The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 287

Chapter 287

Olivia

The ocean appeared between buildings, that impossible turquoise stretching endlessly toward the horizon.

“What’s Rum Point?” I asked.

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“Beach on the north shore. Less crowded than Seven Mile Beach, but not completely private.” His thumb traced circles on my thigh. “Figured we’d have lunch there, maybe swim a bit.”

“Sounds perfect.”

The drive took us past colorful houses and local shops, reggae music drifting from open doorways. Kids played in yards, chasing each other with water guns while parents watched from porches. Everything felt relaxed, unhurried in that way island life did.

Rum Point appeared suddenly, the road opening onto a stretch of white sand and calm water. A tiki bar sat under thatched roofs, music playing softly. A few boats bobbed offshore, their occupants swimming or sunbathing.

“This is beautiful,” I said as we pulled into the parking area.

Alexander helped me out, his hand warm and solid against mine.

We walked down to the beach, sand warm and soft beneath my feet. The beach stretched in both directions, more populated but still relatively quiet. Families played in the shallows, couples lounged under beach umbrellas, and a group of teenagers threw a football near the water’s edge.

“Want to rent a cabana?” Alexander asked, gesturing to covered areas with cushioned loungers.

“Definitely. This heat is brutal.”

He approached a young woman at a rental stand, exchanged a few words, and produced his credit card. Minutes later, we had a prime spot with a view of the water, shade overhead, and cushioned loungers that looked incredibly inviting.

“Drinks?” Alexander suggested.

“Please. Something cold and alcoholic.”

He headed toward the beach bar while I settled onto one of the loungers, stretching out with a satisfied groan. The shade felt incredible after our hike, the breeze coming off the water cooling my overheated skin.

Alexander returned carrying two enormous glasses filled with deep red liquid, fresh fruit garnishing the rims.

“Rum punch,” he announced, handing me one. “Local specialty. Strong as hell.”

I took a sip and nearly coughed. “Jesus, you weren’t kidding.”

“Sip slowly. It sneaks up on you.”

We drank in comfortable silence, watching the ocean. The water was calm here, protected by the reef offshore. It stretched shallow for what looked like miles, kids wading out waist deep while still only being fifty feet from shore.

I set down my empty glass, the ice cubes clinking against the plastic. “Want to go in?”

Alexander glanced at the water, then back at me. “Swimming?”

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Chapter 287

“Snorkeling. I saw a rental stand near the beach bar

He stood, offering his hand. “Let’s go

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The rental stand was a weathered wooden shack with equipment hanging from Kodia, kte greeted us with an easy smile.

“Masks and fins?” he asked.

“Two sets, Alexander confirmed.

The boy handed us gear, explaining the basics of clearing the track and breathing thesogh the sofert & reddet deng already familiar with the equipment.

“Reef’s about twenty yards out, the boy said, pointing “Just follow the rope. Henry of was this theme of day

We waded into the warm water, pulling on fins once we were deep encarth. The mask felt right and my face, the morbed fitting comfortably in my mouth.

Alexander adjusted his own gear, then gave me a thumbs up.

We swam out together, following the rope that marked the path to the reef. The water yow denser with coery weske, visibility extending for what felt like forever.

Then we reached the reef, and my breath caught

Colors exploded beneath us. Coral formations in shades of purple, orange, and yellow created an underwart garden Fistu darted between the formations, their scales catching sunlight and throwing it back in briller fisher

A school of bright blue fish swam past, moving as one coordinated unit. I floated above them, mesmerized by their synchronized movements.

Alexander appeared beside me, his body sleek and powerful in the water. He pointed down, drawing my attention to a larger fish with yellow and black stripes hovering near the coral.

I dove down for a closer look, equalizing the pressure in my ears as 1 descended. The fish regarded me with apparent indifference before swimming away with lazy movements.

When I surfaced, Alexander was already there, pulling his snorkel out.

“This is fucking incredible,” he said, water dripping from his hair.

“Right?” I grinned. “Better than pictures.”

We replaced our snorkels and dove back under. The reef stretched in all directions, coral heads rising like underwater mountains. Fish of every size and color populated every crevice.

Alexander grabbed my hand underwater, his fingers threading through mine. The gesture was unnecessary, intimate in a way that made my chest ache.

1 squeezed back, feeling the warmth of his palm even in the cool water.

We swam together, hands linked, exploring the reef. A stingray glided across the sandy bottom below us, its wings moving in graceful undulations. Alexander pointed it out, his excitement obvious even through the mask.

The stingray was massive, easily three feet across. It moved with unhurried elegance, completely unbothered by our presence overhead.

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We followed it for several minutes until it disappeared into deeper water,

My lungs burned, demanding air, I surfaced, pulling off my mask and gasping.

Alexander surfaced beside me, his hair plastered to his head. “That was amazing”

“Incredible.” I treaded water, catching my breath. “I’ve never seen one that big”

“Me neither.” He moved closer, his legs brushing mine as we floated. “Ready to go back?”

“Not yet. A few more minutes?”

We dove under again, exploring a different section of the reef. More fish appeared, including a group of yellow tangs that swarmed around us in a bright cloud.

I reached out, letting them swim between my fingers. Their scales felt smooth, delicate against my skin.

Alexander floated beside me, watching the fish with obvious fascination. His hand found mine again, holding on as we drifted above the coral.

Eventually, my arms grew tired from swimming. I tapped Alexander’s shoulder and pointed toward shore.

We swam back slowly, neither of us in any hurry. The rope guided us to shallower water, where we could finally stand.

I pulled off my mask, squinting in the bright sunlight. “That was perfect.”

“Better than perfect.” Alexander removed his own gear, water streaming down his chest.

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