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 a marriage, Olivia. People would

business transaction.” I stood up, clutching the folder like it might bite me. “And

fluid grace of a predator

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Chapter 9

until my legs hit the couch behind

dropped to a dangerous octave, sending an unwelcome shiver down my spine. “I

face flamed. “That’s

arrangement.” He moved closer, his expensive and masculine cologne filling my senses. “If I’m seen visiting hotel rooms or bringing women to

my body was reacting to his proximity. “So what? Find someone else who’s willing to fuck you

language. “Is that what you think this is? Me ordering you to spread your legs when- ever I

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

close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from 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

nipples tightening traitorously beneath my blouse. I crossed my arms

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

wife. That’s what you

it doesn’t change what it

hair behind my car. The casual intimacy of the gesture made my skin tingle. “Then what would you

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

speak to him so bluntly. Then

it. If there are terms you

at the folder still clutched in my hands. “And the

in his tone sent another unwelcome wave of heat through my body. “Think about it, Olivia. Five million dollars. Your father’s surgery. Your brothers’ needs are taken care

clean.”

he’d dug so

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Chapter 9

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