The CEO's Contractual Wife (Olivia and Alexander) novel Chapter 288

Chapter 288

Olivia

We returned the equipment to the rental stand, the boy accepting it with the same easy smile.

“See anything good?” he asked.

“Stingray,” I replied. “Huge one.”

“Lucky! They don’t usually come around this time of day.” He hung our masks on hooks. “Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.”

We walked back to our cabana, dripping seawater across the sand. The cushioned loungers looked incredibly inviting after all that swimming.

I collapsed onto one with a satisfied groan. “I’m exhausted.”

“Good exhausted or bad exhausted?” Alexander settled beside me, his hand finding my hip.

“The best kind.” I closed my eyes, feeling the sun warm my skin. “That was exactly what I needed.”

“Me too.” His thumb traced lazy circles on my hip.

A waiter appeared with a tray. “Two more rum punches. Compliments of the house.”

“Perfect timing,” I said, accepting the drink gratefully.

The waiter disappeared, leaving us alone again. I sipped the rum punch, savoring the sweet tropical flavors.

Alexander propped himself on one elbow, watching me. “You look happy.”

“I am happy.” I took another sip. “This whole trip has been amazing.”

“It’s not over yet.” His fingers traced patterns on my shoulder, the touch gentle and soothing. “Still have tonight. And

tomorrow.”

“Then back to reality.”

“Reality can wait.” He pressed a kiss to my shoulder. “For now, we’re here. Just us and the ocean.”

I shifted closer, letting my head rest against his chest. His heartbeat was steady beneath my ear, grounding and reassuring.

His fingers continued their lazy exploration, tracing my collarbone, my shoulder, the curve of my neck. Each touch was feather light, almost reverent.

“This feels different,” I murmured.

“Different how?”

“I don’t know. Softer. Like we’re actually a couple instead of…”

I trailed off, not wanting to finish that thought.

“Instead of what?” Alexander’s voice was quiet, careful.

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9:39 pm

Chapter 28

“Nothing. Forget I said anything.”

His hand stilled on my shoulder.

“It’s fine. Really.” I forced brightness into my tone. Just the rum punch talking”

He didn’t push, but I felt the shift in his body. There was a slight tension that hadn’t been there before.

We lay there in silence, the sound of waves and distant voices filling the space between us. My rum punch was nearly empty, the ice melting in the tropical heat.

“I’m going to order food,” Alexander announced, sitting up. “You hungry?”

“Starving”

He signaled a waiter, who appeared instantly with a menu. Alexander ordered without consulting me, choosing items he knew I’d like.

“Conch fritters, jerk chicken, plantains, and rice and peas,” he told the waiter. “And two more rum punches.”

“Excellent choices, sir. About twenty minutes.”

The waiter left, and Alexander settled back onto the lounger. His arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me against his side.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

“For what?”

“For this. The trip, the beach, everything.” I turned my head to look at him. “You didn’t have to do any of it.”

“I wanted to.” His fingers traced my jawline. “You deserve nice things. Beautiful places. Someone who gives a fuck about making you happy.”

The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache. “You do that. Make me happy, I mean.”

‘Good.” He kissed my forehead, the gesture so tender it made my throat tight. “That’s all I want.”

The food arrived quickly and was spread across a low table near our loungers. The conch fritters were golden and crispy, the erk chicken perfectly spiced. I ate with enthusiasm, savoring every bite.

Alexander watched me with obvious amusement. “Slow down. Food’s not going anywhere.”

Can’t help it. I’m starving.”

Swimming does that.”

We ate together, passing plates back and forth, stealing bites from each other’s portions. The rum punches were strong, making everything feel warm and hazy.

We finished eating, both of us stuffed and slightly drunk from the strong cocktails. Alexander paid the bill, leaving a generous tip that made our waitress beam.

‘What now?” I asked as we stood.

“Walk it off. Then back to the mansion.”

2/4

Chapin Yek

We wandered down the beach, hand in hand, the sand cool now that evening had settled in. Other tourists passed us. Examples and families enjoying the Caridican night

The string lights from nearby restaurants cast warm pools of light across the sand. Music drifted on the breeze, mixing with the rhythm crash of waves.

“Beautiful evening came a voice beside us

I turned to find an older man with a camera, clearly another tourist. “Would you two like a photo? You look like such a happy Comple

That’s thoughtful of you. I replied before Alexander could decline.

The man gestured for us to pose. “Stand right there, ocean behind you. Perfect”

Alexander pulled me against him, his arm sliding around my waist. I fit naturally into his side, my head tilting to rest on his shoulder.

“Closer,” the man instructed, “Don’t be shy”

Alexander’s hand tightened, drawing me flush against him. His warmth seeped through the thin fabric of my dress. I could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong,

“Smile”

I looked up at Alexander at the exact moment he glanced down at me. Our faces were inches apart, his eyes crinkling with genuine amusement. Whatever joke we were sharing, it felt real,

The camera clicked,

“One more,” the man said. “Look at each other this time.”

Alexander’s gaze locked on mine, something unreadable flickering in those eyes. His thumb stroked my hip, the gesture unconscious and intimate,

“Perfect! Beautiful couple,”

We broke apart as the man approached us. He transferred the photos he had just taken onto Alexander’s phone.

Feeling grateful, I smiled and said, “Thank you so much for capturing those moments.”

The man wandered off with a wave, leaving us alone on the beach. I pulled up the photo, and my breath caught.

We looked perfect together.

Alexander stood tall and solid, his white shirt catching the golden hour light. I was tucked into his side, my head on his shoulder, both of us smiling like we’d just shared the world’s best secret. His hand splayed possessively across my waist. My fingers curled against his chest.

But it was our faces that got me. The way we looked at each other in that second shot. Like nothing else existed beyond that moment. Like we were the only two people on the planet.

We looked real.

Not like a CEO and his contractual wife. Not like two people playing roles for his grandfather’s approval. Just a man and woman completely wrapped up in each other.

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Chapter 288

“What’s wrong” Alesander asked, noticing my expression.

“Nothing I handed him the phone. “We look good

He studied the image, a small smile playing at his lips. “We do”

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