Cole handed her the menu. “Order whatever you’re craving.” Elliana took it and selected a few of her favorite dishes.
Watching her navigate the menu with ease, Cole’s lips curved into a smile. She was clearly no stranger to this place. The ignored, plain-Jane daughter of the Jones family, left to rot in a backyard shed, couldn’t possibly afford to dine at Ublento Hotel. She had to be here under some other identity. But who was she, really?
As he mulled it over, Elliana passed the menu back. “I’m done. Your turn.”
Cole didn’t budge. “I’m good with whatever you like. Just double it for me.”
Elliana caught the glint in his eye and knew he was about to turn on the charm. To avoid any flirty lines that might make her blush, she stayed quiet, duplicated her order for him, and handed it to the waiter. The waiter took the order, slipped out, and shut the suite door with a polite air.
Now alone in the suite, Cole’s gaze sharpened, raking over Elliana from head to toe, as if he were peeling back her clothes with his eyes.
Feeling exposed, she coughed lightly, steering the conversation elsewhere. “Uh, this necklace is way too pricey. I should give it back now.”
She reached to unclasp it.
But before she could, a large hand closed over hers, firm and unyielding. In a flash, he tugged, and she landed on his lap, his strong arms caging her in.
Her silky dress slipped slightly as she settled, pressing her closer to his chest.
The heat from his thighs and the tight grip on her waist sent warmth coursing through her, his presence overwhelming.
Elliana’s face burned with embarrassment. She squirmed to get free, but the more she moved, the tighter Cole held her, locking her in place. He leaned close, his breath hot against her ear, his voice a low, dangerous purr. “Keep wiggling, and I can’t promise we won’t pick up where we left off the night I was away on business.”
That night? Elliana froze, his words sinking in like a warning shot. Despite his crisp black suit and cool, detached vibe, she could sense the raw energy coiled inside him, just waiting for a spark to set it off. She wasn’t about to light that fuse. Plus, he’d given her an extravagant gift and stood up for her in the banquet hall.
“Going back now would be ungrateful,” she reasoned, trying to maintain composure. “Please let me up. We’re in a restaurant…”
Elliana’s cheeks flushed as memories rushed back-the night they parted, when Cole had caught her stepping out of the bathroom. They had been too close. To her, the closeness between them felt strange, and the whole situation seemed perplexing. They were two strangers, tied by a marriage certificate neither of them truly understood. Married for six days, with four of those spent apart. Despite their limited time together, they seemed to fall into each other’s arms with surprising ease. Though today, they hadn’t kissed yet.
As the thought crossed her mind, warmth suddenly brushed her lips-Cole kissed her, out of the blue.
Elliana froze. Of course. A hug was never going to be enough for him. Before she could recover, he kissed her again. His deep voice brushed her ear. “Did you miss me?”
Half her body went numb. “Well, have you ever considered that you might not be quite normal?”
Cole raised an amused brow. “Oh? And what makes you think that?” Elliana hadn’t meant to say it, but with him constantly teasing and getting handsy, she had to speak up. “You’re a billionaire. You could have any attractive woman, be it a supermodel or an actress. But instead, you’re here, flirting with me. Is that normal?”
Cole shrugged. “I don’t care about looks. I go where the chemistry is.”
Elliana kept her thoughts to herself-he really wasn’t normal. “Whatever your ‘type’ is, could you at least act a little decent? We’re just husband and wife in name only. Once we figure out how we were brought together, we go our separate ways… Ah!” She yelped. He had pinched her.
Cole’s face darkened. “Ungrateful woman.” He hadn’t rushed back just to hear talk of separation.
Just then, the suite door opened. A waiter walked in with the food. Elliana quickly slid off his lap and returned to her seat, rubbing the sore spot in secret. He had pinched hard-what a jerk.
Once the dishes were served, the waiter left the room.
Cole reached out and served her food himself. “Eat quickly. We’re meeting someone after this.”
Elliana looked up. “Who?”
“You’ve probably heard of Lexi-the mysterious owner behind Ublento Hotel. In truth, this hotel is just one part of Lexi’s empire. Lexi leads the Star Society. Today, we’re meeting Lexi’s second-in-command, Matthew Santos.”
The Star Society was a shadowy network with ties to both the legal world and the underworld. Lexi was a legend, but no one had ever seen her face. All operations were handled by her right-hand man, Matthew.
Elliana frowned. “What do you want to see Matthew for?”
Cole sighed. “The trip to Valland was a dead end. I need the Star Society’s help to find the legendary healer, Milena.”
Elliana said nothing. She simply bit her fork and kept quiet.
After they finished eating, the hotel manager led them into another private room. Matthew was already waiting.
Seeing Cole, Matthew stood politely-but the moment he saw Elliana beside him, he stiffened.
Elliana glanced at Matthew. That was all it took. Matthew understood immediately-she wanted him to pretend he didn’t know her, to keep her discreet identities as Lexi and Milena concealed.
Matthew was quick-witted and smooth. Gathering himself swiftly, he cheerfully spoke, “Mr. Evans, pleasure to meet you. Please, have a seat.” Cole gave a courteous nod and sat with Elliana.
Matthew didn’t waste time. “Mr. Evans, what can the Star Society do for you?”
Cole placed a check on the table. “I want to find Milena. Five hundred million. Just as a deposit. If you take the job, you can name your price. No limits.”
The Star Society was known for handling high-risk jobs with spotless records. If they failed, they never charged a cent.
Matthew stared at the check, tempted. It was an easy job. Too easy. Normally, he would’ve taken it on the spot. Elliana seldom asked about the Star Society’s matters, and he made all the calls. But this time, he couldn’t decide since Elliana was involved. Cole was oblivious that the person he searched for was sitting right beside him. It was hilarious, really. Who needed such a large amount of money to deliver a message between husband and wife?
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.