The Contract; A Billionaire Romance (18+)

ELEVEN

Odessa

Friday comes fast and I count down the minutes until I can sign out and pack my shit and get the hell out of these four walls. I stare at the clock as if it'll make it tick faster, and suddenly there's a knock on my doorframe.

"Sorry I haven't wished you happy birthday yet, I've been in meetings all day," Aden says, giving me a solemn look. I brush him off, saying it's no problem as if I haven't been waiting for him to acknowledge me all day. "Hope this makes up for it." He unwraps his hand from behind his back and displays a single cupcake with pink icing on a small plate. White numbered candles sit on top reading 27. My smile grows and I stand, my stomach swarming with butterflies. "I would have gotten black icing but realized it would have made your teeth black. Although charming, I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate it on your big night." He looks down at the cupcake as if in thought. "You wore a pink dress the other day, so I thought maybe you liked that color too..." He stops himself, pressing his lips together as he realizes he is rambling.

"No, I love pink. Thank you." I grab the plate from his hand and stare at the candles, giving him a look. "Why aren't they lit? Shouldn't I make a wish?"

"Oh shit." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out an intricate gold lighter. I give him a look, and he reads right through it. "No, I'm not a smoker. I dabble in a cigar now and then. It's good for the soul." He chuckles as he steps forward, steadying the plate from beneath my hand as he lights the two candles. I feel the warmth of his palm against the back of my hand, and my body erupts in a fit of tingles. "I would sing, but you'd beg me to stop."

"Don't worry, I'll hear you sing tonight at karaoke. You've officially been re-invited to my birthday party because of this beautiful cupcake." I close my eyes and blow out the candles, setting the cupcake down with satisfaction.

That's the first time I've blown out candles in twenty-four years.

"You will never hear me sing karaoke. Ever. I can promise you that."

"You have to, I wished on it."

"It won't come true because you told me." He gives me a look, and I shrug.

"Fine, break a girl's heart." I give him a look as I reach down, grab the cupcake, peel the wrapper, and take a large bite. I can't help but moan slightly, my eyes rolling to the back of my head. The cake melts in my mouth and the icing is divine—not too sweet and just the right creaminess.

"Oh my god," I say around a mouthful, my smile growing each time I chew. "This is fucking delicious."

Aden watches me with a fiery intensity and his eyes fall to my lips, his pupils dilating. Suddenly, he reaches forward, his thumb swiping at the corner of my mouth and gathering the remnants of frosting from my lips on the tip. I freeze, my heart hammering in my chest as I see him bring his thumb to his mouth and then wrap his lips around it. I watch in awe as his tongue works to clean the pink frosting off, and he smiles, his eyes never leaving mine.

"You're right. Delicious."

I place the cupcake down with my hands shaking violently and clear my throat, looking down at my desk so I don't meet his eyes.

"So, we're meeting at 6 tonight," I say through a tight throat. "At Barney's if you do want to show up. You don't have to, I know you're busy and probably feel weird being around your employees, but my friend will be there—"

"The friend you mentioned me to?"

"Uh, yes." I nod. He nods as well, his eyes unreadable. My only friend, I want to say but bite the words back in fear of sounding pathetic. "She would love to meet you, considering you're basically a celebrity."