Sin City Temptation (Kimani Hotties), page 2
His last comment broke the trance and Trinity gracefully shook out of his grip. She walked back around her desk, needing to put some distance between them.
“Excuse me,” Connie said, standing near the door. “May I get either one of you a cup of coffee or maybe some ice water?” She looked pointedly at Trinity, humor in her eyes.
Trinity hadn’t noticed her standing there, and ignored the knowing look Connie gave her. “Nothing for me, thanks.” She turned her attention to her guest. “What about you, Gunner?”
“Actually, coffee would be great.”
“Cream, sugar?” Connie asked sweetly.
“Black would be perfect. Thanks, sweetheart.” Gunner winked and returned his attention to Trinity, who had to keep herself from rolling her eyes at Connie’s departing giggle.
“It’s good to see you again, Gunner.” Trinity hoped her words sounded more sincere than she felt. He might have been one of the finest men she’d ever met, but he was still someone she wanted nothing to do with. “I’m glad you were able to stop by. Please have a seat.”
He removed the ratty baseball cap that had a gold omega symbol across the front, and sat in one of the leather armchairs facing her desk. Ruggedly handsome, Gunner exuded self-confidence, making it hard for Trinity not to stare at him. Every move he made her gaze seemed to follow. It wasn’t until he crossed an ankle over his knee and his eyes met hers that she realized she was entranced.
He smiled. Heat rose to her cheeks and she diverted her eyes to the file that she’d been working on earlier. It was time to get it together and tap into her professional demeanor. Breathing in and out slowly, without making it seem too obvious, she felt herself relax...some. Placing the file off to the side, she grabbed her notepad.
“Okay, let’s get started.” She scribbled the date and time on the pad of paper before she returned her attention to him.
“Why don’t we catch up first?” Gunner said and slouched a little in his seat, appearing cool and relaxed.
No one would ever believe he was wealthy by his posture or by the way he was dressed. A gold T-shirt that read I Always Wear My Poker Face, stretched across his taut muscles and hugged his large biceps. With well-worn jeans and a pair of scuffed wheat-colored Timberland boots, he looked more like a thug than the multimillionaire that she had researched.
“Excuse me,” Connie said.
Seeing the coffee in her hand, Trinity waved her in. Connie placed the steaming liquid in front of Gunner and a bottle of water with a cup of ice in front of Trinity before closing the door behind her.
“I haven’t seen you in years. I was surprised when Max told me that you had left LAPD and started your own personal protection business. I’m impressed.” He fingered a stunning gold bracelet on his wrist that had writing on it, which she couldn’t make out, but was outlined with diamonds. She glanced up to find him studying her.
Trinity sat back in her seat and took another deep breath before speaking. “Thanks. It’s been my lifelong dream to have my own business. After serving on the police force for nine years, it seemed to be a logical business to go into.”
“You must be a serious bad-ass. I heard you worked SWAT the last two years you were with LAPD.”
Trinity twirled her ink pen between her fingers. Apparently, she wasn’t bad-ass enough, seeing that she’d gotten snubbed for the lieutenant position. It was the second time she hadn’t been seriously considered for a position that she was more than qualified to hold. Her superior had often made comments about her still being wet behind the ears, and how women were created to stay home and have babies.
Her gripped tightened on her pen. She’d had plenty of time to let the bad feelings she had for LAPD pass. Yet, every now and then animosity of how she had been treated snuck in.
“Hey,” Gunner sat forward, “didn’t mean to bring up any bad memories. Are you all right? It looked as if I lost you for a moment there.”
Trinity gave herself a mental shake. “Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Being on the force and then getting the SWAT assignment prepared me for all of this,” she said, raising her hands and glancing around her office. “No regrets.”
He regarded her spacious office as he nodded. “Nice digs you have here.” Trinity followed his gaze, proud of what she had accomplished. The location of her office building was costing her a pretty penny, but it was worth it to be in a prime area. “So how long have you been in business?” Gunner asked. “Tell me a little about your agency.”
She rocked a little in her leather office chair, finally feeling comfortable with having him in her space. “I opened the agency about nine months ago and so far things are going well. I started with five security specialists on call. Now I have twenty that I use on a regular basis. All are very well trained and either have a police or military background, as well as expertise in various areas of personal security.” She stopped rocking and slid forward in her seat. “So I have no doubt that I have someone who can meet your needs. Why don’t you tell me why you need a bodyguard?”
* * *
Gunner sat back in his seat, still finding it hard to believe that little Trinity Layton was all grown up. Thanks to her brother, Maxwell, he had kept up with her career, the good and the not-so-good aspects. But what Maxwell failed to mention was how fine his sister was. Flawless skin the color of coffee with a hint of cream. Her brown hair that hung just past her shoulders was longer than he remembered, with copper highlights that brought out the gold specks in her light brown eyes. She was cute back when she’d visited them at USC, but now she was downright gorgeous. He’d bet that whenever she arrested anyone, they went willingly in order to be close to her.
