Contractual Attraction

Contractual Attraction

By April Cronin

Copyright 2016 April Cronin

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License notes;

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

The Contract

Tapping her perfectly polished red nails on the arm of her chair, Vivian sat, pondering. Am I making a mistake? She thought to herself. She shook her head; she had to stop thinking so much. This was a good idea, the boy needed to settle down, and this was as good a match as any. They were perfectly suited in so many ways.

The knock on the door startled her from her thoughts, come in, come in, she said, in a raspy tone.

Reaching in front of her she grabbed a fine china cup off the scarred oak table to her right, and took a sip of the very tea her husband had once taken so much pride in making. This is the right thing. That's final. Clearing her throat, she nodded to herself as if in agreement. When the door opened, she squared her shoulders, lifted her head a little higher and plastered on the warmest smile she could muster up.

What's this all about? Jonathan asked himself.

He couldn't imagine what could be so important that he had to postpone his next appointment. He was due to meet the lead contractor of his newest project an hour from now. A young buck named Roth, and while he had come highly recommended Jonathan had no doubt in his mind that this Roth had just graduated from trade school and would be nothing more than an inexperienced child.

If Jonathan’s accountant, an equal share holder on this project hadn’t been adamant about hiring him, he would have surely looked elsewhere. Only 28 years old, and yet he was thought to be brilliant, the best, you just can't get any better than Roth. Or so his accountant had said. Well Grandma, you had better make this worth my while.

He opened the door slowly, scanning the room, and there she was, an image of perfection and grace. Not a hair out of place on her tightly coiffed head. Her sky blue eyes penetrated his own, and her cherry red lips delicately parted to reveal her sparkling smile. Even her clothes were classic and pressed to perfection. She looked like something out of a painting, strong, elegant, and yet falling apart.

It had been nearly two years since his Grandfather had passed away, and although she tried her hardest to run the company in his absence, it was time, and they both knew it. At the age of eighty-three she was failing in health, and couldn't keep up appearances much longer; but damned if the stubborn woman didn't try. He loved his grandparents, and after a tragic accident had stolen the lives of his own parents, they did everything they could to show him love and raise him as their own. He couldn't have asked for a better family.

His Grandfather had worked hard, making a name for himself in the tea business. Soon after cultivating his first crop, he built a company from the ground up and it was worth more now than he could have ever imagined. Austin was a fair man too; he had treated his employees like family, and treated his family like gold. His love was never doubted. Having been married sixty-one years, his heart had finally given out on him, at the ripe old age of eighty-five.

Vivian missed him so much, and it showed. Now here she was in front of him, full of pride, but frail and wilting. Her purple suit, though classically tailored to fit her, was looser now, her skin paler, and her eyes slowly losing that brilliant light. How much longer does she have? He wondered. Soon it would just be him. No brothers or sisters to speak of, no aunts or uncles close enough to truly call family. Nope, when she passed, he was all alone.

Jonathan, my darling, don't look so happy. She said, slowly starting to frown. I promise this won't take long. Please, sit, sit.

She pointed to a light blue upholstered couch opposite the pink flowered antique she currently occupied. Have some tea my dear boy. I can have Magda bring in something to eat if you'd like.

He shook his head, and crossing his arms leaned against the arm of the couch. No thanks Gram. I have an important meeting to get to. So please, let's just get to the point, shall we?

Very well, she gave him a pained look but nodded her head.

It was a shame to see him so tense. Such a handsome young man, and yet so many frown lines. At your latest request of my resignation on the board of Paradise Tea, I’ve been going through some of your Grandfather’s paperwork, she waved a hand dismissively, and it seems I've come across a contract of sorts if you will, one that perhaps, complicates things.

She lowered her cup back to its saucer and picked up a napkin to dab her lips carefully so as not to smear her lipstick.

Is that right? He asked. And what kind of contract are we talking about? I've read Grandfather's will, it was pretty straight forward. The estate was left to you, and the business to me. I know there was a clause in there stating some such nonsense about you seeing to the day to day running of things until you see as I'm fit.

He lifted one eyebrow in a cocky gesture and waved a hand in the air. Though, I’ve improved this company if nothing else. I am more than qualified to run it.

Vivian smiled warmly as he continued. I know this company inside and out, as well as having the degrees to match my training and experience. I’ve dotted my I’s and crossed all my T’s so to speak, so please do tell me, what could possibly stand in the way of me taking over Grandfather’s business? He unfolded his arms and stepped away from the couch, walking toward a large window at the back of the room.

