Page 94 of Sex Positive
He smiles in a way he probably believes is paternal, but it only puts her more on edge. “You’re probably wondering why I’m here.”
Charlie doesn’t have another chair in her office, which is smaller than Victoria’s, so he leans casually against the doorjamb, sliding his hands into the pockets of his black pinstriped suit.
“The question certainly crossed my mind,” she says.
He chuckles lightly. “After hearing your impassioned speech about this place the other night and learning about the impressive moves you’ve made to ensure it stays open, I reached out to Dr. Angelo and requested a meeting.”
Pushing off the doorframe, he strolls a few steps, his gaze drawn to the lone piece of artwork on her wall, an artistic rendering of a uterus and ovaries with flowers growing out of them. Charlie found it on Etsy and thought it was beautiful.
He faces her. “I’m interested in providing additional funding for The Wild Rue.”
She gapes, unable to hide her shock. “That’s…that’s incredibly kind of you.”
“I do enjoy lending my support to philanthropic endeavors when I can,” he continues. “Plus my wife is considering a run for president in a few years, so linking her to a noble cause such as this clinic will look good.”
“Thank you,” Charlie says, her unease growing. “I’m sure Victoria appreciates your support.”
He nods. “Yes, I’m sure she does. But I do have a favor to ask of you before I make any final decisions.”
She swallows, her mouth suddenly dry. “Why me?”
His smile twists with contempt. “Because my son holds you in the highest regard, and I suspect he’s willing to do anything you ask.”
Her blood goes cold, and her lungs constrict, preventing her from taking a full breath. Somehow, she manages to speak. “I think you’ve misunderstood our relationship. We’re hardly friends.”
Gabriel chuckles, making dread curdle in her gut. “You underestimate yourself, Charlotte! Wesley appears to be going through a rebellious phase of late, and each of his transgressions has one thing in common. Leaving my wife’s holiday party to be withyou; skipping our family’s New Year’s Eve party to be withyou; failing to inform me thatyouare tutoring him for the LSAT.” He tilts his head. “You’re a very smart girl, so I’m sure you see the pattern.”
Charlie clasps her hands tighter, her palms sweaty. “I don’t control him, Mr. Quinn.”
Gabriel’s eyes flash. “Please, Charlotte. Call me Gabriel.”
Charlie can’t help noting the stark contrast between this man’s steely presence and the warmth of his son.
He sighs. “What you may not know or understand, Charlotte, is that Wes’s future has been planned for him since his birth. He is aQuinn, and I’ve made sure that name evokes a level of respect among certain groups, something I intend for him to benefit from. He’ll take over my firm one day, as well as my media corporation. With any luck, his mother will reach the highest office, and Wesley will be a part of making that happen.Youcan also be part of that, if you choose.”
Charlie says nothing while Gabriel assesses her, that same calculated look in his eye that she saw at dinner.
“Some people have a natural drive, a propulsive self-motivating element in their blood that makes them strive to achieve everything they set their sights on, no matter what.” He gestures to her. “From what my son has shared, it sounds like you have that. You areexceptional.”
Charlie fights the urge to flinch; the word sounds like a term of endearment when Wes says it, but from his father, it sounds like a curse.
“You have high standards and aspirations for yourself, and you’re attempting to save your little clinic in every way you can.” The underlying condescension in his words is sharp on her skin. “Wouldn’t it be nice, though, not to worry about raising the money to fund this place? Wouldn’t it be nice to simply focus on your last semester and finalize the plans for your littleprogram?”
The way he saysprogrammakes it sound like she’s planning a lemonade stand, not a series of classes that could change the way young people learn to advocate for their bodies.
He grins, so like Wes, but also so unlike him because Wes is soft and genial and Gabriel is sharp and cunning.
Charlie’s not naïve, though. She remembers what Wes told her about his father.
“What’s the catch?”
He laughs, and her heart tumbles at the similarity to his son’s. “Catch? Charlotte, you wound me. I’m a very wealthy man, and I simply wish to support an excellent cause. Your fundraiser is shaping up to be quite the event, but with my help, you won’t have to stress about it being theonlyway to fight back against Heartbeat Care. I simply ask that you convince Wes to refocus on his priorities.”
“I already told you, I don’t control him.”
Gabriel smiles, but a look appears in his eyes that frightens her, like he knows something she doesn’t.
“Once again, you deeply underestimate the effect you have on him. All you need to do is convince him to continue on the path I’ve set for him, and your clinic will be fully funded.”
