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 doing here then?” I challenged, crossing my arms under my breasts, inadvertently

before returning to my face.

“Enlighten me.”

trying to convince

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Chapter 14

am I supposed to get

muscle in his jaw twitched. “I’m showing you a

gilded cage is still

would be?” He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating

would you call it? You want to buy me. Like

mutually beneficial arrangement,” he corrected. “One that would solve my problems and eliminate

only problem right now is standing in

lips quirked up. “Am I a problem,

took a step back, bumping into the wall.

big?” he asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous register

realized the double

He braced one hand on the wall beside my head, caging me in. “What did

throat. The wine, food, and luxury surrounding us were 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.

said, finding my voice, “that you’re my boss. And you’re asking me to marry you.

me?” His face was inches from

Alexander fucking Carter. You date models and actresses. Not junior marketing executives who live in apart- ments with leaky

of models and actresses.” His thumb brushed my cheek, sending sparks racing across my skin.

against my ribs like it was trying to escape. Alexander leaned in, his breath warm against my lips. I closed my eyes, waiting for the press

my

lied, my voice barely a

the curve of my jaw, inhaling deeply. “You don’t