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.

it. I’ve never had to deal with

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

Something to look

for what it’s

“I did?”

professional, and you didn’t take any of

dump my

that you didn’t is exactly what

the engine, but neither of us moved to get out immediately. “You know,” I said, breaking

turned to me, one eyebrow raised. “High praise indeed. I’m

should be. I

I’ve exceeded your

be awkward and uncomfortable, but it’s been… I don’t know. Not

add that to my

arm playfully.

softening. “And for what

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

silence first. “We should head

exhausted. Who knew fighting off gossip columnists

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

sure ‘glamorous‘ is the word I’d use.” I stepped out, my

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

heading toward the

I might start drunk–texting Victoria to tell her exactly what I think

that

my heels with a sigh of relief. “I’m going

time,” Alexander called after me as I

across the king–sized bed.

day,” I mumbled into the

of the day replayed in my mind: securing the Thompson Hotels account, the confrontation with Penelope,

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