The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alex) novel Chapter 188

Chapter 188

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?”

Alexander circled the counter, standing behind me. His hands settled on my shoulders, thumbs working small circles into the knots that had formed overnight. “Of course. Dinner, then. I’ll make reservations somewhere quiet.”

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

His hands slid 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 shiver down my spine.

“Still thinking about last night?” he murmured against my skin.

“Hard not to,” I admitted, my voice huskier than intended. “It was intense.”

9:24 Fri, Oct 10

Chapter 188

Alexander turned me in his arms, his eyes dark with something that made my pulse quicken. “Which part? The note or what came after?”

“Both,” I said, my checks warming at the memory of how we’d channeled our tension when we got home,

His thumb traced my lower lip, his gaze dropping to my mouth. “I prefer focusing on the after part.”

He closed the distance between us, capturing my lips in 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 hips, gripping firmly as he deepened the kiss.

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

“If we don’t stop now,” he said, his voice rough, “we’ll be very late for work.”

“Would that be so terrible?” I asked, running my fingers through his hair.

Alexander groaned. “Don’t tempt me. I have a board meeting in forty minutes.”

“Fine,” I sighed dramatically, stepping back. “Responsible adults, it is.”

He chuckled, pressing one more quick kiss to my lips. “Tonight. I promise.”

We finished our coffee in comfortable silence, the morning sun casting a warm glow across 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 them alone.

The afternoon dragged by in a series of meetings and phone calls. By three o’clock, my eyes burned from staring at presentation slides, and my hand cramped from taking notes. I was just considering a coffee break when a knock sounded at my office door.

“Come in,” I called, straightening in my chair.

Alexander entered, looking every bit the powerful CEO in his tailored suit, though his expression softened when his eyes met mine.

“Got a minute?” he asked, closing the door behind him.

“For you? Maybe thirty seconds,” I teased, setting aside my pen. “What’s up?”

He crossed to my desk and perched on the edge, close enough that I 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 more digits.”

“So we have nothing,” I said, disappointment settling in my stomach despite having expected this outcome.

“Not exactly nothing. The security footage shows it was definitely a woman. Height and build consistent with Victoria, but we can’t confirm identity with the hat and angle.”

“Great. So my number one suspect remains my number one suspect”

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Alexander’s hand covered mine on the desk. “Let’s put this behind us for now. If it happens again, we’ll have more to go on, but I don’t want you dwelling on this.”

“That’s your professional security assessment? Just forget about it?” I raised an eyebrow.

“My assessment is that someone wanted to upset you, and continuing to worry about it gives them exactly what they want.” His thumb stroked over my knuckles. “I’ve increased security, but otherwise, yes, I think we should move forward.”

I sighed, knowing he had a point. “Fine. But if I get another nasty surprise, I’m hunting Victoria down myself.”

“That’s the spirit,” Alexander said with a grin. “My ferocious wife, striking fear into the hearts of Carters everywhere.”

“Don’t mock me,” I warned, trying to sound stern despite my lips twitching. “I’m small but mighty.”

“Believe me, I know.” His gaze traveled down my body in a way that made heat pool low in my belly. “You proved that thoroughly.”

“Alexander!” I glanced toward the door, lowering my voice. “We’re at work.”

“And?” His expression was pure innocence, but his eyes told a different story. “I’m just complimenting my wife’s strength.”

“Uh–huh.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Is that why you really came by? To distract me with inappropriate comments?”

“Actually, no.” He straightened, switching back to business mode so quickly it gave me whiplash. “I wanted to give you an update on the security situation and check if you’re still good for dinner tonight. I made reservations at Matsuhisa for seven.”

“Sushi? You’re spoiling me.”

“You deserve it.” He stood, straightening his suit jacket. “I’ll pick you up here at six–thirty?”

“Perfect. I should be finished by then.”

Alexander nodded, then glanced at the door before leaning down to press a quick kiss to my lips. “See you then, Mrs. Carter.”

After he left, I sat for a moment with my fingers pressed to my lips, smiling like a lovesick teenager. How did he still affect me like this? One kiss and I was ready to abandon my work and follow him anywhere.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a productive blur.