Crossing the Line: A Steamy Billionaire Boss Romance

Vivian

“I love Vegas,” I say as I stand in front of the giant windows in our hotel room. My three friends, Katy, Simone, and Delly, nod in agreement.

“I hate that we have to leave tomorrow,” Delly says, flopping down on her bed. She’s in the main room with Katy while Simone and I are sharing the bedroom. The suite is expensive, but worth it for the view. We can see all the lights on the strip from up here.

“Me, too,” I say. So far, this trip has been a dream. My three best friends and I decided to take a weekend and explore Vegas. We all live in Nevada, but we’ve never been to Sin City before.

We got here on Wednesday, but we have to leave tomorrow.

Then, on Monday, the whole reason for this trip begins. My internship at Serendipity, a marketing company in Reno, starts Monday morning. I’m excited, but this is my first real job since high school, and I know it’s going to mean a big change in my lifestyle. This trip is a big last hurrah for my friends and me before I have to spend my weekends doing extra projects and making sure I stand out at this company. I need to make sure they like me. One intern every term is hired permanently. I’d like that to be me.

Honestly, I don’t know much about the company itself. I applied to about a hundred internships both locally and across the country. This one works out because I can live in the city, but I’m close enough to my home town of Shaker Falls to visit every once in a while.

Delly lays a hand on her stomach. “I shouldn’t have eaten so much. Why’d we go to a buffet?”

Simone laughs. “Because they’re Vivian’s favorite.”

“Well, then Vivian should’ve made sure I didn’t take one of everything.”

I throw a pillow at her. “It’s not my job to watch what you eat! Besides, it was worth it. Tell me that chicken wasn’t the best you’ve ever had.”

“Ugh, it was. I’m going to have to come back just for that.”

Buffet food isn’t usually the best, honestly, but in Vegas it’s different. The place we went to grills everything right in front of you. It’s amazing. I don’t blame Delly for overeating. My stomach feels full, too.

“I guess we should start packing up,” I say.

All three of my friends groan.

“Stop being responsible, Vivian,” Katy says. “We don’t have to check out until noon tomorrow. We’ll have plenty of time!”

“You say that now, but then we’re going to be out late and then sleep late and have to pay for an extra night,” I warn.

“It’ll be fine. I’m not ready to talk about leaving.”

“Me, neither. I just don’t want to worry about…”

Delly throws the pillow back at me. “Then don’t! Let’s talk about tonight, instead. What’s the plan? Because I am not spending our last night in Vegas in this hotel room. It’s nice as hell, but we still have so much we can see or do. It’s only nine!”

“We need to do something epic,” Katy says.

“But what? We’ve already gone to all the casinos on the strip. Did you have a favorite you want to revisit?” Simone asks.

I think about all the places we’ve been over the last four days. I did enjoy seeing all the casinos. Each one is unique with amazing décor. I’m not a big gambler, but I did play a few slots. I didn’t win anything, which sucks, but it was fun to try.

I’m not sure I’m in the mood for another casino. Tonight has to be the best night ever. It’s my last big hurrah before I join the adult world. I know it’s only an internship, but this could be the beginning of my career in marketing. I have my bachelor’s degree in the subject. Since I graduated a month ago, I’ve struggled to find the right job. This is my chance to prove that I’m good at marketing. I know I can do it.

But that isn’t until Monday. I still have this big night to celebrate with my friends.

We’re watching some show on TV. I glance at it as I think about what we should do. The characters are standing in line to get into a club.

My eyes sparkle. “I know exactly what we should do tonight.”

“What?” Delly asks, sitting up on the bed.

“Let’s go to a club! A really fancy one. We all brought our nice clothes, and we haven’t gotten to wear them yet.”

“You want to go to a club?” Delly stares at me.

“Come on, don’t say it like that.”

Simone laughs. “You never wanted to go to the club in college. I literally had to drag you out to the bar that one time, and you brought a book!”

“Okay, yeah, so it’s not usually my thing. But, when in Vegas, right?”

Simone grins. “Alright. Let’s get dressed, then. They don’t just let anyone into the nice clubs. We have to look the part.”

