Contractual Obligation: The Contract by Lauren Keller Read Free Book Online Page A

looking to be in love with a woman over dinner would be perfect. Of course, they would probably overlook him, since he wouldn’t be making a buffoon of himself.
    He never used to be news. Who cares what some business guy does, but he was hanging with the beautiful people, and was cast as a socialite of sort. After being seen with enough models and important people at the big clubs, he slid into VIP status. He had the money, looked the part, and the ladies loved him. Next thing he knew his picture was showing up in the papers, and once they grabbed onto him, he didn’t disappoint, always giving them another photo moment.
    It was time for him to manipulate the media, and change the image he was sending out. Hopefully they’d grow bored with him, and after a shot or two of who is the eligible bachelor dating, they’d move on, and he could live his lie in the shadows, and build his business career.
    He’d need to call her, tell her to be available this weekend, and what she should wear. He wondered how she’d feel about that, him dictating bits and pieces of her life. She was obviously willing to sign the contract, so he guessed she’d adjust.
    Work kept Michael busy, but as the day moved on, he found himself thinking back on their conversation over drinks. There was something in her eyes, her soft, sweet face. And that gorgeous hair, he wanted to run his fingers through it. She had depth, there was realness to her – she didn’t feel phony, and yet, she signed that damn contract.
    If he’d met her under different circumstances, would he still be thinking about her this way? Was it that he wasn’t going to touch her, did it make him want her more?
    Picking up the phone, he dialed her number. When she didn’t answer, he left a message. “We should do dinner around eight on Saturday for a photo opportunity. I’d like you to wear a soft, feminine dress, something elegant and classy. I’ll send a car for you,” he said, trying to keep his tone flat, not showing interest. He was interested, and this was going to be a problem.
    Natalie saw the call come in, but didn’t answer it on seeing his name on the caller ID. She wasn’t ready to talk to him. If she heard his voice, she might get sucked in, and needed to remain as detached as possible. And what would she say? Would she give away that she was hoping for more, getting excited by the possibility of something happening?
    She waited for the call to finish, and then listened to the voicemail. Dinner at eight on Saturday - that was simple enough, though it felt weird to be told what to wear. You’re being paid, this is a job, she reminded herself once again – get it through your thick head – this is a job .
    Sifting through her closet, she couldn’t find anything that caught her eye. One thing she’d need to do once those payments hit her account was update her wardrobe. She did the best she could, but money was tight.
    And what about her parents, should she tell them she met someone? It would seem strange to hear she was getting engaged in a few months. Oh god, they’d want to meet him. This was bigger than it seemed, when she realized it wouldn’t just involve her. She’d be living a lie, and have to sell that lie to others. Her stomach churned.

Chapter 8
    Saturday at seven, Natalie watched the clock. Slipping into her dress, she second guessed her outfit, and on a whim pulled out a soft white frock instead. Once again before the mirror, she stood unsettled. This won’t do . Dropping the dress to the ground, she pulled out another, and another. Why was this so difficult? Why did she care? It would have been easier if he was an eighty year old man that was sucking on an oxygen tank, but instead Michael Davidson made her heart swoon.
    Finally settling on a soft white and pink sundress, she sorted through her shoes. A nude pair of heels finished her outfit.
    If pacing put a hole in the floor, she would have fallen through to the apartment below. Waiting