Contractual Obligation: The Trilogy

by Keller, Lauren

  Natalie looked up into his eyes, and reached up to stroke his cheek. “It will all work out. You’re a good man. Just do what’s right, and everything will fall into place.” Her soft smile still made him weak in the knees some days.

  Do what’s right. The words stung. He knew he was about to cut corners in a way he shouldn’t. He couldn’t tell her. She wouldn’t understand.

  Chapter 4

  The one thing that Michael could rely on to draw the stress out of him, like a syringe pulling out poison, was climbing into bed with his wife. He felt guilty that it had taken him so long to come back to being a generous and warm lover. He’d let business pull him into being a steely man.

  Her body was changing. She had softer curves, and as she filled out, it was doing something to his libido. She’d always been slender from her modeling days, but the extra weight she now carried from the pregnancy aroused him. She was voluptuous, her hips more rounded, her belly now showing, and her breasts swelled with a lushness that spoke to Michael’s sex drive.

  As Natalie watched her profile change, she’d stare into the mirror feeling huge. She’d never seen her stomach protrude this way, and she was only half way to her delivery date. Her hips were getting wider, and her breasts were changing, too. She traced one of her nipples that was slowly darkening, examining each and every inch of her new body. How Michael found her attractive during this time was beyond her. She was thankful he was enjoying the changes, but after modeling and being so body conscious, this new shape felt huge.

  Pulling on her underwear, she cried. She’d have to rely on granny panties and maternity clothes, stretchy fabric that would allow for her changing figure. How could she be sexy if she was round and plump? And yet Michael was more attentive than he’d been in a while. They hadn’t even been together that long, barely married a few months, and this is what turned him on?

  He’d cup her breast, squeezing it gently, raving about her newer, fuller curves. They were at an impasse; he liked how her body was changing, but she felt less and less attractive every day. She didn’t mind being pregnant, though the earlier morning sickness was no treat, but the idea that their child was growing inside of her was fascinating, and she felt a bond she couldn’t explain. It’s just that she wasn’t used to looking this way, round in too many places.

  Michael left his frustration at work that day, because if Marcus pushed the issue one more time, he was going to snap. He’d already agreed to do things how Marcus wanted, even though it felt shady. Now he was pushing to cut a few more corners to save money. This wasn’t how Michael planned to start his business, on shaky ground. Only with as much money as Marcus Grant invested, it wasn’t Michael’s business, it was their business. MD Insulators may hold his initials, but it was Marcus’s golden pockets that paid the bills, along with the loan they only secured because of Marcus.

  Natalie had been on her feet for too long, working at the diner. He wanted her to quit, to be able to take care of her, and now that his business was getting started and the business loan had come through, he pushed for her to stay home. She wasn’t ready to give up the little bit of income that was helping. What if things didn’t work out, then what? Working as a cashier at a boxed diner wasn’t exactly her dream, but it gave them a little bit of cash, and right now every bit helped. She’d quit after Michael’s business picked up, and after she gave birth. For now, there was no reason she couldn’t ring the register, checking people out. It was certainly nothing like the modeling jobs she had. She felt silly for even complaining about the catalog work. She was paid a lot more for a few hours of time.

  Michael found his wife on the sofa, her feet up, and worn out from standing all day. She was curled under a blanket, flipping through a magazine.

  “Hey, babe,” he said, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

  “Hey.” She barely looked up as her eyes scanned the latest trivial bits of an article she was reading on skin care.

  “Want me to make dinner?”

  “I brought stuff home from work. There’s a take-out container in the fridge, turkey and mashed potatoes. You just have to pop it in the microwave.” She was no gourmet chef, so for now that was as good as it got. Take out was a luxury, but she got a discount at work.

  Natalie shook her head, remembering their dates at Frost and the Iverson Grill. They were places they could no longer afford. She smirked at the idea of eighteen dollar martinis, with others ranging up to twenty-six dollars. It was insane that they could charge so much and people pay it. Twelve dollars seemed so high when she went to cheaper places, when back home a martini cost between eight to ten dollars. She rarely treated herself to those anyway. Besides, most of her drinking was done before she was legal. Now that she was pregnant, it was a thing of the past. Natalie lingered on how much money was wasted on the luxury end. People throwing away money like it will never run out, and yet here they were, unable to afford those same damn martinis they were drinking just a few months ago.

  Heading into the kitchen, she wanted to remind Michael to take the food out of the foiled container and transfer it to a microwave safe plate. He got lazy about that kind of stuff, and they couldn’t afford to replace a microwave right now.

  Walking in, she found him leaning against the counter, waiting for his food to finish cooking. “Do you want me to plate some up for you?”

  “I’m not really hungry. I nibbled on some pretzels earlier.”

  “Make sure you’re eating enough. You have a baby to feed.”

  “If I eat any more, I’ll look like a house pretty soon.”

  “You look amazing,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “Take care of yourself and the baby. No starving, okay?”

  She rolled her eyes. She’d eat, but she wasn’t putting mashed potatoes in her mouth, they’d just settle on her hips. “I’ll have a little bit of turkey, but only the white meat.”

