you soon.”

I toss my phone onto the bed and stuff the closet with my clothes. The only pieces left are a bikini and a sheer flower-patterned gown.

Because I was so sad I couldn’t leave the house, Nat did the shopping for this trip. I should have known letting her go alone was a wrong move. While Nat thinks the littler clothes, the better. I’m the opposite.

I glance at the closet doors and shrug. Anymore dilly-dallying and Nat would find her way up here and hassle me. Best to get dressed and get down instead of looking for something else to put on.

I slip out of my basic underwear and fit into the bikini. I stop in front of the long mirror. My jaw drops. Of course, it’s a size too small.

“Natalie...” I grumble.

My phone starts to ring again. Sure she’s calling me to make sure I’m on my way, I slip into the sheer gown. It’s soft on my skin, the sleeves reaching to my wrists and the hem flowing around my feet. And it’s showcasing every inch of my body.

My phone’s consistent buzzing irritates me. “Fine! Sheesh. I’m coming down.”

I grab my purse and phone and head out. Thankfully, no one’s in the hallway to see me looking this dressed down. By the time I get to the party, everyone there would be similarly dressed and I won’t be the odd one out.

I take a second to appreciate the art on the wall and the plush carpet lining the hallway.

I fill my lungs with much-needed oxygen and exhale. Leaving the hotel room already has me feeling better. I’m going to enjoy myself. I press the button on the elevator and wait.

My phone rings. Again.

I grab it from my purse, ready to lay into Nat. But it’s a number that isn’t hers. I know this because first, there’s no caller ID and secondly, I have this number stored in my memory because I used it to reach my ex for five years.

The elevator door slides open but I’m too busy glaring at my phone screen, my thumb hovering over it, indecisive. It would be great to pick up and give my ex a piece of my mind. But I also don’t want to ruin my day talking to him.

“Are you coming in or what?” a deep baritone voice says.

I look up and my mouth pops open. A literal god stands in the elevator.

He’s wearing a light gray suit with a white shirt underneath.

The open collar reveals deep olive skin.

Pushing out a breath, I look up to meet eyes that are a dark blue, almost black.

Even the atmosphere around him carries the same energy and I debate entering the elevator. Not because I’m terrified.

No, I’m worried about what I’d do locked in a space with this man. For reasons unknown to man, a chill races through my body and I know it’s only him that can warm me.

His eyes assess me too, and they grow darker. Probably because I’m nearly naked.

The elevator doors begin to slide together. He stops their smooth glide with a firm hand.

“Come in,” he stresses.

Yeah, right. That’s what I’m supposed to do. I step forward, just over the threshold of the elevator doors, and stop there.

There is no way I’m drawing closer to him.

The doors start to move again. This time, they close and then we’re descending. I feel a tug and then—

Twaarrpp.

What in the world?

I look down and my heart jumps into my throat. The entire lower half of my dress is gone. And I’m standing in a public space with only my bikini bottoms and half of a dress.

Shame heats my cheek. I glance up and the man’s looking at me, a slight sneer on his lips. I press my thighs together but there’s no way to hide myself. I won’t be able to go back up until we get down. I have to risk running into other people.

Shit! What do I do?

I inch my way to the corner of the elevator and glue myself to the wall. Maybe if I make myself as small as possible, no one would notice me.

It doesn’t take long before the elevator stops. I spy a couple from behind my lashes when a broad back shields my view of them.

And them from me...

The man is helping me. More folks pour into the elevator but he has me blocked from all angles, standing strong like a sentinel.

The elevator stops again and others empty out. Save for me and the man. I expect him to leave.

“What’s your floor?” he asks, his voice sending warmth pooling in my belly.

“What?”

“I’m guessing you’d like to go change?” he speaks as if I’m reasoning too slowly. “On what floor is your room?”

“The sixth floor,” I blurt, glad he’s backing me and can’t see my blushing face.

The elevator rides us back up and this time, no one else joins us.

“Thank you,” my voice cuts into the silence.

He glances back, eyebrow lifted as if he has forgotten I’m here.

“For blocking me from their view.”

He hums a sound I take as a ‘you’re welcome,’ and goes back to watching the space ahead.

I’m mortified and I don’t know why. Aside from his silence, this very handsome man doesn’t mind helping me at all. And he hasn’t once made me feel weird for being here and naked. Except for the initial look. What was that about?

The elevator’s whirrs stop and the doors open. I start to step out but a hand grabs me by the elbow.

I turn to face him.

He shrugs off his jacket, giving me a front-row view of his bulging arms and firm pecs beneath his shirt.

I swallow. Loudly.

His eyes meet mine, a slight frown lining his forehead.

I clear my throat, gesturing around us. “The air’s a bit... warm.”

I have no scientific explanation for why that would result in an audible swallow and thankfully, he doesn’t press for more.

He drapes his jacket around my shoulders and it falls to my mid-thigh. “It’ll keep you covered on your walk down.” He nods to the hallway. “I’ve got a meeting to attend.”

“I... Thanks.”

He nods and steps back into the elevator as the doors close.

Once I’m alone, I gasp, my eyes wide. What the fuck?!

I hurry to my room, let myself in, and shrug off the jacket. Shamelessly, I press it to my nose and—good lord, there’s a hint of coconut and coffee and man. I take another whiff and fall back against the bed.

Something thumps. I sit up and search for the source of the sound. I find it next to a pillow. It’s a wallet. His wallet.

Oh, no.

I flip it open and find a card with his name—Chance Easton. Other cards line the wallet but no money and no contact info.

I was going to find him and give him back his jacket anyway. So now, I’ve got to do it quickly.

“Fucking finally.” Nat rolls her eyes as I walk into the Resort’s lush gardens. “It’s taken you years to get here. What happened?”

