The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 165

After signing the check, Alexander stood and pulled out my chair. His hand found the small of my back as we navigated through the restaurant, and I was acutely aware of the warmth of his touch through the thin fabric of my dress.

Outside, the valet promptly brought Alexander’s car around. The cool night air was a refreshing change from the restaurant’s warmth, and I took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of night–blooming jasmine from nearby planters.

“Successful evening?” Alexander asked as we settled into the car.

“Very. I think we showed whoever was watching that we’re completely unbothered by their petty gossip.”

“And we ate extremely well in the process.”

“A win–win situation.”

As we drove through the quiet streets of Beverly Hills, I found myself reflecting on the day, from the triumph of securing the Thompson Hotels account to the unexpected confrontation with Penelope and the nasty gossip article.

“Alexander?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for handling the legal side of things today. With the article, I mean.”

He glanced over. “No need to thank me. It’s what any husband would do.”

The word “husband” still felt strange to hear, even after our weeks together. Strange, but not unpleasant.

appreciate it. I’ve never had to deal with

a Carter,” he said, echoing his

Something to

it’s worth, you handled yourself brilliantly with Penelope

“I did?”

were poised, professional, and you didn’t take any

dump my coffee on her

that you didn’t is exactly what

security gate closing behind us with a soft mechanical whir. Alexander parked in his usual spot and turned off the engine, but neither of us moved to get out immediately. “You know,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence, “this whole marriage thing isn’t as terrible as

me, one eyebrow

should be. I had very

exceeded

I said, “I thought this would be awkward and uncomfortable, but it’s been… I don’t know.

I’ll add that

his arm playfully. “You know what I

his expression softening. “And for

for a moment, looking at each other in the dim light of the garage. There was something intimate about the moment, not sexual, exactly, but private. A quiet acknowledgment that whatever this was between us, it was evolving into something neither

“We should head inside. It’s been a

purse. “I’m exhausted. Who knew fighting off gossip columnists and

world.” Alexander climbed out of the car and came around to open my door. “The glamorous life of

I stepped out, my heels clicking on the

of the staff having retired for the evening. Alexander flicked on the

toward the bar in the corner of the living

more alcohol and I might start drunk–texting Victoria to tell her exactly

that I’d pay

a sigh of relief. “I’m going to

time,” Alexander called after me as I padded down the hallway toward

flicked on the bedside lamp, casting a warm glow across the king–sized bed. The sight of it was too tempting to resist. 1 flopped face–first onto the plush duvet, letting out a dramatic groan

day,” I

of the day replayed in my mind: securing the Thompson Hotels

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