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 rarely

a ‘fine young woman. That’s a

lips curved into a genuine smile. “He’s not exactly

the couch cushions, suddenly exhausted. The emotional toll of the evening, pretending to

tonight,” Alexander said softly. “Better

for the vote of

tracing circles on my palm. “You handled Victoria

cower or overreact.”

I tried to ignore how good his touch felt.

exactly what

sweep sending tingles up my arm. I should pull away. This wasn’t part of our agreement, these casual touches,

said finally, his voice deeper than before.

nervous about sharing his

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Chapter 80

should change first,” I said, standing up

closet

hallway to the massive closet room, flipping on the light. The space still overwhelmed me with its boutique–like organization of

over the delicate fabric, finally selecting a simple navy blue set with shorts and a button–up

I’d worn earlier was beautiful but definitely not made for sleeping. I decided to skip underwear entirely, which was one less thing

the bathroom, 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 cool air, my breasts fuller than I remembered. Was Alexander actually attracted to me, or was this all part of the

up

covers pulled to his waist. The sight of his bare chest, all defined muscle and smooth