Ignoring the thrill that shot through me, I held onto what he’d said, to the derision in his voice just a few seconds ago. “So you can add me to all the notches on your belt? I’m not a challenge. I’m not an opponent. And I—” Stupid tears burned my eyes that I determinedly tried to blink back.

“Tink …” Rhys made to move toward me.

“Don’t.” I lowered my gaze so he couldn’t see how much he’d hurt me. “This is done. I’ll pay you for the month, but this is done.” Tears successfully pushed back, I lifted my chin, my expression flat. “No job is worth someone making you feel this badly about yourself.”

He scowled. “Yeah, you’re right, it isn’t. Pot meet fucking kettle.”

Confusion momentarily subdued my anger. “What—”

“But we have a deal, and you’re not getting out of that deal.” He strode toward me, and I braced. Thankfully, he reached past me to pull open the door. “Let’s go talk to your bosses, and try not to act like you’re dying of embarrassment to have me at your side.”

What on earth?

“Rhys—”

Footsteps sounded in the hall outside, and my sister appeared. “Uh, seriously, if you don’t hurry up, Fairchild is going to come looking.”

Sighing in frustration, feeling like I was missing something with Rhys, I hurried after my sister and heard my fake boyfriend fall into step behind us.

“Is my hair okay?” I whispered to my sister.

She smirked at me. “Your hair is fine.”

I was just about to sigh with relief when she continued, “But your mouth is most definitely swollen.”

Heat bloomed on my cheeks as I touched my fingers to my lips.

“Morgan, Parker, there you are!” Fairchild’s voice carried across the foyer. He gave Rhys a salacious smirk. “Those are private family rooms down there, but I’ll let you off since I know you’re a man with an appetite. I understand that.”

Ugh.

I shivered in revulsion and felt a comforting hand on my lower back. Glancing over my shoulder at Rhys, I wanted to move away. However, the unhappy look on his face stopped me. The man was a contradiction. I was completely discombobulated by him.

No matter what he said, I had to end this deal. My feelings … well, my feelings were now involved, and after what just happened between us, I knew this man had the power to hurt me.

Deeply.

Nope.

This game had to be over.