Gunner had originally shot down the idea of hiring a bodyguard when Maxwell first suggested it, since he could take care of himself. Yet, he reconsidered when Max explained that Trinity was trying to build the agency’s clientele. Now, after seeing her again, he was glad he’d flown to LA to meet with her.
“In the last couple of weeks, a few professional poker players who are gearing up for the PPO, the Poker Play-Offs, have been involved in a few incidents.”
“What type of incidents?” Trinity asked.
For the first time since he arrived, she seemed relaxed and genuinely interested in what he had to say. When he had first walked into her office, she appeared to be about ready to bolt for the door. Her expression reminded him of the first time he’d met her. They both seemed to be shocked into speechlessness. Gunner couldn’t believe Maxwell had a cutie-pie sister, but he wasn’t sure what her thoughts had been. All he knew was there was a sweet shyness about her mixed with a little I-don’t-take-crap-from-anyone. He had been attracted to her back when he was in college, but never made a move on her. Not because she happened to be Max’s little sister, but because Trinity was serious-girlfriend material, and back then he was all about having a good time without the commitment.
Now that Gunner was thinking more and more about settling down and having a family, he was viewing commitment and relationships differently. He no longer dated just to be dating. Instead, he only spent time with women whom he was attracted to and could see building a future with. Needless to say, the list was short. Most women only saw him as their ticket to financial freedom. He knew enough about Trinity to know that she was the type of woman he was looking to settle down with—independent, had good values and came from a good family. The fact that she was absolutely gorgeous didn’t hurt either.
Gunner toyed with the PPO diamond bracelet that he had won the previous year, the fifth of his collection. “A participant was jumped shortly after leaving a tournament,” he finally answered. “Another walked into a grocery store and was stabbed in the side by an unknown assailant, the knife barely missing some major organs. And just recently, one of the tournament participants left a popular restaurant and was hit in the head with a steel rod. The attacker got away.”
“Those incidents sound like something that could happen to anyone, especially someone who hangs out at a casino, gambling away hard-earned cash. I’d think that would be an everyday occurrence in Vegas.” The distaste with which Trinity said the words didn’t go unnoticed by Gunner. He had a feeling she didn’t like him, but the disgust he heard in her tone sounded like something else was going on.
“This has caught some of the players’ attention because none of the individuals in these instances were robbed. Only roughed up or injured to the point of having to drop out of the tournament. Also, each occurrence happened away from the casinos. And most important, the victims were favorites to earn one of nine spots at the PPO’s Main Event.” When it looked as if she didn’t understand how huge that was, he continued. “The PPO is to poker what the Super Bowl is to football. Each year, individuals compete for a seat at the final table. Three of the nine people favored for this year are out of commission and unable to compete.”
Understanding showed in Trinity’s eyes and she stopped twirling the pen in her hand. “I assume you’re one of the favorites?”
Gunner met her gaze and nodded. “I am. Assuming someone doesn’t take me out first.”
* * *
Silence fell between Trinity and Gunner. She had recently read about the PPO, not fully understanding how it worked. What she did remember though, was that the fee to enter the tournament was over ten thousand dollars with a multimillion-dollar cash prize. She had also learned that Gunner had participated in the PPO every year since he was twenty-one and had won the main event five times. Despite his laid-back attitude and disinterested demeanor, Gunner Brooks was worth an obscene amount of money.
Trinity stood and unplugged her laptop. “Let’s go over to the round table so that I can show you what I’m working with.” When she glanced up to find him with an amused expression on his face, she realized what she’d said. “Uh, I mean so that I can show you the security specialists that you can choose from.”
He followed her to the table and waited until she sat before he took the chair next to hers. Trinity quickly realized that suggesting they move to the table might not have been a good idea. Not only did he smell divine, if he sat any closer to her, they could share the same seat.
Moving her chair over without making it too obvious, she hurried and pulled up the computer file that contained portfolios of all of her bodyguards.
“All of our security specialists are highly qualified.” She glanced at him before returning her attention back to the computer. “Would you prefer a male or a female bodyguard?”
“Female,” he said simply. He’d always been a man of few words and Trinity wasn’t surprised that he would want a woman protecting him. Men like him typically chose a woman, not wanting people around them knowing they had a bodyguard.
“How long will you need our security specialist?”
“I want someone who is available 24/7 for the next two, two-and-a-half, months. They’ll need to be willing to travel to tournaments, as well as other events during the PPO.”
Trinity mentally calculated the amount of money she would make with this contract and did a happy dance in her head. With the payment plan she had in place for her clients, the down payment alone would more than cover the back taxes. She’d also be able to save some money. She was going to owe her brother big for referring Gunner.
Trinity opened the computer file and the faces of ten women of varied nationalities appeared on the screen. Gunner stirred next to her, but he said nothing.
“Okay, let’s start with Diamond. She’s a certified stunt woman and a martial arts instructor who works at one of the dojos here in town. She’s available for the assignment and has no problem with spending a couple of months traveling to tournaments with you.”
