Contract Marriage With My Billionaire Boss (Venus and Aaron) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

VENUS

“You’re cooked.”

“Don’t you think I know? All this pent-up sexual frustration. One of these days, I’m afraid I might climb him like a tree.”

“Mm-hmm. Sure. Just sexual frustration,” Gianna teased, lips curving wickedly.

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

She knew damn well what. I buried my face in my

hands.

We were at a restaurant, waiting for Sabine to show up-her idea of a girls’ dinner. I’d been catching Gianna up on last week’ s disaster while we waited.

“You really need to get laid,” she said, taking a sip of wine. “You’re going to keep this up for three more years? You’ve barely made it through the first.”

I peeked at her through my fingers. “That’s not helping, you know.”

“It’s not meant to help. It’s meant to point out the obvious.”

I groaned, dropping my hands to the table. The events of last week kept looping through my head like a damn highlight reel -Aaron’s mouth, his grip, that brutal kiss. The taste of strawberries. The sound of mine, rough and dark in his voice.

God.

I shifted in my seat, trying-and failing-to will the memory away.

“I’m in a fake marriage,” I reminded her, voice lacking any conviction at all.

“Uh-huh.” Gianna lifted a brow. “And yet you’re acting like a lovesick fool over your fake husband.”

I scowled. “That’s not-”

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“Oh, it is.” She leaned in, eyes glittering. “Venus, you literally just told me you want to climb him like a tree. That’s not neutral. That’s not casual. You want him.”

I pressed my lips together. Damn her-she was always infuriating when she was right.

“But it’s not just about sex anymore,” she added, voice lowering. “You’re starting to fall for him.”

I flinched. “No.”

“Yes.”

“I can’t.”

“But you are.”

“Stop.” My voice cracked, and I hated that it cracked.

Gianna reached across the table, giving my hand a squeeze. “Venus… I get it. Really. He’s hot, he’s protective, and for some reason when he looks at you, the man practically breathes possessive devotion. I’d probably be halfway in love with him

too.”

“You’re so helpful,” I muttered.

She grinned, unapologetic. “I try.”

Before I could retort, my phone buzzed on the table-Sabine.

Five mins away. Got stuck in traffic.

“Sabine’s almost here,” I said.

Gianna waggled her brows. “Good. Maybe she’ll knock some sense into you, since I clearly can’t.”

I snorted. “You just want me to admit you’re right. And you know I can’t tell her anything about the contract-she’s his sister.”

“Because I am right.”

I shook my head, smiling despite myself. “He’s still a jackass, Gianna.”

“Sure, princess. But he’s your jackass.”

That shut me up.

Successfully unlocked!

Five minutes later, Sabine swept into the restaurant like a force of nature-red dress, killer heels, and enough confidence to

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Chapter 51

turn heads.

“My girls!” she beamed, sliding into the booth beside me. “God, traffic was a bitch. Did I miss anything?”

I smiled despite myself. Sabine always had that effect. I loved her-fierce, unapologetic, loyal to the core. When she and Gianna first met, they’d clicked like they’d known each other for years. A huge relief for me, given the minefield of my life

right now.

“Not much,” Gianna quipped, shooting me a smug look. “Just your sister-in-law here admitting she wants to climb your brother like a tree.”

“Gianna!” I groaned, cheeks flaming.

Sabine burst out laughing. “Oh my God, I really don’t want to hear about my brother’s sex life!”

“I told her to stop before you came.” I buried my face again.

“Relax, Venus.” Sabine’s smile softened. “Honestly? I’m thrilled about all of this. You’re good for him.”

I blinked. “What?”

She leaned forward, eyes shining. “Aaron’s not an easy man. God knows our mother did a number on him. But you? You bring out something… lighter. More human. I see it.”

A lump formed in my throat. I swallowed hard. “Sabine-”

This was all a lie. A beautiful, cruel lie. We acted too well, didn’t we?

“And speaking of which,” she cut in, grinning. “Guess what? Aaron offered to sponsor my fashion brand.”

Gianna’s brows shot up. “Seriously?”

“Yep. Offered to cover my initial launch-no strings. I didn’t even ask. He just said he wanted to invest because he believes in me. After Dad, Mom, and Dorian all refused. Said they didn’t see potential.”

I stared, words stuck in my throat. Aaron… never mentioned it. Not that he had to

“He’s the nicest person, Venus,” Sabine continued, voice softening. “Even with Mom being ruthless to him for years… he always treated me like a sister. Not once like a step-sister. Always protective. He shielded me when I was bullied. Even Dorian never did that.”

Something inside me cracked. I’d seen glimpses of this Aaron. But hearing it from her? It hit differently.

“I’m so happy he married you,” she said, eyes shining. “You make him better. And I think… he’s making you better too.”

I stared down at my wine, throat tight.

This was a lie. All of it.

But a small, dangerous part of me wanted it to be real.

I looked up, words spilling before I could stop them. “What… what happened to his mom?”

Sabine’s bright smile faltered. Just for a second. A crack in her armor-one that told me I’d hit something raw.

She took a slow sip of her wine, eyes flicking between me and Gianna.

Even Gianna straightened, sensing the shift.

“He didn’t tell you?” Sabine asked quietly.

“No,” I frowned.

“I’m sorry, I… I can’t. It’s his story to tell. He’ll tell you when he’s ready. I don’t want to impose…” she said apologetically.

“It’s fine. I understand.” I offered a smile, thin and brittle.

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