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.”

your chef.” I took another bite, closing my eyes to savor it.

an octave. “The night is

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Chapter 13

scallop, heat

His smile was

crisp white that paired perfectly with the scallops. I tried to eat more delicate- ly, conscious of Alexander’s eyes

is how the other half lives, huh?

“Does it bother you?”

this as I sipped my wine. “No, just different from my world. My idea of a

would you order at this hypothetical

probably their

never been

dramatically. “What?

add it to

course, a salad with some kind of fancy cheese and nuts. The presentation was beautiful, vibrant greens topped with candied walnuts and what looked like goat cheese, all drizzled with a balsamic

up my fork. “Do you eat like

Sometimes I just

course you do. Let me guess:

actually. One for cardio, one for

Christ.” I stabbed a piece of lettuce. “Your life is like

course, the salad was amazing. The tangy and smooth cheese melted on my tongue, contrasting perfectly with the sweet crunch of the candied

again to clear our salad plates, replacing them with the main course: some kind

mignon with truffle butter, roasted fingerling potatoes, and seasonal vegetables,” the

crust. I took a bite and nearly moaned again. It

his eyes tracking every movement

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