Don't do this. She thought, there has to be some way out. What's more it was the secrecy of it all that perhaps bothered her more. Perhaps if she had told him sooner this could have all been avoided. She shook the thought from her mind, he couldn't know what she had done, he could never know. If she had told him any sooner he would have had time, too much time. He would have gotten to the heart of the matter, and she couldn’t bear the thought of what he might think of her. Not telling him, and not adding pressure had been the right move. This was the only way, the right way.

Your Grandfather and I signed a contract many years ago, shortly after your parents passed mind you, and it appears to be binding. He snorted. There's no way out of this I'm afraid. We owed a favor to friend, and although we tried to give you every chance to fulfill this, 'stipulation' on your own, you haven't, and now action must be taken. Darling, you must understand, we kept this from you for your own good. We didn't want to put any pressure on you, we hoped it would happen naturally.

He turned from the window, and lowered his gaze so that it bored into hers. What exactly are you talking about Gram? You're not really making much sense.

Jonathan, dear, in order for you to take over the company and the family estate, you were to have been married and to have, or be in the process of, producing an heir, by the age of thirty-five. She tensed her shoulders and squinted, waiting for his response. He turned from her, but said nothing. She continued, You see, this friend, we owed him a rather large favor, and had you met your deadline naturally, a trust would have been willed to his own heir to settle this, um, matter. But in the event you had not, er, met your obligations, you were to...

He whirled on her suddenly, I am to what, Gram, what am I to do?

She sighed; this wasn't going to be an easy blow. You are to marry his daughter. She plowed on cutting off his response, She's a lovely woman Jonathan, the best breeding, excellent upbringing, you’re very well suited. She flushed as his gaze landed on hers again, his eyes an icy blue, she could all but feel the flames shooting from them.

I will marry when I am damn well ready to marry! How dare the two of you meddle in my life! We are not in medieval times, people don't just 'arrange' marriages anymore Gram, and I am sick at the thought of it! I will not do it! I won't. He stalked towards the door.

Wait. She shouted, There's more. With his hand on the door knob, his back stiffened.

More? What else could you possibly say to top that? His voice was clipped. She let out her breath slowly, still reeling from the verbal whiplash he had given her.

If you don't marry this woman Jonathan, the company and estate are to be sold, and all profits are to be split between this 'heir' and a charity we all agreed on.

He threw his hands in the air. What kind of favor could you possibly have owed this man that everything we have would rest on an arranged marriage? I just don't understand this. I want to see the damned contract. And tell me Gram, why now? Why have you waited until now? He put up his hand to stop her. Yes, you've said, to give me time to make it happen naturally. What if I decide to marry someone else tomorrow? I can pick some lowly woman off the streets and give you your 'heir'. What would happen then Gram?

She stood, and dropped her head. I only just ran across the contract again today, and after reading it, we've given you all the time you are allowed. You had up until your thirty-fourth birthday to choose your own wife. It's too late Jonathan.

She tried to smile at him, and reached for his hand. Even though he pitied her, he pulled away. He knew this couldn’t be any easier for her to handle, but that she had felt the need to keep this from him simply enraged him.

And this woman, Gram, she knows? He crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked at her with an icy steel gaze. She knows I'm thirty-four, and unmarried? Is there really no way out of this?

She shook her head. I received a phone call this afternoon from her lawyer, he was the reason I went looking for the contract in the first place. This is all legal and binding I'm afraid. His eyebrows lowered in response.

For God's sake, she had her lawyer contact you? Has she just been sitting around waiting for the last damned twenty years, hoping I wouldn't marry so she could get her greedy little hands on our money? No, I won't hear of it! I don't care about her breeding, or whatever! I deserve to marry for love, not to some woman out for blood!

He was infuriated now, shouting, and gesturing with his hands in the air. Vivian felt like a matador, waving her red flag in front of the bull. I want to see this contract Gram, I'll take it our estate lawyer, there might be some kind of loophole. This greedy bitch doesn't deserve this family, this money.

She walked to the corner where a dark scarred oak desk occupied a large piece of real estate in the room, picked up a manila folder and held it out to him.

She didn't know about this 'marriage' herself darling. Liar, she thought to herself. Her lawyer was given the paperwork along with her father’s will a couple of years ago with instructions to wait until now to divulge the news. Another lie, boy you're batting a thousand.

