Page 185 of Toxic Temptation
His eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”
“I was hiding. From the possibility of loss, from getting hurt again.” I swallow hard. “I suspect you might be doing the same thing.”
He doesn’t smile. “There are things you don’t know about my life, my work. Things you might not be able to accept.”
“I’m sure the same is true for me.” I step closer, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his chest. “Listen, I’m not walking into this blindly. I know it won’t be easy. You’re stubborn and arrogant and possessive. You’re going to challenge me every single day we’re together?—”
“Is this your idea of wooing me?” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I’m not sure it’s the right strategy.”
I laugh despite my nerves. “Well, tough, because there’s more where that came from. Want to know what else? I’m stubborn, too. I work a lot, I don’t eat enough, and I drink way too much coffee. I’m a work in progress, Kovan. Guess what? So are you.” I take a shaky breath. “All I’m saying is maybe we could progress together.”
“That’s quite a speech.”
“Thanks. I practiced. Now, are you going to leave me hanging?”
His hand slides to the small of my back, tugging me closer. “Is there anything else you want to say before I give you my answer?”
I feel sick and dizzy and high and happy all at once. Is this what it’s like to care?
“Actually, yes. I love Luka,” I whisper. “And there’s a good and growing chance I could love you, too. I think we could be incredible together if we just try.” I tuck my fingers beneath the lapel of his tuxedo jacket to hide how bad they’re shaking. “So I think you should say yes. To me. To us.”
“You make a compelling case.” His voice drops to a growl as he pulls me flush against him. I can feel his arousal through the layers of fabric between us.
“If I weren’t a doctor, I would’ve been a lawyer.”
He chuckles, the sound vibrating through his chest and into me where I’m touching him. “Are you sure about this, Vesper? Really sure?”
I don’t have to hesitate. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”
He studies my face for what feels like an eternity. I can see the war happening behind his eyes—want battling with caution, desire fighting with fear.
Then something shifts. His grip tightens on my waist.
“Come on.” He spins me off the dance floor, his hand firm on the small of my back as he guides me toward one of the ballroom’s exit doors.
“Where are we going?”
“We just renegotiated our terms.” His breath is hot against my ear. “Now, it’s time to seal the deal.”
We sweep past a cluster of surgical interns who watch us leave with their mouths hanging open. I catch fragments of their whispers as we pass.
“… can’t believe that dress…”
“… handling her like a caveman…”
“… you see the way he was looking at her?”
For once in my life, I don’t care what they’re saying. Let them talk. I no longer give a shit.
Kovan pulls me into the elevator and presses the button for the penthouse. The doors slide shut, cocooning us in sudden silence.
“What’s your plan?” I ask breathlessly. “Break into one of the rooms and scribble a new contract down on a cocktail napkin?”
He backs me against the elevator wall, his hands braced on either side of my head. “That’s always an option. But I have a better idea.”
Then his mouth crashes against mine.
I melt against him, my hands fisting in his shirt as he devours my mouth. We’ve gone from sweet to savage in the blink of an eye. It’s a messy kiss, a fumbling kiss, a kiss so full of love and broken pieces that we’re cutting ourselves wide open on all the sharp ends—and it feels so fucking good. I never want it to end.
