Love Under Contract

Chapter One

D ad, I’m not returning to New York. How many times do I have to tell you and Mom? My life is here in Cincinnati, where it’s been for the last twenty years. Sumeera Robinson paced in front of the family room window. Her exasperation seeped into the cell phone making her more than ready to end the call.

MeMe. Her father spoke the nickname he had given her when she was three, using that sugary tone that grated on her nerves. There was a time when she was a daddy’s girl, but the manipulative behavior he’d relied on since she was young, ruined their close relationship. It’s time for you to come home. Your mother misses you.

Sumeera rolled her eyes. Russell McCray and Mona Gregory, her parents, didn’t miss her. They just wanted to control her. Now, at thirty-three, she refused to give them any power over her life. She often wondered why they had even bothered to have a child. Years ago, they had left her with her Aunt Johnette in Cincinnati while they traveled overseas for business. At the time, Sumeera had been thirteen. When her parents returned to the States, a year later, they gave her a choice on whether or not to return to New York. She chose to stay in Cincinnati with her aunt.

Sumeera strolled from the family room to the high-end kitchen of the property that she would show Nick Jenkins-Moore in a few minutes. The last thing she needed was to debate her future with her father. Her stomach was already twisted in a tight knot anticipating Nick’s arrival.

When I return to New York it will be for a visit. My home is here.

"Sweetheart, I’m not asking if you’ll come back. I’m asking when are you moving back. You’re taking over the family business when I retire at the end of the year. There is much you still need to learn about the company."

Sumeera held the cell phone tighter, struggling to keep from throwing the device across the room. For years she’d said she wanted nothing to do with the family’s multi-million dollar business. No way would she pour her life into the company that pulled her parents away from her.

For the last time, I don’t want anything to do with Global Property Development! I’m happy with my life. Perhaps not totally happy since breaking up with Nick, but she loved being her own person. She loved doing her own thing. And no more telephone calls regarding this subject or surprise visits, Dad. You need to respect my decision. I don’t want to be CEO, and I don’t want to work for you.

A lot has changed, Sumeera. You wouldn’t be working for me. I would step down completely once I retire. You’d be in charge, he said with even more enthusiasm as though he were a car salesman attempting a final close on a late model Mustang.

Sure he would. Instead, one of his minions would be looking over her shoulders or manipulating everything she did. No thanks. She didn’t need the stress.

My answer is the same. And I have to get off the phone. I’m getting ready to show a client a house.

He cursed out loud, causing a ringing in her ears. I spent all of that money for you to get your engineering degree and you have the audacity to waste it on being a real estate agent. That’s nonsense! I’m done arguing with you. I already let you remain in Cincinnati for far too long and even allowed you to marry that jerk you met in college, and look how that turned out.

How dare you! Sumeera yelled. You didn’t let me do anything. I live here because I’m a grown woman who can take care of myself, and I married Aaron because I loved him. It’s time you understand that the days of you controlling what I do are over!

No more stalling, young lady, her father continued as if not hearing her. You’re going to do things my way now. Our agreement was that I would fund your education. After you graduated, you were to return to New York and run the business. It’s been ten years now, and I will not st—

Sumeera disconnected the call, her hands shaking uncontrollably. Hurt and frustration warred within her. It wasn’t the first time she’d hung up on him, taking a strong stance against his wishes, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. Why had he brought up Aaron? Her father had never liked him, claiming he didn’t have a backbone. It didn’t matter to Russell that Aaron had been her soulmate.

A tightness formed in her throat, and she fought the sadness edging to the surface. Her and Aaron’s life together had been ripped apart before it had even gotten started good.

Falling in love at the end of their freshmen year of college, they were engaged their sophomore year. Excited about what their future would hold, Sumeera wanted to marry immediately, knowing in her heart that he was the one for her. It was Aaron who thought it better they wait.

Sumeera placed her hand over her heart, recalling that beautiful day in June when they stood before a judge and said, I do. They had married shortly after graduating college with lofty plans of starting a family and a real estate development company together. Sumeera’s chest tightened at the memory. But six months into their marriage, Aaron had been killed in a car accident.

She used the heel of her hand to wipe the corner of her eyes, refusing to let sadness overpower her. Thinking about that time in her life still made her heart ache. It took years to recover from the loss. She had poured herself into work, and had rarely socialized or dated…until Nick. Evading the advances of men over the years had been easy, but there was something about Nick that made her let down her guard. Before long, he had her believing it was possible to have more than one love in a lifetime.

