The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Ryan) novel Chapter 62

Alexander stood in the doorway, dressed in nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs that hugged his muscular thighs and did little to hide the impressive bulge between them. My eyes traveled involuntarily up his body, taking in his chiseled abs, broad chest, and strong shoulders.

“Jesus, I blurted before I could stop myself. “Ever heard of knocking?”

He smirked, clearly aware of the effect his near–nakedness was having on me. “Sorry. Just wanted to check if you had everything you need.”

“I’m fine,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest to hide my hardening nipples. “Just tired.”

His eyes dropped briefly to my chest before returning to my face. “The bed in here isn’t very comfortable.”

“It looks fine to me.”

A

Trust me, it’s not. The mattress is too firm.” He leaned against the doorframe. “My bed’s better. King–sized, memory foam…”

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you inviting me to sleep with you, Mr. Carter?”

Just offering the more comfortable option, Ms. Morgan.” His lips quirked. “Unless you’re afraid you can’t control yourself around me.”

“Please,” I scoffed. “I think I can manage to sleep next to you without jumping your bones.”

“Prove it,” he challenged, eyes glinting with amusement.

I hesitated, weighing my options. The guest bed did look a bit stiff, and after the long day we’d had, a good night’s sleep sounded heavenly. Plus, we’d already shared a bed once before…

Fine,” I said with an exaggerated sigh. “But only because I value my back.”

Of course. Just looking out for your spinal health.”

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and followed him down the hallway to the master bedroom. The king–sized bed dominated the space, its navy duvet turned down invitingly. Through the wall of windows, the ocean stretched endlessly, moonlight dancing on the waves.

I climbed into bed, immediately sinking into the most comfortable mattress I’d ever experienced. “Oh my god,” I groaned involuntarily. “This is amazing.”

“Told you, Alexander said, sliding in beside me. “Worth sharing with me, isn’t it?”

“Don’t get cocky. It’s just a mattress.”

“A very expensive mattress,” he corrected, settling onto his back.

The bed was large enough that we weren’t touching, but I could feel his body heat radiating across the space between us. I was acutely aware of his near–nakedness, the thin sheet doing little to disguise his muscular form.

“Goodnight, Liv,” he said softly.

“Goodnight, Alex,” I replied, turning onto my side facing away from him.

1/3

I closed my eyes, trying to ignore his presence and focus on sleep. The mattress really was incredible, cradling my body perfectly. The gentle sound of waves crashing against the rocks below created a soothing rhythm that should have lulled me straight to dreamland.

But I couldn’t sleep.

Not with Alexander’s half–naked body just inches away from mine. Even with my back turned to him, I was hyperaware of his presence: the subtle dip in the mattress from his weight, the faint scent of his cologne, the soft sound of his breathing.

I shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position without disturbing him. The sheets whispered against my skin

as I moved.

“Still awake?” Alexander’s deep voice rumbled through the darkness.

1 froze. “Sorry. Did I wake you?”

“I haven’t fallen asleep yet.” The mattress shifted as he turned toward me. “Can’t turn your brain off?”

“Something like that,” I admitted, still facing away from him. If I turned around, I’d be looking directly at his bare chest, and I wasn’t sure I could handle that right now.

“What’s keeping you up?”

Everything. This whole situation. The fact that I was in bed with my boss. The contract. The arrangement. The way my body reacted whenever he was near.

Just thinking about work,” I lied.

“Liar,” he said softly.

I rolled onto my back, staring up at the ceiling. “Fine. I’m thinking about all of this. Us. The contract. The wedding.”

“Having second thoughts?”

“No,” I said quickly. “Just… processing.”

“Process in the morning,” he murmured. “Sleep now.”

Easy for him to say. His breathing was already growing deeper, more rhythmic. Within minutes, he was asleep while I lay wide awake beside him.

I turned my head to look at him. In sleep, his face lost some of its hardness. His long lashes rested against his cheeks, his lips slightly parted. He looked younger, almost vulnerable.

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