Sin City Temptation (Kimani Hotties), page 7
“I just don’t understand how you people can spend so much time doing something as meaningless as gambling.”
He stopped, set the chips on the table, and finally looked at her. Seconds ticked by before he spoke. “So you think what I do for a living is meaningless?” he asked quietly.
Trinity didn’t miss the venomous edge in his tone. He stood slowly, his steely gaze never leaving her face. The air pressure in the room shifted. The pounding in her chest increased in speed as he moved toward her. She swallowed hard, afraid that her big mouth had once again said too much.
Chapter 7
The first prickles of his anger rose to the surface. Gunner wasn’t quite sure where her distaste for what he did for a living originated, but he’d be damned if he’d let her put down something she clearly had no clue about.
“I’m not sure what you mean by you people, but I am a professional poker player. I might gamble for a living, but I have worked my ass off to be the best at what I do. This might seem a little excessive to you, but this is a part of my job. I have recreated an environment that I am most comfortable in, an environment that has helped me to make more money than most people can even dream of. And the best part—I’m doing what I love to do.”
“Gunner, I—”
“So don’t come in here lumping what I do on a professional level with some of those two-bit gamblers out here.” He eased toward her, his voice low and taut with anger. “Don’t confuse me with those who use their family’s life savings or the grocery money, hoping to triple those few dollars by hanging out in the casinos.” When he got in her face, his voice went deeper, rage still lacing each word. “And most important, you don’t even know me. How are you going to come into my home and judge how I make a living—a damn good living at that?”
Gunner abruptly turned away, trying to slow his rapid heartbeat. Rarely did he let the prejudices of others regarding his career get to him, but he’d had enough. He could blame his outburst on exhaustion, but he knew it was more than that. From the day he’d first met with Trinity at her office in LA, he’d sensed some underlying animosity toward him. He assumed it was because she thought he was still the same old selfish bastard he had been back in college, chasing anything in a skirt. But for the past week, her periodic snide remarks regarding gambling proved that she had a problem with the sport, not just him.
He clenched his jaw to keep from saying anything else to her. He didn’t anger often, and he sure as hell didn’t raise his voice at women, but he didn’t like her attitude regarding his career.
“Gunner. I’m—”
He lifted his hand and strolled to the door. “Save it, Trinity. The car will be here in an hour. Be ready.”
Gunner walked into his bedroom and slammed the door. Fury he hadn’t felt in years hammered in his gut and he wanted to hit something, anything. He snatched the lamp from his bedside table and hurled it across the room, not caring about the ear-piercing sound that came when it hit the wall or the shards of glass littering the carpet.
Who the hell does she think she is?
He charged into the bathroom. The door crashed into the wall and he wasted no time in stripping off his clothes. Tossing the lamp had done nothing to alleviate the rage that gripped him. From the day he went pro, he’d had to deal with the same crap Trinity was spewing moments ago, but this time...this time it was different. Her words cut deep. They were like salt in an open wound, stinging something fierce and aggravating the hell out of him.
He turned the shower on full blast. The colder the water was, the better it would be in taming the madness storming through his veins. He had one hour to calm the hell down and get his head ready for tonight.
* * *
Trinity grabbed hold of one of the chairs, her hands gripping the back of the seat. Gunner had been nothing but nice to her since the moment he’d picked her up from the airport, and what did she do? Insult him...in his home.
What is wrong with me?
She startled when she heard his door slam and jumped when a loud crash came soon after. To say he was mad would be an understatement. She played the words that she’d said to him over and over in her mind, trying to figure out which remark had set him off. She shook her head, disgusted at her holier-than-thou attitude. She was way out of line. Her opinion of poker players or gambling didn’t matter. He’d hired her to do a job, not give a commentary on what she thought of how he spent money or the way he chose to live his life.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, she chanted as she headed out of the game room and up the stairs. I have to make this right.
She stopped in front of his bedroom door, her hand fisted and ready to knock. But what would she say? What could she say? I’m a jerk. Please forgive me. I didn’t mean anything by what I said to you? She lowered her hand. She couldn’t say any of that. Though it was none of her business what he did with his money or that he was a gambler, she still felt that what he had was excessive. Sure, it was his money, and maybe he did work hard for it and could do whatever the heck he wanted, but her opinion was her opinion. If she apologized for anything, it would be for overstepping her place. He was a grown man. Technically, she was his employee and had no business commenting on anything. It was just that they had gotten a little friendly and she had temporarily forgotten herself. It wouldn’t happen again.
She turned from his door and walked across the hall to the bedroom she was using, deciding she would apologize when she saw him.
* * *
They walked into the house hours later and Gunner tossed his keys onto the breakfast bar. Walking through the first floor of the house, he turned on the lights. His mind was still on how lousily he had played. As a matter of fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d played as poorly as he had tonight.
“Are you going to give me the silent treatment for the rest of this assignment?” Trinity asked from behind him as he headed for the stairs.
Gunner stopped and faced her. “No. I didn’t realize I was giving you the silent treatment,” he lied.
