Olivia

Alexander took a sharp turn, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. “Victoria’s feeding them information to manipulate

you.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Natasha was a woman I dated in Paris three years ago. It didn’t end well.”

“Define ‘didn’t end well.”

She wanted more than I was willing to give.”

“Marriage?I asked.

“Love,” he corrected, his voice flat.

The word hung between us, heavy with implication. I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past.

“And the hidden room?

Alexander’s mouth quirked up. “Not nearly as scandalous as they made it sound. It’s a private office where I keep sensitive business documents.

“So not a sex dungeon filled with whips and chains?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Is that what you were imagining?”

My cheeks burned. “No!”

“Liar,” he said, but his tone was playful. “You’re disappointed it’s just boring paperwork, aren’t you?”

“Shut up,” I muttered, fighting a smile.

We fell into comfortable silence as he navigated through downtown LA. The stain on my top had started to dry, turning sticky against my skin.

I finally

She knows I date casually. She’s twisting that into something more

you’ve never had a contractual relationship before?” I

relationships

me,” I

at me. “You’re

inheritance instead of just

1/3

8:06 pm

Chapter 71

respect you,” he countered. “The others were transactions. You’re a

and Stella’s words kept replaying in my head. Contract girlfriends. A

cut through my thoughts. “We’re

we’d stopped

my

“Of course.”

+23

otherwise, didn’t matter. I would be his wife on paper, get

No

why did those women’s

Alexander said, studying my face in the dim light

forced smile. “Occupational hazard of being in marketing.

back. “Don’t let Victoria’s friends get

pushed open the door.

cut the engine, and I

What are you doing?”

you to your door.” He was already out of the car, circling around

as he extended his hand to help me

‘Humor me.”

warmth of his car. We walked in silence to the building entrance, our footsteps

my apartment, I was acutely aware of how different our worlds were. His penthouse with its floor–to- ceiling windows and

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