by Andromeda
Table of Contents
Chapter One: For Whom the Bell Tolls
Chapter Two: New Faces and New Places
Chapter Three: It’s Just Lunch
Chapter Four: The Proposal
Chapter Five: The Contract
Chapter Six: Winning a Battle, Losing the War
Chapter Seven: Taking the Plunge
Chapter Eight: The Day After
Chapter Nine: Down the Rabbit Hole
Chapter Ten: The Self Destruct Button
Chapter Eleven: Memories of the Past Come to Life
Chapter Twelve: One Step Forward, Twenty Steps Back
Chapter Thirteen: Bring the Pain
Chapter Fourteen: A Sweet Tooth
Chapter Fifteen: A The 'L' Word
Chapter Sixteen: Gaining Some Feelings
Chapter Seventeen: Total Eclipse of the Heart
Chapter Eighteen: Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)
Chapter Nineteen: The Death Angel Cometh
Chapter Twenty: Baby Won't You Come My Way...
Chapter Twenty-One: A Question of Doubt
Chapter Twenty-Two: All You Need Is Love
Chapter Twenty-Three: A Honeymoon of Souls
Chapter Twenty-Four: Royal Visitations
Chapter Twenty-Five: Let the Good and Bad Times Roll
Chapter Twenty-Six: We Gotta Get Out of This Place
Chapter Twenty-Sven: How to Save a Life
LOVE CONTRACT
A NOVEL BY,
ANDROMEDA
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© 2016
Published by After Hours Publications
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Unauthorized reproduction, in any manner, is prohibited.
Do to some explicit scenes it’s suggested age is 16+.
Chapter One: For Whom the Bell Tolls
Giovanni
I groan as I wake up; my eyelids feel like lead, and I have a pounding headache. Slowly, I lift my head up and look around. I'm in my bed and when I see a leg of pale flesh, the thoughts of last night come to my mind. The birthday party for my brother. The drinks. Bringing her home...I look at the woman as I struggle to remember her name. Was it Jenny? Kelly? Vikkie? Yes, it's Vikkie!
"Hey," I groan, slapping her ass. "You gotta leave...now..."
She groans and rolls over, but a seductive smile slides onto her lips.
"Aww, you don't want me to stay for the morning edition of last night..."
I roll my eyes. I'm tempted...trust me—I am, but...I can't, I have to go work.
"No," I say, shaking my head and getting up. "No, you gotta go now."
When she sees that I'm not going to say anything else, she glares at me.
"Asshole!" she barks as she gets up and begins to get her things. "I'll show myself out!"
I hear the door slam shut and fall back on my bed with a groan. "Dannazione..."
Getting up, I walk to my shower and turn it on.
"Any calls?" I ask the phone by the side of it.
You have one call Mr. Rinaldi, it answers.
"Play it, please."
There's a ding and then the commanding, yet annoying voice of my mom fills the air.
"GIO! Why the hell haven't you been answering my calls? You know you're expected at the family reunion in Italy in 5 months’ time, and you better come with a girl! And I mean a girl you're serious about! No if-ands-or-buts! Goodbye!"
Click.
Swearing under my breath, I step out of the shower and wear a towel around my waist. I love my mom, I respect my mom. She's my goddess, and I worship my mom; but she's a bitch! She's always nagging me about settling down and starting a family. My older brother is happily married, and has twins with his wife. My younger sister also is married with a son of her own. And then there's me.
Giovanni Rinaldi. Self-made millionaire, and if you ask the right people, a playboy. I honestly accept both those titles with pride. I do not love any of the women I'm with. I refuse to. Love is for fools and the weak. Well, that kind of love is for fools and the weak. Walking to my closet, I put on my suit and walk to my car. Dialing some numbers, I smile as my brother's voice comes on.
"Hey fratellino, how are you?"
I laugh and roll my eyes. "I'm fine. What's on the schedule for today?"
