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.

phone pressed to his ear, looking out at the sprawling city below. The late afternoon sun cast him in silhouette, highlighting his broad shoulders and tall frame. He turned at

the phone, ending

space. “You said casual,

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

kind of adjustment?” I

close enough that I could smell his cologne. “I’ve

happy with my outfit?” I gestured

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Chapter 74

said, his eyes traveling over me in a way that made my skin tingle. “But tonight calls

The space still overwhelmed me with its boutique- like organization and obvious wealth on

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

unzipped it with a flourish, revealing a stunning emerald green dress. The fabric

breathed, reaching out to touch the material. “It’s

it on,” he urged, handing me the

be incredibly expensive fabric. The dress was clearly designer,

drawer and pulling out a matching set of lingerie. The deep emerald bra and panties were delicate lace, clearly designed to

heated as he handed them to me. “You picked out my

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

brushing. A jolt of electricity shot up my arm at

outside,” he said, stepping toward the

need,” I replied, surprising myself.

complied, turning to face the wall. I quickly shed my clothes, feeling strangely powerful

the lace caressing my skin. The bra