A Contract Wife for the Billionaire

Chapter 2

Emma's POV

Outside the Gold Vine, I began to rethink my decision. I was not in the right frame of kind to be on a date.

My golden bandage dress and vintage heels suddenly did not feel attractive anymore. I wanted to turn back, to go home and bury myself under my covers.

But instead, I took a deep breath and entered.

My date, Mark Vespera, had told me he would be in a dark green shirt and black pants so I looked out for someone with the outfit.

My eyes scanned the restaurant. Once. Twice. No sight of him. I hoped I was not being stood up.

That would only make my already terrible day worse.

I looked around the restaurant again. Slowly, this time paying close attention to the outfits.

And then I saw him, sitting at a table close to the window, staring out of it as if there was something of interest out there, in a dark green shirt and black trousers like he said.

I felt grateful – at least, Mark respected my feelings.

I walked up to him and slid into the chair opposite him.

“Hi, Mark, sorry I'm late,” I said, placing my bag on the table.

Then I looked up at him. And my breath caught.

From his pictures on Tinder, Mark looked like your normal corporate guy.

But the man that faced me looked anything but. He was a literal god. His features were perfect – sharp nose, a heart shaped mouth and steel eyes that focused on me, like he could read my past, present and future. He leaned back on his chair like he owned the place.

Weird.

People used catfishing to look better in pictures.

This man did it to look worse.

“Excuse me?” He said, his voice deep, a perfect match for the face.

“You're…you're Mark right?” I stuttered.

“Uh…” His eyes narrowed.

“So nice to meet you,” Although the air-conditioning was working perfectly, I felt hot. I extended my hand for a handshake. He held my arm, his grip tight and I felt a flutter in my stomach.

When I withdrew, I fanned my hand at my face.

“So, uh, we can order now,” I said, in a bid to escape his piercing gaze.

He lifted a hand to call the waiter over.

I ordered the filet Mignon with wild mushroom Purée while he took the truffle cream triagiatelle with roasted asparagus.

As we ate, I talked about a lot of things – my favourite movie, my Roman empire, the principles I stood by while he watched me like I was the only person in the room.

I asked if he wanted a long term relationship or was just looking for a momentary thing to which he said he was not sure.

At the end of the date, I had divulged a lot and he had said close to nothing.

But it didn't really matter because I felt lighter. The weight in my chest had eased a little and I was breathing better.

When it was time to go home, he held my hand, offering to drive me home as we walked outside. I jumped at the opportunity, unwilling to spend any more money on cab fare.

___

“And that was how I came to the decision that ballet was definitely not my thing.” I said, earning a chuckle from Mark that made my heart dance.

We pulled up infront of my apartment and I turned to him,

“Well, I guess this is it. Thank you for tonight.”

“Yeah. Thank you too. It's not easy to come across a woman who can hold a conversation this long,” He said

I stared at him, wondering if that was a compliment or just an overall jab at women.

If it was the latter, I was definitely going to tell him off.

I was a lot of things and one of them was a huge supporter of women.

“Yeah.” I smiled.

He stepped out of the car and then went around to open the car door for me. Holding my hand, he helped me out of the car but I stumbled with a yelp and fell, landing…in his arms.

He held my gaze for a while and – I didn't know what it was that came over me, honestly. But I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. His lips were the softest I'd ever kissed.

Not that I'd kissed a lot of people though.

His body stiffened for a moment but he didn't push me away. That would have been embarrassing.

He kissed me back as he brought me to stand steady on my feet.

My cheeks were burning by the time we pulled away from each other.

Embarrassed as hell, I ran towards the door of my apartment, not stopping until I was safely behind it. I exhaled and turned to peek at him from the small hole in the door.

I watched him get into the driver's seat of the car and drive away.

“Stupid. Stupid. Stupid,” I muttered as I pulled out my phone to text him, to apologise for my senseless actions.

I began typing.

I'm sorry. I don't know where that kiss came from.

Three dots appeared immediately and in the next second, I re

ceived a text back.

Emma, what the hell? You stood me up! I've been waiting for three hours now?!!!!!!