Trinity gave him a yeah, right look, her hands sliding to her hips. “I have apologized and I’m sorry if our disagreement affected your game tonight. I had no idea—”
Gunner eased toward her. “Disagreement? Is that what you call it?” he asked, but didn’t give her a chance to finish. “You insult me in my home, judge me based on...hell, I don’t even know, and the crazy thing is, it doesn’t seem like you see anything wrong with any of it.”
At least she had the decency to look contrite when she dropped her arms to her sides. He knew Trinity was a decent person, but he had no idea what her beef was about gambling. And because he was tired, frustrated and horny as hell, right now he didn’t really care. He planned to take another cold shower, and then go to bed.
“I don’t know what else to say.”
Their eyes met. Despite his disappointment in her, the attraction he felt for her was stronger than ever, making him pissed at himself. How could someone so beautiful and normally kind be so judgmental? And how could he be jonesing for her when he knew she didn’t respect him or his choice of career? Part of him wanted to send her home and watch his own back. There was another part of him that wanted to understand the attitude behind her animosity toward gamblers and get to know her better.
He took off his baseball cap and rubbed his head. It was two o’clock in the morning, too late for any type of conversation as far as he was concerned.
“You don’t have to say anything else. Let’s just forget it. We have to coexist for the next couple of months. We can agree to disagree about what I do for a living and how I spend my money.”
Her shoulders dropped. “Gunner, I was out of line. I feel awful about what I said and I hope you can forgive me if it was because of me that you lost tonight.”
“Trinity, what do you want me to say?”
“I want you to say that you forgive me.”
“Fine. I forgive you. Now can we go to bed...separately?” he added when she lifted an eyebrow in question.
* * *
“I’d like motion detectors throughout the house on both levels,” Trinity explained days later as she escorted the installation technician back to the first floor of Gunner’s home. The company had great reviews and came recommended by a friend of hers, but there was something about the guy that creeped her out.
“If you decide to go with our company, we should be able to start the day after tomorrow.”
“Sean, what would it take to start and complete the project today?” Gunner had told her to get what she thought was best and that money wasn’t an issue.
For the past couple of days, they had done as he suggested—coexisted. But she had to admit that she missed the lighter, carefree side of him. For the most part, he’d been keeping things professional. Part of her was happy about that, but the other part of her missed the sexual innuendos and the heated looks he used to give her.
Trinity returned her attention to her visitor. Sean rubbed his chin and eyed her with a slight smile on his lips, his gaze raking boldly down her body, desire brimming in his beady little eyes. “Oh, I don’t know,” he said slowly. “You’re asking for a lot and I can tell you now, it’s not going to be cheap.” He licked his lips, his gaze lingering on her breasts.
“How much?” You horny jerk. She couldn’t stand men who thought they were all that, and this guy clearly wasn’t. Average height, thinning hair and a slight beer belly—there was nothing about him that interested her. He was definitely not her type, although lately she wasn’t sure what that was.
“Well, maybe we can go to breakfast and I can break down the cost. I’m sure we can come to an amicable agreement.” He stepped closer and Trinity almost burst out laughing. Was he serious? Did he honestly think she wanted him?
Gunner chose that moment to come down the stairs, pulling his T-shirt over his head, but not before Trinity had a chance to witness flat abs covered in smooth dark chocolate. He was wearing his usual uniform: T-shirt with well-worn jeans and yet another pair of Timberlands, navy blue ones. Ruggedly handsome, the man could probably make raggedy overalls look good. Well, I guess I know what my type is.
“Morning,” Gunner said, glancing at Sean before turning his full attention to Trinity. She met his gaze and her pulse picked up speed. Normally his dark eyes were shielded by his baseball cap, but not this morning. His low haircut looked as if he’d been running his fingers through it and his mustache and goatee were perfectly trimmed. “So what’s going on?”
“Hey, how you doing? I’m Sean with King’s Security.” He shook Gunner’s hand and then whipped out his business card. “My company will be installing your—”
“Actually, I think we’re going to go with someone else,” Trinity cut in. She made her way to the door and opened it.
“Now, wait a minute,” Sean said. “A moment ago you were asking me when we could start.”
“Yeah, that was before you tried to proposition me.”
“What?” Gunner chimed in, the one word ricocheting off the walls of the semi-empty room.
Sean shot his hands out in defense when Gunner looked as if he was going to throttle him. Surprised by his response and the way he glared at the security guy, Trinity prepared herself just in case she had to step in.
“Wait, it wasn’t like that.” Sean turned panicked eyes to Trinity when Gunner moved in closer. “I definitely didn’t mean for anything I might have said to sound like an indecent proposition. I only—”
“You know what?” Trinity said. “You should probably go.”
When he didn’t move through the opened door, Gunner stepped to him.
“Man, get the hell out of my house.”
The moment Trinity closed the door behind Sean, Gunner said, “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to meet with these people by yourself.”
Trinity released a humorless laugh and followed him into the kitchen. “I see you have jokes this morning. Because if you’re implying that it’s not safe for me to meet with them alone, I think you should be more worried about them than me. I’m a trained security specialist. I can take care of myself.”
