The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 103

Olivia

I pulled on my cover–up as we headed back to the house, still feeling the cool dampness of my bikini against my skin.

The afternoon sun filtered through the palm trees, casting dappled shadows across the path.

Alexander walked slightly ahead of me, and I couldn’t help but notice the way his muscles moved beneath his shirt, still damp from our swim.

“The chef should have lunch ready by now,” Alexander said, glancing back at me. “You hungry?”

“Starving,” I admitted. “Swimming always makes me ravenous.”

“Good. Miguel makes an amazing ceviche.”

As we approached the house, I found myself studying Alexander’s profile, the strong line of his jaw, the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck, where it was still wet. I’d been so focused on the contractual nature of our relationship that I hadn’t really allowed myself to fully appreciate just how ridiculously handsome my new husband was.

“What are you staring at?” Alexander asked, catching me looking.

“Nothing,” I said quickly, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.

A knowing smile spread across his face. “Admiring the view?”

“You wish,” I scoffed, but there was no real heat behind my words.

We reached the patio, where Miguel had indeed set up lunch, a spread of fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and chilled white wine.

“This looks amazing,” I said, sinking into one of the chairs.

Alexander poured us each a glass of wine before sitting across from me.

We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the fresh ceviche practically melting in my mouth. Alexander watched me over the rim of his wineglass, his eyes tracing my features in a way that made my skin tingle.

“You know,” he said suddenly, “you’re quite beautiful when you’re relaxed.”

The compliment caught me off guard. “As opposed to when I’m not relaxed?”

“You’re always beautiful,” he clarified, his voice matter–of–fact rather than flirtatious. “But there’s something about you here, away from the office and the city. Your face is softer. Your eyes are brighter. It suits you.”

felt my cheeks warm at

facts.” He took another sip of his wine. “The sun looks good

my hair self–consciously. “It’s going to be a

like it a little wild.” His eyes held mine for a moment too long, and I felt something shift in

the plan for the rest of the

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relax by the pool, take the boat out,

“Or what?”

I could show you the rest of the house. There are a

what? A

exciting. Just the library, the media

have a library on

Where else would I

shook my head, smiling despite

me a proper tour of the mansion. The library was impressive, walls lined with books from floor to ceiling. The media

the ocean. The sun began to lower in the sky, casting a golden

murmured, moving

I turned, I found Alexander looking at me,

least. For a year. The thought sent

shower before dinner,” I said abruptly. “Wash off the

the same. Meet back here in

day. As I dried off, I caught sight of myself in the mirror. My skin was slightly pink from the sun, my hair falling in damp waves around my shoulders.

simple sundress from the closet full of clothes Alexander had provided. It was white, flowing, and far more elegant than anything I’d have chosen for myself. I left my hair down to

returned to the living room, Alexander was already there, dressed in linen pants and a white button–down with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He turned as I entered, and his

he said, his

you. So

in the corner. “Drink

“Sure. Whatever you’re having.”

that was a pale pink color. I took a sip; it was fruity but not too sweet, with

definite kick of alcohol.

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Chapter 103