Contractual Obligation: The Trilogy Read Online Free PDF Page B

as a design consultant.”
    It all sounded so business-like; no feelings, no attachment, simply a job. Here’s your role, here’s your paycheck, good day, see you soon.
    That’s how she wanted it, right? Shouldn’t they at least spend some time together getting to know each other better, so they could put on a convincing show?
    Michael stopped to look at Natalie. “Are you okay with this? You have the look of a small, stunned child.”
    “It’s a lot to take in,” she said, admitting a case of nerves.
    “It will all work out,” he said, moving to the front of his desk. He sat on the edge, directly in front of Natalie, the hint of his cologne teasing her again.
    She nodded. “It feels impersonal.”
    “Yeah, it’s a bit odd. It will be a learning experience for both of us,” he offered. “James will be here shortly,” he said, looking at her longer than he intended. Her eyes were gorgeous pools of honey-brown, and captured him more than he intended. She was stunning; he’d chosen well.
    Natalie watched him move. He was comfortable in his skin, and had a presence about him that said ‘I’m in charge.’
    When James showed up, he brought someone with him.
    “Dad, is this necessary?”
    “I’m just here to make sure all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed.”
    “Natalie, my father, Kent Davidson,” he introduced, “and this is James. He’ll be handling the contract.”
    “She’s a fox,” Kent said to his son, approving the choice, but speaking like she wasn’t even there. “She should do nicely,” he said, his eyes taking her in again.
    Natalie cringed and felt vulnerable under Kent’s eyes. He didn’t even try to hide his old man leer.
    “Dad, it’s time for you to leave.” Michael came around, saving the moment. “I’ve followed through, I’ve got James here, but I’d prefer to keep this between the two of us right now.”
    “Fine, fine,” he said, leaving the room. Before closing the door, he turned to his son. “You should consider working in a deal for a baby, while you’re at it.”
    “Dad…” The door closed. Turning toward Natalie, he said, “I apologize.”
    She said nothing, but looked at James. He was busy flipping through papers, barely phased by what was going on. This was weird.
    “Shall we get started,” James said. “I’ll need your initials where the yellow highlights are, and then your signature on pages three, four, and six.”
    Her jaw dropped. This wasn’t some one page deal, it was a bundle of pages, phrases in legal terminology, and handled multiple scenarios. “I’ll need to read it first,” she said, stunned. It was overwhelming, the legal jargon, the wording so cold, and then she saw how much she’d be paid.
    Swallowing hard, she looked up at Michael, who was watching her closely. With a bit of hesitation, she put her pen to the paper, and initialed and signed the next five years of her life away. There were stipulations if she backed out of the wedding, if she didn’t hold up her end of the marriage and she didn’t last the full five years. This wasn’t about love, it was about money.
    For a split second, she felt like a floosy, a cheap, hired escort; but knowing she’d be able to pay her rent, and her future was secure for the next five years chased the feeling away. Something about it brought relief. It was tiring always having to scramble to make ends meet, and for a little while, she could breathe. In fact, if she lasted the full five years, she’d be set for quite a while.
    Michael was drinking her in. He was surprised how much he was drawn to the woman. It wouldn’t pay to get emotionally invested; he knew he’d grow bored, and end up screwing things up. Better to keep it friendly and cordial.
    “Would you like to get a drink tonight to celebrate our new relationship?” He was warm and inviting.
    “I guess we need to get more comfortable around one another now that we’ll be working toward our engagement.”
    “We’ll