Those Christmas Angels (Angels Everywhere #5)(51)

The question appeared to surprise her. “I…I was thinking of renting an apartment after the first of the year.”

“Don’t,” he said.

Her eyes narrowed. “Why not? Dad needs to make his own life now and—”

“Move in with me.” He hadn’t broached the subject with much finesse, but he saw no reason to wait.

Julie didn’t answer and her silence unnerved him.

“I take it you’re not looking for a roommate to share expenses,” she finally said in what was presumably an effort at humor.

“We both know what I’m asking.”

“Yes…well.” She took a breath and then slowly exhaled. “We…only met a few weeks ago.”

“We know how we feel—what we want.”

She lowered her gaze rather than confess the truth.

“Julie,” he said, “we’re adults.”

Slowly she raised her eyes to meet his, and he read her indecision. Hoping to persuade her, he stood up and crossed to the sofa, sitting beside her. Clasping Julie’s hands, he brushed his mouth over hers. “We’d be good together,” he whispered.

“I think so, too.”

“Then why the hesitation?”

She shook her head.

“Come on,” he urged. “Tell me.”

“I’d hate to disappoint my father—I don’t know how he’d feel about this.”

Roy wanted to remind her that she was thirty years old and fully capable of making decisions without consulting her father. In any event, based on what he knew of Dean Wilcoff, the man wouldn’t stand in their way.

“I’m afraid he’d do something rash,” Julie said.

“Like what?” Roy couldn’t imagine him doing any such thing. Dean was a sensible man. He wouldn’t intrude on his daughter’s life. He’d accept whatever Julie wanted and keep his mouth shut—as he should.

“He wouldn’t approve.”

“So?”

“So,” she continued, “I suspect he’d quit his job.”

“That decision is his, don’t you think?”

“Yes,” she agreed after a lengthy pause. “But he needs this job and for more than the money. It’s been wonderful for him, Roy. I’m so grateful you gave Dad a chance to feel productive again. It’s been exactly what he needed.”

“Leave your father to me,” he told her. Roy would square the situation with Dean and make sure he had no objections.

Still Julie hesitated.

“You don’t need to decide right this minute. Take a few days, think it over. I’m not going to withdraw the offer.”

A tremulous smile lifted the corners of her mouth. Roy was disappointed by her lack of excitement, although he wouldn’t admit it. He’d hoped Julie would show as much enthusiasm for his idea as he felt himself.

Then it hit him. Naturally she was hesitant. She wanted it all, especially that ring on her finger, before she moved in with him.

“You want me to marry you first, don’t you?”

“That’s the way it’s generally done,” she said. “So…yes, I guess I do.”

He appreciated her honesty and felt he couldn’t be any less honest with her. “Sorry, Julie, it isn’t going to happen. I’m not interested in marriage.”

She took the news easily enough.

“Fine,” she said, her voice just a bit unsteady. “But what are you offering me?”

Roy shrugged. “I’m offering you a place in my life and in my home. I’ll be generous and attentive.” He couldn’t think of anything else she’d want. Although he hadn’t spelled it out, he intended to give her all the things women craved. She could buy whatever she wanted: jewels, clothes, cars. It was up to her.

“I don’t doubt that you’d be good to me.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“For how long?”

His patience was slipping. “You want guarantees?”

“Six weeks? Three months? A year?”

“How am I supposed to know? For however long the two of us last.” That should satisfy her. The way he felt just then, it could be a very long time, but she was right—maybe it wouldn’t. Who could tell?

“You’ve done contracts with other businesses, haven’t you?”

Roy had the feeling she was thinking out loud. “Yes—”

“You were ready to make a commitment to them, weren’t you?”

“Yes—”

“But you aren’t willing to make a commitment to me.”

Ah, he was beginning to understand. “I can break a contract for a price. Is that what you’re talking about?”

“Are you suggesting payment?”

He should have wised up by now, but she’d had him fooled. Still, he didn’t care. He was a man accustomed to paying for what he wanted. At the moment that was Julie, and he wanted her badly.

“Fine,” he said. “We can draw up a financial agreement.”

She pulled her hands free of his. “That wasn’t what I meant. I don’t think you realize how insulting that is, Roy.”

“Insulting? I thought it was what you wanted. Okay,” he said, doing his best to figure her out. “Just tell me what it would take—other than marrying you—to get you to move in with me.” He couldn’t make it any plainer than that. Aimee had moved in without a moment’s hesitation. He couldn’t understand why Julie needed all this discussion.