Contractual Obligation: The Trilogy Read online

  Michael’s day could have started better, but it seemed each day was getting worse. At least he still had Natalie. The more he thought about her, the better he felt. She was more than just “some girl” that had signed a contract; he was truly starting to fall for the girl. She was real, sweet, gorgeous, and had a way of making him feel comfortable. They’d found friendship in the process of this journey and he knew that in the next few years, they’d truly be able to rely on each other.

  Was it possible he was falling in love with the girl? A small smile spread across his face. She was the only bright spot in his life right now. There was no way he could have planned this. He’d just picked her from a pile of pictures, and yet something felt right. Maybe it was fate, maybe it was meant to be – either way, he was grateful she was still going to stand by his side. He needed her more than ever. He’d been lonely for too long, and with Natalie he knew he wouldn’t be alone anymore.

  He wanted to tell her how he felt, but she’d think it was some ploy to keep her by his side. He understood the circumstances, but knew his heart had grown when she entered his life.

  He was pleasantly surprised when the text came through. “Can I see you?” It looked like she was on the same page, and wanted to be around him as much as he wanted to be around her. He was grateful they’d worked it out.

  “Late lunch at 2pm,” he texted back.

  “Ok, where?”

  “Ramone’s on Fifth, over by the Art Museum?”

  “See you then”.

  This is good. Michael smiled. Lunch with Natalie was exactly what he needed.

  Natalie’s face went slack. She didn’t know how to find the words, what she would say. She had to get them out – tell him she wanted out of the contract. It was the right thing to do. She’d made a mistake, clearly he’d see that. She signed in haste.

  Pacing across the floor, she circled one too many times in the small space of her living room. This was nuts. What was she afraid of? Clearly he’d see her point of view, understand she was just a young woman that had made a mistake. He seemed like a level headed guy. Besides, there were hundreds if not thousands of other women who would jump at the chance to be Mrs. Michael Davidson.

  Natalie watched the clock as the hours and minutes ticked by painfully slow. One conversation, one horribly awkward conversation, and then it would over. She’d have her life back. He’d release her from the contract on hearing her words, and she’d be free. There was no way he’d hold her to it. She was sure he’d understand. Things had changed.

  Deep breaths, she reminded herself, as her pacing quickened. It was only noon and with two more hours to pass, she thought she’d go absolutely crazy if she didn’t do something to pass the time.

  She found herself outside of Mrs. Burton’s door, knocking. The woman was pleased to see her. “I was wondering how you were feeling, and how Emily is doing?”

  “She’s good, thank you so much. I’m feeling much better too, thank you for asking. Would you like to come in?”

  “Sure, just for a short bit.” She knew nothing about the woman, but now was as good of a time as any to get to know her neighbor.

  They spoke of Mrs. Burton’s situation, and Natalie admitted she’d grown fond of Emily. The cat was curled up on a windowsill. She missed talking to the cat; maybe because it was one of the only friends she had in the city that she felt she could talk to. She realized she came to see Emily, not Mrs. Burton. She excused herself after a twenty minute chat, saying she had a lunch date to get to.

  She’d get there early, but could wander through the park or poke around. There was always something to do.

  Natalie braced herself. This wouldn’t be easy, but knew what she was going to say. It was time for her to stand up and steel herself against whatever he may say, because this wasn’t the right choice, and she was ready to undo whatever she could with that stupid contract.

  On seeing Michael, her resolve softened. There was something about the man that got to her. No. No, do not let him get to you. You made a decision and need to stick with it. It’s the right thing to do.

  “Natalie.” His smile was real and showed genuine sincerity. He was glad to see her. There was warmth in his face, and leaning in, he briefly kissed her cheek. “It’s good to see you.”

  This wasn’t going to be easy. “Michael, we need to talk.”

  “Sure, but first I need to tell you something.” He was almost giddy, realizing he was going to tell her – tell her he was having real feelings for her and wanted her in his life.

