Gilded Desires

Title: Gilded Desires Author: Misol Blurb: Between reason and raw attraction, Clara Hayes always chooses the latter. What begins as a careless game of lust between two jaded souls slowly unravels into something deeper—something Elliot Vance never saw coming. The more he drowns in her, the clearer it becomes: this is more than just obsession. This is ruin. A battle of wills between two people who should know better. Elliot Vance – The rebellious second son of the Vance dynasty. His reputation precedes him: all sharp edges and calculated charm, a man who trades in power and pleasure with equal ease. Clara Hayes (a.k.a. Sunny, Fortune Hayes) – By day, the whip-smart manager of Fortune Inn. By night, a bestselling erotica author who writes under a pen name, crafting fantasies hotter than the ones she lives. A modern romance where the sheets aren’t the only thing that get tangled. Contains explicit love scenes and mature themes. Chapter 1: Fortune Inn - The Marriage Pressure Clara Hayes never believed in that cliché about some people being destined from the moment they appear. Until she met Elliot Vance. Winter 2017, Willowbrook, Vermont - Heavy Snowfall Five winters had passed in Willowbrook, yet each snowfall still made Clara mutter under her breath: Wasn’t this place supposed to be mild year-round? She knew the historic town sat in the shadow of the Silverveil Peaks—technically part of the Greenwood Valley, though closer to the neighboring town of Frostvale. As snow piled higher outside, she hunched over her laptop, a heating pad clutched to her chest. Taylor Swift "Wildest Dreams" played on repeat through her speakers - the nostalgic ballad had become her recent writing anthem. Her best friend Lena Cole messaged, inquiring about the novel Clara hadn't updated in over six months. "Your editor can't reach you - they're calling me for updates now," the text read. When Clara didn't respond, the impatient Lena video-called. Seeing Clara's pallid complexion, Lena assumed she'd seen Daniel Shaw's wedding invitation. Daniel Shaw - Clara's ex of nearly three years - happened to be the maternal uncle of her stepfather's former wife. Their convoluted connection had forced them into a completely clandestine relationship, with Lena being their sole confidant. "Sunny..." Lena ventured cautiously, using Clara's pen name, "You're... not still hung up on Daniel, are you?" Hearing Daniel's name after five years gave Clara an odd sense of detachment. Time truly flew. "You have to move on!" Lena couldn't bear seeing her like this. "He's getting married. Why keep pining like some loyal widow?" "What's the date?" Clara asked, surprised by her own emotional neutrality. She hadn't even known about the wedding. "Did you get an invite?" "Christmas Day, December 25th." Lena instantly regretted mentioning it, redirecting her frustration: "Daniel's obviously using me as his messenger again - sending me the invite knowing I'd tell you. Some things never change." Clara glanced at the still-falling snow outside. "Include my gift money with yours. However much you give, I'll match." Lena scoffed. "Why would I gift him anything? I'd rather spend that money treating you in Willowbrook next month." As "Wildest Dreams" began replaying, the inn's door opened. Clara looked up to see an imposing figure enter - his aristocratic features so textbook-perfect they could've been lifted from one of her romance novels. The song's melancholic elegance suited him perfectly. "Guest just arrived," Clara hurriedly told Lena before switching to professional mode. "Welcome to Fortune Inn. I'm Fortune Hayes, the manager. Will you be checking in or just visiting?" Elliot Vance scanned the empty lobby. "You're alone here?" "Our staff are at the market. They'll return shortly." After this exchange, Elliot abruptly left. Clara spent ten perplexed minutes analyzing what she might've said wrong - until he reappeared dragging an enormous black suitcase. So he'd gone for his luggage... "Third-floor suite," Elliot said tersely, handing over his ID. "Seven nights." Clara blinked. "You've stayed with us before?" That particular suite was their most expensive accommodation. "A friend recommended it years ago." Having driven all night with snow soaking through his shoes, Elliot just wanted a hot shower. "Give me the key first. I'll settle payment later." As she watched him ascend through the glass-paneled staircase, Clara thought: At least he's low-maintenance. Normally, staff handled luggage transport since vehicles weren't permitted in the ancient town. He must've returned for his suitcase seeing she was alone. Examining his ID, the authoritative demeanor in Elliot's photo struck her as strangely familiar: Name: Elliot Vance Hometown: Federal Cross A professional who respected privacy, Clara rarely investigated guests. But something about this man's commanding presence compelled her to search "Elliot Vance" online. The top headline seized her attention: #FederalCrossTycoonElliotVanceBankrupt - Current Whereabouts Unknown. The accompanying photo matched her guest exactly. ----- Fresh from his shower, Elliot noticed multiple missed video calls from Shawn Rayne. His best friend answered instantly upon callback. Recognizing Fortune Inn's signature snow-capped mountain view through the window, Shawn launched into effusive praise about manager Fortune Hayes' beauty and charm. Elliot's brow furrowed. "What's she promised you?" Shawn had been shamelessly promoting Fortune Inn across Federal Cross. "Pure admiration for her professionalism!" Shawn defended. "And Fortune Inn has Willowbrook's best views - why else would I have advised you to acquire it years ago? If I'd had the funds then, you'd never have gotten it." His overexplanation rang hollow. Elliot simply wanted undisturbed solitude. "Don't reveal I own this place. Or that we're connected." "My lips are sealed. I've been telling your parents you're skiing in Switzerland." Shawn hesitated. "But if they check my car's GPS...?" The borrowed Mercedes G500 with Vermont plates was registered under Shawn's name. As Shawn updated him about liquidation teams moving into Vance Capital headquarters, Elliot remained impassive. "Monitor things in Federal Cross. We'll address the rest later." Having built his empire from scratch without family assistance, Elliot understood the bitter taste of rising from obscurity to prominence, only to face ruin. The timing was suspect - this financial collapse coincided exactly with his parents' intensified marriage pressures. Accepting help now would mean surrendering to their arranged marriage demands. This series of coincidences made Elliot increasingly certain his family had engineered his company's downfall.