Love Never Dies Read Online Free Page B

for the milk or whatnot.”
    Julia pretended interest and settled across from him in one of the coffee brown recliners Seth had added to the room. The chair was comfortable and warm on this chilly day and her brother had lit a fire in the brick fireplace, infusing the condominium with warmth and hospitality. Paul had added a few paintings of rustic mountain scenes and a beautifully framed photograph of her deceased great-grandmother and grandfather who’d arrived in San Francisco by wagon over 110 years ago.
    “Can you stay for dinner Julia?” asked Paul exuberantly, warming to his role as matchmaker.
    “Uh, well , I’m not sure Paul. Since it’s so dismal and rainy, I’d better hurry home before it gets too dark.”
    “Ah come on. It’s going to be simple, just tacos, and then you won’t have to co ok and eat a meal all by your lonesome. Say you’ll stay?”
    “Oh alright,” relented Julia. She’d secretly hoped to see Seth, determined to get a handle on the mysterious man she was so reluctantly attracted to. “Is Seth here?”
    “Nope, hasn’t showed up ,” answered Paul. “I’ll just trot to the kitchen now and start getting the tacos ready. Maybe you and Tim can set the table?”
    “We’d be happy to,” declared Tim , leaping up and following Paul into the kitchen. It wasn’t until Paul was halfway through making the tacos that he discovered he was missing two key ingredients; meat and refried beans. This was typical Paul, always plunging ahead without making sure he was really ready.
    “Not to worry,” he said. “T he market is only five minutes away. I’ll run down there and if you’ll make the salad I’ll be back lickety-split.”
    “Um, maybe I’ll go,” said Julia , not wanting to be left alone with the over amorous Tim.
    “It’s my fault that I don’t have the ingredients so I wouldn’t dre am of making you go out in this weather,” said Paul, grabbing his coat and keys and scurrying out the door before she could protest. Tim grinned his too-friendly smile and Julia could do nothing but hope the distraction of making the salad would keep the store manager’s mind off of her.
    After they finished making the salad , Julia moved to the snapping fireplace and held her hands before it even though she wasn’t cold, uncomfortable with Tim’s close proximity.
    “I’ve missed you,” said Tim quietly behind her, placing his hands upon her shoulders. Julia tried to shrug them off but he only moved closer, his breath nuzzling her ear while the overpowering scent of his too -liberally applied cologne clogged her breath.
    “I don’t know why you keep running away from me Julia. We’ve always had an overwhelming attraction to each other.”
    “Speak for yourself,” retorted Julia. “I’m not remotely attracted to you Tim. I could like you as a friend but you’ve made any sort of relationship intolerable because of your continuous advances. Now please could you move away?”
    “I kn ow you could love me if you’d just give me a chance,” said Tim, moving even closer. “And our families would be so thrilled.” He looped his arms around her torso, locking her in an embrace, as he forced her back again his chest. His hot breath was insistent as he leaned forward, whispering dirty suggestions in her ear. Neither heard the door open nor noticed Seth entering the foyer. He stopped to wipe his wet shoes upon the doormat and hung up his umbrella, suddenly tensing as he heard Julia’s adamant voice.
    “I’ve told you before to leave me alone, now get away from me,” demanded Julia, slamming an elbow into Tim’s stomach. He snarled as she pushed away from him, forcibly turning her and kissing her passionately, grinding his teeth against her protesting mouth. Julia leaned back and slapped him violently across the face, which only enflamed him more. He restrained her one arm and reached for her breast, totally beyond reason. Julia fought violently, realizing she was in real danger of