The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 112

Olivia

25%

I stared out the jet window as Los Angeles sprawled beneath us, the city glittering like scattered diamonds against the dusk. The pilot announced our descent, and I reluctantly pulled myself away from the view, turning to Alexander.

“Back to reality,” I sighed, stretching in my seat.

Alexander looked up from his laptop. “Not a fan of the real world?”

“Not when the alternative is a private island with infinity pools and a personal chef.”

“We can go back anytime,” he said, closing his laptop. “Just say the word.”

The jet touched down with barely a bump, taxiing to a private hangar where a black Escalade waited on the tarmac. Alexander’s driver greeted us with a professional nod, taking our luggage and stowing it in the trunk.

“Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. Carter.”

Mrs. Carter. The title still felt foreign, like someone else’s name tag that had accidentally been pinned to my shirt.

+23

The drive to Alexander’s penthouse was quiet, and both of us were tired from travel. I watched familiar landmarks pass by: palm trees silhouetted against the sunset, billboards advertising the latest blockbusters, and cars inching along in the eternal LA traffic.

“You’re quiet,” Alexander observed, his hand finding mine in the darkness of the backseat.

“Just tired,” I said, letting my head rest against his shoulder. “And maybe a little sad the honeymoon’s over.”

His thumb traced circles on my palm. “Who says it has to be?”

I smiled despite my exhaustion. “Pretty sure your grandfather expects you back at work tomorrow.”

“Probably,” he conceded. “But nights are still ours.”

When we arrived at the penthouse, I headed straight for the shower while Alexander dealt with our luggage. The hot water soothed my travel–stiff muscles, washing away the airplane staleness.

1 emerged wrapped in a towel to find Alexander sprawled on the bed, eyes closed. For a moment, I thought he was asleep, but then he spoke without opening his eyes.

“Feel better?”

I said, rummaging through my overnight bag for

a minute,” he murmured.

1

to mid thigh on me. By

myself, I tucked a blanket around him and padded to the

Girls‘ night at O’Malley’s

176

18:35 Fri, 22 Aug

Chapter 112

time. Only 7:30. I could still make it

be there by 9. Alexander’s

CEO sleeping beauty and come drink with us. We want

note for Alexander in case he woke up before

jeans and a soft sweater, I called a

the usual night crowd spilling onto the sidewalk. I spotted Emilia, Claire, and Ariana at our usual corner table and wove through

crowed, jumping up to hug me. “Without her groom, I

empty chair. “Fell

Claire repeated, raising an eyebrow. “So it’s ‘home‘ now, not

felt my cheeks warm. “Figure

wine toward me. “We ordered for you. Now spill. How was the

before answering.

island,” Emilia leaned

to make sure

Carter to a private island and

and I will,” I said primly.

to keep private,”

eyes. “You

why you love us,” Ariana said, raising her glass. “To Olivia’s mystery honeymoon. May

glasses, and for twenty blissful

Until Emilia circled back.

my wine glass. “We’re dying here. Give us something.

island was incredible.

attentive.”