The Ceo’s Contract Lover

Nina’s eyes widened in surprise as Jayden swept her off her feet and placed her on the kitchen counter. The scent of sandalwood enveloped her senses, and her heart raced as she found herself in such proximity to him.

“Where are your shoes?” His low voice resonated through the kitchen. Nina subconsciously looked at her feet and realized that she had indeed forgotten to wear them.

With a hint of annoyance in her voice, Nina retorted, “Not a big deal.”

Jayden met her gaze, and she felt her heart skip a beat under his cold, dark orbs. He held her feet in his hands, and the coolness of his touch made her shiver. Using his free hand, he lifted his shirt and placed her feet on his stomach, seemingly unfazed by her comment.

Nina wanted to pull back her feet, but Jayden ordered sternly, “Don’t move around.”

Hearing his words, Nina scoffed. “Aren’t you tired of being a hypocrite all day?”

Jayden raised an eyebrow but remained silent. He continued to rub her feet until the warmth of his touch gradually dispelled the coldness.

Nina couldn’t help but want to kick him upon seeing his calmness.

She wanted to ask him when was the last time he had genuinely cared about anything or if anything had ever truly bothered him.

He always did things on his own accord, without considering the impact on anyone, not even his legal wife.

As Nina’s mouth opened and closed several times, Jayden understood her unspoken questions. Without waiting for her to voice them, he explained the ins and outs of the incident related to the Heaths.

In his 30 years of existence, Jayden had never felt the need to provide explanations to anyone, not even his father. The only exception being the woman in front of him.

Looking back at how much it affected her, he thought it was better to clear up the misunderstandings lest this silly girl let her imagination run wild.

Earlier, when Jayden had announced in the office that he intended to settle the matters at home, he had truly meant it-no subtext, no hidden meaning.

Obviously, he couldn’t shed blood at the university, right? He had a reputation to maintain, for God’s sake.

Who knew that Nina would misinterpret his intentions, and lock herself up inside the storage?

Nina listened intently, absorbing the details of the tumultuous events that had unfolded over the past few days.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“So you used the bullying incident to get back at the father and daughter duo. Killing two birds with one stone.” She analyzed bitterly.

Amused by her assumption, Jayden shrugged nonchalantly.

As long as he achieved the results he desired, he didn’t mind employing any method. Even if that meant killing his kin.

The nonchalant tone in Jayden’s voice as he discussed the destruction of a prominent family sent a chill down Nina’s spine.

She had always been aware that this man was dangerous, but every time it surprised how ruthless he could be.

Even his niece, who had grown up in front of him, was nothing in his eyes when it came to his gains and ambitions.

It made Nina think about her precarious position in his life. Fortunately, she had never offended this man. Or else, her ending could be even crueler than Madison’s if she ever crossed him.

“Next time, stop letting your imagination run wild,” Jayden advised, his tone softening slightly. “At least wait for my explanation before deciding anything.”

Their relationship had always been marked by complexities, and misunderstandings seemed to be a recurring theme.

He had never bothered about anyone’s feelings or opinions before. Hence, he felt the need for better communication and understanding between them. He really didn’t want her to pull off the stunts she had the other day.

It would be a lie to say that he wasn’t deeply affected when Nina had gone missing. The thought of her being away from his sight had been unnerving.

—

Life settled back into its usual calmness after the storm that had engulfed their lives. And soon, it was the day when Nina graduated.

As Nina walked across the stage to receive her degree, a triad of emotions washed over her.

Her journey had been far from easy. The challenges she faced throughout her life had often tempted her to give up. Yet, she was glad that she persisted.

Her accomplishments were a testament to her resilience and determination. And she had overcome the hurdles, both personal and external, to reach this milestone.

As Nina stood on the stage, receiving the excellent student award, her eyes inadvertently landed on the man sitting in the VIP seats of the audience. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the faint, yet unmistakable, smile in his dark, bottomless orbs.

Anyone familiar with Jayden would recognize the pride and satisfaction reflected in his gaze. Jayden had always been a man of few words, but in that moment, his eyes spoke volumes.

He felt incredibly proud as he watched his woman receive the recognition she deserved. He had been a witness to her growth and her relentless hard work, and seeing her achieve her dreams, he felt that everything was worth it.

Looking at the dazzling woman on the stage, for a brief moment, a possessive instinct stirred within him, and he felt the urge to hide her from the prying eyes of the world.

However, he understood that Nina was not meant to be confined or hidden away. She was a woman destined to soar to great heights, and he was determined to be the one who covered the sky for her.

After the graduation ceremony concluded, the students lingered on the stage, capturing photos and sharing their final moments before parting ways. It was a bittersweet occasion, filled with joy and nostalgia.