  “At least it’s something.”

  As her breasts pressed to his chest, he enjoyed the lushness of her body.

  Natalie pulled away to dig out silverware and a spare plate. “I’ll sit with you.”

  It was too late; food was no longer on his mind. Feeling her against him had given him other thoughts. He’d eat later, but he was more interested in building up his appetite even further. He wanted to feel her naked skin against his body, leisure in her curves and warm skin, and make love to his wife.

  Michael whispered, “Let’s go to bed.” His eyes were on her, and he couldn’t look away. His arousal was growing, as was something else.

  Natalie’s long brown hair fell loosely around her shoulders. She wore it pulled back so often now, that seeing it like this added fuel to the burning fire inside. She looked like a sexual kitten, and he was ready to pounce.

  “Michael, what’s gotten into you?” Arching an eyebrow, she blushed at seeing the lust in his eyes. She was feeling anything but sexy tonight.

  “Let me take you to bed,” he growled under his breath.

  “Now?”

  “We could do it right here,” he teased, moving in closer and pulling her back into his arms.

  Natalie looked at her husband, and finally gave in. She was happy to for the attention at this point. “Come on, tiger.”

  Hand in hand, they headed down the hallway after turning off the microwave. Dinner could wait. Michael wanted dessert first.

  They barely made it through the bedroom door. Michael’s hands were pulling at Natalie’s clothing, wanting it off as quickly as possible. Her breasts were forced into a bra that didn’t fit properly anymore. She was holding out as long as she could and still using her old bras. Each breast was squeezed into its cup and overflowing with flesh. The effect made them look even larger, as the small bra could barely contain them.

  Reaching around, he unhooked the bra, the fabric loosening around her. Shrugging it over her shoulders, he helped her remove it. Cupping a breast in his hand, he closed his eyes, enjoying her warm, soft bosom. Lowering his head, he teased her, helping
her get to the same lustful spot he was in. Soft moans escaped her lips as he flicked her nipple, his tongue rolling and teasing her in slow swirling motions, before his lips closed over her and sucked her in.

  Natalie’s hands were in his hair, pulling his head closer as he tempted her with his passion. Her hands moved to his jaw line, and pulling him back up to her, their mouths found one another, heated kisses filling the moments between them. The urge to be naked was too strong, and as Michael kissed his wife, he was tugging at his belt, then his zipper. Kicking off his shoes, he was shifting out of his pants, slipping away from his wife’s mouth for only a second, before cupping her face and pulling her closer. Their mouths were on each other as the need and desire mounted.

  “You’re so sexy,” he murmured, lost in the moment.

  “You’re just saying that,” she whispered, “I’m huge.”

  “You’re gorgeous.” He took her hand, and placed it on his erection. “This doesn’t lie.”

  Pulling back, he looked into his wife’s eyes as his hand brushed her hair from her face and pushed it behind her shoulder. “Gorgeous,” he said kissing her forehead. “Gorgeous, do you hear me?”

  She gave a small smile, grateful she didn’t turn him off as her body grew and changed.

  Tearing off the rest of their clothes, the couple stroked and caressed one another, finally climbing onto their bed together. His fingers knew her well, and could play her like a finely tuned instrument. His touch was tender, and while his own desires were mounting, he wanted to take care of his wife’s needs first.

  Natalie’s back arched up as Michael drew an orgasm from her, his hands knowing exactly how to please her.

  “Oh, Michael,” she groaned as the wave of pleasure washed through her body.

  She rolled up on her knees and dropped her elbows down to the pillow. She was anxious to feel him enter, feel him filling her up.

  Michael knelt between her knees, penetrating his wife, letting out a low moan as he entered her.

  Michael’s own peak was coming at him quickly, and as he thrust and bucked into her, he finally grunted loudly and dropped to the bed, needing to recover from the moment of lust.

  Curling into one another, soft whispers bounced between them, words of love as they drifted on the high of their orgasms. Dinner was waiting in the microwave. It would remain there a little bit longer. Michael couldn’t get enough of his wife tonight.

  Chapter 5

  Natalie’s pregnancy seemed to be moving along quicker now. In reality, time didn’t move any faster, but it sure felt like it did. Michael felt more pressure than he had in years. The operations were coming together, and they’d started to move on production. Until they could get their own plant up and running, they’d manufacture through a private label and slap their names on it. It was a fast answer, but cost them money they didn’t want to spend. It was such a unique product; it took time to find a company that could even do it. Now that they’d have a temporary solution going, they’d work on getting their own specs together.

  It took some finagling, but they were finally able to work a deal and get access to a plant that would work, and the special machinery they needed. Once they had things up and running, there was another hurdle to get over. Building trust and brand recognition was a big bridge they still had to cross. Michael was a natural salesman, but he was also Kent Davidson’s son. Would he be forgiven for being part of Bowman Industries? He wasn’t named in any of the law suits, so at least he had that on his side. Turns out his dad kept his name off of most of the documents that would burn him and send him to jail. At least he did something to protect his son – it was all he had left to offer.

