Come Away with Me Read online

  He answered a few more questions then looked up seeing that she’d been watching him. Their eyes locked and held long enough for several women around him to turn in her direction. She nodded with a small knowing smile. He nodded as well. There was definitely an attraction between them. That part was undeniable.

  “Ladies, excuse me. I’m afraid you’re going to have to cut this short and excuse Dr. Anderson. He needs to get ready for the book signing,” Danny Wilson said as he approached the small gathering.

  “Sorry, ladies,” Quinn said. “I’ll see you at the table.” There was a collective sigh as he stepped away.

  Danny anxiously steered Quinn through another assembled crowd of fans to the small room behind stage set up as a waiting area before the book signing began. “Okay, you want to tell me what that was all about?” Quinn asked quietly.

  “What was what about?” Danny asked.

  “That seduction scene I just performed on stage,” he said as he poured himself a glass of water and took a deep sip. “I know I said I wanted to make the conference memorable and get people talking. But you need to let me know when you’re planning something like that in advance. I don’t like the idea of being blindsided and set up like that.”

  “Whoa, that wasn’t me. I thought it was you.”

  Quinn looked at him sternly. Danny had been his friend and manager for the past four years. They’d been through a lot together. He was brilliant when it came to business management and financial assessments. He was shrewd, astute and resourceful with just enough guile to make his abilities seem effortless. He was the perfect manager. Whatever he needed Danny took care of quickly and efficiently. He wanted a memorable forum and it certainly was. That’s why he naturally assumed Danny had set it up. “You know me better than that,” Quinn said.

  Danny nodded his head knowingly. Having experienced the craziness of wayward publicity, fanatical fans and tabloid insanity the past few years, Quinn would have to had been completely nuts to put himself in that position again. “Okay, it wasn’t you and it wasn’t me. That means it had to be Nola. Come to think of it, it does sound like a publicity stunt. Still, you have to admit, it certainly was memorable. And you did tell her you wanted to up your profile at this conference, making it something to really talk about. I think you got your wish.”

  “Memorable—yes, something to talk about—yes, great, terrific. But I was thinking more on the lines of handing out some kind of signing favors, holding a raffle and giving away some books, not being openly propositioned by a conference attendee in the middle of a crowded room.”

  “What better way to sell your new book on seduction than to actually perform the perfect seduction in a public forum?”

  “An effective seduction is between two people, not between two people in a crowded room.”

  “Well, it looked and sounded pretty effective to me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you two were already together. But as long as she’s not married like the last woman, we’re fine,” Danny said. “Damn, I can just see the repeating headlines on that one.”

  “Don’t worry about the married part. She’s not married.”

  “How do you know?” Danny asked. “No ring?”

  “A married woman would have never answered the question I posed to the audience like that.”

  “Again, how do you know for sure?” Danny reiterated.

  “I know,” he said assuredly. “Do whatever research you can. I want to know everything there is to know about her by this evening. Including where she’s staying.”

  He nodded. “I’ll take care of it. First I think I need to have a talk with Nola, and then I want to find and speak with your new friend. If they’re working together she should already have her background check done. If not, I’ll at least introduce myself and get her name to start digging.”

  “Good idea,” Quinn said, seeing his publicist, Nola Gilbert, hurrying into the small room. She looked around quickly then spotted them and rushed over.

  “Quinn, that was incredible,” Nola gushed, breathlessly excited as she approached. “I wish I had the test audience in there for that last part. Your numbers would have been through the roof. You could probably pick and choose your own reality show after that performance. If the applause in there is any indication, the results would be off the charts. Are you sure you don’t want reality television?”

  “Positive, no thanks,” Quinn said, drawing a firm line. The last thing he wanted was cameras in his bedroom.

  Nola shook her head sorrowfully. “You would be great,” she said then nodded. “Okay, okay, then I guess we should probably get you out front. The ladies are excited and getting a bit overly anxious to meet you.” Quinn took another sip of water, set the glass down, straightened his tie and headed to the door.