I open my suitcase and take out the garment bag I brought along. The girls and I all decided to bring one fancy outfit with us. I thought maybe we’d get dressed up and go out for an expensive dinner, but we never ended up following through. This is a perfect excuse to wear the outfits.

My dress is black and sleek. I’ve never worn it because I never had the occasion. Vegas seemed like the best place. I slip it on as the girls get on their own fancy dresses. My dress looks amazing on me. It hugs my curves in all the right places. My cleavage is perfect. I check myself in the mirror.

“Should I wear heels or flats?” I ask the girls.

“Heels!” they say in unison.

“Heels it is.”

As I slip into my black pumps, Delly, Simone, and Katy are putting the finishing touches on their own outfits. We’re all in dresses that fall above our knees. Delly’s is black like mine, while Simone and Katy have shades of blue.

“Let’s go to Code Blue,” Simone says.

My eyes widen. “What? Not a chance.”

“Come on! You said you wanted to go somewhere exciting. That’s the most exciting club in Vegas!”

Katy shakes her head. “It’s exclusive! There’s no chance we’ll get in. I don’t want to waste the entire night in line only to get turned away.”

“We’ll get in. Look at us! We’re four, hot, young women. We’re the exact type of people who get into clubs without any issue,” Delly declares.

I’m nervous. “Let’s just go somewhere else…”

“Nope!” Simone says. “We’re going to Code Blue. Are we all ready?”

Our hair and makeup are already done from dinner and now we’re dressed. So, yes, we are technically ready to go. But my stomach is tied in knots. This club doesn’t seem like a good idea. If we get turned away, I’ll be so embarrassed.

The girls don’t give me a chance to ruminate. They call our Uber, and we make our way to the bar.

Once we get there, we get in the back of the line. It’s pretty long already, even though it’s only ten. I was hoping getting here earlier would increase our chances. It seems like we’re in for a long night.

Multiple people get turned away at the front of the line.

“Come on, let’s go somewhere else,” I suggest again.

Katy locks her arm with mine. “Stop freaking out, Vivian. It’s going to be fine!”

I try to stop freaking out, but that’s nearly impossible.

We finally get to the front, and the bouncer gives us each a onceover. “Sorry, ladies, but we’re at capacity.”

Two people walk up and he waves them in.

“What about them?” Simone asks. “Doesn’t seem over capacity for them.”

“I’m sorry. I wish I could let you in, but I just can’t. You should try Electricity. It’s just as nice.”

“We don’t want Electricity, we want Code Blue,” Delly demands.

“Come on, we can just go somewhere else.” I grab onto Simone, Katy, and Delly and pull them to the side. I shiver and rub my arms. I knew this was going to happen! We’re not pretty enough and we don’t have the social clout.

“Vivian?”

I jump and turn. There, standing in front of me in dark slacks and a blue button down shirt, is my worst enemy, who also happens to be the only man who has ever truly broken my heart.

“Toby Harper. What are you doing here?” I say sarcastically.

“I could ask you the same thing” He pauses giving me a once over. “Does Matt know you’re here?”

I roll my eyes. “Just enjoying Vegas. I’m twenty-two. My brother doesn’t need to know my every move.”

“Uh, hi, I’m Simone,” my friend says, thrusting her a hand toward Toby.

“Right. These are my friends, Simone, Katy, and Delly. This is Toby, the biggest pain in the neck to ever leave Shaker Falls.”

“Lovely as always, Vivian,” he says. “It’s nice to meet you all. What are you doing out here? All the fun is inside the club.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “They wouldn’t let us in.”

Toby furrows his brow. “What? Not a chance.”

“It’s true. We’re going to find another club…”

Toby is shaking his head before I even finish my sentence. “No way. You’re coming in with me.”

“Toby, seriously…” The last thing I want to do is go inside a club that also contains him. He’s been a jerk to me forever, and we can’t get through a single conversation without fighting. It got so bad when we were kids that Matt banned me from hanging out with them. Toby has always been my brother’s best friend, so it made sense, but still. It sucked being banished from their crew.

“I am serious! Let’s go,” he says.

I look to the girls who all seem excited at the idea of getting into this club. It seems I’m the only one who would rather claw my own eyes out than follow Toby. I sigh and follow Toby and the others.

