Contracted To You-Chapter 64: Always

Ezra leaned in, his breath warm against her skin, and everything stilled for a heartbeat—then his lips descended on hers with a fervor that ignited a fire in her chest. It was deep, all-consuming.

His tongue slid past her parted lips, exploring her slowly and teasingly, as if he intended to memorize all of her taste.

He eased her into the kiss, deepening it with purpose, his tongue swirling against hers in deliberate strokes, coaxing a soft whimper from her throat. While his arm grabbed her waist tightly.

Evie gripped his shirt, anchoring herself as her body pressed fully against his. Heat coiled in her stomach. Every swirl of his tongue was a promise, every sigh an unspoken confession of just how much he’d missed her.

He scooped her into his arms effortlessly, her hands framing his face as they kissed passionately while he navigated toward the room. They collided against the wall more than once, but neither of them broke away from their kisses.

Evie didn’t pull back, nor did he. He found the bed, and they tumbled onto it together. Evie’s back pressed against the cool sheets beneath her, Ezra hovering above, careful not to crush her, as she slid her hand over his shoulder, their kisses deepening even further.

She reveled in the contact, overwhelmed by how much she savored this moment and how desperately she wanted it to last.

Finally, they broke away, breathless, and opened their eyes. They locked gazes, silent for a moment before Ezra’s lips curled into a smile—a genuine smile that wasn’t his usual smirk but one that radiated triumph, as if he had claimed everything important in his life.

Evie felt the pull of that smile; it sent excitement racing through her. Propping her head on her arm, she turned towards him. "What’s got you grinning like that?" she asked.

Ezra turned his gaze to her, shook his head, and then said, "Should we have our first date?"

Evie rolled her eyes, pursing her lips. "We’ve had plenty of dates, Ezra."

"That’s not what I meant," he replied, shaking his head firmly. "I meant a proper date... like our first real date."

Evie chuckled, a blush creeping onto her cheeks as she enjoyed his earnestness.

All Ezra did was smile back, that charming smile that made her heart race.

"Alright," she conceded, letting a provocative smile spread across her lips. He was captivated by the way her lips curved, slightly swollen from their kisses.

"Where do you want to go?" Ezra asked. "Maldives?" he suggested, and Evie’s eyes widened in surprise.

Regaining her composure, she reminded herself that this wasn’t an ordinary boyfriend; this was her billionaire boyfriend. After all, he had taken her to Paris during their fake relationship, so she had no reason to doubt that he would take her anywhere she desired.

"Santorini?" he followed up, but Evie was lost in her thoughts.

"Evie?" Ezra called softly, bringing her back.

"I’m sorry about that," she said quickly.

"So, where do you want to go?" he pressed. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Leaning in closer, she whispered, "How about home?" Her tone was teasing.

His brow furrowed momentarily. "Wait... you mean the mansion?" he clarified, and she nodded.

"We could have dinner there. No need for extravagant trips just for a date," she said, shrugging casually.

Ezra stared at her, clearly taken aback.

"What?" Evie asked.

It wasn’t merely any date; it was their first proper one, and he was surprised she’d prefer the mansion.

His gaze narrowed. Was she worried about spending money? Did she think he wouldn’t want to lavish her with a truly memorable experience?

"Are you worried about the money?" he raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing her reaction.

Evie met his gaze, saying nothing.

Ezra sighed, his hand caressing her cheek as he maintained eye contact. "You’re my woman, Evie. I’ll spend whatever it takes for you."

Her heart fluttered at his declaration, cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"You don’t need to worry about that," he added, softening slightly.

"I just wanted our first date to be at the house. Trust me, I wasn’t worried about the money." Her firm declaration seemed to please him; a smirk tugged at his lips.

How could she even worry about finances? Had she forgotten that he was a billionaire? His wealth would carry on for generations to come, and he was more than capable of providing all she desired.

Money flowed freely for him, and he intended to spend it how he pleased—specifically, on Evie.

"So be it," Ezra replied firmly.

***

The moment of the date finally arrived.

The rooftop exuded tranquility, bathed in silvery moonlight. Twinkling fairy lights lined the edges, and at the center stood a low table surrounded by comfortable floor cushions.

