The Last Time I Saw Paris by Elizabeth Adler Read Free Book Online Page B

know?” Throwing back his head, he gulped down the beer.
    Lara stared, fascinated, at his smooth, strong, rippling throat. “Oh, I don’t know,” she said, gathering her wits. “I guess just who you are. What you are. What your life is like.”
    He rolled his eyes. “That’s a pretty tall order, Ms. Lewis. And I think your last question is the easiest to answer. At least without the help of a shrink.” He laughed as she blushed. “I thought blushing had gone out of style. But, anyhow, I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
    â€œI’m sorry. Forget I asked.” She tugged selfconsciouslyat her shorts, which were creeping up around her crotch. They must have shrunk.
    He said, “I have this little house at the beach. Nothing as grand as this, of course.” His eyes took in the crisp gray shingles and the spare but stylish decor. “Just kind of a fifties A-frame that I’m gradually redoing.”
    â€œWhenever you can spare the time from doing other folks’ work after hours.” Lara wondered if she was imagining it, or did the air seem to tremble between them as their eyes met? Surely not. Dan Holland was only here because he was doing a job for her, not because he craved her company.
    â€œMilt and I live there alone, except during school breaks, and then suddenly the place feels like it’s bursting at the seams with the kids and their friends. A man can get used to living alone,” he added thoughtfully. “The silence, only having to think of yourself. Usually, I put on some music and because I’m alone I can play it as loud as I want. Loud enough so it pours out into the night. I like to sit out there in the dark and let it wash over me in waves of sound, hearing it blend with the roar of the ocean. There’s something elemental about it.” He shrugged. “Anyhow, it just gets to me. Kinda sweeps through my soul.”
    â€œI don’t think you need a shrink, Mr. Holland,” Lara said, impressed. “I think you know exactly what you are and who you are and what you like.”
    His laugh boomed across the darkening shore. “The name’s Dan. And I wish it were that easy. I’m a simple guy. I like what I do and that’s part of what I am. Right now, I’m putting up a taco stand in Monterey but I’m also working with a local architect on a new ranch we’re building out in the hills behind Carmel.I’m making money. Not a lot, but enough to keep me happy, pay for my house, a couple of fishing trips to Mexico, the occasional ski weekend in Big Bear.” He shrugged. “That’s about it.”
    â€œWhat about your girlfriend?”
    He raised a quizzical eyebrow, smiling at her. “Her name’s Britt. I thought for a while there that maybe she was the one. Now,” he lifted his shoulder, “I’m not so sure. I’ve been seeing her for ten months. She’s a student at Berkeley.”
    Lara told herself she might have known. “I’ll bet she’s beautiful.”
    â€œYes, she’s beautiful. And ambitious. Not in the meaning of wanting a career. That’s not Britt’s style. She’s ambitious for material things. Sometimes I get the feeling she’s on the lookout for a better financial prospect than me.” He laughed lazily. “I can’t say I blame her.”
    â€œThen why stay with her?”
    â€œShe’s kind of a challenge, I guess.” He didn’t add that she was also wild in bed because he knew he would make Ms. Lewis blush again. The thought crossed his mind for a split second about how wild Ms. Lewis might be in bed. It was intriguing and totally out of place.
    â€œI’m not sure what I’m looking for in life,” he added thoughtfully. “All I know is I haven’t found it yet.” His eyes held hers in that deep gaze. “How about you?”
    â€œOh, I’m a very ordinary woman. A