"You have a meeting with the board at the hospital. Then lunch with the mayor before the news conference."
I nod. "Perfect. I'll call you when I get done."
"Alright buona giornata."
"Have a good day too brother."
I hang up and begin the drive to the hospital. Today is going to be a good day. I can feel it.
********************************
Walking into Queen Anne's Mercy Hospital always makes me smile. The best hospital in the Commonwealth territory as well as the 2nd best hospital in the US, we have the best of everything, but our greatest pride is our pediatric services that I know are the best in America.
As I near the elevator, I am about to enter it when something slams into me; a woman—a small woman in scrubs and white lab coat. I'm a big man so she bounces off me instantly, making her fall back onto her bottom. I know who she is; one of our surgical residents here at the hospital. It’s not-so-secret that I kind of have a sort of crush on her.
"Watch where you are going," she snaps, gathering her things that had fallen.
I blink. “Oh? Last time I checked, you ran into me.”
Her golden-flecked emerald eyes roll as she snorts. “Well then, allow me to say I am sorry. I am in a rush to get to the meeting.”
I take a step close, my eyes boring into hers. “I’m going to a meeting too…” a playful smirk curves my lips. “We could both skip it and have some fun…”
“I’d rather had my tongue nailed onto a table, Rinaldi,” she snaps back, putting a hand on one of her thick hips.
“You want me to tell you what I think of what your tongue could be doing right now?” I ask.
"Fratellino?" a voice suddenly says, interrupting us.
Turning to my side, I see my older brother Romero. He is the exact opposite of me: calm, collected, and responsible. I am anything but calm, not collected whatsoever, and when it comes to responsible...not really. I turn back to the woman but she has disappeared, most likely seizing the opportunity to escape.
"Si Fratello?" I grumble, a bit upset that my brother interrupted me. "Did you say something?"
"Ready for the meeting?" he asks, getting in the elevator with me and taking in my face, his own struggling to keep from bursting out laughing.
"More or less, yeah," I say with a shrug. “And don’t you say a word…”
“Turned down again?” he asks.
I don’t respond and instead scoff, glad when the elevator brings us up the to the top floor. Walking to the conference room, we take our seats and the meeting begins. We mainly talk about budget control, patient care and so forth; but my mind isn't on the meeting—it’s on that woman who ran into me.
I know her name is Malaika Robinson; she’s been at Queen Anne’s for about 3 years now, and is 3rd year resident with us. She is nicknamed Dr. Robin, mainly because of her last name, but she is a bit mysterious. She doesn’t really talk to a lot of people, coming early and leaving late. She comes to the hospital cookout events and things, but she still never talks to people.
I’ve tried to talk to
her—well, hit on her is the better word honestly. I can’t help that I’m like a sex shark; without it I can’t swim, and while I can’t say I’ve been with almost every woman here, when it comes to her she flat our refuses to give in. The first time I asked her to sleep with me, I was rewarded with a knee in the groin. It only inflamed my desire for her, mainly because she refuses to let me have her and I’ve been working the hardest—3 years.
She is unlike any woman that I’ve truly been with. I like them with thick hips and a round bottom, both of which she has. Not only that, but she had this Caribbean accent that will get me hard in a matter of seconds of her walking to me. Unfortunately, I am forced to stop thinking about her when one of the board members asks me a question. Frowning, I am forced to pay attention to the meeting, but the thoughts of Ms. Malaika Robinson still tickle in the back of my mind.
********************************
"...and that about wraps up the meeting. Thank you all for your time."
Exhaling in relief, I gather my things and head toward the door, only to hear the laughing of my brother.
"So fratellino," he chuckles. "Wanna tell me why you were late for the meeting?"
"Some girl bumped into me and spilled my coffee all over my new suit."
He rubs his chin. "What she hot?"
“Very,” I say smirking. “However, she refuses to give in, but I know she will give in soon.”
