Bennett knew he should call, tell Zoey he was on his way over. But he wanted to surprise her. Brice had told him Zoey had had the ladies over at her house for lunch. He liked hearing she wasn’t sitting home alone. She was filling her life. A life that once had been full of sadness and isolation.
Normally, he used the security access code Zoey had given him for the front door. Since she didn’t know he was back in the States, she might think he was a burglar instead of her... Her what? Am I just her lover? That’s not what I want. I hope that’s not what she wants either.
Bennett had been dreaming about holding her in his arms and making sweet love to her all night. Although that still appealed to him, he knew they had things to discuss. Before anything, he needed to let her know how he felt about her.
It wasn’t going to be easy to brush off the subject about where he’d been or what he’d been doing for the past two weeks. Brice was correct. What they were working on needed to stay between them. It wasn’t something that would be resolved quickly. This issue had been going on for thousands of years. He knew from experience, you can shut down one, but another avenue opens up. It didn’t mean they wouldn’t do everything in their power to crush the ones they could find. It was going to take months, if not years, to put a solid plan of action together. He meant what he’d told the man in the taxi. He’d find a way to help the families as much as he could. What made him sick was knowing no matter how hard they tried, it was impossible to save everyone. All the chats with Doug were never going to make something like this easier to accept.
Doing so without Zoey finding out isn’t going to be easy. How can I tell her I love her and then lie to her? Is that love? Even if I’m doing this for a damn good reason, I don’t think she’ll see it that way.
Before he got out of his car, his cell phone rang. It was a New York area code but not Jon’s.
“Stone here.”
“Mr. Stone. I’m returning your call regarding a piano purchased from us. I’m sorry it took so long for me to return your call. How can I help you?”
Damn, I’d forgotten about that. Do I even want to know anymore? Does it matter? He wouldn’t have sought the information, but the guy was on the line, so he might as well ask.
“I’ve come across a piano, and I’m trying to find out what you can tell me about the previous owner.”
“We do not sell used pianos, sir. I would only have information on who the original purchaser was.”
He knew it was a long shot that they would remember Zoey, but he took the chance. “The name Henderson sound familiar?”
“Sir, we have many customers, and that is a very common name.”
“Zoey Henderson.”
The man’s tone changed, almost to the point of excitement. “Yes. Ms. Henderson has been a customer of ours for many years.”
Yes. She does leave a lasting impression. I know the feeling. It didn’t make sense as to why she was a reoccurring customer just for a showpiece. “What can you tell me about her?”
“I do not like to talk about my customers, sir.” The man became tight-lipped.
Normally he’d appreciate the fact that someone was watching Zoey’s back. However, this was information he wanted, which made things different. “I’m not asking for banking information. How about you tell me why you remember her so well?” And don’t you tell me because she’s the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen. I know that already. Give me something I don’t know.
“The way she plays. It’s always music I haven’t heard before. And to watch her is an experience I’ll never forget. She’s truly a gifted woman. Have you had the honor of hearing her play?”
Zoey plays? “No. But I plan on rectifying that.” Bennett ended the call and got out of his car. He just added something else to the list to discuss tonight. I know she plays, but that still doesn’t explain her anger. Could Doug be right? Had it felt like I’d been reading her diary to her? Was she the composer?
He knew then that they shared a common love of music, but she had something incredible: the ability to create a masterpiece.
When she opened the door he struggled not to pull her into his arms and carry her upstairs. Bennett wrapped an arm around her waist and brought her in for a gentle, miss you kiss. It was going to need to suffice for now.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were back?” Zoey asked when he let her go.
“I wanted to surprise you.”
She pointed at her attire and said, “Well, you did, and this is what you get. Me in my pajamas.”
“Looking beautiful.”
She blushed “They say lov—”
“Love is blind?”
Zoey nodded but kept her head lowered. Reaching out, Bennett tipped her chin up so he could see her eyes.
“You are an exquisite woman, Zoey. No one would ever say otherwise. But, beauty will only catch a person’s attention. It’s character that captures a person’s heart. And you’ve imprisoned mine since the day I met you.”