Chapter 33

Olivia POV

I gathered my things, my stomach fluttering with nerves. Alexander had texted the address of a restaurant for tonight, along with instructions to “dress to impress.” I hadn’t agreed to stay at his penthouse yet, preferring the safety of my own apartment for now.

Over the next two weeks, Alexander and I fell into a rhythm. We’d meet for dinner at high-end restaurants, where photographers would conveniently appear, capturing images of us looking intimate but never quite showing my full face. He’d kiss my cheek, hold my hand, and place his arm possessively around my waist—always when cameras might be watching.

Each time, I wore dresses from his collection, each more stunning than the last. Each time, his eyes would darken when he saw me, his gaze lingering on my curves in a way that made my skin tingle.

“You’re a natural at this,” he said one night as we left a trendy rooftop bar, his hand resting on the small of my back.

“At what? Preten