Trinity went through all of the women’s profiles, but was pretty sure Gunner would pick Willow. She looked like a beauty queen and had a degree in finance, but most important, she was a weapons specialist with a black belt in tae kwon do. Any man of his caliber would love to have a woman like her by his side.
When Gunner clicked through the choices again and arrived at the end without responding, she wondered if she might have misunderstood exactly what he was looking for.
“If you would prefer someone different or have changed your mind and would rather go with a male bodyguard, that can easily be arranged.” She turned the laptop slightly toward her and started to pull up a different set of specialists, but Gunner placed his hand over hers, halting her fingers on the keyboard.
Trinity’s heart lurched in her chest and she stared down at his large hand that covered hers. Heat from his touch soared though her body. She couldn’t end this meeting fast enough.
She eased her hand from beneath his and placed it in her lap as Gunner said, “You don’t have to show me anymore. I’ve decided.”
Chapter 2
Gunner pushed back from the table and stretched out his legs. Scratching his head, he kept his gaze on the computer screen. He had taken an early commuter flight to meet with Trinity this morning, hoping to set everything in place before flying back to Vegas for a tournament that evening. But right now, he was so exhausted and attracted to Trinity, he could barely think straight.
He twisted his upper body from side to side, trying to work out a few kinks in his back before he leaned back and stretched his arms above his head. Resettling in his seat, he lifted the tepid cup of coffee to his lips and glanced at Trinity over the rim of the cup. He couldn’t get over how gorgeous she was. A Gabrielle Union lookalike, he had no doubt that she turned heads wherever she went. He zeroed in on her left hand, checking her ring finger. Max had never mentioned her being in a serious relationship or being married, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t. And if she wasn’t, he wondered why not. A woman like her would be a welcomed addition to any man’s life. Who knows, maybe even his life.
“Okay, so who’s it going to be?” Trinity folded her hands on top of the table. “I assume you saw someone you like?”
A slow smile spread across Gunner’s lips. I definitely see something I like. Only it isn’t on the computer screen. “Where did you find these women? Their skills and accomplishments are very impressive and they look as if they should be strutting their stuff on some runway, modeling the latest fashions. You have an awesome team.”
Trinity smiled, which was something she hadn’t done much of since he had arrived. Her whole face lit up and he liked it.
“Thank you. It wasn’t easy finding them,” she said. “I wanted to recruit people who could easily blend in with my clientele. The women I have just shown you are refined, but won’t have a problem kicking someone’s butt if necessary.”
Gunner nodded, his gaze steady on Trinity. The longer he stared at her, the more he could sense her cool, calm demeanor slipping. She was trying to be professional, but he’d known years ago that there was a mutual attraction between the two of them. And he had every intention of confirming that the attraction was now stronger than ever.
She scooted back in her seat and her fresh lavender scent sailed into his space. Never one for holding back on going after what he wanted, he nevertheless resisted the urge to touch her since it seemed to make her uncomfortable. Enchanting eyes, a smile that could light up the darkest room, and a do-me-baby body that had him adjusting himself every few minutes. Oh, yeah, he definitely wanted her. He could still remember how it felt when he found out she was Max’s baby sister. It was like having ice-cold water dumped on his head. He couldn’t believe that this Nubian princess, this love-at-first-sight woman, was related to his roomie. He’d made the right decision in not pursuing her all those years ago, but now all bets were off. She was all grown up and he planned to get to know the woman she had become.
“So?” Trinity’s voice invaded his musings. She crossed her long leg over the opposite knee, her high-heel-clad foot swinging back and forth. “Which one is it going to be?”
Gunner sucked in a breath and released it slowly. He placed his lucky baseball cap on his head and pulled it low over his eyes before he turned his attention to her.
“None of them.” He stood.
“What?” She leaped up. “What do you mean none of them? Those women are the best security specialists in the business. You will never find one more capable than any one of them.”
Gunner nodded, loving the way her light brown eyes grew darker the madder she got. “I believe you, but there is one female bodyguard who’s on your staff whose profile you didn’t show me.”
Trinity put her hands on her hips. Her expression indicated that she was thoroughly confused. “Who? I showed you everyone.”
Gunner shook his head and picked up his almost empty coffee cup. “Nope. Not everyone.”
* * *
Anxiety stirred in Trinity’s gut. She couldn’t afford to lose this contract.
“Well, let me show you some other choices. I’m sure we have someone who will fit your needs,” she said.
“I told you. That won’t be necessary. I already know who I want.”
Trinity’s patience was slowly being overshadowed by her anger. Gunner might’ve played games for a living, but she didn’t like games. If he was playing her... She shook her head, not completing the thought. Okay, think, Trinity, think. There had to be a way to save this contract. Who did I miss? She searched her mind, mentally going through her list of female security specialists, and came up empty. She couldn’t think of anyone she had missed.
“Gunner, I’m sorry, but unless you have a name of the person you’re thinking about, I can’t help you. Won’t you reconsider one of the individuals that I’ve shown you?” She had never begged anyone for anything, but thinking about the amount of money at stake and her financial situation, she wouldn’t be too proud to beg right now.