  “Oh, by the way,” Nola added, “that last part was brilliant. Your book The Sensual Seduction is flying off the shelves out there after that little performance. Women are picking up three and four copies. I’m glad I ordered an additional fifty boxes, but that still might not be enough. Word of mouth is free publicity and you certainly have that now. Everybody’s talking about that great onstage seduction and the website orders are going crazy. Talk about sexual chemistry. You two were setting that room on fire. Actually, the banter could have been spiced up a bit more, but we can work that out later. I’m thinking about a repeat performance on a larger scale, maybe on the set of a live talk show. So who is she, a model, an actress?”

  “I have no idea,” Quinn said. “Isn’t she with you?”

  “No. She’s not with me.” Nola looked to Danny. He shrugged and shook his head. “Wait, you didn’t set this up, either?” Nola asked.

  “No, and she didn’t attend the conference,” Danny said. “I would have noticed.”

  “Okay, I can work with this if it goes sideways. You were simply placating another aggressive and possibly obsessed fan. We can do a preemptive press release right now.”

  “Why don’t you hold off on the defensive counterattacks until we find out exactly who she is and what she wants?” Quinn suggested quietly, as he approached the table. Before starting to sign, he spared a quick glance around the crowded room. The one woman he was looking for was nowhere in sight. He sat down. Nola’s assistant had the first book already open and waiting for his signature. The excited reader stood antsy, anticipating her coveted prize. Quinn greeted her and thanked her for coming as he signed her book. Afterward, the next reader eagerly stepped up. And so it began.

  Chapter 5

  Shay stood away from the crushing bombardment of Dr. Love’s near rock star persona. The line, now insanely longer than before, extended down the walkway and wrapped around the corner and down the hall again. The women excitedly inched forward, each clamoring for his momentary undivided attention as he signed their mini-hoard of mind books. She considered buying a book for Jade, but then decided against it. Instead, she hovered to the side, enamored by the psychological study of his super-amped fame.

  After staying inside and listening to several women talk about their thoughts on romance, Shay decided she’d had enough. She eased her way along the back wall away from the mass of excitement. That was when she saw him sitting at the table signing books. At one point she stopped and watched as he took a photo with a fan. The woman smiled wide. Dr. Love smiled generously, but it was obvious he wasn’t feeling it. He glanced around then seemed to spot her in the crowd. His eyes narrowed then brightened.

  A slow, wanting smile graced her full lips. There was no need for a woman to wonder what to do when she saw a man like that. It was all about instinct. The question then became what to do first. Should she kiss him, licking his tasty lips into submission or just dive right in, release his tie and peel back his shirt? Shay chuckled to herself as the thought rolled around in her mind much longer than she expected. But it was worth it. She pulled out her cell phone, snapped a photo as he looked right at her smiling. It was almost like he read her thoughts.

  “Now he’s what I call a reason for a fantasy,” a woman said as she walked over and stood beside her. Shay remembered her from the forum earlier. They had stood near each other in the other room. Her Texas drawl was unmistakable. “Aren’t you going to get a book signed?” she said.

  “No, I don’t think so,” Shay answered, glancing down the long outrageous line.

  “I saw you inside. Honey child, that was really bold what you did. Do you actually know him?”

  “No, I don’t,” Shay said truthfully, sending the photo she’d just taken to Jade. “I took the photo for someone else. She’ll get a kick out of it. She reads his books all the time.”

  “Really, and you don’t know him. Hmm, I would have thought you knew each other for sure because y’all had some serious sensuous heat going on in there. I swear that room heated up twenty degrees. Oh, sorry, I didn’t introduce myself, I’m Rose Kenner, Dallas, Texas.”

  “Hi, Rose. I’m Shay Daniels, New York.”

  “Nice to meet you, Shay,” Rose said.