I give the colorful flowers a cursory glance before taking the seat next to her. “You won’t believe what happened to me.”

Nat squints. “Your eyes aren’t red meaning it wasn’t a whole lot of crying, so what?”

“Nat.” I slap her shoulder. I cried only once with her about Todd’s deceit. Now she wouldn’t let up about it. “I wasn’t crying. My dress tore.”

“Where?” Nat checks me out.

“I changed out of that dress.” Unfortunately, this one is equally sheer and fragile. “And a man helped me.”

Nat’s eyes are instantly twinkling. “You took a man to your room. You go, girl!”

“No, what?” My cheeks heat, because I thought exactly that—what if the brooding Chance Easton didn’t have his meeting and followed me up to my room?

Before Nat’s mind can run wild, I explain what happened.

“Oh, my.” She fans herself with her hand when I’m done. “Knight in shining armor much. Where’s the jacket and wallet? Let’s find him.”

“He said he had a meeting. I doubt he’d be at the hotel. I was thinking of handing them over to the receptionist.”

“What? No way!” Nat grabs me by the shoulders. “Are you insane? You’re going to hand them over to him yourself.”

“I don’t need to. Plus, I’m very embarrassed getting half-naked in front of him that way. I don’t think I want to see him again.” Even as I say so, I know that’s a lie. I very much hope to see him again.

Nat reads me like her Thriller novels. “Yeah, right. You look like you want to see him again and I’m here to help you do just that.”

“How?”

“Oh, you sweet summer child. I’m not telling you until the time is right.”

The right time is late evening. The garden party has wrapped up and Nat and I head back to our floor.

“Be ready for dinner in fifteen. And look smoking!” she instructs and struts to her room.

“Dinner is at 7 p.m. It’s only 5,” I mutter to the empty hallway.

I enter my room and my gaze snags on the suit jacket. I grab it and resist sniffing. That’s weird behavior.

I stall. No one will find out.

I press it to my nose and draw a deep breath. A shiver dances through me.

Quickly, I take a bath, put on a nice, casual evening gown, and tie my hair up. As ever, some ringlets fall loose and frame my face. Before I can stick them back up, there’s a knock at the door.

It’s Nat.

“Oh, my goodness!” she beams. “You look gorgeous, babe.”

“You think?” A smile curves my lip. “I was thinking of just fitting these into...” I reach for the loose hairs but she swats my hands away.

“You look perfect. Don’t touch anything.”

“Okay.” I take in her knee-length strapless dress and slick sandy blonde straight hair complete with expert-level makeup. “And so do you.”

“I know.” She flips her hair. “You’re ready to go, right? Grab the jacket and wallet.”

I do as I’m told and hurry to catch up as she’s already out of the room. “Nat, but dinner is at seven. What are we doing?”

“Keeping a lookout for him.”

I frown.

“Chance Easton? The man you want to bang?”

“Shut up,” I say and she smiles.

We get into the elevator and I flashback to earlier today. I grab my dress, holding it close to my body. The elevator is empty, save for an older couple who pay us no attention.

“We are going to wait at the bar until he comes. If he doesn’t, then...” She chews on her lip. “Well, he will have to come. He’s staying here so why won’t he?”

“Wait, do you expect me to run to him when he shows up and just accost him?” I’m gaping, because what?

Nat eyes me. “Um, not run, just walk elegantly.” She nods at my heels with approval. “Did you want to hide in a corner and hope he finds you?”

I blow out a breath. “I guess not.”

She throws an arm around my shoulder and pulls me to her side. “Look, it’ll be alright. Just try to look less nervous.”

That one would be a challenge.

We’re at the bar for nearly an hour and Chance Easton is a no-show. I could distract myself with awing at the glistening bar top or the chandeliers hanging from the too-high ceiling or the many elegantly dressed folks gliding around looking rich, but no.

I’m nervous all over. Many scenarios run through my head. What if Chance isn’t coming back? Would I go hours looking stupid carrying a suit jacket? What if he’s looking for me elsewhere and thinks I made away with his card details?

“Another glass for my friend,” Nat says to the bartender.

He proceeds to prepare another cocktail.

“She looks like she really needs one,” Nat says to me.

“I don’t.”

“You do,” she affirms. “Calm down.”

“I can’t. What if—”

“Shh.” Nat presses a finger to my lips, her eyes glued somewhere behind me. “Tall, dark, and handsome in a white dress shirt and gray slacks?”

My heart palpitates. “Yes, sounds like him.”

“Jesus, Mads. You should have invited him to your room.”

“Nat, stop!” My stomach twists. “What is he doing?” I don’t want to turn around and catch his eye.

“He’s going to the receptionist. Wait, nope. He’s coming over.”

My eyes widen. “Here? What?”

“Not to us. Here to the bar.”

Oh, God.

Inhale. Exhale. Panic.

I should have given over everything to the receptionist and never tried to meet him again. It wasn’t like he hinted at anything earlier on. Hell, he only pitied me. I’d look more pitiful trying to get his attention again.

“He’s seated. Now’s your time to swoop in,” Nat says.

I stay seated, my stomach quaking.

Nat does an exaggerated sigh. “Mads! Come on. Go!”

As she sees I’m not moving, an evil glint sneaks into her eye. She pulls me off the stool. I resist, but she manages to get me down.

“Go!” she whispers harshly, pushing me his way.

I stop, staring at his profile. His jaw is carved from marble, his frame strong and erect.

I inch forward, drawn to him. “Hi.” He keeps looking at his phone, frowning. I clear my throat and try again. “Hi.” I smile and wave.

He turns my way then. Deep blue eyes arrest mine.

I’m hooked.