Secrets of the Lotus. Michelle Garren Flye

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ what?” She sat up and brushed a hand nervously over her hair. “You can’t sit there grinning like an idiot and expect me not to want to know what you’re thinking.”

      “If you must know, I was thinking this was the point in the date when I’d make my move. Normally, that is.”

      “Really?” Josie reflected. Wine had relaxed her. If he were to make a move, how would she respond? If she were interested in him, that was. “I dunno. Shouldn’t you let the woman digest her food a bit more?”

      “You think?” He scooted over to sit next to her. “You think if I took her hand—” His fingers closed over hers, causing a shock to course through her skin. “Kissed the inside of her wrist—” He raised her hand as if to kiss it but stopped short, his eyes twinkling at her as she caught her breath. “And maybe leaned in for a kiss, she would respond poorly?”

      “You are an incurable flirt.” She snatched her hand away and hoped the flush she felt on her face didn’t show in the low light. “You can’t resist, can you? And how should I know? I guess it would depend on the girl.” She sighed. “I hate to say it because I’ve had a great time, but I’m tired and I think it’s time I got home.”

      “You could stay. I could send someone to your apartment for clothes.”

      “We’re not really dating, remember? Just friends?”

      “I know.” He shrugged. “I’m not trying to get you to go to bed with me. I’m just not ready to let you go.”

      “Dan—”

      “Hush.” He shook his head. “I’m not forgetting who we are or why we’re here, Jo. I just want more time with you.”

      A little jolted by his familiar use of the diminutive nickname, Josie wondered again what exactly Dan was up to. He wanted more time? Since when was that a problem for the most eligible bachelor of New York? Why would he want her to spend the night if he had no intention of breaking their pact of friendship?

      Making a decision, she settled back against the couch again. “Tell me about your family.”

      She felt him tense almost immediately. “What do you want to know?” He sounded as if it cost him a great deal of effort to speak casually.

      “The usual. What were your parents like when you were growing up?”

      Dan held her gaze for a long moment, long enough for her to wonder if she was in over her head with him. “My mother was a social butterfly. She’s never done anything useful in her life and she probably never will. My brother, sister and I were raised by a series of governesses while she skated off to spas or ski dates or whatever party happened to be going on in the Hamptons. As for my father, he ran the business. He ran the city. He left the running of the house to the servants. Most days he would walk in reading the newspaper, go to his study and make telephone calls until after we went to bed.”

      “God. You give new meaning to ‘poor little rich kid.’” She paused, thinking. “The other night at your party, I sort of got the feeling you were close with your parents though.”

      He frowned and ran his hand through his hair. “Why are we even discussing this? I don’t like talking about my family.” He stood and strode over to the window, his face stony in reflection. She noticed for the first time how muscular he was. He looked like a powerful man. From the back, without his normal friendly grin, he looked like someone who could cause a great deal of pain.

      “I’m sorry.” She cleared her throat. “But hey, what can I say? I warned you about dating a reporter.”

      “You did.” He half-turned, giving her a smile. “I’ll have Alan take you home.”

      “I can call a cab.”

      “Nonsense. I’d take you home myself but I have phone calls to make.”

      Something had closed down in his attitude, Josie noticed. She also realized the offer to spend the night had evaporated. This was not the Dan she’d had a picnic with in his posh living room. This man was aloof, busy, and ready to get on with his business while sending her on hers.

      After calling Alan, Dan walked her to the elevator. Still remote, he smiled and hugged her, but Josie noticed he didn’t mention when he might see her next.

      She got into the car while Alan held the door. Unlike the more formal chauffeur’s costume he’d worn when he’d driven them to Senator Hill’s dinner, Alan was dressed in jeans and a baseball cap. He looked more approachable, but Josie still felt a little shy with Alan, wasn’t quite sure how to talk to him. She had a hard time looking at this tall young man as just a driver. Maybe it had to do with the way he and Dan treated each other with mutual respect, or maybe it was the way Alan acted, as if he were in control of every situation.

      They drove in silence for a while. Josie stole glances at Alan in the rearview mirror and at one point caught his eye. “Early night, huh?” He raised his eyebrows at her reflection.

      “Actually, it’s getting pretty late.” She glanced at her watch.

      “You’re a real smart ass, aren’t you?” She heard a trace of admiration in his voice.

      “On purpose, usually.” She smothered a sigh. “I think I pissed your boss off a bit though.”

      “Dan?” Alan glanced sharply at her in the mirror. “I wouldn’t worry about it. I thought you guys were getting along pretty good tonight. I’ve never seen him leave a restaurant before the food even came to take a walk with a girl before.”

      Josie fell silent for a minute. She wondered two things. First, could she trust Alan, and second, could she get any information from him? Finally, deciding he was worth the risk, she said, “I made the mistake of asking about his parents. It seemed harmless enough. I mean, the whole city knows about his childhood, right? It was sort of New York’s own Camelot, if I remember correctly. His dad the youngest mayor the city had ever had, his mom so pretty and the three kids. But I ask him to tell me about his parents and his childhood and he shuts down on me.”

      Alan didn’t reply at first. After a moment’s silence, he said, “Miss Stewart—”

      “Alan, please call me Josie.”

      He shot her a look before continuing. “Fine. Josie. Dan could fire me for even talking to you, but I kind of like you, so fuck it.” He drew a deep breath. “Dan loves his parents. You saw that yourself the other night. But what they’ve become weighs pretty hard on him. It’s a lot to look after, and with his brother and sister not around, he has to do it all himself. Not that he minds. He figures it’s his duty as a son, but it’s still hard.”

      She nodded. “That makes sense.”

      “I’ve known him most of his adult life. Dan resents intrusions into his private life. You’ve already intruded in a pretty major way too.” He held up one hand and glanced in the rearview mirror as she opened her mouth to protest. “I know you didn’t mean to. I actually do believe that. But here you are.”

      “Dan invited me to his apartment.”

      “Yeah, you were invited, and maybe that’s part of the problem for Dan. He wants you in his life, but he’s not sure how much of it to trust you with.”

      “In СКАЧАТЬ