Contractual Obligation: The Trilogy

by Keller, Lauren

  Pressing her fingers to her temples, Natalie squeezed her eyes shut, wanting it to all go away. Like a small child, she wanted to hide and pretend this wasn’t happening. Shutting down was the only answer, and numbing her mind, she retreated inward. She couldn’t think about this, not now. She was about to be a married woman.

  She knew what she had to do. She needed to ask him to set her free. She would enter into the marriage willingly if it was of her own doing; but if he refused to let her go, that changed everything.

  Michael was excited. He was certain life was turning around. After the embarrassment and shame of his father’s actions, the crumbling of their company, and his own downfall from powerful moneymaker to a man starting over, Michael knew his life was only going to get better. With Natalie by his side, a new outlook, and ideas to build a new business, Michael would come back stronger than ever; be wealthier, more powerful, and get back the control in his life. Nobody would stop him from getting to the top. He’d have it all.

  Humming to himself, Michael grabbed his phone, ready to send a message to Natalie. He hadn’t even noticed it blinking. He must have turned it to vibrate without even realizing. He’d missed her call.

  “Can we talk?” Her voice sounded sullen.

  He knew she’d be telling her parents about their wedding plans. By the tone of her voice, he guessed it didn’t go over so well. Poor girl was probably all stressed out after her folks heard the news.

  Dialing Natalie’s number, he smiled on hearing her voice. He loved the woman, really loved her. She’d changed his life. With Natalie, life felt possible again and he knew he could take on the world. Being with her, feeling her naked body against his own… his mind drifted to their last encounter.

  “Sure.” He pulled himself from the distraction of the sexy image in his brain. “You don’t sound so good. Did it not go well with your parents?”

  “That’s another topic in itself. I haven’t even called my brother yet,” she sighed. “The thing is that I wanted to talk to you first. I’ve been thinking…” She paused and stopped.

  “Those are dangerous words,” he teased, having no concept of where this was going.

  “Do you love me? You love me, right?”

  “Of course I love you. I wouldn’t be marrying you if I didn’t.” It felt weird saying those words out loud. In all honestly, he was going to marry her previously without love involved. It was an arrangement, business, but things had changed.

  The words felt slick, odd. He was going to marry her – it was how they met. And now, well, things were different.

  “Michael,” she fought to get the words out, “I need you to trust me.”

  “I do trust you. What is this about? Sweetie, what’s bothering you?”

  She didn’t know how to say it. She wanted to, it was clear in her mind, but the words wouldn’t come out. “Michael…” Again she paused. Natalie exhaled deeply and finally spoke. “The contract.” It was half a whisper. “So much has changed. Can we put that behind us? Just shred it? It doesn’t matter now; we have each other.”

  Michael’s heart raced on hearing the words. Of course he loved her, of course he trusted her, but he also feared being alone more than anything. What if he gave her the freedom to walk away? Was this a clever ploy? Would she leave? He almost didn’t want to know the answer.

  “What does that have to do with anything? The company isn’t even functioning – it’s spiraling into bankruptcy, assets are frozen, and it’s not relevant.” He didn’t want to state the obvious. There were massive size loopholes there, but there was also the security that she would be his – that she’d promised herself to him for the next five years – and without that paper, she just might change her mind.

  “Right, so there’s no reason to keep it intact. Can we get it voided, rip it up, and let it go?”

  There was silence.

  “Michael?”

  He didn’t know what to say. It was silly, this fear of his. He was a grown man. Women had thrown themselves at him for years, and yet he was still lonely before he met Natalie. With Natalie, he finally felt like he was a part of something special. Together, they were a wonder. Without her, he’d be back to square one. He wanted to agree. He wanted to jump in and be chivalrous, saying of course they’d void the contract, but he couldn’t find the words.

  “Michael?”

  “Don’t you want to marry me?”

  “I do, but because I love you. Not because some piece of paper says I have to.”

