Lotus Blossom (10 page)

“What are you thinking?” Dash rattled her out of her reverie with his harsh voice. “Is it the boyfriend? Forget him. You’re not going to marry him.”

“You don’t dictate my life,” Lotus fumed.

“You won’t marry him, Lotus. I won’t let you.”

“What I do or don’t do is no concern of yours,” she said and ground her teeth.

“Oh, but it is.” He handed her an apple and a carton of milk. “Eat your apple. Then you go and take our hot sandwiches out of the microwave.”

“I’ll see how I feel.” She bit into the crisp apple, savoring the juiciness. When she was finished, she wiped her hands on the napkin Dash had provided. “My hands are sticky. Where is the bathroom?”

“Straight back,” he told her, getting on the radio and speaking into it.

Taking her tote bag with her, Lotus went back to the aft cabin. She felt guilty about not telling Dash what she had with her, but when she remembered her uncle, it strengthened her resolve. She would discover who masqueraded as Uncle Silas no matter what it took! Even if Dash prosecuted her, it wouldn’t stop her!

On her return she removed the sandwiches from the microwave, put them on a tray with coffee, and carried it to the cockpit.

After they finished the hot sandwiches and coffee, Dash informed her that it was getting close to approach time and that they had been cleared for landing by the tower at LaGuardia Airport.

Coming down in a Lear jet was a heart-stopping thrill for Lotus, and she wished for a fleeting moment that she could indeed take flying lessons from Dash.

They landed with scarcely a bump, then taxied to a nearby hanger where men rushed forward to stand at the foot of the ladder when it was lowered.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Colby. You’ll have to hurry, sir, the helicopter is on the pad and warming up. It’s waiting for you.”

“Thanks, Harry. We’re on our way. Service her, will you? I’ll be flying to Rochester tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir,” Harry told Dash, then gestured to a man who had a golf cart waiting. They were whisked around corners and past buildings, then out and across the field to another area.

Lotus stared around her bemused. Though it wasn’t quite as busy as O’Hare, LaGuardia was still a madhouse of activity.

Dash kept his arm around her the entire trip, keeping her close to his side. He felt her hesitation when she saw the powerful rotors whirring as the helicopter was made ready for takeoff. “Not to worry, love. I’m here. Come on, we’re a little late.” Dash lifted her into the helicopter, amazed at her lightness. She was such a little tiger, she should weigh about two hundred pounds, he thought, letting his hand feather over her small backside, chuckling when he felt her stiffen.

Lotus felt feverish for a moment after Dash had touched her. She glared at him, barely taking note of the three other persons sitting in the machine. Gasping, she felt the roar of takeoff. Instinctively, she pressed back against Dash. He put both arms around her, his mouth close to her ear.

“Relax, love. You’re going to have all of Manhattan under your feet. It’s a wonderful city. And tonight after you’ve rested we’re going to do the town. Would you like that?”

Lotus knew she should tell him that she would stay in her room until they left for Rochester tomorrow. Wasn’t he the enemy? He might even try to put her in prison. “Yes. I would like to see New York at night.”

“Have you ever been to New York?”

“Once, when I was four years old.”

“Ah, well, then you have a treat in store. I think we can both use the recreation.”

The ride was a delight. She saw the awesome glass and steel caves and mountains of Manhattan. “It’s wonderful. The buildings shine in the sunlight.” “New York is on her best behavior for you. It’s only a few hours until dark so you will see the beginnings of the sunset,” Dash told her, his long arm holding her, the other pointing out the sights.

“The Statue of Liberty! What are they doing to her?”

“That scaffolding is part of the refurbishing job that will be done on her so that she will look like her old self again.”

“I think she’s beautiful now,” Lotus breathed. “So are you.” Dash gently bit her ear.

Lotus sucked in a breath, looking around her, but the other passengers seemed to be busy, working out of briefcases or looking out their own windows.

“Tonight, we’ll party, China Doll.”

“Yes.”
I want to keep him for just a little while,
she thought, begging whatever Fates were listening to heed her.

