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.”

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

voice dropped an octave. “The

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Chapter 13

my scallop, heat flooding my cheeks. “I

course.” His smile was

pouring a crisp white that paired perfectly with the scallops. I tried to eat more

between bites, “this is how the other half lives,

“Does it bother you?”

I sipped my wine. “No, just different from my world. My idea of a fancy dinner is ordering

you order at this

obviously. And probably

been to

gasped dramatically. “What? That’s

to my bucket

our plates and brought out the second course, a salad with some kind of fancy cheese and nuts. The presentation was beautiful, vibrant greens

I said, picking up my

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

eyes. “Of course you do. Let me guess: You

One for cardio, one for

of lettuce. “Your life is like

smooth cheese melted on my

course: some

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

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 made my taste buds

asked, his eyes tracking every movement

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