Contractual Obligation: The Trilogy Page 11

  Chapter 9

  Natalie went over the words again and again in her head. Each time she practiced them, she was certain she could pull it off. Was this what she wanted or what she needed? There was a deep ache in her belly, like a pit that was some vacant black hole. There was no way she could put it off any longer, and she needed to make a decision before it was too late. She knew what she was going to do. She hated that it had to be this way, having to choose like this, but this was her future. She had to keep a clear head.

  Natalie got in the taxi, giving the driver the address. Her stomach lurched, reminding her she was that much closer to having to say the words out loud. As the cab pulled up, her heart was heavy. There was no stalling, no putting it off until tomorrow. It had to be done – now.

  Natalie tipped the cab driver and got out of the car. Taking a deep breath, she smoothed her skirt and made her way to the building entrance. They were expecting her. She’d called ahead and said she was on her way.

  When Michael opened the door to greet her, he pulled her close. “I’m so glad to see you this morning.”

  This was going to be harder than she thought. “Michael, we need to talk.”

  “Sure, have a seat. Do you want something to drink?”

  “No, no, I’m fine.” Why did he have to look so good? His chest was bare, muscled and strong, and he wore faded jeans that clung to his body perfectly. He looked like a chiseled sculpture and as he smiled at her, flashing his white teeth and that adorable dimple, Natalie sighed. There was no easy way to say it.

  “The thing is,” she started, “I’ve been offered a great opportunity.”

  “That’s great! You should grab it. I’m not sure how long this is going to drag on. What’s it for?”

  “It’s for a luxury line, a year long modeling and spokesperson gig. They want me to be the face for their new watch line.”

  “Natalie, that’s exciting! I know things aren’t turning out how we planned. Together we can have it all, you modeling, me starting a business. We can be a team,” he laughed. “I feel like we can really do this, start fresh, and make an impact. You’ve already started.”

  “Michael,” she stopped him as he rambled on excitedly. “They want me to move to Europe.”

  “What?”

  “For a year,” she finished.

  “Wait, what?”

  “It’s a European line they’re launching, and I’d have to go there for appearances.”

  “You can’t go to Europe,” he said, panic in his voice. “A year? Absolutely not; it’s out of the question. How would I function? What about us? You’ve come to mean so much to me, and we’re a team, right Natalie? A team. Together, we can tackle any of this, but we need to do it here, with you by my side. Can’t you just shoot pictures some weekend and then stay here? Why would you have to be there? There’s no way; you can’t do it.”

  “I can’t do it?” She arched an eyebrow, a little taken aback by that.

  “We’re supposed to get married, share a life, and move in together. I’m going to start a business. I’ll need you here with me. We had a plan, or were starting to put one together. Europe wasn’t in the plans.”

  As she opened her mouth, she stopped, watching him as he continued.

  “I love you, Natalie. I’d be lost without you. I truly love you. I want you to be my wife.”

  Natalie sat down and stared ahead. This wasn’t what she was expecting. This wasn’t what she planned. She thought she could walk away, go on with her life, her career, and start over. Only something hit her hard when he said those words. She realized that as odd as it was, as strange as it had started, she loved him too. She didn’t even know how or why, but she did – she truly did. Leaving Michael… it sounded good on paper, but actually walking away from the man that had stolen her heart? She couldn’t do it.

  She mouthed the words, her voice barely a whisper, “I love you too.”

  Victoria wasn’t happy when Natalie told her no. In fact, she was down right furious. This was the chance of a lifetime and she was throwing it away. She’d better think long and hard, because it may be the only chance she has left, and if she turns this down, Victoria refused to represent her anymore. It didn’t help her reputation to turn down large companies with big wallets over a fickle model that fell in love. This was ridiculous, immature, and just insane. She let Natalie know she had exactly one hour to call her back with a revised answer, or their working relationship was a thing of the past.

