Page 69 of Playing Dirty
“He’s really gone?” I asked quietly.
Rhett nodded. “Gone. And he’s not coming back.”
For the first time in months, I could breathe all the way down to my toes.
He leaned back in his chair, a slow smile dawning over his features. “Good thing the suite’s got six bedrooms. Two floors.” His eyes caught mine, wicked and warm. “Plenty of privacy.”
My laugh was shaky, but it felt good. “Guess that’s a pretty good hand to play, huh?”
We’d just gotten our entrées when my phone buzzed across the table. I almost ignored it—Vegas rule number one: don’t let real life interrupt a perfectly good meal—but the caller ID made my stomach jolt.
Frontier Markets – Tucson Office.
I shot Rhett a questioning glance and swiped to answer. “Hello?”
A smooth, professional voice came through. “Ms. Hart? This is Linda Taylor from Human Resources at Frontier Markets. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”
“Oh, no… not at all,” I said, though my fingers curled tight around the phone.
“I wanted to personally apologize for what happened in Lovelace. As of today, Matt Downing is no longer with thecompany. We understand you were an invaluable member of the team, and we’d like to offer you the district manager position. It comes with a substantial raise, full benefits, and relocation assistance.”
District manager. The kind of job I’d once stayed up late imagining.
I glanced at Rhett. He was leaning back, half smirk, half dare in his expression. Then he leaned in, voice pitched low enough for only me to hear: “Tell her I’ve got a better position for you. One that comes with my last name.”
Heat bloomed under my skin. I bit down a grin, working hard to keep my voice polite. “Linda, I really appreciate the offer, but… I’ve just accepted another one. Even better, in fact.”
“Oh?” she asked, curious.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, eyes locked on Rhett’s. “One that’s going to keep me exactly where I want to be.”
When I ended the call, Rhett’s smirk had softened into something that made my chest ache in the best way. “So… Mrs. Callahan?”
I shook my head, laughing. “You’re ridiculous.”
From the next table, a woman in a glittery top leaned over, grinning. “Sorry to eavesdrop, honey, but did I just hear you turn down a district manager job forhim?”
Before I could answer, Rhett flashed her that smile—the one that could melt glass. “Not a proposal. An offer. The proposal’s later.”
The woman actually giggled. “Well, if you ever get tired of him, you send him my way.”
My jaw dropped, and Rhett just laughed. “Careful, ma’am. She’s territorial.”
I slid my foot under the table and nudged his shin—maybe harder than necessary. “Damn right I am.”
The woman winked at me. “Good girl.”
Rhett reached over and stole one of my fries like nothing had happened. “What?” he said, all innocence. “I like it when you get jealous.”
I shook my head, smiling in spite of myself. “You’re impossible.”
“Yeah,” he said, his mouth curving slowly and wickedly. “But tonight, I’m teaching you how to really play poker… and I’m playing dirty.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
High Stakes
Rhett
