The CEO's Contractual Wife

OliviaRyan's head whipped around, his eyes widening with shock. For a moment, time suspended itself. My lungs refused to work, and the room seemed to tilt sideways. "Liv—" Ryan stammered, still connected to Sophia. "This isn't—" "What it looks like?" I finished, my voice surprisingly steady despite the earthquake happening inside me. "Because it looks like you're fucking my friend on her birthday while I wait downstairs for a drink that's never coming." Sophia turned her head, meeting my gaze without a hint of shame. She didn't even bother to adjust her dress; she just rested her elbows on the dresser and sighed like I'd interrupted a business meeting. "Oh, Olivia," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Did you think a man like Ryan would be satisfied with just you?" Ryan finally pulled away from her, fumbling to pull up his pants. "Baby, please, this is just a... a thing. It doesn't mean anything." "A thing?" I repeated, heat rising to my face. "How long has this '

OliviaThe car fell silent as we drove through the streets of Los Angeles, the city lights blurring past the windows. I studied Alexander's profile, the strong jaw, and straight nose, wondering why he'd stopped to help us. Everything I'd heard about him at work painted him as cold, distant, focused only on the bottom line. We reached Emilia's apartment building first. Alexander pulled up to the curb, the engine purring quietly as he shifted into park. "This is me," Emilia announced, gathering her purse. She leaned over to hug me, using the moment to whisper in my ear. "Holy fuck, Liv. He's hot as balls. If he wants to bang you senseless tonight, you better fucking do it. The best way to get over Ryan is to get under the CEO. Shit, those hands look like they know what they're doing." I pulled back, shooting her a death glare that could have melted steel. "What?" she mouthed innocently before turning to Alexander. "Thanks for the ride, knight in shining Armani. You're a lifesaver."

OliviaI slept fitfully, my mind a carousel of images: Ryan's shocked face, Sophia's smug smirk, and, oddly, Alexander Carter's piercing gray eyes watching me in the rearview mirror. The weekend crawled by in a haze. I spent most of the time curled up on my couch, binging old movies, eating takeout, and ignoring the world, especially Ryan's desperate attempts to reach me. I let myself grieve, but by Sunday night, I was done crying; Ryan didn't deserve another tear. Monday morning arrived with brutal efficiency. I dragged myself into the shower, letting the hot water pound away the remnants of Friday night's disaster. No tears; I'd shed enough of those already. Ryan didn't deserve them. I wrapped myself in a towel and stared at my closet. What does one wear after catching their boyfriend balls-deep in another woman? I opted for armor: a crisp white blouse, a black pencil skirt, and highest heels. The kind of outfit that said, "I'm fine, fuck you very much." The cab ride to Carter

Olivia"You heard me correctly." He remained perfectly composed while I coughed and sputtered. "I require a wife within four months, and I've decided you're the most suitable candidate." I stared at him, certain I'd slipped into some alternate dimension. "Is this a joke?" Alexander's face remained perfectly serious, those gray eyes locked on mine without a hint of humor. "I assure you, Ms. Morgan, I never joke about business matters." "And this is... business?" I managed, and my voice was higher than normal. "Precisely." He leaned back, completely at ease, while my world tilted on its axis. "My grandfather has given me an ultimatum. I must marry within six months to retain control of Carter Enterprises. Two months have already passed while I've evaluated my options." I set my water glass down before I could spill more of it. "And you landed on... me? A random employee you drove home once?" "There was nothing random about my selection process." "Mr. Carter, I don't understand w

Olivia"You've really thought this through," I said, disturbed by how methodical he was about the whole thing. "I never enter a negotiation without a strategy." He moved closer still, his heat radiating against me. "Which brings me back to the non-negotiable aspect of our arrangement." My mouth went dry. "The sex." "Yes." His voice dropped to a dangerous purr. "The sex." "I'm not a prostitute, Mr. Carter." "I never suggested you were. This would be a marriage in every sense of the word, including the physical aspects." "Which you expect me to perform on demand?" I asked, hating the breathless quality of my voice. His eyes darkened. "I expect mutual satisfaction. I'm very good at making sure my partners are... thoroughly pleased." The way he said "thoroughly" sent a jolt of heat straight to my core. I pressed my thighs together, praying he couldn't tell how my body was betraying me. "You're asking me to have sex with a stranger," I said, trying to sound indignant rather than a