Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 204 The silence stretched for a few brutal seconds. I was still kneeling on the elevator floor, my hands on Nathaniel's thighs, completely frozen. He stood shirtless above me, breathing unevenly. And the blonde woman stared at us with a mix of shock and anger. "I... I can explain," I blurted, trying to get up fast, but my legs had apparently forgotten how to work. Nathaniel offered his hand and helped me up. He slipped back into his soaked shirt with crisp, efficient movements. "There's nothing to explain," he said. His voice was steady again. Controlled.

But there was a tightness in his shoulders that hadn't been there a minute ago. The blonde stepped inside, a slow amused smile curving her red lips. "Well, well," she said, looking from me to Nathaniel. "Looks like you found yourself a new little toy, Nate." The word toy hit like a slap. "Alexandra," Nathaniel said. His tone carried a quiet warning. "This is Annabelle Bennett, our new market development specialist. Annie, this is Alexandra Kensington, international relations consultant." "Kensington?" I repeated. My voice came out higher than I intended. Alexandra laughed.

A melodic sound with a sharp edge. "The name tends to come with expectations," she said. Like she was explaining something obvious to a child. I straightened fully and found my voice again. "Actually, my sister is married to Christian Kensington." Alexandra's smile faltered. Her eyes narrowed as she looked me over with new interest. "I'm sorry?" she said, clearly not expecting that. "Zoey Bennett Kensington," I explained. I kept my voice steady. "Christian is my brother-in-law." For a moment, Alexandra looked genuinely surprised.

She glanced at Nathaniel, then back at me, as if trying to fit that piece into a puzzle. "Interesting," she murmured. "Not that I keep up with my cousin's life. I heard about the marriage, but... Anthony never mentioned Christian had married... someone from Verdania." The way she said "someone from Verdania" wasn't remotely flattering. "People fall in love in the most unexpected ways," I replied. My voice felt stronger than I expected. The elevator arrived at the tenth floor with a soft ding. The doors slid open to the familiar hallway. "Well," Nathaniel said as he adjusted his tie.

1/3 Chapter 204 confidence I wished I had. "Annabelle," Nathaniel called when I started heading for my desk. "Don't forget to review the documents for tonight. Margaret has the final details." "Of course," I said, keeping my gaze anywhere but on him. "I'll be ready." Alexandra lifted a perfectly sculpted brow.

to escape, when Alexandra's voice stopped me cold. "Annabelle," she said in a fake but venomous

screaming at me to run. Nathaniel looked at us for a moment, clearly sensing the tension, then checked his watch. "I have a call in five minutes," he said. "I'll see you later." Valked off, leaving me alone with Alexandra Kensington. ne waited until he was completely out of sight before turning to me. Her smile sharpened like a blade. "So," she said, folding her arms, "you and Nate. Interesting development." "There's nothing going on between us," I

glass. "Of course not. That's why you were on your knees in the elevator." My face went hot. "It was an accident. The elevator jerked and..." "Relax, sweetheart," she cut in with a laugh. "I'm not judging. Nate has that effect on women. Always has." The way she said "always has" punched something tight inside my chest. "Look," Alexandra went on, her voice

Girls like me. The phrase echoed through my head, dripping with all the things she didn't bother saying out loud. "I don't know what you're talking about," I managed, though my voice didn't sound nearly as strong as I wanted. "Of course you do." Alexandra smiled and touched my arm in a gesture that pretended to be gentle. "And there's nothing wrong with that.