Sin City Temptation

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He was right. She had to get herself together and remember that this was a job. He was like any other client. He was just a man. All she had to do was ignore the strong attraction between them. How to do that was the problem. It had been easy when she visited her brother at USC, because, back then, whenever she saw Gunner he was usually hugged-up to some girl. Trinity had thought he was a dog, unworthy of her attraction to him. But now things were different. He seemed more focused, more reserved. She wondered when the transformation had taken place.

“Listen,” he said, taking his cap off and running his hand over his short hair, exhaustion covering his features. “Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I hope you don’t feel that I forced you to take the assignment. I honestly think you’re the best person for the job. When I’m playing poker, I need to be as focused as possible, no distractions. I didn’t think I could do that with someone I wasn’t familiar with watching my back. At least with you, though we haven’t seen each other in a while, I’m comfortable. Besides, Max said that you’re the best and I believe him.”

Trinity snorted. “Well, I don’t know if you should listen to him. He’s kind of biased.” She tried lightening the tension. “But I do appreciate you giving me this opportunity. My agency is still fairly new and I need to do whatever I can to make sure it’s a success.”

Gunner yawned, the third time in the past few minutes. She didn’t know what the life of a poker player was like, but she assumed that it included late nights. At least that’s how it had been for her father. As a kid, she rarely saw him. In the mornings before she and Maxwell went to school, he’d be sleeping if he was even home. And by the time they returned from school, he’d be gone, gambling away the little money they had.

That thought brought her back to the present. She couldn’t stand gamblers. Her father died still trying to strike it rich while hanging out in casinos.

“Why don’t I show you around and then you can get settled in?” He yawned. “Ah, man, excuse me.” He tilted his head from side to side, as if working out a kink in his neck. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.”

Trinity glanced at her watch. “Uh, it’s only nine-thirty in the morning. You must’ve been awake all night. You didn’t have to pick me up. I could have easily gotten a cab.”

“Nah, I wanted to. It was the least I could do since I had you dropping everything to take on this assignment.”

Trinity waved him off. She couldn’t tell him that he had single-handedly saved her agency by writing one fat check. “I’ll tell you what. You get some sleep and I’ll get settled, then show myself around. Besides, I need to check out your security system, windows and stuff like that.”

He shook his head. “I’m not much of a host, but the least I can do is show you around and help you get settled.”

“All right—” she shrugged “—suit yourself.”

Gunner let them into the house and set her bags inside the mudroom. “I’ll come back for these.” With his hand on her elbow, a blast of desire shot up her spine and it took everything within her to remain cool. God help me. She clearly needed to start dating if a man’s touch alone caused her nerves to short circuit.

As they strolled down a short hallway, Trinity eyed a powder room to the left and several closed sliding doors on the right, which she assumed were closets. Then they stepped into the kitchen.

“I guess there’s no need to tell you what room this is.”

Trinity glanced around at the high-end granite countertops, custom maple java cabinets, and the top-of-the-line stainless-steel appliances. She ran her hands along the curved breakfast bar, and then stood near one of the high-back black leather bar stools.

“This is definitely a cook’s kitchen. Absolutely gorgeous.” Cooking was enjoyable in her small two-bedroom, two-bathroom Hollywood Hills condominium, but preparing a meal in his kitchen would be a privilege. “So do you cook?”

Gunner shook his head. “Not a lick. I can’t even make toast without burning it.” He guided her out of the kitchen area.

The semi-open floor plan provided a clear view of the family room. Off to the left, Trinity noticed another space that would probably be considered a formal dining room if it had a table or even a chandelier. With each step she took, all she could think about was why one person needed so much space.

They moved into the family room and Trinity immediately went to the wall of windows. She stood there for several seconds, gawking at the amazing view of mountains everywhere her gaze landed. Between the kitchen and the view, she could see why Gunner had purchased the home. Absolutely breathtaking. She suddenly remembered why she was there. From a security standpoint, the wall-to-wall windows and the lack of window covering presented a security nightmare.

Trinity turned from the windows and looked up. There were even square windows inches below the twenty-foot ceilings. A quick glance around the space revealed either a lack of a security system or one that didn’t cover the windows. There was one other thing that struck Trinity as odd—no furniture.

“Did you just move in?” she inquired.

Gunner chuckled. “No, actually I’ve lived here for two years. I guess it’s a little hard to tell, huh?”

