Too Grand for Words (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Natasza Waters

  He led her to the car, and opened the door for her. “Callie really is a brat, isn’t she?” he said, changing the subject. “She must be hard to control at work.”

  “Yes,” she sighed, when he got behind the wheel. “But she has her moments, and I trained her from the start, so she’s confident, not to mention very smart.”

  “I’ve got a few people like that, too.” He needed to prove to her they were alike in many ways, even if the scales weren’t balanced. This morning Moira described him to her ladies as a ten. She was the ten, not him. She didn’t hide anything from him, but he clung to his secret with both hands. So far, that secret remained intact, and he needed more time for her to get to know him.

  When he’d left Moira this morning she kept tempting his mind while he placed a few phone calls and returned some business e-mails. Finally, he’d given up, and gone to the exercise room to run off some steam. When the fire broke out he’d just finished picking something up for her, and then of course all hell broke loose.

  He’d ended up going shopping for a second time, while she slept. There was a first time for everything, and everything he did with Moira, or for her, seemed to be a first.

  Five women, at least, had come on to him while he’d roamed the shops looking for the dress. Even the woman who suggested the bra to him, within seconds, came out of the dressing room, wearing it. The damndest thing happened right then. Instead of seeing the long-legged brunette with six-inch heels and a G-string, turning around three times to make sure he had a good look, he saw Moira in it. The young woman didn’t do a fucking thing for him. He simply imagined Moira with her soft brown curls drifting across her shoulders, and her full breasts filling the cups to overflowing. The quick response of heat that jerked inside him applauded his choice. He asked the salesgirl to pull a new one for him to purchase. The girl almost looked stunned with the response, and then embarrassed, quickly she returned to the changing room.

  When he walked up to the cash register an older, demure woman standing in a gray wool dress said, “I’m sorry about that, Mr. Porter. That’s not the normal conduct for this store.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Caroline,” he said, reading her nametag.

  “Yes sir, make sure to tell the lady you’re buying this for to read the instructions for care. These are slightly different. That will be twenty-nine hundred and thirty-nine dollars.”

  “I will, thanks,” he said, dropping his Palladium credit card on the counter.

  He walked out of that goddamned store feeling a thousand feet tall for some reason. There was no explanation for it, except the fact that he felt solid, real, connected somehow, and he knew it could only be because of Moira.

  “Close your eyes,” Steven said to Moira as he stopped her from putting on her seat belt.

  “Why? Did you bring chopsticks and ginger to rub all over me?”

  Reaching into his pocket, he unclasped the necklace he’d found for her. Lifting her hair, he joined the gold chain behind her neck. He kissed her softly. “Open your eyes, sweetheart.” The dolphin, made of gold and blue diamonds cresting in a sweeping wave of emeralds, lay between the swell of her breasts perfectly. He touched it, and then gently grazed her soft skin.

  Her eyes opened and grew large with uncertainty. She reached up to touch the gift. “I…”

  He watched her expression. It unnerved her. The solid foundation that she thought she stood on by herself was being nudged to make room for another, and she didn’t know what to do. “Do you like it?” he whispered.

  Two tears raced down her cheeks and fell to her chest. “It’s so beautiful, so thoughtful,” she choked out. “This doesn’t belong on someone like me, Steven, and neither does this dress.”

  “It was made for you. Do you know what those are?”

  She shook her head.

  “Those are blue diamonds. They represent the sea and sky.” Before he could stop himself, he said, “You saved my life once, and I think you’re saving it again.”

  He reached up to wipe away her tears with the tip of his finger. He had never bought jewelry for a woman in his life, except maybe some earrings for his mother. “I wanted you to have something from me, to keep with you forever to remind you of me.”

  She kissed his cheek tenderly, and then her lips wandered to brush his. “You don’t have to buy me diamonds to remember you. I don’t think my heart would ever let me forget you.”

