Black Satin

One

A dress of black satin cascaded down her body like a waterfall of cloth. Black liquid liner with wings sharper than even the suede stilettos on her feet adorned those beautiful eyes.

Billy Russo let himself drink it all in: the sight of her, and the free champagne.

Oh sure, everyone here at the gala had gone all out, donning their best finery. But none of them could hold a candle to her.

Black satin. Velvet lips adorned with the most flattering shade of red - oh, he could taste them from here.

And eyes that sparkled like gemstones in the dim event lighting peered out from underneath delicate long lashes.

He passed his glass off to the nearest waiter and made his way across the floor. She had caught his eye.

And she would be his. Even if she didn't know it yet. And even if just for one night...

Though he couldn't help but hope for more.

Billy Russo always got what he wanted. He worked hard to get it, of course, but he always got it, in the end. And tonight would be no different.

Those off-shoulder sleeves showed off just enough of her beautiful skin to tease, and his dark eyes lingered along her collarbone. The fabric of the bodice hugged her in all the right places.

If Billy were a lesser man, he might've stood there in shock, with his mouth gaping open. But he had more class than that. Snagging two fresh glasses from a passing tray, he stepped up to her and offered one to her.

As her eyes met his, a smirk spread across his face.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" he asked. "I must be a lucky son of a gun to spot you in all this mess of stuffy rich folks."

"Funny... aren't you one of them?" she asked coyly.

Billy was fixated on watching her mouth move as she spoke. She was truly stunning. His mind wandered, racing with thoughts of her.

Licking his lips, he gave her a sly grin.

"Rich, maybe. But stuffy? Never."

He looked her over again. When he met her eyes, he knew that she knew exactly what he was doing. But that small hint of amusement still tugged at the corner of her mouth, and he knew she was on the same page.

"And what about you?" Billy asked. "You're a breath of fresh air here. But you look like a pro at this whole... schmoozing thing."

"Mm... maybe I'd rather stay a mystery," she teased. "I'm afraid you wouldn't find me half as fascinating otherwise."

"Sweetheart, you could never be anything less."

He held her gaze, making sure she could tell he meant it. Billy Russo wasn't about to give up a treasure like this, no matter what her story was.

She didn't look away either. There they were, tension building, until she smirked and took a delicate sip from her champagne.

Billy had never wanted so badly to be a glass of overpriced alcohol.

"Well then... I suppose we should start with names," she said.

"Billy Russo."

There was a beat of silence as she returned the favor of looking him over.

"(Y/N)."

"Just (Y/N)?" he asked, his tone gently teasing.

A smirk flitted across her lips for just a moment.

"(Y/N) (L/N)," she said.

"As in "New York's newest corporate giant" (L/N)?" he asked.

"The one and only... Funny how my father's company only got successful after he died."

Billy studied her carefully.

"No love lost there, huh?"

"None."

She sipped from her glass once more as Billy watched.

"I do appreciate his money, though. Best thing he ever gave me..."

Billy chuckled at that.

(Y/N) looked up at him again, that subtle smile just barely there again.

"So, Mr. Russo... is the party to your liking?"

That knowing look in her eyes brought forth a chuckle from him.

"Ah, this ain't ever been my kinda thing..."

"Really?" she teased. "You mean charity balls full of people who don't actually care about the cause don't fill you full of excitement?"

Billy leaned in a little closer to her, testing the waters as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She didn't move away, and she didn't look flustered. Rather, she even seemed to lean a little closer, into his touch. He had known she was perfect the moment he set eyes on her.

"Whatd'ya say we get outta here?" Billy murmured lowly.

(Y/N) set her champagne aside and let her eyes sweep over him once more.

"I say... lead the way, Mr. Russo."