Sweet Nothing (The Sugar Rush #2)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Elizabeth

The sun had set behind me two hours ago, which wasn’t new for me, but today was a holiday so I had a choice to make: go out, or go home, open a pint of ice cream, and remind myself that I was lame and alone.

I’d just sent off the last email when a shadow fell over my desk. “Any plans for this evening?” Mr. Keaton asked as he tapped on my open door, which was next door to his much larger office. We were the only two remaining in the building except for the security at the entrance.

I gave him a half-hearted smile. “Nothing in particular. You?” Although I was his assistant, we didn’t share much of our personal lives.

He had a difficult family situation that got in the way of his business, and blissfully, we had avoided discussing mine from the moment I signed my employment contract.

He shook his head. “No, I’m going to go home and rest. I’m sure everything will be fine, but I want to be alert should anything happen overnight.” I closed down my email and then powered down my laptop. Standing, I grabbed my computer bag off my coat hook and slipped my laptop inside.

“Let me know if you need me.” I enjoyed my job, but not enough to work all night long like my boss. It was his baby, so he devoted his existence to it.

“You really should get out some.” My brow shot up and my lips pursed shut as I nearly choked on the audacity.

“Yeah. Is this where I take your advice because you’re not using it?” I questioned because there would be a tie for who the hermit was more. Although I still believed he beat me.

“Yes,” he said, bursting out laughing.

He walked back to his office while I finished getting myself ready to leave. It was freezing out, so I slipped on my warm wool coat and thick scarf. After I had gathered my things, I closed my office door and locked it. I stopped by his office to say goodnight.

He was packing his satchel with his laptop and then turned off his desk lamp when I said, “You know, I might take your advice and go out tonight. I only need to figure out where to go.”

“We have an invitation to the New Year’s Eve party at the Seneca.” It was a brand-new condo hotel worth more than most, and it was a crown jewel taking over a prime spot looking over Times Square and the ball. It would be perfect tonight.

“I do have the invite, but it’s under your name,” I reminded him.

“Yes, but it’s for my company, and you are my best employee. They’ll let you in. I’ll make sure of it.” He winked. He was so sure of everything, and I didn’t doubt he would make it happen.

“Fine. Maybe I’ll find my way down there.”

When I got home, Mr. Keaton shot me a message. Got you in under your name.

Thanks. Happy New Year.

Great. Now I had to make an appearance so I didn’t feel like an ass after he went through all that trouble.

So, I showered and then styled my thick, wavy hair into luscious waves.

I slipped on a black, silky slip dress and a large gray faux fur coat.

I walked to the subway, but it was so crowded that it took me a long time to get inside.

Maybe I should have ordered a private car.

The Forty-Second Street station was jammed as we got out.

Still, I managed to make it to Times Square to witness the madness that was going on there.

Large crowds gathered as expected, which helped on the cold night.

They blocked the breeze from hitting me directly.

We had two hours until the ball dropped and the old year rolled into a new one.

The hotel was a short distance from my location, according to my phone’s map.

Having plenty of time, I made my way across the street to a club to get a quick peek and check out the atmosphere.

Everyone was tossing them back. Shots and drinks were going around as if it were a free-for-all.

Taking my purse, I moseyed up to the bar to get a drink before I made my way to the hotel.

“Can I get whatever fruity drink you got that’s fast?

” I asked the bartender. There were several specials on the board, but the sign was blocked by partygoers.

I needed some liquid courage before I strolled over to the extravagant party.

Mr. Keaton gave me too much credit when it came to class and grace.

I was way over my head when it came to most of his clients, so much so that I hid in my office during his meetings and never met most of them.

“Sure thing, sexy.” He poured me a drink from the machine that had a blue mix behind him.

It smelled fantastic. I slid a twenty across the bar and then sipped on it.

Damn, it tasted just as good as it looked with a hint of vodka and blue raspberry.

It was fine for me because alcohol knocked me on my ass.

I was a lightweight, and a few drinks would have me sleeping on the damn subway if I wasn’t careful.

I nearly finished my drink as I watched the overly crowded bar grow fuller by the minute. My shoulders stiffened and my palms were sweating. I’d never had a panic attack before, and I wasn’t going to start now. I had to get out of there.

I could easily walk to the Seneca Hotel, so I made my way toward the exit.

I was almost outside when I was greeted by a group of women around my age who were just leaving a booth near the door.

A statuesque woman with straight blonde hair asked, “Hey, girl, what are you doing? Please tell me you’re not out here alone.

” She eyed me up and down a little too suggestively, and I wondered if she was hitting on me.

Doing myself a favor, I lied, “I was waiting for some friends, but I think they’re going somewhere else instead.”

“Damn, that sucks. My friends and I are going to the Seneca Hotel for their exclusive party, and we have an extra invite. You can join us.” She waved the flashy black and gold invitation in front of me.

“I’m telling you, it’s the place to be,” a beautiful brunette said, pressing her chin on the blonde’s shoulder.

“There are always tons of rich men there.”

“You ladies go every year?” I asked, getting to know who I was associating with.

“Well, I don’t, but Kara and Kate do,” the brunette said, pointing to the two other girls in their tight outfits. Gauging their style, I would fit in perfectly tonight. “I’m Jessa, by the way.”

“It’s normally hosted elsewhere, but they managed to get it at the new hotel. We don’t know who owns it, but I’m hoping to get an introduction. Hopefully, he’s single or at least up for a sugar baby,” Kate, the smaller blonde, said.

