Hot Houston Nights: Grant & Pippah Boxset

By S.N. Garza

Grant and Pippah
Parts 1, 2 & 3

Pippah Walker decides to take a risk and mark off one of her quests. Having a one night stand.
Grant Moore is fine being a bachelor. Until the one night he slept with a virgin. When morning came, she disappeared with the night.
No names were exchanged. Just red hot passion.
Grant hadn't expected to see his mystery girl ever again until he finds out she's the spoiled brat his parents ask him to watch.
But Pippah has secrets. What Grant discovers will bring him to his knees.
Only true love can conquer all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.N. Garza
• Release date: Nov 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370702305

S.N. Garza

I am a 37 year old wife and mother of two who lives in a small country town in southeast Texas. I work during the day at Chilis Bar and Grill. I write dark, deeply emotional stories weaved with erotic romance that leaves you wanting more. My debut novel is Love Came Back & my best selling book & series, is The Billionaire’s Baby, book one in my Nauti Billionaires of Houston series. It is all sexy passion with an alpha hero who’ll sweep you off your feet.

Book preview

You're going, that's final.

I stood, once again in dad’s office, listening to him rant and rave about my spending.

So, you're spying on me. You just want to get rid of me. That's fine. There's nothing for me here anyway.

I turned, determined to walk away and never look back.

Don't you walk away from me when I'm talking to you, young lady. You're twenty-five years old and you still don't have any direction. No marriage prospects. You cut your hair like a boy, so no eligible bachelor wants you. Come on, dad, tell me how you really feel. What do you even do with your free time?

Don't respond, Pippah. Don't let him get to you. Free time? I volunteer for a multitude of organizations. The fact that I'm so generous when I donate doesn't mean I give frivolously. He would never understand what I've been through. The one time I even tried having a sit down with him, he was so busy doing his own stuff that by the time I finished he just looked up and said ‘how much do you need?’

When I had asked him if he heard a word I said, he told me, ‘I've got more important things to worry about right now, if it's money you need I can just write you a check.’ He never worried about my spending then. Now, it was like he saw my bank statement slowly dropping and he was all over it. It was the money, they set that up for me and then I became heir to Gramma Walkers fortune all her money was eventually deposited into my account. Trust me, the day the lawyer read that will it was like all hell broke loose.

I didn't have a choice about my hair. That was a side effect of chemotherapy. Yeah, breast cancer. At twenty-one. Extremely rare, but when it happened, I was in the early stages, so they didn't have to take anything away. It's been almost four years.

Why didn't my parents know about it? I tried. Mother was too busy and never had time for me and as you can see, my father was just too busy with the world of mergers, and corporate bullshit that I would never understand and never want to either.

Did I want to marry anytime soon? Maybe. I was twenty-five. I'm sure when I meet the right guy it'll happen. I was busy having shit happening to me that I never really gave it much thought.

Pippah Joyce Walker. Are you even listening?

Now you know how it feels.

WHAT!?

My hand clapped over my mouth and my eyes widened with mortification. I can't believe I said that out loud. Ugh. Great. More shit was about to be hurdled my way. Just what I need. I just need to get out of here. Maybe that's what I need to do. Just get some space.

Nothing.

Hmm. For that little slip, when you get to Texas, you will stop at Sumiton. A fraternity brother of mine, as well as associate, is having a benefit masquerade ball of some kind. You will go with your mother to get a ball gown, one of her choosing and you will be on your best behavior. Like I'm a spoiled brat? Douchebag. Don't roll your eyes at me. What you need is a firm spanking. Told Georgina you needed discipline.

Ew. That's sick. His face was getting red so I went ahead and just completed my thought, bet you do that with your mistresses, don't you? Ugh. God, I was born in the wrong family.

Don't be a bitch like your mother. She lives luxuriously. But she doesn't waste hard earned money.

Will that be all?

I was getting so tired of being in his majesty's presence.

Their son will also be there, I expect you to find him and mingle with him.

I thought he lived in Houston.

He does. But his parents have requested his audience. He's one of the biggest draws. He comes and all the ladies follow him. And I better not hear you causing trouble for your uncle when you get to Houston. You are to go straight to Sumiton and then stay at the hotel we reserved for you and then you will go to Houston as planned. You are in sorely need of growing up, Pippah Joyce. Being a spoiled brat and wasting my time will be worked out of you. You listen to what your uncle tells you and you will comply with whatever he demands of you. His farm is vast. Be helpful.

Now is that all?

When I thought his eyes couldn’t widen anymore, he surprises me by clenching his jaw and his irises burn blue fire.

Leave. Report to your mother.

Need me to curtesy, your majesty?

Go.

I knew he was getting angrier by the minute and I was indeed ready to get the hell out of here.

When I finally left his empire and got outside, a limousine pulled up. The driver hurried out and said, Miss. Walker.

He opened the door and I bent to see my mother’s legs tucked in the vehicle.

Sigh

FML.

><><

This one looks very elegant, Pippah.

