Fueled by the anticipation of a showdown, she barely knocked on the back door before pushing it open and barging into the kitchen. “Trip!”
“Right here, princess,” he drawled, standing in front of the open refrigerator wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.
His skin was still damp from a shower, his thick, black hair glossy and wet, with water droplets rolling down his neck. The defined muscles in his chest and arms flexed as he closed the refrigerator door and faced her.
Kelsey’s mouth opened and closed, her well-rehearsed tirade temporarily forgotten thanks to her dirty mind imagining him in the shower.
His gaze traveled from her head to her toes, which made her body flush with unwelcome desire. It had been nine days since she’d seen him. Nine days since she’d felt this rush. Nine long days since her heart had soared.
He cocked his head. “I’d be flattered by the way you’re staring at my towel, but after our last discussion, I’m guessing you’re not here looking for love.”
The smirk on his face doused her desire like cold mountain spring water, reminding her of why she’d come.
“Darn straight, I’m not. And if I were looking for love, I sure wouldn’t find it with you!” She thrust the paper toward him. “Obviously you don’t care about me at all, or you wouldn’t go out of your way to screw up this project I’m counting on.”
He snatched the paper from her hand and tossed it on the floor. “I’ve warned you more than once not to count on that deal.”
“So that makes what you’re doing okay?”
“Yes.” He crossed his arms.
It took concentrated effort to keep her gaze above his neck. Apparently he wasn’t the least bit interested in getting dressed and having a serious discussion. God, she wanted to poke those cool green eyes out of his smug face.
“Just when I was convinced there was more to you, you prove me wrong.” She shook her head. “You’re as selfish as I first believed.”
“Me?” His eyes narrowed. “You think I’m selfish for trying to stop an unnecessary and detrimental development from wrecking this community? If anyone’s being selfish, it’s you, Miss Moneygrubber.”
“Oh, please. You expect me to believe you’re doing this for the good of the community?” When he shrugged, she rolled her eyes. “If you’re so passionate about this cause, why don’t you use your real name?”
“I’ve got my reasons, not the least of which is keeping a decent relationship going between Backtrax and Wade.” He rested his butt against the edge of the kitchen counter, ankles casually crossed, apparently waiting for her to make the next move.
As always, he seemed to maintain his calm demeanor while managing to push all her buttons. Her skin itched from sheer irritation.
“Trip, if you succeed in killing this deal, I’ll lose several hundred thousand dollars in commissions and won’t be able to buy the small apartment building I’ve had my eye on. Meanwhile, you’ll gain nothing from your win . . . other than hurting me, that is. Please reconsider. If you walk away, you lose nothing.”
“Not true, Kelsey. I’ve told you already, I’ve made an investment in Backtrax and a commitment to living here, so I do have something to lose if the Wade Kesslers of the world come in and change everything. I’m sorry if this might cause a temporary setback in your personal plans, but I’ve got to do what I think is right.”
“I’ve lived here my whole life. Do you really think I’d promote development that I didn’t think would benefit the town?” When he didn’t soften, she sniped, “And you’ll excuse me if I have a hard time buying into your commitment to our town, since commitment isn’t exactly your strong suit.”
Trip’s face turned bright red as he crossed the kitchen in two long strides and got right in her face, speaking in a quiet yet terse tone. “Careful, princess. I’ve been a decent friend to you, so how about you show me the same respect?” Then he raised one brow. “Besides, you’re hardly objective about this deal.”
He stood there looking more confident and hotter than any man should look, while her insides churned.
“You really don’t feel bad about doing this to me, do you?” Rather than stomp her foot like Fee might do, she shoved at his chest. Another tactical error, which he proved when he caught her hands before she pulled away.
“I’m not doing this ‘to you,’ Kelsey. I’m doing this for the people in the town who feel like I do. For the small retailers who’ll lose money when fancy upscale stores take over. For the wildlife and habitats that’ll be bulldozed to pave the property.”