  “What is it?”

  “Let’s get a table first.” He felt lighter on his feet, happier, knowing what was happening. He had genuine feelings for the first time in ages. He couldn’t honestly remember a time when he truly saw a future, but with Natalie, even if it came about in a non-traditional way, he still saw the picture.

  After being seated, the couple was ready to delve into the big topic.

  “What’s going on? News about your father?”

  Michael rolled his eyes. “No, nothing changed there. This is about you and me. I need to talk to you about something.”

  Natalie sighed. “I’m glad you brought it up. I’m guessing we’re thinking the same thing. This is the wrong time, it was a mistake…”

  “Natalie?” Michael’s head tilted slightly. “Do you really think that?”

  Natalie looked down, glancing at the table, not wanting to look him in the eye. Biting her lip, she was almost afraid to look back up, but forced herself. He looked hurt, confused, and sat speechless.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  “Right.” Michael flicked at his thumbnail, tracing it with his other thumb. Swallowing hard, he choked back the words he wanted to say – he’d look like a fool. He should tell her, get it out in the open, but the last thing he wanted to do was to pressure her even more. This whole thing stinks, the changes, the challenges, and now this. His father was one thing, but Natalie could be something totally different. He knew there was something there, a real chemistry, not just the forced one because of a piece of paper.

  There was silence. Michael cleared his throat. “Natalie, here’s the thing. I’ve developed feelings, real feelings, and I guess I hoped you had too. I get that you want to walk away, but if there’s any way I can convince you to stay... Take the risk, stick by me, and I promise you it will be worth your time. What we have between us, that’s real. I know you have to feel it too.”

  She felt guilty wanting to save herself. She walked into this knowing full well she was signing five years of her life to the project, and now she was scrambling like a small, scared child. It wasn’t fair to him, but five years suddenly felt overwhelming with the terms changing. Money would be tight, his father’s image would tarnish their business, and Michael was slowly becoming a different man.

  Maybe it scared her a little bit, this man that wanted to feel things. He claimed to suddenly care when he’d only just met her not that long ago. He chose a wife from a stack of pictures, and only wanted somebody to clean up his image. Why was this any different? And yet, she accepted the job, she said yes…and here she was trying to scamper away like a woman with buyer’s remorse, trying to undo the damage.

  Confused, she almost hated to admit she had feelings too. She wasn’t exactly sure what those feelings were anymore, but there was something there if she was honest with herself. Only, would it be worth it? Her career would be damaged if she wasn’t working for that long, not that she had a lot of work lining up. On the other hand, if her name was slapped in the paper attached to a falling big business, that could hurt her even more.

  Natalie tugged at her collar out of nervous energy. Her fingers moved to her hair, spiraling a strand around one finger and then letting it go. “Michael, I’m not sure what to say.”

  “Say you’ll consider this. Give us a chance, a real chance at a true relationship, and I promise you it will be worth your while. I haven’t been drawn to a woman like this in ages. I want thi
s to work, Natalie, truly work out.” Picking up her hand, he stroked her fingers.

  “I’m scared,” she admitted. “What if I make the wrong choice? I have no idea where my life is headed.”

  “I can’t guarantee what will happen, but I’m willing to do everything in my power to make things right.”

  Natalie looked down. Michael took it as a sign. “I’m sorry,” he said, placing his head in his hands. It was too late. She was already running scared.

  “Michael.” Natalie’s hand smoothed across his shoulder. “I want to. I just don’t know if I can follow through anymore. I don’t mean to let you down. I just have to think about my future.”

  “Why can’t I be your future? Put everything else aside, the contract, the charges, the money…what about us?”

  Waving away a waiter, they continued their conversation.

  “Was there truly ever an “us,” or just a piece of paper that glued us together?”

  “That night, that was real. I could see it in your eyes, could feel it in your body.”

