The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 80

Olivia

“Your grandmother is surprisingly nice,” I said, perched on the edge of his couch.

“Margaret’s always had good instincts about people.” Alexander loosened his tie, the simple action drawing my attention to his strong hands. “She liked you.”

“Victoria definitely didn’t.”

“Victoria doesn’t like anyone who threatens her plans. He sat beside me, close enough that our knees almost touched. “Don’t take it personally.”

I took another sip of whiskey, letting the alcohol calm my nerves. “So what’s next?”

Alexander’s eyebrow arched. “Sleep, unless you had something else in mind?”

Heat rushed to my face. “That’s not what I meant. I meant what’s next before the marriage? We’ve met your family, and then what?”

“We need to meet your family,” he said, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “I was thinking we could have the wedding in a few weeks. It would be a small ceremony, just close family and friends”

“Okay,” I replied, the reality of our situation hitting me anew. In a few weeks, I would be Mrs. Carter, at least on paper.

Alexander set his empty glass on the coffee table and turned to face me fully. “You seem tense.”

“Meeting your family was intense.” I finished my drink and placed it next to his. “Your grandfather is something else.”

Alexander said, surprising me. He

‘fine young

Carter? Absolutely.” His lips curved into a genuine smile. “He’s not exactly

of the evening, pretending to be in love with

tonight,” Alexander said softly. “Better than

vote

his thumb tracing circles on my palm.

cower or overreact.”

before.” I tried to ignore how good his touch felt. “Your cousin is just a

exactly what

fingers continued their maddening circles on my palm, each sweep sending tingles up my arm. I should pull away. This wasn’t part of our

his voice deeper

nervous about

1/3

Chapter 80

should change first,” I said,

“The closet is all

light. The space still overwhelmed me with its boutique–like organization of clothes,

styles. My fingers traced over the delicate fabric, finally selecting

was beautiful but definitely not made for sleeping. I decided to skip underwear entirely, which was

I quickly washed my face and brushed my teeth. The face

neatly on the counter. Naked, I caught my reflection in the mirror and paused. My nipples had hardened in the

I muttered, pulling on the pajama shorts and buttoning up the top. The silk

to his waist. The sight of his bare chest, all defined