“It’s alright, sweetheart. I can take it, and you’re right. It’s pretty pathetic at my age. I will say, however, that since meeting you, I’m re-evaluating his life lessons. There’s more to life than work. Meeting you, Chloe is making me resent my business obligations.” His tone was perplexed like he was as bewildered by the sudden storm of connection between us as I was.
“Take it up with HR,” I said lamely because anything else would have been an invitation inside. This man made me want to break all my rules, and I couldn’t do that.
Rhett grinned and checked his watch. “What time are you working tomorrow?” he asked after a long pause.
“Nine.”
“I’ll pick you up,” he said briskly.
I shook my head. “I can’t arrive at work with the boss. People will talk.”
“Let them,” he suggested softly before letting out a long breath. “Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
A huge part of me was let down by his easy acceptance. Did I want him to push harder to come in tonight? Hell, yes. Would I have given in? Absolutely. I wanted him as much as he seemed to want me, but maybe it was all talk. Maybe he’d seen my crappy trailer and decided not to try harder. Disappointment and embarrassment swelled in my chest. Even the promise of a one-night stand with a virgin wasn’t incentive enough to overcome the class divide between us and make Rhett Sutton, local legend and billionaire, brave a static trailer.
“See you tomorrow.”
I was out of the car and heading for the trailer before the tears scratched my eyes. I’d never let him see my embarrassment. I could survive heartbreak and disappointment, but I couldn’t survive Rhett Sutton seeing how much I already cared about his opinion of me.