CHAPTER Twenty-One

Julie stepped off the elevator and strolled toward Ms. Johnson, the guardian of Roy's office. For two days, she'd wrestled with the question of what she should do. She dreaded giving him her answer, but now that she was here, she was more convinced than ever that she'd made the right decision.

Her natural inclination was to accept Roy's invitation and move in with him. He was correct about one thing: it was what they both wanted. Deep down, she clung to the hope that one day he'd love her. She suspected he already did, or had begun to, anyway, but refused to acknowledge his feelings. Moving in with him had been easy to rationalize. In the end, however, after a lengthy talk with her sister, Julie had to admit that she wanted more out of their relationship. The hard part would be convincing Roy that they both needed more time.

"Ms. Wilcoff." His assistant looked up, startled. "Did I know you were coming?"

"No, no, I stopped here on my way home from school. Is Roy busy?"

The woman, who was rarely flustered, seemed so now. "Let me check." Rather than use the intercom, she scurried away from her desk and disappeared behind Roy's office door.

When Jason, the downstairs security guard, had let Julie into the building without so much as a raised eyebrow, she should've realized there was a problem. The guard had worn a funny look, as if he knew something she didn't. Julie had wanted to ask him, but decided against it. Now Ms. Johnson was behaving in a peculiar manner, too.

A moment later, she reappeared. "He asked me to show you right in, but..."

"But?" Julie prompted when the woman hesitated. "Is Roy having a bad day?"

The older woman nodded. "You could say that. On second thought, seeing you might be exactly what he needs."

Now that Julie had arrived at her decision, she felt an urgency to get this conversation over with as quickly as possible. Delaying it might give her just enough time to change her mind.

Roy was sitting at his desk when she entered his office. He looked up and smiled, but she noticed that the warmth she'd grown to expect was missing.

"Should I come back later?" she asked uncertainly.

"No." He motioned for her to take a seat.

"I probably should've phoned first."

"Probably," he agreed. He relaxed in his chair and folded his hands over his stomach. And waited.

"I thought I should let you know what I've decided."

He nodded, his expression unchanged.

The tightness in Julie's throat increased. She leaned forward just a little and tucked her hands beneath her thighs, something she did when she was nervous. "I guess there's only one way to say this..."

"You're not accepting my invitation," he finished for her.

"Yes."

"Any particular reason?"

"Several, but I do want you to know how tempted I was."

"That's neither here nor there, is it?"

"Well, no-"

"Unless, of course, you're figuring I'll up the ante."

Anger flared instantly, but Julie mentally counted to ten before responding. "No, Roy, I'm not figuring you'll up the ante." She stood. "I think it'd be best if we talked about this another time."

"Now's as good as any," he said.

She leaned closer to his desk, desperately searching his face for the reason he'd changed. "What's wrong with you?"

"Me?" he demanded.

"You're looking at me like...like I've sprouted horns or something."

He laughed, but even his laughter sounded sarcastic. "All right, I'll play your little game. What would it take to get you into my condo? A monthly allowance? Jewelry? Just tell me and I'll arrange it."

"Don't insult me!"

"Is a thousand a week enough? You can quit teaching, live a life of luxury."

"I like my job!"

He snorted. "Don't give up teaching, then. Why should I care as long as you're there when I want you?"

Julie was beginning to feel sick. "I think I'd better leave."

"Don't go," he said, although he didn't offer her a reason to stay.

"What happened?" she asked, and made a sweeping gesture with her right arm. "Something must have happened."

"You mean other than an unexpected visit from my stepmother?" He dragged out the last word, as if even saying it was repugnant.

"Oh." He was talking about Aimee-which explained a great deal. "So you're back to that."

He arched one brow. "That?"

"All women are users and manipulators and not to be trusted, and therefore you ridicule every female you meet." She'd had enough. When Roy was in this frame of mind, there was no reasoning with him, as she knew from experience. She turned to leave.

Roy bolted out of his chair. "Where are you going?"

She ignored the question. "Perhaps we can talk when you're feeling less...angry."

"No, I want this settled today."

"Then it's settled. You have my answer." She started toward the door.

"I don't accept that."

Julie faced him and slowly shook her head. "You know what? There are some things you can't buy, and I'm one of them."