Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 105

Chapter 105

The Kensington family jet began its smooth descent toward the Highridge Valley, tilting slightly as it caught a pocket of air. Outside the window, the familiar landscape unfolded below-a patchwork of green hills and vineyards that stirred something unexpected in me. A mix of nerves… and, surprisingly, nostalgia.

“Wow, now this is how you travel in style!” my brother Matthew said, face pressed to the glass like an overexcited kid. “Way better than that cramped flight we took for the wedding. We should’ve accepted Christian’s offer to use the jet back then too.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. Having my entire family come along for Joseph’s birthday had been the patriarch’s idea-a request so insistent it had felt more like a royal decree. “The whole family, Zoey. I want everyone here for my eighty-third birthday!”

“Joseph’s going to be thrilled to see you all again,” I said, tightening my seatbelt as we prepared to land. “He hasn’t stopped talking about it for weeks.”

“Your father-in-law is just the sweetest,” Mom said, nervously fussing with the collar of the dress I’d convinced her to buy for the occasion. “So different from what you’d expect from someone in his position.”

“Technically, he’s not my father-in-law, Mom.”

“Details,” she said with a dismissive wave, smiling. “He treated us like family from the moment we arrived at the wedding.”

Dad, who’d been unusually quiet for most of the flight, stared out the window with a faraway expression. Ever since Christian had quietly paid off his debts-a part of our arrangement I still hadn’t told them about-he’d seemed… lighter. Less burdened. But also awkward whenever the word son-in-law came up.

The landing was smooth as silk. As the stairs were rolled into place, my heart kicked up a notch at the sight of the welcoming party outside-and at the tall, striking figure standing in front of it all. Christian, immaculate in a navy-blue suit that hugged his broad shoulders perfectly.

“Someone’s excited to see her husband,” Annie murmured in my ear, elbowing me playfully.

I ignored her, doing my best to control the ridiculous grin threatening to take over my face. Two weeks. It had only been fifteen days since I’d seen him, but somehow it felt so much longer.

“Breathe, sis,” Matthew teased as he passed me, flashing a knowing grin. “Your eyes are practically glowing in the dark.”

I was the last to step off the plane, watching as everyone else reunited at the bottom of the stairs. Matthew and Joseph were already hugging like old friends, the patriarch laughing heartily at something my brother said. Annabelle had launched herself into Marcus’s arms, who tried-and failed-to hide his grin. My parents were greeting Carmen and the other staff members they’d met at the wedding, exchanging warm smiles and pleasantries.

When my feet finally touched the tarmac, Christian turned toward me. For a single, revealing second, his mask of aristocratic composure slipped, and the look in his eyes hit me like a physical force. Two weeks of late-night phone calls, half-written messages, and unspoken longing condensed into that one glance.

“Zoey.” He stepped forward, and I braced myself for the polite cheek kiss that would be appropriate in front of our families. Instead, his arms wrapped around my waist, and his lips met mine in a kiss that was brief but left no room for doubt-it was a promise, and it set my entire body alight.

“Hi,” I breathed when we finally pulled apart, my voice embarrassingly small, heat rushing to my cheeks.

“Love usually is.” She shrugged like she hadn’t just dropped a bomb on me. “Now come on, your father’s probably on his third glass of champagne trying to impress the local winemakers.”

The main hall had been transformed-soft lighting, elegant floral arrangements in white and gold, a live string ensemble filling the air with gentle music. The guests, a mix of family, friends, business partners, and figures from the wine world, mingled in small clusters, their chatter blending into the music like a hum of wealth and refinement.

Christian found me the moment I entered, as if he had some internal radar tuned only to me.

“You look…” His words trailed off, his gaze traveling down the length of my dress with open appreciation.” There aren’t enough words.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I teased, reaching up to straighten his tie-a small, intimate gesture that had somehow become second nature. “Ready to accept dozens of congratulations on your grandfather’s behalf?”

“As long as you’re next to me.” His hand slid to the small of my back, light but possessive. “By the way, Joseph’s been asking for you. Something about a special wine he wants to show you.

“Now?”

“He’s in the cellar.” Christian’s smile was resigned. “And when he sets his mind on something…”

“There’s no power on earth that can change it,” I finished for him, already familiar with the old man’s legendary stubbornness. “I’ll be right back.”