Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

My fingers dug into the sheets as my body arched in ecstasy. Christan held my hips firmly, his rhythm relentless and unyielding. The room was bathed in shadow, only the city lights slipping through the blinds, casting dancing shapes across our tangled bodies.

“Christian…” My moan came out like a plea as he intensified his movements, his eyes never leaving mine.

There was urgency in every touch, every kiss, every thrust-as if we were trying to recover something we had lost in the transition between Castoria and Solara. Or maybe we were trying to create something new, something that belonged to this place, this reality.

He captured my lips in a deep, possessive kiss, muffling my moans as his fingers found the exact spot where I needed him most. My whole body trembled under his skilled touch, tension growing with every second.

“Look at me,” he ordered, his voice hoarse with desire.

I opened my eyes, meeting his intense and vulnerable gaze. There was something almost desperate in the way he looked at me, as if he were trying to memorize every expression, every breath.

I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him deeper, wishing this moment-this simple and perfect moment where we were just two bodies and two hearts connected-could make us forget about contracts, deadlines, and distance.

The familiar tension built inside me, stronger and stronger, until it exploded in waves of pleasure that left me breathless. Christian followed seconds later, his body taut and trembling as he whispered my name against my skin like a prayer.

For one brief, glorious instant, the world outside that room simply ceased to exist.

Afterward, exhausted and breathless, we collapsed side by side on the narrow bed, our bodies still vibrating with the echoes of shared pleasure. The only sound in the room was our breathing slowly returning to normal, along with the distant hum of Solara’s traffic outside.

“Why do I feel like you were saying goodbye?” Christian finally asked, his rough voice breaking the silence.

I turned my head to look at him, surprised by his perception. It was as if he could read my most private thoughts.

“Of course not,” I replied, but the words sounded weak even to me

It had only been a few hours since my family left the apartment, leaving us alone for the first time since we returned to Verdania. And tomorrow, he would leave for Highridge Valley. Maybe, unconsciously, I had been saying goodbye.

Christian propped himself up on his elbow, watching me with that intensity that seemed to see through all my defenses.

“It was different,” he said. “From Valentia. From before.”

It wasn’t an accusation, just an observation. And he was right. In Valentia, our intimate moments were filled with discovery, playfulness, joy. Tonight had been intense, almost feverish-as if we were trying to store sensations for the days of separation ahead.

“Tomorrow you’re leaving,” I murmured, unable to fully hide the disappointment in my voice.

“I need to sort out those problems with the project,” he confirmed running a hand through his hair in a gesture I already recognized as a sign of frustration. “But I was thinking… this weekend, you could come.”

“To Highridge Valley?”

“Yes.” His fingers traced light patterns along my arm. “You could abuse your powers as the owner of a private jet. Joseph has been asking about you.”

The mention of Christian’s grandfather brought a smile to my face!

“I miss him too. How’s he doing?”

“Better. The doctors are optimistic.” There was a brief pause before he continued. “Our wedding lifted his spirits. He’s… hopeful.

Something in the way Christian said that last word made me think he wasn’t just talking out his grandfather’s health.

“Then it’s settled for the weekend,” Lagreed. “I’ll visit the vineyas. See how the organic project you kept talking about is

A genuine smile lit up Christian’s face, transforming him completely. It was rare to see him like that without the weight of responsibility, without the CEO mask or the protective wall he usually kept up.

“The project is moving along well,” he said. “We started implementing the same techniques we saw working in Castoria. L…” He hesitated, something unusual for som nally so selt

‘d really like to show you ”

The simplicity of that desire him wanting to share something important with me touched me more deeply than any grand romantic gesture ever could.

“I’d love to see it.”

Christian settled back onto the bed, pulling me against his chest, he intimacy of the gesture, in my own bed, in my small apartment, had a quality different from the

the

of the Valentian villa

“And next Thursday I have a meeting in Solara,” he said almost cafually. “With the Kyrian investors interested in the organic line in Ascia.”

“Really?” I tried not to sound too eager

“Mmmm-hmmm.” His tingers absentmindedly toyed with a strand of my hair. “I was wondering if I could stay here. It would be. more convenient.”

