bChapter /b88

    Olivia

    “I’d like to change first,” bI /bsaid, surprised by my steady voice. “This dress isn’t exactlyfortable for travel.”

    Alexander nodded, pressing a button to speak to the driver. “Take us to the penthouse before the airfield.”

    “Yes, sir,” came the driver’s response.

    Alexander’s hand remained on my thigh, his touch sending sparks through my body. “You were stunning today,” he said quietly. “Every man in that room envied meb./b”

    “Even though it’s not real?” The words slipped out before bI /bcould stop them.

    His eyes met mine, something unreadable in their depths. “Just because our arrangement started as a business deal doesn’t mean everything about it is fake.”

    I didn’t know how to respond to that. Instead, I finished my champagne and looked at the passing city lights out the window.

    “We’re here,” Alexander announced as the limo pulled up to his building.

    The staff in the lobby nodded respectfully as we passed, offering quiet congrattions. We rode the elevator in charged silence, his hand resting possessively on the small of my back.

    Inside the penthouse, Alexander loosened his tiepletely. “Make yourselffortable. I’ll have your bags brought up.”

    “My bags?b” /b

    “I had my assistant pack for you. Everything you’ll need for the trip is taken care of.”

    Of course he did. “Did your assistant also happen to pack Emilia’s little gift?” I asked before I could stop myself.

    Alexander’s eyebrows rose. “What gift?”

    My face heated. “Nothing. Just something silly for the honeymoon.”

    A slow smile spread across his face. “Now I’m intrigued.”

    “Don’t be,” I said quickly. “I’m going to change.”

    I escaped to the master bedroom, where I found several bags with my clothes neatly packed. Searching through them, I foundfortable clothes for the flight and changed quickly, removing my wedding dress with some difficulty. As I hung it carefully in the closet, I spotted a small gift bag tucked into one of my suitcases.

    Inside was Emilia’s negligee and a note: “For when you want to drive him wild. xo Em”

    I shoved it back into the bag, my heart racing.

    When I emerged in jeans and a soft sweater, Alexander had also changed into more casual clothes: dark jeans and a fitted ck T–shirt that highlighted his muscr build.

    The flight to the Caribbean was unlike any travel experience I’d had before. Alexander’s private jet was a iflying /iluxury apartment with a bedroom, shower, and a fully stocked bar.

    “Drink?” Alexander offered as we reached cruising altitude. 1/3

    {

    3:08 pm

    “Water is fine.” I replied, still feeling the effects of all the champagne from the reception.

    We settled into plush seats across from each other, the cabin quiet except for the soft hum of engines.

    “So,” I said, breaking the silence. “Two weeks on a private ind. What exactly will we be doing?”

    “Whatever we want. Swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing. The ind has beautiful hiking trails if you’re interested. Or we could just stay in bed the entire time.”

    I nearly choked on my water. “You’re very direct.”

    “I find it saves time.” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Let’s be clear about something. I want you. I have since that night I drove you home. But I won’t push for anything you’re not ready for.”

    “Even though sex is in the contract?”

    The contract says our marriage will include physical intimacy. It doesn’t specify when or how often.” His eyes held mine. “I can be patient.”

    “What if I’m never ready?” I challenged.

    Then I’ve severely misread the way you look at me.”

    ‘How do I look at you?” bI /basked, genuinely curious.

    ‘Like you’re trying to decide whether to p me or fuck me.”

    I gasped at his bluntness. “That’s not true!”

    ‘No?” He moved to sit beside me, his thigh pressing against mine. “Your pupils dte when I get close. Your breathing changes. And sometimes,” his hand found my knee, “you lick your lips like you’re imagining how I taste.”

    My face med. “You’re reading too much into things.”

    “Am I?” His hand slid higher, resting on my thigh. “Tell me to stop, Olivia, and I will.”

    I should have told him to stop. This was dangerous territory, blurring the lines of our business arrangement. But the words wouldn’te.

    Instead, I heard myself ask, “What happens if we cross this line? If we make this physical?”

    “Then we enjoy the benefits of our arrangement to the fullest.” His voice dropped lower. “And I promise you, there are many benefits to fucking me.”

    “You’re very sure of yourself.”

    “I know what I’m good at. His hand inched higher. “And I’m very, very good at making womene.”

    My breath caught. “Alexander-”

    “Tell me what you want.” His lips brushed my ear. “Just say the word.”

    What did I want? My body was answering for me, heat pooling between my legs, my nipples tightening beneath my sweater. It had been so long since anyone had touched me; Ryan and I hadn’t had sex for weeks before I caught him with Sophia.

    “I want…” I swallowed hard. “I want to take things slow.”

    8:08 pm

    Alexander nodded, withdrawing his hand. “Slow it isb./bb” /b

    The rest of the flight passed morefortably as we settled into safer topics. Alexander told me more about the ind. while bI /bshared stories about my brothers‘ antics growing up.

    As the jet cruised through the night sky, the awkward tension from earlier gradually faded.

    Alexander swirled amber liquid in his ss, the ice clinking softly against the crystal as he described the ind that awaited ollius. /li/ol

    “It’s been in the Carter family for three generations,” he exined. “My grandfather bought it in the sixties as a vacation property, though we’ve expanded it considerably since then.”

    “How big is it?” I asked, genuinely curious.

    Just under two hundred acres. Mostly untouched tropical forest with hiking trails, a few pristine beaches, and a naturalgoon perfect for swimming.”

    I raised my eyebrows. “That’s not an ind, that’s a small country.”

    We’re not quite sovereign, but we do value our privacy.”

    And the house?” I asked, taking a sip of water.

    The main house is about twelve thousand square feet,” he said casually, as if describing a modest cabin rather than a mansionrger than my entire apartment building. “Six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, infinity pool overlooking the ocean, home theater, fully stocked wine cer… the essentials.”

    Of course,” I deadpanned. “Just the basics.”

    His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Don’t worry, you’ll have everything you need.”

    ‘I’m sure I will,” I replied, thinking of the negligee Emilia had packed. The one I definitely wouldn’t be wearing.

    The conversation shifted to safer territory as I told him about growing up with my brothers.

    b3/3 /b