Read Too Grand for Words (BookStrand Publishing Romance) for Free Online

table, but maybe that wasn’t exactly true. She’d seemed familiar to him. He recalled the random headlines. They’d called her a recluse who didn’t come out very often to show her face for media and events once the books had become popular. Quiet and seductive with a surprise at every corner, just like her stories, was how she’d been described. They were right. “How long have you been writing?”
    “I came out of the writing closest in earnest a few years ago. I remember how thrilled I was when the first novel came out in print. I thought it was the happiest day of my life.” Her lips curled into a small smile. “The truth is—I almost piddled on the floor like a puppy I was so excited.”
    He barked with laughter. She certainly had a way with words. The little voice in his head asked him if today would be his happiest. “That must have been pretty exciting all right.” He admired the honest reminiscence in her eyes. “So you’re going out tomorrow to look for clues for your sixth book?”
    “Something like that. Anyway, I really should get to bed. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Porter.” She rose and extended her hand out to him as if she were concluding a business meeting.
    “Steven,” he said. He couldn’t think of how to keep her there, so there was only one other thing he could do. He rose and reached for her hand, holding its warmth in his. “I don’t have any meetings tomorrow. Why don’t I pick you up in the morning? I’ll take you out to the Valley of Fire. There’s plenty of desert out there.”
    “I…you…” she stuttered for a second. “It’s not just me. I think the others are coming as well. It’s nice of you to offer—really, but no.”
    Reading Moira’s eyes, he could see she was refusing because she was nervous as hell. She didn’t know it, but if there was one thing he was good at—it was negotiating, and he never lost.
    “How many?”
    “I’m sorry?”
    “How many of you are there?”
    “Well—five others.” She peered at him.
    “You’ll need more than one car anyway. So I’ll drive you and they can follow,” he suggested quickly. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.” He wanted to get her moving because she looked like she just might refuse anyway. For some reason, that wasn’t an option. Holding her hand, he gently guided her toward the lobby.

    * * * *

    As a group of people flocked around them, his hand immediately slid to her back, keeping her close. Moira’s heart leaped into her throat, and she berated herself. She just couldn’t stop her insides from churning.
    Almost every woman stopped to gawk at him as they walked by, their heads bobbing like Hawaiian dolls from the back windows of old, gas-guzzling jalopies. One woman even ran into a bank of slot machines, spilling her drink on her husband. Steven Porter’s charisma emanated from him like a beacon. With rugged, masculine good looks and a body like a Chippendale, he drew a lot of attention. She, however, felt like an ugly little wharf troll walking beside him.
    “Steven?” a voice called out from a craps table they passed. Moira slowed her pace, but Steven ignored it or didn’t hear it. She stopped and turned toward the woman calling to him.
    “That woman is trying to get your attention,” she said.
    The long-legged beauty took graceful strides toward them. Her mauve silk dress accentuated her curves, flowing around her like liquid skin. A blue-eyed blonde, with flawless features reached out to Steven with both arms.
    “Hillary, hello,” he said when she draped herself over him. Steven gently grasped her upper arms and stepped back.
    She wasn’t ready to be parted from him yet, and curled her arms around his neck.
    “Steven, darling, what are you doing in Las Vegas?”
    Moira studied the carpet instead of them. She thought about quietly leaving. In fact, that’s what she tried to do, but Steven backed up with her, breaking Hillary’s hold on him.
    “I’m here for business,” he