Chapter 46

Olivia

I took another sip of wine, letting the rich flavor coat my tongue. “This food is incredible. I can’t believe Giorgio’s made this

for takeout.”

“I told you, they make exceptions for me.” Alexander reached for his wine glass, his fingers brushing mine in the process. “I find most establishments are willing to bend their rules for the right incentive.”

“Is that how you approach everything in life? Throwing money at problems until they go away?”

“Not everything. Some problems require a more… hands–on approach.”

The way he said “hands–on” made my skin tingle. I cleared my throat and reached for the tiramisu container, needing a distraction.

“Dessert?” I offered, prying open the lid.

“Always.” His eyes held mine, making it clear we weren’t just talking about food.

I broke eye contact first, focusing on dividing the tiramisu onto two plates. My hands weren’t quite steady, and I silently cursed myself for reacting so strongly to him.

“This looks amazing,” Lsaid, passing him a plate and deliberately avoiding his fingers this time.

“Giorgio’s pastry chef trained in Florence,” Alexander replied, accepting the dessert. “He refuses to share his tiramisu recipe, even with me.”

“Even with the great Alexander Carter?” I teased, taking a bite and closing my eyes at the perfect balance of coffee, mascarpone, and cocoa. “God, that’s good.”

When I opened my eyes, Alexander was watching me with an intensity that made my skin prickle with awareness.

“What?” I asked, suddenly self–conscious.

“You make the most fascinating expressions when you eat.” His voice had dropped lower. “It’s… distracting.”

food like a normal

nothing normal about the way your lips part when you take a bite.” He took a sip

don’t make

“I wonder if

flooded my cheeks. “You’re

observant,” he corrected, taking a bite of his own

between us had shifted,

name.

asked, desperate to

1/3

mine?” Before I could answer, he

fork, yet I leaned forward and accepted the bite anyway. Our eyes locked as my lips closed around the fork, and I saw his

he asked, his

to form words for a moment. “Same

tastes better this way,” he

only by the clink of forks

his fingers curled around his wineglass,

set his empty plate down, his hand came to rest on my knee, a casual touch

setting my own plate aside. “It was exactly what I needed

what’s mine,” he replied, his thumb making small circles on my

reminded him but made

signed a contract that says

agreeing to marry

hand slid slightly higher on my thigh. “In public, you’re mine. In private…” He paused, his eyes dropping to my lips. “Well, that’s what we’re negotiating now,

hammered against my ribs. “I don’t recall any negotiation

touch sending sparks through my body. “What would you call

then?”

shot back, but my voice lacked

he said

blinked at him. “Excuse

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