The Contract Wife: A One-Night Stand Billionaire Romance

Zara’s POV.

Together with my friend Antoinette, I settled onto the stool of a dimly lit bar. Lively music pulsed through the air and the clinking of glasses made me realized that I was in a perfect place to relax and unwind.

We ordered our drinks and Antoinette started to talk about men. When the warmth of the alcohol began to seep into my veins, laughter bubbled up easily and I felt my worries melting away like snow in the spring. We had fun with our drinks until I turned around and saw the man who just entered the bar.

It was Lucas Blackwood, my ultimate crush since college. My heart almost skipped a beat as I watched him saunter inside with his brooded eyes scanning the room. He seemed tired and sad! I had never seen him so sad before so I wondered what happened to him.

“Zara, are you alright?” Antoinette's voice was a distant murmur and her words competed with the excited thumping of my heart.

“Y-yeah, I'm fine,” I stammered and my voice betrayed the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Then once again, I turned to check on him. Lucas found a seat at the far end of the bar. When a waiter served his drinks, he was staring at it. For a moment, his drink remained untouched in front of him. Although I never had the chance to win his heart, the thought of him being upset gnawed at me like an itch I couldn’t ignore.

“Zara! Look!”

I was startled when I heard Antoinette’s voice, and then she casually mentioned seeing Lucas in the bar. I just smiled in response because I didn’t want her to know that I had been watching him since he arrived.

“This is your chance, girl. Go and talk with Lucas. He seems to be alone,” Antoinette suggested.

“No way.” I refused because I knew that Lucas had a girlfriend, a model named Giselle, and I didn’t want to flirt with an engaged man. “What about you?” I asked her a few minutes later.

“Don’t worry about me. Have you forgotten that this bar belonged to my cousin? I will not be alone,” she assured me.

For a moment, I was terrified of approaching Lucas. It had been a long time since we saw each other, and I was afraid he would send me away with a simple wave of his finger. He was always like that every time he would dismiss someone in front of him. I believed it would be embarrassing!

“I'll be right back,” I mumbled to Antoinette, and then my legs propelled me forward before I could think twice. The alcohol emboldened me and made me feel invincible at the moment. Then, without further ado, I slid onto the stool next to Lucas.

“Zara Delafontaine? What are you doing?” he asked.

I was surprised when he called me by my full name. So, he remembered me. “Hello, Lucas Blackwood,” I purred while feeling a grin tug at the corners of my lips. Then, his gaze shifted from his drink to me.

“Please leave,” he stated.

“Is everything alright?” I asked and my heart was beating so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

“Not really. Just a rough day, but I’m fine. I just need a drink or more,” he replied.

“Aren’t you lucky tonight? I happen to be an expert at turning bad days around,” I informed him and a chuckle escaped from his lips.

“Are you alone?” he asked after sipping his drink.

“Nope, I am with Antoinette but something came up and she went ahead of me,” I lied so when he scanned the bar, I became nervous. When he narrowed his eyes, I was tempted to check the area where Antoinette and I were sitting earlier. Fortunately, the woman was not there. She probably went to talk to her cousin.

As the night wore on, Lucas and I talked and then I flirted with him shamelessly. The bar around us faded into a background blur as we became lost in our conversation. The night had taken an unexpected turn because of too much alcohol.

We talked, laughed and with every passing moment, my heart felt more alive. Then, as our conversation deepened, my hand somehow found its way to his thigh. It was a subtle touch and almost unconscious. His eyes flickered and his expression suddenly became hard to read. With a simple touch, I could sense that something had changed in him and I could feel the tension between us.

“Let’s go,” he suddenly said while grabbing my hand.

I was hesitant to let him lead me toward the bar’s exit because of Antoinette but then I realized that I wouldn’t get another chance to be with Lucas Blackwood. So, I followed him without looking back or worrying about Antoinette.

Once outside the bar, he brought me to his car. I didn’t question his motive and entered the vehicle as soon as he opened the door for me. Before he drove away, I glanced at him, and I was instantly amazed at his chiseled jawline.