  His chest swelled with her words. He swallowed the thought that no matter what he gave her she would never forgive him when she found out what he had been holding back. She was so sure he could never fall for her, and she was so wrong. He had to tell her the truth tonight, somehow. “If we weren’t meeting my brother I’d take you upstairs for the next two days,” he growled.

  “Drive, before I agree with you,” she ordered. She kissed him once more on his cheek and settled back in the seat, giving him a suspicious sideways glance.

  He rearranged himself because his pants had gotten too small to hold his growing package just from the thought of her in his arms.

  Entering the traffic on the boulevard, he said, “My brother’s name is Dane, and his new girlfriend is Stephanie. She’s a nurse at Cedar Sinai. That’s where he met her. She’s a lot younger than him. Other than that, I don’t know much, but I’m hoping like hell she’s not going for his bank account like the last one did.”

  “Okay—”

  “He’s on the board of directors at Digital Yank. He used to always dick around with computers when we were growing up. Eventually he realized he wasn’t going to be a computer nerd, and went after management instead. Now he’s the CEO.”

  “Isn’t that the fledgling computer company giving most of the big players in the software industry a run for their money?”

  “One and the same.”

  “So you both did well. I guess that makes your mom and dad proud?”

  “Not at first,” he said dryly. “Dad’s a Supreme Court judge in Los Angeles. He wanted one or both of us to get into law. Although I played with it at first, doing three years at Harvard, it just didn’t feel right.”

  “And the modeling thing was to earn your own way, is that it?” she asked.

  He’d told her that’s how he started out making his money. He’d done well, yet his IQ forced him in another direction. “Yuh, our parents weren’t the type to roll us in money. Dad worked his way up, and he expected us to as well. He’s a hard-assed bastard actually.”

  “I’m sure he’s not,” she said sternly. “He’s your dad no matter how old you are. Parents are supposed to keep their kids on the straight and even.”

  “Well, I’m sure he’d love you. He’s a weekend sailor. He’s always loved the water.”

  “He probably wasn’t impressed by you being a model knowing you were meant for bigger things. You can’t blame him for that. Aren’t most male models gay anyway?” she asked, her lips pursed together.

  “Not with legs like these around.” His hand glided down her thigh.

  She swatted his hand. “Behave.”

  * * * *

  A couple minutes later, they arrived at Caesar’s Palace. Steven took her hand in his, and they walked into the lobby to find his brother.

  She turned when Steven gave a quick wave to someone. She scanned the many faces in the lobby, but she didn’t have to search for very long. Steven stopped abruptly, and so did she as did his brother and his girlfriend. They gawked at each other for a second.

  She blurted, “You’re a twin?” She couldn’t believe God would allow two of them to be put on the earth at the same time to taunt the entire female population.

  The brothers gaped at each other then at her and Stephanie.

  “Holy crap,” Dane said, laughing.

  “Holy crap is right.” Steven said in awe. “Jesus, you two could be twin sisters.” Steven shook it off first, grabbing his brother for a quick bear hug.

  She and Stephanie grinned at each other. Steven was right. They certa
inly did look a lot alike.

  Stephanie extended her hand, and she shook it. “This is kinda creepy,” Stephanie said.

  They were different for sure, but they were more alike than not. Their hair color was the same, their body structure, their height. Even their eyes were almost the same.

  “You’re from Canada?” Stephanie asked.

  “Yes, I’m from Vancouver.” She still couldn’t believe her eyes. How could there be two men that looked that hot, and be so identical?

  “I’ve never been, but I hear it’s beautiful,” Stephanie said warmly.

  Both men watched their exchange.

  Steven eyed Dane. “Well, you got good taste, bro.”

  “Likewise.”

  * * * *

  As they settled in at a table at the voodoo lounge for drinks, Dane stared at Moira. “They say everyone has a doppelganger somewhere in the world. You two look so much alike it’s uncanny.”

