Secrets of the Lotus. Michelle Garren Flye

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СКАЧАТЬ And thanks for the column too.”

      “What do you mean?”

      He shrugged. “I read it with a great deal of trepidation on Friday. When you wrote about my birthday, you barely mentioned my mother and you left my father out of it all together. You could have broken our agreement, you know, and gone ahead and written the story.”

      “It crossed my mind. Guess I’m not much of a reporter, huh?”

      “You’re a better reporter than you give yourself credit for. And a better person than I gave you credit for.” He shook his head. “How is it a girl like you hasn’t been eaten alive by this city?”

      “I’m tougher than I look.” She settled back against the car seat. “Really chewy.”

      But Josie didn’t feel very tough half an hour later when the limousine pulled up in front of Gotham Hall. “Oh, damn,” she muttered as they waited their turn to step out onto the red carpet.

      “What’s the matter?” Dan looked confused. “You must’ve been to a million of these things.”

      “I’m not usually going in the front door.”

      “Should I have Alan pull around to the back so you can sneak in through the kitchen?”

      “Could you?” She felt as if her heart was going to explode from her chest.

      “And walk in alone? No way.” He grinned at her and took her hand. “The only thing you need to be concerned about is the jealousy every woman here is going to feel when I help you out of the car.”

      “Why, because I’m with you?” Josie glanced over her shoulder as Alan opened the door for them.

      “Nope. Because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Then he pulled her out into the maelstrom of lights and sound.

      * * * *

      As they entered the hall, Dan paused for a moment, scanning the crowd to get his bearings, then glanced at Josie, placing one hand on the small of her back to guide her through the clusters of chatting people.

      “Everyone’s staring at me.” Josie looked uncomfortable.

      Dan hid a smile. “Of course they are. You’re with me. We look good together.”

      “Sure we do. We probably remind everyone of ‘the long and the short of it.’” She grinned when he looked down at her in surprise. “Oh, come on, if I can’t make short jokes, you’re not allowed to, either.”

      They paused to speak to one of Dan’s acquaintances who was already seated at one of the round, white linen-covered tables crowding the hall. Moving on, Dan said, “Height is an illusion. Believe me, it’s not always easy being the tallest person in the room either. I’ve discovered you’re as tall as you think you are. And you don’t act, walk or talk like a short person sometimes does.”

      “How do you mean?” she said.

      “Just that there’s nothing apologetic in the way you look up at me. You don’t mind making me look down to meet your eyes. You expect it.”

      “Why wouldn’t I expect it?”

      They stopped again, speaking to a computer millionaire. As they wound their way further through the tables, Josie glanced around. “Where in the hell are we sitting, anyway?”

      Dan smiled, nodding to someone he knew but evidently didn’t feel the need to stop and speak to. “Head table.”

      “With the senator?”

      “He’s a good friend,” he said, “and I’m a good donor.”

      “I wish you’d told me. I definitely would have come in the back door if I’d known.”

      “Why?”

      “Because three-inch heels are not easy to walk in, and if I’d come in the back, I’d be that much closer to our table.”

      Dan threw his head back and laughed out loud, drawing several smiles and curious glances from those nearby. He squeezed her arm. “I’m already having more fun than I usually have at these things.”

      They found their seats but, before they could sit, were waylaid by a doctor and his wife who Dan knew well. Even as he chatted with the doctor, Dan watched Josie out of the corner of his eye, noting how well she spoke, how charming and beautiful she was. He’d thought as much at his own party, but tonight he felt sure she was probably the loveliest creature he’d ever seen.

      And he wasn’t the only one, he noted with satisfaction. Other men and women turned to stare. She made a sensation on his arm, partly because she was different from the other women he’d dated in his adult life, but also because of her personality. He liked having her with him, and he spent the evening enjoying watching her reactions to others and theirs to her.

      As he watched Josie dance with Senator Hill for a second time, he wondered if he should make her a more permanent part of his life.

      * * * *

      Josie collapsed into the back seat of the limousine with a sigh of relief at the end of the night.

      “You were amazing tonight,” Dan said, following her in.

      “How I managed to talk and dance at the same time, I’ll never know. These shoes were nearly the death of my feet.”

      “Let me see.” He held out a hand.

      “What? My feet?” She snorted. “No way!”

      “Why not? I thought women loved it when men rubbed their feet.”

      “No, it’s…” She hesitated. It was too damn personal, but she hesitated to say so. Dan had been a perfect gentleman all night. He’d given her no reason not to trust him, but she still wasn’t comfortable just putting herself—or her feet, anyway—completely into his control.

      “Don’t be ridiculous.” He took hold of her ankles, pulling her feet onto his lap. Too tired to protest further, Josie leaned her head back and sighed with pleasure when he slipped the too-high heels off her feet. His hands were strong and gentle at the same time.

      “You have nice feet.” He studied them in a detached way, as if he were an art critic. “A little warped right now. Why do women wear such high heels to these things? You know you’re going to be on your feet the whole time.” His thumbs massaged her aching arches, finding the right spot and knowing the right amount of pressure to apply.

      She bit her lip to avoid vocalizing her pleasure, though if she were a cat she’d be purring. “You’re a hard man to say no to, Dan Mason.”

      “I hope so. I may have more requests to make of you before the night is over.”

      Josie sat up, taking her feet firmly from his grasp. “Look.” She took a deep breath “I’m not sure what you’re expecting. You’re… Well, you must know I know who you are. I know how you go through women. I’m not that type.”

      “I СКАЧАТЬ