The city lights painted streaks of color across the night sky and I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was just a dream because it was too good to be true. Then, the engine purred to life and we left the area.

A few moments later, we arrived at a towering penthouse and he helped me out of the car. He brought me to his private space!

“Come in!” His voice was deep when he invited me.

What was wrong with me? Why did his deep voice cause my heartbeat to quicken? Pushing the door open, I stepped inside and I was immediately captivated by his luxurious place. My eyes locked onto the room’s setup. His place was beyond magnificent!

“Lucas, when did your voice become so deep?” I asked as my steps led me toward the massive bed.

The soft lighting inside the room allowed me to take in the opulent furniture and the grandeur of the bed itself. Then, a rich, masculine fragrance filled the air. It was a scent I loved in him, but I couldn’t help but wonder why he didn’t change his cologne after all these years.

“Lucas,” I murmured his name as I drew closer to the bed but because of the alcohol I had earlier, I suddenly felt my body growing warm. Without thinking twice, I began to adjust my clothes to cool down a little bit.

Once again, I glanced around the room, but this time, the sound of running water caught my attention. When did he go to the bathroom? I was so deep in thought earlier that I didn’t notice when Lucas left to take a shower. A playful grin spread across my face as I waited for him.

After a few minutes of waiting, a tall and breathtakingly handsome figure emerged from the bathroom. The subdued lighting accentuated his well-defined chest muscles, glistening with droplets of water. He was truly a sight to behold, then his gaze locked onto me.

“I'm feeling hot... I want to undress right now.” My lips parted slightly as the words tumbled out, surprising even myself.

I couldn't fathom why I suddenly felt like my body was on fire. Then, as if in a daze, I collapsed onto the floor. Through my haze, I saw him discard the towel, giving me an unexpected glimpse of his nakedness. He immediately extended his hand to help me up.

“Lucas,” I murmured, my arm instinctively draping around his neck.

“Rest for a couple of minutes. I will take you home later. Perhaps, do you need a shower? You are sweating,” he noticed.

“Yes, please,” I replied, and then I allowed him to take me to the bathroom to have a cold shower.

However, the cold shower didn’t even help. I was still drunk. When I got out of the bathroom, the subtle aroma of wine mixed with the sweet fragrance of the evening air swirled around me. As I gazed up at him, everything felt hazy and surreal. Confusion clouded my thoughts and I struggled to make sense of the situation.

“Hey, what are you doing?” he asked.

I wanted to respond but my mind was a whirlwind of sensations and it was difficult to form a coherent response. I heard his words but they felt distant as they were coming from another world. Giggle escaped my lips as I tried to focus on his face and my senses were heightened by the intoxicating atmosphere.

“What do you think you’re doing right now?” he asked again.

“I felt uncomfortable and hot, Lucas,” I replied, and my voice was barely audible. Leaning in, I pressed my face against his chest, and an odd sense of relief washed over me. With my eyes closed, I allowed myself to be carried away by the moment. As he looked above me, I clung to him, while silently yearning for his touch.

“You are drunk, Zara,” he pointed out.

My body was warm and the alcohol cursed through my veins like liquid fire. It was as if my thoughts were being pulled in different directions, so I struggled to piece everything together.

“Kiss me, Lucas,” I found myself pleading, the words spilling out without thought. “Please, Lucas Blackwood, let’s do it,” I mumbled.

“Oh God, woman! Are you sure?”

I nodded in response and before I knew it, I was pressed against him and he immediately conquered my mouth in a ravishing kiss. The world around us seemed to fade into insignificance as Lucas and I shared that electrifying kiss.

It was as if time had stopped, and all that mattered was the sensation of his lips against mine. As our lips moved in a passionate dance, I decided to surrender everything to Lucas Blackwood.

His touch was both tender and urgent when his fingers traced a fiery path along my skin, leaving a trail of sensation that sent shivers down my spine. My heart raced in tandem with the rising tide of emotions. When he deepened the kiss, every nerve ending on my body seemed to come alive. Then, my fingers found their way into his hair, and I pulled him closer as if I could merge my very soul with his.