Mother held up a long emerald chiffon dress that would hug every curve of my body.

How the heck am I going to walk, or dance in that?

Like a lady, of course. And I made arrangements for you in Sumiton to have your hair done. If you have an upswept do, no one would ever suspect that you have short hair like an old woman.

Jesus. Like having short hair was a crime! Looking at my mother and her long, thick, not to mention artificially died brunette hair made me just want to pull mine out. I had enough cash in my apartment that I’d just take it with me and buy my own dress once I’m there in Sumiton.

Whatever you think is best, mother. I know it would look stunning. Have you already chosen the shoes yet?

Yes, dear. I know which ones would look perfect.

She walked away, grabbing a few things on her way and I waited by the door. My job was done. Now to get home, pack and be on my way.

Now that I was on this course, I was ready to just go.

Here, Pippah, let’s get you home so you can be on your way. The drive is a long one. I don’t really like that you’ll be driving, but your father insisted you needed to learn how to be an independent person.

We got back into the limo, and it was a short drive to my studio apartment.

Here, this is a prepaid Amex with about five grand on it. This is what you’ll be spending on your way there, and whatever necessities you need in Sumiton before making the drive to Houston. Please, nothing frivolous. You won’t get anything more until the beginning of next month. Your uncle has agreed to let you stay with him for one year like your father asked. Give him any trouble and he is allowed to put you out on your behind, with no money except what you have. Do you understand?

Yes, ma’am.

Okay. I hope this will be a good lesson for you. You’ve got to get yourself in control and figure out what to do with your life. It’s time to find a husband and start a family. Oh, and we’ve already put your apartment on the market. Our staff will go later today and pack up everything you don’t take. Whatever you don’t take will be put in storage and you can get them later if you need.

Yes, ma’am.

Have a safe trip, Pippah.

I nodded and hurried out of the limo. Geesh, glad I didn’t have to deal with either one of them for a while. I went up to my apartment on the top floor, and packed the suitcases I thought I would need. It took about three hours and looking around I saw I had about ten suitcases. O’well. I needed them all. I’m sure I would have to buy more clothes when I get down there. And I was definitely going to be buying a new dress for Mr. and Mrs. Moore’s benefit masquerade. I hated wearing curve hugging clothes like that dress. How was I supposed to move in that dress?

I called down to the lobby, where Claire, the manager picked up and we talked about me moving, said she was sad to see me go. I’ve been living there since I was eighteen. Seven years was a long time. She said she already talked to the storage and moving people and they would be by tomorrow to pick everything up.

I thanked her and disconnected the call. Everything that I didn’t need anyone seeing I already had put in a storage unit.

It didn’t take the front desk long and two staff members had rang the door and proceeded to take my luggage down to my car. Soon enough my Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid was filled almost to the max with suitcases. I thanked the gentlemen and I left.

The hustle and bustle of NYC would be something I’d miss, but as of right now, I would happily chose going to God knows what little country town instead of here with mother and father breathing down my neck.

But first, the masquerade.

2

Grant

I did not want to go back to Sumiton. I wasn’t a part of their world anymore. I made my choice to go to Houston, stick it out with Graham and Carrie. But the shit that had went down with Charles changed everything about the way I saw things.

When I told my parents my wishes about going to college, they had tried getting me to go to Harvard, or Yale. Of course, I could have followed in my father’s footsteps and go to some Ivy League college, but I wasn’t like him. I didn’t want to be in corporate law.

So when Graham and Carrie had offered going to Houston, I took it. Graham had been my best friend since we were kids and he and Carrie become my make-shift family.

Growing up with Marcus and Catherine Moore as parents sucked the life out of everything. Nothing was ever good enough. I had been disciplined often if I didn’t comply with Father’s rules and my mother well, she was just as hard to live with as he was. It had been no wonder each caretaker I had growing up didn’t last. They’d either be victimized by one or both parents or if they saw I might be forming an attachment, they were sent away like yesterday’s garbage.

I was seventeen when I helped Graham put his dad behind bars. When I told my parents I was going to go to Houston with Graham and Carrie they accused me of being in a romantic relationship with Graham. Gay. My father hated the fact that I had been attached to someone who was one –not part of the family. Two –a no good son of a killer. That had only fueled my resolve of getting the hell out of there when I turned eighteen. I had my own trust fund from both my maternal and paternal grandparents. My parents had set up a college fund for me, but when I chose to go to Houston, they had stripped that away. Telling me I could always earn it back if I did as they wished.

I had to talk with my grandparents and when they saw I wasn’t going to follow in the Moore tradition, it had taken Grandma Moore to persuade her husband in giving me leeway to do as I wished. My mother’s parents were less reserved as the Moore’s and told me as long as I did something with my life that made me happy, that I should go for it. Full access. Just glad they were willing to help. I have no idea how they produced the woman that was my mother.

