Page 182 of Toxic Temptation
He doesn’t respond, just guides me to where a board member named Isabel Avery sits behind a table covered in glossy brochures. She’s wearing a black sequined dress with a necklineso conservative it hides everything from her collarbones to her chin.
I try to hide behind Kovan’s broad shoulders, suddenly self-conscious about my plunging neckline. At least with him as a distraction, maybe no one will notice how much skin I’m showing.
“Good evening,” Kovan says, flashing Isabel a smile that makes me want to hiss like a jealous alley cat in heat.
Her cheeks turn pink. “H-hello,” she replies to him. She must be over sixty, but she’s eyeing Kovan like she’d like to ride that roller coaster, please and thank you. I pretend I don’t feel a pang of white-hot jealousy.
“I’d like to make a donation.”
“Oh! Wonderful.” She fumbles with her donation forms while Kovan reaches for his checkbook. “Any amount is appreciated.”
“But where does the money actually go?” I interrupt before I can stop myself.
Isabel finally notices me. Her eyes widen by degrees as they travel down my neckline. “Dr. Fairfax. You look… different.”
I blush, but I don’t let myself get distracted. “There should be transparency about fund allocation, don’t you think?”
Her gaze flicks nervously to Kovan. “That’s a board decision.”
“That’s a cop-out?—”
“Sweetheart, please.” Kovan’s voice punctures my growing anger. He’s still smiling at Isabel. “Mrs. Avery, I’m sure you’ll be happy to help with my special request.”
Isabel blinks rapidly. “Special request?”
Kovan pulls out his Mont Blanc pen. He writes across the check with deliberate strokes, then tears it free and slides it toward her. “This donation is earmarked specifically for the pediatric wing.”
I catch sight of the number and nearly choke. “Kovan?—!”
“Oh my goodness.” Isabel stares at the check like it might bite her. “This is very generous, but… but I’m afraid donations are processed by the board. They decide allocation.”
Kovan leans forward. When he speaks, his voice is soft but carries an edge that makes Isabel shrink back. “This ten million comes with non-negotiable conditions. If it doesn’t go directly to pediatrics, I’ll take it back—with interest.”
She swallows hard. For a moment, I wonder if she’ll go fetch Jeremy. Then she nods and slides the check into her envelope. “I’m sure the board will make an exception for such a generous donation.”
“I thought they might.” He rises and tucks his pen away “Thank you for your cooperation.”
I manage a satisfied smile in Isabel’s direction before Kovan whisks me away toward the bar.
“Ten… million… dollars.” I’m still reeling. “I can’t believe you just?—”
“Nothing’s too good for you. I’ll keep showing you that until you decide to believe me.”
We claim two empty barstools with a perfect view of the board’s table. Half the room is staring at us now, and I can practically hear the whispers starting.
I’m still stammering, though. “But—but—you’ve already done so much?—”
“You deserve everything I can give you.” He signals the bartender. “Two champagnes.”
The certainty in his voice makes my chest tight. Like it’s not his opinion, but a simple fact:You deserve everything I can give you.Do I?
I study Kovan’s profile as he orders, trying to decode what this all means. Is this part of our arrangement? Or something else entirely? Something new?
Across the room, three cardiologists are watching us with expressions I’ve never seen directed at me before. Usually, they look at me with pity mixed with professional disdain.
Tonight, they lookenvious.
“Friends of yours?” Kovan follows my gaze.
