Trick - By Lori Garrett Page 0,20

sheer frustration.

Gunner sat up on his elbows and I turned my face away, ashamed of what a spectacle I was making over nothing. But he was already up, running so fast the sand kicked behind him. He crashed through the waves and was at my side in no time. I wiped the tears back and shook my head when he grabbed my shoulders.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” He turned me from side to side, then scooped me in his arms as I beat on his back. “You hurt? Something nip you? You step on something sharp? Damnit, Harlow, stop crying and tell me what’s wrong.”

Though I struggled like crazy, Gunner was not going to put me down until I told him what was bothering me, so I just had it out.

“I’m not bit and I didn’t step on a thing, so put me down!” I cried.

“So you can run away from me when I do? No way. You tell me what the hell this is all about, Harlow.” His voice was cool and even, but he tightened his arms round me in a way that let me know I wasn’t going anywhere until I told him.

“Fine. First of all, I was not crying because I was sad. I was crying because I was pissed as hell at you and—”

“Me?” Gunner interrupted, his eyebrows pressed low over those sexy green eyes. “I’ve been on my best behavior all week and—”

“That’s it!” I cried, cutting him off. “That’s the exact problem, Gunner. We had sex and it was amazing. Okay, I realize it may have been more amazing for me since it was my first time...but I think it was good for you.” I paused, a new horrifying thought entering my mind. “Unless...oh Lord, put me down right now. I cannot talk about this with you.”

He didn’t listen to me, and he drew me closer instead of putting me down. “There isn’t a damn thing you can’t talk about with me. Tell me what’s bothering you, kitten.”

I shook my head because I was mortified beyond words. I had such an amazing time when we made love, it never occurred to me that it wasn’t all that impressive for Gunner. Duh! How could I have been such a dope? He’d been having sex for years, and he’d always had his pick of partners...there wasn’t a female in Piedmont who’d turn him down if he crooked his finger her way. I knew he cared about me, but caring didn’t turn a nervous virgin into a sex goddess. No wonder he wasn’t picking up on my hints.

He didn’t want to.

“I...made a big mistake coming here with you,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

He finally put me down. “Alright.” He nodded, pulled his ball cap off his head and ran a hand over his hair. “I’ll be glad to take you back if you like. But I understand if you want Daisy to come get you instead.”

“Fine.” I shrugged and Gunner shoved his hands deep in his pockets and took two steps back from me, then paused and looked right at me, his eyes blazing.

“I knew this whole ‘escape from reality’ thing was a crock of shit,” Gunner said, his voice sharp. “I guess a Mills and a Hunt can sneak off in every corner of Piedmont, but all this?” He held his hands out and gestured to the huge beach houses on every side of us. “I guess it’s not okay for you to bring the help here, is it?”

“What are you going on about?” I stalked close to Gunner and poked him in the chest hard enough to make him back up a step. “The only one who thinks you’re not good enough to be with me is you!”

“And I’m right, Harlow. I’m damn right!” He took me by the upper arms and dragged me close. “I’m not good enough to be with you. And, much as it sucks, I’m glad you realized it.”

“Realized it?” I gazed up into his gorgeous face.

“That’s what this whole thing is about, right?” He shook his head. “You want to leave so you don’t get caught in your cutesy little vacation town with the likes of me.”

“What? No! Not at all. I...I want to leave because I realize you don’t want to have sex with me again.” I could hardly say the words, my voice was shaking so hard.

For a long minute, there was no sound except the lapping waves and rushing wind, then he said, “What the