Trigger Happy (Girls with Guns, #2) by Ashley Bostock

asked for all of this money, okay? It's from all of the oil wells all over town. All over town and all around town to be exact. Can you help me or not?"
    "I guess. But I can't deal with you. I will refer you to Lisa Knight. She's great at what she does. She will have you set up in no time."
    Amber was slightly frustrated, but only slightly. Nothing compared to how he made her feel during their last encounter at the studio. She could read between the lines though. This was his way of getting her off his back. So he wouldn't have to deal with her. She couldn’t stand that he disliked her so much. She really didn’t deserve it. For the first time in a long time, she actually cared what a man thought about her. Before, she could give a hoot what any guy said but for some reason, this animosity from Gage was killing her. Before she left, she had to ask him one question.
    "Why do you dislike me so much? The one and only night we met, I thought we had such an amazing time. Do you remember all those things you whispered to me? All of the things you did to my body? The places you touched me with your fingers and your mouth? If it was a personal mistake on your part, why are you taking it out on me? Someone you don't even know."
    At this moment, she hated herself for even entertaining the idea of wanting him in her bed. Especially when he made her feel this crummy feeling that she was feeling right now. She waited for an answer.
    It was a staring contest and he wasn’t backing down. This was the first time during their entire conversation that she had succeeded in making him feel like a jackass. It didn't help that he could see the open look of hurt in her eyes, either. Nor that he actually did remember all the things he whispered in her ear. His mind remembered practically everything and his body definitely remembered it all. How did he respond to that? She was right, of course. It wasn't her fault he developed this whole regret issue. She was only a product of it, not the cause. And here he was taking it out on her. But the soldier in him nagged that he couldn't admit any wrongdoing without welcoming in things he didn't want to be asked.
    "Look, I was and still am, very surprised to have run into you again. It was a one-night stand that I've since forgotten about and have put behind me. I am not that kind of man anymore who would sign up for something like that now. Nor, do I welcome that behavior. Whatever happened between us is long over. There isn't even a glimmer of hope to have any relationship with you or be friends with you for that matter. I haven't quite figured out your angle yet, but I know you have one. Quite frankly, I'm not into playing whatever game you’re trying to play. If you want a loan, fine. Talk to Lisa. If you're here because you think there might be something between us that could reignite, it's not happening, Amber."
    She was befuddled! This arrogant jerk! Okay, he was exactly right about her having an angle, but he didn't know that and she certainly wasn't going to tell him. What a conceited man for him to just assume she wanted him! Where did he come from? As if that weren’t bad enough, watching him exert his tough talk onto her was such a turn-on, she could hardly focus.
    Like a child, she finally found her words, "You arrogant son of a bitch! Who do you think you are?" she stood up. He followed her motion and got up too. Her legs itched to move and she walked out into the open area that surrounded his desk. He did the same.
    "Keep your voice down," he warned.
    "I cannot believe your nerve. You assume I want you just because you fucked me hard, one time?" Before she thought of the consequences, she went on, "I've had better sex than that, Gage. Way better."
    He stalked up to her so that he was mere inches from her face. "You are really starting to piss me off. You are a liar. There is no way you’ve had better sex with anyone else. It shows all over your face. You know you want me. I would bet my