  Natalie was stunned. Victoria scolded her like a small child. She hated how she questioned herself over and over. There was no going back, and she’d probably never get offered another contract this lucrative. Yet when it came down to it, she saw a life with Michael, a future; and hearing the words, saying the words, cemented what she should have known all along. They were meant to be together. So what if they found each other in some crazy way? So what if it wasn’t a traditional relationship? When they were tangled together in bed, her body and mind wrapped around him and wanted to be with him. It was something she was willing to risk her future on. Maybe she was a fool, but she was a fool in love.

  She was in love. Wow. It hit her like a sledge hammer. Finally admitting it, admitting that her feelings were real was freeing. She was in love.

  Michael swept her up in his arms. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. Hesitation was in her voice, but certainty was in her head. “I think so.” She clucked her tongue. “Yes, I’m sure.” This time she sounded more solid in her answer.

  “I love you, Natalie Cooper. One day you’ll be Mrs. Natalie Davidson, and I’ll be the proudest man that ever was.” His hand swept tenderly over her cheek. “One day you’ll be my wife.”

  Natalie smiled – a small, soft smile. She knew this was the path she was supposed to take, but there was the tiniest bit of her that wondered if it was a mistake. She just turned down the biggest offer she’d ever gotten to model for a big, well known company, and the twinge in her belly wouldn’t let her forget.

  No. Michael was her future. A husband, children… together they would have it all. They’d connected, bonded, and were committed to seeing this out – a life with each other.

  “Come to bed with me,” he grinned, taking her hand and leading her from the living room toward his bedroom. She wouldn’t deny him the request. As good as he looked in his faded denim and without a shirt, she was more than ready to take him up on the offer. It was going to be a good day after all. Following behind him, her hand in his, the couple walked through the bedroom door, ready to consummate their love.

  Michael pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her. Letting his hands come to rest on the curve of her bottom, he pressed Natalie to him. In this intimate space, she picked up hints of his cologne and inhaled, taking him in. Parting their lips, they came together, sharing the first of many kisses.

  His arms felt strong as they held her close. Her hands caressed the bare skin of his back, and the urge to press her naked skin to his was overwhelming. Pulling back, she tugged at her shirt, wanting to feel him against her. Michael helped, unhooking her bra, and sighed as her warm breasts pressed to his chest. Their kisses grew more heated as their bodies clung together.

  She wanted him, needed him, and clawed at his jeans. Tugging at the zipper, the duo shrugged off the remainder of their clothing and climbed under the covers, before sinking back into passionate kisses, their bodies tangling around each other.

  Michael’s hands explored Natalie’s body, and moving from her bottom, he tenderly slid his hand between her legs. She was damp with excitement, sighing at his touch. His fingers moved along her folds, and as Natalie sank into the sensations he offered, her fingers dug into him as her peak neared.

  Her heart was racing as she cried out in pleasure. Michael buried his mouth on her neck, milking her skin, and pressed his fingers back into her, causing her body to roll and spasm with another wave of pleasure.

  She had to catch her breath, but her muscles we
re lax and weakened. Sprawled across the mattress, Natalie drifted in the high of her orgasm. Michael let her recover for only a moment before his lips move to her soft breasts. Teasing a nipple, his own body was beckoning him to satiate his needs.

  Climbing up over his lover, Michael entered Natalie, penetrating her deeply. Each thrust, each movement brought him closer to where he needed to be. Looking down at the girl below him, everything felt right in the world. As he let his body take over, his mind drifted off. Only his pleasure washed through him now. Pushing, thrusting, faster, harder, and as the orgasm rushed through him, he grunted loudly and dropped onto the bed.

  Making love to Natalie was everything he ever wanted, but in these moments after, where love pulsed through him recklessly, he was content to lie beside her, stroking her skin, playing with her hair, caressing her body, and feeling her close.

  Michael rolled up on his side and drew lazy circles on Natalie’s shoulder with his finger. He slipped his hand through her silky hair and leaned in close, kissing her lips in a soft, tender moment. “I’m so glad you stayed,” he whispered.