It didn’t take me long to get to Sumiton. A good three hour drive from Houston. Driving passed the older neighborhoods that didn’t look like they’ve ever seen sunlight made me thankful Graham and Carrie got out of here.

Further into the city, life seemed to be buzzing. The city wasn’t huge like Houston, about a quarter the size. I already knew what I was going to have to do at this ball.

Fuck me. Another Ball. A fucking masque ball at that. What the hell were they thinking? This wasn’t Halloween. Or the damn Victorian era. The only thing that would make this better is if I got lucky.

Hopefully there was at least one female there that would spark my interest. Last time I went to one of these benefit dinners, sans mask-thank god-every woman known to Sumiton was there. At least the wealthy ones. I knew my parents wanted to see me get married and then eventually come back to Sumiton, but I wasn’t touching a Sumiton debutante with anything other than maybe a dance. I danced with them all so none of them would think they were special.

That’s what was so great about Houston. Any chick I took to bed, one-knew the score. No ring. Two-didn’t know shit about how much I was really worth money wise.

Then Graham met Bell. Seeing how they fell so deep in bat-shit, crazy in love made me rethink my life. Was I ready to settle? I always figured if I met the right one, I would have found her by now. And if not, well, who knows what the hell was gonna happen?

Pulling up to the manor-the only name there was for it, I could tell nothing has changed since my last visit The Moore’s were one of the richest families in Texas. Old money and new money fused together. This house was like out of some London Lord’s home. Ballroom, drawing room, library, and dining room fit for more than twenty. My parents had no problem bringing people with heavy pockets over for some wining and dining to get them to get with their causes.

The security guard took in my irritated expression, but smiled and nodded as he let me through. Because he knew if mother or father got wind that he wasn’t polite to their only son, he would get canned. Like I had any plans on telling them if I was being mistreated. Fools. I swear, everyone in this household were certifiable. I parked my Ford F-150 right next to mother’s BMW. They are gonna shit bricks as soon as they see my monster truck next to their precious babies.

I got out and walked up to the door, where Stenton, the butler that’s been with my parents for as long as I could remember opened the door and greeted me warmly. The only people that were ever truly welcoming was the staff. For however longed they stayed. In public, Stenton always spoke with respect and dignity, calling me Mr. Grant or Young Master Grant. I hated that shit to no end. Like I was some over lord. But in times when it was just us or when no one was around, he always just called me Grant.

"Grant. It’s so wonderful you’ve come. Your mother is in the billiard room with the hired staff directors for this evening. She’s going all out this year, I assure you. And just like any other time when she knows you’ll be here—

"She makes sure ‘every eligible maiden’ is invited?"

"You know your mother. She wants to see you married. Maybe not with children, but she has selected quite a few ladies to be present. I am sorry. How are your friend, Graham and his mother? I’ve heard—

Yes. I’m sure everyone has heard. And they are great. Graham is settling down. Got a girl that isn’t afraid of his past.

"That’s great news. I’m happy he’s finally—

Grant. About time you’ve gotten here, son. We both turned to my mother who looked just as elegant in her pink skirt suit and pearls. Stenton, thank you.

Yes, madam. Young Master Grant. Bowing, he took his leave.

I bent down just enough so she could ‘air’ kiss my cheeks (like we were fucking French) and she curled her arm around my elbow, leading me towards the library.

I just got here, mother. I drove.

Drove! You could have just asked us and we would have sent over the jet.

Mother.

She scoffed and I knew she wasn’t going to really pay attention to anything except whatever she wanted to hear.

"Don’t mother me, Grant Beaulaine. Did you drive that monstrosity of a vehicle you call a vehicle here?"

Pulling away from her I went to lean against the pool table.

Damn right. Right next to your precious.

I could see from here that her eyes widened at the thought of my truck being so close to her favorite car. Her ancient, favorite car. Damn thing had to be twenty years old.

She entwined her fingers in front of her and looked at me with irritation. Not that she ever really had any other expression before. I mean come on, rich and nice? Luckily I mostly got indifference.

Language, Grant. I won’t tolerate it. Now, this evening, I expect you to be a perfect gentleman. And for the love of God, please, don’t just dance with the girls that come. Find someone. Every time we have a ball, you come, you dance with every girl here, not giving any one special attention. I mean, are you gay?

I knew it. She always asked me that. Like Graham and I were more than just friends.

Yes. I’m finally out and free! I couldn’t help the disdain and disgust I felt leak out in my voice.

"Grant, honestly. That’s not right how you are so infatuated with that scarred—

You better stop right there, Catherine. No. I am not gay. That doesn’t mean I won’t defend my friend. Who’s never judged me even though he shouldn’t have even tried befriended me in the first place. I was a lost cause a long time ago. He’s almost happily married. To a female. And I fuck women as often as I can spread their legs.

Her gasp rang out loud and the shock that came over her face was priceless at my bluntness. I was tired of doing this every time I came here. I might as well have as much fun as I could get. I didn’t care, I was never going to move back here. My life and money sitch was guaranteed and secured. I didn’t need their input