“Well, do you want to come? My boss asked me to bring extra women, so it’s not a bunch of men.”

“This is not some escort thing, right?”

She giggled and shook her head, slapping her sparkly silver nails on my forearm. “No. I work for one of the city’s councilmen.”

“Work on your back,” the brunette teases.

“Shut up.”

As much as I didn’t want to find a rich man, I also didn’t want to be alone or be in this chaos, so I agreed.

If I didn’t like their vibe, I could always separate.

It wasn’t like I needed their hookup to get in.

I had a VIP pass to the party tonight, but at least I didn’t have to use Mr. Keaton’s clout to get in.

“That’s great. I’d love to come.” It did feel nice not to have to show up alone.

“Good. Let’s go before it gets any crazier out there and the guys there get too drunk,” Kara said.

“I’m not planning on walking in these.” She pointed to her killer heels that were not meant for the city streets.

She called out to the cabbie who was just letting someone out. “Hey, are you available?”

“Yes, beautiful.” He winked at her while boldly raking his eyes up and down her body.

She ignored his obvious appraisal and said, “We’re only going here.” She showed him the address on her phone, and he nodded.

“Hop in.”

All five of us jumped into the taxi, and it took us to the five-star hotel. His eyes drifted to the rearview mirror, feverishly staring at us, I was surprised we didn’t crash. I rolled my eyes, wanting to poke him in the eyeballs, but we had a short trip.

As soon as we got out of the cab, she paid him and I offered to pay her, but she shook her head. “Girl, please. My treat. Besides, I was paying for these bitches anyway.”

“Yeah, she loves us so much,” Kate giggled, clinging to Kara’s arm.

“No, it’s just easier and we went freaking five blocks.” She shook her head and laughed. “Let’s get this party started. I need drinks and to get laid.”

I hadn’t accompanied Mr. Keaton when he walked through the plans for the hotel security, so this was my first time here. The place was gorgeous and completely immaculate. It was clearly catered to the elite, and I was grateful that I had dressed extremely well.

We were let into the VIP party, and all of us got in easily after giving our bags and coats to the check-in. No phones were allowed. I twisted my lips, wondering why that was a thing, but then I supposed that anything could be leaked to the press.

As soon as we got into the mid-size darkened ballroom overlooking Times Square, there were men and women mingling in every inch of the room. Still, the girls wasted no time in snatching my hand and dragging me over to the large bar setup.

My new friend leaned over the bar, giving the bartender a show. “We need a drink, Maurice.” She double-tapped his nametag with her long nails.

“Ladies, we have two special cocktails: the ball drop and the fireworks.”

“We’ll take the ball drop, but first we’ll do a group shot,” Kara answered for us. He shook his head and smiled, stopping to smile at me before he worked on the shots. Within a minute our four shots were laid out.

“Time for the shot, ladies,” she ordered. We all took the shot glass and, on the count of three, tossed it back. I shook my head and laughed as the liquor burned my throat. It had been a long time since I’d drank, and an even longer time since I tossed back shots of tequila.

The bartender chuckled as he made several drinks and slid them across the bar.

He paused directly in front of me and winked.

“Enjoy, beautiful,” Maurice said, smirking at me as he slid the glass toward me.

I accepted it just as he grazed his fingers across mine.

The flirting couldn’t be any more obvious, and although I wasn’t interested I enjoyed the little game.

“I will.” I smiled back, giving a little bit of a flirty tilt of my shoulder.

I needed to loosen up a bit, and the bartender was the way to go.

He wasn’t a threat because he was working, and I wouldn’t be staying much longer.

I took the drink and then turned my back to the bar to look at the guests.

They might have intentions of hooking up, but I was going home with my lady bits still intact and unbeaten.

Kara’s friends left her, and then she turned to me. “Come on. Let’s meet some of these men.” She gripped my arm a little harder than I appreciated. I tugged it back.

“I’m just going to hang out here for a minute.” I lost my nerve with all the men in the room. I turned my hip to the edge of the bar and sipped on my drink.

“That’s fine, but I need to meet with some of the men. I’ll be right back.”

“Sure.”

“So, are you enjoying your night?” Maurice asked, leaning toward me.

“Yes, I am,” I lied. I was ready to call it a night. This wasn’t my scene. I tossed back my drink and set it on the bar top. The girls came back to my side in a fit of giggles. “Girl, there are several guys we’d like you to meet.”

“Really?” I’d probably met some of them through meetings with Mr. Keaton, but they wouldn’t recognize me dressed like this.

In the office, I hardly wore any makeup, and I definitely didn’t dress so provocatively.

My dress cut at my upper thigh and dipped low, showing more than I’d ever allowed before.

At work, I did my best not to attract attention after Mr. Keaton’s brother made a pass at me.

He was too much to handle and was always trying to hit on anything that moved.

I’d give myself until the ball dropped, and then I was out of this place. The countdown was minutes away, according to several displays set up around the large, glammed-out room.

“Beautiful, here’s your next drink.” I reached for it, and then Maurice pulled the same move as earlier, attempting to caress my skin, but I wasn’t playing that game anymore. His overt flirting had gotten stale, and my enjoyment of the party faded.

I almost dodged his touch and snagged the glass when a hand clamped onto my wrist, stopping me from taking the drink.

In that moment, everything shifted. Every nerve in my arm was electrified, a sensation that began at the sensitive skin of my racing pulse, spread through my body, and slammed in my chest. I had a feeling that nothing would ever be the same again before I even turned around to meet the owner of the powerful grip.