“I want you, Zara,” he said when he let me go.

“I am all yours, Lucas,” I replied, and then my eyes widened in shock when I realized that we were already in bed.

He was on top of me and his legs tried to nudge mine in order to separate them. When I obliged, he conquered my lips once more before he thrust into me. I winced in pain at his invasion and he was also shocked to know that he was my first.

“I love you, Lucas,” I said while enduring the discomfort of his hardness inside me.

Zara’s POV.

The morning sun filtered through the drapes and as I stirred awake, the memories of what happened between me and Lucas flooded back. However, a surge of regret gripped my heart like a vice. I had allowed myself to be swept away by the passion of the moment and now, in the unforgiving light of day, the consequences of my actions loomed over me.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the magnitude of my mistake. I had given myself to Lucas, not just physically, but emotionally too. Closing my eyes, I tried to steady my breathing to calm down. I wished I could turn back time, to erase that fateful night from existence, but life didn’t offer such luxuries. Instead, I had to face the consequences of my actions.

I had no idea I would be involved in a scandal. How did it happen that I woke up next to my famous batch mate in college?! Lucas Blackwood?! Why him? There were several guys who were more handsome than him, but why? Why did I surrender my exquisite honeypot to Lucas?

“Zara Delafontaine! Come here right now!”

When I heard his voice, I remembered that I was a goody-two shoes, daughter of the respected principal in our school, and also the most beautiful granddaughter of our village chief. Being the daughter of the principal, I had to be serious about studying and I couldn’t afford to fool around.

My family was overprotective. They would always tell me that men were like bees who would love to taste the nectar of my flower, and they would do anything to stop them from coming near me. However, it wasn’t the bee who came; it was the flower who went to the bee, and I was so humiliated by it.

I got drunk when Antoinette took me out to the bar. Just like Lucas, Antoinette used to be my classmate. I wanted to blame her for what happened but it would be inhumane to do so. After all, it was my own decision to approach Lucas in the bar. I wasn’t forced to talk to him in the first place. I was so wasted that I had no idea what happened afterward.

In fact, I was shocked when I woke up beside Lucas Blackwood. He was naked like me! For goodness sake, the bloodstain on the bed sheet was a clear sign of what transpired between us while we were both wasted.

While it was true that Antoinette suggested that I should talk to Lucas, she really never forced me to do it. Because of her, I got the chance to spend a night with my ultimate crush. However, I was worried when the morning came. It was a one-night stand with a wasted man, and we were both intoxicated. Overall, it was a horrible way to lose my v-card!

Although I heard my grandfather’s voice, I didn’t have a plan to go downstairs. Instead, I went to the window and opened the drapes to see what was going on outside. I was lost in my thoughts while staring into nothingness, then a black car arrived. I furrowed my brows in confusion until I recognized the vehicle parked outside!

The sound of the doorbell ringing snapped me out of my reverie. I ran downstairs and turned to look at the front door. As I opened the door, my heart skipped a beat to see Lucas Blackwood!

He stood there with an unreadable expression on his face. Then, my heart sank as I realized the storm brewing behind his eyes.

“Finally, you are awake!” he said, but there was something frightening in his voice.

“Good morning, Lucas!”

“Good morning?! Zara, do you even know what happened last night? How could you just spread your legs after being drunk? My God, woman! This is unacceptable!”

“What do you mean, Lucas?” I asked innocently, then I tried to get away from him, but I couldn't move my body.

My muscles were sore, and my entire body felt heavy. When I glanced at him, he just smirked, as if he knew the cause of my discomfort. Then, he started to insult me. He insulted my upbringing and my entire womanhood, and he also mocked me for sleeping with him.

“Why are you blaming me?” I inquired because I really had no idea why he was so worked up.

“Because it's your fault, Zara! If you didn't challenge me last night, then it wouldn't have happened. I wouldn't be compelled to take you here!”