  Natalie’s cheeks turned a warm crimson. “I did feel something,” she said quietly.

  “Don’t walk away. Please, just give us a chance.”

  Natalie nodded. She’d given in once again…chosen her heart over her head. Her head was screaming at her, ‘get out of the contract, there’s a loophole’. But her heart saw the man sitting beside her and everything else melted away.

  Nothing else mattered in that moment. Ever since he heard the news about his father, he’d felt nothing but alone in this world. He missed his mother more than ever, a mother he barely even knew. He needed somebody to comfort him, and more than anything, he didn’t want to be alone.

  The conversation stopped and started, sputtering, not sure where to go. There was relief mixed with a dose of anxiety, wondering what the future might hold. Michael’s fingers drew lazy circles on Natalie’s palm, and unable to look away from the beauty before him, he knew it would all be okay.

  They didn’t intend on going back to her place, but together arm in arm they walked into Natalie’s building knowing what would happen next.

  How did she end up here? Wasn’t she going to end it? And yet at this moment she wanted nothing more than to see Michael’s powerful body over her, feel him enter her, and to be a part of his world.

  Chapter 6

  Closing the door behind them, Michael pulled Natalie closer. “Together, we can have it all,” he whispered.

  A deep sigh slipped from Natalie’s lips. Looking into his eyes, she believed every word he said. She wanted to, needed to take him at his word. It was all she had.

  Drawing his hand down the side of her face, Michael stared at Natalie’s lips. They were a soft pink, and with barely a moment passing, he pressed his mouth to hers. He wanted to drink her in, taste her essence, and get lost in her beauty. He wanted to forget everything going on around them and lie naked in bed, feeling her warm skin pressed to his own. He knew in those moments the entire world would stop spinning, and everyone but them would cease to exist.

  The bed was only a few steps away, but it seemed so far. Michael pressed her to the door, his hands up over her, wanting to swallow her up. Pulling back only long enough to move from her lips to her jawline, his soft kisses trailed down along her neck. His fingers brushed her hair aside, and with tender nibbles, he milked her skin.

  Natalie’s breathing grew unsteady, and with every kiss and suckle she felt herself falling deeper and deeper. There was no going back. She knew the moment their bodies came together again, she’d be his, tied to him emotionally and wanting more. She wasn’t good with the casual sex thing. She always got attached too fast, and this would be no exception.

  Condoms, they needed to remember condoms. The thought drifted through her mind and was gone as fast as it had made itself known. His lips on her skin sent tingles of electricity through her. Natalie closed her eyes and sank into the pleasure. She wanted more, her body responded with a slow arch of her back. Her nipples were pert and pressed tight to the fabric of her bra, wanting to escape, wanting to feel his warm mouth. Her panties were damp from her arousal. She wanted Michael more than she’d wanted anybody in a long time.

  His fingers were nimble, quickly releasing the material covering her body. His mouth never left her skin, and as he undressed her, his hunger became more apparent. There was desperation, a hunger that was driving him. This was no longer just about desire, it was salvation. She didn’t know – she couldn’t know that he had nothing else holding him together anymore. He needed her more than ever. She was going to be the key to his sanity through the craziness of the current situation that was unraveling around him.

  He was scared for his future, for his world collapsing, for his father’s future, but with Natalie he felt alive and like he could start over. He could take on the challenges if she was by his side. He could build a new dream, pick up the pieces and build a life, and more than anything he could feel like he was in control of his life again.

  Control was something that eluded him lately. He always thought he held the reins so tightly, making his own choices, guiding his path. Only all of it spiraled, leaving him grasping for straws, and the only thing left to hold onto was the woman before him. He drew life from her, and would put everything into her. He’d make love to her with a passion and hunger he’d never known before. He’d show her she could trust him with her heart, and with her life.

  Michael led Natalie to the bed, and laying her down, he stripped off the remainder of his clothing. He needed nothing more than to be inside of her, penetrating her, filling her, letting her body’s warmth welcome him.

