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?”

His hands settled on my shoulders, thumbs working small circles into the knots that had formed overnight. “Of course.

leaned into his touch, my eyes drifting closed. “Mmm, that feels good. And dinner

from my shoulders down my arms, one arm circling my waist while the other brushed my hair aside. His lips found the sensitive spot just below my ear, sending a

night?”

not to,” I admitted, my voice huskier than

that made

checks warming at the memory of how we’d channeled our tension

traced my lower lip, his gaze dropping to my mouth.

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 hips,

was breathless when he finally pulled away, his forehead resting against

stop now,” he said, his voice rough, “we’ll be very late for

that be so terrible?” I asked,

I have

I sighed dramatically, stepping back. “Responsible adults, it

quick kiss to

the kitchen. Despite the unsettling events of the previous night, I felt strangely at peace. Whatever that note meant, whatever threats might be lurking, at least I wasn’t facing

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

called,

tailored

a minute?” he asked, closing the

thirty seconds,” I teased, setting aside my pen. “What’s

could smell his cologne. “Security turned up nothing useful from the note. No clear fingerprints, and the partial plate was a dead end. Too many potential matches without

said, disappointment settling in my stomach despite

it was definitely a woman. Height and build consistent with Victoria, but we can’t confirm identity

So my number one suspect remains my number one

mine on the desk. “Let’s put this behind us for now. If it happens again, we’ll have