“We can...”
“Let me finish. Two is that I do want to get married, but I want to do it because I feel the need to shout 'yes' in my heart and not because it's expected of me. Finally, three is that I want to travel by donkey up a mountain."
He blinked. "A donkey?"
She gulped her glass. "I didn't want to be cheesy and say I want a family. I feel like I'm asking for the moon and stars while wishing and dreaming never get you much."
His entire face grew hot, and he stared out at the moon that grew higher in the sky. "I'm not the guy for you then."
"Don't worry about it. I told you it was all nonsense." She covered her lips and shook her head as she stared at him. "The second I said marriage or family, did your heart race?"
His collar grew tight, but he leaned closer to her. "Yeah, I guess it did."
"Then I'll stick to the donkey answer." She sat straight in her seat. "Donkey's aren't scary."
"Slightly smelly though." He licked his lips. "Belle, you're someone who makes me feel good about myself. I like the man I am with you."
"But?" She sat straighter.
He licked his lips. She truly was beautiful. "Why is there a but?"
She gripped her seat. "There is always a ‘but.’"
“But...” He gulped his drink. Then he reached out and took her glass. "I never wanted a wife or to get married. I wanted what my father instilled in me to die out. No one else should have to question every action."
"What's inside you that's so bad?"
His face had a slight tick. "That I can think like him, act like him, be like him. I could become so controlling that I lose touch and seal my fate as he did."
"That is impossible."
She made no sense. He swallowed. "How?"
"You're too sweet to be so evil. You see the options and don't choose his path."
He reached for her knee and leaned closer. "It's a constant struggle. I know how to get what I want, no matter the cost."
She wrapped her arms around him, and he kissed her. The apples mixed with the sweet wine made her the most succulent woman on the planet. He tugged her closer. He had to have her. She set him on fire.
She sighed as he stopped. Then she rested her head against his. "Wow, that was some kiss."
She made him feel alive. The sparks in his soul demanded he have her again. He stayed still. "Do you want me to take you home?"
“Let’s not sail for days right now. I was looking forward to your party on New Years.” She pressed her chest into his, and the sensation grew butterflies in his stomach. "Right now, I want to enjoy what happens next."
He wrapped his arms around her, kissed her nose and then led her to the door. "My bedroom is this way."
"Perfect."
She was right. Right now she was perfect and just what he needed.
Chapter Eighteen
Belle stretched. The yacht moved with the waves, but the engines were silent. Peter's chiseled body lay beside her, and he was still and warm. She untangled her arm and stared outside. They were docked somewhere. She shook him and kissed his forehead.
"Peter, it's morning."
He sat fast, but then grabbed her hand. He stared at the sun, like he was telling the time, and then nodded.
"I'll get you to the hotel and join you there this afternoon."
She stared at his profile. "Will you go in and see your mother?"
His quick intake of breath told her she had surprised him. "No, I have a board meeting. The moment it's over, I'll come find you."
"You should make time for your mom too. She's waited for you most of your life, knowing you were with your father." He flinched so she stretched and changed the topic. "But I should go find my friends and make an appearance. They must think I ditched them."
He stood and picked up his pants. "You were helping me. Take Em to the spa or someplace nice. Wait for me."
"Yes, boss."
"It was a suggestion."
"Just don't want you thinking anymore that you'll turn evil at a drop of a dime."
"So you called me boss?"
"Yep, and you didn't get mad."
He cocked his head, unsure what to say. Then they both sped through getting cleaned up and dressed.
As they were leaving the ship and heading toward the waiting limo, she grabbed his arm. "How will you find me?"
He tilted his head. His eyebrows lifted as he lifted his mobile. "I have a phone."
"Well, that might work." She swallowed and took his phone. "Do you want my phone number?"
As she typed in her contact info, he said, "Yeah I don't know why I didn't think to ask something so basic."
"You have a lot on your mind." She handed him his phone and then ran her hand up to his shoulders. "Okay. Peter, I'll be here for you. Find me soon."
He stopped, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard. Her lips tingled as he drew away. She licked her lips to remember the taste as he waited at the limo door for her to slide in. She followed and hopped inside.
"Let's get you to your friends."
As soon as he entered, she remembered his earlier suggestion. He'd likely pay for the spa, and she couldn't keep accepting everything he offered. But a spa or trip somewhere did sound good.
She stayed beside him and let their legs touch as she said, "Peter, just think about taking it easy on yourself and forgiving your mom."
He placed his hand on her knee, and her body seemed to melt as he said, "If she was honest, then it's me to blame."
"I don't follow."
"I should have checked the expense report months ago and not been off ensuring the empire expanded."
"You didn't know."
"Right. I'll be back."
His eyes squinted and now she understood him. He didn’t want to continue this conversation. As the limo drove through the streets, she inhaled his woodsy scent. "Peter, despite all the drama, this has been the best vacation I've ever been on."
He massaged her knee and turned to face her. "We still have to talk about you being my girlfriend."
Her mouth watered for another kiss. She opened her lips and asked, "Em says I don’t date easy and take thing seriously to often."
"Don’t think ahead too much. Let's go away."