  “The paper means nothing to me. It’s irrelevant. Why even bring it up? We’re in love.”

  She said it before she could take it back. She had to; it meant her freedom. “Michael…” Her voice quavered, and with a deep breath, she forced herself to finish. “If you don’t tear up the contract, I’m leaving. If you do, I promise you I’ll follow through, but I don’t want to start our lives with this hanging over my head.”

  His chest tightened. The empty threat crushed him, and yet anger welled up quicker in his voice. “Already you’re talking about leaving. I thought you loved me. How could you just walk away?”

  “It’s not about that. I want you to prove you love me enough to trust me. Let it go, Michael. Tear it up.”

  His mind clouded. He never thought…this wasn’t the conversation he expected. They were in love. She was going to marry him, and now this – some crazy threat that if he didn’t void something she willingly signed, she’d walk away. Who did she think she was? He was in charge of this. She was the one who took the job. She was the one that was willing to trade her soul for cash…Michael grew hard, his mind frosting over, and his heart cooling down. He wouldn’t be threatened in this manner. It was ridiculous. If she loved him, she wouldn’t be pulling this crap on him. Not now, so close to their wedding.

  He kept his voice in check, though there was ice in it. “I don’t appreciate ultimatums.”

  Natalie jumped to the defensive. This wasn’t what she planned. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. He was supposed to say of course he loves her and trusts her, and would happily shred the document, telling her she was free. She promised to follow through. She told him…and now this.

  She didn’t know she was pregnant. She didn’t learn until the following week – a week after the conversation that ended in a stalemate. Natalie knew she had to tell him, but she didn’t know what to say. She wouldn’t marry the man until he voided that contract, carrying his child or not. The ball was in his court now. If he wanted her, wanted a family, he’d need to give her the freedom she requested; otherwise she’d be raising their child alone. It was the only way. She’d hold out until he agreed.

  She’d ask again. She’d ask him to end the contract. If he said yes, she’d tell him of his child. If he said no, there was nothing to discuss. She wouldn’t marry the man because she was forced to – not anymore. She was taking her dignity back, and if he couldn’t offer the mother of his child that one precious gift, he didn’t need to know about the precious gift she was carrying. Not yet.

  He didn’t know. She hadn’t told him. This was his doing; he’d made his decision. When Michael showed up at her door, heart in hand, he told her what she needed to hear. She had her freedom. He’d cut her lose from the contract.

  Natalie jumped into his arms, “I’m not going anywhere. And by the way, you’re going to be a father.”

  Contractual Obligation: High Risk (Book 3)

  Chapter 1

  The look on his face wasn’t what she expected. Pulling back, Michael looked at his future bride. “A baby?”

  She nodded, not sure what to say. She couldn’t read him. Natalie’s breathing grew shallow. “Say something. Anything.”

  “A baby?” His face went slack. The news was more than he wanted to hear. He came over to set her free from the contract, to give her what she wanted all along, but somehow things got turned around. “How long have you known?” He almost didn’t want to know.

  “A couple of days,” she look
ed down, not wanting to make eye contact. This wasn’t what she pictured. He should have been happy. They were in love, about to be married.

  “I’m not sure I’m ready to be a father.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I just need time to process the news.” His hands went up through his hair and his nostrils flared in frustration. “I need to go.” Michael turned to walk away.

  Natalie was stunned, watching him put distance between them. “Wait! Please, don’t leave like this.” Hot tears were forming at the corner of her eyes. She tried to hold them back, but her stupid hormones weren’t making it easy.

  “I’m not ready.” Michael shook his head, still taking in the shocking news.

  “Right, you said.” Disappointment washed through Natalie’s veins.

  Michael hesitated and looked at the desperate girl in the hallway. Leaving wasn’t the answer, as much as he wanted to escape. Turning, he went back inside, sitting at the edge of her bed.

  “Everything is happening too fast.” He dropped his head in his hands, overwhelmed with the news.

