The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 158

Olivia

The night air was cool against my skin as we made our way back to the pool. The water was illuminated from below, casting an ethereal blue glow across the terrace. Without a word, Alexander pulled his shirt over his head and stepped out of his shorts, diving naked into the water.

He surfaced, pushing wet hair from his eyes. “Coming in?”

I hesitated only briefly before slipping my sundress over my head and unhooking my bikini top. Alexander’s eyes never left me as I slid the bottoms down my legs and stepped to the edge of the pool.

I slipped into the water, gasping slightly at the contrast with the cool night air. Alexander’s arms immediately encircled me, his body warm against mine beneath the surface.

“Cold?” he asked, pulling me closer.

“Not anymore,” I replied, wrapping my legs around his waist as he backed us toward the edge of the pool.

His lips found mine in a hungry kiss, hands roaming freely over my wet skin. I gasped as his fingers slid between my thighs, teasing and exploring.

“Alexander,” I breathed against his mouth. “Let’s go inside.”

“Why?” he asked, nipping gently at my bottom lip. “No one can see us here.”

“But-”

“Trust me,” he whispered, his fingers continuing their skilled manipulation. “Let go. I’ve got you.”

And I did trust him, I realized with sudden clarity. I trusted Alexander Carter completely at this moment.

So I let go, surrendering to the sensation of his hands and mouth as the stars twinkled overhead and the waves crashed against the shore below.

Later, wrapped in plush robes in the master suite, we sat on the terrace with glasses of champagne. Alexander looked relaxed, his hair still damp from our swim, his expression softer than I was used to seeing at the office.

on the outdoor sofa. “Was this getaway planned, or

both,” he admitted. “I’ve had my eye on this property for a while, but the

the way,”

in a toast. “To my brilliant wife, who charmed

my husband, who knows exactly how to celebrate a

drank in companionable silence for a moment, listening to the

“Alexander?” I said finally.

“Hmm?”

you for this weekend.

reaching over to take my hand. “You’re welcome, Liv. It’s what I

chest. I squeezed his hand, wondering if he felt it too, this strange, growing connection between us

on the sofa, wrapping an arm

do,” I agreed, resting my head against

the ends of my hair. “I

playfully. “Don’t

to the top of

in each other’s arms under the stars, the sound of the ocean providing a soothing backdrop to our comfortable silence. And for the first time since signing that contract, I didn’t feel like I was playing a role or living a

real, whatever “this”

a blissful blur of swimming, sunbathing, amazing meals, and passionate nights. By Sunday afternoon, I felt like a different person, relaxed, rejuvenated, and oddly

to the city, I took one last look at the stunning view. “Can we come

I can make a few calls, reserve it for another

that?” I snapped my fingers, mimicking his casual

confirmed, pulling me into his arms for a

to

peaceful, the coastline stunning in the late afternoon sun. I found myself dreading our return to reality, to the office politics, family

asked, glancing over at me. “You

the view,” I lied, not wanting to break the spell of

them,” he suggested. “Take a