Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 604 Gwen's POV | woke up to sunlight pouring in through the opening at the top of the tower. It took me a few seconds to fully process where | was. The soft cushions beneath me. The colorful blanket pulled up to my bare shoulder. Nick's scent still clinging to my skin. I turned my head. He was already awake. Propped up on one elbow, watching me in that way that always made my heart speed up. "How long have you been up?" | asked, my voice rough with sleep. "A while," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I couldn't stop looking." "Why?" | asked, suddenly shy under his gaze.

He reached out, his fingers brushing gently along my cheek, sliding down the line of my jaw. "Because | still can't quite believe you're here," he said. "With me. ---- | leaned in and kissed him slowly. Different from the urgent kisses the night before. This one was soft. Promising. Like a beginning instead of an ending. When we pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine. "We could stay here all day," he murmured. "We could," | agreed. "But Bella's probably already up. And Martina's going to start wondering where we are." He sighed dramatically.

"Responsibilities." "Responsibilities," | repeated with a smile. We got dressed slowly, searching for clothes scattered among the cushions. Laughing when he found my bra hanging from one of the lantern hooks on the wall. Going down the tower was easier in the daylight. Even so, Nick held my hand, guiding me along the uneven steps. We walked back toward the main house. The sun was already high, it had to be at least nine in the morning. Late by the property's standards, where everyone woke up early.

When we stepped through the front door, Paula was coming out ---- of the kitchen carrying a basket of laundry. She froze when she saw us. Her eyes moved from me to Nick and back again. Taking in the same clothes from yesterday. The messy hair. The way we were still holding hands. "Good morning," she said, a smile spreading across her face. " Sleep well?" "Good morning, Paula," Nick replied, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. "Mhm," she hummed, stepping closer to me. She reached up and pulled something from my hair. A small twig with leaves that had probably gotten caught during...

huge grin. My face went completely hot. "Breakfast in thirty minutes!" Paula called as she headed down the hall, unable to hide her laughter. Nick and | stood there, staring at each other. Then we started laughing too. Awkwardly. ---- "I'm going upstairs," | said, still laughing. "To shower. And

was quick but necessary. Washing the smell of sweat and sex from my skin, even though part of me wanted to keep it. That physical reminder of what we'd done. | changed into clean clothes. Jeans and a simple top. | ran my fingers through

| barely recognized the expression on my face. | was smiling in a way | hadn't in years. | sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, just trying to process it. ---- | had never actively decided to shut myself off from love. It had just...

a complicated life. Maybe | needed that fall. Needed to forget who | was completely so | could remember who | used to be.

him, to raise that child on my own because | knew it would never work between us. But he wouldn't accept it. Wouldn't accept that | could make a ---- decision without him. He kept calling. Showing up wherever | was. Saying he wanted to talk. That day, he had insisted so much that | finally agreed. | got into the car