The Contract (The Contract 1)

She shifted, the covers dragging back with her movement. I grinned when I saw she was wearing the T-shirt I’d had on the day before I left.

My wife was in my bed, wearing my clothes.

I found I was more than okay with both facts.

With a muffled sigh, I put down my bag, grabbed some sleep pants, and got ready for bed, making sure to stay silent. Carefully, I slipped in behind her and tugged her back to my chest. She startled awake, stiffening in my embrace.

“Relax, sweetheart. It’s me.”

“Why are you home?”

“Business went well. Very well. We wrapped up early.”

She struggled to get up. “I’ll go to my room.”

I pulled her back down. “Stay. You’re fine.” With a grin, I dropped a kiss to her neck. “I’m a snuggler, remember?”

She burrowed down with a contented little sound. “Your bed is comfy.”

I couldn’t help teasing her. “And my T-shirt?” I asked, fingering the worn cotton. “Is it comfy, too?”

She brushed my hand away. “I’ve been busy. I hadn’t got around to doing the laundry. It was lying there, so I used it.”

“I saw how busy you’ve been.”

“Do you like it?” Her voice was shy and hesitant.

I dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Good job, Mrs. VanRyan.”

She giggled into her pillow. “I’m glad you’re pleased, Mr. VanRyan.”

I tucked her closer. “I am. Go to sleep. I’ll tell you everything in the morning about the trip.”

“Okay.” She hummed sleepily. “Night.”

“Night.”Katharine stared at me over her coffee and picked up the contract again. “Just like that? He canceled your trial period?”

I nodded, my mouth full of scrambled eggs. Chewing, I swallowed and grinned. “I have an idea Jenna’s little visit may have had something to do with it.”

She chewed on the end of her nail, and I reached over, smacking her hand. “Stop that.”

“Why do you think Jenna being here had anything to do with it?”

“Think about it, Katharine. Think of what she saw. Us in the same bed, me all over you. We got along well. She even knew we had a fight and made up. I’m pretty sure she told Graham he was wrong to have any doubts.”

“Makes sense, I suppose.”

“Plus, he said I’d done a great job—I surpassed expectations. It was his way of rewarding me.” I took a sip of coffee. “Well, the end of my probation, and a generous bonus.”

Her smile was warm. “I knew you’d blow them away with your work. It doesn’t surprise me. You’ve always been brilliant with your ideas.”

Her praise did strange things to me. I rubbed my chest, as if I could move around the warmth radiated by her words, and I smiled at her, my voice sincere. “You’ve always been supportive. Thank you.”

The smile she returned was wide and open. I looked down at my plate, as the normalcy of our situation registered. Was this what marriage was like? A real marriage? Small moments of sharing that made you feel whole—connected.

I dug in my pocket, and slid the small box her way. “For you,” I said gruffly, picking up my mug.

She made no move to touch it. I had never met a woman like Katharine. My wealth had always been a magnet for the women I dated. They would be all over me for gifts—wanting them, dropping hints, showing me items on the internet. Practically ripping any offering from my hand if I decided to purchase something. Not Katharine, though.

“Your bonus,” I insisted and nudged the box closer. “Open it. It won’t bite.”

Her hand shook as she reached for the box. She hesitated once it was in her palm, as if anticipating the moment of opening the lid. Appreciating the mystery. I liked watching her expressions as they flitted across her face.

Her eyes grew round as she looked at the ring inside. As soon as I saw it, I knew she would love it. Small and delicate, the diamonds were set into different shaped frames. Tiny squares, ovals, circles, and rectangles made up a ring as unique and different as her. It wasn’t the most expensive ring the store had, and certainly not the biggest, but it suited Katharine. Even Graham had nodded his approval the second my finger tapped on the glass case.

“That one, please. I would like to see that one.”

Katharine looked up at me. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s a gift, Katharine.”

“Why?”

I shrugged. “Because you deserve it.” I touched the contract envelope. “None of this would have happened without you. I wanted to say thank you.” I added, completely sincere. It was important she believed me—that she knew I was aware of how much she had done for me.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Put it on.”

She slid the ring on her right hand and twisted her wrist in the way women did when admiring a ring on their finger. “It fits!”

Reaching over, I took her hand and studied it. It fit well and it suited her perfectly. I set down her hand on the counter, patting it awkwardly.