Ezra positioned himself near the edge, surveying the city lights that sprawled endlessly below, flickering like stars scattered across the ground. A light breeze ruffled the collar of his black shirt, and the soft instrumental jazz from hidden speakers melded with the vibrant hum of nightlife beneath him.

He adjusted his blazer, glancing at his watch for the third time. Normally, he wouldn’t feel this anxious—but tonight was different. Tonight was about her.

"Ahem." A throat cleared behind him, and Ezra’s lips curled into a knowing smile—it was the woman he had been eagerly waiting for.

Evie emerged like a vision.

She wore a deep sapphire-blue dress that accentuated her curves impeccably, the soft silk catching the rooftop lights with a rich shimmer. Her hair was elegantly swept up in a twist, with a few loose strands framing her radiant face. The sound of her heels clicking against the tiles punctuated the air, and for a moment, Ezra was captivated.

He barely registered that he had been staring until she smirked, her eyes sparkling.

"You’re going to burn holes into me if you keep looking like that," she teased.

Ezra chuckled, closing the distance between them with purpose. "That’s the plan."

As he reached her, they paused, capturing the moment in a shared gaze, Evie blinking at him with curiosity.

She was mesmerizing, ethereal, and he found it impossible to look away.

His focus shifted momentarily to her lips, a desire igniting within him. He yearned to taste her, but he resisted the urge to rush things.

Instead, he took her hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it, prompting a soft chuckle from Evie.

Ezra smiled against her skin and trailed kisses up her arm, his other hand finding her waist, pulling her closer as she giggled in response.

His kisses moved along her arms, across her collarbone, and up her neck, finally hovering near her lips. Those enticing lips—he intended to kiss them until they were swollen.

He tilted her face up and captured her mouth in a slow, deep kiss. His tongue slid past her lips, coaxing and swirling, tasting the warmth of her. Her fingers curled into his shirt as she melted into him.

And Ezra could have easily lost control; he was driven by his desires when it came to Evie. She embodied temptation, pulling him toward the edge. But a sliver of his gentlemanly nature emerged, and he broke the kiss, locking eyes with her.

"Come with me," he said with a husky voice, extending his arm. Without hesitation, Evie placed her hand in his as he led her to the table.

Her smile brightened upon seeing the setup and the surroundings—it was stunning, as if taken straight from a movie. She settled into her seat while Ezra positioned himself opposite her, ensuring they faced each other.

A small round table adorned with a canopy of string lights and lanterns had been meticulously arranged. Light bites were laid out—mini bruschettas, grilled skewers, fruit, and a small cake sprinkled with edible gold dust. A chilled bottle of wine awaited them.

They sat, their knees brushing beneath the table. He poured her a drink, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other, comfort and heat crackling in the air.

"You really outdid yourself," she remarked, taking a sip.

"I had to. I couldn’t let you think I’d forgotten how to spoil you," he said, his voice low, his gaze fixed on her lips.

Evie leaned in slightly. "And what if I did forget?"

He smirked at the challenge. "Then I’d just have to remind you."

They laughed and teased, their feet entwined beneath the table. Ezra leaned in confidently, brushing crumbs from the corner of her mouth. His fingers lingered a moment longer than necessary. Her breath caught.

Eventually, they leaned back into the cushions, gazing up at the stars. The city lights sparkled below, but up here—it was their own world, close together, shoulders brushing. He picked up a grape and held it to her lips. "Open."

She laughed but complied, biting down and catching his fingers with her lips deliberately. "You’re spoiling me."

"I should have been doing this all along," he replied, and Evie couldn’t hide her joy, the exhilaration of a perfect date. She grinned as if he had handed her the universe.

"I need to make this a regular thing," Ezra declared, looking at her with sincerity.

Evie raised an eyebrow. "Your smile is beautiful, and I want to see it more often."

She nudged his shoulder playfully, wondering how many times he had made her blush today. Why was her heart racing at every little thing?

She turned her gaze away, settling back to get comfortable, her eyes on the sky, and Ezra did the same. The night was serene, a gentle breeze surrounding them—this moment was perfect. "I used to watch the stars alone," she murmured.

He had also spent countless nights under the stars alone, but that was about to change. "You don’t have to anymore," Ezra said, finding her fingers and interlocking them. "From now on, you’ll have me."

She turned to him, her heart racing. "Always?"

His gaze locked onto hers with conviction. "Always."