The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 188

Olivia

I woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and the smell of coffee. Alexander’s side of the bed was empty but still warm. I stretched, feeling the lingering stiffness in my muscles from the tension of the previous night.

After a quick shower, I wrapped myself in a plush robe and ventured downstairs in search of coffee. I found Alexander in the kitchen, dressed in suit pants and a crisp white shirt, his laptop open on the counter.

“Morning,” I said, making a beeline for the coffee pot.

He looked up, his eyes softening at the sight of me. “How’d you sleep?”

“Better than expected.” I poured myself a generous cup and added cream. “Any news about our mystery leaver?”

Alexander shook his head. “Nothing concrete yet. The partial plate number narrows it down, but we need more to pinpoint exactly who it was.”

“And the fingerprints?”

“Being processed. If there are any clear ones, we’ll know by this afternoon.”

I nodded, leaning against the counter as I sipped my coffee. “So what’s the plan for today?”

“Business as usual,” Alexander replied, closing his laptop. “I’ve got meetings until two, then a conference call with London. You?”

“I’m busy too, just office stuff. Thompson project, team meetings,” I replied. “Marketing doesn’t run itself, you know.”

Alexander nodded, setting his mug down. “Alright. Should be a standard day. Want to grab lunch later?”

“Can’t.” I shook my head, picking up my own coffee. “I promised Nova I’d review her copy for the new campaign. Rain check?”

on my shoulders, thumbs working small circles into the knots that had

touch, my eyes drifting closed.

brushed my hair aside. His lips found the sensitive spot

last night?” he murmured against my

my voice huskier than intended. “It

turned me in his arms, his eyes dark with something that made my pulse quicken. “Which part? The note

my checks warming at the memory of how

thumb traced my lower lip, his gaze dropping to my mouth. “I prefer focusing

a kiss that started gentle but quickly intensified. My coffee forgotten, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing closer as his tongue swept into my mouth. His hands slid down my back to my

was breathless when he finally pulled away,

he said, his voice rough, “we’ll be very late

asked, running my fingers through

“Don’t tempt me. I have a board meeting in forty

dramatically, stepping back. “Responsible

one more quick kiss to my lips. “Tonight.

the previous night, I

at presentation slides, and my hand cramped from taking notes. I was just considering a coffee

I called, straightening

tailored suit, though his expression

asked, closing the door

teased, setting aside

edge, close enough that I could smell his cologne. “Security turned up nothing useful from the note. No clear fingerprints, and the partial plate

said, disappointment settling in my stomach despite

a woman. Height and build consistent with Victoria, but we can’t confirm identity with the hat and angle.”

one suspect remains my

us for now. If it happens again, we’ll have more to go