“I’m good at sizing up people. It’s part of my job.” Perhaps she moped because Colt had chosen his sister instead ofthis Belle. He swallowed and hoped this wasn't jealousy. "I'm curious what you think of my sister. You must hate her formarryingColt."
“I suppose I should.” She leaned closer, and again her fearlessness unmanned him. No one stared at him like she did. She swallowed. "But Idon't.”
“No one is that much of asaint.”
“I’m not that. Colt thought she was dead when he was withme. In the years he spent with me, he only ever said how he wished he had time with Victoria to talk about their daughter. He was a good father. It was part of the charmhehad.”
“You want the instantfamilythen?”
“Assumptions are usually wrong. I'm sure he told you we fought about him moving to DC and leaving hisfamilyfarm."
"He'd never go. My sister could live anywherein the world, and she chose Homestead, Colt and herfamily."
“He left me because he wanted to stay there, or sohesaid.”
True. Colt must have been conflicted. Peter clenched teeth created a pain in his jaw. He parted his lips, and the taste of apples tickled his throat. He reached out and brushed his hand against hers. Her skin was silky soft, and it wasn't likely layered on lotion.Sparks surged in his cells. He realized she did thattohim.
He leaned closer. "So you accepted someone who could never love you as his firstandonly."
"Wait. What? That's not fair." She took her hand away from his reach. Again his fingers ached to hold her more. She played with a strand of her hair and said, "No one is perfect. And Colt was someone I coulddependon."
Henarrowed his gaze. "Is that what you seek?Dependability?"
She flinched like had he caught her. Then she squared her shoulders. "Yeah. Someone real and not allglitter."
“Men don’tglitter.”
“A metaphor and men can absolutely appear to be great but turn out to be nothing but an illusion. You have the appearance of a dream guy, but we both know you’re not theforevertype.”
“I don’t promise what I cannot give, but I live for the moment.” The moonlit sky illuminated her face. The brightness in her gaze told him she spoke from her heart. Most people were not expressive, and no woman ever spoke to him like she did. It was almostrefreshing.
“And take whateveryouwant.”
"Don't judge me because I have access to anything I mighteverwant."
She lifted her chin. "No, youdon't."
Everything about Belle was different. The gleam in her eye was refreshing. He tapped his knee. "Idon't?"
She shrugged. "You'll neverhaveme."
Good answer, not that he'd give her credit. A woman like Belle would hold nothing back, and she'd likely spend her life disapproving of his choices. He sunk into the cushionsbehindhim.
"You scare me, Belle. If I did have you, you'd be the type that staysforever."
She puckered her lips like she'd say 'so I'm right as always.' “That makes usoppositethen.”
“Perhaps that’s what interesting aboutyouthen.”
“No, you’re wondering why I don’t want to be here and you’re fascinated for the evening.” She leaned closer, and their arms brushed. His shirt blocked hisskin from experiencing that shock to his skin. The hair on his arms stood straighter as she said, "But tomorrow, we’ll never see each other again and we clearly don’t have wedding bells in our future. So I’m safe totalkto."
“Most of your judgments about me is harsh.” Tonight's score had Belle in the clear lead. He had no idea how to melt her ice with anything but honesty. "You are righton one thing. Marriage is not in the cards forme,ever."
Her eyebrows raised. "Don't you want afamily?"
"My own was punishment enough. Why would I want to subject a child to that kindofpain?"
That had flown out of his mouth. He bit his tongue, but then she smiled. "Family isn't always painful. It's just hard to figure out if someone is good for your life or not when lustclouds the judgment. Your last girlfriend wasgorgeous."
