My stomach clenched as I stared at Ryan’s name shing on my screen, my finger hovering over the answer button.

    “Who is it?” Alexander asked, his eyes briefly flicking from the road,

    “No one important,” I muttered, rejecting the call with a swipe. The screen went dark, and I shoved the phone back into my purse.

    Alexander’s eyebrow arched. “Didn’t look like ‘no one important‘ from your expression.”

    “It was Ryan.” The admission felt like acid in my mouth.

    “Your ex? The one who fucked your friend at her birthday party?”

    bI /bwinced at his bluntnessb. /b“Yes, that Ryan.”

    “What the fuck does he want?”

    “I have no idea. And I don’t care.” I turned to look out the window, watching the Los Angeles scenery blur past. “He’s likely regretting his mistake after seeing me all over social media with you.”

    Alexander’s knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. “If he bothers you-”

    “He won’t,” I interrupted. “I can handle Ryan.”

    “I’m sure you can,” Alexander said, his voice softening slightly. “But you don’t have to handle him alone anymore.”

    The sentiment was unexpectedly sweet, making my chest tighten. I reached over and squeezed his thigh. “Thanks.”

    “For what?” He shot me a quick nce.

    “For being on my side.”

    A small smile yed at the corner of his mouth. “Always, Liv.”

    We pulled into the underground parking garage at Carter Enterprises, Alexander guiding the Aston Martin into his reserved space. As we walked to the elevator, I felt people watching, whispers following in our wake.

    “Ready for your big day?” Alexander asked as the elevator doors closed.

    “What big day?”

    “Your promotion, of course. You are now officially Senior Marketing Strategist.”

    My heart skipped. Despite knowing this was part of our arrangement, the reality of it hit me differently now. “Effective immediately?”

    “Absolutely.” Alexander’s voice held a hint of pride. “The paperwork is already processed. Your new office is ready.”

    “I have a private office?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.

    “Of course.” He smirked. “Did you think I’d keep my wife in a cubicle?”

    The elevator doors opened, and we stepped into the reception area of the executive floor. Several heads turned, curious eyes following us as Alexander guided me with his hand at the small of my back.

    “Morning, Mr. Carter,” his secretary called. “The board is assembling in Conference Room A.”

    “Thank you, Jessica. Please have HR bring Mrs. Carter’s ess card and security credentials to her new office immediately Alexander’s tone was all business, but the possessive way he said “Mrs. Carter” made me flutter.

    Jessica’s eyes widened slightly as she looked at me, but her professional demeanor never slipped. “Right away, sir.”

    Alexander led me down a hallway I’d rarely had reason to visit before. “Your office is in the marketing executive wing. Not the corner office yet, but give it time.” He winked. “Work your magic like you did during that presentation, and you might find yourself in a great position by year’s end.”

    “Let me prove myself in this role first,b” /bI replied, trying to sound confident rather than overwhelmed.

    We stopped outside a door with a freshly printed namete: OLIVIA CARTER, SENIOR MARKETING STRATEGIST.

    Alexander pushed it open, revealing a spacious office with floor–tob–/bceiling windows overlooking downtown Los Angeles. The modern desk faced the impressive view, and sleek bookshelves lined one wall. A small conference table with four chairs upied the opposite corner.

    “This is mine?” I whispered, stepping inside.

    “All yours.” Alexander leaned against the doorframe, watching my reaction. “The IT department has ialready /iset up yourputer with the necessary ess. Your assistant starts tomorrow.”

    “I get an assistant too?” My voice squeaked embarrassingly.

    “Half–time. You’ll share with Markus in Creative, but yes.” He checked his watch. “I need to get to my meeting. Will you be okay finding your way around?”

    I nodded, still absorbing the reality of my new position.

    “Good.” He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a murmur. “How about we celebrate your promotion properly tonight?”

    “What did you have in mind?” I asked, my mouth suddenly dry.

    “I thought I might christen that gorgeous desk with you beneath me, making you moan my name while I take you right here in your new corner office,” he whispered, his eyes darkening with desire. “Maybe leave you with something to remember every time you sit in that executive chair.”

    Heat rushed through my body. “That’s hardly an appropriate workce conversation, Mr. Carter.”

    “Good thing you have a door that locks now, Mrs. Carter.” He brushed his lips against mine in a kiss that was far too brief. “Think about that while you’re settling in.”

    He turned to leave, then paused at the doorway. “Oh, and Liv? Congrattions. You earned this.”

    Before I could respond, he was gone, leaving me alone in my new office, my cheeks burning and my heart racing.

    I ran my hand along the smooth surface of the desk, trying to focus on the professional achievement rather than Alexander’s explicit promise. This was a significant step up in my career: private office, assistant, executive bess/b, all things bI /bhad been working for.

    A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

    b7:58 /bpm

    p

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

    The door opened to reveal Vivian, Nova, and Alice, all three vibrating excitedly.

    “Holy shit, Liv!” Nova eximed, rushing in. “You got promoted? To Senior Strategist? And an offices

    “Apparently.” I said, unable to keep the smile from my face.

    Alice circled the room, running her fingers along the bookshelves. “This is gorgeous. Look at this view

    “How did this happen?” Vivian asked, her expression a mix of happiness and confusion. “Last I checked, Johnson was Senior Strategist, and he wasn’t nning to retire for at least another year.”

    “He’s been moved to head the digital transformation team,” I exined, repeating what Alexander had told me “They needed someone to take over his position.”

    “And they picked you?” Nova raised an eyebrow. “Don’t get me wrong, you’re amazing, but there were iat /ileast three people ahead of you in line.”

    I shrugged, trying to look nonchnt. “Right ce, right time, I guessb./bb” /b

    “Right husband, more like,” Alice muttered, though her tone wasn’t unkind.

    “What was ithat/i?” I asked sharply.

    bAD /b