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.
He approached her, his lazy gait intensifying his sex appeal. This man was a danger to any woman’s peace of mind. For every step forward he took, she took an unconscious step back until the heel of her foot hit the wall and there was nowhere to go. He didn’t stop until he stood before her, totally invading her personal space. Trinity couldn’t step away even if she wanted to and at the moment she wasn’t sure she did. His dark, sexy eyes, slightly shielded by the brim of his cap, held her captive. So much for being immune to his good looks and charming ways.
She swallowed hard, trying not to lean in and capture his tempting lips. I will not give in to temptation. I will not give in to temptation, she chanted over and over in her head. But her defenses were weakening. Okay, think, Trinity. Think.
“Uh, is it someone from a different agency?” she finally asked. “Because if it is, I’m hoping you’ll give me a chance to change your mind.”
Gunner shook his head. “Oh, no, I’m going with your agency. It’s just that you didn’t show me the bodyguard that I have in mind.” The back of his hand slid down her cheek and an erotic jolt shook everything within her. It took all she had not to lean into his touch. “There is only one person on your team that I would consider having my back for the next couple of months.”
“Who?” she asked just above a whisper, her gaze meeting his.
Seconds ticked by before he spoke. “You.”
* * *
She tilted her head, totally shocked by his response. “Me?”
The right corner of his mouth lifted into a sexy grin. “Yeah. You.”
He pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear, and Trinity held her breath until he dropped his arm. Of all the things he could have said, the last thing she expected was for him to request her.
She blew out a quick breath and stepped around him. “Gunner, I’m flattered, but I...I’m not available,” she stuttered, floored that he would request her to guard him. “I’ve shown you plenty of women who are more than capable of handling this assignment. We can go through the choices again. I’m sure any of them will exceed your expectations.”
“Why aren’t you available?” Once again, for each step he took toward her, she took two steps back. It was as if they were creating their own dance moves. “Are you married? Kids?”
She shook her head. “No. No, nothing like that. It’s just that I have to be here to run my business. I can’t afford to take an assignment for that long.”
“What if I paid you double your rate?” He finally stopped moving toward her.
Trinity took a moment to catch her breath. His closeness had her all worked up, which was uncharacteristic for her. She had stared down hardened criminals and dealt with out-of-control drug addicts on a daily basis for years. Yet there was something about Gunner that made everything within her jumble together.
She shook herself and mentally calculated what the amount would be if he doubled her rate. She would be crazy to turn down that kind of money. But she also knew that she’d never be able to handle being in his presence 24/7. Despite what she told herself, she was not immune to Gunner Brooks. The attraction she felt for him was stronger than ever.
“Well?” Gunner prodded. “Do we have a deal?”
Trinity shook her head. “Gunner—”
“What if I tripled your fee? Then would we have a deal?” he asked, his voice an octave lower.
Trinity’s breath caught in her throat. She knew he was wealthy and could easily afford her rates, but triple? Her mother hadn’t raised a fool.
“When would you like for me to start?”
“I can’t believe you’re moving in with a man.”
Trinity rolled her eyes at Connie, ignoring her friend’s comment and laughter. In all honesty, Trinity couldn’t believe she’d be temporarily moving in with Gunner either. The whole situation felt like an out-of-body experience. What were the chances she’d be living under the same roof as the person she’d had a crush on years ago? On the other hand, this would give her an opportunity to understand what several of her security specialists dealt with when a client hired a twenty-four-hour guard. So far, she wasn’t looking forward to spending so much time with Gunner.
“I don’t know why you’re making such a big deal about all of this,” Connie said, standing in the doorway of Trinity’s walk-in closet. “Do you know how many women would kill for this opportunity? Not only is the man wealthy, but he’s also gorgeous. If I had the skills to be one of your security specialists, heck, I’d be in his face explaining to him why I was the better choice.”
Trinity shook her head and smiled. Connie Shaw, her best friend since high school, was five-four and a hundred and ten pounds soaking wet. Trinity couldn’t ask for a better assistant, but knew her friend could barely fight off a fly, let alone some unknown enemy.
Trinity didn’t know if Gunner’s concerns regarding someone taking out professional poker players were warranted, but she had every intention of protecting her new client. She was an expert in her line of business, and she didn’t plan on allowing her personal
