Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 108 When I returned to the party, the ballroom was in full swing. The orchestra played a gentle waltz, and several couples glided elegantly across the polished floor. My eyes found Christian immediately-as if there were some invisible radar tuned only to him. He stood with a group of older men, his posture composed, charming as ever, but his gaze kept drifting over the crowd, searching... for me. When he finally spotted me, his whole face changed. The cool, poised expression gave way to a smile so warm it made my heart trip over itself.

Without even bothering to excuse himself properly, he crossed the room with determined grace. "I was starting to think my grandfather had kidnapped you," he said, his hand finding mine effortlessly. Our fingers intertwined, fitting together as if they'd been made for it. "Did he show you the 1947 vintage?" 1 "He did." I smiled, still reeling a little from Joseph's revelation. "And we talked." Something in my face must've given me away, because Christian's brow furrowed ever so slightly. "Everything okay?" "Better than okay." And for the first time, I realized it was true.

The weight of the secret I'd carried for so long suddenly felt lighter, almost manageable. "Just... a very enlightening conversation." He studied me for a beat, curiosity flickering in his eyes, but he didn't push. "Dance with me?" he asked, tilting his head toward the dance floor. "I'm not sure my waltz skills are fit for this crowd." I glanced at the couples gliding around the room, every movement polished and effortless. "Neither are mine." He grinned, tugging me gently closer. "But somehow, when we dance together, it works." I let him lead me onto the floor.

His arm slid around my waist, the other hand holding mine with that perfect mix of confidence and care. His familiar scent surrounded me-clean, warm, distinctly him-and I closed my eyes for a moment, memorizing it. "You're different tonight," he murmured near my ear as we began to move in slow rhythm with the music. "I can't explain it, but you seem... lighter. Brighter." I looked up, meeting his eyes just inches from mine. "I'm happy to be here," I said simply. "For Joseph. For this moment." His gaze softened, curious but cautious. "Really?

Christian's parents, his tone amused. Following his line of sight, I saw Lawrence and Isabelle Kensington watching us with unreadable expressions.

him, "I barely notice anyone else." 1/3 Chapter 108 526 +25 Bonus The words slipped out before I could stop them, raw and unfiltered. I saw his eyes widen slightly in surprise, then soften with something deeper-something that made it suddenly hard to breathe. "Zoey..." he said quietly. He spun us once more, the motion fluid, our bodies moving together as

hear whatever he was about to say. "That maybe..." His eyes-usually so composed and guarded-held a rare vulnerability, the kind that made my heart race. "Maybe we-" "Christian!" Marcus's voice sliced

happen-the warmth in his expression shuttering behind the calm, controlled mask of the CEO once again. "Of course." He turned back to me, clearly torn. "Zoey, I..." "Go," I said with a small smile, even as disappointment tugged at me. "I'll be here." He lingered for a heartbeat, like he wanted to say more, but then nodded. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead before following Marcus

was cool and sharp, a welcome contrast to the warmth and noise of the party inside. Between my talk with Joseph and that charged, unfinished moment with Christian, my emotions were tangled in a way that left me dizzy. "Zoey! What a pleasure to run