Toby walks to the door and nods at the bouncer who turned us away before. “These girls are with me,” he says.

The man only nods back and moves the velvet rope so we can get in.

“Holy shit,” I say when we walk in. “How did you do that? Sleep with the owner or something?”

I can just make out Toby’s grimace in the dimly lit entryway to the club. “I know people. Not everything is achieved by sex, Vivian.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

I knew Toby did well for himself after he left Shaker Falls. I’m not sure exactly what he does, but my brother, Matt, has alluded to Toby being wealthy. He probably bought his way into this club. I hope he doesn’t expect me to pay him back for this. I could barely afford the trip to Vegas after saving up all the money I make at the clothing store.

Toby and my brother, Matt, have been best friends since birth. Our moms were pregnant with them at the same time and lived next door to each other. It happened naturally that the two of them would be close. Even though Toby lives an hour away from Shaker Falls now, Matt still makes time to visit with him. In fact, Toby and I live in the same city, and Matt visits his friend more often than he does me.

I, thankfully, never have to run into Toby. Reno couldn’t handle the two of us together.

“Well, thank you for getting us in. We’ll leave you alone now.”

“Come on, Vivian, let’s hang out. It’s been a while,” he says.

Everything that happened six years ago comes back to me. I had the biggest crush on Toby, and he took my heart and smashed it. I’m not about to make that mistake again. Being around Toby when there’s alcohol involved is a very bad idea.

“No, really, I appreciate your help but we’re going to do our own thing.” With that, I march away, not giving him the chance to respond.

“What the hell?” Katy asks when we’re inside the main dance floor of the club. The music is loud, so she has to scream to be heard. “Who was that and why were you so rude to him?”

“I told you guys about Toby,” I say.

Simone’s eyes widen. “Wait, that was that Toby?”

I nod. “In the flesh. I’d really rather not hang out with him all night. I hate him, remember?”

“We remember,” the girls say at the same time. I knew they would. There have been many a drunken night where I admitted just how much Toby’s rejection affected me. There have been plenty of sober nights where I complained about Toby being a jerk to me, too.

“So, let’s drink and have fun and pretend Toby isn’t here. He’s probably in one of those exclusive rooms, anyway.”

“Vivian…”

“I’ll buy the first round!” I head for the bar before the girls can say anything more. Toby is probably the same guy he’s always been. He doesn’t give a shit about me or my feelings. I have no idea why he helped us get in. He was probably worried I’d tell Matt if he didn’t, as if I tattle to my brother about every little thing. It doesn’t matter. I don’t plan on ever seeing Toby again.

I order shots and drinks for all of us.

“To freedom!” I shout before we down our tequila.

This is how the night goes. We drink and dance in the neon lights of Code Blue. The other girls each match up with a guy we meet on the floor. I’m trying to find someone nice, but my mind keeps fluttering back to Toby. I hate the man. He always treated me like just some kid, even though he’s only a couple of years older than me. That didn’t stop me from having a crush on him. But Toby decided he was too good for me and for our small town. He left, and I decided I don’t care about him anymore.

I wish that was true. My head knows I need to hate him, but my heart wants to love him. Damn him for being so freaking cute.

“Hey, Vivian,” a familiar voice whispers in my ear.

“What the hell?” I say. “Here you are again.”

“I decided I want to dance, too.”

“Well, I guess it’s time for me to leave then.”

“Come on, Vivian. We can hang out for a little bit, right? I know you’ve been avoiding me, but we’re in Vegas. Let’s call a truce.”

“No.”

“How about for one night?”

I look up and meet Toby’s eyes. He’s got that silly grin on his face. The one that always meant he was going to do something devious with Matt. The same one that made me fall for him all those years ago. Back when Matt still let me hang out with him and Toby, there would be moments when we managed not to argue over stupid things. Toby would give me this same grin and I would do whatever he asked me to do.

“Fine,” my drunken lips mutter. I guess nothing has changed. I blame the alcohol. It’s the only reason I agree to this. “One night.”

Toby takes this as an invitation. He grabs my hips and pulls me against him, swaying the two of us to the music.

