Don't Say a Word - Barbara Freethy [44]
"Can you call him now?"
"Absolutely." He reached for the phone. A few minutes later he had an invitation from Stan to come by the house. "We can go now."
"We're really going to do this, aren't we?" Julia asked, her expression tense and uncertain.
"Second thoughts again?"
"I'm a little afraid of what we'll find out," she said, her beautiful blue eyes reflecting her every emotion. She would never be difficult to read. Everything she felt could be seen on her face.
"I'm more afraid of living the rest of my life not knowing why that photo was important to my father," he countered. "But I can go on my own."
"No, I said we were in this together, and that's the way it's going to be." She slipped her hand into his, and his entire body stiffened.
He had the irresistible urge to seal her promise with a kiss. How crazy was that?
Julia slipped into the passenger seat of Alex's car, her heart pounding and her stomach doing flip-flops. There had been a moment back there in Alex's apartment when she'd actually thought he was going to kiss her. The look in his eyes… She could see it now, that glitter of desire, want, need. Something inside of her had responded to that look. She'd started to lean forward; then Alex had stepped away, grabbing his keys, calling out orders to go into the hall while he turned out the lights and locked his apartment. He'd obviously thought better of whatever impulse had made him look at her like that. It was just as well. She was engaged. And they were just… She didn't know what their relationship was, but it certainly wasn't close enough to involve kissing.
She cast him a sideways glance. He seemed tense. She didn't know if he was thinking about what had passed between them or worrying about what would come next. And she certainly didn't feel brave enough to ask the question.
A few minutes later Alex drove into Presidio Heights, where stately homes and high-rent apartment buildings lined the ridge above Cow Hollow and bordered the historic Presidio Park. "Your father's friend certainly lives well," Julia commented. "These homes are beautiful."
"Stan moved here a couple of years after my father died. His wife had also passed on. I don't know if he inherited some money or what, but this house is quite a step up from the condo he used to live in. He's the kind of man who enjoys being surrounded by beauty, whether it be art, antique furniture, the perfect gold cuff link, or a woman."
"He didn't remarry?"
Alex shook his head. "He said he never would. I'm sure he has his reasons. Here we are."
Stan's home was located at the top of a very steep hill, a renovated Victorian at least three stories tall. It was impressive and a bit off-putting, Julia thought. She couldn't imagine why a single man, who had to be nearing sixty, would want to live alone in such a large house. Then again, she didn't understand why her own father had sold their spacious, comfortable family home and moved into a small apartment. To each his own, she supposed.
They were halfway down the walk when the front door opened. Stan must have been watching for them. He greeted them with a warm smile. "Hello, Alex."
"Thanks for agreeing to see us," Alex replied.
"No problem. You know you're always welcome."
"This is Julia DeMarco."
"Hello," Julia said, comforted by Stan's friendly handshake. He seemed like a nice man and hopefully was someone who could help them. She paused inside the house, struck by the spotless, sparkling beauty of the hardwood floor in the entry, the ornately carved staircase that led to the second floor, and the tall arched doorways leading into the living room and dining room. "Your home is stunning," she murmured.
"Thank you. Why don't we go into my study. It's more comfortable there. I've got a fire going: It's a bit chilly out tonight, and my old bones get colder these days."
Stan didn't appear old. He was very tall and thin, and dressed in well-tailored