The CEO's Contractual Wife

Olivia

Saturday morning brought a cloudy sky and a text from Alexander: “Car will pick you up at 5 PM. Wear something casual. Bringing you to my place first.”

I stared at the message, my stomach doing that annoying flip it always did when Alexander texted. Tonight was the night I’d meet his family. The Carters. The people who could potentially become my in–laws through this bizarre arrangement.

“Fuck,” I muttered, dropping my phone on the kitchen counter.

I spent the day in a state of controlled panic, cleaning my already tidy apartment and trying not to overthink the evening ahead. By four o’clock, I’d showered, blow–dried my hair into submission, and applied light makeup. The “casual” directive from Alexander left me standing in front of my closet, scowling at my options.

“Casual for normal people or casual for millionaires?” I asked my reflection, holding up a simple black dress against my body.

I finally settled on dark jeans, a silk camisole, and a blazer. They were elegant enough to look put–together but not like I was trying too hard. My buzzer rang precisely at five, and I grabbed my purse, taking one last look in the mirror.

“You can do this,” I told myself firmly. “It’s just dinner with your fake fiancé’s family. No big deal.”

The driver was waiting with the car door open when I stepped outside. The sleek black Bentley looked ridiculously out of place on my street, drawing curious stares from my neighbors.

“Ms. Morgan,” the driver nodded politely. “Mr. Carter is expecting you.”

The ride to Alexander’s penthouse was mercifully quick. I spent it watching the city blur past, rehearsing imaginary conversations with his family in my head. What would they ask? What should I say? How much did they know about me?

When we arrived, the doorman greeted me by name.

“Good evening, Ms. Morgan. Mr. Carter is waiting for you upstairs.”

The elevator whisked me up to the penthouse, its mirrored walls reflecting my anxious expression back at me. I took a deep breath as the doors slid open, revealing Alexander’s stunning apartment.

the sprawling city below. The late afternoon sun cast him in silhouette,

back,” he said into the phone, ending the call

into his space. “You

eyes traveled over me, slow and deliberate. “Perfect. But we need to make a slight

kind of adjustment?” I asked,

crossed to me, close enough that I could smell his cologne. “I’ve got something for you

outfit?” I

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Chapter 74

said, his eyes traveling over me in a way

seen before. The space still overwhelmed me with its boutique-

a garment bag hanging prominently on a rack. “This just arrived

revealing a stunning emerald green dress. The fabric looked

to touch the

he urged, handing me

took it, feeling the weight of what had to be incredibly expensive fabric. The dress was clearly designer,

he added, walking to a drawer and pulling out a matching set of lingerie. The deep emerald bra and panties

handed them to me.

dress requires specific undergarments,” he said matter–of–factly. “The lines would show

took the lingerie, our fingers brushing. A jolt of electricity

outside,” he said,

need,” I replied, surprising myself.

slightly, but he complied, turning to face the wall. I quickly shed my clothes, feeling strangely powerful as I stood

the lace caressing my skin. The bra cupped my breasts perfectly, lifting them just enough