  “I’m having the baby,” she cautioned, settling in beside him. “I can’t…” She trailed off.

  “I wouldn’t ask you to do anything else.” He realized how he must have sounded. Placing his hand on her thigh, he apologized. “We’ll be fine. I’m sorry. It’s a lot to take in after everything we’ve been through. And what if I’m a lousy father like my own father turned out to be?”

  Natalie had no words. She wanted to soothe him, but she was licking her own wounds. Her silence spoke volumes.

  “Again, I’m sorry.” Looking into her honey-brown eyes, his sincerity showed. “I’ll be good with the news once I digest it.”

  She nodded. It was only fair. She’d had a few days to accept the change, and truth be told, it threw her for a loop as well.

  “So, we’re having a baby,” his tongue clucked while trying to absorb how big this was. The realization that his money was running out didn’t help matters. With Bowman Industries crashing, he couldn’t rely on that. His investments were barely keeping him afloat, and soon he’d have a family to support. Crushed under the responsibility, Michael knew he’d have to claw his way back to the top.

  “Is it hot in here?” His hand slicked across a dampened forehead, perspiration beads forming. “Maybe we could go for a walk, talk about it some more.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, fine. Just a little hot.” Tugging at his collar, he unbuttoned the top button. “A baby,” he mumbled.

  “Oh boy,” Natalie blew a puff of air between her lips, aghast at how this turned out. Seriously, she had no idea he’d act this way. How could she? He always seemed in control-- calm and capable. This was so out of character – though after everything he’d been through with his father’s deceit, their business crumbling, his assets frozen, it was just one more thing that pushed his buttons.

  Flipping on a small desk fan, she pointed it toward him. “I’m not even sure what to say anymore.” Natalie was disgusted with the situation.

  “Baby, I’m so sorry.” Turning, he took her hands in his own. “I’ll be fine, we’ll be fine. I think it just caught me off guard.”

  “You think,” she mocked sarcastically.

  “I just wish I was more financially stable. I used to have money, a good job, and now I have nothing. How will I support a wife and child? I need to get off my ass and get my new business started. I’ll figure out something.” His mind was ticking, and he was almost talking to himself more than he was to Natalie. Pulling puzzle pieces from thin air, he was trying to form a picture of his future, and he’d be damn sure he’d be able to take care of his family, no matter what it took.

  “There’s time. It will all work out.” Truthfully, Natalie was concerned too. Her own modeling gigs had dried up, and nobody would want her now that her body was going to be stretched out of shape. Victoria, her previous agent, dumped her when she turned down the big watch contract to stay in the states with Michael. While working for a prestigious luxury line like Fusendyner Retro was exciting, it meant she’d have to live in Europe for a full year, and that wasn’t realistic when the job was offered. Now there was nothing. No work, no money, and they’d have more bills than they could afford.

  “We need to get you to a doctor, get you prenatal vitamins, testing, whatever it is they do. Do you know someone, have a doctor, or should we start doing research?”

  “I’m guessing my gynecologist is an O.B. too. I’ll look into it.” The enormity of what was about to happen in their lives was slowly hitting her all over again. Talking about it, saying it out loud – she couldn’t deny it any longer. There was no way she could tell her parents. Crap, her parents were going to come out for the wedding. If they learned she was pregnant too, she’d never hear the end of it.

  Michael looked at Natalie. “I should have been…I don’t know, nicer, happier. I’m sorry I didn’t take the news well.”

  “Maybe we should put off the wedding.”

  “Are you kidding me? If anything, we should move it up. We’re going to have a child.”

  “Are you upset, truthfully?”

  “We didn’t plan it, but when it comes down to it, I love you. I think my biggest concern is security. I wish I had more. I feel like a loser. If this had happened while I was still sitting on top of the mountain, making more money…” he trailed off.

  “I love you, with or without your money.”

  “It would be so much easier.”