  The more they got to know each other, it became evident to Steven that the women were quite different in personality. Stephanie couldn’t stop her tongue from wagging, while Moira listened quietly, and as always, only spoke if she felt she had something valuable to add. He appreciated her silent strength. It put more power behind the words she did say. He wondered if that was natural or she’d honed that skill somehow.

  “You wrote the By Sea and by Earth series? I love those books. They went around the hospital nursing wards like wildfire,” Stephanie admitted. “Now everyone is waiting for the final one. When’s it coming out?”

  “In a few months, I haven’t finished editing it yet. To be honest I was stuck in one spot. That’s one of the reasons I brought my brood to Vegas,” Moira replied. “I needed a break from my computer. I’d used every trick in my bag to get it out of my head, but I think I’ve got it beat now.”

  “You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club,” Steven quoted, grinning at her.

  “That’s Jack London, and it’s the quote that’s on my desktop. I look at it every day before I start writing.”

  Steven chuckled, shaking his head. He wasn’t surprised. He imagined that’s exactly how she went after her writing, determined until it was right.

  “Maybe my big-shot brother here can help you. He’s pretty creative,” Dane broke in.

  A warning look crossed his face. When he’d first called Dane earlier in the day, he told him about his predicament and how Moira and he had met. Dane poked at a very thin veil with his comment. “So where should we go for dinner?” he piped up. “I’m getting hungry.” Moira sat back and looked at him oddly.

  “How about Sage at Aria?” Stephanie suggested. “I hear it’s really good.”

  He waited for Moira’s input.

  “Sure, I guess, I’ve never been there.”

  “No, I was thinking something a little farther away,” Dane said slowly. His attention lingered on Moira. “Haven’t you tried to impress her like all the others by taking her up?”

  What the fuck was he doing? Moira wasn’t like all the others. He didn’t want to impress her with his toys. He knew that he’d done everything differently with her for one simple reason. He wanted her to look at him as a man, and nothing else.

  He’d been forced into telling her who he was, but he hadn’t had a choice with Vince’s invitation for tomorrow night. Helping Moira and her crew replace their possessions was what anyone would do. Maybe he’d gotten a little carried away with the dress and the necklace, but shit, he couldn’t help himself.

  Moira appeared confused. Before he opened his mouth, his brother interrupted.

  “Come on, Steven,” he said, pausing to look at the women but lingering on Moira again. “Don’t tell me you’ve humbled out.” He turned to Stephanie. “Women just love it when they find out he’s a pilot. It impresses them all to hell.” He gave Steven a wicked grin. “You keep the helo here in Vegas, don’t you?”

  A weary look fell into Moira’s eyes. He was going to kill his fucking brother. What the hell was he doing telling her this? Reminding her of his conquests wasn’t helping his tentative grasp on their relationship.

  Stephanie yipped. “You’ve got a pilot’s license and a helicopter?” She ogled him like a teenager. “That would be awesome, don’t you think, Moira?” Stephanie stared at her like an excited child hoping Mom would say yes to the cookie someone offered.

  “Sure,” Moira added calmly. “By the looks of it, you’ve never been in a helicopter before, Steff.”

  “No, I haven’t and I’d just love to go. I’ve always wanted a ride in one actually. Oh Steven, would you mind?” Stephanie asked, clamping her hands together.

  “Looks like we’re going for a ride, Captain,” Moira said.

  He didn’t like the way she said “Captain,” and he knew why. He slid his hand under the table and grasped hers. He didn’t like the cool expression on her face either. “If you want to go, we’ll go. Moira’s an officer with the Coast Guard. I’m sure she’s been in a helicopter before,” he said, eyeing his brother.

  He and his brother had passed messages with just a look for years. Being twins had some advantages, but not many. His expression said for him to “fucking straighten up.” Moira was different.

  “Actually a lot, but Steff hasn’t, so let’s go.” She pulled her hand from his and rose from the chair.

  “Yesss,” Stephanie hissed with excitement.

