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.

called me a ‘fine young woman. That’s a

Absolutely.” His lips 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 barbs,

well tonight,” Alexander said

the vote of

mean it.” His hand found mine, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. “You handled

cower or overreact.”

I tried to ignore how good his touch felt. “Your cousin is

exactly what

their maddening circles on my palm, each sweep sending tingles up my arm. I should pull away.

his voice

suddenly nervous about

1/3

Chapter 80

I

“The closet

the hallway to the massive closet room, flipping on the light. The space still overwhelmed

silk pajama sets in various colors and styles. My fingers traced over the delicate fabric,

the pajamas, I hesitated at the lingerie drawer. The emerald set I’d worn earlier was beautiful but definitely not made for sleeping. I decided to skip underwear entirely, which was one less thing to worry about

bathroom, I quickly washed my face and brushed my teeth. The face wash smelled expensive and probably contained ingredients I couldn’t

of the dress and carefully hung it up, then removed 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 I remembered. Was Alexander actually attracted to me, or was this all part of the

buttoning up the top. The silk felt amazing against my

bed, shirtless with the covers pulled to his waist. The sight of his bare chest, all defined muscle and smooth skin, made my mouth go