Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 620 Gwen's POV By Sunday night, the estate was quiet. Most of the guests had either left or were already asleep in their rooms. The staff had gone home hours ago. Even Martina and Paula had turned in for the night. It was just me and Nick in the big kitchen, lit only by the pendant lights above the central island. "So," Nick said with that playful smile that completely disarmed me, "after that story Christian told me about your very... unique... culinary skills, | figured it was more than time for you to learn a family recipe." | laughed, shaking my head.

"knew he was going to ruin me," | muttered. "I knew | couldn't trust that traitor." Nick chuckled and pulled over a baking tray with pizza dough that had already been prepped and rested, covered with a clean cloth, "Don't worry," he assured me, still teasing. "It's something really simple. And it definitely doesn't require advanced cutting skills ---- like... slicing a tomato." "My hand is deeply grateful," | shot back, stepping up to the counter where he had arranged all the ingredients with almost obsessive care. Homemade tomato sauce in a ceramic bowl. Freshly sliced cheese.

Basil picked straight from the herb garden. Extra virgin olive oil in an old unlabeled bottle. A few other ingredients | vaguely recognized. "This was the first thing | taught Bella," Nick said as he spread the dough across the tray with quick, practiced movements. " How to assemble a pizza." "How to assemble a pizza?" | asked, genuinely surprised. "Yeah," he confirmed. "We leave the dough for level two. First, you learn not to dump half a pound of cheese on one side and leave the rest completely empty." | laughed at the mental image.

"That sounds exactly like something | would do." He handed me a wooden spoon "Start by spreading the sauce," he instructed. "It doesn't have to be perfect. Just... even enough." ---- | dipped the spoon into the red sauce that smelled like fresh basil, garlic, and something | couldn't quite place but instantly wanted to taste. | started spreading it over the dough. Nick stood beside me, watching closely, occasionally adjusting my hand when | added too much in one spot. His fingers brushed mine. His body was close enough that | could feel his warmth.

for the same slice at the same time. Nick took the opportunity to steal a quick kiss. "Focus," | teased,

flavor of fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and a hint of red wine burst across my tongue. "It's perfect," | said honestly. But Nick didn't pull his hand away. Instead, he brushed his thumb across the corner of my mouth. "You've got some tomato sauce right here," he murmured, his eyes fixed on my lips. "Liar," | accused, but | didn't move away. He smiled and

the top. Nick slid the tray into the preheated oven and set the timer. "Fifteen minutes," he announced. "Enough time to..." He didn't finish the sentence. He just pulled me into his arms. ---- and kissed me for real this time. Slow. Unhurried. No interruptions. When we

sauce on your face." | laughed and lightly smacked his chest. "So romantic." "Lam," he agreed, kissing me again, softer this time. The oven timer started beeping, forcing us apart. Nick pulled the pizza out carefully and

completely." "I hope it stays that way when she grows up," he admitted, that honest vulnerability that always undid me slipping into his voice. "That she'll still want to spend time with me. That she'll still tell me things." "She will," | said firmly. "You build that kind of bond from childhood. And you know exactly what you're doing. She'll always love you. She'll always trust

right? Building a family with the person you love." | couldn't stop the huge smile that spread across my face. "It is," | agreed. "I want that too. Very much." "Really?" he asked, looking genuinely moved and a little surprised "Really," | confirmed without hesitation. ---- We just stood there, looking at each other,