Chances (Mystic Nights #1) Read online

  CHANCES

  Book 1 of the Mystic Nights series

  By

  MJ Nightingale

  Chances Copyright © 2015 MJ Nightingale

  Published by MJ Nightingale

  Kindle Edition

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  Published: MJ Nightingale December, 2015

  [email protected]

  Editing: Keriann McKenna

  Cover Design © Melissa Gill at MG BookCovers

  Photography and Cover Image: CJC Photography

  Cover Model: Tyler Sarry, Fitness Coach

  Formatting by: Paul Salvette BB eBooks

  This book is intended for a mature audience of eighteen and older.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Note from the Author

  The Mystic Nights Series

  More Books by MJ Nightingale

  The Bounty Hunters: The Marino Bros.

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  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 s
heets 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.

  He glanced up at the massive festive clock hung for just this occasion. It was nearly midnight. He smiled wryly to himself. It was time to make his move. When he looked back down to scan the crowd, he was shocked to find the gorgeous beauty standing directly in front of him. Her friends were giggling behind her as they gave her a nudge in his direction. Her pink tongue darted out to lick her glossy bottom lip, and on a breath she pulled a corner of it into her mouth. He quickly stifled the groan that threatened to slip out.

  “Are you enjoying yourselves, ladies?” he asked smoothly, looking directly at Aliya and paying no attention to the two beauties behind her. One was in emerald and the other a sleek silver dress. Aliya nodded and rapidly blinked her large brown eyes, clearly startled. Jonathan heard the other girls agreeing and expressing their gratitude, but he didn’t break eye contact with the beauty before him. Right now, he had eyes only for her. And he very much liked what he saw.

  *

  Aliya picked up a glass from a passing waiter and took a soothing cold sip of fizzy champagne. She needed it. This man, in his black suit, exuded confidence and pure animal magnetism. It took all of her will power not to flee. It had been her friends who encouraged her to come and thank their boss for the party. Because of her alcohol consumption and desire to be close to him, she had agreed. Foolish. That was what she was. Her confidence was quickly fading. Up in smoke under his predatory chocolate gaze.

  All month long she had been avoiding his advances. His flirtations. But tonight, whether it was the alcohol or the long dry spell she was in, she hadn’t been able to resist glancing his way time and time again. She didn’t know what possessed her to enter his orbit. The man was scorching hot. And just his nearness sent her senses reeling.

  For weeks, her friends, Tara and Michelle, kept encouraging her to go after the bossman. Every single woman at Mystic Nights Casino & Spa lusted after him, or his brother Joseph. Both were quite the catch. Tall, muscular, dark, and powerful. It was a heady combination. But, they had reputations. Love them well and leave them. Those were the rumors.

  That didn’t bother Aliya though. She wasn’t looking for love and avoided dating co-workers, especially the co-chair of the entire casino. Her boss. But the man was just too damn tempting. She felt the pull of attraction, and imagined what he looked like under that finely cut suit.

  Aliya’s eyes travelled the length of him. Those brown eyes, flecked with gold, told her all she needed to know. He was just as attracted to her as she was to him. Her gaze quickly swept over the rest of him. His shoulders, damn, who had shoulders like that? The man may have been a business man, but he definitely knew the inside of a gym. Power. He exuded it from every pore. Her eyes traveled down and she took in his chest and his torso. It was trim, and his legs looked impressively powerful as well. She imagined herself rapping her legs around him. She took another sip of her drink to cool down. It wasn’t working.

  When she looked up again, Jonathan gave her a stunning smile from his handsomely chiseled face. Her friends were laughing at her. Obviously her perusal had not gone unnoticed, and he must have said something about it, but God knows what words escaped his lips. Lips she wanted to bite and suck on. She blushed in embarrassment knowing she’d been caught more than just ogling the man.

  Tara elbowed her and it helped to break the spell Aliya was under. She indicated the dance floor with a tilt of her chin. Jonathan was getting closer and took her elbow. The moment his hand touched her skin, she was on fire. Finally clueing in on the missed part of the conversation, she turned after handing Tara her glass and led the way to the dance floor. Dancing. This was something she knew how to do. But still Aliya felt his hand stroke her gently on the arm, and it kept her disconcerted. She felt dizzy and little faint as he turned her smoothly into his waiting arms. When she met his eyes, all thought evaporated from her mind except being handled by this man.

  The song that played wasn’t slow, but it wasn’t fast either. The couples on the dance floor were close to their partners, and he pulled her in. She felt every inch of him, every inch of his arousal too, pressing up against her. She looked into his eyes and began to move. Her body instinctively swayed to the music, enticing him, leading him. And he followed.

  “Aliya, you look ravishing tonight.” Jonathan wasn’t smiling any longer. In fact, his face looked pained. He was feeling it too. This woman in his arms was driving him wild. Every sway of her hips, each small thrust of her body against him was pushing all the right buttons.