  “Texas, huh?” Shay said with an easy smile. Rose’s exaggerated Texas drawl was unmistakable.

  “That’s right, born and raised. I’ve lived there all my life. So, what do you do, Shay?” she asked curiously.

  “I work for the Romance Channel. I write and host the show Romantic Destinations.”

  “Oh my goodness, I thought that was you. I love that show. Seriously, you must have the best job in the world. So, tell me, what’s the inside scoop? Is your show coming here next season? That would be incredible.”

  “Actually, I’m just here on vacation right now,” Shay said, looking around at the mass of excited smiling faces around them, “same as everyone else.”

  “Oh, honey child, please. Trust me, ain’t nobody here just for vacation. They’re here for one thing—him,” Rose said as she glanced across the hall at the excited women in line. “Honey, if I knew it was that easy to get him all heated up like that, I would have spoken up myself years ago. Of course my husband would have had a fit.” She winked, flashing a long curly fake eyelash. “Still, you certainly got his attention. And by the looks of it, you still have it.” She nodded her head across the open area.

  Shay turned, seeing Quinn looking right at her. “That’s not exactly what I was going for. I was just curious about what he’d say when I responded with the obvious reply.”

  “You know you’re the envy of damn near every woman here.”

  “Even you?” Shay asked, joking offhandedly.

  “Hell, yeah, even me. I would love to have Dr. Quinn Anderson notice me like that. But I’m a realist. Also I’m sixteen years into a once fading marriage that’s getting a whole lot spicier thanks to that man over there. He put the spark back in our romance. I can barely keep up. Who needs Viagra?” She laughed loudly and long. “All anyone needs is a little seduction.”

  “Is that why you just spent the past few days learning how to live out your romantic fantasies?”

  Rose leaned closer. “Like you, honey, I crashed the party after the fact. I’m staying here at the resort. We checked in this afternoon. My husband is attending a conference this week and I decided to tag along and get my book signed.”

  “So you’re a fan.”

  “Honey child, I’m a huge fan. What about you?”

  “Let’s just say I’m a curious observer at the moment. So, do you really think he’s for real?”

  Rose nodded and she looked over at the table again. “Hell yeah.”

  “Dr. Anderson is most definitely for real.” The second answer came unexpectedly. Both Shay and Rose turned. They hadn’t noticed that a man had walked up and stood beside them. He extended his hand. “Good evening, ladies. I’m Danny Wilson.”

  They shook hands. “I’m Shay Daniels. This is Rose Kenner,” she said. “You were the moderator, right?” He nodded. “So you know Dr. Love?”

  “Actually his name is Dr. Quinn Anderson and yes, I know him. I’m his manager.”

  “I see. So this is all just a stage show, right?”

  “If you’ve read any of Quinn’s books, you’d know this isn’t a stage show. He’s genuine. He really helps people and enjoys doing it. Perhaps if you and your husband attend one of the seminars together…”

  “I’m not married,” Shay said, noting Danny’s obvious relieved reaction.

  “I see you don’t already have Quinn’s new release.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Then perhaps you’d allow Quinn to gift you this copy. I’m sure he would be more than delighted to sign it for you,” Danny said, handing her the book he’d been holding.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking the book and glancing to the waiting line. “I think I’ll get this signed another time. The line is still a bit long.”

  “Are you staying here at the resort?” he asked.

  “For one night, yes, I am, in one of the guesthouse suites.”

  “Perfect. I can have a book signed and delivered to your casita later this evening.”

  “Thank you. That’s very generous.”

  “My pleasure,” he said. “It was a great honor meeting you both. Thank you for coming. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

  Shay looked at the book in her hand. “The Sensual Seduction,” she said, reading the title aloud.

  “It’s really good,” Rose attested. “He does a step-by-step process and teaches you to open yourself up to new experiences in romance, seduction, love and fantasies. It really changed my marriage.” She glanced at her watch. “As a matter of fact I think I’m gonna get back up to my room and try out a new fantasy I read about in chapter fifteen, phone sex with hubby. He’s in a meeting right now. What do you think?” She winked and giggled.