  Once things got started, Michael wasn’t quite himself. He was mumbling, sitting at the table, his eyes weary. He looked lost in thought, and his face gave away his stress.

  “Why don’t you join me in bed?” It was late and he was still working.

  “I need to work on these calculations,” he said while scratching numbers out on a pad. He didn’t even have his laptop open. He was just repeating things under his breath, jotting words and numbers down, scratching them out, and doing it again. “This isn’t going to work. It’s not right.”

  “What are you talking about? Is everything okay?”

  Michael looked to his wife, beaten down from his own stress. “I didn’t want to do it this way. I don’t get the final say, but this wasn’t how I wanted to run the company.”

  Natalie sat beside him, rubbing her eyes. “What are you talking about?”

  Michael was ashamed to speak the truth. He cut corners, bent the rules, knowing they used toxic chemicals to get the product out sooner and faster. By forcing the liability to the companies and off of his plate, he was putting out a product that could harm employees of companies that slid that fact under the table. They’d be up and running in their own factory soon. Another few weeks and there’d be no going back.

  Michael took a deep breath and exhaled in a long, exaggerated sigh. “I’m having creative differences with our big investor.”

  “Marcus?”

  “Yeah,” he said, not sure he could get the actual words out.

  “I’m sure you’ll work it out.”

  “It’s not that easy. There’s an ethical dilemma, and I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

  “What’s got you so worked up?”

  Michael shook his head. “I don’t want to follow the same path my father took.”

  “Michael, what are you talking about?”

  He took another deep breath, and let out another exaggerated sigh. “Marcus wants to use the toxic chemical to keep costs down.”

  “What? Didn’t he see what happened?”

  “That’s the thing. He found a work around. If we push the liability to the companies, having them sign off that they know about the ingredients, it clears us, but it still puts their employees in harm’s way. A fucking loophole, he found a loophole, but I don’t like it. It’s a cheaper product this way, and a lot of those companies are looking at their bottom line, not what’s best for their workers.”

  “Wow.” The gravity of it hit her.

  “Right. Marcus pushed for it, even though I was against it. Because he’s the lead investor with the final say, he has the bigger vote. It was a bargaining chip when we started working together.”

  “Oh Michael, I’m sorry. What are you going to do? You can’t get tangled up in a mess like that. Look what happened to Bowman Industries, and your father.”

  “The clause, the liability… it would fall onto the companies, not on us.”

  “That doesn’t make it right.”

  “I know.” His heart was heavy. He wanted to be in business, but not like this. Not dealing with shady practices, not trying to cover his tracks from the get go. He wanted his name associated with a company that stood behind their product, a company that made ethical choices and that you could trust. Instead, he felt like an underhanded dealer that would meet companies in some back alley, trying to pass of what he knew was wrong.

  “Maybe this isn’t the way to restart your business. Maybe you should consider working for someone else for a while until you can afford to do it the right way.”

  Reeling out of frustration, he vented. “You don’t get it. I have a family to provide for. I can be in charge again, make some serious money, not have to worry about buying diapers and stupid stuff, like do I have enough money to pay the electric bill. This isn’t the life I was supposed to live. I was successful, wealthy, and was in control of my own life. I don’t like being at this level, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get my family back on top.”

  “I don’t care about all of that. All I care about is that you’re a good father and husband. We’ll figure it out.”

  Michael shook his head, and stood to pace. “Natalie, I know you don’t understand, but I’m already involved, and it’s not stopping now. I just have to make peace with it.”

  Natalie looked down, unhappy
that he was willing to follow this path. It wasn’t going to help anyone in the long run. Hanging her head, she got up and walked back to the bedroom, not saying anything. Her heart hurt for him, but she was more afraid than anything. Would he end up in prison just like his father? This wasn’t the life she asked for, wasn’t the one she planned, but somehow it was the one she was dealt.

  No, that’s not true. She walked into a life with Michael knowing exactly what she was getting. It all started with that damn contract. She knew all the crap that went on with the company at the end, and still she ended up in bed with him, marrying him for life. She loved him, but he was surrounded in drama and it grew tiresome. Was this what life would be like, always another problem?

  She had nobody to blame but herself. She could have walked away and said no to the contract, lived her own life, or even gone back home; but no, that would have been too easy, too smart. Now she was trapped in a marriage with King Drama himself. It’s not that he was flailing about with drama. It’s just that it seemed to follow him around. She should have realized and run in the other direction, but no, foolish girl that she was, she ran right into his arms and his bed. She loved Michael, but this isn’t how she wanted to spend her life, always worrying what was coming next.

  So now her husband was willing to risk their future because he wanted to be in charge. Great, just great. He wanted to run his own company, be his own boss, and all the while knowing it could screw him in the long run. He had a family to think about, and this selfish attitude was getting old. It was time for him to man up and think about another way to get by, because the path he was on was no good and wouldn’t end well. Of course, he wouldn’t listen to Natalie; she wasn’t a business person and wouldn’t get it. Oh, she got it alright. He was willing to risk them all for his own damn needs. What else did she need to know?