The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 13

Olivia

“Of course. Just dinner.” He stepped closer, the heat of his body making my nipples tighten traitorously. “But if you did agree, this wouldn’t be our home. The Carter estate is about five to ten times larger than this place.”

“Jesus Christ,” I muttered, unable to imagine a much bigger home than this penthouse. “Do you have your own zip code too?”

“Not quite, but we do have our own lake.”

The chef cleared his throat discreetly from the kitchen doorway. “Mr. Carter, dinner is served.”

Alexander placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward a dining area I hadn’t noticed before. A table for two had been set up near the windows, candles flickering between elegant place settings.

“You went all out for ‘just dinner,” I said as he pulled out my chair.

“I never do anything halfway.” His fingers brushed my bare shoulders as I sat, sending electricity racing down my spine.

The chef brought out our first course, something with scallops that looked too pretty to eat. The delicate arrangement on the plate was like edible art, three perfectly seared scallops nestled on a vibrant green puree, topped with micro- greens and surrounded by tiny dots of some orange sauce.

“Pan-seared scallops with pea puree, crispy pancetta, and citrus emulsion,” the chef announced before disappearing back to the kitchen.

I stared at my plate, almost afraid to disturb the presentation.

“You’re supposed to eat it, not just look at it,” Alexander said, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

“I feel like I should take a picture first.” I picked up my fork. “This is the kind of food people post on Instagram with hashtags like ‘food porn’ and ‘living my best life.””

Alexander watched as I took my first bite. The scallop melted in my mouth, buttery and sweet with a perfect caramelized crust.

“Holy shit,” I moaned, forgetting my manners. “This is fucking incredible.”

His eyes darkened at my reaction. “I’m glad you approve.”

another bite, closing my eyes to savor it. “Seriously, this is

dropped an octave. “The night is still

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16:43

Chapter 13

heat flooding my cheeks. “I meant

smile was

with wine, pouring a crisp white that paired perfectly with the scallops. I tried to eat more delicate- ly, conscious of

“this is how the other half lives, huh?

“Does it bother you?”

idea of a fancy dinner is ordering both the appetizer and entrée at Applebee’s. That, or cooking dinner

order at this hypothetical Applebee’s

sticks, obviously. And probably their

been to

gasped dramatically. “What?

add it to

fancy cheese and nuts. The presentation was beautiful, vibrant greens topped with candied walnuts and

I said, picking up my fork. “Do you

his wine. “Not every night. Sometimes I just grab a protein shake after

Let me

actually. One for cardio, one

piece of lettuce. “Your life is like some billionaire

was amazing. The tangy and smooth cheese melted on my tongue, contrasting

our salad plates, replacing them with the main course: some

butter, roasted fingerling potatoes, and seasonal vegetables,” the chef

watching the juices pool on the plate. The meat was perfectly cooked, pink in the center with a caramelized crust. I took a bite and nearly moaned again. It melted in my mouth like butter, the truffle sauce adding a rich earthiness that

his eyes tracking every movement

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