Page 21 of Cross Point

Surprise didn’t even begin to describe what he’d been feeling when he’d walked into the suite. He’d been prepared to head straight to bed as soon as he’d gotten there, but Katrina Cross had changed that. She had shown no nerves as she’d sat there naked, holding a gun trained on him. At first, he’d thought he was imagining her due to sleep deprivation, and it had taken him several seconds to understand she was really there and threatening him.

Earlier this morning, he’d been in Morocco, handling a sensitive negotiation for a poker tournament that was going to be hosted at their casino in the fall. He never had a doubt that he would close the deal. It had only been a matter of time until he got what he wanted.

He usually did.

Hopping in his jet minutes after the negotiations concluded, he’d made the trip to Crescent Island, working on several other business matters during the long flight. The expansion problem at the Palace Resort and Spa infuriated him. The resort was smaller than a lot of his family’s other hotels, but it was special to him. The secluded island was the place he came to when he needed to get away from everything and everyone. Not even his family knew that it was his preferred retreat.

Because of that, he took whatever problems were happening there personally.

When Julian had gotten engaged to Tara Toshi, Maxwell had done his homework on the new woman in his brother’s life. It had taken calling in some serious favors with some very well-connected individuals to discover information on Tara and who she worked for. It didn’t surprise him that it had taken a ball-busting secret agent to change his brother’s mind on matrimony.

In that respect, Maxwell and Julian were a lot alike. It would take someone very special to bring him to his knees. And how very interesting that a woman similar to the one who had captured his brother’s heart would be sharing his suite with him.

He knew he had a reputation for being a player, but the truth was he had a very difficult time finding a woman who held his interest for longer than a few dates. He knew it was his own fault for having impossibly high standards. He enjoyed puzzles, the subtleties of depth and layers that made up a person’s character. Unfortunately, most of the women he dated were as transparent as glass or they couldn’t hold a stimulating conversation for more than a few minutes.

It didn’t bother him since he was far too busy to put the time in that was needed to cultivate a real relationship anyway. At least, that was what he had thought before he’d walked into his suite to see a naked beauty pointing a gun at him. Suddenly, he realized he’d make time for a fascinating woman.

While he waited for her to finish her phone call, he’d shot off a quick text to his brother Julian. He got confirmation back that he and his fiancée had asked Trinity to come check out the situation on the island. Satisfied with the answer, he’d been content just watching the fascinating woman before him. He had a feeling that he could spend years trying to figure Trinity out and still be left guessing.

Trinity’s body was exceptional, but her face was truly a masterpiece. She might look like a goddess with lush lips, high cheekbones, and her long brown hair spilling down past her shoulders, though her sharp hazel eyes were all agent. Even when she smiled, those eyes still gave away how dangerous she was.

When she set her phone down on the table and pulled the cover off the plate she had ordered, he grimaced. “What in the world is that?”

“It’s homemade potato chips with blue cheese and chives.”

“That’s…disgusting.”

She chuckled. “Don’t knock it until you try it. Go on.”

He was going to refuse until she lifted a brow in challenge. Reaching out, he cautiously selected a single chip. After tasting it, he had to admit it wasn’t as vile as he’d feared, but it still wasn’t something that he’d put on his top ten list.

“This isn’t on our menu at Sinful or even at the Lagoon, our casual dining restaurant.”

“It should be,” Trinity said around a mouthful. She finished chewing, then took a sip of her champagne. “Your staff at Sinful love me. I went down to the kitchen to gush a few days ago, and now, they make me whatever I want.”

Maxwell couldn’t blame his chefs. If she flashed her smile, there was very little any man would deny her. Truthfully, he was a little worried he was going to have to add himself to that list.

“This isn’t a suitable dinner.”

His pulse quickened when she shrugged and the robe slightly parted, one side falling down to expose her shoulder. Just imagining seeing all of her beautiful golden skin unveiled again had his cock surging to life…again. He’d hoped like hell that she hadn’t noticed the erection that had been straining his pants when he had first walked out on the balcony. Unfortunately, he was pretty sure there was very little that she missed.

She had looked damn gorgeous and dangerous.

A very deadly, alluring combination.

“I was treating myself to something sinful after a day of studying blueprints, papers, and financial fuckwhats.”

“The what? Never mind.” He glanced down at the plate skeptically. “That’s considered a treat?”

“Hey, I love this stuff. Homemade chips are always good. Plus, the champagne. I love champagne. It makes me happy.”

“Then I’ll make sure you have it every day you’re here with me.”

She shot him a sexy grin. “You’re just imagining getting me tipsy so I’ll sleep with you. Although I’m sure the sex would be great, I’m not looking for a hookup. I’m here to help you figure out what’s going on with your hotel expansion and to enjoy a little vacation. We’re connected through friends and family, and I don’t want to worry about seeing you again after I leave here. That kind of shit can get really awkward.”

He studied her as she went back to eating, surprised that she’d been so direct. Unfortunately, her words did nothing to cool his ardor. In fact, it made him want her even more. Content to back off a bit until he could gauge the battlefield better, he pulled out his cell phone and scrolled through the numbers.

“What are you doing?”

---