Chapter 34

Olivia POV

“No!” I said too quickly. “I mean... not yet.”

Emilia’s eyebrows shot up. “Not yet? So you’re planning to?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “The chemistry is... intense.”

“I bet it is,” she smirked. “Have you seen the way he looks at you in those photos? Like he wants to eat you alive.”

Heat rushed to my face. “Em!”

“What? It’s true! I’ve never seen a man look at a woman like that in public.” She took a sip of her wine. “I’m happy for you, you know. After what Ryan did... you deserve someone who looks at you like that.”

I felt a twinge of guilt. If only she knew the truth, that it was all a performance, a business arrangement.

“I’m being careful,” I said instead.

“Good.” Emilia nodded firmly. “Because if he hurts you, I don’t care how rich or powerful he is; I’ll kick his ass all the way back to whatever fancy prep school he came from.”

I laughed despite myself. “I’d pay to see that.”

“Seriously, Liv.” H