The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot-Chapter 26: Blind Date

"We’re taking a bike?" Zevian asked with a frown, his eyes shifting from the sleek motorcycle Elias had just brought to Evelyn standing beside him. He had been a little worried when she mentioned a long drive earlier, having given up racing or even driving after that fateful accident.

"Yep!" Evelyn nodded, her eyes twinkling with excitement. She sported a sleek black rider’s jacket and snug black jeans borrowed from Avery, contrasting with his stylish brown hoodie and blue cargo jeans.

"Be careful," Elias warned Evelyn, handing her his helmet and a pair of protective riding gloves. He shot Zevian a glance as if silently wishing him luck. After hugging his sister, Elias hopped into the car his butler had driven from Wright Mansion.

"When did you learn to ride?" Zevian asked as Elias departed, leaving them alone. He guessed it must have been while working on Avery’s Delta projects, amused by her confident stance.

"When you were busy building skyscrapers abroad," Evelyn replied with a smile, mounting the bike. Slipping on her gloves, she added, "Hop on. I promise I won’t crash into a tree."

Zevian chuckled. Putting on his helmet, he swung his leg over and settled behind her. Evelyn grinned and secured her helmet.

Evelyn revved the engine, the powerful roar sending vibrations through them both. She turned her head slightly, teasing, "Hold on tight! I won’t be responsible if you end up falling off—"

Her words caught in her throat as Zevian suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist. The leather jacket did little to block the warmth radiating from his hands, causing her entire body to heat up.

"Is this enough? Or should I hold tighter?" Zevian asked with a smile, his grip tightening.

Evelyn’s breath hitched, her hands clutching the handlebars tightly. Thankfully, the helmet hid her beet-red face. She cursed inwardly her heart for bursting into firecrackers at just a simple touch. Composing herself, she accelerated the bike and sped off, leaving a cloud of dust behind.

The wind whipped past them as they raced out of Reign Mansion. Evelyn’s initial shyness melted away, replaced by a thrill as they zoomed down the highway. The city lights blurred, flickering like stars as they ventured further from the bustling streets.

Zevian could sense Evelyn’s excitement through the way she handled the bike; her confidence and control impressive. The world around them transformed into a blur, the night air filled with the engine’s hum and the scent of fresh leaves.

The journey continued, and Zevian found himself relaxing, his worries set briefly aside. They veered off the main road, taking a scenic route through winding country lanes lined with trees.

Evelyn, sensing his enjoyment, couldn’t help but think of their first meeting—a blind date orchestrated by Avery. She had no interest, and Zevian’s arrogance only irked up more.

Strangely, Zevian’s thoughts also drifted back to that day, when he had come out like a jerk, and Evelyn had almost turned him down.

Seven years ago.

Evelyn finished her third cup of coffee in the upscale café, her eyes darting between the entrance and her watch. She had been waiting nearly thirty minutes, and her date hadn’t arrived yet. Just as she was about to leave, her best friend called.

"I’ve waited long enough, and I’m leaving," Evelyn muttered, picking up the call.

"No, please!" Avery shrieked from the other end. "That poor man got caught in an emergency meeting, Evy! Try to understand his situation!"

Evelyn ignored Avery’s pleas and signaled for the bill. As she paid and got up, a man in a black suit walked into the café. Her brows furrowed, trying to figure out if he was her date, her eyes scanning his physique before locking onto his midnight black eyes.

"No fucking way!" Evelyn blurted out, still on the call with Avery. "Did you set me up with your cousin?"

"Oh, so you know him! That’s good!" Avery giggled, causing Evelyn to grit her teeth in annoyance.

Who didn’t know about Zevian Reign? Having graduated from a prestigious university, he returned to Valeria and took over the role of executive director of the Reign empire. Everyone had high hopes for this twenty-three-year-old, and women in their circle swarmed around him like flies.

"I’m going to kill you, Avy!" Evelyn grumbled before cutting the call as Zevian approached her. He was annoyingly handsome, and she found it hard to take her eyes off his charming face.

Zevian didn’t bother to greet her and took a seat opposite her. He had told Avery not to expect him, but she had used his mom to force him into this date, ruining his only day off tending to this nineteen-year-old admirer.

Evelyn sat back down, the silence between them awkward. She had expected Avery to set her up with someone from their university, maybe a guy from another branch or, worse, a senior, but not this hell of a man. She didn’t mind their four-year age gap, but knowing his cold personality, she was sure he was not her type, and they would never meet again after this date.

"A black coffee," Zevian ordered, his eyes shifting from the waiter to Evelyn.

Realizing she had been staring at him, Evelyn quickly averted her eyes. "Oh, nothing for me, thank you," she said to the waiter, having had enough coffee already.

Zevian scoffed as Evelyn smiled at him. She seemed oddly familiar, but he was quick to misjudge her as just another woman wanting to please him with delusions of marrying into his family.

"So, what do you want?" Zevian asked bluntly. When Evelyn blinked in confusion, he continued, "A selfie for your social media? A deal with my company? Or a marriage alliance?"

Evelyn furrowed her brows, taken aback by his rude tone.

"Or do you just want to sleep with me?" Zevian added, his tone dripping with disdain.

Evelyn scoffed out loud, her expression clearly pissed. This man was just so full of himself, a red flag, and she found no meaning in continuing this date.

"Looks like you were forced to come here too," she murmured, picking up her purse. Zevian frowned in response, but before he could react, she took out a few bills and placed them in front of him.

"Thanks for showing up! I am paying for your coffee and also to find a good prostitute. You seem to be desperately in need of both," Evelyn said, her cold eyes traveling to his lower body before meeting his eyes.

Even the waiter, who had just returned with the order, gasped at her words and hastily stepped back, giving her space to walk out. Did she just challenge the heir of the Reign Family? He assumed so, judging the way Zevian smirked, glancing at her retreating figure and then at the money she had thrown at him.

-----

"Get down!" Evelyn’s voice jolted Zevian from his trance, and he realized she had stopped in front of a bar at the beachside on the city’s outskirts.

He glanced at the beach, its surface shimmering under the moonlight, before turning to the bar. It was a small, rustic place, lively yet not crowded, with warm lights casting a golden hue over the patrons. The sound of waves mingled with laughter, creating a relaxed atmosphere that was refreshingly different from the polished city venues Zevian was used to.

Evelyn parked the bike and removed her helmet, letting her hair fall loose. She looked back at Zevian, who seemed intrigued by the surroundings.

"Impressed?" she asked with a proud yet playful smile.

"More like relieved we didn’t end up in a ditch," Zevian replied, removing his helmet and running a hand through his tousled hair.

Evelyn stuck out her tongue in playful defiance, and they exchanged smiles before she grabbed his hand and excitedly led him inside the bar.

Upon entering, two bartenders who looked like twins greeted them. One of the bartenders, a tall guy with a charming smile, immediately recognized Evelyn and rushed over. "Grace! It’s been ages! We missed you so much!" he exclaimed, hugging her tightly.

Evelyn hugged him back, her smile wide. "I missed you too, Ryan!"

Zevian frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing at the familiarity between Evelyn and Ryan. She came here as Grace? And why were they still hugging?

The bartender pulled back, feeling someone glaring at him while his twin sister, Riya, hugged Evelyn.

"Who’s this?" Ryan asked, staring at Zevian with the same intensity.

Evelyn hesitated, glancing at Zevian. "Oh, this is—"

Before she could finish, Zevian wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. "Her husband, Zevian Reign," he said smoothly, a hint of possessiveness in his voice.