Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 63 Chapter 63 :.. +25 Bonus I remained lying among the vines, my body still thrumming with desire as Christian stepped away to take his grandfather's call. The torn dress barely covered me, the black lingerie with red accents glowing under the moonlight. The night breeze caressed my overheated skin, slowly pulling me back to reality. The minutes dragged on as I stared up at the stars, my mind tangled with conflicting thoughts. What were we doing? This marriage had an expiration date-six months, no more. It was just a business arrangement. I wasn't supposed to get involved.

For Christian, it would always be simple. Attraction. Sex. For me, it wasn't nearly that simple. Christian returned, slipping his phone into his pocket. His steps were steady as he approached, but his face carried a worried shadow in the moonlight. "You're overthinking," he observed, sitting down beside me between the vines. "I can practically hear the gears turning in your head." I tugged the torn fabric of my dress around me as best I could, suddenly feeling exposed. "I think we should head back," I said simply, avoiding his eyes. Christian frowned, clearly frustrated, but nodded.

"Sorry about the interruption," he murmured, running a hand through his hair. "I was worried about my grandfather's health. I couldn't ignore the call." "Is he alright?" I asked, genuine concern breaking through. "Yes." Christian's shoulders eased a little. "He just wanted to make sure we'd arrived safely." "He's very attached to you." "It's mutual," Christian admitted, and for a moment something rare flickered across his face-a vulnerability he rarely let show. "He seems so happy we're here," I said softly.

"Happy you're married." Christian's smile was tinged with melancholy, one I didn't see often. "It's no secret he's always dreamed of seeing me 'settled down,' as he puts it." His eyes found mine, unexpectedly sincere. "Thank you for giving him that joy, even if it's temporary." Something in the way he said temporary tightened my chest. I nodded, unable to trust my voice. The silence stretched between us, not exactly uncomfortable, but thick with things unspoken-possibilities neither of us dared to name. "Did he say anything else?" I asked at last.

accomplished, I'd say," I replied, trying to keep my tone light despite the tension lingering between us. 1/3 Chapter 63 : +25 Bonus Christian nodded, his gaze flicking

buttoned it with trembling fingers. It was absurdly large on me, falling almost to my knees, but at least it covered me completely. When I turned back, Christian was standing, his bare torso gleaming under the

a hand to help me up. The walk back to the villa was quiet, thoughtful. Occasionally, our hands brushed, sending sparks racing up my arm. I thought of Joseph, of his fragile heart, of how he truly believed our marriage was real. Of how, for a few moments out there in the vineyard, I had almost believed it too. When we reached the back entrance of the villa, I hoped we could slip up to our room unseen. But as we entered the kitchen, Lucy was at

smile lit her lined face, followed by a cascade of animated Valentian words that made Christian

nights. My face went up in flames instantly. Lucy kept bustling around the kitchen, speaking animatedly and gesturing between us in ways that felt far too suggestive. "And now?" I asked, hiding my face against Christian's shoulder. "Now she's saying that the passion of young people is a beautiful sight for older eyes-and that she was worried we'd gotten lost in the vineyards." He smirked. "She also wants to know if it was the branches or me that tore your dress." "Christian!"

light smack on the arm. "I'm joking, Zoey." Lucy came over, pressing a mug of something warm and fragrant into my hands, her tone softening now. 2/3 Crispter 63 425 Bonus "Herbal tea," Christian translated. "To restore your energy."" I accepted the mug, murmuring a timid thank you while fighting the urge to crawl under the