Chapter 61
Olivia
“Right now? Two people enjoying wine under the stars. He set his glass down and leaned forward. “Tomorrow? Who knows. That’s part of the appeal, isn’t it?”
I considered his words, swirling the wine in my glass. “You’re very different here than you are at the office.”
“So are you,” he countered. “Less guarded. More yourself.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“I think so.” His eyes traveled over my face, lingering on my lips. “I like seeing the real Olivia.”
“How do you know this is the real me?” I challenged. “Maybe I’m just playing a part.”
“Are you?” he asked, his voice dropping lower.
I held his gaze. “No.”
Something shifted between us then, an acknowledgment of the truth. For all the complications of our arrangement, this moment felt genuine. I could feel the weight of his gaze on me, the questions that lingered in the air between us.
“Have you decided?” Alexander asked, breaking the silence.
“About what?”
“About staying in my penthouse.”
I sipped my wine, using the moment to collect my thoughts. “I haven’t decided yet. I need a few more days to think about it.”
Alexander nodded, his expression unreadable. “Alright.”
me. I’d expected him to push, to try to convince me with his silver tongue. Instead, he accepted my answer and continued
ask you something?” I ventured, setting my glass
“Of course.”
already meeting regularly, and after the wedding, I’ll be living with you
fully, his expression thoughtful. “It’s about building a foundation.
could do that without living
agreed. “But it would be less
“You
that exactly what we’re doing? A
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Chapter 61
“Fair point.”
appearances but for ourselves. This will be easier
to them, even if I was reluctant to
dropping lower, “I sleep better with you next to
admission caught me off guard. It seemed too honest
asked, trying to keep my
he said with a small shrug. “But yes. First good night’s
could have any positive effect on this man who seemed to have everything was oddly
it,” I said finally. “And let
the wine bottle,
this situation is
“But some
voice, sent a small shiver down my spine. I took another sip of wine
really is beautiful,” I said, changing the subject. “How often
as often as I’d like. Maybe once a month, if
like a
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