The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 34

Olivia

“No!” I said too quickly. “I mean… not yet.”

Emilia’s eyebrows shot up. “Not yet? So you’re planning to?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “The chemistry is… intense.”

“I bet it is,” she smirked. “Have you seen the way he looks at you in those photos? Like he wants to eat you alive.”

Heat rushed to my face. “Em!”

“What? It’s true! I’ve never seen a man look at a woman like that in public.” She took a sip of her wine. “I’m happy for you, you know. After what Ryan did… you deserve someone who looks at you like that.”

I felt a twinge of guilt. If only she knew the truth, that it was all a performance, a business arrangement.

“I’m being careful,” I said instead.

“Good.” Emilia nodded firmly. “Because if he hurts you, I don’t care how rich or powerful he is; I’ll kick his ass all the way back to whatever fancy prep school he came from.”

I laughed despite myself. “I’d pay to see that.”

“Seriously, Liv.” Her expression softened. “I just want you to be happy. And if Alexander Carter makes you happy, then I’m all for it. Just… don’t let him break your heart, okay? Men like that… they’re used to getting what they want and moving on.”

The truth of her words hit uncomfortably close to home. Wasn’t that exactly what our contract stipulated? Alexander gets what he wants, and then we go our separate ways?

“I know what I’m doing,” I lied.

“Do you?” Emilia–asked, her gaze sharp even through the haze of alcohol. “Because you’ve got that same look you had with Ryan in the beginning. That ‘I’m falling hard‘ look.”

“I am not falling for Alexander Carter,” I protested.

“If you say so.” She didn’t look convinced. “Just remember that men like him don’t change. They don’t suddenly decide they want the white picket fence and the 2.5 kids.”

“Maybe I don’t want that either,” I said defensively.

Emilia studied me for a moment. “Maybe you don’t. But you deserve someone who wants the same things you do, whatever those things are.”

I sighed, deflating slightly. “When did you get so wise?”

we going to sit here talking about your

I decided, downing the rest

crowded dance floor, letting the music wash over us. For a few blissful hours, I didn’t think about contracts or fake relationships or the way Alexander’s eyes darkened when he

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the alcohol

of the club, laughing

tacos,” Emilia declared, pointing dramatically down the

hangovers,” I

Tacos

my arm through hers as we wobbled down the

three blocks from Velvet had become our post–clubbing ritual long before Alexander Carter entered my life. The familiar smell of grilled meat and spices

carnitas and one al pastor,” Emilia ordered

that two al pastor,” I corrected. “I’m

living dangerously,” she teased,

laughed, steadying myself against the truck. “Not like I’m bungee

but you’re dating Alexander Carter, which might be

we please

raised her hands in surrender.

nearby bench to sit on. The night air had cooled, sobering me slightly as I bit into my

moaned. “This is

your CEO boyfriend?”

I nearly choked. “Emilia!”

I’m just asking a question.” She took another bite of her taco, sauce dripping

gossip, you mean.” I handed her a napkin. “And I wouldn’t know,

a wink. “You said ‘yet‘

“Can we

dramatically. “How’s work going? Besides having to

“What do

it professional at work, right? So he’s like your fake boyfriend

over me.

those looks he gives you across the conference room,” she teased. “Nova told me all

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Chapter 34