Page 14 of The Billionaire's Contract Baby

"Yes. I'll send you the details and your invitation. Who are you bringing along?"

"You will see her soon. I gotta go." Saying a quick goodbye, I cut the call and went back to my seat.

"Crystal, please come." I was thinking how to break the news to her. I could invite her or simply order her to follow me. She walked over and stopped just inches from my table.

"Yes, sir?"

"Could you stop with the sir? It's Lorenzo. Forget it. I want to invite you to a very important event three days from now. A wine tasting event in London with world class wine experts. Would you be free to come?"

She paused. Considering it for a minute or two, she slowly shook her head. “It’s inconvenient. I'd love to go but my hands are tied…My home" She looked apologetic.

"Tell me clearly what would keep you from attending? Don't be evasive," I pressed. She always used home as an excuse. That had to stop. She said nothing, apparently at a loss for words.

"Look Crystal, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Why would you miss out on it due to a meaningless excuse? Come on! I expected better of you."

She flinched, looking hurt. "It's not meaningless…" Her voice was low, almost a whisper.

"Crystal, I promise it will be worth your time. I know you're ambitious. Imagine what this would do for your career… You won't need me or any other man again if you can make this work." It was the honest truth, but I hid the part that I also needed her.

"Lorenzo… Okay, you win. I'll go, but I have to make plans." Her expression shifted from a smile to a frown.

"Good. You can take the day off. I'll come pick you up tomorrow and take you to the airport." She nodded, listening to the plans I was making. I still had some things to sort out before we left, but it would all come together nicely.

***

Antonio stopped the car in front of Crystal's apartment. She was already outside, dressed in comfortable travel clothes. Her luggage was beside her. Antonio opened the door to let her in, then put her luggage in the trunk with mine.

Within an hour, we arrived at the airport. I used my free access to my private jet, not having to go through all the hassles of normal air travel. I walked to the airstair, Crystal just behind me. We settled in, and in no time, the jet was taking off.

Ten hours later, we landed in London at night. Crystal looked tired and ready to sleep. I was already prepared. I had booked our rooms and ordered a private car before landing. I helped her into the seat and put our luggage in the trunk.

I drove through the streets of London. They weren't unfamiliar since I'd been here several times. I quickly drove to the hotel, watching as Crystal slept in her seat, her face a portrait of relaxation. To pass the long hours on the jet, we had tried different wines with me teaching her how to taste them and understand the complexities behind their special variety.

She was a fast learner but still had a low alcohol tolerance. I smiled remembering the fun we had. She made strange jokes that she had to explain, especially about pop culture and celebrity gossip. To be honest with myself, I listened with relish. Our time together in the air seemed to thaw some of the ice that had formed between us.

I drove the car to the entrance to the Phoenix Hotel. Although it was nighttime, it was bustling. I woke Crystal up gently, showing her where we were. Her eyes widened in amazement as she took in the gilded doors and enormous birdlike statues that glowed in the soft lights from the main door. These statues dominated the entrance and gave it a mystic aura. "This place is… great." Crystal breathed slowly, sleep fading from her eyes.

"Just wait till you see inside." As we both got out of the car, two bell boys rushed over to us. I gave one, the key to the car to be parked safely. The other took our luggage and arranged it in a moving train. The bell boy drove the car away. I took Crystal's hand and led her through the doors with the other bell boy behind us. We stepped onto a multicolored marble floor designed in the shape of a Phoenix. The ceiling was dominated by glass chandeliers that twinkled and reflected the light with a gorgeous glow. Everywhere one looked, they would surely be stunned. Crystal took this all in with composure; she was learning.

I sorted out the accommodation with the receptionist. We reached the upper floor of the hotel and parted ways to our respective rooms. They were side by side with a connecting door to facilitate movement. Only special VIP suites had this feature in case the occupants hadsneaky or businessmatters to discuss. The bell boy dropped off our luggage and left. I bade Chrystal goodnight and entered my room to rest.

The room was magnificent; the pottery embellishments gave the room a distinct vintage feeling. Also, the dark colors from the drapes to the bedding made me think of my bedroom at home. I took off my clothes and took a quick bath. Returning to the bedroom with a towel around my waist, I opened the drapes to see the glorious night view of London. Content with the view, I headed to bed. I took out my laptop. Unfortunately, I had to keep working even when away. That made me think of Crystal.

What was she doing? Probably sleeping by now. She looked exhausted. I was about to face my work when a knock sounded somewhere. I paused to listen. It came again, but now I could pinpoint it. It was coming from the connecting door. Why was Crystal knocking? I checked the time and saw it was eleven pm. She ought to be sleeping. I got off the bed and went to the door. It was a few paces from the bed. "Crystal, I'm coming." She stopped knocking, waiting for me.

I reached the door and unlocked it. There was Crystal, standing in front of me in a purple satin nightgown that left nothing to the imagination. It seemed that the gown was made to highlight every curve and rise of her body. If I didn't know better, I'd say she wanted to seduce me, but she was scrolling through her computer looking conflicted. She looked up and beamed, "Oh, I'm sorry. I'll be out of your hair soon. I'd like to show you this. It won't take long."

"Come in." I opened the way for her to pass. She left a trail of lavender behind her. I watched as the gown rose and fell as she walked, giving me a peak of her round ass. Her long, pale legs skimmed the ground. She walked to my bed, making my mind conjure up hot images. I closed the door and walked to join her. I felt something move and rub against my towel. I looked down to see that I was hard. In fact, my erection had pushed up my towel.Embarrassing.

I wanted to find something more appropriate to wear, but she called out, "Lorenzo, please come…" Her voice at that moment stirred my insides and ignited a fire in my loins. We sat side by side - she on her computer with a puzzled look on her face and me with my erection, looking uncomfortable.

"You see this detail here and also here. They don't match as if they weren't filled in or purposely left out. I've gone through several records to track the missing numbers, but it seems that they just vanished…" She kept talking, and I tried to listen. Really, it was just that I could no longer hear the content of her words. I just took in the sound her voice made, her unique cologne, and the abundance of soft smooth skin my eyes were capturing in real time.

"I suggest we… Lorenzo?" She took a glance at me and then my erection. Her eyes widened, and suddenly she was conscious of her nightgown, putting her hands over her chest and clamping her legs tight. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know I barged in on you while you are naked. I should leave."

"No. It's not your fault.Stay and let me change so we can look at what you brought over." I rose, putting one hand on her shoulder to make her remain in place. As I turned to leave, her hand reached out to stop me. But instead, she pulled on the knot of my towel.

The towel fell and I appeared fully naked. She blushed and looked away, mumbling her apologies. I chuckled despite myself. I bent to pick up my towel when I caught her staring. "You can touch it…" I sat beside her but kept my hands away so as not to frighten her.

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