Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 213 Thursday was turning into one of those days when everything lined up against me. First, I woke up half an hour late because my alarm decided not to ring. Then I discovered I was out of milk for my coffee. And when I finally made it to the office, Nate showed up at my desk at three thirty with a serious look on his face. "Annabelle, I need you to come with me to a meeting at Whitmore & Associates," he said, grabbing a few folders off my desk. "They have a wine cellar in St.

Albans, and they're interested in distributing our Vintara line exclusively in the countryside." I glanced at the clock. Three thirty. My date with David was at seven in Covent Garden, and St. Albans was more than an hour from London. "Today?" I asked, trying not to sound desperate. "Can't it be tomorrow?" "Unfortunately not." Nate pulled on his coat. "This afternoon was the only time they had available, and it's an important opportunity. The countryside market is growing fast, and you know the Vintara line better than anyone." 11 "But we'll be back in time, right? I have a...

thing at seven." "Of course. The meeting's at four thirty, an hour at most. We'll be back a little after six." I exhaled. It was important, and I knew that. And Nate was right, I did know the organic line inside and out. "Alright," I said, grabbing my coat. "Let's go." The drive to St. Albans was easy, with Nate steering his BMW while we talked through strategies for the presentation. He was especially excited about the chance to expand into smaller markets. "Places like St.

Albans are exactly the demographic we're aiming for," he said as we pulled off the highway." Upper middle class, eco-conscious, willing to pay more for quality." "And with less competition than London," I added. "The big chains still focus on the city." "Exactly. That's why you're here. Your insight into consumer behavior is valuable." The meeting at Whitmore & Associates went smoothly. Their wine cellar was impressive, and the manager, Mr. Whitmore, seemed genuinely interested in the Vintara line.

checked the time. I could still make it to my date, even if I wouldn't

there was an accident up ahead. "Great," I sighed, sending David a message. [Horrible traffic. I'm going to be about 30 minutes late. Sorry!] By six thirty, we finally got past the congestion, but we were still forty minutes from London. Nate pushed the speed where he could, but the rain made it tough. "I'm going to be so late," I groaned. "Sorry. I didn't

We were in a rural area with no houses or gas stations in sight. "What the hell...?" he muttered, turning off the engine. We got out to check. The left rear tire was completely flat. "Seriously?" I groaned, looking around. "Here? Now?" "Flat tire," Nate said, stating the obvious as he glanced at the heavy sky. "And the rain isn't stopping." "You know

"Let me help," I said, kneeling on the wet asphalt beside him. 're going to ruin your clothes." They're already ruined." I pointed at my soaked

he muttered, trying to reposition the jack that kept slipping. 2/4 Chapter 213 "At least it's an adventure," I joked, wiping the water running down my face. He

tugging hard. "Let's try together." We took our positions, his hands on one side of the tire, mine on the other, both of us drenched and shivering. "On three," Nate said.

away from my face, his fingers lingering against my "Annabelle..." he whispered, his voice rough. cheek. I leaned down a little, and he leaned up. Our lips were almost touching. I could feel his warm breath mixing with the cold