The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 19

Olivia

“Honey, you can focus on your career and still get laid,” Emilia replied bluntly. “In fact, I think you need both. Some mind-blowing sex would do wonders for your stress levels.”

“Em!” I gasped, glancing around my empty apartment as if someone might overhear.

“What? I’m just saying Alexander Carter looks like he could rock your world. Did you see those hands? Men with big hands know what they’re doing.”

“I’m not jumping into another relationship. Ryan and I just broke up last week.”

“Who said anything about a relationship? I’m talking about sex, Olivia. Fun, no-strings-attached, orgasm-inducing

sex.”

“With my boss? Are you insane?”

“Slightly,” she admitted. “But you’re working too hard. Sixty-hour weeks at the office plus freelancing on weekends? You need something or someone to help you forget about Ryan.”

“No.” I clutched the phone tighter. “Absolutely not. I’m not sleeping with my boss, Em. That’s career suicide.”

“Fine, fine,” Emilia sighed dramatically. “I’m not forcing you to do anything. Just throwing suggestions out there. For all we know, Alexander Carter might be single and looking.”

“And I might sprout wings tomorrow,” I countered. “Besides, a CEO dating his employee? That’s the stuff of romance novels, not real life.”

“Exactly why it would be so hot,” Emilia said with a laugh. “The forbidden office romance, secret elevator kisses, steamy encounters in the copy room-”

“Stop!” I groaned. “You’ve been reading too many trashy books again.”

“They’re not trashy, they’re literature,” she defended. “With sex scenes.”

I snorted. “Right. Literature.”

your plan then? You

focus on my career right now. The promotion to senior marketing execu- tive opens up

the other end. “How are you holding up with all that? We

helping with the symptoms, but the doctors still say he needs the surgery eventually. We just don’t know when.” I swallowed hard. “Nicholas is trying to get money from friends and taking out loans.

This is a lot for you to deal with on top of

well. Life doesn’t exactly wait for

money, I can help. It won’t be much,

her off firmly. “I

insisted. “You’re my best friend. Friends help each

fingers through my hair. “This is my problem to solve. Dad’s medical bills, career, all

shoulder everything alone. That’s what friends are

“Em-”

talking,” she continued, her voice gentle but determined. “We both want to help. Jake got a bonus last month, and I’ve been saving up for a new car, but honestly, your dad’s heart surgery

“That’s sweet, but I can’t take

consider it a gift. Whatever makes you

“Emilia…”

pressure, but the offer

ceiling. The weight of everything pressed down on me like a physical force. Ryan’s betrayal,

“And thank you too. But I’ll

Emilia said softly. “But

smiled despite myself. “I’m

family, and somehow still remember my birthday every year with the

laughed, the sound surprising me. “A superhero wouldn’t have spent the weekend crying over a cheating

Woman has bad days,” Emilia countered. “Remember that

pretty sure that’s

struggle sometimes. And when you do, I’m here. Jake’s here

I love you guys

overthinking everything and get some