The CEO's Contractual Wife

iv

t as Ryan's car cruised through the

s. The quarterly marketing campaign required us all to work overtime

anced over, his perfectly styled d

y we're going to this party when I could

hday." He reached over and squeezed my knee. "And bec

he neckline plunged lower than I'd normally choose, and the hemlin

the dress in a boutique bag, eyes gleam

birthday party," I tugged at the fabr

looks good on you better than you do. Trust me, e

s is about? Marki

he turned onto Sophia's street, w

ening sky, music pulsing from within. For someone only turning twenty-

way and cut the engine. "Ready t

and the gift bag containing the vintag

out of the car, making me shiver. Ryan's arm slid arou

p for." He nodded toward the

d been strung through the palm trees. The front door stood

doorway, resplendent in a gold sequined dres

way," I laughed, accepting her enthu

e air-kissed his cheeks. "Come in, come in!

opened to a massive great room where at least thirty people mingled. The space

sked, already s

strongest thi

hat's my girl.

e bar setup, I heard a famili

n, get your a

al sofa. My best friend since college was already flushed from

sters of guests to reach her.

er heels, and embraced me. She pulled back, holding me at arm's length to examine m

ks warm. "Is i

er willingly shown that much cleavage." She smirked. "Not th

e louder? I don't think eve

mischief as she took another sip of her drink. "By the way, have you seen our

ctually. Where did Ryan go? He was

ing to the back lawn earlier." Emilia shrug

o. If I catch him smoking after all that 'I'm done with

ngs. Like, just admit you still

hich had ridden up dangerously high. "If he's outside w

ass. "I'll be right here judging every

g at half-familiar faces from past gatherings. T

R

some drinking games with shots and

a man-bun approached, his eyes dropping

rk hair, probably looki

. But I'd be happy to keep yo

away, irritation building. Where

or, where the noise from the party became more muffled.

laugh? Something between the two. It was

more distinct this t

private spot to hook up at

he hallway, a sliver of light spilling onto the hardwood floor. Something co

learer. A woman's voice, breathless

he voice w

ommanding: "You like that, don't

dropped. Ry

irs, and straight out the front door. Instead

ser; her gold dress pushed up around her waist. Ryan was behind her, his

gasped. "Make me

words escaped me befo

head whipped around, his