Page 93 of Toxic Temptation
I push myself up and wander toward the French doors, stepping into the garden where cherry blossoms dance in the breeze like tiny pink ballerinas. It’s breathtakingly beautiful here.
I’m frowning, though, wondering if maybe I steered us wrong just now. Did I just promise to fire my own brother if Luka doesn’t like him? Is that overstepping? Because it feels like something a parent would do. Something that crosses Kovan’s careful boundaries. And he made it very clear about how firm those boundaries are.
At least he’s not here to catch me brooding in anxiety. He sent along a proxy in his place in the form of his little brother. PavelKrayev does not know when to stop talking, but fortunately, he vanished somewhere in the house a little while ago to handle something or other.
Which means I have a few minutes of peace and quiet to myself in order to sort out my?—
“Deep thoughts?”
I turn to find Pavel approaching from the side garden. No peace and quiet to be found here, apparently.
I watch as he walks up. Sunlight catches the green flecks in his hazel eyes. He’s got the same dark hair as Kovan, but where his older brother is all sharp edges and simmering violence, Pavel has an easy charm and a gift of gab that probably gets him out of just as much trouble as it gets him into.
“Just wondering if I’m screwing everything up,” I admit.
“Most of it involving my brother?”
I can’t tell if he’s teasing or genuinely curious. At least he knows the full scope of the situation, so I can be honest with him. “He wants us to convince everyone we’re this perfect couple, but he won’t let me close enough to actually get to know him. How are we supposed to sell an amazing connection when we’re basically strangers?”
Pavel grins. “Have you tried sneaking into his bed at night?”
“That’s not what I meant at all.”
“It’s the fastest way to get close to a man, though. That and through his stomach, of course, but based on my initial survey of your pantry, I’m guessing you don’t do much of that.”
A blush creeps up my neck. “I eat!”
“Mhmm.”
“… when I remember to.”
He winks. “Even superheroes need fuel, Doc.”
“I’m not a superhero. I’m just trying to do right by my patients. And by Luka.”
“Speaking of which…” Pavel’s expression turns sly. “What’s Waylen’s real purpose here? Besides making my brother insanely jealous? Don’t get me wrong—I do love that aspect of his involvement. I’ve just been wondering if there’s a bigger plan at play.”
I fight back a laugh. “Believe it or not, I was only thinking about Luka when I suggested him.”
“If you say so.” He shrugs and starts whistling. “Better hope he has good reflexes, though. There’s going to be some serious dick-swinging behavior once Kovan gets back and that security training begins.”
“Can we not discuss my brother, my fake boyfriend, and anything dick-related in the same sentence?”
Pavel’s eyebrows shoot up. “‘Brother’?! Waylen is yourbrother?”
Shit.Cat’s out of the bag. I mime zipping my lips and throwing away the key.
“Oh.Oh.God, this is rich.” Pavel looks absolutely delighted. “Does Kovan know?”
“That’s between me and Kovan.”
“That’s a definite no,” he decides instantly, looking no less thrilled by the prospect of Kovan being kept in the dark. “You’re going to let him keep thinking Waylen is competition?”
I hide my face downward when my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Waylen saying he’s almost here. “It’s more fun this way.”
Pavel throws back his head and laughs. “You’re diabolical. I like you.”
I’m still blushing as I turn back into the living room. “Come on,” I call to Luka. “Time to meet your new best friend.”
