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.”

you,” Alexander said, surprising me.

a ‘fine young woman.

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

emotional toll of the evening, pretending to be in love with Alexander, fending off Victoria’s

said

for the vote of

mine, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. “You

cower or overreact.”

girls before.” I tried to ignore how good his touch

exactly what she

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 agreement, these casual touches, this intimacy. But I couldn’t bring myself to break

he said finally, his voice deeper than before.

nodded, suddenly nervous about sharing his bed

1/3

Chapter 80

first,” I said, standing

nodded. “The closet is all

light.

various colors and styles. My fingers traced over the delicate

definitely not made for sleeping. I decided to skip underwear entirely, which was one less thing to

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

lingerie, folding it 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

on the pajama shorts and buttoning up the top. The silk

already in bed, shirtless with the covers pulled to his waist. The sight of