When the helicopter made its landing on the building without a hitch, it didn’t take them long to get out. Then they took a swift elevator to the ground floor, where Dash whisked her to the street. His piercing whistle and upraised finger startled her. A taxi cruised to the curb, the squeal of brakes making Lotus jump backwards. Dash put her into the cab and followed her chuckling. “Now you are in for the thrilling part of the trip, love, a taxi ride in New York.”

Lotus felt her head snap back as they jetted into the mainstream for traffic.
“Eeek!
He’s going to hit that . . . no, watch out for . . .” Lotus choked, as their driver wove in and out of vehicles, his hand never once leaving the horn. She pushed her face into Dash’s chest when he put his arms around her. “Tell me when we arrive,” she mumbled into his shirt front. “Don’t tell me if we get into an accident.” She felt as though all of her sensible self had just flown out the window.

“Crazy lady,” he whispered into her hair. “I’ve never enjoyed a cab ride so much.”

“Masochist,” Lotus mumbled, opening one eye, then closing it hurriedly. “What is the name of our hotel?” Her muffled voice was barely audible.

“I thought I told you I had an apartment in Manhattan, not too far from the Metropolitan Museum. If you like we can tour that. . .

Lotus lifted her head a fraction. “I must get home. As it is, I should call my brothers as soon as possible.” She lifted her left hand and looked at her watch. “They’ll be leaving to pick me up at the airport soon.”

“We’ll call as soon as we get in the apartment,” Dash assured her, kissing her forehead.
And tonight, my elusive darling, I am going to try to get you to open upfind out what it is.
“Ah, here we are.” Dash paid the driver and pushed open the door.

The sand-colored building with ornate carving in concrete at every window had a beige canopy over the entrance with a doorman in attendance. The small wrought-iron balconies jutted out over the avenue. Lotus knew without asking that it was an exclusive address. She hesitated, watching Dash as he pocketed his wallet, then looked at her. “Nice place.”

“Yes.” Dash was noncommittal. He sensed her discomfort, though she didn’t seem to be impressed with his place. “I’m on the top floor.”

Lotus looked up the front of the building. She could see a terrace at the top. “I see.”

Dash took her arm and guided her to the door, now held open by the man who doffed his cap to them. “Good afternoon, Williams,” Dash greeted him.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Colby. Miss.” He smiled at Lotus who returned the smile.

“This is Miss Wes . . . Miss Sinclair. She may be coming back and forth to my suite.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dash led her through the small lobby decorated in ecru and beige, their feet sinking into the plush carpeting. Once he had her in the elevator, he noticed that she wasn’t looking at him. When he tried to catch her gaze, it would slide away from him. “Is there something about my building that you don’t like?”

“Do you own the building?”

Dash straightened away from the wall, the hair on his arms raising. Why did he have the sensation that his whole future rested on his answer?

Why does my little doll have an aversion to money ?
“Yes, I own it. Perhaps I should say that my family owns it, and that I share ownership with them.” “Are they in gambling too?”

“I prefer the word speculation,” Dash told her, hard amusement in his voice.

“Whatever.” Lotus felt a resurgence of the anger she had felt when she had first gone to Las Vegas. Her uncle had been victimized because someone was caught in the web of gambling. When she looked around her, she saw an opulence built by the vice. He and his family or conglomerate-— whatever they called themselves—had built an empire on the backs of people who were too weak to control a bad habit . . . gambling. Even now her wonderful uncle was suffering because one of those weak persons had embezzled funds from Dash’s organization and used her uncle’s name.

“Come out of that dream world you’re in. We’ve arrived. Besides, it doesn’t look like a very happy dream world.”

“It isn’t.” Lotus preceded him from the elevator into a small foyer with two doors. “You only have one neighbor?”

“Both doors are mine, love,” Dash told her, feeling uneasy when he sensed her stiffening
What the hell was going on in that convoluted mind of hers ?
He was losing more of her with each step they took into his home.

He pushed open the door, carrying her duffel bag on his shoulder and gestured with his head for her to precede him.

Lotus walked into the spacious two-story foyer with the curving stairway hugging one rounded wall and looked around her. “Is that silk on the walls?” she whispered.

“Yes.” He was curt. Then he dropped her things on the floor and walked to her, gripping her upper arms. “Tell me what’s going on? You’re getting colder and colder toward me. Tell me.”