  This time Shay joined her, imagining her husband getting phone sex while sitting in a crowed meeting room. “It was good meeting you, Shay. Maybe we can get together while you’re here, or are you not alone?”

  “I’m here alone, and getting together sounds like a great idea. Why don’t we do that?”

  “Super. You know I live right in Texas and I’ve never been to Tucson, so I signed up for a couple of city tours. Why don’t you join me?”

  “That sounds like fun.”

  “That’s a bet,” Rose said, agreeing happily. “What’s your suite number?” she asked. Shay grabbed the key card from her purse and gave her the room number. “Great. I’ll give you a call tomorrow. Right now I’m gonna head on up to make that phone call.” She winked again. “We’ll catch up later.”

  “Definitely, take care.” As soon as Rose walked away, Shay’s phone rang. It was Jade. She smiled and answered. “Hey, did you like the photo I sent you?”

  “Three questions. Is this who I think it is, how’d you get the photo and forget the article, how long will it take you to get an interview with him?” Jade asked.

  Shay laughed. “If you think it’s your Dr. Love, then you’re right. He just finished a seminar on romantic fantasies here at the resort where I’m staying. I’m standing here looking right at him,” Shay said, turning. Quinn was busy talking and laughing with several enamored fans. “Girl, this whole sideshow is outrageous. It’s like walking into a teenybopper worship-fest. The only thing missing are screaming fans, but I suspect it’s about to happen in the next few minutes. So, do you want me to get you a signed book?”

  “No, I want you to get me him,” Jade said.

  Shay chuckled. “Yeah, you and a few thousand other women here.” They laughed. “Seriously this place is a zoo. I have a feeling it’s only the beginning.”

  “Well, the man is insanely hot and gorgeous and rich and talented and he definitely knows how to move a woman.”

  “Please, it’s all smoke and mirrors. He’s just a regular guy with good PR.”

  “See, you are so cynical.”

  “If by cynical you mean intuitive, then you’re right. I don’t buy all his perfect romance stuff.”

  “You are impossible. But, you know, I was thinking. Remember the other day when we ran into Bruce at the restaurant? We were talking about Dr. Love then.”

  “Yeah, what about it?”

  “It’s like the universe is talking to you or something. You’re there and he’s there.”

  “Yeah, so, what about it?” she repeated.

  “You didn’t want to go on this vacation, but you went anyway, and now you find out Dr. Love is there. Don’t you find that extraordinary?”

  “It’s a coincidence.”

  “No, it’s like the universe is talking to you. You’re supposed to be there to talk to him so he can help you with your romance issues.”

  “I don’t have romance issues,” Shay said, looking around.

  “He specializes in romance and relationships. It’s perfect.”

  “No thanks. The last thing I need is an overrated shrink telling me I’m emotionally detached. And what exactly can he teach me that I don’t already know?”

  “He could help you loosen up. He could also soften your image for the camera and teach you about real romance,” Jade said.

  Shay just shook her head, watching him. “I bet he doesn’t have a clue about women or what we really want and need.”

  “See, that’s where you’re wrong. He’s a bestselling author, he does a satellite radio advice show and he even writes a syndicated newspaper column. The man knows women. He’s brilliant when it comes to romance. His new book on seduction is incredible. I’ve actually tried some of his techniques and suggestions. They really do work.”

  “Good grief, don’t tell me you’ve been brainwashed, too.”

  “Okay, okay, I get it. You don’t want his help, so then how about getting an up close and personal interview with him. Our online readers would go crazy for that. We can do a whole week on him and then tie it in with the show’s return next season.”

  “Actually that’s a good idea.”

  “Also, I know for a fact that the network has been trying to get him for years. If you can land an interview, there’s no way you won’t get promoted to producer.”