Gunner pulled a carton of orange juice from the refrigerator and set it on the counter before grabbing a glass. “That might be, but I don’t feel comfortable knowing that you’ll be subjected to others who might try to proposition you.”
Trinity waved him off. “I’m sure that was an isolated incident. I’m meeting with two more security companies this morning, and one of them comes highly recommended.”
Gunner eyed her over the rim of his glass. His gaze slid slowly down her body. First, she had to endure that pervert Sean’s perusal of her body, now Gunner’s. What the heck is wrong with these men today?
She looked down at her attire. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
He shrugged. “Just wondering why you’re dressed like that.”
Her eyebrows drew together. “Like what?” As far as she was concerned, she looked fine in a white off-the-shoulder blouse and her favorite black trouser jeans with comfortable two-inch red heels. “What’s wrong with my outfit?”
He set his glass on the table and approached her with that lazy gait that she found sexy as hell. Everything about the man oozed sex appeal. He looped his finger through one of her belt loops and pulled her toward him. His touch, even though it was not against her skin, sent a wicked sensation through her body and heat to her most private body parts. Good Lord. It was no wonder women had been so attracted to him back in college. The man was downright irresistible.
Trinity held her breath, afraid that he would kiss her. Actually, that wasn’t what worried her. What really bothered her was that if his lips touched hers, she wouldn’t be able to resist kissing him back. Maybe he really had forgiven her for her outburst the other day. She hoped so, but she also hoped he wasn’t getting the wrong idea about them.
“Sweetheart, you look as if you’re about to go clubbing with some of your girlfriends.” The desire in his eyes as he looked her over once more had a way different effect on her than when Sean had let his degenerate gaze travel down her body. “This little number you’re wearing is way too sexy for meeting with what will probably be men.”
Trinity gently pushed against his hard pecs and freed herself from his loose grip. Besides, his nearness was making her hot as hell, despite the fact that the air conditioner was on full blast.
“Thanks for the tip, but our agreement didn’t include you telling me what to wear and what not to wear. This is how I always dress and I’m comfortable.”
“Even so, what time are the next two appointments? I might want to hear what they have to say about my home’s security system.”
Just then, the doorbell rang.
* * *
Gunner didn’t know how he was going to get through the next couple of months with this sexy vixen living under his roof. The last two days had been tolerable, especially since they didn’t talk about their disagreement from the other day and he had to admit that he was enjoying her company. But having her stay with him 24/7 seemed like a good idea at first, but now, as he watched her luscious derriere, wrapped in too-tight jeans, practically glide to the door, he wasn’t so sure. At this rate, he was going to be in a constant state of arousal for the next couple of months.
“Gunner,” Trinity called out as she approached the kitchen. Gunner looked up just as she entered. “This is Roberto. His organization is the sister company to one I use in LA,” she said of the man who stepped from behind her. Gunner didn’t miss the way the guy eyed Trinity’s ass. If this was the type of attention she attracted, Gunner knew he was in for a few fights, either with her or her admirers, before this arrangement was over. Trinity might not have been his woman for real, but damn if he wasn’t jealous of the attention she received. Even now, he wanted to poke the guy’s eyes out and then lock Trinity up in a room somewhere.
Gunner greeted the guy, making sure to put a little something extra in his handshake. When Roberto’s gaze met Gunner’s, there was definitely an understanding between them. He didn’t want this guy to have any ideas about getting with Trinity. Gunner and Trinity still needed to work through some things, but after spending the past couple of days together without incident, he was encouraged that they could get past whatever issue Trinity had with him.
“Okay, Roberto,” Trinity laid a hand on the man’s arm, but narrowed her eyes at Gunner. “Let me show you around.”
Gunner followed them from room to room, not caring that Trinity was giving him the evil eye. Whether she could handle herself or not, he wasn’t leaving her alone with any of these guys.
A couple of hours later, after the last of Trinity’s appointments had come and gone, Trinity let him have it.
“You are unbelievable!” She stormed into the kitchen where he was unloading lunch that he’d had delivered from a nearby deli. “I can’t believe the way you were acting. What is wrong with you?”
“Besides being hungry, nothing’s wrong with me.” He grabbed a couple of plates and utensils. He placed them on top of the glass dinette table that was in the corner of the kitchen. “Are you ready to eat?” he asked.
She stood next to the table, her hands on her hips and her blouse stretched across her ample breasts. If she knew how much her pose was turning him on, she’d fold her arms across her chest and hide her luscious mounds. Apparently, she had no idea just how sexy she was.
“This whole little wrapping your arms around my waist, calling me sweetheart and all the other crap was very unnecessary.” He pulled out the kitchen chair for her to sit down and she rolled her eyes at him, but sat anyway. “I don’t know why you felt a need to playact that something was going on between us. I agreed to pretend to be your woman when we’re out and about, but we’re at home. Those guys were just trying to make a sell. They were not interested in me. So your behavior was unwarranted.”
