The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 88

Olivia

“I’d like to change first,” I said, surprised by my steady voice. “This dress isn’t exactly comfortable for travel.”

Alexander nodded, pressing a button to speak to the driver. “Take us to the penthouse before the airfield.”

“Yes, sir,” came the driver’s response.

Alexander’s hand remained on my thigh, his touch sending sparks through my body. “You were stunning today,” he said quietly. “Every man in that room envied me.”

“Even though it’s not real?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

His eyes met mine, something unreadable in their depths. “Just because our arrangement started as a business deal doesn’t mean everything about it is fake.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that. Instead, I finished my champagne and looked at the passing city lights out the window.

“We’re here,” Alexander announced as the limo pulled up to his building.

The staff in the lobby nodded respectfully as we passed, offering quiet congratulations. We rode the elevator in charged silence, his hand resting possessively on the small of my back.

Inside the penthouse, Alexander loosened his tie completely. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll have your bags brought up.”

“My bags?”

“I had my assistant pack for you. Everything you’ll need for the trip is taken care of.”

Of course he did. “Did your assistant also happen to pack Emilia’s little gift?” I asked before I could stop myself.

Alexander’s eyebrows rose. “What gift?”

My face heated. “Nothing. Just something silly for the honeymoon.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Now I’m intrigued.”

said quickly.

packed. Searching through them, I found comfortable clothes for the flight and changed quickly, removing my wedding dress with some difficulty. As I hung it carefully in the closet, I spotted a small gift bag tucked into one of

and a note: “For when you want to

shoved it back into the bag, my

jeans and a soft sweater, Alexander had also changed into more casual clothes: dark jeans and a fitted black T–shirt that highlighted his muscular

private jet was a flying luxury apartment with

we reached

{

3:08 pm

Chapter 88

feeling the effects

seats across from each other, the cabin quiet except for the

breaking the silence. “Two weeks on a private island.

want. Swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing. The island has beautiful hiking trails if you’re interested. Or we

on my

on his knees. “Let’s be clear about something. I want you. I have since that night I drove you home. But I won’t

is in

include physical intimacy. It doesn’t specify when or how often.” His

never

severely misread the way

at you?” I

you’re trying to decide whether to slap me

at his bluntness. “That’s not

thigh pressing against mine. “Your pupils dilate when I get close. Your breathing changes. And sometimes,” his hand found my knee, “you lick your lips like you’re imagining how I

reading

higher, resting on my thigh.

This was dangerous territory, blurring the lines of our business

I heard myself ask, “What happens if we cross

fullest.” His voice dropped lower. “And I promise you, there are many

sure

His hand inched higher. “And I’m very, very

My breath caught. “Alexander-”