Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79

The possibility lingered in the air, almost tangible. Annie’s words echoed in my mind like a refrain I couldn’t ignore. Break the contract? Turn our charade into reality? It was something I hadn’t even allowed myself to consider, too afraid of drowning in

false hope.

Once again, Elise’s words came back to haunt me: “No one will ever choose someone like you.” Would a man like Christian Kensington who was wealthy, sophisticated, and heir to a wine empire ever willingly choose to stay with me when he no longer had to? When the deal was done and his grandfather was reassured?

“I don’t know if he…”

“Did you ask him?”

“Of course not!”

“Then how do you know?” Her tone was exasperated. “Look, if he’s showing you special places, giving you jewelry, having amazing sex with you in the vineyards—”

“I didn’t say it was amazing!”

“Please, you didn’t need to. It’s Valentia. Everything is more sensual there.” She waved off my protest. “The point is, those aren’t the actions of someone just fulfilling a contract.”

Her arguments made sense, but the fear still clung to me. The fear of fooling myself again, the way I had with Alex. Of confusing convenience with love.

“I was there, you know?” Annie’s voice turned suddenly serious. “At the wedding. I saw how Alex looked at Elise. And I saw how Christian looks at you. Trust me, it’s different.”

A lump rose in my throat. It never ceased to amaze me how my sister could read my heart even when I didn’t spell it out.

“And what if I’m reading it all wrong? What if he’s just…”

“Playing a role?” Annie finished for me. “Zoey, at some point you’re going to have to trust someone again. Don’t let Alex and Elise ruin that for you.”

I closed my eyes, letting her words sink in.

“Thank you, Annie.”

“That’s what sisters are for.” Her voice shifted back to playful. “That, and telling you when you’re being a complete idiot- which, honestly, is most of the time.”

I laughed, feeling some of the weight on my shoulders lift.

“I love you, you know?”

“Of course you do. I’m ridiculously lovable.” She yawned. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to try to squeeze in at least twenty minutes of sleep before-”

A low male voice, unmistakably Valentian, murmured something in the background.

“Annie?” My eyes widened. “Is someone speaking Valentian in your bed?”

There was a brief, damning silence.

“I… have to go now.” Her voice was suddenly rushed. “Call me at a decent hour next time!”

“Annabelle Bennett! Is that Marcus? Are you seriously sleeping with my husband’s cousin?”

Christian sat down beside me, his towel still hanging precariously at his hips.

“Annie seems smart enough to know what she’s getting into,” he said. “Honestly, if I had to worry about anyone in this situation, it would be Marcus.”

“Why?” I asked, surprised.

A slow smile spread across his lips, lighting up his eyes.

“Because Bennett women know how to turn a Kensington’s head.”

Before I could process what that meant, his lips were on mine, heat radiating through me that had nothing to do with the room’s temperature. When we finally pulled apart, he stood, adjusting the towel.

“I’d better get dressed,” he murmured, heading for the closet.

“For what?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Christian glanced over his shoulder, a teasing smile playing at his ps.

“You’re completely insatiable, you know that?”

I felt the flush rise in my cheeks, but I smiled back, emboldened.

“It’s not like you don’t enjoy it.”