I can feel Toby’s hardness through his pants. Am I doing that to him, or is it just the atmosphere?

We dance together for maybe thirty minutes, each of us drinking and doing another shot as the music flows around us.

“I think we should get out of here,” Toby whispers in my ear.

I gasp. I’m drunk, but not so drunk that I don’t know what’s happening. “And go where?”

“Your hotel room?”

“I’m sharing with the girls.”

“They can stay here for a bit, can’t they?”

“Do you really want to?”

“Yes.”

“Okay,” I find myself saying. “Let me just tell my friends.”

I find Delly, Simone, and Katy on the floor. They’re separate, dancing with the men they met.

“I’m going to the suite with Toby. Can you be scarce for maybe two hours?” I ask Simone, the first girl I find.

She looks at me skeptically. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I thought you hate him.”

“I decided not to hate him tonight.”

“Alright. Text when it’s safe.”

I promise I will. The conversation goes pretty much the same with all the other girls.

Finally, I join Toby again.

“You ready to go?” he asks.

“Won’t your friends miss you?”

“No. Let’s go.” Toby leads me outside. He hails a regular cab instead of calling for an Uber. I give the name of my hotel and Toby tells the guy to step on it.

Once we get to my suite, Toby doesn’t waste any time with words. Instead, he kisses me against the door. His lips have that slightly familiar feeling of someone you’ve kissed only once before, six years ago, when you were young and naïve enough to believe love could exist.

“God, you look fucking incredible,” he says. “That dress needs to come off.”

I raise my arms as Toby pulls the dress up over my head. He immediately kisses my lips again before moving down to my neck.

“No marks,” I warn. “I start a new job Monday.”

“No promises.”

I push him away. “No marks!”

“Fine,” he says, chuckling. “No visible marks.”

He bites into my shoulder, definitely leaving a hickey there. At least it’ll be covered by the blazer I’m wearing on Monday.

“You’re wearing too many clothes,” I say. “It’s not fair.”

“Let’s change that, then,” he responds.

I slowly unbutton his shirt as we kiss. Toby’s hands travel over my body, pulling my hips against the hardness in his pants. The pants are the next to go. His cock is barely contained by his boxers.

We’re both here, against the door, in our underwear. That can’t last forever.

“My bed is over here,” I suggest, tugging on his hand.

Toby grins. “Good girl.”

We get to the mattress and Toby pushes me down before straddling me. Our underwear falls to the floor as we explore each other’s bodies.

Toby takes my nipple between his teeth.

“Oh, fuck,” I say. “Sensitive.”

“Good,” Toby responds. His hand travels between my legs. I widen them to give him the best access. “You’re wet for me already.”

“Please,” I beg. “I need you.” I don’t want to waste time with foreplay.

It seems Toby doesn’t either. He lines his hardness up with my opening and slowly eases himself inside. “Oh, fuck, you’re tight, Vivian. You feel so goddamn good.”

“Fuck me, Toby.”

He does. Toby starts slowly before thrusting in earnest. His thumb dances around my clit as he plunges in and out of me.

“Oh God, I’m…” I manage to get out before an orgasm overtakes me. My entire body quakes.

“Yeah, that’s right, baby,” Toby says. “Take my cock.”

He keeps thrusting, giving me the longest orgasm of my life.

Finally, Toby announces he’s close. He plunges in one last time and empties his load deep inside me.

“Vivian,” he moans as he finishes. My name sounds like heaven on his lips.

A few minutes later, Toby gets up off the bed. He gathers his underwear from the room and his clothes from the hallway.

“That’s it?” I say. “You’re leaving?”

Toby nods. “We both know it’s for the best.”

I scoff. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“What did you expect, Vivian?”

“I don’t know. You’re right. Goodbye forever, Toby. You really are great at walking away.”

He doesn’t bother to respond. Toby simply leaves the hotel room.

I lean against the door and force myself not to cry. I should’ve known better. Toby said he wanted a truce for a night. Was all of this a part of his plan? Maybe all Toby wanted was to sleep with me and then leave me behind.

Whatever. Toby is right. This is for the best. I’m starting my new job on Monday and I don’t need any kind of distractions.

Especially none as attractive as Toby.