The Contract by Marsh, Nicola (read aloud books .txt) 📕

“No catch. I need a change of scenery and the place isn’t that bad once you get to spend a bit of time there. You know how it is.” He shrugged, trying to maintain a cool front.

Matt’s perception hadn’t dulled one iota; that’s what made him a top lawyer and Steve respected him for it. “No, I don’t know how it is. Why don’t you tell me?”

Steve planned on keeping his explanations about Amber brief. “I met someone.”

Matt dropped his hands, rubbed them together and leaned forward. “I knew it. The great man has fallen. She must be incredible to have snared you in a couple of days. What’s she like?”

“She’s a stunner. Smart, witty, intelligent, with a rapier tongue.” However, it wasn’t words thoughts of her tongue conjured up. No, he’d experienced its other talents first-hand, leaving him with a distinct hankering for more.

Matt chuckled. “Well, well, well. The great man has finally met his match. Can’t wait to meet this miracle woman. Though she can’t be all that smart if she’s willing to take on the likes of you.”

Steve grinned. “You’ll meet her soon enough. After all, she’s going to be my wife.”

“What?”

“Long story. I’ll tell you about it some other time.”

Like never. The Rockwell’s never aired their dirty laundry; they buried their family secrets beneath layers of hypocrisy and platitudes. He hoped he never had to tell Amber the truth behind his proposal, for she would never forgive him. Marrying for money was one thing, producing an heir to secure the fortune of a dying woman would be inexcusable, especially after she’d spouted all that stuff about love.

No, he could never tell her. He just hoped she’d grow to like him enough to want his child. Thankfully, the private investigator he’d hired to check into the Lawrence’s background had provided him with the vital information he needed; Amber was a healthy, twenty-three year old female who should have little trouble conceiving.

His heart clenched with some strange, indefinable emotion when he thought about Amber and her belly swollen with his child. He knew he’d be a good father; hell, he’d take those new-age parenting classes if needed, to provide his child with so much more than he’d been given growing up.

Matt shook his head. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Not that I’m raining on your parade or anything but isn’t all this a bit sudden? And what about the deal for Water World?”

Steve had been battling his demons of doubt all night and on the flight down this morning. He didn’t need Matt voicing his thoughts all over again.

“She’s worth it, Byrne.” He meant it and it scared him more than anything. “And someone else can represent Water World, seeing as I’ve switched sides now.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Matt thrust out his hand. “Good luck, my friend. It happens to the best of us.”

Steve shook it. “Thanks. Give my congratulations to Kara. And don’t forget to invite me to the christening.”

“Hey, I’m counting on it. After all, I can’t wait to meet—what’s her name, by the way?”

“Amber.”

“Pretty.” Matt waved as he opened the door.

“Yes, she is.” Reinvigorated with a clear purpose, Steve walked down the corridor and knocked on Jeff Byrne’s door. The sooner he cleared up the necessities here and got back to the Gold Coast, the better.

* * *

Forty-eight hours had passed since Amber last laid eyes on Steve and every one of them had dragged. How could she be this smitten over some arrogant jerk that had proposed to her after knowing her for only two days?

Easy. He’d gotten under her skin and now she couldn’t think of little else. Even the tarot cards she consulted for occasional confirmation of her life choices had turned into the enemy, reinforcing that her marriage to Steve Rockwell was the right path to take.

Crap. She should’ve listened to her high school friends and torn up the cards when she had the chance. Though the tarot had been pretty accurate with predictions of twins for Laura, a year-long overseas sojourn for Michaela and a famous actor-husband for Meg. Maybe the cards were worn out. Time to try something new, like runes.

A knock at the door brought her back to the present. “Come in.” Her heart thudded in anticipation, wondering if the man she’d been daydreaming about had returned.

“What’s my favourite daughter doing hiding in here?” Colin Lawrence stuck his head around the caravan door, a smile creasing his face.

“Hi, Dad. Just doing a bit of meditation. Why don’t you join me?”

Her father laughed. “You know I’m not into all that weird stuff. Next you’ll be suggesting I need to sit under a pyramid or something.”

She joined in his laughter. “Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.” She paused for a moment, wondering how she could broach the subject of her pending nuptials. Now was as good a time as any to tell her dad; either way, he would think she’d gone nuts.

She scuttled over to make room for him on the tiny sofa. “Dad, I need to discuss something with you.”

He searched her face as if looking for clues. “What’s up? Haven’t seen you this serious in a while. Has that lawyer been bothering you again?”

She shook her head. “No, but it has got something to do with him.”

She wiped her damp palms against her shorts, hoping for divine intervention at this point. However, none came and she knew the best way to deliver her news: quick and straight to the point. “Dad, Steve proposed to me a few days ago.”

Her father almost leapt off the