  “We’ll figure it out.”

  “I haven’t even asked you how you feel. Are you okay? Have you been sick?”

  “I’m fine, other than my breasts being a little tender from the hormones. I’ve been fortunate so far, no morning sickness.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Once again he drifted within himself, the reality of his future staring him in the face. “I’m going to be a father,” he said, shaking his head.

  “And a good one,” she said, trying to assure him he didn’t have to be like his own dad. He wouldn’t lie, cheat, or steal. He’d be a good man, a great role model, and a loving father. Maybe she was deluding herself, but that’s all she could picture right now.

  “Natalie…” He watched her face as he leaned in closer, his lips brushing hers. “I love you, and our baby.”

  Natalie grimaced, forcing a smile. “We love you, too.” She knew he was trying too hard. She could read the stress in his shoulders, his jaw was tight, and his eyes were dull. It was a lot to take in. She hoped after he had time to think about things, absorb the news, he’d handle it better. She couldn’t do this alone.

  It hadn’t gone as she planned. When he finally left, Natalie exhaled deeply and dropped back onto her bed. This wasn’t what she wanted to remember – the fear and panic shadowing his face as she told him she was pregnant. She pictured it being joyful, but let’s face it, the moment would forever be remembered as one loaded with anxiety. They were about to get married; it’s not like they weren’t planning a life together. And jobs, they could find other jobs. They’d work it all out. Natalie stroked her forearm mindlessly and sighed. This wasn’t what she wanted.

  Michael called later in the evening. “We should get married.” He was two steps ahead of her, and forgot to add more details.

  “I thought we were getting married,” she laughed.

  “No, sooner. Like now. We could fly out to Vegas. Of course, your folks wouldn’t be there.”

  That was a bonus in her eyes. She wasn’t ready to deal with her parent’s judgments now that she was pregnant and marrying a man faster than they thought she should. “Vegas?”

  “We could fly out, that’s if you’re allowed to fly. We’ll check with a doctor, and heck, if not Vegas, we’ll see the Justice of the Peace. Seriously, we need to get married. We’re going to be parents.”

  “It’s usually the last trimester that can be an issue for flying. I should be fine early on, but I’ll check with a do
ctor.”

  “We could leave as early as next week if you get the okay.”

  “Next week?”

  “I’m not going to run away, Natalie. I’ll take care of you.”

  “Next week.”

  “I’ll book the tickets once you talk to your doctor.”

  “I guess I’m going to Vegas and getting married. I’ll tell my parents after the wedding so they don’t pressure me to wait.”

  “Good idea.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.”

  “Okay.” She paused. “Michael, I love you.”

  “I love you too, sweetie.”

  Natalie felt better. He wanted to be here. He’d taken in the facts and made a choice. They could do this. They could make it work.

  The morning of their flight, she was ready to go. Her nerves had kicked in, but thankfully her morning sickness hadn’t. Boarding the plane, she settled into her seat beside her future husband. This was real. Michael took her hand, squeezing it softly for reassurance as the plane took off.

  “Oh no! Oh no! Not now.” Natalie dug through the pocket of the seat in front of her and couldn’t find what she was looking for. “Excuse me!” Flinging her seatbelt off, she hobbled down the aisle, praying nobody was using the small bathroom.

  Relief washed over her as she closed the door behind her. “Now?” She moaned to her unborn child. Finding her way back to her seat, Natalie looked washed out and tired.

  “Are you okay?”

  “You did this to me,” she sniped.

  “I love you too.”

  Natalie settled back into her seat. This was going to be a long flight.

  It wasn’t a fancy wedding, but there were pictures, rings, and an Elvis impersonator singing “Love Me Tender” in a small white chapel just off the strip. Vegas was busy with the hustle and bustle of a crazy nightlife, and then quiet during the day. Only the hotel pools were smothered with wall to wall people, while everyone else was still asleep or hung over from the nightlife, getting ready to do it again.