Too Grand for Words (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (27 page)

Chapter Fifteen

After surviving the worst ride in Las Vegas, Moira smacked Callie just for good measure.

“What was that for?” she squealed.

“Are you trying to kill me? I could have had a heart attack.” Her legs were still wobbling, and she thought she might just fall over.

“It was a gas, Moira. You know you loved it.”

They spent the rest of the day by the pool, improving their tans and talking girl talk, as usual.

“So where to tonight?” Mandy asked as she collected her things.

“Ah, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.”

“We’re going for dinner at Vince Laker’s.”

“Okay then. Are you getting used to this yet or not?” she asked.

“Not. It still doesn’t make any sense.”

“Oh, geez, Moira, stop being such a hard ass. Remember, roll with it.”

“Thanks, Mandy, your words of wisdom are noted.”

* * * *

Steven drove them into the sloping hills surrounding Las Vegas, and into a high-class estate. Sweeping vistas and generous amounts of land lay around each mansion that grew out of the desert rock.

“It’s beautiful up here,” she said, looking out toward the city that never sleeps.

“It is.”

“I just love the desert,” Moira said more to herself.

He watched her in silence. The desert breeze played with her soft hair, swirling it gently around her shoulders.

“We certainly don’t have this in Canada.”

“No, but you have gorgeous country, too.”

She sighed. “Yet no Utah or Nevada,” she replied. He parked the car, and she stepped out. “So many people think the desert is empty, but there’s such a simple beauty to it. It doesn’t boast its presence. It lays open and uncritical for the eye to rest on.”

He stared at her. “Your words are so amazing when you describe something,” he murmured. “How you describe scenery and catch a person’s thoughts perfectly with a few words.” He shook his head. “You look at everything differently don’t you?”

She gave him a quick smile. “I guess I do,” she said with an uncomfortable laugh. “But you can’t not see it and feel it. Look at that sky. It goes on forever, and the openness that stretches below—it’s so peaceful. What isn’t there to love about the truth of nature?”

“You’re a daughter of Neptune, aren’t you?” he asked, standing behind her, gazing out toward the sweeping panorama of desert as he wrapped her in his arms.

“I suppose, but the sea is fickle. I hate her as much as I love her. I’ve seen her call her sisters storm and wind, and snatch those she’s tricked into believing they could control her. Like a banshee, she rages without regret, and takes men and women to a cold end. I’ve lost too many friends and coworkers to her benign wrath.”

“Benign wrath? That would be an oxymoron wouldn’t it?”

She nodded and looked up at him. “Now you understand the sea like I do.”

His mind popped with the revelation. He’d never thought of it that way. It made him wonder if he’d ever get on a boat again. If anyone knew the ocean’s power and treachery it would be her.

The endless blue sky and uncomplicated vista lay before them. She was right. The desert was simple and unaccusing. Maybe he should buy a place here, he thought. He looked across the dotted hillside. That wouldn’t be a bad idea. She loved the desert. Why not? Then he thought about what he was doing. What was he doing? He was making future plans again. His mind pulled him back to the present. He had to survive tonight first, and then maybe he could think about other things.

Moira turned and wrapped her arms around him. “This has been the most interesting vacation I have ever had.”

Gazing at her, his heart swelled. He could see how happy she looked. How relaxed she was.

“Are you all right?” she asked.

He nodded, the truth pushing at him. Tell her now, it said, pushing harder. But her eyes would change instantly if he did. She would pull away from him. There had to be a better time, a better place where he could ease into it, explain it properly.

“Something’s bothering you. You said you had something important to say earlier. What is it?”

Man, she always hit the nail on the head. He reached up to slide a curl that wrapped around her cheek aside. He breathed out heavily. “No.”

“Truth, Mr. Porter.”

“I know,” he murmured. “I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable tonight. These are people just like you, just like me,” he said, fending off the words he should be telling her.

She gave him a sweet smile. “I know, we all pee the same, and we’re all going to end up as dust in the ground.” She sighed. “It’s ridiculous to feel intimidated by people just because of what they’ve achieved.”

When the hell did he become so gutless?

“Thank you for being concerned about my feelings.”

“I’m concerned about more than that, Moira.” He tightened his hold on her. “I know you’re ready to accept that tomorrow is our last day together. But I can’t accept that. I can’t let you walk out of my life. I won’t accept that.” His heart churned. What would it be like not being beside her or seeing her every day? He didn’t even want to consider it. “I know we live a long ways from each other, but you need to know tomorrow isn’t our last day together, at least—I don’t want it to be.”

“We’ll see.”

He shook his head, a laugh rumbling in his chest. “I didn’t get where I am because I’m indecisive, Moira. I know what I want, and I don’t stop until I get it.” He lowered his head and kissed her open lips. He pulled away from her. “I want something from you, and I’m going to get it,” he said, looking into her eyes.