As she walked out of the campus, Nina’s eyes fell upon Jayden’s car parked nearby. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she made her way toward the vehicle.

Just as she approached, she saw Jayden stepping out of the car, holding a bouquet of vibrant red roses in his hands. Standing before her, he stuffed the bouquet into her hands and said, “Congratulations.”

Nina’s heart swelled with happiness at the unexpected surprise. She accepted the bouquet, the deep crimson petals contrasting beautifully with her graduation gown. She brought them to her nose, inhaling their sweet fragrance, and held them close to her chest.

“Thank you,” she replied.

As Nina stood before Jayden, Kaylin and Tyler, approached from behind.

Tyler’s expression quickly soured when he saw Jayden, and his excitement faded. This was the first time he had met the legendary Jayden Luxton in person.

Jayden had always been an idol to many, and Tyler was no exception.

In the past, he might have been overjoyed at the chance to meet his idol, but now, things were different. Knowing that the man in front of him was the husband of the woman he admired, Tyler felt a sense of defeat wash over him.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop his growing fondness for Nina.

If it had been anyone else, he might have still held out a chance. However, the person Nina had married was Jayden Luxton, who was in a league of his own, far surpassing him in every aspect.

There wasn’t even a comparison. He had lost before he could even stand in the race.

As a man, Jayden could sense the emotions and changes in Tyler. As possessive as he was, Jayden immediately pulled Nina closer to him, his arm encircling her waist protectively. He leaned in and hugged her, an obvious display of his claim over his territory.

Then he turned his attention to them. “Thank you for taking care of my wife,” he said, his tone gracious. “I’ve thrown a party for her tonight at the Imperial Crown. Since you both are her only friends, I hope you can attend.”

Nina looked at Jayden in surprise; she hadn’t been aware of the party until this moment. Since he had already extended the invitation, she turned to her friends, looking at them expectantly.

Oblivious to Tyler’s inner turmoil, Kaylin was thrilled to be invited by Jayden himself. Her excitement was evident as she eagerly nodded and replied, “It’s our pleasure. Don’t worry, we’ll be there tonight.”

Jayden glanced at Tyler, who felt immense pressure under his warning gaze and nodded absentmindedly.

Pleased, Jayden held Nina’s hand and bid them goodbye.

—

The party was held at the Imperial Crown, a place where the country’s most influential and wealthiest individuals gathered.

Apart from Nina’s friends, Stefan, Nora, and Liam also added their presence to the grandeur of the celebration.

Dressed in a vintage black rose-tube top cocktail dress, Nina looked extremely sexy tonight. The outfit highlighted her figure and showcased her long legs, causing more than a few heads to turn at her beauty.

Considering the occasion, Jayden, also ditched his usual formal attire. Instead, he opted for a more casual yet stylish look, wearing ash-blue jeans, a black t-shirt, and a brown leather jacket. The outfit gave him a youthful and relaxed appearance, making him stand out in the crowd.

As the husband-wife pair entered the venue, they left everyone in awe with their heaven-defying looks and undeniable chemistry.

Though an introvert herself, Nora knew how to party to the fullest. In a joyous mood, she dragged Nina on the dance floor and took it upon herself to ensure that the latter let loose and enjoyed herself.

“Just because you’re married to an older man doesn’t mean you have to behave like an old woman too,” Nora’s infectious laughter filled the air as she teased Nina.

Nina joined in the laughter and responded playfully, “Sshh. Don’t let Jayden hear that you called him old. He’s pretty sensitive when it comes to his age.”

Nora shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s a fact. Seriously, I feel like you live a bit too conservatively. Since we’re family, let me take care of you,” she said, patting her chest confidently. “Trust me, I’m a very bad influence in a good way.”

Nina, ever so hesitating, agreed, “Now that I’ve already graduated, I feel like I don’t have too many things to consider.”

“What do you plan to do next?” Curious, Nora asked.

“I have a final interview with Elysium Couture next weekend. Don’t know about the future, but for now, I want to work with them.” Nina revealed.

The two girls continued to talk as the room was filled with a sense of celebration, laughter, and music.

The men, on the other hand, drank at the side, watching the two girls enjoy themselves.

Nina had a little too much to drink that night, leaving her feeling a bit tipsy. Wanting to get some fresh air, she excused herself from the lively crowd.

As she made her way, she spotted a familiar figure standing on the balcony, engrossed in a phone call. Nina took a moment to straighten her hair with her fingers before slowly staggering toward the person.

Jayden, who had been on the phone call, hung up and turned around to see Nina walking toward him.

Leaning his weight on the railings, he watched as she approached him and dived straight into his arms.