Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 68 Kensington Villa was lit only by the silver glow of the moon and the stars scattered across the Castorian sky. Our feet, still stained purple from grape juice, left marks along the stone path as we walked side by side, our shoulders brushing now and then. "I'm ruined," I said, glancing at my white dress now covered in violet stains. "I don't think this will ever come out." Christian laughed, the sound easy and genuine. "Think of it as an authentic Castorian keepsake," he replied, his gaze running over me in a way that made me blush.

"Besides, purple suits you.' "Does it, really?" I teased, twirling to show off the full damage. "Maybe I'll start incorporating wine stains into all my outfits from now on." "Just don't let Isabelle find out," he joked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "She'd have a heart attack if she knew the new Mrs. Kensington showed up in public looking like she rolled around in a barrel of Nebbiolo." "Your mother would have a heart attack just from knowing I'm breathing," I shot back, earning another laugh from him.

By now, the night was deep, the silence broken only by the occasional chirp of crickets and the soft rustle of vines swaying in the breeze. As we neared the entrance to the estate, a sudden impulse took hold of me. Instead of heading toward the house, I tugged Christian by the hand toward the vineyards. His eyes widened in surprise, but he let himself be led. "Zoey?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. I stopped between two rows of vines, the moonlight casting patterns of light and shadow across the ground between us. I drew in a breath, gathering courage.

"I've been thinking about our... interruption last night," I admitted, feeling heat creep up my neck. "Actually, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. The moon, the vineyards, you..." Before I could lose my nerve, I stepped closer and pulled him into a kiss. Christian responded instantly, his arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me against him. His hands slid up my back, one tangling in my hair as he deepened the kiss. For several minutes, we lost ourselves in each other, the sweet taste of wine still lingering on our lips.

frustrated by yet another interruption. "Now." He gave me an enigmatic smile, lacing his fingers with mine. "Trust me." He led me to a small shed near the estate's entrance, where he pulled out two old bicycles

here," he assured me, adjusting the seat on one of them. "And the best way to get to where I want to take you.' Resigned but curious, I climbed onto the bike, silently thanking myself for having chosen a light, loose dress. Christian took the lead, pedaling slowly along a trail that curved around the main property and rose gently up a neighboring hill. The moon lit our path, and soon I realized we were heading to

a small rise and got off his bike, motioning for me to do the same. What I saw left me breathless. Before us, bathed in moonlight, stretched a vineyard unlike the others. The vines were younger, arranged in perfectly aligned rows

cultivating a special variety here, a hybrid grape we developed." He walked over to one of the vines and carefully plucked a small cluster. "Try it." I took a grape and popped it into my mouth, expecting the

surface, but with a surprising sweetness if you have the patience to discover it." I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop smiling. "I didn't know you were developing new varieties," I said, reaching for another grape. "We usually don't," he replied, gazing over the vineyard. "This is a... personal project." He paused, then looked straight into my eyes. "These are the Zoey Vineyards." "What?" I