“Yeah, a little.”

“Maybe while you’re here, I can get you to help me pick out some furniture. You’re going to soon realize there are a few other rooms that are also vacant of furniture.”

Trinity smiled, not surprised by the admission. “You are such a guy.” It took her brother Maxwell a couple of years to furnish a couple of rooms in his house as well, and his wasn’t half the size of Gunner’s.

She continued her walk through the first floor, no longer waiting for Gunner to guide her. After spotting another bathroom, a huge bedroom and a home office, she realized that they were back near the kitchen. Stepping up to the sliding glass doors, she glanced out at the backyard, not surprised to see an enormous pool that took up much of the yard.

“So, do you swim?” Gunner asked.

“Occasionally,” she responded when she turned from the glass doors. Gunner stood several feet from her, leaning against a wall in the kitchen, his dark skin creating a perfect contrast next to the stark white backdrop. Damn, this man is too sexy for his own good.

Her gaze traveled down his six-foot-one form, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans, his legs crossed at the ankle. She admired how comfortable he seemed in his own skin. He probably had no idea that he looked as if he was posing for the cover of GQ magazine. Her gaze eased back up his body and heat rose to her face. Desire rippled through her when she noticed how perfect his jeans outlined the enticing bulge pressing against the front of his pants. Lord help me. She had always been attracted to ruggedly handsome men and Gunner was no exception. Everything about him screamed hot sex god. From the five-o’clock shadow lightly covering his strong jaw to his devil-may-care attitude, he was the epitome of sensuality.

She glanced away. Please God, help me get through these two months without falling under his sensuous spell. She just had to stay focused on her reason for being there, and not get caught up in the passionate longing that soared through her body whenever she was in his presence.

She returned her attention to him. “I noticed you have an alarm keypad near the front entrance, and one in the kitchen near the door that leads to the garage. Yet there are no signs of motion detectors or any security on the windows.”

Gunner shrugged. “Yeah, the house came with this alarm system and it only covers the doors. I never had a reason to look into anything more.”

“Well, in light of what you’ve told me about the attacks, we’ll need to better secure the house...just in case.”

Gunner yawned and pushed away from the wall. She didn’t know why he insisted on showing her around when it was clear that he was exhausted. Since he was a gambler living in Vegas, she imagined he slept all day and hung out in casinos all night. The thought of what he did for a living still irked her. She remembered him being super smart in college. It seemed like such a waste that he hadn’t used his knowledge to secure a real job. Maxwell had often complained about how hard he had to work for a B, while Gunner breezed through school, carrying a 3.9 grade point average throughout his four years of college. And the way Gunner partied with a stream of women floating in and out of his dorm room, Trinity wondered when he had time to study. What bothered her the most, though, was why he had to become a gambler instead of using his brains for something more productive.

“I trust your judgment regarding the security system,” Gunner said, breaking into her thoughts. “Just let me know who to write the check to. Come on and let me show you the rest of the house.”

* * *

Gunner started out showing Trinity around his home, but when she walked ahead of him, he let her. Following behind her offered a much better view. He didn’t know what type of workout routine she did, but whatever she was doing, was definitely working. At five-eight, she was the perfect height for him, with an hourglass figure and long legs that went on for days. Right now, his gaze was on her tight round ass encased in tailored slacks. He couldn’t help but imagine how well her butt cheeks would fit into the palms of—

“Okay, so I assume most of the bedrooms are upstairs? I only saw one down here.”

“That’s correct.” He turned suddenly, hoping she hadn’t noticed the evidence of how his body had reacted to hers. “I’ll go and grab your bags. Your room is upstairs,” he called out over his shoulder. He was going to be in a lot of trouble if he got an erection every time she was near him.

Fifteen minutes later, after showing her the three bedrooms with attached bathrooms, he took her to the room that he had prepared for her stay.

“This is lovely.” Trinity smiled at him and he wished she would look at him like that more often. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you had talked to my brother or my mother to find out my favorite colors. The room looks exactly like I would have decorated it.”

She ran her hands along the light blue, silk comforter and then onto the footboard of the mahogany sleigh bed. Gunner would never admit to asking Maxwell a few questions regarding her favorite colors and her taste in furniture. Apparently, her brother knew her well. Now, if he could get her to let down her guard some, maybe he could show her the man he had become and not the man she knew back when he was in college.

“Let me show you the last room in the house, and the real reason I purchased this place.”

