arm fell back to his side. “I’d be a fool to think it’d be any different with you.”
I was confused. What was he talking about? Toxic to relationships? What did that mean?
“I don’t understand,” I said. “If you’re not interested in me…in that way…it’s fine. I can handle it. I’m a big girl. You don’t have to throw me some line that’s just a variation of it’s not you, it’s me.”
“It’s not a line,” Parker insisted. “Trust me when I say I wouldn’t be good for you.”
“So…that’s it?” I asked. “I don’t get a say in it? You’ve had girlfriends before, Parker; it’s not like you’ve lived the life of a monk.”
His face turned hard. “Having a woman around for fucking is not the same thing as a relationship.”
Well alrighty then, though at the moment with him half naked, I wouldn’t have minded the former category and screw the relationship.
I was embarrassed and angry. Probably angry at being embarrassed. This was twice now I’d gone out on a limb with Parker, and damn if I’d ever do it again. Not to mention his “reason” for us not getting involved was probably the lamest I’d ever heard.
“Whatever,” I said, spinning around and heading for where I’d dumped my purse. I snatched it up, then thought of something else I wanted to say. I turned, then jumped about a foot because he’d followed without me even hearing him.
“Will you stop doing that?” I snapped. “Listen, you just remember that you said no to this”—I waved my hand to indicate the two of us—“which means you’ve given up touching privileges.” I poked his chest for emphasis, then wished I hadn’t because the muscles layered underneath his skin were hard and firm and I found my fingers lingering to touch before I jerked my hand back.
“I’m your secretary. That’s all,” I said.
His blue eyes stared down at me, his expression serious, and he didn’t answer.
I cleared my throat and looked away. “I mean, administrative assistant.” My voice sounded strange and with dawning horror, I realized I was on the verge of tears. That wouldn’t do. That wouldn’t do at all.
“I gotta go,” I mumbled. I had to get out of there before my anger faded entirely and left only crushing disappointment in its wake.
“Don’t go back to see Hanna,” Parker said. “Stay away from that area entirely, understand?”
That made me angry all over again. Here I was trying to protect him from the cops, and he wasn’t doing anything to help himself out of the situation. “I know you’re working for them,” I blurted, throwing caution to the wind. “I know that guy is threatening you. He’s an assassin for them. Ryker told me. If you don’t go to the cops, they’ll arrest you for conspiring with them. They’re watching you, and no one will be able to prove otherwise.”
Ryker would kill me if he knew I’d just tipped off Parker like that, but I couldn’t help it. Despite being rejected—twice—I was still on his side and didn’t want to see him get hurt or go to prison.
Parker’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean they’re watching?”
“The cops,” I said. “Who else?”
“Ryker’s told you this?”
I gave him a look that, roughly translated, said Who else, dipshit?
Parker looked furious. “Stay away from him, Sage,” he ordered. “He has no idea what he’s doing. He’s putting you in danger and I won’t have it.”
My eyebrows flew up. “You won’t have it?” I echoed in disbelief. “I’m sorry, did I miss something somewhere that entitles you to have that kind of control over my life? Not to mention that I really don’t think he’s the one putting me in danger. You are.”
Parker’s lips thinned at my angry sarcasm and he didn’t reply.
“Ryker’s actually told me what’s going on, which is more than I can say for you,” I continued berating him. “You’ve told me nothing. How can I help you if you won’t talk to me?”
“I didn’t ask for your help,” he bit out, “and Ryker shouldn’t be either. This isn’t a game, Sage. These people are dangerous—”
“You think I don’t know that?” I retorted, cutting him off. “Look at my face, Parker, and tell me I don’t know they’re dangerous!”
That shut him up. He looked like I’d hit him, and I regretted my outburst, but not enough to apologize for it. I was still angry and hurt.
I tried to open the door, but Parker slammed it shut again, his hand holding it closed.
“Don’t leave.”
I looked up at