The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 14

Olivia

We finished our dessert in silence, the tension building with each bite. By the time the chef cleared our plates, my skin felt too tight, and every nerve ended on high alert.

“Thank you, Antoine. You’ve outdone yourself,” Alexander said, standing to shake the chef’s hand. “That will be all for tonight.”

The chef bowed slightly. “Very good, sir. I’ve left everything prepared for breakfast, should you need it.”

The implication in those words wasn’t lost on me. How many women had sat where I was sitting? How many had stayed for breakfast?

After the chef left, Alexander turned to me. “Would you like a tour?”

“Sure,” I said, standing too quickly and feeling the wine rush to my head. “Lead the way.”

He showed me through the penthouse, starting with a home office with sweeping views of the city-views so mes- merizing they would surely make concentration impossible. Next was a gym that rivaled the commercial one I fre- quented, equipped with every machine and gadget imaginable. Then, we moved on to a theater room with plush seats arranged in perfect tiers, designed for ultimate comfort and an immersive viewing experience.

“How many bedrooms does this place have?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“Three. My master suite, a guest room, and one I use as a secondary office.”

“And how many women have you brought here?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

Alexander paused, turning to face me. “Does that matter?”

“No,” I lied. “Just curious how many women have gotten the billionaire treatment before me.”

“Fewer than you might think.” His eyes held mine. “This isn’t a routine for me, Olivia.”

“Right.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m special. I bet you say that to all the girls.”

“Actually, I don’t.” His voice hardened slightly. “I don’t bring women here often. This space is private.”

I challenged, crossing

to my cleavage before returning to my face. “I thought that

“Enlighten me.”

convince you to marry

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Chapter 14

your penthouse? What, am I supposed to get wet over

showing you a glimpse of what your life could

cage is still a

that what you think this would be?” He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the heat

want to buy me. Like

arrangement,” he corrected.

only problem right now is standing in

lips quirked up. “Am I

took a step back, bumping into

asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous register as he moved

as I realized the double entendre. “That’s not

hand on the wall beside my head, caging me in. “What did you mean,

all going to my head. I needed to re- member why I was here. This wasn’t a date. This was a business proposition—a bizarre, life-altering business

tion.

finding my voice, “that you’re my boss. And you’re asking me to marry you. And you’re…” I ges- tured vaguely at

His face

date models and actresses. Not junior marketing executives who live

His thumb brushed my cheek, sending sparks racing across my skin. “Maybe

it was trying to escape. Alexander leaned in, his breath warm against my lips. I closed my eyes,

my

cold,” I lied, my voice barely

His nose traced the curve of my