Lotus Blossom Read Online Free PDF

the large white house. I live on the fourth floor.”
    Dash’s car quickly made the trip, then he parked it in front of the house. “You live on the fourth floor?”
    “Yes. I have a room. It’s cheap. Of course I hate going down to the third floor to shower and use the bathroom.” Lotus clamped her lips closed. She was chattering to him again.
    “I don’t see a fire escape.”
    “There’s a rickety one in the back. I tried it, and it’s a scary trip down, but I think it will hold me.” “You think?”
    “Yes.” She stared at him. “You’re grinding your teeth.”
    “Am I?” He exhaled a shaky breath. “This is no place for you.”
    “It’s fine.” She didn’t tell him that she wasn’t staying in Las Vegas long enough to worry about her accommodations, just long enough to get a copy of that file. . . . “Oh no ...” Lotus groaned aloud, remembering that she wouldn’t be able to get the file copied if Dash was going to be on her tail every minute. How could she get in touch with Petras and get him to pick up the folder?
    “What’s wrong, love? Did you forget something at the casino?”
    “Ah, yes, that’s as good as any . . .” Lotus answered, distracted, her mind churning with the problem.
    Dash came around to the passenger side of the car, opened the door, and leaned in, his face having a look of wary amusement. “And what do you mean by that remark, love?”
    “Huh?” Lotus bent her head back to look up at him. “What did I say?” Then she remembered. Trying to fight the blush she knew was creeping up her neck, she smiled at him, noticing that his face was all silver angles and planes in the shadowy light from the interior of the car. “I was thinking about copies,” she told him, which was true. “Some of my customers like two or three of a frame. I was hoping I marked them correctly.” That was not the truth. She had marked the negatives as carefully as she always did, the moment they were developed and dried, notching the edge of the negative to indicate how many copies.
    “I see.” Dash almost lifted her out of the car. He didn’t believe her. His angel was lying! She’s holding out on me! But why and about what?
    He walked her up to the front door. “It’s been a while since I kissed a girl good night on a front porch,” he drawled.
    She would bet a check on that, Lotus mused. No doubt he just follows them inside and to bed. Not tonight! “Quaint custom,” she said out loud as she opened the squeaky screen door that sagged on its hinges.
    Dash frowned at the obvious neglect of the house. “I don’t like you staying here.”
    “You’re repeating yourself.” Lotus dared to reach up and touch his nose with her index finger.
    “Brat,” he rasped, leaning over her, then lifting her straight up his body, so that her feet dangled several inches off the floor.
    “Not true. You said I’m beautiful.” Lotus had never been so outspoken, so open with anyone.
    “Yes. You’re a beautiful brat.” His mouth grazed hers, then fastened. The kiss lengthened and deepened.
    Lotus had the sensation of being in a free-fall from the planet Venus.
    CHAPTER TWO
    To Lotus the next three days were kaleidoscopic chaos. She and Dash were together every waking minute. She had to pinch herself many times to remind herself exactly why she was here—that she had a mission to accomplish in Las Vegas. She felt guilty about putting Petras and her mission on the back burner. She knew she had to get the file to him. He would be worried sick since Lotus had insisted he not get in touch with her, that it was safer for her to contact him. She had to find the time to get the file to him, but somehow Dash’s image kept getting in the way.
    Finally on Friday, when she was finishing up a morning stint at Mac’s cafe, she looked over to the corner of the counter where Dash always sat waiting for her. She walked around and down the narrow aisle behind the counter to pause in front of him and smile