Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 86 I woke slowly, my body deliciously sore from the night before. Christian was still asleep beside me, one arm draped possessively around my waist, his face relaxed in a way he rarely allowed when awake. I studied his features for a moment-the long lashes, the strong line of his jaw, the lips that, hours ago, traced every inch of my body. It was unfair that someone could be this beautiful, even in sleep. had As if sensing my gaze, Christian opened his eyes slowly, that intense gray-blue immediately locking onto me. "Good morning," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

"Good morning," I replied, inexplicably shy after everything we'd shared the night before. He smiled, pulling me closer. "Sleep well?" "Once you finally let me sleep? Yes." His smile turned smug. "I don't remember hearing any complaints at the time." "You won't either." I laughed, feeling my cheeks heat. Christian leaned in for a soft kiss on my lips, then settled back on his elbow, watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read. "What are you thinking?" he asked, his fingers tracing light patterns along my arm. I hesitated. Physical intimacy between us had always been easy, natural.

But there was something about morning-after vulnerability-about honest conversations in bed-that felt more intimidating than nakedness. "I'm thinking..." I began, trying to sort out my thoughts. "I'm thinking that sometimes it feels like the only thing we really know how to do together is this." I made a vague gesture, encompassing our tangled bodies. His expression grew serious. "You think we're just... sex?" "Not just," I corrected quickly. "But it's so much easier, isn't it? When we're like this, everything makes sense.

It's when we get out of bed that we turn into awkward strangers who can barely talk on the phone." Christian was silent for a moment, considering my words carefully. "I think we're still learning how to navigate this," he said at last. "A whirlwind wedding, an intense honeymoon, and then... reality. It's natural there'd be some adjustments." "Adjustments. That's a polite way of putting it." He smiled, that crooked half-smile that always made my heart jump.

completely lost?" "That would be more honest." Christian laughed, a low, rich sound that seemed to vibrate between us. "Maybe we are." He touched my face gently. "But at least we're lost together, aren't we?" There was a vulnerability in his eyes that caught me off guard. "It's just that..." I searched for the right words. "I don't even know if

"You really think that?" "I think that and so much more." He took my hand, intertwining our fingers. "You underestimate yourself, Zoey. You always do. You see yourself as the

to disguise how deeply his words affected me. "I'm not trying to be charming." He sat up, pulling me with him until we were face to face. "I'm being honest. It's not just sexual chemistry between us, Zoey. It's much more. We just need time to figure out exactly what." The intensity of his gaze was almost too much to bear. There was so much happening between us-so much said and

agreement had an expiration date. As if reading my thoughts, Christian added: "Time is what we make of it. There are no fixed rules for this... for us." That statement hung between us, heavy with possibilities neither of us was ready to fully name. "I suppose so," I finally agreed, allowing myself a small flicker of hope. Christian smiled, apparently

"Yes." Christian grimaced slightly. "We need to talk about him taking over the Euradian branch of Kensington. And I believe he also wants to see how the organic project is going. Officially, as a representative of the Euradian Chapter 88 +25 Bonus board. Unofficially, to look for flaws." "He doesn't like you?" "It's not about liking. It's about interest." Christian shrugged. "Before our marriage, he was next in line to take

organizing a small event to welcome him. Formal dinner, project presentation, the usual." I rolled my eyes automatically, already knowing who would be running this "small event." "Elite PR?" "Does that still bother you? Because I can hire another firm." The offer