Okay. Get it together, girl. Time to put on your professional hat. Nick is your past. You’ve moved on, she mumbled to herself, hoping the self-talk would help, but finding very little relief.

Blowing out several cleansing breaths, Sumeera pulled the compact out of her purse and dabbed makeup under her eyes. Lately, conversations with her father resulted in more anguish than pleasure, meaning she needed to go back to avoiding him, her mother and their calls.

Sumeera dropped her compact back into her purse as a loud rumbling motor sounded outside. She went back to the window and tilted the aluminum slat of the blinds down, willing herself to remain calm when she spotted Nick’s truck. There was a time in her life when she’d only been attracted to a man in a suit and tie, clean shaven, with a runner’s body. But nothing about Nicholas Jenkins-Moore resembled that picture.

Just over six-feet tall with dark soulful eyes and skin the color of toasted almonds, Nick, a sheet metal worker by trade, ran one of the largest construction companies in Cincinnati. Her heart pounded against her ribcage as she observed him standing behind his truck taking in his surroundings. He reminded her of a poster boy for everything rugged and powerful.

She wasn’t sure why he parked on the street instead of in the driveway, but it gave her a chance to admire him from a distance. He wore a dark wool cap pulled down low and sunglasses shielded his eyes. Even in his work coat, one could tell he had wide shoulders and a broad chest. His tree-trunk-like legs were encased in his customary blue jeans and dusty steel-toe boots covered his feet.

Sumeera remained rooted in place as desire hummed through her veins while she watched him. His long, easy gait carrying him up the driveway toward the house. With a diamond stud earring in each ear, his sexy goatee and tattoos that she knew covered his forearms beneath his coat, he was everything her prim and proper mother would disapprove of. Yet, Sumeera was crazy in love with the man. Hence, her biggest problem at the moment.

She and Nick had dated for seven months until she made the mistake of falling in love with him. It was a mistake because he had made it clear up front that he wasn’t looking for a serious commitment. Like so many women, Sumeera thought she could change him. Didn’t happen. Then she thought she could handle being in a relationship without knowing if it would amount to marriage, but quickly realized she couldn’t handle that either. And she definitely didn’t want to end up like her mother. Mona had stayed with Russell, who promised marriage, but thirty-five years later he was still making promises and they still weren’t married. That’s why Sumeera had put some distance between herself and Nick. She wanted a different life than her mother’s.

Sumeera stepped away from the window and closed her eyes, willing away the slight headache trying to creep in. She knew her constant tiredness and the random headaches were from working more than she’d been sleeping, and lately she’d been paying for it.

Nick rang the doorbell, and Sumeera opened her eyes. She wiggled her shoulders to relieve some tension, then ran her fingers through her hair hoping it looked alright.

Okay. I’m ready. She exhaled before opening the door. But no amount of preparation could have readied her for coming face to face with the man she’d dreamed about during many lonely nights over the last few weeks.

Nick removed his shades, placing them in the top pocket of his jacket that rested over his heart. She swallowed hard when their gazes collided. He studied her for what felt like hours. His sexy brown eyes scrutinized, doing a slow crawl down her body, and then back up again. Heat consumed her, making her want to fan herself, but she didn’t move.

Hello, Sumeera. His rich, deep voice washed over her like a gentle breeze, nipping at her skin, and her heart rate inched higher. His cologne, a woodsy scent, brought back memories of romantic nights and happier times. She hadn’t seen him in a month and a half, but there hadn’t been a day that went by that she didn’t think of him.

Hi, she finally said, the word coming out in a hoarse whisper. She opened the door wider and he stepped into the foyer. Can you leave your boots at the door?

He glanced down at his footwear before returning his attention to her. Yeah, sure.

She had already slipped out of her boots since some of the upstairs rooms had light carpet. Although the lower level revealed an expanse of hardwood floors. Feel free to look around. She stepped away, putting space between them by moving to the kitchen.

As a real estate agent, she dealt with a variety of clients. Nick was her biggest challenge. Not because he was hard to please, but because it unnerved her that he was looking at homes that could house a family and she wasn’t a part of his plan.

Sumeera shook the thought from her mind knowing that going down that road of thinking could be disastrous. She had moved on. Now she watched him roam around the living and dining rooms, probably taking note of what most people wouldn’t notice. Like where the heat vents were positioned or whether the crown moldings butted up to each other correctly. He enjoyed touring houses almost as much as she did, but he looked more at the craftsmanship than the style of the home.