"What?"
"I own a jet. Location doesn't matter, and I'd rather be with you."
Her heart swelled in her chest. The thought of seeing him all the time brightened everything around her. She nodded her head.
"No, we’re staying here, I'll think about being your girlfriend."
"Good, we'll talk about this when I see you."
"Agreement doesn't sound like you." She lifted her gaze to him again and laughed silently to herself. "You're ending the conversation here?"
He kissed her cheek as the limo pulled to a stop. "Yeah, I have a lot to think about. See you soon."
"See you."
Her arms wrapped around him. She swallowed, but then he kissed her. She closed her eyes and was completely lost. His mouth on hers was perfection. She tasted and breathed only him.
She blinked as he pulled away.
"I'll be back as soon as possible."
No words formed on her lips. She sighed and stood next to the limo outside her hotel and watched him climb back inside. She swayed on her feet until his limo took off down the street. For once in her life, romance seemed impossibly possible. She hugged herself and then floated inside the hotel.
The people in the lobby were either into their own conversations and ignored her, or they stared at her. She didn't care and walked right to the elevator bank. As she pressed the button, a familiar voice called out from the crowd.
Belle stopped as Em darted through a crowd to stand beside her. "There you are."
Someone snapped her picture as she hugged her friend. "Em, I am here to find you and the guys."
"We thought you were going to stay forever at Chez Morgan and forget about the little people."
"Never."
> Em shrugged. "This hotel is nice."
If she had stayed at her original hotel, the staff would have had no idea how to keep people away from her. Belle pressed her lips together and realized people were standing around them.
"It was the wedding hotel, where the guests all stayed."
Em smiled like she had a secret. "Or it's the place where Mr. Monopoly will be seen."
"Peter has a name."
Belle's cheeks burned. She must have blushed. She stepped into the elevator and wiggled for her friend to follow. Em didn't move.
"Let's talk in my suite where ears aren't listening."
Belle pressed her lips together, and then Em stepped inside.
As the doors closed, Em's eyes widened. "Wow, cameras are all over you now."
She shook her head. "I guess. Peter's family drama shouldn't be in the newspaper."
"The lifestyle of the super rich family who has a habit of returning from the dead and stopping weddings is gossip for the rest of us."
"Whose wedding was stopped?"
"Yours."
“Ohh.” Her entire body grew warmer. It was time to change the topic. She took a deep breath. "No. I'm okay. There was no real drama with me. Em, do you know what it's like to be swept off your feet?"
"Truthfully, no. I thought it was some story that the movies all like to sell."
The elevator dinged, and they stepped off. Belle found her room key as she answered, "After the Marines, I truly never thought I'd land in a place like this."
She intended to throw open the door, but she dropped the key. She lowered her gaze to pick up the keys as her friend said, "Is it a forever kind of love or just a fling?"
She flinched and waved the key to open the door. "Why?"
"Belle, you aren't capable of meaningless flings. It was why I voted against you and Mr. Owns-All-The-Banks. Are there any other clothes for me to pilfer through?"
"Not today."
They both stepped inside. Belle expected her to gasp, but her friend stared at her and waited for an answer.
Belle shrugged. "You don't get a vote in my life, and all I know right now is that he asked me to stay for New Year's and I intend to."
Em twirled around her feet and must have stared at the room. Belle walked past and dropped her bag on the side table near the couch.
"Is he throwing a huge blowout or am I interrupting some big romantic vacation with just my presence in your room?" Em asked.
"Don't be silly. He has a meeting, and I wanted to spend time with you." She took off her heels and left them on the floor. "He did say you're invited to a party soon. And that he'd ensure you meet all the rich eligible men there."
"What if I don't want a pretentious jerk who thinks his bank account matters?"
"Peter's not like that." Belle smiled. Now that was her best friend. She went over and brushed her hand on her shoulder. "He also said he'd have the driver take you to a bar where you can meet regular, non-rich guys. Totally up to you."
Em stepped away and had her mouth wide open. "You had this conversation with Peter Morgan about me?"
Belle nodded. "Of course. You're my friend."
Em went toward one of the balconies. "This is a fairy tale here in Miami. I can't imagine you'd ever want to return to DC."
"This is like a dream." Belle then pointed to the other side. "Check out both balconies. And don't forget that ceiling. It's hand-painted."
Em shook her head as she glanced up. "I'd want to stay here, forever."
Belle rolled her shoulders. She needed to change out of these clothes and take a fast shower. She folded her hands in her lap.
"Life isn't a dream or a fairy tale. I'm just going to enjoy my time here."
"Well I'd be sad to lose one of my best friends, especially since I thought you were going to stick it out in DC with me. We were going to end up single and adopting cats. Now it’s a solo plan."
“You deserve more.” Belle's heart constricted. "I don’t have a plan for my future anymore. For Colt, the choice was easy, Em. I didn't want to be here."
"For Mr. Monopoly, though, it seems you do."
"I don't have an answer yet."
Em shrugged. "I hope it lasts, hon. I'll round up the guys. Meet me downstairs in a half an hour. Let's go shopping."