My brother laughs and slaps my shoulder as we walk. "Have you spoken to the girl from the party?"
"Kelly?" I ask.
"Vikkie," he corrects me.
"Right, Vikkie. No, she left this morning."
He raises an eyebrow. "What do you take me for, little brother, un idiota? You kicked her out and blocked her number."
"You know me soooo well."
He rolls his eyes and chuckles. "Heading to your office?" he asks.
"Yeah, I've got to get some papers, and then I'm going out for lunch with the mayor. Want to join me?"
"Sorry, I can't. Maria wants me to pick up the twins."
I nod and go to the elevator to the 4th floor. My office is on the floor that we call Glitterland. It has everything for children: maternity clinics, a neonatal intensive care unit, obstetric and gynecologic services, pediatric services and pediatric surgical services. It's even made for the little bundles of joy, and we spared no expense. It's no wonder we're the best hospital on this side of the country for children of all ages, from newborns to teens. I have my office on this floor for a reason. I love children.
I know it sounds weird. When people look at me, they are instantly intimidated. I’m 6'6 with shoulder-length auburn hair, piercing grey eyes, and the classic Italian chin. I'm heavily muscled with hands the size of children baseball mitts. People think I'm a killer, or supposed to be a killer but I'm not. I mean sure, my uncle is a mob boss, but I'm not for that kind of life.
I've always loved children, and I've always wanted children, but I don't want to marry. I refuse to settle down with someone. That kind of love will make me weak, and Giovanni Rinaldi is anything but weak. I do, however, want children and I will get them.
Walking to my office, I sit down in my chair and look over the papers. Surrogacy papers. As a man, I obviously can't have a child on my own, but add a woman and I can. However, I have to be careful with this. I'm a private man. I hate my business out in the streets, and while I've considered some agencies, they didn't quite fit with my theology.
And then there's the women...I can't just up and let anyone have my child. I know I can pay enough for them to be silent, but that doesn't stop some of them from going to the media. Cursing under my breath, I stuff the papers into my briefcase and leave my office.
WHAM!
"Ow!" a familiar accent voice snaps. "Damn it, is this knock Mala on her ass day?”
It’s her! Quick Gio, say something smart! “Uhhh…” I mumble out. Nice job, Gio.
"I know you business guys don't care about us little people," she snarls. "But you could watch it!"
I am taken aback by her boldness. A major turn on. My eyes roam over her, looking at how the scrubs hug her body and thick hips.
"What's the matter?" she taught me. "Cat got your tongue?"
Maybe your cat one day, I think to myself with a smirk.
She rolls her eyes and turns away, stomping off, her thick hips swaying.
I groan and bite my lip. I love a woman with thick hips. I can feel myself getting hard just looking at her. She would be a wonderful mother. Wait a second…an idea pops into my head. She's new. No one knows her. She's a doctor, so she's in the peak of her health. I love her hips, perfect for child bearing...
Smiling to myself, I take out my phone and call my assistant Patty.
"Hey Pat is it's me Gio."
"Gio baby!" she screams, and I can't help but laugh. Patty's like a second mother to me. "What can I do for ya, honey?"
"I need you to look someone up for me. I want to know everything about them."
"Who's the person?"
"Malaika Robinson."
Chapter Two: New Faces and New Places
Malaika
Beep!
Beep!
Beep!
Beep!
"Mala, wake up! You're late!"
My eyes fly open at the sound of my sister's voice. I look at my clock and see the numbers 11:30 flashing.
"Merde!" I curse, jumping up using the Creole word for shit. "Grace, I told you to set my clock for 7:30!"
"I thought you said 11:30," she answers, shrugging.
I want to wring her neck, but I don't have the time. Maybe later...
"Is everyone dressed?" I ask. I strip off my clothes and jump into my shower.
"Yeah, we're just waiting for you," Grace answers before leaving the room.
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! I think to myself as I get the soap. It's my first day as a 3rd year and I'm late! They're going to kick me out for sure!