“An autograph?”

“Yeah, an autograph. Come on, let’s go, smartass.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, still chuckling, and guided her toward the impressive mansion.

* * * *

They enjoyed dinner on the balcony with Vince and one of his daughters. She didn’t know what to expect, but the meal and the company felt very relaxed.

As they finished their after-dinner drinks, the balcony doors swung open. Steven’s attention shot to the doorway, then to Vince. Vince looked at him and shrugged a little. Moira didn’t understand, but it almost looked like an expression of apology.

“George, hey welcome,” Vince said, getting to his feet.

The portly gentleman standing almost as tall as he was wide wore a designer suit. Little droplets of sweat gathered on his forehead. She couldn’t miss the large, heavy bands of gold, studded with diamonds that covered three of his fingers. Whoever he was, he was rich.

“We’re not early, are we?” said a beautiful lithe woman who stood beside George.

She rested her arm lightly on Georges, looking like an erotic vision directly from the centerfold of
Playboy
. The gorgeous redhead’s eyes locked on Steven—heating up instantly.

“Steven, I didn’t know you were in town.” She took a couple long-legged strides to reach him and gave him a huge hug, whispering something in his ear at the same time.

Moira had to stop herself from crawling under the table. Her instincts, not to mention life skills, had given her enough experience to realize these two had been lovers once. She knew it instantly. They looked like something right out of a Hollywood magazine—perfect together.

“George, Grace, I’d like you to meet Moira,” he said, pulling himself from Grace’s clutches. He walked around to stand behind her chair. He rested his hand gently on her shoulder as if to tell her to relax.

Grace’s lips tightened as she extended her well-manicured hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met before, have we?”

“No, I don’t believe we have,” she said, shaking Grace’s hand. It felt as limp as a jellyfish. She released it quickly.

“Nice to meet you, Moira,” George said with a firm handshake.

“George runs the Villagro,” Vince explained to her.

“I see.” She rose from her chair, her legs feeling wobbly. “It used to be my favorite casino,” she said with a grin and looked at Vince. He had built the Villagro for a cool two billion dollars, but with business ventures that she couldn’t even begin to ponder, others owned it now.

Vince chuckled and nodded. “Thanks, Moira.”

Grace’s thick and luscious display of red hair shone in the patio lights. She practically twinkled all over with her ten-thousand-dollar dress. Grace gave her a critical “once-over” inspection. Thank God the cracks weren’t too wide on the patio or she would have slid into one. But as always, she had a rock-solid bullshit factor that hit nine point zero on the Richter scale when required. This woman was looking down her nose at her. Ignoring Grace would be better than instigating a silent battle of wills. She was beautiful, but she was obviously a bitch.

“It’s still a lovely hotel, George—I visit the gardens every time I come to Las Vegas,” Moira said.

“Do you come often?” Grace asked.

“No, not anymore. I used to. This is my first trip back in five years.”

“Moira is from Canada,” Steven added.

All eyes turned to him.

“She’s an officer with the Canadian Coast Guard. She works in the Port of Vancouver.”

“That must be an interesting and rewarding job,” George said.

“It can be challenging.” Steven wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulders.

“I can imagine. I’ve brought my yacht to Vancouver a few times. I love that city. It’s so fresh—and green,” he said, chortling.

“Do you dock at Coal Harbor?” She eyed him. “Or is it big enough for Canada Place?” she asked.

He gave a quick belly laugh. “Oh, I wish—no, I go to Coal Harbor. It barely fits though,” he said, pushing his bushy brows together in amusement.

“Well, what can I get you to drink, George, Grace?” Vince asked.

“Oh, the usual. I’m still a conservative at heart,” George said. “How is Hollywood, Steven?”

“Been to the movies lately?” he asked, ignoring Grace.

“I have actually.”

“Well, then I’m still making movies,” he said, reaching out to shake his hand.

“I guess you are.” George laughed, giving him a firm handshake.

Soon more guests arrived, and before long the patio glittered with thousand-dollar dresses and coiffed hairstyles. The jewelry that dripped off the women’s hands, wrists, and ears could have saved a small country. Most of the ladies seemed quite friendly, except of course for Grace, who kept darting looks their way. Steven never left her side, but eventually he had to go to the bathroom.

“I’ll be right back, Moira,” he whispered in her ear. “I know you feel more than a little uncomfortable, but you fit in beautifully. You certainly shine compared to every other woman here.”

She gave him a gracious smile. “Even Grace?”

He curled his arms around her. “I know she’s been eyeing you all night, but she’ll keep her distance.”

“You have history, don’t you?” she declared, looking toward the lush gardens.

“Yes,” he admitted carefully.

“You were lovers once, maybe more?”