Sin City Temptation. Sharon C. Cooper

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