Contract to Love by Annie Sauder-Wallen Page A

glanced in the mirror one last time.  Then grabbed her purse and made her way to her small living room above the store.
                  “Hello.”  Lawrence said as his eyes appreciably taking her in the stopping at her breasts.  Elizabeth blushed.  Lawrence chuckled.
                  “We have reservations at The Waterfront.”  Lawrence said taking her hand.
    ***
                  “Did your dad send any money for the insurance yet?”  Lawrence asked. 
                  “Not yet, and I hate to call him back.  He will just beg me to come home.  He was livid when I told him about the fire.”
                  “Why would he beg you to come home?”
                  “Well, I am his only daughter, and he doesn't think I can handle it.  I have four older brothers that started a store like my fathers’.  I want to prove to him I can run my own business myself.”  Elizabeth stated emphatically.  Lawrence dared not try to contradict what she said even though his job was to make sure she didn’t succeed. 
                  “What about your mother and sisters?  so do they help in the business?”  Elizabeth asked curiously. 
                  “No, my grandfather is from the Old World.  Women are partners to their husbands only in love.”  Lawrence continued, “My mother told me she nearly went crazy after she married my father, Mario.  Her father allowed her to help in business.  They grew grapes and made wine.”
                  Elizabeth listened intently trying to concentrate on his words and not those lips.
                  “So tell me how the furniture business is different in your family.  There are a lot of people that run it.  In our family business, there has been my father.  Then my brothers moved and started their furniture business.  So ours has always been a small business.”
                  “Well, my grandfather is the head of business.  Then next in line is my Uncle Orlando because he is the oldest.  Then is my father, Mario, and uncles Romeo and Fabian.  Then the grandsons, Jack and John, Orlando’s sons, me, and Thomas, Romeo’s son.  Uncle Fabian doesn’t have any sons.”  Lawrence explained.  “When my grandfather passed on, Orlando will be the main boss, with Jack and John to inherit everything.  But my grandfather will make the final decision if he feels someone is better suited for the position.  I want to be the head businessman someday!”  Lawrence finished with a cold look in his dark eyes.
                  Elizabeth shuddered.
                  Thankfully the waiter brought their entrees.  They ate in silence for awhile.  Then talked about the water, and boats.  Elizabeth was not going to talk about business again.  She didn’t want to see the cold, determined look in those eyes.
    ***
                  He walked her upstairs to her room. 
                  “Thank you, I had a great it--,” She didn’t get to finish her sentence he captured her lips with his own wonderful lips.  Masterful lips.  His kiss was gentle, at first, then it deepened hungrily.  Her arms enclose around his neck.  Her fingers ran through his dark hair.  His hand found her breast and squeezed gently.  Then his had moved up and slipped the red fabric off exposing her creamy, supple breasts.  His warm mouth found each nipple hardened and begging for more.  Then he quickly stood up and walked out the door.  She stood their naked to the waist aroused, and confused.

Chapter 3
    This week had been a success with her new reopening.  Lawrence came by every evening.  Nothing was said about last Sunday night.  Every time Elizabeth thought about it she blushed.  When Lawrence came, he would bring little gifts to her.  Then he would lean in, steal a kiss, but things never went further than that. Then he