“Which really just … sucks,” she said, growing a little wild and shrill. “Because you keep throwing the truth in my face. That we’re nothing but a deal, a monetary means to an end for both of us. And I feel …” She looked around wildly as though searching for the word, and then it exploded out of her. “Stupid. Fucking stupid!”

God, she was brave. Magnificent. My brave, beautiful girl.

I had to hold her. I needed it. I made a move to go to her, but she thrust up a hand. “No. You don’t get to touch me now.” It was a snarl of rage. “Not when you’ve made it clear how you see me. Not after you’ve been a total dickhead.”

She reveled in cursing, like she gained power from it. I loved that. Watching her rail into me should have left me feeling chastised, but it inflamed me. I was the lucky bastard who was getting to see her bloom.

Slowly, I advanced, holding my hands up in surrender. Because I did. I fucking surrendered. I was hers to do with what she willed.

“I’m not gonna touch you,” I promised when she went stiff. “But let’s clear a few things up. I said that stupid shit about us being nothing more than partners because I thought it’s what I was supposed to say. I was trying to be professional and keep myself under control.”

I stopped in front of her, letting her see all the emotions I’d tried so damn hard to hide. “But there’s nothing controlled about the way I feel about you, Parker. I want you so badly, it hurts.” My hands clenched into fists so I wouldn’t reach for her. “I think about your mouth more than I should. Everything about you gets to me. You dread that bed? Well, so do I. Because being next to you and not being able to touch you is absolute torture.”

Parker swallowed hard and her lips parted. But a small frown worked between her brows. “Is that why you’ve been shutting down on me? Because it doesn’t add up; you were downright angry with me at the party.”

For a second, I didn’t want to answer. I didn’t want to expose that insecurity. But it was still there like a thorn in my side. And this was never going to work if I wasn’t honest with her.

“All right, fine. I was pissed.” I held her gaze. “I knew what you thought of me going into this. I was okay with that because it was a job then. But I figured your opinion of me would change when we got to know each other. Mine did. But yours clearly hasn’t.”