Temporary Intrigue Read Online Free PDF Page A

that for you,” chortled Sandra.
    “Down, girl!” But Dimity felt a strange, tingly sensation pulsating through her body at the thought.
    Clouds had gathered and a heavy shower fell as she crossed the road, sending her scuttling under the Global Home’s ornate canopy to catch her breath.
    And, if she were entirely honest, to put off the moment of truth.
    She delayed a few minutes more by ringing Melissa to confirm her work arrangements. Finally, another flurry of rain sent her into the hotel’s foyer.
    The security guard at a desk near the entrance glanced at her then brightened, as if sensing prey.
    Was he still looking for a vision in pink? If so, she wouldn’t match the description. Tilting her chin and adjusting her new sunglasses, Dimity strolled casually across his line of vision, her eyes darting around in search of a sign to the restaurant.
    “Can I help you?”
    The guard was approaching.
    “The restaurant?” Dimity attempted a haughty drawl.
    “That way.” He pointed down a hallway to the left. “But it’s closed for a private function.” Pale, fish-like eyes examined the blue sweater, jeans and sneakers, and clearly didn’t like what they saw. The shopping bag received a particularly suspicious stare.
    Maybe she should drop the bag and run, leaving the guard to summon the bomb squad. While she hesitated, Malcolm rounded the corner from the lift area, gave her an automatic once-over, and stopped.
    “Well! You’re a quick change artist!” He leered at her and nodded dismissively at the guard who shrugged and walked away.
    Dimity had no wish to talk to Malcolm but it occurred to her that he could be her salvation.
    “Can I ask a favour?” Ignoring the smirk this elicited, she ploughed on. “I need to contact the man I was talking to upstairs. Do you know where he is?”
    Malcolm’s eyes sparkled maliciously.
    “Follow me.”
    He put an officious hand under her elbow, steering her across the foyer. Before Dimity could protest, they were in the lift.
    As if determined to prevent her getting a word in, Malcolm talked continually. He seemed to have forgotten their earlier skirmish.
    “The lunch was supposed to be alfresco but the rain chased us in, so some of us moved up to the lounge area for coffee afterwards. It’s all been very sedate and boring. I was on my way out for a smoke,” he continued, ushering her out of the lift, along another plush carpeted hallway and towards an open door from which floated the sound of conversation and the clinking of cups.
    One dismayed glance was enough to show Dimity everyone in the room was dressed to the nines. For the second time that day she stood out for all the wrong reasons.
    “I won’t go in.”
    “Why not? You’ll be the belle of the ball.” Positively snickering, Malcolm gripped her arm and piloted her through the crowd. Dimity was aware of more than one startled glance following her. Then her stomach turned an unexpected somersault as she spotted the object of her quest.
    He was sitting in a corner lounge area, left ankle resting casually on right knee, looking twice as dishy as she remembered, now that she could see properly. Beside him on the two-seater lounge was the thin woman she had seen upstairs.
    “I’m trying to talk Josh into basing himself here for the convention,” Dimity heard her say to a grey-haired man on the adjacent lounge. He looked familiar but before she could remember where she had seen him, Malcolm’s voice rang out.
    “Josh! You’ve got a visitor!”
    Josh. That was it.
    They all looked up. The thin woman was clearly irked at the interruption. The grey-haired man and a woman sitting next to him stared at Dimity. Josh also stared, frowning slightly.
    Probably annoyed with her for barging in. Too bad. She’d had enough of feeling substandard.
    “Sorry to interrupt.” She addressed Josh coolly. “I would have called but I lost your card.”
    His face cleared as she spoke. He put his coffee cup on a table between