Contract Marriage: I Will Never Love You-Chapter 132: Dumbfounded

Hailey

I put on the nicest dress I could find.

Tonight, we are going out to a club to celebrate. All the models and crews from the studio will be there, even Marcus, so I need to look my best.

I smooth the fabric down over my hips and turn sideways in the mirror, eyeing the low back and the way the satin catches the light.

It’s bold for me—sleek, dark green, just enough shimmer to catch attention without screaming for it. Josh hasn’t seen it yet. Part of me wants to surprise him. The other part wants to remind him exactly who’s in charge.

I slip on heels and touch up my lipstick, heart pounding louder than I’d like to admit.

This isn’t a date.

It’s just... celebrating. With everyone. Together.

Still.

I grab my clutch, give myself one last look in the mirror, and head for the living room where Josh is waiting.

Josh is sprawled on the couch, thumbing through his phone, a glass of whiskey resting on the coffee table beside him. He’s dressed in black—button-down shirt rolled at the sleeves, dark jeans, boots. Effortless. Hot. Infuriatingly casual.

He doesn’t look up right away, but when he does, his eyes find me—and stay there.

The silence stretches.

He sits up slowly, jaw tightening just a bit. "Holy shit." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

I lift an eyebrow, pretending to check my nails. "That good?"

He lets out a low whistle, standing. "That dangerous."

I fight the flush rising to my cheeks as he steps closer, eyes drinking in every inch of me. "You trying to kill someone tonight? Because I swear, Hailey..."

"What?" I ask innocently. "It’s just a dress."

He lets out a slow breath, his hand brushing my waist, barely touching. "No, it’s the dress. Like... if I see Marcus staring too long, I might punch even him."

"Don’t be dramatic." I giggle.

"I’m not." His eyes meet mine. "You look unreal."

I smile, the nerves settling into something warmer—something steadier. "You clean up pretty well yourself."

He smirks. "I tried. Didn’t know I was stepping out with a goddess, though. Might’ve worn a tie."

I reach up, straightening the collar of his shirt. "You’re perfect."

He kisses me then—soft and brief. A promise more than a possession. "Let’s go turn some heads."

I nod. "Studio sent a shuttle so we can all arrive there safely.

Josh grabs his jacket and holds the door open for me. "Fancy. A shuttle, huh? What kind of magazine cult did you join?"

"The glittery kind," I say, stepping past him with a smirk. "They feed us champagne and insecurities."

He chuckles, locking the door behind us as we head down the stairs.

The shuttle waits at the curb, a sleek black van with tinted windows and bass thudding faintly through the doors. Inside, I can already hear the familiar voices—Ari’s laugh, someone shouting over music, and probably Dominic narrating something no one asked him to.

Josh opens the van door for me like it’s second nature, his hand at the small of my back as I climb in. The conversation inside dips for a beat when the others catch sight of us.

"Damn, Hailey," Ari says, fanning herself with exaggerated flair. "If I looked like that in green, I’d marry myself."

"You’d marry yourself anyway," Dominic snorts.

"Is no one going to comment on how good I look?" Josh teases.

Dominic points at him with his drink. "Nah, man, you look like you could ruin a marriage and talk your way out of it. I respect that."

Josh smirks and drops into the seat beside me, stretching his arm along the backrest so it’s just barely grazing my shoulders. "So, we’re in agreement—I’m the hottest one here."

"You’re definitely the cockiest," I mutter under my breath, though I’m smiling.

He leans in closer, lips brushing just behind my ear. "Keep feeding my ego. I might behave tonight."

I turn my head slightly, meeting his eyes. "I don’t want you to behave."

The grin that spreads across his face is wicked. Dangerous.

The ride rolls on with music and drinks and too much laughter. Everyone’s buzzed by the time we pull up in front of the club, the line stretching around the block. The lights flash like paparazzi, and the thud of bass rattles the van’s windows.

But the bouncer knows us—knows the magazine, the crew, the event—so we’re waved in like VIPs.

Inside, the club is a riot of color and movement. Flashing lights. Low fog rolling over the dance floor. The music is loud enough to feel in my chest.

Josh holds my hand as we cut through the crowd, never once letting go. We find our reserved booth in the back—plush seating, bottle service already waiting, menus glowing in neon light. The team cheers and toasts and clinks glasses.

And then I spot him—tall, sharp suit, flanked by a few stylists, I see his eyes land on me.

Marcus.

His eyes narrow.

Josh notices it too. I feel him go still beside me, his hand flexing where it rests on my thigh.

"You wanna dance?" I ask quickly, turning to Josh. "Now?"

His eyes are still on Marcus. "Yeah," he says, standing and offering his hand.

We step onto the floor. The music swells, the beat vibrating through my heels. Josh pulls me close—closer than polite. One hand on my hip, the other pressed between my shoulder blades, holding me tight as we move together.

I feel heat spread through me. Not just from the dancing. From him.

From the way his mouth brushes my ear as he says, "Why is he always so intense?"

I smile, tilting my head back, letting my body press flush against his. "No idea. He is also a pervert."

Josh laughs. "Ah yes. You caught him with two different ladies now. I wonder who will be his victim tonight."

Josh’s voice is low but teasing, curling like smoke against my skin. I roll my eyes and nudge him with my hip.

"Hopefully someone who doesn’t have a soul," I say. "Makes it easier when he inevitably wrecks it."

He chuckles again, pulling me even closer as the beat drops. We move in sync, every sway and step laced with heat. I can feel his breath on my neck, the press of his chest against mine. It’s too easy to get lost in him—too easy to forget that we’re not alone.

But Marcus doesn’t let me forget.

When I glance over Josh’s shoulder, I see him at the edge of the dance floor, watching us with a look that could cut glass. He’s not smiling.

He’s storming toward us.

Josh notices a second later. "Incoming," he murmurs, but he doesn’t let go. Doesn’t flinch.

Marcus stops just a foot away, jaw tight, gaze locked on me. "Hailey."

I blink, schooling my expression into something neutral. "Marcus."

He flicks a glance at Josh, then back at me. "Can I steal you for a second?"

Josh raises his eyebrow but steps aside. "I’ll go find something to drink meanwhile," he says and looks at me. His eyes has a question in them, as if they are asking if I will be okay.

I nod my approval.

Marcus turns to face me, his jaw tight, hands in his pockets. "How about a dance?"

I nod quietly.

Marcus steps forward, offering his hand with that same practiced charm I used to fall for. I take it—hesitant, cautious. His palm is warm, fingers curling loosely around mine as he leads me back onto the dance floor.

The crowd sways and shifts, lights flashing over sequins and skin. The music has slowed just enough to demand closeness, but not enough to feel romantic.

We move together, barely touching, a careful buffer of space between us. Still, the tension is there—tight as wire.

"You look great," Marcus says, voice low. "Perhaps you can also be in front of the camera and not behind."

I chuckle. "I don’t think so. Modeling isn’t my thing."

Marcus gives a small smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. "Shame. You’d steal the whole campaign."

I offer a polite nod, trying to keep it civil. "Thanks."

He shifts a little closer—just enough that the buffer between us starts to shrink. "So, this thing with Josh... is it serious?"

I don’t answer right away. Instead, I meet his eyes head-on, steady and unflinching. "Why do you care?"

"Perhaps..." He leans closer to my face. "Perhaps I’m also interested in pursuing you."

I blink. "What? I didn’t know you liked to joke like that, Marcus. You are always so serious."

"I am very serious, Ms Jameson. I find you extremely attractive and would like to pursue you. No more than sex of course," He says casually.

What? What the actual hell?

He can’t be serious!

I just stare at him, completely dumbfounded.