Too Grand for Words (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Natasza Waters Page A

twisted snarl, she said loud enough for Moira to hear, “Oh, I get it. He likes the old ones so it makes him the prettiest one in the couple.”
    He clenched Moira’s arm when he felt her bristle at the comment, forcing her to keep moving. He wouldn’t blame her if the words of a true sailor gurgled to the surface.
    As soon as they hit the hot Nevada air, she twisted away from him. “Thank you. It was nice to meet you, and good-bye.” She abruptly headed for the strip.
    He gave the valets an “I don’t know what’s gotten into her” look, and strode after her.
    “Moira—stop,” he commanded. He was shocked because she actually did, right on the spot. She squared her shoulders as if preparing to spar. He walked up behind her and grasped her arms gently. “Tell me why you can’t go to lunch with me? You eat, I eat, why can’t we eat together?” He hadn’t even dared to tell her about the place he was taking her to. She was going to freak when she found out.
    “Yes, I eat,” she said slowly looking into his eyes.
    “Good, then get in the car and let’s go.”
    “Tell me who you are.”
    “No.”
    “Why?”
    “Why do you need to know?”
    She glared at him and nailed him with the truth. “Because I don’t belong with you. Those girls in there, regardless of their trailer-trash appearance—are correct.”
    “Really? And what if I can prove otherwise?” Let’s see her argue her way out of this, he thought. Moira was intelligent, but he could turn people’s thoughts into pretzels if he wanted.
    Her jaw clenched in obvious frustration. She turned it around on him. “Why, would you want to? You and I don’t fit.” Anger started to brew in her eyes.
    He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Lunch—now, or I might start eating you , which, my beautiful Moira, we’ll get to.”
    She understood how to take an order. What she didn’t know was that it was coming from his heart. She was sweet all right, but she had a core of steel running through her. She needed a man who could possess her gently, but keep her struggling for power, a man who knew when to give in to her, and when to overpower her. And he was about to take charge.
    She glared at him. “God, what is the matter with you?” she hissed.
    He curled an arm around her shoulder and guided her to the car. “Not a thing, sweetheart, not a thing.”

    * * * *

    They drove away from the strip in a southerly direction. “So, Mr. Porter, where are you taking us for lunch?”
    Mr. Porter, was it? Did she think she was going to turn this into a business lunch? Man, did she have a surprise coming. “It’s a very unique restaurant, just a—select clientele.”
    “That sounds mysterious. It’s legal, right?”
    “Are we back to the syndicate boss?” he asked. When she tightened her lips and raised one eyebrow, he thought he’d better leave it alone. “It will definitely be a new experience for both of us. You do like Japanese?” He hadn’t even thought to ask her, he was so preoccupied with the experience he was about to go through with her.
    “As long as it didn’t meow or bark at one time, I’ll try anything once,” she quipped as they tore down the road.
    “I’m glad to hear you say that.” Not even the Mercedes could get them to the restaurant fast enough.

    * * * *

    As Steven parked the car in the small parking lot, she peered at the Japanese temple rising through an expansive garden that lay before them. “Las Vegas has a way of blowing your mind. It can create just about anything out of the sand, can’t it?” She marveled at the Shangri-la they walked into. Small bridges and babbling brooks, bamboo water flutes and sprawling lawns with pebbled trails guided them toward the temple.
    The door opened just before they reached it. A woman dressed in a beautiful kimono appeared and bowed deeply. “Mr. Porter, Ms. Viterra, please come in.”
    She expected a lineup with sushi chefs whacking at eel parts and cucumber bits flying