Page 37 of The Wrong Husband

"Your hospital needs an infusion of money, and someone championing its cause in the corridors of power; without both, the ER will shut down."

She stiffens. "How do you know about that?"

“James mentioned you were an ER doctor at Archway Hospital. It only took a few calls to find out the hospital is struggling."

She regards me steadily. I can sense her mind beginning to join the dots.

“I also researched you online.”

She stiffens. “You looked into my past?”

“Only what’s publicly available, like on your social media feeds.”

Some of the tension seems to go out of her. “I’m too busy to have much of a social media presence.”

“You did share a fundraiser for the ER,” I point out.

Her forehead furrows. “So?”

"The ER is your world. You have friends there. You care for your co-workers. You’ve built a community there which you value. I’d say, you’ll do everything possible to ensure the hospital doesn’t shut down the ER."

She surveys me steadily, then realization filters into her eyes. “ConnorDavenport," she says slowly, rolling my name across her tongue.

And goddamn, it’s as if I can feel the vibrations all the way to crown of my cock.

"Your family is very wealthy, not to mention,connected." She tilts her head and draws her cheek inward. A classic gesture to indicate she’s thinking hard. "Are you saying you can help with the hospital’s funding issues?"

I stare at her meaningfully, letting the silence do the talking.

She sits up straight, keen interest in her features. "Youaresaying that. You can stop the ER from shutting down?” Her cheeks flush with excitement. The embers in her eyes crackle.

Damn, she’s beautiful. I can’t take my gaze off her.

Also, I have a very small window within which to put my case forward.

"I am saying, unless there’s a fresh infusion of money, not to mention, systemic changes, the hospital is going to shut down the ER within the month.”

“That soon?” She gapes. “I had no idea things were that critical.”

She looks so worried that, for a few seconds, I feel a pang that I’ve upset her. But I’m not telling her anything that’s not true. Maybe, it’s a good thing I brought it to her attention? And yes, I’m using the opportunity for my own selfish motives, but I can’t let go of her. I need her in my life, and I’ll do anything to ensure that.

“They are, unfortunately.” I compose my features. “But, I may have a solution for you.”

Her gaze turns wary. “You do?”

I take in the doubt in her features, and realize I need to lay out my proposition, before she jumps to any conclusions.

I raise my hands. "Before you read into my motivations, let me tell you a bit about myself."

Interest ripples across her features again, before she reins it in. "You mean, you’re not as narcissistic as some of your earlier words led me to believe?” She scoffs.

"Guilty as charged. My ego gets in the way sometimes.”

I allow myself a small smile.

“Hard not to when I’ve created biotech patents that save lives,andI was recruited as a government agent.”

I shift my weight and tap my fingers against the table.