  “Me too.”

  “We’ll figure things out. It will all be okay.”

  “I hope so.” She couldn’t look away from him. He mesmerized her. There was something special between them. She recognized it as love, but it was so much more. The bond, something drew them together almost like a need. Maybe they were both tired of being lonely and had found a friend in the other. Either way, with him beside her, she felt like things would work out.

  “They’re sentencing my father next week,” his voice dropped an octave. He went from romantic to business in the blink of an eye. “I’m letting go. When he goes to jail, it’s time for me to move on. I can’t forgive him for all of the lies.”

  “I’m sorry.” The pain in his eyes spoke of his inner turmoil. In one moment, he was sweeping her off her feet, making love to her, and in the next he was torn to shreds thinking about how much his life had changed.

  “At least I have you. I’m not alone.”

  “You’re not.” How could she have almost walked away? Natalie tortured herself realizing she’d considered leaving him. It would have been heartbreaking, knowing he’d be alone, with nobody to trust, nobody to have his back. It was selfish.

  “We should get married.”

  Natalie looked to Michael. He had enough on his plate, and there was no rush. “In time.”

  “Let’s not wait. There’s no reason to. We both want to be here. We were going to anyway. Let’s plan something small.”

  “I haven’t even told my parents about you,” she admitted bashfully. “I didn’t know what to say.”

  “You’ll figure it out.” He grinned at his future bride. His hands moved along her body, his fingers playing on her soft skin.

  The touches turned to caresses, and soon he was pulling her closer, wanting to be inside of her again. Michael pulled Natalie up onto him, and as she let him enter her, she groaned with pleasure. Natalie let her body take over, pushing down and then lifting. With each movement the duo grew more heated in motion.

  Natalie’s breasts swayed back and forth. Michael couldn’t resist reaching up and touching her, teasing her pert nipples as he watched her move. Throwing her head back, she leaned into the added pleasure, closing her eyes.

  Her body seized, her muscles tensing and locking up, and then sweet relief as the orgasm ricocheted through her. “Oh, Michael,” she groaned, collapsing onto him. He pressed his hips up into her, finishing what they’d started and reached his own peak.

  Michael held her close, his arms wrapped tightly around her as his body slacked otherwise. “Don’t ever leave me,” he whispered. “If I have you, it’s all I need.”

  Natalie brushed her lips against his neck and nuzzled in. She’d never felt this way before. The thought that she almost let go horrified her. It would have been a huge mistake. Michael was her future, and together they’d share a life.

  Chapter 10

  The plans were coming together. It would be a quick, small affair. Her mother didn’t take the news well, afraid she was moving too fast. She didn’t mention the arrangement, or even how they met. She fudged about those pieces of the puzzle, and just said she knew this was right. She couldn’t wait for them to meet him.

  She left out as many details as she possibly could. He was in business for himself, starting something new. He just left a larger company to strike out on his own. Yes, they’d be okay and she supported his choices. No, it would be a small wedding, nothing fancy; and no, Michael wasn’t close to his family. His father would be away and his mother had passed, so they won’t be there. No, she wasn’t sure when his father would be back; he was on a business trip. She left out exactly who they were, not even certain they’d know anyway. It’s not like Manhattan news made an impact out in the little suburb she grew up in. Yes, she’d love to see her parents, but no, not if they wanted to talk her out of her decision. She loved Michael, and this was a celebration of that love.

  Her mother and father agreed to come out and stand with them, though neither thought it made sense to move so quickly. They’d not even heard of the man and suddenly their daughter wanted to marry him. She tried to talk her into slowing down a bit more, but Natalie changed the topic. When it came down to it, she was going to marry Michael whether her parents chose to show or not.

  “Did you tell your brother?”

  “Not yet.” That was another conversation she wasn’t looking forward to. She’d get an exact repeat of this talk all over again. She was an adult, capable of making her own decisions, and about to be married. A grown woman, dammit, and yet she felt like a small child when it came to her family.

