Contract Kisses Only

Chapter 12: A Bounce in Her Step

Evie’s POV

​I was standing in front of my small bathroom mirror, carefully applying a precise stroke of black mascara, when my phone buzzed on the counter next to the sink. I didn't even have to look at the screen to know who it was. The distinct, high-pitched VibeCheck notification sound I had specifically set for Leo Vane was becoming a permanent fixture in my life.

​“Good morning, sunshine. Loading up the McLaren now. I’ll be at your curb in exactly two hours. We need to hit the road by 11:00 AM sharp to beat the mountain traffic and my mother’s wrath. Be ready.”

​I leaned closer to the glass, checking the angle of my eyeliner. "Eleven o'clock sharp," I murmured to my reflection, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Look at the playboy prince trying to be a responsible grown-up."

​I set the mascara wand down and ran a hand through my new hair, still completely in shock at the sight of it. Yesterday was supposed to be a standard, predictable self-care routine. I had planned to head over to my usual, low-budget local salon just down the street for a simple wash and a quick blowout. It was safe, it was cheap, and it was exactly what I always did. But when I arrived, the metal security gates were locked shut. A sign on the glass announced they were closed for emergency plumbing repairs.

​I had been standing on the sidewalk, panicking about how I was going to get my hair done before a fourteen-day holiday with billionaires, when a very confident, breathtakingly beautiful young woman stuck her head out of the brand-new shop right next door. Her name was Wave, and it happened to be the absolute first day of her grand opening. She had a dazzling smile, an magnetic energy, and a look of pure creative determination in her eyes. Before I could even explain my dilemma, Wave had practically floated across the concrete, taken one look at my thick, natural black hair, and talked me into completely trusting her vision for something new.

​And man, was I shocked at what she had done.

​Wave had taken a pair of shears to my long locks and given me a chic, sharp bob. Because of my thick black natural curls, the cut didn't look severe; it looked incredibly lush, voluminous, and effortlessly sexy. But she hadn't stopped there. Wave had convinced me to let her add some rich burgundy highlights. At first, I had been absolutely terrified, convinced that colored streaks would look tacky or ruin my professional look. But standing in front of my mirror now, looking at the final results, I knew it was pure fire. The burgundy tones were subtle, catching the morning light with a deep, wine-red glow that blended seamlessly into my dark curls. It was a curly, bouncy, incredibly alluring bob that literally moved with its own attitude, bouncing playfully every single time I turned my head.

​I couldn't stop looking at it. And more than anything, I was desperately looking forward to Leo’s reaction.

​I walked into my bedroom to put the final touches on my outfit. I wanted to keep the vibe chic but casual for the five-hour drive up the freezing mountain pass. I pulled on a pair of classic blue skinny jeans that hugged my curves perfectly, a crisp, sharply ironed white button-down shirt, and then reached for the grand finale: my new purchases from yesterday.

​I slipped my feet into the cream-colored leather boots, the thick wooden heel making a solid, satisfying clack against my hardwood floor. Then, I slid my arms into the long, heavy wool trench coat in that gorgeous, rich chestnut shade. I tied the belt tightly around my waist, cinching the fabric to accentuate my silhouette.

​I stepped back to look at myself in the full-length mirror, and my breath caught in my throat. I genuinely couldn't believe this was me. The tailored lines of the coat, the expensive leather of the boots, and the bouncy, burgundy-kissed curls framing my face... I didn't look like an orphan struggling to pay her final semester of tuition. I looked like a woman who owned the building. I looked like a girl who belonged on a private jet, or at the very least, on the arm of a Vane.

​Sudden anxiety tightened in my stomach. Is it too much? I thought, my fingers flying to the belt of the coat. Did I overdo it? What if his parents see right through this? What if Leo thinks I’m trying too hard?

​I was just about to unbutton the coat and change into my old, safe, oversized black sweater when my phone buzzed again.

​Leo:I’m downstairs. Shifting into park now. Don't make me wait, sunshine, my heater is on high.

​I closed my eyes, taking one long, steadying breath. "No backing out now, Evie," I whispered to the empty room. "This is the job. You look the part. Now go play it."

​I grabbed my dark designer sunglasses, wrapped a thick cream-colored scarf around my neck, picked up my structured leather handbag, and gripped the handle of my heavy suitcase. I walked out of my apartment, locked the door behind me, and headed down the narrow stairwell of my building.

​The heavy glass door of the lobby swung open, and the freezing December air hit my face, making my burgundy curls bounce against my collar. I spotted the sleek, low-profile silhouette of the McLaren parked right at the curb, its engine purring with a quiet, expensive rumble.

​And then, I saw him.

​Leo was leaning against the hood of the car, looking like he had just stepped straight out of a luxury holiday catalog. He was wearing tailored dark trousers, a heavy black overcoat, and a deep hunter green cable-knit sweater that made his broad shoulders look absolutely massive. His hair was perfectly styled, catching the morning sun, and he was staring intently down at his phone, his jawline looking incredibly sharp.

​Boy, I thought, a sudden, heavy thud hitting my chest, does my fake boyfriend not look damn good.He looks so hot I wonder if he is a six or eight pack abs guy.oh my..what the hell am I thinking he is my boss be professional.

​I swallowed the sudden dryness in my throat, straightened my posture, and let the heels of my new cream boots click loudly against the pavement as I approached him. I pulled my sunglasses down to the bridge of my nose, flashing a confident, mischievous smirk.

​"Hey, baby," I said, my voice smooth and dripping with the playful affection we had practiced.

​Leo didn't even blink. He didn't look up from his phone screen, his thumb still scrolling lazily through whatever video he was watching. He just casually raised a hand, waving me off with a distracted, completely unbothered motion.

​"Yeah, hey, sorry," Leo said, his tone perfectly polite but entirely dismissive. "I’m actually waiting for my girlfriend. She should be down any second."

​A sudden, loud chuckle escaped my lips. I stopped right in front of him, crossing my arms over the chestnut wool of my coat, completely amused by his sheer lack of situational awareness.

​Hearing my laugh, Leo froze. His thumb stopped scrolling. He tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing under his perfect hair as a look of intense confusion crossed his features. "Hold on..." he muttered, his voice dropping into a low, puzzled register. "Why does that laugh sound so familiar?"

​Slowly, deliberately, Leo raised his eyes from his phone screen, looking up past my cream boots, up the length of my trench coat, until his gaze finally locked onto my face.

​The transformation on his face was instant. His jaw completely dropped, his eyes blowing wide with an expression of pure, unadulterated shock. He stood up straight, abandoning his casual lean against the McLaren, his phone nearly slipping from his fingers.

​"Oh my god," Leo breathed, his voice a breathless, stunned whisper as he stared at my new curly, burgundy-tinted bob. "Evie... is that you?"