The CEO's Vow: His Shadowed Desires novel Chapter 1

"Ava, come to the Luxe Hotel, room 108, ASAP," texted Britney, sprawled out on the hotel bed. She sent the message to her best friend, Ava, leaving the door slightly ajar just in case the soundproofing was too good.

Ava hesitated upon receiving the message. A hotel? What was going on? She quickly brushed off her apprehension, figuring there had to be a good explanation, and simply replied, "On my way."

True to her word, Ava rushed to the hotel and found Britney's room. As she approached, she noticed the door was slightly ajar and heard faint sounds coming from within.

"Jason, let's go public," Britney panted. "Break up with that… that gold-digger, Ava."

"Don't worry, babe. Once her family's fortune crumbles, I'll end things with her for good," Jason reassured her.

"But…"

"No buts. Come on, let's not spoil the mood."

Their moans intertwined, creating a symphony of betrayal that made Ava's blood run cold. She recognized those voices – it was Britney and Jason, her own boyfriend!

Heart shattered, Ava fled the hotel and collapsed on a nearby bench, her world crumbling around her. A wave of nausea washed over her as the realization sunk in: her best friend and her boyfriend, together behind her back. How long had this been going on?

Remembering her friend's advice about drowning sorrows in alcohol, she wandered into a bar, desperate for anything to numb the pain.

"Whiskey, please," she mumbled, her voice thick with unshed tears.

The bartender placed the amber liquid in front of her. "Your drink, ma'am."

Ava picked up the glass, each swirl of the whiskey mirroring the turmoil within her. "You wouldn't even let me touch a glass of wine," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "And now here I am, drinking because of you. How pathetic."

She downed the first shot, the burn a welcome distraction. A second followed, then a third, until her vision blurred and the world around her spun. As she stumbled out of the bar, a group of men loitering by the entrance caught sight of her.

"Hey there, pretty lady. All alone?" one of them sneered, his eyes raking her figure. "How about you join us? We'll cheer you up."

"I don't know them. I'm not going with them. I'm going with you," she breathed, clinging to him as her only hope.

A slow smile spread across his face as if pleased with her answer. He rose to his full height, his gaze turning icy as he addressed the other men. "You heard her. She's with me."

Seeing their attempt foiled, the men took a menacing step forward. In a flash, the man produced a gun, his voice cold as steel. "Walk away. Now."

The sight of the weapon sent the men scrambling, fear replacing their bravado. Once they were gone, he scooped Ava into his arms and carried her into the room at the end of the hallway.

As he laid her down on the bed, she began to squirm, tugging at her clothes. "Hot…so hot," she murmured, her voice delirious.

His eyes darkened at the sight of her exposed skin. Desire, a foreign sensation to him, coursed through his veins. He'd always been immune to such primal urges, yet here he was, captivated by her.

He leaned down, drawn to her like a moth to a flame. "Remember my name," he whispered, his voice husky with desire, before his lips claimed hers. "It's Ethan. And tonight, you started this."