Page 11 of Miss Trust

Luckily, I’d done my homework on her daughter’s acute lymphocytic leukemia and spoken with the head of pediatric oncology. “I promised you medical coverage, which means the very best medical care. But if you meet with Dr. Young and decide you’re not comfortable switching hospitals, then you will be covered no matter where you choose to go. The important thing is for them to be more aggressive with the induction phase of chemo.”

I imagined there were few times Tory bit her tongue, but I had to admit it was gratifying to witness the myriad of emotions play across her pretty face. Poker could never be her game.

“You read up on her treatments? Why?”

My neck heated at her question. I could go with a line about wanting to do due diligence, or some bullshit about being thorough, but there was something about this woman that demanded more. “My family is the most important thing to me. Your family is the most important thing to you. Because of my brother and your sister, they’re now connected, which means I will do everything in my power to ensure I get the best people involved in your daughter’s care. Consequently, I needed to understand what she was going through.”

Unfortunately, treating this type of leukemia was a two- to three-year process. But the first phase was the most important, getting the leukemia into initial remission. The initial remission didn’t mean the end of chemo. It only signified the ability to progress into the next phase.

Her curious gaze made me shift my feet.

“Any more concerns?” I was impatient to get this locked down. What could I say? I was a man used to getting his way. Anything else was unacceptable.

“Just one more. Sleeping together is not part of the deal.”

I wasn’t often surprised, but her words took me completely off guard. “Either you have a low opinion of me or a high opinion of yourself. I can assure you sex is not part of our arrangement. Now, if that’s all, I need to get back to my office.” Apparently, I was never to touch her, but my body wasn’t receiving the message. Instead, I immediately imagined having her under me. Adrenaline spiked through my bloodstream. It was definitely time to leave.

“No, it’s not all.” She stepped forward with fire in her eyes. “I’m taking a hell of a chance here by moving out of my subsidized apartment, switching hospitals and doctors, not to mention quitting my current job. It’s not ideal but it is the only one where I’m able to make money. If your brother dumps my sister, or you don’t like the flooring I pick out, or you decide you want me to suck your dick in repayment, then what position am I in? You’re asking me to put a level of trust in you, a level which includes my most precious thing. My daughter. I doubt I’m capable of that level of trust with anyone, let alone a man who comes into my life like a bulldozer. You hold all of the power to make, break, or change our agreement.”

I stood there a full thirty seconds without words, not once considering her perspective. “I’ll have a contract drawn up. It’ll state your medical coverage is good until the end of treatment, regardless of your employment status with me. Then if you don’t like working for me, for any reason, you can quit, and it won’t impact your daughter’s care.”

She held my gaze, something not many grown men did without flinching. “Treatment could be three years.”

“I’m aware of the timeline. If it makes you feel any better, I’m not a man who has ever had to coerce sex.” Ever. Hell, I didn’t even have to work for it.

She contemplated my words. “When would I start?”

It was as close to victory as I’d get. “I’ll have the contract drawn up and sent to you tomorrow.”