Read Online The Reluctant Beauty by Laurie LeClair - Free Book Online Page A

Austin heard and saw the many clicks of the cameras. He was shirtless and shoeless. Exposed and vulnerable.
    He bent to pick up his shirt when the first scream sliced the air.
    “That’s him! I’d know him anywhere!”
    Another shriek sounded, and then one right after the other followed.
    “Now you’ve gone and done it,” Peg said, inching backwards.
    The chant from some of the onlookers began. “Austin! Austin! Austin!”
    The hairs on the back of his head stood on end. No one was supposed to know his physical location.
    Austin was in the spotlight. Again.
    He cursed.
    Griffin came into the display with a woman close behind. “What’s—” He stopped short. “Peg?”
    “Oh, honey, come with me. I’ll get you outta here. Rico, you, too,” the lady with the strawberry blonde hair said, quickly guiding them out of the area.
    “Prissy, I swear, I didn’t—" Peg’s voice faded away.
    Between gritted teeth, Griff said, “Wave at your fans, grab your shirt, and then you’re coming with me. Understood?”
    “What’s not to get?” Austin muttered.
    He backed up, nodded, waved once, and then leaned down to snare his shirt and socks and boots. More shrieks sounded. Warmth stole over his cheeks. He always hated it when strangers made a big deal out of him, mostly because of how he looked and what he did.
    It had nothing to do with him as a person.
    Finally, he rushed down the stairs and back into the store only to face a line of gawking employees. They blinked a few times and tried to pin on smiles.
    “ Peg and him?” The whispered question cut through the awkward silence.
    Griff held up his hand. “There’s no show here, folks. Let’s just get ready for the soldiers and their families. Doors open in ten.”
    His stern look must have spoken volumes; they scurried away and murmured, “Yes, Griff. We’ll be ready.”
    Austin tugged on his shirt.
    “You hurt Peg and you have me to answer to.”
    “You didn’t waste any time, did you?” He was happy someone Peg knew wanted to make sure she didn’t get hurt.
    “Nope. Ex-military. Peg’s family. Need any more explanation?”
    “I’m good,” Austin said with a smile in his voice.
    “You’ve got two choices. Peg’s in the executive offices with my wife, Priscilla. Rico’s pulling something for Peg to wear. You can either go see her now and get it over with or you can face your admirers on the way out the door.”
    Standing straight, Austin looked at this guy. Steely gray eyes stared back at him, hard and unyielding. “Thanks for taking care of Peg.”
    “So you’re leaving.”
    “No way. I’m going to see her. Just point the way.”
    This Griff guy smiled. Well, it was for a second maybe, but it was a smile. “Okay, Rhoades. I’ll have someone show you the way. But, if you stay, you pitch in. Maybe sing a song or two. For the warriors. Tonight at the private ball.”
    “You know me?”
    “Rico, Peg’s family, Bruno, my in-laws, and a few others have been talking.” He shrugged. “I’m more of a classic rock fan myself.”
    He laughed. At least this guy wasn’t going to sugarcoat anything. Austin stuck out his hand. Griff clasped it in a firm handshake. “I’m in. You wouldn’t happen to have a guitar in the store, would you?”
    Griff rubbed his chin. “Kid’s Department. Toys. Hope that will do for now.”
    Austin scratched his head. “Well, that’s better than nothing.”
    A few minutes later, he was whisked up in the muted gold elevator to the fifth floor. He’d managed to pull on his socks and boots before the door dinged open.
    Looking up, Rico waited for him. He had his arms crossed over his chest and was tapping his foot. “It’s about time you got here. Should I call you Rock Star?”
    “Come on, don’t give me that.”
    “A little surly today, aren’t we? Didn’t get any last night?”
    “Rico.” His voice filled with warning.
    He reached over and smacked him on the upper arm. “J-O-K-E! Come on, hottie. I