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.”

I want to marry your chef.” I took another bite, closing my eyes to savor it. “Seriously, this is the

so?” Alexander’s voice dropped an octave. “The night

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Chapter 13

nearly choked on my scallop, heat flooding my cheeks.

smile

with the scallops. I tried to eat more delicate- ly, conscious of

between bites, “this is how the other half lives, huh? Personal

“Does it bother you?”

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

you order at this hypothetical Applebee’s

obviously. And probably their Bourbon Street

been

gasped dramatically. “What? That’s

add it to

plates and brought out the second 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 reduction

I said, picking up my fork. “Do you eat like

night. Sometimes I just grab a protein shake after

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

for cardio, one

piece of lettuce.

tangy and smooth cheese melted on my tongue,

clear our salad plates, replacing them with the main course: some kind of perfectly cooked steak with colorful vegetables and a

potatoes, and seasonal vegetables,” the chef announced before

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

eyes tracking every movement

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