The Cupid Contract

Chapter 4

Birds singing woke me and I softly groaned and wiggled my head around. Memories of yesterday ran through my thoughts and I bolted upright in the bed. Right! Steven left me. I married a stranger! I passed out drunk!

Stretching out I noticed my hair was braided and I was in a long sleeve, button up shirt. Did Seth and I actually have s*x? Was he really the type to do that? All thoughts were stopped when the door clicked open and I looked up to see Seth holding a tray of food.

"S*it! I thought I'd get here before you woke up. Good morning, anyway! I brought you some hotel breakfast." He said as he walked over to me and set the tray on my lap. "We've got scrambled eggs with cheese, extra crispy bacon, toast and a f*ck ton of butter, breakfast potatoes, and ice cold apple juice. I hope you enjoy."

How could he have possibly known everything I enjoy? Maybe it was common? I was picking up a piece of bacon to nibble on when he stood straight.

"I almost forgot!" He reached into his pocket and grabbed packets of ketchup, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Now that was definitely shocking. He had to be guessing everything. Either way, I squirted all my delicious condiments on my eggs and potatoes and dug in. He sat next to me and swiped a piece of bacon. "Husband tax!" He teased as he stuffed it in his mouth.

As finished eating he set my tray to the side and stretched. That reminded me of the shirt I was suddenly wearing.

"Care to explain the wardrobe change?" I asked carefully.

"You threw up on your gown before you got in the shower. I called your friend Chelsea and she came from her room to this one to help me get you out of it. Then she cleaned you off, I gave her my shirt to let you sleep in and braided your hair. Then she left to sleep mumbling something about you drinking more last night than you did on your 21st birthday."

His answer shocked me. He actually called in help to not take advantage of me. I didn't know guys like that existed.

"Um. Ehem. Well then... I suppose I should thank you, then. But where's my gown?" I gestured to the room.

"Chelsea took it with her. She's going to have it sent to your family's dry cleaner."

"That makes sense." We sat in silence for a few minutes before Seth finally got up. "Leaving so soon?"

"Just giving you some privacy to get dressed and do whatever else you need to do to get ready. We've got a contract to write up." When he mentioned the contract it felt like my heart sank. Maybe he really was faking all of this.

When the door shut I stood and walked to the bathroom to do my business. I then unzipped my suitcase to dig through and find something to wear. Unfortunately while digging, I found my wedding night lingerie and couldn't stop the flood of tears. I wasn't very well versed in s*x, but I'd hoped so much that after marriage I'd get better.

Being a Buckley was both a blessing and a curse. As a woman I was supposed to remain pure until a suitable match was found. My dad never saw Steven to be good enough for me. Sadly, I didn't heed his warning and lost my virginity to him thinking it didn't matter because we were getting married anyway.

We only had s*x twice; when I lost my virginity and one other time when something exciting happened at work for him. Both times were quick, missionary, and not very enjoyable. I really wanted things to pick up after the wedding, to truly spice up our intimacy when I was fully his. I suppose that wasn't going to happen now.

Once my tears dried I pulled out a pair of distressed jean shorts, a floral halter top, and a comfortable pair of sandals. Something casual that my family would definitely not approve of, but who cares because they weren't going to see me today. After I got dressed, I grabbed my wristlet that had my debit card, credit card, and ID and my phone, and skipped out the door. Seth was leaning against the opposite wall waiting for me.

When the door shut he took a few steps to close the gap between us and placed his hand on the door, just above my head. With his free hand, he used his index finger to tilt my chin and meet his gaze. That gaze was enough to make any woman melt. My cheeks grew hot.

"You look beautiful, Flower. Though I seem to make you nervous." He chuckled, lips a feather away from mine. "Shall we head to my office?" He stepped away from me and held out his arm. I gulped, grabbed it, and shuddered out my nerves. This caused him to laugh harder.

We walked out of the hotel together and I saw my dad's limo was waiting on us. Seth opened the door for me and slid in beside me as I settled. Then we were off.

The drive was short. I spent most of it staring out the window while Seth typed away on his phone next to me. Part of me wondered what he was typing. I figured he probably had women he was talking to which made sense with how much of a hunk he really was.

"Just work stuff." He said with a sly smile, breaking me from my thoughts. "I could see the gears turning from my peripherals. Don't worry. You're currently my only, Flower." He added with another wink. I nodded softly and went back to staring out the window. That wink was going to get me in trouble, I could feel it.

Soon we were parked in front of a large building in downtown Columbus. Seth opened the door and held it as I got out. The driver opened his window and stated he'd drive around the block a few times until he saw us coming out, so that he wouldn't take up any parking spaces. I always loved how the people who worked for my family were considerate of others.

Seth took my hand and had me follow him inside and to an elevator where we went up to a high floor and stopped at an office. As soon as the door shut, he walked to his desk and sat; gesturing to the seat in front of him for me to take.

"Maria, could you bring up the papers I asked for please?" He said into a mic on his desk. A few minutes later there was a tap on his door. "Come in!" In came a woman who looked to be in her mid 40s, hair in a bun, wearing a button up blouse and a pencil skirt that went to her knees. She slowly walked in, set a manila folder on Seth's desk, and backed out of the room.

"So are you ready to read it?" He asked. Pushing the folder over to me. I hesitated for a moment then nodded and opened it. "Whatever you don't agree with, we can strike out and initial. Once you're finished reading it and making your revisions, I'll call Maria back in and we can each sign it with her notary."

"Wow. You're really going all out with this, aren't you?" I nervously asked, eyeing the papers in front of me.

"Given the nature of this situation, it's needed." He answered. "Whenever you're ready, Flower." He smiled and my nerves melted. What the Hell, I thought, and began to read.