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?”

decency to look embarrassed. “It’s

like it might

tightened. He rose from his seat with the fluid grace

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Chapter 9

up until my legs hit the couch

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

flamed. “That’s

becomes your problem in this arrangement.” He moved closer, his 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. The tabloids will speculate. And eventually,

hard, trying to ignore how my body was reacting to his proximity. “So what? Find someone else who’s willing to fuck you on

darkened at my crude language. “Is that what you think this is?

I shot back, waving the contract. “It’s right

his body. “I’m not some monster who forces himself on unwilling women. But I am a man with a healthy sex drive who won’t be celibate for a year or more

tightening traitorously beneath my blouse. I crossed my arms over my chest, hoping he wouldn’t

business arrangement,” I said, hating how breathless I sounded.

wife. That’s what

on it doesn’t change what it

The casual intimacy of the gesture made my skin tingle. “Then what

away from his touch. “I’d call it prostitution with extra

maybe, or surprise that I’d speak to him

his voice even. “Read through it.

folder still clutched in my hands. “And

through my body. “Think about it, Olivia. Five million dollars. Your father’s surgery. Your brothers’ needs are taken care of. All your

clean.”

that he’d dug so deeply

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Chapter 9

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