It appears that it was contingent on whether she herself married as well. Unfortunately, she's been quite dedicated to her studies, her career, and caring for her father.

She's a monster Jonathan; she's been waiting for years to get her claws into you. Run, Run now. She couldn't seem to shake her guilt; she lowered her head in shame as he reached for the folder. How can I do this to someone I love, he trusted me. I've failed him.

He let out a long breath; the pleading look on her fragile face seemed to settle something inside him. He looked over the contract, and his expression shifted. Looking up into her defeated pale blue eyes, he couldn't argue anymore.

You obviously saw something in this man, in his daughter, to make such an ironclad promise. I WILL get to the bottom of this. He thought as he placated her. Gram, will this make you happy?

He walked over to a scanner sitting on one corner of the desk and made copies, giving her a soft smile, he handed the folder back to her.

She took it, hands shaking. I want to see you happy love. If there's a chance, even just a little one that this will work, I'd like you to try it. Perhaps, if the two of you just don't suit, we can buy her off. She's a lovely girl; you two would make such beautiful children.

He Scoffed. Children, how can I be expected to have sex with a woman I've never met? Contrary to what you may think Gram, I don't just sleep with anyone.

Vivian laughed, and Jonathan’s heart squeezed as the sound reached him, it was nice to see a smile return to her delicate face. He would do anything for this woman, for that kind of happiness. He made a mental note though to have the contract faxed to his lawyer, and check in with his private investigator. He'd play along for now, if it meant easing her stress, but there had to be some way out of this mess!

Gathering his hands, Vivian rubbed one wrinkled thumb gently over the back of his wrist. I've spoken to the Lass, just before I called for you dear. She's agreed to come for dinner tomorrow; to sort this all out.

To sink her teeth into you and never let go, she thought as she released him and walked back over to her seat. Vivian sat back down in her chair, crossing her legs just so. She was easily worn out these days, but she didn’t want Jonathan to know just how bad things had gotten. He already had enough on his plate to deal with, he didn’t need to worry about her health as well. Picking up her cup of tea, she looked at him over the rim of the china cup. His eyebrows were drawn together, his features, she couldn't decide, confusion? Anger? Defeat? He turned and walked from the room, stopping at the door he looked over his shoulder, and gave her a soft, sad smile.

I'll be here dressed to impress Gram. Good day.

Tears streamed down her face as the door closed behind him; What have I done?

Chapter 2

Friends with the Devil

Danielle licked cream cheese from one of her exquisitely manicured fingers. Placing a newspaper on her desk, she crossed her Manolo Blanc's on the top of her blotter and studied her hands for a brief moment. Picking up the paper again, a grin to rival the Cheshire cat crossed her luscious red lips. Dani my girl, you've done it. You've finally hit the jackpot. She let her head lull to the back of her chair, holding the paper so she could still see it, she couldn't help but smile at her good fortune. Finally. She'd waited years for this. She could remember seeing him for the first time, at a charity event in the Hampton's. He was an image of perfection, a Greek god of sorts. Any woman's wet dream, and now, he was all hers. At sixteen, his twenty-four years was too big a gap to bridge, but that didn't stop her from fantasizing about what marriage to him would be like.

His ethereal good looks had only gotten better over the years. He had hair, thick and dark, styled just so, that it could make even John Stamos envious. And his eyes, a color so blue and yet so crystal clear, you could lose yourself for hours in them. High cheekbones, an aquiline nose, a strong chin, and soft, supple, full lips filled out the rest of his face. He was tall, at least six two, and had the body of an athlete, toned and fit. He was an impeccable dresser, only wearing the finest, and yet, she'd been told he was very much like the man that had raised him in personality. He was kind and generous; giving to many charities, both financially and graciously with his time. He treated his employees with respect, everyone loved him. What a catch, thank goodness he hadn't married.

His picture on the front page of the business section didn't do him justice, she'd been to a couple of his charity functions, had even danced with him once; although he had seemed more interested in his beloved Granny at the time than her. That Bitch, the stupid whore, her smile twisted with the thought. She had ruined her family; Vivian deserved what was coming to her now. I'll make what's left of your life a living hell for what you've done. She crumpled the paper and threw it across the room. Rubbing her temples, she was brought back to a place and time in her life she'd rather forget. Her mother had abandoned them, disgusted by her father and his actions. She never heard from her again. Found out some years later the whore had died from an overdose of heroin. She was weak, and incapable of making it on her own.

The old man hadn't fared much better. A huge gambling debt had cost them their vacation