Nick turned, his intense eyes revealing nothing. He studied her for a long minute before speaking. It’s good seeing you again, Meera.

Sumeera’s heart contracted each time he referred to her by the pet name he’d given her. God, she had missed him. She wanted so badly to tell him she changed her mind. That she could wait for him. That she didn’t have to get married right now. But what she wanted even more was to leap into his arms and kiss his sexy lips. Lips that had brought her so much pleasure during their time together.

She couldn’t do any of those things. She had to take care of herself and protect her heart. But there was one thing she couldn’t deny.

It’s good seeing you again too.

Chapter Two

Sumeera fidgeted under Nick’s scrutiny. He wasn’t trying to make her nervous, but he couldn’t seem to pull his gaze from her. Aside from her hazel eyes being a little red, as if she’d been crying, and looking a little tired, she was as gorgeous as he remembered. He’d give anything to run his fingers through her long, silky curls. Something he used to do often.

His gaze traveled down, taking in her slim body which was like that of a model. Actually, she could be the model, Bre Scullark’s, twin. Her skin, a reddish-brown, was blemish free, and like Bre, Sumeera was small chested. Probably couldn’t fill a B cup, but a handful of Sumeera was enough for him. She had a narrow waist that fanned out slightly into shapely hips and a perfectly round butt. Taller than most women at 5’8", when she wore her high heels they put her near his height.

The sellers are motivated. She toyed with the sheet of paper, twisting it in her hand before setting it down on the kitchen counter next to her tablet. The new job the husband landed in Florida wants him to start sooner than later, and the family would like to unload the house as soon as possible.

Back when Nick first toured the house, Sumeera had mentioned that the sellers called it their dream house. They’d saved for years to build it. Nick couldn’t imagine building his dream home and then having to sell before moving in.

Sumeera stepped around him, her familiar scent of lavender wafting past his nostrils. How many times had he pulled her into his arms and held her close while getting lost in her enticing fragrance?

Nick?

His eyes widened. He must have missed something. I’m sorry. What did you say?

I said the sellers are willing to drop the price another fifteen thousand if a buyer is able to do a quick closing in the next thirty days. I don’t know if you’re serious about this place, but if you are, you don’t want to sit on this. It’s a great neighborhood and at this new price, someone is going to scoop it up quick.

Nick took in the open floor plan, wood-burning fireplace and dark hardwood floors. For the most part, the layout was everything he wanted, though he wished the great room was a little bigger. At over three thousand square feet, the house had a large kitchen, four bedrooms with walk in closets, three and a half bathrooms, and a bonus room on the second floor. From what Nick remembered, the basement was partially finished, but he would probably change the configuration to incorporate a theater room. There was also a large, fenced in yard for his dog, Tucker.

His gaze went back to the kitchen where Sumeera roamed around, her hand gliding across the quartz counter tops. The sellers spared no expense when building the house, and there wasn’t anything in the kitchen Nick would change. An image of him chopping vegetables as Sumeera stirred her mouthwatering bolognaise sauce popped into his mind.

Dammit. He shook the image free. Thanks to her pushing him away, they wouldn’t be cooking anything together. She had ended things between them shortly after she had showed him this house the first time. The it’s me, not you, speech had cut him deep. She claimed she was ready for marriage and a family and he wasn’t. He hadn’t been able to argue that fact. Though they wanted the same thing, right now his main focus needed to be Jenkins & Sons Construction. There was a lot he wanted to accomplish with the business, as well as personally, before settling down.

From the edge of the family room, Nick studied Sumeera as she stood near the center island of the kitchen. Something with her was off. Her eyes didn’t hold their usual brightness.

He walked into the kitchen and slowly approached her, almost expecting her to put some distance between them, but she didn’t. She stared up at him, her eyes wary as if wondering what he was about to do.

He lifted his hand and touched her cheek tentatively. And as always when in her presence, a peace settled over him as the pad of his thumb caressed her soft skin. Her eyes drifted shut and she leaned into his touch. God, he wanted her. They belonged together. What he would give to hold her again, and kiss her sweet lips. While dating, she had somehow squirreled her way into his heart. He wasn’t ready to call it love, but he had never cared about a woman as much as he cared about this one.

She opened her eyes and stared into his. Only inches apart, he zeroed in on her tempting, glossy lips, wanting to have just a little taste. He had never been shy about going after what he wanted, but the last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable, or to