  “Here’s the thing, Mom. We’d love to have you here, but if you’re going to bring drama to the day…”

  “Drama?” Her mother laughed. “You’re the one marrying someone you barely know, rushing into something, and you’re worried I’ll bring drama?”

  “I’m just saying that I want it to be a special day, something to remember for good reasons, not for stressful reasons. Please promise me you’ll just be happy for me.”

  “All I want is for you to be happy, but just because you’re happy today, marriage is for life. What do you really know about this man?”

  Natalie sighed deeply and then cleared her throat. The tension sat in her shoulders. “I’d love to see you and have you at my wedding, but please, for me, just accept that this is my life, my choice, and I’m happy.”

  “You’re right. You’re a grown woman.” Her mother conceded with an exaggerated breath, and finally wished her the best. Yes, they’d be there, and yes, she’d keep her feelings to herself if they weren’t positive at the time. Not that she could help herself, she just wanted what was best for her daughter.

  She didn’t even want to hear what her father had to say about it. He’d make his opinion known with one subtle look. Maybe inviting her family wasn’t a good idea after all. But this was her wedding. She was getting married. Her family had to be there…and yet she didn’t want them to take her special moment and leave her with sullen memories instead.

  Natalie gave in to the fact that everyone had family issues, and they should at least be there. Somebody needed to be there besides her and Michael, right? The thought of flying to a tropical island and marrying him quietly on the beach with nobody there sounded okay too, but it wasn’t in their budget. Maybe one day they’d honeymoon there, do all of that traditional stuff, but for now with things as they were, her dreams would have to be stifled and shoved in a box.

  Marrying Michael would be enough. At least neither of them would be alone in the great big world anymore. There was magic between them, especially when they were bundled under the covers, their bodies tangled together. They’d make it work, she was sure of it…and if he loved her…Natalie’s mind started clicking.

  When it came down to it, he certainly didn’t hold up their end of the bargain – that stupid contract. It
should honestly be null and void. Besides, they were beyond a paper, right? She’d agreed to marry him. They shared a bond. He’d understand, right?

  Natalie knew what she needed more than anything, a wedding gift that would tell her what she needed to know. Why was he truly asking her to marry him? If he loved her, he’d tear up the stupid contract. It was pointless anyway. It’s not like there was even a company or money anymore; everything had been frozen and was being liquidated to pay the back taxes and legal expenses. The paper, that stupid contract that sat over her head, her willingness to sign five years of her life away for money – she wanted it gone.

  She cringed realizing what she’d signed up for, how desperate she must have felt that she was willing to trade that much time for money. She convinced herself it was just a high paying job, but she was no more than a hooker when she really looked at it. She was trading herself for cash. If her parents ever found out, they’d be mortified. How could she have stooped to that level?

  Michael would understand. He’d know why she needed this. She was his. They belonged together. Fate pulled them together obviously, but that stupid piece of paper…Natalie shook her head.

  Natalie’s shoulders dropped. Burying her face in her hands, the grief overwhelmed her. Silence fell over her and washed through her veins. How had she stooped so low? Her stomach clenched. This wasn’t what she’d planned when she left for New York. She simply wanted to make it on her own, to model, to live her dream – and what she settled for was selling her soul for money.

  The shame crowded her mind and she crumpled in a heap onto her bed. She could run away from it all, go back home and start over. She could follow through and do what she said she was going to, marry the man she’d fallen for under odd circumstances. If he loved her, he’d set her free and let her make her own choice, not based on her signature on some document. Right?

  Natalie stared at the wall, her eyes wet from the overwhelming sensation of wanting to hide. She wanted to throw the blankets over her head and disappear, make this all go away. Did she truly love Michael or did she convince herself she did to help lessen the sting of being tied to the man for so many years? How could she even second guess that? Of course she loved him. She was almost afraid to look at the equation for fear of the answer.