Unexpectedly Hers(29)

“A woman?” Trip flicked his wrist and grinned. “Putty in my hands by day two.”

“I thought you were engaged.”

“I am. Happily so. But that status only seems to make me more attractive to other women. Go figure.” Trip shifted in his seat. “Point is, we’ll get Mari to lighten up.”

“The key is to make her tell this story in a positive light. I need that. My family needs that, especially after today’s screwup. I don’t want this film to turn into sensationalist crap.”

A sincere expression replaced Trip’s playful demeanor. “Wyatt, you can count on me to make you look good.”

“Thanks.” Wyatt had to credit Emma for her good idea to involve Trip in his training. Competent, reserved, calm-in-the-eye-of-the-storm Emma.

She breezed into the dining room for the third time since he’d been sitting there, this time to dig around the buffet cabinet for some platters. As usual, she did her work efficiently without sparing Wyatt a glance. Whatever he’d thought had softened between them earlier this afternoon in his room must’ve been wishful thinking on his part, despite the fact he could still feel her pulse beating beneath his thumb from when he’d grabbed her thin wrist.

His heightened curiosity about her changed nothing—she still regarded him with no more affection than she did any chair in this room.

He racked his brain trying to think of what he’d done or said since arriving that had turned her off. Sure, he’d teased her and sneaked up on her in the pantry, which she hadn’t liked much. But given that her attitude had been clear from the moment he’d first stepped into the lobby, he suspected his reputation had preceded him. She’d written him off as an immature, selfish skirt chaser—one she apparently thought didn’t care much for his brother’s well-being. Besides, a woman like her probably preferred an intellectual guy. A gentle one, too, which Wyatt definitely was not.

Gentleness hadn’t factored into his life much, so he had no real road map for it. His response to the poverty and sometimes-violent years of his youth was to toughen up, unapologetically go after what he wanted, control what he could, and always try to win. It had worked well for him, although not so much for his brother.

“Smells good, Em. Reminds me of the old days, when I’d sneak out of the guest rooms before sunrise.” Trip cast Emma a baiting look. “Your cookin’ makes me all kinds of nostalgic.”

“I’d say I miss those days, but that’d be a lie,” she volleyed with a smile.

“Bet your guests miss them . . . a lot.”

“Funny, haven’t heard a sniffle or complaint, unlike when you were around. All those poor victims.” She shook her head, proving Wyatt’s theory about her opinion of casual sex. “You’re lucky Kelsey is okay with your past.”

“Darlin’, she’s more than okay with it.” A glint crossed Trip’s green eyes. “She benefits from my expertise.”

Emma groaned. “Judging from how many women you needed for practice, you were a really slow learner.”

Wyatt laughed at the comeback, a little surprised she had it in her. Sarcasm went against her nurturer vibe. Trip chuckled, too, proving that his bragging was all in jest. Perhaps that’s why Emma liked him despite his behavior.

Wyatt’s gaze followed Emma until she disappeared into the kitchen, at which point Trip snapped his fingers. “You got a little crush on Emma?”

“No!” Wyatt scowled, knowing he’d answered way too defensively.

“Every time she comes in the room, your attention cuts out.” Trip grinned and rubbed his hands together. “Emma Duffy,” he quietly mused. “This oughta be interesting.”

“Trust me, there’s nothing happening there. I’ve got to stay focused.” The fact that he’d been unable to maintain that focus whenever he caught sight of her fiery hair or Grade-A ass was a secret he’d rather not discuss.

“Oh, well, then you’re all set, ’cause no man has ever lost his focus over a woman.” Trip raised a brow.

Okay, so maybe not exactly a secret. Given Trip’s friendship with Emma, perhaps he could help Wyatt discover why she treated him so coolly. “Doesn’t matter, ’cause she doesn’t seem too interested in men.”

Trip remained thoughtful for a few seconds then he leaned nearer to Wyatt, his playful expression gone. “Emma’s quiet, but tough. She’s a good girl, in every sense of the word. Not sure exactly why she doesn’t have a boyfriend. But know this—when she does, Grey and I will make damn sure she doesn’t get hurt.” Trip maintained a pleasant grin, but the steel in his words conveyed the unspoken message—don’t fuck with Emma’s heart.