Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 425 Chapter 425 Madeline's POV The moment Marcus and Nate disappeared down the hallway, Annie leaned forward with that conspiratorial smile only pregnant women seem to share with each other. "So," she said, lowering her voice like she was about to spill a secret, "how are you dealing with... that?" "With what?" I asked, pretending not to understand, even as heat rushed to my face. "Oh, please," Annie laughed. "You were practically devouring Marcus with your eyes. And considering you're in the second trimester...

well, I'm guessing things are pretty intense over there." I sighed, giving up on pretending. "How did you manage to control yourself?" "Control myself?" Annie burst out laughing. "Who said I did? Poor Nate had a lot to deal with. Honestly, he still does." She gave me a wicked wink, and I couldn't help laughing too. "Seriously?" "Completely. Some days I wake up and he can barely make it out of bed to go to work," she said with a mischievous smile. "Second-trimester hormones are no joke.

It's like your body decides it needs to make up for all the months you weren't allowed to drink wine." "And how do you... I mean, isn't it weird with the belly and...?" "Madeline, there are positions for that," Annie said matter-of-factly. "And Nate is very... creative when necessary." My face burned, but at the same time I felt a huge sense of relief being able to talk about it so openly. "It's just that with Marcus, I'm still... figuring things out.

Sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy with desire, but at the same time I get insecure about how he sees me now, with my body changing and all..." "Oh, please," Annie cut in. "Did you see the way he was looking at you during dinner? That man was barely holding himself back from jumping you right there in front of us." "You think so?" "I'm sure of it. Marcus has always been very... intense when he likes something. Actually, it's not just people. Work, hobbies, anything. I remember when we were together and he decided he had to beat Christian at tennis.

made my brow crease. "When you were together?" Annie froze mid-reach for her glass of water, and I saw a flash of alarm cross her face. 1/3 "I mean..." she started, then stopped, clearly realizing she'd said something she shouldn't have. An uncomfortable silence settled between us.

"He didn't tell you, did he?" The silence was answer enough. "Listen," Annie said quickly, leaning forward. "It's in the past, okay? It was before Nate, and it wasn't even anything serious. Today I like him almost like a brother. I want him to be happy. And honestly, Madeline, you're really good for him." But her

it's that simple," I murmured, staring down at my hands. "What do you mean?" "I don't even know what we are," I confessed, all the insecurities I'd been holding back spilling out at once. "I mean,

finally said. "I have no idea how you're managing to restrain yourself during this phase. I'd be climbing the walls." "That's just

for a long moment before answering. "Can I give you some advice?" she asked softly. 2/3 I nodded. "Life is already complicated enough without you adding extra layers of worry," she said with a small smile." Trust me, I'm speaking from experience. I spent months torturing