Lotus looked up at him, wanting to tell him to get lost, go to hell, let her go. “Your money came to you on the backs of shattered people and their shattered dreams.” She waved her hand around the champagne-colored, round foyer. “It’s a sultan’s palace constructed with flesh and blood. Do you honestly expect me to admire it ... or you?”

Dash stepped back, feeling the blood drain from him. “I’m considered to be an honest businessman.”

“By whom?The mob?” It was her turn to step back when she saw the hurricane of emotions in his face.

“I don’t work with the mob ... or any underworld persons,” he told her, the words like nails driven into wood, amazed at the hurt feelings that filled him at her words.

Lotus felt stabbed when she saw surprise flash across his face; then his features closed like a book, and he looked down at her as though waiting to see what else she would say to him. "I didn’t . . . didn’t mean to hurt you.” She meant every word. She felt tears on her cheek and put her hand there. “I never cry.” Stunned, she breathed the words. “I’ll leave.” She went to her duffel bag on the floor. Before she could reach down for it, Dash’s hands were at her waist, turning her toward him, lifting her into his arms.

“Don’t go.” He kissed her cheek, letting his mouth travel the clean line of her jaw. “We have a long way to go with each other, and I think the road’s going to be rough, but I don’t want you to leave me. Please.”

Lotus took in a shuddering breath, leaning against him, her eyes closed, her feet dangling a half a foot off the floor. “I don’t want to leave you,” she confessed, feeling a ton of weight lift from her emotions.

CHAPTER FOUR

The few hours left until evening became increasingly happy ones to Lotus. She felt bright, helium light as Dash led her from room to room in the ten-room duplex apartment. They were close. Even when they weren’t touching each other, she had the feeling that they were connected. They had said no more about the gambling. Dash had not asked her the reason for her feelings. She had delved no more into his money-making, and though the questions remained between them, it was as though a decision had been reached. For the time being they would shelve the problems between them.

“And where is my room?” Lotus asked him, as she faced him across the large master bedroom with the mammoth square bed between them. She saw his eyes go over the bed, then raise to her face. She could feel the heat in his face as he continued to watch her. “You’re not an Oriental . . .” she told him, feeling out of breath, “. . . but you are pretty inscrutable yourself.”

Dash swallowed, feeling the corners of his mouth lift. “You know where I want you to stay. It’s up to you. It will always be up to you. For the rest of our lives, if that’s what you want, where you sleep, my sweet, will be up to you, but I won’t want you to sleep alone . . . without me.”

That had been a long speech for Dash and one which had rocked her to her toe nails. “Well, I’ll look ... at the other rooms . . . and make up my mind.” She watched him, not even aware that she had been holding her breath until he nodded, and she exhaled a gust of air.

He held out his hand to her. “Let’s look at the others, then, shall we?”

Lotus watched him come around the bed toward her, her hand coming up and fitting with his. “Let’s.” She felt warm and comfortable as she walked with him out of the bedroom, down a long hall of the suite to a wider corridor that led to another section of the apartment.

Dash held her small hand in his, feeling his pulse accelerate each time her flesh pressed to his. He felt like an adolescent with her! She aroused him just by holding his hand. He barely took note of the rooms they passed in and out of, his whole being on alert, waiting to hear her say that she was staying in the Rose Room or the Sapphire Room or . . .

She stopped in front of him at the top of the curving staircase that would take them down to the foyer. “All in all, I would judge your bedroom, with its sitting room, dressing room, oversized shower, hot tub et al. to be the best room, so I’ll stay there.” She could feel her lips part in surprise as red slashed his face, the bones pushing out the flesh as though they would come through the skin, his mouth moving harshly against his teeth.

"Will you now?” His voice was soft as he leaned down to her and clasped his hands under her buttocks and lifted her up his body.

“Yes.” Lotus felt reckless as she reached one finger to trace his eyebrows and down his nose. “What do you think of that?”

“I approve . . . just because the suite has a hot tub, an oversized shower, a sitting room, and a dressing room,” Dash said, imitating her and struggling to keep his blood pressure from going through the top of his head.