I litted my head to look at him, surprised by the suggestion. Christ Kensington, heir to a fortune, used to presidential suites and luxury villas, wanted to stay in my tiny apartme

“Here?” I couldn’t hide the disbeliet. “You, in my apartmen

“Unless you’d rather I stayed at the Rosemont,” he replied, a tracet humor in his voice.

The mention of the hotel brought a flood of memories our first beting, Alex’s wedding, the chaos that led us to this strange ment.

“It didn’t even cross my mind,” I said, adopting his playful tone, the apartment is small, but I promise you’ll get the best treatment possible.”

His eyes darkened with desire.

“Of that, I have no doubt.”

The kiss that followed was slow, deliberate, so different

other, making a promise Ither of us was ready

acy of before. It was as if we were reassuring each

When we finally pulled apart, Christian leaned back against the pillows, drawing me to his chest. His fingers began stroking my hair absentmindedly, such itimate and natural gesture it

“We can make it work,” he said after a long silence, his voice thou

red, almos

under the

“You in Solara, me in

Valley. It’s not ideal, but

I murmured in agreement,

Or this ore indefinable

e can ke it work”

nventence? wondered: make whil work, exactly? Our contract? Our marriage o

“I don’t know how to act now that we’re back,” I finally admired a Valentia, it was easy. Now he’s there, I’m here, and

suddenly it feels like we’re strangers again”

Annie took a sip of coffee, studying me over the rim of her mug.

“And why are you here, exactly?” she asked. “Instead of there with your hot husband?”

“Because my life is here.” I gestured vaguely at the apartment.

“Your tiny apartment with the leaky bathroom?” Annabelle supplied, raising her brows. “While you could be living in a mansion and having sex with Christian every day?”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Sounds pretty simple to me.” She shrugged. “Unless you’re planning to go back to your job boxing up wedding dresses.”

“Well, I need to find something,” I replied vaguely. “Otherwise, I won’t even be able to pay the rent here.”

Annie stared at me like I’d just said I planned to live on Mars.

“You talk like you’re not married to a billionaire!” She shook her head in disbelief. “Zoey, seriously. Christian would literally give you anything you asked for. You think he cares about the rent on this place?”

“I don’t want his money,” I snapped more firmly than I meant to. “I’m already accepting the payment we agreed on for the… arrangement. I won’t ask for more.”

“Is that why you don’t want to live with him? Pride?”

“It’s not pride, Annie.” I sighed, setting my mug down on the coffee table. “It’s realism. Our marriage has an expiration date, remember? Six months. I’m not going to rearrange my whole life for something that has an end date.”

Annabelle let out an exasperated noise.

“You always complicate everything, you know that? A hot, smart, billionaire guy is clearly in love with you, and instead of enjoying it, you sit here torturing yourself with crazy theories and insecurities.”

The word love hit me like a punch. Could it be? Christian had shown interest, desire, even tenderness. But love?

“But speaking of Kensingtons…” I shifted on the couch, desperate to change the subject. “You and Marcus. What exactly is going on between you two?”

A slow, feline smile spread across Annabelle’s face.

“Let’s just say we’re getting to know each other. Very well.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“Annabelle! He has a reputation as a total womanizer.”

“I’m just enjoying the best parts of what he has to offer. And believe me, he has a lot to offer.” She sighed dramatically. “Those hands, Zoey. And his tongue, my God…”

“Too much information!” I covered my ears, making a face.

Annabelle laughed, pulling my hands back down.

“Relax, sis. It’s nothing serious. We’re just having fun.”

I studied her face, searching for signs she might be lying to herself Annie had always been carefree, the one who didn’t get attached, who kept things light and brief. But there was something in her eyes now-a spark I didn’t immediately recognize. You actually like him,” I said, surprised.

“It’s too soon to say.” She shrugged, but the faint blush on her checks betrayed her. “Like I said, we’re just having fun. No labels, no pressure.”

For a moment, I envied the simplicity with which Annabelle seemed to approach relationships. No overthinking, no paralyzing insecurities, just living in the moment.

“Just be careful, okay?” I asked, squeezing her hand. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”