All Chapters of Playing the Billionaire’s Contract Game: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

EmmaFor the first hour since we got to the party, I had tried to make eye contact with Rachel from where she was standing with Asher, but it seemed to be futile. I could swear that she was intentionally avoiding my eyes. Once our eyes finally met, a small crossed my face and I waved at her but she barely spared me a glance before looking away. Sighing in defeat from the sharp stinging pain of her rejection, I dropped my hand. Again, I blamed Zane for all of this. What reason did he have for embarrassing her the way he did?Still, I expected her to at least give me a chance to clear thing. None of what happened was my fault. Why was she being so hard on me? As I tried to look away and refocus my gaze to the rest of the party, my gaze met with Asher who was standing right beside Rachel. He offered me a faint smile from the distance and a tentative wave. I only gave a closed mouthed smile in return.He had been staring at me ever since I stepped foot into this party, while I had tri

EmmaThankfully, the accident was just a scratch on the car and didn’t harm us. But I would never forget the horrified, scared look on Zane’s face when it happened. The wide, panicked look in his eyes as he checked me over and asked if I was okay. And even though I insisted I wasn’t hurt, he still rushed me to the hospital. Once it was confirmed I was fine, Zane brought me back to the mansion. After that, I didn’t see him again.The only information I got from his assistant was that he had left for an urgent business trip. As much as I tried to believe it, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was running away from me and from his own head. It made me feel bad for him but I didn’t try to reach out, just incase I said or did something that would worsen his feelings.Instead, I tried to focus all my attention on the grand opening of my dessert bar. Before he left, he had his assistant hand me some documents. They were the ownership papers for the building for the dessert bar, along w

EmmaI barely slept that night. Sharing a room with Zane was bad enough, but sharing a bed? That was torture. And it wasn’t even a king-sized bed —just a medium one that left almost no space between us. Every little movement made our bodies brush against each other, sending unwelcome sparks through me.I gritted my teeth, blaming his broken-down car for this mess. And blaming myself too. If only I had brought my phone, we could’ve called for help…“Can’t sleep?" Zane’s deep voice came from behind me. I was facing away from him, but I could feel his breath warm against my neck. It sent a shiver down my spine and a wild flutter in my heart.I didn’t answer. Instead, I squeezed my eyes shut, pretending to be asleep.Zane let out a low chuckle, then suddenly wrapped his arms around me. My body tensed at once. He pulled me even closer until his waist was pressed against my ass.I swallowed hard and shifted slightly, trying to create some distance, but he just mirrored my movement, refusin

EmmaThe next day, I attended the charity event with Asher. I didn’t tell Zane, knowing exactly how he would react. If he found out, I was certain his controlling ass could try to chain me to the bed so that I wouldn’t go out.So, I told him a small lie —I said I was going to the dessert bar. From there, Asher picked me up, and we arrived at the venue together.As we stepped into the grand ballroom, my eyes were drawn to the crystal chandeliers casting a golden glow over the room. Elegantly dressed guests clinked their champagne glasses as soft violin music played in the background.“You still haven’t told me why you insisted I come with you.” I said, politely declining a glass of wine offered by a passing waiter.Asher smiled, casually shaking hands with a few people. “Because this was the only way I could get some real time with you since you’re so determined to avoid me.”I scoffed, shaking my head. I couldn’t believe I had fallen for his tricks just because I was desperate to save

AsherI placed the last plate on the kitchen table, stepping back to admire the meal I had just finished preparing. The spicy aroma filling the air, caused a small smile to cross my lips. I was still wearing my suit trousers, but my shirt and jacket had been discarded the moment I got home. Although I was quite a good cook, I never really enjoyed it. But tonight was special.Emma was coming over for dinner.I had texted her last night, inviting her over after she left the charity event with Zane. Surprisingly, she had agreed. I bit down on my lower lip as I smiled again, shaking my head at myself. It was almost ridiculous how easily she could get to me, how all the anger and heartbreak from the past seemed to fade the moment she lowered her guard and apologized.She had broken me once —shattered me back in Boston. And yet, here I was, chasing after the smallest opportunity to be with her again.I wasn’t the kind of guy to fall in love easily. In fact, before Emma, I had never truly