me started on the type of self-control a player has to have in order to be any good at the game. Hell, those qualities alone would have ruled Dad out.”
He shook his head as if remembering something about Maxwell Layton, Sr. “Dad was an out-of-control gambler who would let losing twenty bucks send him on a drinking binge, whereas Gunner treats playing poker like a job, understanding you win some, you lose some. Unlike a person who has a gambling problem, Gunner is always studying the game, learning his opponents’ playing styles, and more than that, Trinity, he takes what he does very seriously.”
Trinity rolled her eyes and sat at her desk. “If you say so, but from what I can tell, it’s all the same. He’s a gambler.”
Trinity would never forget the number of times she had heard her parents arguing about how her father spent the grocery or bill money at the casinos. How many times had she wondered what type of man would gamble away the household funds, not caring whether or not his family had a roof over their heads or food on the table?
“Listen, Trinity, try not to compare Gunner to Dad. Gunner has made an amazing living doing something he has trained for, spending his days and nights studying the game. Dad was a wannabe and unfortunately he didn’t have what it took to be that type of poker player.”
Trinity fought back the anger that surfaced. “And it was at our expense. He left us.” She gripped the arms of her chair in order to control the rage brewing in her gut. “He left Momma broke with two kids, not caring whether we lived or died. For that, I will never forgive him.”
“Well, you need to try.” Maxwell bent down and kissed the top of her head. “He’s been dead for years. You need to figure out a way to forgive him so that you can move on and not hold on to all the anger built up inside you. It’s not healthy.”
Forgiving her father was easier said than done. It was because of him that they had moved to Los Angeles from Vegas with nothing. If it weren’t for her mother’s family taking them in and helping her find a job, they would have had to continue living in a shelter.
Trinity dropped her shoulders, knowing that her brother was right, but unable to wrap her mind around the idea of working with Gunner or being anywhere near him, for that matter.
“I don’t think you’re in any position to turn down potential clients. Besides, just because you have issues with Gunner, doesn’t mean you can’t provide him with a top-notch bodyguard and take care of those back taxes. Unless, of course, you’d prefer to draw money from your savings.”
Trinity rocked in her seat. She really couldn’t afford to turn down work. Maxwell was right. It was not like she had to hang out with Gunner for any long period of time. All she had to do was find out what his needs were and then connect him with one of her more than qualified security specialists. And if he was still the notorious playboy that she remembered, she was sure he’d be more than excited to have one of her supermodel-look-alikes as a bodyguard.
With a renewed energy, she rubbed her hands together, excited about the possibility of getting a wealthy new client. “Okay, give him my number.”
* * *
“Trinity?”
Trinity glanced up from the computer. Connie, her assistant and best friend, hurried into the office and closed the door. She stepped to Trinity’s desk, her hand pressed against her chest and a dreamy expression on her face.
“Oh, my God,” she breathed. “The sexiest human being that ever walked the face of the earth is standing at my desk and he’s asking for you.”
“Oh,” Trinity said nonchalantly and waved her off good-naturedly. “That’s probably Gunner Brooks.”
“I knew he was nice-looking, but dang! The internet didn’t do him justice. That man is downright fine!”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, just send him in.” Days after her conversation with Maxwell, Gunner had called and set up an appointment to meet with her.
Trinity went back to typing the letter she was working on, not surprised by the effect Gunner had on Connie. She had witnessed the same reaction plenty of times when visiting Max on the University of Southern California campus when he and Gunner roomed together. Girls were always fawning over Gunner, willing to do anything he asked of them. Funny thing was, he didn’t have to say or do much to attract them. There was something about him. Some type of allure that caused women to stop and take notice. Trinity never could put her finger on what it really was that warranted that type of reaction. Thankfully, she was immune to his charming ways.
Moments later a shiver ran up and down her arms and the intoxicating scent of sandalwood and vanilla filled the space. She didn’t have to look up to know that Gunner had stepped into her office.
Trinity slowly swiveled in her chair and came face to face with the man who had starred in many of her dreams. She stood as Gunner decreased the distance between them and quickly realized that she wasn’t as immune to him as she had thought. Smooth skin the color of rich dark chocolate and a gaze that burrowed into her flesh made her temporarily forget that she couldn’t stand him. He flashed his million-dollar smile and everything within her turned to mush. It didn’t help that he had his baseball cap pulled low over his eyes, making him look sexy as hell. She always did have a weakness for men wearing baseball caps.
Crap. This might not be as easy as I thought.
She swiped sweaty palms down the sides of her black slacks and stepped from around the desk. She didn’t want to be attracted to a man who could easily talk a woman out of her panties and into his bed with only a few words.
“Trinity.” His deep voice washed over her like liquid fire, sending heat to every nerve ending in her body. He definitely hadn’t lost the swagger that had made him one of the most popular men at USC. His easy, confident gait carried him the short distance across the room and he stopped in front of her. “It’s been a long time.”
She blew out a breath and straightened her back, refusing to let his nearness unnerve her. Extending her hand, she planned to keep the meeting as professional as possible. Yet instead of shaking her hand, Gunner grabbed hold of her and pulled her into his arms. The contact sent a heated jolt of awareness through her body and she trembled involuntarily.
“We’re way past handshakes,” he mumbled near her ear and placed a lingering kiss on her cheek. Her eyes drifted closed, hypnotized by the caress of his lips and the heady scent of his cologne. He took a half step back, still not releasing her, and held her at arm’s length. “You have grown into a beautiful woman.”
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
