Chapter7
As the yacht docked,Belle held out her hand to shake, but Peter reached in for a hug. Her body tingled, and she couldn't figure out what to do. She hadn't hugged him. Instead she patted his back, but she didn't quite know how far to reach across him to give himahug.
Her heartbeat grew erratic. Finally she settled on keeping her arms from touching him, and the unsteadiness made her lightheaded. In the end, she pressed her arm behind hisshoulders.
As he let go, she prayed her face didn't show a huge blush. Most of his women probably knew howtohug.
She brushed her hair behind her ear as he said, "See you tonight. I'll pick you up fromyourhotel."
“Yeah. There is a problem.” Her entire body was hot and steamy, and it had nothing to do with the temperature outside. She fanned herself and licked her lips. "I don't know where I'mgoing."
He squeezed her hand. "Let my limo driver take you. I took care of all thedetails."
"Of course you did. It sounds like a master plan that you have in yourplaybook."
“Believe me, Belle, with you, the playbook is being completelyrewritten.”
She sat there, unsure how to respond. It might be surly if she took it allbacknow.
He winked. "I told you what I wantfromyou."
She gritted her teeth and tried not to imagine what his kiss would taste like. "Somehow, I think there is more to your interest in me, but I don't want to know whatitis."
"We all haveimaginations."
She sniffed the air as the scent of oak washed through her, and then she swallowed. "What are you plans for the day withoutmethen?"
"I have to go to work, but then I'll get ready at home. I’ll be at your hotel at eighto’clock."
“I’ll meet you downstairs then.” This was the worst idea of her life. Her friends would see her sitting withone of the richest men in the world and think she had gone off the deep end. Her pulse grew fast, though she rolled her shoulders and neck. "I don't know anything about you. This might not be agoodidea."
“You know enough, probably more than most people on their first date.” He patted her arm. "So live a little, BelleJordan."
"I'll figure you out,Peter."
"Not much toanalyze."
Her mouth grew moist like she'd ask for a kiss. She hugged her stomach and glanced at the limo door. "You could probably have anyone that crosses your path. We don't makesense."
He tried to meet her gaze, but she avoided him. "Havefaith."
"Faith and I aren't exactly on the bestterms."
"Let go of being sodefensivethen."
Tingles grew all over her as shestood near him. She'd beg for that kiss right now if she thought she'd never see him again. This was so out of her element, and she clenched her hands. One dolphin swim didn't change the facts about herorhim.
She stiffened her body and nodded. "See you tonight, with or without my armor. I'll decide thatlater."
"Belle, you are fascinating. I can't wait to see youtonight."
“Find another word to describe me then. I can’t live up to ‘fascinating’ forever.” He saw that she was settled in a limo, and then he went to another one. He hadn't even made a call. His people took care of every detail ofhislife.
In a daze, she settled into the seat and closed her eyes. This was something she never could have imagined. The white buildings and the smell of the oceanwas everywhere. Time must have sped past her. She licked her lips, and the next thing she realized she was at the door of a fancyhotel.
Parrots squawked and repeated words in the trees. This Christmas was so strange. She stepped outside into the bright summer day, though there were pine decorations splattered in corners. The tropical climate with the lined palm trees did not give her theholiday feel, even if they were wrapped withlights.
She crossed her arms to get her bearings as the limo driver said, "The front desk will have yourkey,miss."
