Free The Winning Hand by Nora Roberts

used it rarely. Love, Mac thought, was inescapable. “I miss you, too. All of you.”
    “Well, if you’d tear yourself away from those showgirls, you could come visit your poor old granny.”
    Obviously Anna MacGregor wasn’t within hearing distance. Mac could imagine the punishment she would mete out if she heard her husband call her “poor,” “old” or “granny.” “Give her my love.”
    “I will, though she’d prefer you give it to her yourself. Put the lass back on the phone.”
    “No.”
    “No respect,” Daniel muttered. “I should have taken a strap to you when you were a boy.”
    “Too late now.” Mac grinned. “Behave yourself, Grandpa. I’ll talk to you soon.”
    “See that you do.”
    Mac stayed where he was after he replaced the receiver. “I’ll apologize for The MacGregor’s interrogation.”
    “It’s all right.” She kept her back to him, stared out at the sun shining on towering buildings. “He sounds formidable.”
    “Hard shell, soft center.”
    “Mmm.” She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but how could she have helped hearing Mac’s part of the conversation? The love and exasperation in his voice had touched her. And his words had cleared up her confusion.
    Showgirls. Of course he would be attracted to the long legs, the beautiful bodies, the exotic faces. He’d only been curious, she supposed. That’s why he’d kissed her. But damn him, damn him for stirring up all this need that she’d managed to live very contentedly without until now.
    “I seem to have gotten distracted from the point of coming to see you.” He waited for her to turn and face him. At a casual glance she appeared perfectly composed. But he couldn’t seem to glance at her casually. He was compelled to search, and a search of those eyes revealed bruises and storms. “Nowyou’re angry.”
    “No, I’m irritated, but I’m not angry. What was the point,” she began, then paused significantly, “of your coming to see me?”
    That flair for sarcasm surprised him. The edge of it pricked at him enough to have him pushing off the desk and shoving his hands into his pockets. “The point was the press. I know you’re concerned about your name getting out. We’re being deluged with calls for the full story. I can hold them off, but it’s bound to leak, Darcy. The hotel employs hundreds, and several people already know your name. Sooner rather than later, one of them is going to talk to a reporter.”
    “I’m sure you’re right.” She supposed she should be grateful he’d given her something else to worry about. “I’m sure you think I’m a coward, not wanting Gerald to know where I am.”
    “I think that’s your business.”
    “I am a coward.” She said it defiantly, tossing up her chin in a challenging gesture that contrasted with her words. “I’d rather agree than quarrel, rather run than fight. But that’s why I’m here, isn’t it? Here with you, about to become wealthy. Cowardice works for me.”
    “He can’t hurt you, Darcy.”
    “Of course he can.” Lifting her hands, she gave a weary sigh. “Words hurt. They bruise the heart and scar the soul. I’d rather be slapped than battered with words.” Then she shook her head. “Well, whatever happens, happens. How much time do you think I have before my name gets out?”
    “A day or two.”
    “Then I should make the most of it. I appreciate you letting me know. You must be busy. I don’t want to keep you.”
    “Kicking me out?”
    She managed a small smile. “We both know you have other things to do. I don’t need you to babysit.”
    “All right.” He started for the door, then stopped and turned with his hand on the knob. “I wanted tokiss you again.” He watched her gaze flick warily to his face. “A little too much for your own good, and maybe for my own.”
    Her heart stuttered. “Maybe I’m tired of my own good, and willing to gamble.”
    Something flashed into his eyes that made her shudder. “High stakes, bad