Chapter 9

Olivia

He held out the folder. I didn’t take it. My hands remained firmly in my lap, though I couldn’t deny the curiosity building inside me.

“What is that?” I asked, eyeing the manila folder with suspicion.

“A draft of our agreement. Not finalized, of course. I’d want your input on the terms.”

I laughed without humor. “You already had this drawn up? Before even speaking to me?”

“I like to be prepared.” He placed the folder on the coffee table between us. “Take it home, read it, and then decide.”

My curiosity got the better of me. I reached for the folder and flipped it open.

The first page was a standard legal header, but what caught my eye was the figure: $1,000,000 to be transferred im- mediately upon signing. My eyes widened involuntarily.

“Keep reading,” Alexander prompted.

I flipped through the pages, skimming the dense legal text. Promotion to Senior Marketing Strategist. Relocation to the Carter estate. Public appearances as a couple. The divorce settlement: $5,000,000.

Then I reached a section that made my blood run cold.

“Duration of marriage: minimum one year, with potential extension based on the circumstances…”

“Extension?” I looked up sharply. “What does that mean?”

“Just a precaution. If my grandfather becomes suspicious, we might need to extend.”

I continued reading, my face growing hotter with each paragraph.

“Cohabitation in the same bedroom… public displays of affection… sexual relations as required to maintain the ap- pearance of a normal marriage…”

I slammed the folder shut. “Sexual relations? Are you kidding me?”

to look embarrassed.

transaction.” I stood up, clutching the folder like it might bite me. “And you’re not

fluid grace

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Chapter 9

legs hit the

an unwelcome shiver down my spine. “I have needs. Strong ones. I’m not the type

“That’s

expensive and masculine cologne filling my senses. “If I’m seen visiting hotel rooms or bringing women to my house while married to you, people will talk.

reacting to his proximity. “So what? Find someone else

at my crude language. “Is that what you think this is? Me ordering you to

I shot back, waving the contract.

on unwilling women. But I am a man with a healthy sex drive who won’t be celibate for a year or more while pretending

nipples tightening traitorously beneath my blouse. I crossed my arms over my chest, hoping he

hating how breathless

wife. That’s what

it doesn’t

He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my car. The casual intimacy of the gesture made my

touch. “I’d call it prostitution

eyes: anger, maybe, or surprise that I’d speak to him so bluntly.

he said, his voice even. “Read through it. If there are terms

clutched in my hands. “And the sex

wave of heat through my body. “Think about it, Olivia. Five million dollars. Your father’s surgery. Your brothers’ needs

clean.”

that he’d dug so deeply into my

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Chapter 9

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