“You’ve really thought this through,” I said, disturbed by how methodical he was about the whole thing.

“I never enter a negotiation without a strategy.” He moved closer still, his heat radiating against me. “Which brings me back to the non-negotiable aspect of our arrangement.”

My mouth went dry. “The sex.”

“Yes.” His voice dropped to a dangerous purr. “The sex.”

“I’m not a prostitute, Mr. Carter.”

“I never suggested you were. This would be a marriage in every sense of the word, including the physical aspects.”

“Which you expect me to perform on demand?” I asked, hating the breathless quality of my voice.

His eyes darkened. “I expect mutual satisfaction. I’m very good at making sure my partners are… thoroughly pleased.” The way he said “thoroughly” sent a jolt of heat straight to my core. I pressed my thighs together, praying he couldn’t tell how my body was betraying me.

“You’re asking me to have sex with a stranger.” I said, trying to sound indignant rather than aroused.

“We won’t be strangers for long. And trust me when I say I can make it worth your while in more ways than just fi- nancial.”

“You seem very confident about your abilities,” I shot back.

“I’ve never had complaints.” His eyes locked on mine, challenging. “I can make you come so hard you forget your own name. I can make that pretty pussy of yours so wet it soaks through your panties just by whispering in your car.”

My face flamed at his crude words, but my body responded with a rush of heat between my legs.

“That’s-that’s inappropriate,” I stammered.

unapologetic. “I don’t do vanilla, Olivia. I like

his overwhelming presence. “I need to think

your

not enough

yes or no question,” he interrupted. “And I’m not

like a shield. “I’ll

watching me with those predatory eyes. “Don’t disappoint

hammering and my panties embarrassingly damp. What kind of person was I that being propositioned by my arrogant, demanding boss had turned me on? Sure, Alexander Carter was possibly the most at- tractive man I’d ever seen in person, all hard angles and controlled power wrapped in bespoke suits,

I couldn’t help but wonder: how would those large hands feel on my breasts? Would his mouth be as demanding as his personality?

trying

surgery. Nicholas could pay back the money he’d borrowed from friends, loans that I knew were weigh- ing on him heavily despite his full-time job. Ethan could finish college without the crushing

as I rode the elevator back to my floor. I wasn’t special. I wasn’t some supermodel or heiress. I was just… Olivia Morgan, junior marketing executive

of candidates. But why? Because I needed money? Half of L.A.

Vulnerability mixed with determination. A woman at her lowest point who still managed to hold her head high. Or

contractual wife? Alexander Carter could date anyone. Models, actresses, socialites – themselves at his feet.

they’d all throw

kind that involved actual feelings rather than contrac- tual obligations.

He’d made it clear that was non-negotiable. My pussy clenched at the memory of his words: “I can make you come so

long time to pretend to be in love with someone. To sleep beside them. To have them inside you. What

thoughts. I walked to my desk on autopilot, shoving the folder

she is!” Nova spun in her chair. “So? What

I froze. “What?”

she clarified, lowering her voice to a whisper. “You were summoned to his

What did he want?”

hoped resembled nonchalance. “Nothing important. Just… work stuff.” Vivian rolled her chair closer. “Work stuff? That’s all you’re giving us? The CEO of Carter Enterprises personally calls you to his office for ‘work

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