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.

never had to

to life as a Carter,” he said, echoing his

to

for what it’s worth,

“I did?”

professional, and you didn’t take any of her

dump my coffee

that you didn’t is exactly what I

parked in his usual spot and turned off the engine, but neither of

turned to me, one eyebrow

be. I

I’m glad I’ve exceeded

would be awkward and uncomfortable,

awful. I’ll add that

playfully.

do,” he admitted, his expression softening. “And for what it’s

garage. There was something intimate about the moment, not sexual, exactly,

first. “We should head inside. It’s been

exhausted. Who knew fighting off gossip columnists and evil exes

to my world.” Alexander climbed out of the car and came around

use.” I stepped out, my heels clicking on the concrete floor. “More

we entered, the house was quiet, most of the staff having retired for the evening. Alexander flicked on the lights as we moved through

nightcap?” he asked, heading toward the bar in the corner

better not. Any more alcohol and I might start drunk–texting Victoria to tell

laughed. “Now that I’d pay

off my heels with a sigh of

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

the way I’d left it this morning. I flicked on the bedside lamp, casting a warm glow across the king–sized bed. The sight of it was too tempting to resist. 1

a day,” I mumbled into

the day replayed in my mind: securing the Thompson Hotels account, the confrontation with Penelope, those nasty gossip articles. Despite the victory, I

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