The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 115

Olivia

I rolled my eyes, trying not to smile at Emilia’s persistence. “Maybe he fell for me and can’t believe I’m married now. His loss.”

“Oh, please,” Emilia snorted into her wine glass. “That man wasn’t shocked you’re married. He was shocked that you married Alexander Carter. There’s a difference.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means,” she leaned forward conspiratorially, “that James Westbrook has probably been researching you since the moment he met you. Men like that don’t approach women randomly in bars. He knew exactly who you were, who you worked for, and now he can’t believe you landed the biggest fish in the ocean before he could make his move.”

I considered this, swirling the last of my wine. “You think he was interested in me because I work for Alexander?”

“I think he was interested in you because you’re gorgeous and smart, but the Carter connection probably didn’t hurt.” Emilia shrugged. “Financial guys are always looking for an edge over the competition. Dating someone from inside Carter Enterprises would’ve been a gold mine for information.”

“That’s cynical even for you.”

“That’s realistic. LA is full of people using other people to climb ladders.” She drained her glass. “Which is why I’m glad you’re with Alexander instead. At least you know what you’re getting with him.”

If only she knew how right she was. Our arrangement was nothing if not transparent, unlike whatever game James Westbrook might have been playing.

“His loss,” I repeated, more firmly this time.

“Damn straight.” Emilia grinned. “And Alexander’s gain. Even if he doesn’t fully appreciate what he’s got yet.”

“What makes you think he doesn’t appreciate me?” I asked, a bit defensively.

“Oh, he appreciates you, alright.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “I saw how he looked at you. But men like Alexander Carter take a while to realize when they’ve got something real versus something convenient.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “You don’t know him like I do.”

“Obviously.” She laughed. “I haven’t seen him naked.”

“Em!”

“What? Am I wrong?“.

“We should probably head out.

“But you’re right. I’ve got an early meeting

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Chapter 115

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cool night air. The street was

a cab?” Emilia asked as she flagged one

opposite direction from Alexander’s. No sense in

up to the curb. Emilia gave me a quick

as she slid into the backseat. “Men

got!”

her cab pulled away, then turned to flag down another one for myself. The ride to Alexander’s penthouse was

to Alexander’s building, I paid the driver and headed inside. The doorman nodded respectfully as I passed, no longer asking for ID now that I was

foreign on my tongue, like trying on someone

out into the foyer, surprised to find

I called, dropping my purse on the entryway

appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, dressed in sweatpants and a t–shirt, looking surprisingly domestic. “There you are. I was wondering where

note,” I said, slipping off my shoes. “Didn’t you

the doorframe, arms crossed. “But that was three hours ago. I

I explained, making my way to the kitchen. “I didn’t

should have rested. We

I nodded toward his laptop open on

the grace to look sheepish. “Touché. But I wasn’t the one

for a bottle of water. “The