The Billionaire's Forbidden Flame

The hall had the scent of expensive cigarettes, old money, perfume that cost millions of dollars secrets no one ever dared to know or even speak aloud. Every inch of the ballroom sparkled, from the chandelier dripping with crystals to the golden trays carried by white-gloved servers. New York City’s finest out in their full regalia at the Clover Foundation’s annual charity gala in Manhattan was a playground for the rich, the handsome, the beautiful, the powerful and most especially the dangerous, and Ariana Clark had floundered into their den. Her borrowed red hugged her body a little too much like a secret. The slit up the thigh was higher than what she felt comfortable with, but Celia insisted “if you’re going to a room full of billionaires, don’t dress like a lecturer and let everyone know. Show the wolves some skin girl!!” Now, Ariana could feel the eyes of the wolves watching her every move. Especially one in particular.He stood at the other end of the hall, his tuxedo perfectly tailored to his tall, broad body frame and black hair with brown highlights. His jawline shaped like that of a god. Blue eyes capable of seeing everything yet revealing nothing. Jason Ashton wasn’t just the youngest billionaire but also the most infamous in the city and everyone knew.And he watched her slowly and thoroughly.Ariana wanted to get her eyes off him but there was something in the way he relaxed casually against the counter. The way his lips curved slightly. His head tilted. He looked very curious and -that him not only hot but very dangerous. “Stop staring,” Celia whispered, standing beside her. “You look like you’re about to dissolve.” “He’s looking at me like I’m a toy and he’s about to play with me.” “I can’t be here, I shouldn’t be here.”“And you’re still here.Welcome to this prestigious den.” Ariana turned around wanting to disappear into the crowd, but it was already to late. The beautiful host stepped onto the podium, using a spoon to tap his glass. He got everyone’s attention. Laughter subsided. All eyes turned to the stage.“Ladies and Gentlemen,” the host said, “we’ve had an unprecedented evening. Over two hundred billion dollars raised for the Clover Foundation! But we’re not yet done. The last item to be done is an extraordinary opportunity-an exclusive evening with Jason Ashton himself. Dinner, drinks, and…. well, I’m sure you already know the rest.”The audience erupted in gasp and mischievous laughter. Photographers getting ready to capture memories. A woman in a black cocktail dress. “Fifteen thousand!” “Thirty!” “Forty!” The numbers were just flying across the room. Ariana stood frozen, horror crept into her chest. “What’s going on?” she whispered. Celia was grinning like a devil. “Surprise! He agreed to it last minute. Some insider bet with the board of directors, apparently. Come on, live a little.” “I should bid on him?” “Not that Ari, I want you to win him.” Before Ariana could say anything, a voice shouted, “One hundred thousand!”Head turned in the direction it came from. Jason’s head slanted. Ariana was in complete shock.Celia waved her pamphlet with one hand, sipping cocktail with the other. Ariana hissed, “Celia!” “Too late,” her friend said contentedly. “You’re in now.”The room was put to dead silence as the auctioneer slammed the gavel. “ Sold, To the lady in red.”Jason stepped forward, slow-paced. The audience cleared the pathway for him like silk torn open by a spade. When he stood by Ariana, he didn’t offer a handshake. He offered something more menacing- a slow, intentional smirk. “Miss Clark.” He whispered, smooth voice like velvet- sending shivers down her spine. “Congratulations baby girl.”Ariana met his sharp gaze. “You should know- I don’t medals or trophies.” “And also noted that,” he said, pressing into her back, “I don’t come with a manual.” Their gazes met. Something raw and electrifying shimmered in the air between them. His aroma, a concoction of leather, cedarwood, and something strong and black, was too close. She detested the way her skin warmed and her pulse jumped in response to him. Good girls were ruined by this type of man, who left them begging for more. He whispered, "I hope you know what you just bought. ""I hope you understand that I'm not a gamer."He c****d his head. "All right. as I never play fairly. He extended his arm to her. After a moment of hesitation, Ariana placed her hand in the bend of his elbow.She heard the murmurs behind them as they came down the stairs. Who is she? She is not real. He will devour her. Or fall in love with her. Ariana was unconcerned. Not quite yet. Not until Jason drew closer and said, "This night is yours, Ariana," in a whisper that was barely audible to her. But eventually, I always take charge. She gasped. She was clueless as to what she had gotten herself into. One thing, though, she was certain of: she was going to find out.