She hugged herself. "Sounds perfect."
As they strolled down a street named Miracle Mile, Belle held open the door for her friend. She stepped into the blast of air conditioning and released her breath.
Em said, “Too bad the boys thought shopping too girly.”
"Em, have you ever dated a guy who gave you butterflies in your stomach?"
She winked. "I only date men who can do that."
Her face felt warm. "I've only dated two men in my life. My high school boyfriend lasted into college. Then when I joined the Marines, I met Colt, and we dated until recently."
Em picked up a dress and then put it down. "And now you're on the cover of newspapers as the woman that might tame Mr. Monopoly."
She flinched. "I told you to stop calling him that."
"Fair enough, though I bet your Peter would be sexy even in a top hat and carrying a cane."
"Maybe he would." She crossed her arms as she flitted to another dress. "But Peter is not a board game."
"What is he then?"
"Sweet."
Em's voice became droll. "This is how you are constantly in a relationship, isn't it? You always only see the good in the guy you're with."
She dropped her hands to the side. "Em, what are you talking about?"
She glanced in the mirror and not at her. "All the guys we're friends with are friends because you compliment them, ask them about their families. Now you're getting one of the richest, most powerful men under your spell, and you don't even see it that way."
Belle plopped her hands to her sides. "I am just being me."
Em shook her head but then went to study the dress she held. "I just hope that one day some guy who gives me those good flutters in the stomach finds me half as good as you."
She placed her hand on Em's wrist. "Em, you're not making any sense."
She slammed the hanger back on the rack with the dress on it. "Look, I truly only want you to be happy. Then one day you can teach me how you do it."
A new man was something to be happy about. She licked her lips and steered her friend toward the door. "Let's try to have fun. What are we shopping for?"
The bright sunshine never stopped here. Eighty degree weather for Christmas felt strange. She motioned for them to enter a small bookstore as Em answered, "Something for my parents to make them less sad."
Now Belle felt horrible. She held her breath. "You didn't have to come to the wedding or stay in town."
Em shook her head and stared at the touristy stuff. "Mom's cancer isn't going away, and she wanted me to go. I promised her I'd be home soon."
Belle exhaled and stepped closer to her friend to whisper, "Cancer sucks. It's how my mom died when I was a kid. If I can do anything..."
"You already do." Em kept her gaze down and didn't move. "Keep her in your prayers and thoughts. I'm hoping Mom beats it."
Belle placed her hand on Em's shoulder, but Em swatted her away. "Of course. I hope your mom survives. She's lovely."
She shrugged and dropped her hands to her sides. "Yes, Mom's great."
Belle held up a horribly cheesy Miami coffee mug and placed it back on the shelf. "Then we better get started on our mission."
"What mission?"
She gazed at Em, who studied her. "To get your mom things that will cheer her up."
"Mom wants me to be happy more than anything else."
She lifted her head. "Then be happy."
"She wants me to find a husband, but we both know I'm destined to be single forever." Em stepped away, almost like she was ashamed. Then she placed a silly hat on her head and modeled it. "What do you think of this wolf hat?"
Belle covered her lips not to laugh. "It
will look fabulous in your legal career as you meet your clients. You can represent all the wolves. And no, you don't have to be single."
"I've not met a guy I can stand being with for more than a few months." Em tugged the hat off her head and put it down. "Wolves would be nicer clients."
"The life of a lawyer."
Belle turned toward the huge window and saw Peter and his strong shoulders, which had held her tight last night. The door chimed as it opened, and Belle fixed her hair behind her ear.
"There is Peter. He's early."
Em's mouth dropped open. "I get to meet Mr. Monopoly here?"
She turned to her friend and swallowed. "Be nice. His name is Peter Morgan."
A moment later, he wrapped his arms around her, and she smelled his woodsy scent. A lightness entered her heart as she hugged him. "Peter."
"Belle."
"You're early."
He pulled away, but the flutters in her stomach remained. Then he took her hand and laced their fingers together.
"The meeting ending with everyone telling me yes. It makes it faster if I stare down my employees until they comply."
She smiled. His brown eyes were mesmerizing. She could see how someone who didn't know him might be intimidated. "Well, that is one strategy."
He stared at Em's blonde hair and blue eyes. "Introduce me to your friend."
She opened her mouth. She had almost forgotten the world existed. She then shook her head.
"Peter Morgan, this is Emily Callahan. Em, this is Peter Morgan."
He held out his hand to shake hers. "Nice to meet you."
She shook his hand, and Belle felt her pulse increase. Peter kept his other hand around her waist, as he said, "Emily, I hope you don't mind, but I had my secretary create a calendar of options for you later today. I want to steal Belle away, but she's been worried about you. So how does jet skiing or a midnight kayak adventure or anything else sound?"
Her lips parted. "I'm going jet skiing?"
He handed her a folder. "Anything you want. The adventure's on me."
She clutched it to her chest like she would refuse to let it go. "This sounds way fun, and I'm sure the guys will love spending time without me. But do you think I could talk with my friend tomorrow for a little while? Coffee or something like that?"
Secret Bet (The House of Morgan) Page 13