Running to my closet, I put on a short-sleeved top and some jeans before getting my purse and car keys.
"Alright, let’s go," I yell over my shoulder to my siblings as I run for the car.
Opening the doors, I count them as they jump in. One...two...three...wait a second! I count heads over.
"One...two...three...who's missing?!"
"Wait for me manman!" a musical voice says behind me.
Turning around, I smile as my pride and joy, my little Robyn, toddles out of the house. At only 5 years old, she is the youngest of my little brood. Well, she is my only child. The rest of the kids—Grace, Jordan, and Ruby—are my younger siblings that I got custody of after the death of my parents. Being raised in Kingston, I have one other sibling, an older brother named Remy, but he is in the army. Robyn's father, however...I'd rather not talk about.
"You almost left me," Robyn says, sticking out her lower lip.
"I'm sorry gato dous," I say, kissing her cheek and using my affectionate word for sweet cake. "Mommy was just in a rush. I promise to never again."
She smiles, and with the help of Grace, climbs into the car and buckles her seatbelt. Flooring the gas, I zoom through the streets until we get to the library.
"Alright, I'll pick you up at 7:30," I say before digging around in my wallet for some money before handing Jordan a 20-dollar bill, who puts it in his pocket. "See you guys later, and you better not lose Robyn!"
Jordan pretends to look offended. "I lose her one time in the mall and you act like that's a crime!"
I roll my eyes before blowing my little girl a kiss. "Mommy loves you. See you all later!"
********************************
Pulling away from the library, I drive like a crazy woman down the streets, running like 5 red lights that I know of. When I pull up to the hospital, I park and then run inside, and up to a security officer.
"Hi," I gasp. "I'm Malaika Robinson and I'm looking for the New Resident orientation group."
"Second floor, fifth door on the right,"
he tells me.
"Mèsi!" I shout as I run. Thank you. I shove people out of the way screaming. "Sorry! First year resident late!" Hopping into the elevator, I press the second floor button repeatedly as I mumble. "Come on. Come on. Come on!"
Bing!
The doors open and I fly out, running as fast as I can. I'm rounding a corner when WHAM! I smack into some guy. Coffee and papers go flying everywhere. I look at my clothes and curse. "What the hell?!" I roar at him in Creole. "Watch where you are going!”
A pair of grey orbs look into my own. "Excuse me?"
Looking up, I see that it’s the last man on the planet that I want to see right now, Giovanni Rinaldi—the CEO and owner of the hospital. He is always hitting on me and has been doing so for the last three years. The first time we met, he point blank asked me to sleep with him and I answered by kneeing him in a groin.
After we exchange our normal conversation, which is him hitting on me and me shooting him down like a duck hunter in hunting season, I leave him and run as fast as I can to the room where the group is. My hand grasps the door handle, and I pull it open just as I hear my name being called.
"...Malaika Robinson..." a man is saying.
"Isit la!" I pant. "I...I mean present!"
Twenty pairs of eyes look at me, and I know I look a mess but I really don't care; I've made it in time.
The man who was calling my name raises an eyebrow, but nods. "Alright...you're in pediatrics, right?"
"T...that's right sir," I say, nodding.
He points to a blond woman who's waving like a man stranded on a deserted island.
"Over here!" she loudly whispers.
The man looks at me and nods. Slowly, I walk over and she gives me a big hug.
"Hi," she giggles. "I'm Joy! It's soooo good you're joining the Peds team!"
"Hi..." I say, holding out my hand. "I'm Malaika..."
She giggles and shakes it vigorously. "I love your accent. Where are you from?"
"Here really," I say. "But I was raised in Kingston, Jamaica; but I'm actually Haitian because of my mother."
"Ooohh," she giggles again. "This is going to soo much fun! Here, let me introduce you to the team. That's Lilly, Ian, and Ivan. You're all my new residents!"