Trinity followed him out of the room and down the hall. He could have given her a room on the other side of the house, but she had given him a speech about being his shadow for the next two months.

“I’m glad you put my room near yours. If I’m going to be guarding you, it’s a good idea for me to be as close to you as possible.”

Gunner smiled to himself. He was sure she didn’t realize how her words sounded to him, but was glad she was okay with the living arrangement.

He pushed open the double doors with as much flair as his exhausted body could muster and ushered her in.

“Welcome to my humble abode.”

Trinity laughed when she stepped over the threshold. “There is nothing humble about this space,” she said, humor in her voice. This was one of the few rooms that he had hired an interior decorator to create for him. His favorite part, besides the four-poster king-size bed, was the blackout window treatments that were regulated by a remote control. Since he did most of his sleeping during the day, they were necessary and one of the best investments he’d made to date.

“Through the double doors to your left is the main reason I purchased the house.”

Gunner’s gaze followed the sway of her hips as she glided across the room. He couldn’t for the life of him imagine this sexy woman as a cop. Sure, she had no problem saying what was on her mind, and could even be considered aggressive at times, but the thought of her wrestling a criminal to the ground or against a wall to arrest them was mind-boggling. Since she had graduated at the top of her police academy class, he had no doubt that she could handle her business.

“Oh. My. Goodness! This room alone is worth whatever you paid. This is absolutely gorgeous.” She gasped and he knew she had spotted the highlight of the luxury space. “Get the heck out of here! It has a sauna, too?”

Gunner stood in the doorway, chuckling at Trinity’s expression. Between the four-person sauna, dual vanities, a huge Jacuzzi tub and the enormous size of the bathroom in general, he didn’t know which part was his favorite feature. It helped that the space had heated travertine floors and a window near the jetted tub that gave a picturesque view of the mountains. His Realtor had taken him to dozens of homes before finding this one. The lot size of the property was smaller than he wanted, yet he really liked the backyard and pool, but once he saw the master bathroom, he was sold.

“So what do you think of the place?” Gunner asked. He moved away from the door and leaned against the back of the love seat in his bedroom’s sitting area.

Trinity stood in the bathroom doorway. “It’s nice, but I have to be honest with you. Don’t you think it’s a little excessive? You’re just one person. Why do you need all of this space?”

“You have to understand,” he started without looking at her, “I grew up dirt-poor, living in the projects with my parents and my two sisters. We barely had a roof over our heads, let alone three meals a day.” He finally glanced up when Trinity moved closer to him. “It’s not that I need all of this, but when I was a kid, I had vowed that there were two things that I would have when I made a little cash. A nice, big house and the coolest car money could buy.”

Trinity laid her hand on his arm and an electric charge shot through him, making him want to pull her to him and never let go.

She quickly snatched her hand away. “Gunner, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I have no right to judge you on how you spend your money.”

He shrugged. “No harm done. What I have might not be necessary, but it’s what I wanted. And sweetheart, I always get what I want.”

Chapter 5 (#ulink_c774ef0c-f811-5f8d-8a63-26cac64b4a3a)

Gunner tossed and turned. Despite his fatigue he couldn’t sleep, couldn’t get comfortable and he knew why. Trinity. He’d left her three hours ago to get settled in and familiar with his home. From the moment he spotted her at the airport, his body responded and the tightness in his groin hadn’t let up. He would admit that he had been with his share of women, but he could honestly say that none affected him the way she did. There was something about her. He’d felt it years ago and now the web of attraction was stronger than ever.

He jumped when a loud crash came from downstairs. What the... He leaped off the bed and hurried into his jeans, not bothering with his briefs or a shirt. His overactive imagination took him on a wild ride of trying to determine what had fallen, hoping Trinity was okay. He rushed out of the room and down the stairs, taking them two at a time.

“Stop!” Trinity stood and dropped the broom.

“What the hell happened?” He froze on the step leading down to the foyer, where Trinity was standing over a pile of broken glass. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. I wanted you to stop because when I knocked over your vase, glass flew all over the place. I didn’t want you to step on any since you don’t have on a shirt.” She shook her head. “I mean since you don’t have on any shoes,” she said, flustered. She quickly turned from him and went back to sweeping up the glass near the large round table in the massive entryway. “I don’t understand. You have very little furniture down here, yet you have a table in the middle of the foyer with what was