  “We’ll meet you at the airport.” He gave his brother a stern glance, but Stephanie already had his attention, babbling happily.

  * * * *

  As they drove to the airport, he sensed Moira’s reserve. Dane’s reference to other women hit home, and she withdrew from him. “Riding in a chopper must be like riding in a car to you. I’m sure it’s not a novelty. We don’t have to go,” he said, wanting to break their silence.

  “When I was posted to isolation, we had to get in by plane or water. It is exciting the first time. I remember that. Steff will have a great time.” She smiled tightly at him. “When did you get your license?”

  “Week ago.” He watched her lips twitch.

  “Yeah, right.”

  Laughing, he said, “Fifteen years.” He turned onto Paradise Road, heading toward the airport, leaving the monstrous hotels and glitz behind them.

  “I suppose you fly more than just a helicopter?”

  They stopped for a red light. “I’ve got a couple planes as well.” At least she was talking again.

  “I’m not flying to Fiji in a helicopter.” She looked away from him. “When I win our bet,” she added.

  “No, we’ll take the jet, but that’s only going to save you the airfare when you lose.”

  “I’m not going to lose, big shot.”

  “Yes, you are. The Canucks always gets too cocky, and then they sink like the Titanic.”

  “You’ve been around me too long already.”

  He pulled into the left lane, dodging the slower cars “What?”

  “You’re a land lubber, and I guess a fly boy, but you’re using marine wrylies now.”

  He reached out for her small hand, loving the feel of her skin on his. Her touch centered him somehow.

  “You haven’t climbed Mount Everest, too, have you?”

  “Not yet,” he said. “Want to come?” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it. Whatever body cream she used had already imprinted itself on his brain. The smell of her skin was unique and sensual. Blindfolded, he would be able to find her in a crowd.

  A wry grin plastered itself on her face. “Sure—right after you sail around the world in a bathtub with me.”

  “When do we leave?” he taunted.

  Her eyes narrowed with a look that definitely called him a smartass.

  * * * *

  After parking in a spot close to three large hangers at the south end of the airport, they only waited a second or two before Dane drove up and parked beside them. They walked toward a small office located in the first hanger where big orange d
oors yawned open.

  “Mr. Porter,” Paul called over his shoulder, as he crouched under the belly of a Cessna. He dropped his tool and wiped his not-so-clean hands on his overalls as he walked toward them.

  “How ya doing, Paul? She ready to go?”

  “Sure is, Mr. Porter.” He nodded at the rest of the group. “Fuel tank is full and she’s over there.” He jerked his head toward the paved holding area where several small jets and other choppers sat silently waiting for a pilot to take command. “Where ya headed?”

  “Think we’ll make a pass over the canyon and then into Sedona.”

  “Good evening for that. You’ve got about an hour or so of sunlight left.”

  He nodded at his mechanic and drew Moira to his side. “I’d like you to meet Moira, Paul.” Paul surveyed Moira. She wasn’t the first woman he’d taken up in one of his planes, but he’d never once introduced them.

  “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” Paul held out his grimy hand. Moira clutched it firmly and shook it, apparently not afraid of a little grease.

  “Nice to meet you, Paul. No fronts or sandstorms forecast, I assume?”

  Paul’s brows quirked together. “No, ma’am. Winds are two-three-zero at twenty knots, nothing unusual.”

  “From the southwest, huh? Well, I guess we’re going.”

  Steven watched Paul’s face. Paul looked more than a little impressed.

  * * * *

  He conducted his preflight checks as his passengers got comfortable. Stephanie was a nonstop babble-fest in the back seat. The checks took longer because he did some twice. Having Moira with him made him cautious. He grinned to himself when she nonchalantly grabbed the headphones off the hook and slipped them onto her head. She automatically adjusted the mike an inch away from her lips. Give her a headset, and she’s in her element, he thought.

  He flicked the vox switch to activate the sets so they could hear each other. “Everyone ready?” The blades began their slow, whining startup.