For a moment, I didn't know how to take all the insults I heard from Lucas. I was like ice instantly melting from his harsh words, and it seemed that I was just frozen in a corner of the bed while he got up to get dressed.

For a moment, I wanted to cry. I wanted to cry for losing my virginity to a horrible bastard. He probably knew he was the first man I slept with even if he was drunk, so the least he could do was to insult me.

“What the fuck! Fuck you, Zara! Damn you, bitch!”

As he cursed me, I bit my bottom lip to stop it from quivering from being humiliated. Then, he glared at me as if I did something so wrong. If there's something he should do after doing it with me, he should be gentle or even apologize. Why the hell did he keep on cursing at me?

He was so mad, and I couldn't imagine that the person I admired for so long would hate me like this. The audacity of Lucas Blackwood to insult me after taking my virginity!

“I have no idea that you're just another desperate whore! You like what happened last night, right? Fucking right, Zara? Answer me, bitch!” he screamed at me.

I quickly shook my head while avoiding his stern gaze. I couldn't take his insults anymore, and he went overboard with the cuss words.

“You knew I was drunk, Lucas. You also took advantage of my weakness,” I told him, and he became so furious.

“Stop! Just forget about what happened, okay?! Don't ever try to screw me...or I'll make your life a living hell, Zara!”

When he threatened me, I felt his anger, but when he threw some crisp bills onto the bed, I couldn't help but cry. He just didn't insult me with words but also paid my body with a handful of cash!

“I hate you!” I told him, but he just smirked at me.

“I also hate you, Zara! You cornered me into doing it with you, and this is cheating! Do you know that I am getting married soon?”

He asked, but he didn't give me the chance to reply. He was scared that his fiancée would find out about what happened, and at that moment, I felt so small and pathetic. How could he blame me for everything that happened? It wasn’t me who drove the car and brought him to my place.

“Stop blaming me, Lucas. If you really have a woman in your heart, you wouldn’t be tempted to sleep with me or with anyone else,” I told him and he narrowed his eyes in anger. He looked so furious and I stepped back for fear that he would suddenly hit my face.

“Shut up, Zara!” he shouted at me.

Fortunately, he left right away before my grandfather could stab him with his knife. My knees wobbled after closing the door when he left. He was furious at me and he blamed me for everything that happened between us.

For a moment, I was dazed. My grandfather asked me what was wrong but I ignored him. I had no energy to respond. So, I decided to return to my room…and it went on for several weeks.

My routine would be boring. Home to the office, then office to home, and nothing in between. It was boring, but I couldn't be bothered by it. There were times when Antoinette wanted to go out again, but I didn't want to be reminded of what happened last time.

One morning, the day I dreaded the most came. I experienced several symptoms of being pregnant, and I immediately confirmed it with a pregnancy test kit.

I seemed to have caught a cold. My mom was also a single mom, so I couldn't bear to disappoint her by becoming a single mom, too!

For several days, I tried to hide it, but for some reason, my grandfather discovered my secret. The ticking bomb just went off, and my mom almost collapsed when my grandfather became so furious that he wanted to hit me with his fist!

“Dad, stop it!”

Mom tried to calm him down, but he was so stubborn. Then, he glared at me, and he looked at me with disappointment in his gray eyes.

“Anna, what have you done to your daughter? Didn't you teach her well? Why does it have to happen again?” Grandpa asked my mom angrily.

“Dad, please, it was in the past. Let's just forget about it,” Mom requested Grandpa to stop talking about the past.

“And you, Zara! You don't even get to meet your father because he abandoned my daughter, and yet, you dared to follow in her footsteps! Is it too hard to keep your legs close to anyone?”

When my grandfather asked those words, I remembered every single insult I got from Lucas Blackwood that day. Once again, I remembered the pain of being used and insulted.

“I'm sorry,” I apologized for my mistake.

“Sorry? Would it be enough? I raised you well so that whatever happened to your mom wouldn't happen to you, Zara! Tell me the man's name! He needs to be responsible!”