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.”
try to convince me with his silver tongue. Instead, he accepted my answer and continued gazing at
you something?” I ventured,
“Of course.”
We’re already meeting regularly, and after
me fully, his expression thoughtful. “It’s about building a foundation.
do that without living together, I
he agreed. “But it would be less efficient. And less
I repeated, rolling my eyes. “You make relationships sound like business
that exactly what we’re doing? A business arrangement with
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Chapter 61
“Fair point.”
each other–not just for appearances but for
them, even if I
voice dropping lower, “I sleep better with you next
seemed too honest and vulnerable for the Alexander Carter I thought I
that so?” I asked, trying to keep my tone
too,” he said with a small shrug. “But yes.
know what to say to that. The idea that my presence could have any positive effect on
think about it,” I said finally.
reached for the wine bottle, refilling both
situation is pressure,
he admitted with a chuckle. “But some pressures are
in his voice, sent a small shiver down my spine. I took another
is beautiful,” I said, changing the subject. “How often
Maybe once a
like a
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