bChapter /bb126 /b

    Olivia

    F

    ??? ??? ?

    “I’ve taken the liberty of organizing your calendar for the rest of the week,” he said, showing me his tablet. “You have a department meeting tomorrow at 10, a budget review at 2, and a check–in with Michelle on Friday about the Thompson project.”

    “Impressive,” I admitted. “What about today?”

    “Clear except for a 4:30 call with HR about your benefits package.”

    “Perfect. After that call, I’d like you to set up a team meeting for tomorrow afternoon. I need to assemble a group for the Thompson project.”

    “Any specific people in mind?”

    I rattled off a list of names from different departments, digital, creative, analytics, and PR, that I wanted on my team. Dn’s fingers flew across his tablet as he took notes.

    “And I’ll need ess to the executive marketing servers,” I added.

    “Already requested.” He smiled. “It should be set up by tomorrow morning.”

    “You’re good at this,” I said, genuinely impressed.

    “That’s the idea.” He stood, adjusting his impably tailored zer. “Anything else before I head down to prepare for the team meeting?b” /b

    “That’s all for now. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

    After Dn left, I returned to the Thompson brief, jotting down ideas for their new brand positioning. The work absorbed mepletely until my phone buzzed with a calendar notification for the HR call.

    The call was brief and straightforward, updating my benefits package to reflect my new position. After hanging up, I returned to my notes, determined to get a rough concept outline before leaving.

    I worked steadily for another hour, lost in the creative process. The office gradually quieted as people filtered out for the day. I was sketching a potential logo redesign when I felt a presence at my door.

    Looking up, I saw Alexander leaning against the doorframe, his tie loosened and jacket draped over one arm. He’d rolled up his shirt sleeves, exposing muscr forearms that reminded me of how easily he’d lifted me against him during our honeymoon.

    “Workingte already, Mrs. Carter?” he asked, his voice low and rich.

    “I was just wrapping up,” I said, setting down my pen. “Lost track of time.”

    “Amon affliction around here.” He stepped into my office, closing the door behind him. “How was your first day as Senior Marketing Strategistb?/bb” /b

    “Busy. Productive. Slightly awkward.” I leaned back in my chair. “Michelle put me in charge of the Thompson Hotels rebranding.”

    Alexander’s eyebrows rose. “That’s a major ount.”

    b7:58 /bbpm /bP DD

    “Apparently, she wants to give the gossipers something real to talk about when I seed

    He circled my desk,ing to stand behind my chair. His hands settled on my shoulders, thumbs pressing into the knots that had formed after hours of hunching over my notes.

    “And you will seed,” he murmured. “You’re brilliant at what you do

    I closed my eyes, unable to resist leaning into his touch. “I think that’s the firstpletely sincerepliment you’ve given

    me.”

    “I’ve given you plenty of sincerepliments,” he countered, his thumbs working deeper into my tense muscles. “Most of them were just about your body rather than your mind.”

    “Alexander,” I scolded, but without heat.

    His hands slid from my shoulders down my arms. “Ready to go home? I thought we should celebrate your first day.”

    “What did you have in mind?”

    “Dinner at Providence,” he said, naming one of LA’s most exclusive restaurants. “I made reservations for eight.”

    I checked my watch. “It’s already bsix/b. We should probably head home to get ready.i” /i

    “My thoughts exactly.” He stepped back, allowing me to gather my things. “I have a surprise for you at the estate.”

    “Another surprise?” I raised an eyebrow. “You’re full of thosetely.”

    “You have no idea,” he murmured, guiding me toward the door with his hand at the small of my back.

    The drive to the estate was quick, with Alexander telling me about his day and the board meeting. I found myself genuinely interested in thepany politics he described, asking questions about various board members and their agendas.

    “Victoria was particrly hostile today,” he said as we pulled through the gates. “She kept suggesting the Thompson Hotels ount should go to her team instead of Marketing.”

    “She’s still bitter about our marriage ruining her chances at controlling thepany,” I noted.

    “She’ll get over it.” Alexander parked in front of the house rather than in the garage. “Or she won’t. Either way, she’s not getting what she wants.b” /b

    Inside, the house was quiet and peaceful. I kicked off my heels in the foyer with a sigh of relief.

    “Head upstairs,” Alexander said, loosening his tie. “Your surprise is waiting in the bedroom.”

    “Is it you naked on the bed?” I teased. “Because I might need a rain check until after dinner.”

    Heughed. “Not quite. Go see for yourself.”

    Curious, I made my way upstairs to our bedroom. When I opened the door, I gasped. Laid out across our bed and hanging from racks that had been brought in were at least twenty stunning dresses, all with designerbels.

    I approached slowly, running my fingers over the fabrics. Silk, chiffon, beaded embellishments, all in different colors and styles.

    “What do you

    think?b” /b

    I turned to find Alexander leaning against the doorframe, watching my reaction.

    “These are… Alexander, there must be fifty thousand dors‘ worth of dresses here”

    He shrugged. “Probably more. I had my stylist pull options for you. Whatever you don’t want, we’ll send back.”

    “This is too much,” I said, though I couldn’t stop looking at a stunning gown with a plunging back.

    “Nothing is too much for my wife.” He walked over, picking up the red dress I’d been eyeing. “This dress would look incredible.”

    “You think?” I asked, reaching out to touch the silky material.

    “Try it on,” he urged. “We have time before dinner.”

    I took the dress and disappeared into the walk–in closet, stripping down ito /imy underwear. The dress slipped over my head like liquid, settling against my curves perfectly. It had a deep V neckline that showcased my breasts without being too revealing, and the open back dipped almost to my waist.

    When I stepped out, Alexander’s eyes darkened noticeably.

    “Turn around,” he instructed, his voice low.

    I did ia /islow spin, feeling the dress swirl around my legs.

    “Perfect,” he murmured. “Absolutely fucking perfect.”

    “You really like it?”

    “Like it?” He approached me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. “Liv, you look spectacr. Every man in ithat /irestaurant is going to hate me for having you on my arm.”

    “That’s a bit dramatic,” Iughed.

    “It’s not.” His hand slid around my waist, pulling me closer. “You’re beautiful. The dress just highlights what’s already there.” My heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his voice. “Thank you.”

    biAD /i/b

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