The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 26

Olivia

In the elevator, I caught him staring at my reflection in the mirrored walls.

“See something you like?” I asked, throwing his earlier words back at him.

His eyes met mine in the mirror. “Several things.”

I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the heat spreading through my body. The elevator continued its descent, the silence between us electric.

“You need to understand something,” Alexander said, his voice low. “In public, you’re my girlfriend. Not my employee, not my contractual wife–to–be. My girlfriend.”

“I get it,” I replied, adjusting the necklace he’d fastened around my neck.

“I don’t think you do.” He stepped closer, his chest nearly touching my back. “This isn’t just about appearances. The entire arrangement collapses if this plan fails because you can’t maintain the facade.”

I turned to face him, finding myself trapped between his body and the elevator wall. “I can act like your girlfriend, Alexander. I’m not an idiot.”

“Alex,” he corrected. “When we’re together, you call me Alex. Girlfriends use nicknames.”

“Fine, Alex.” The shortened name felt strangely intimate on my tongue. “And what will you call me? Liv?”

Something darkened in his eyes. “Among other things.”

The elevator doors slid open before I could respond. Alexander placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me across the lobby. His touch was light but possessive, sending tingling up my spine.

“Even in front of your driver?” I whispered as we approached the building’s exit.

“Especially in front of my driver,” he murmured against my ear. “Everyone in my life must believe this is real. No exceptions.” “Okay,” I agreed, leaning slightly into his touch despite myself.

outside into the cool evening air. “Grandfather wants to see the woman who’s

stomach flipped.

back to my waist, pulling me closer. They’re not easily fooled,

good his hand felt

everything else in his life. Alex opened the door

closer than necessary, his thigh pressing against mine. The car pulled away from

are we going?” I asked, acutely aware

my knee. “Best steak in

glanced down at his large hand against the red fabric of my dress is fingers traced small circles on my knee, each movement sending shivers up my thigh. The heat of his palin burned

his voice low and

shook my head, meeting his gaze

+25 BONUS

Chapter 26

Just

dancing along the edge

“Red suits you.” “I think you just like how much skin it shows,” I replied, surprising myself with

fingers continued their lazy exploration of my exposed thigh.

felt desired, wanted in a way Ryan had never made me feel. “You clean up pretty well yourself,” I said, running my finger along the

well?” He raised

inhaling his

name felt strange on my tongue, intimate and forbidden. His eyes

you? Always.” His thumb traced higher, finding the sensitive skin where my thigh

my voice dropping to a whisper, “that you’re used to getting

everything,” he countered, his eyes never leaving mine.

possessive and warm. The car slowed, pulling up to the

I was stepping onto a stage. The charade was

casting a warm glow over white tablecloths. A maitre d‘ greeted Alexander by name and led us to a secluded corner

me through the crowded dining room. His touch was confident, proprietary, as if he’d been touching