  “Thank you,” she murmured seductively. Her words came out in two small gasps.

  The song was winding down, and a slower song took its place. He pulled her in, closer, letting her know how hard he was for her. She gave out a small moan of pleasure, and instead of pulling away, she pushed herself in deeper. The ridge of his cock pressed suggestively against her belly, but she wanted to feel it lower. Much lower. Her actions were not the work of her mind, but the traitorous willfulness of her body.

  “Aliya.” He said just her name. Gruffly. She looked up and saw him inhaling the scent of her hair. His nostrils flaring. She looked at his lips and she felt a pool of warmth deep inside her core.

  “Yes,” she moaned, pushing harder against him, needing release, needing more.

  “I have a suite upstairs.” It was a statement.

  The walls of her pussy clenched. Her muscles spasmed. She felt herself getting wet. Without a moment of thought, she knew she would go through with it. She didn’t hesitate. Her inhibitions were gone. “Let’s go.”

  For a month, she had resisted this devilishly stunning man. She couldn’t do it any longer. She was giving in to this temptation. Just this once. Thank-you alcohol.

  *

  Jonathan was leading the tipsy brunette down the hallway of the fourteenth floor when his watch blipped. It was midnight. He was just feet away from his suite, but did not want to lose this opportunity for a midnight New Year’s Eve kiss. He turned sharply, and took Aliya by surprise. “It’s midnight. Happy New Year, Aliya.” His hand snaked up her arm until the back of her head was cradled in his hand. Her lips parted as he pulled her to him for just a taste.

  Aliya had been waiting for this. Jonathan’s lips on hers. And she met him half way. Her decision had been made downstairs, and she was going all in. Grabbing the lapels of his designer suit, she leaned into him. The moment his lips touched hers, the power of the kiss rocked her. His tongue speared her lips and she opened for it, wanting and needing more.

  Her groan of pleasure had his earlier hard on return full force. His aching crotch wanted to do what his tongue was doing. Plunge into her depths. She was returning the kiss, and tangling her tongue with his as he plundered the treasure that was her mouth. She tasted like strawberries and mint. It was intoxicating. Not wanting it to end, he pushed her back against the wall to steady her, allowing one hand to quickly slip deep into his pocket and pull out his key card. Fumbling and reaching, he managed to slide the card through the reader, and then grab the door handle and push. With it open, he lured her into his room without breaking the kiss. Her hands began to pull his jacket over his broad shoulders, and he was only to happy to oblige her.

  He broke the kiss, and they were both panting heavily as he shrugged out of his jacket. Aliya was already untying his tie, and he couldn’t resist diving in for another kiss although his body wanted so much more.

  Despite her state, her fingers made quick work of the tie. She then deftly tackled the buttons on his shirt while he plundered her mouth once more. Her pussy was throbbing, soaking her panties, demanding attention.

  When she finished with the buttons, she yanked the rest of his shirt out of his pants, and
he was unfastening them at the same time. Quicker than she could blink, his pants fell to his knees, and he stepped out of them pushing her backwards towards the bedroom in the overly large suite. His black silk boxers were generously tented showing just how much he wanted this to happen. She bit her lip when he slid his boxers down and her eyes widened in surprise. The man was massive. And she couldn’t wait to feel his cock inside of her. It had been such a long time, but she felt ready. Turning, she saw a door ajar and led him into what must be his home away from home. All of the Sassacus’ had rooms on this floor, as well as other members of the top brass.

  When the light flicked on behind her, it startled her momentarily. She felt Jonathan pressing himself behind her. “Lights on.” His voice was gruff as he unzipped her dress and pulled it down her arms, letting it drop to the floor. The red satin pooled at her feet and she easily stepped out of it.

  The view of her backside made him even harder. Her black silk thong made his mouth dry. He glanced at her toned body. Lithe and graceful, but powerful. And her legs. Damn, he wanted those legs wrapped around him when he plowed into her. He kissed her shoulder, and she shuddered with her own need under his touch. She turned in his arms and it was then he first got to see her breasts. And they were remarkable. High, pert, smooth with small brown tips, the nipples already puckered and demanding his touch. He cupped one and squeezed it gently, rubbing his palm against the surface as her head fell backwards. When he pinched it roughly, her mewl of pleasure had him pushing her gently to the bed as he crawled on top of her. He took her breast into his mouth further enticing her. The sounds she made excited him all the more.

  When she reached for his cock, he knew this was exactly what she wanted. Playing coy for over a month, he knew she was worth the wait. Her long slender fingers slid inside his boxers and she grasped him gently. But he didn’t want it gently. He wanted to plunge his cock into her over and over again until she screamed his name.

  He helped her by showing her what he wanted and grasped her clutched hand and squeezed harder. “Babe, tighter,” he commanded.