  As their bodies tangled in heated lust, the couple grew together knowing there was something more than either expected. A fire burned deep within them, and as they connected, the longing to hold on became desperation. Outside of the bedroom it wasn’t the same, while sharing their bodies there was so much more.

  Being within her, Michael wasn’t alone. His hands moved over her body with precision, learning every inch and curve, listening to her coos and sighs as he touched her, and then bringing her to clenching peak when she couldn’t take anymore. She cried out with pleasure. Michael smoldered with affection, wanting to hold her forever.

  Natalie curled into him, his fingers tenderly dancing across her skin. Every bit of her tingled, and the tiniest hairs on her skin stood on edge. He made her feel amazing, and when she was in his arms, everything felt right. There was something special between them. They both felt it. Everything stopped. They were the only people that existed in those moments, and she wanted to stay in his arms forever.

  They finally pulled apart, their passionate encounter still swirling about them. Following him down the stairs and outside, they said their good-byes once again before Michael turned away. That was when the flash went off, and another. Michael and Natalie covered their faces and ran back into the security of the building. What was going on? He hadn’t had cameras following him for a while now.

  Running back upstairs, he thumbed through his phone to his father’s name and sent him a message. There was no answer. Something changed; Michael could feel it in his gut. Why would they have followed him or found him here?

  Flipping on the news, Natalie scanned the stations, looking for a hint of an update. Nothing was obvious.

  Finally on a local news station, there was a quick mention. “Bowman Industries may be forced into bankruptcy after a tax issue and records showing that they were knowingly selling faulty products that should have been recalled. The more they investigate, the worse it looks,” the newsperson said.

  Michael looked at Natalie. His entire world was crumbling. His entire life felt like a lie. How was it even possible? They didn’t have defective parts, and he was certain if they were aware of it, they would have fixed it. They were insulators – what could possibly be faulty?

  It was found that one of the chemicals used in making the product let off a toxic fume at a certain temper
ature, and investigators found that his father, Kent Davidson, was aware and signed off on it. It would have cost too much money to alter it, so he doctored records and had signed them, stating that they’d made the changes, though they never did.

  The more details that came out, the sicker Michael became.

  The company was crumbling, and Michael would end up going down with it if he didn’t bail now. He was torn between wanting to get out and knowing that he’d put his entire life into this company and trust in his father. The betrayal was heartbreaking.

  Natalie knew she might never see the money that was promised to her. She had an out - and a big one. And yet when she and Michael were in bed, there was nowhere else she wanted to be. Could she keep him if she told him she wanted out? Would he still want her - a small child, running away scared?

  As more and more details leaked out, Michael learned that not only was his father in on this, but James was as well. The lawyer that had been by his father’s side for years, the one that handled so many of their files and details, the one Michael trusted with too much. Everything he knew was a lie.

  There were fake accounts. There were bits and pieces of a puzzle that was unfolding. James was not only his father’s lawyer, but his lover. Michael’s entire world crashed to the ground. Nothing he knew anymore was the truth. He’d been lied to, he’d been deceived, and he’d never once been trusted with the truth of how much the man meant to his father. He felt like an outsider looking in. How long had this been going on? As each piece of news came to him, it pushed Michael deeper into a rabbit’s hole he didn’t want to look down.

  The smear campaign started, and their pictures were splashed through the headlines with scandal and money at the base.

  Chapter 7

  When the final bits of news came out, Michael knew what he had to do. It was time for him to let go, let his father clean up his own mess, and say good-bye to the company he thought would be his future. He’d have to start over. He’d lost everything, money was frozen, and his father’s lies shattered him. He never trusted him with the truth, never gave him the option to know who he truly was. Looking at his father, he saw a stranger. He would have been happy that his father found someone to care about. He would have tried to talk his father out of some of the choices he was making financially – but Michael was just a causality in his father’s life.