The empty walls needed a portrait, so she could stare at it and not at him. A distraction would stop the flutters in herchest.
"There is something in the air that goes into my brain, andI keep seeing a flashing sign to nottrustyou."
His cheeks blushed. "I don't know whattosay."
"Okay, I'll bend. I want to go to the wedding tonight, and not let myself panic. But no more fancygifts."
He shrugged. "We can have lunch? I amhungry."
A whirlwind spun in her mind. She took his arm and pressed her lips together. "Okay, let's go. I have luxuries at thehotel waiting for me upon myreturn."
He unlocked the door and escorted her into the hallway. None of the business people that rushed past them noticed anything unusual. She lifted her head as they walked toward a restaurantnextdoor.
"Victoria decided to open a dress shop and take over a fashion empire. Handlers for people who want her good favor send free clothes allthetime."
“That’s why you had women’s clothes on speeddial.” She swallowed as the staff escorted Peter to a table in the corner. "But why did you tell methat,now?"
“Trust.” He waited for her to sit and then sat next. "Because you seem to care where the money comes from, and I don't want you to worry. The suite you're staying in is already leased to my company in case I need to fly anyonein,ever."
"You could have said that earlier too." The lightheadedness she felt near Peter meant she should never drink. She gazed at the menu and not at him. "Okay, so the clothes didn't cost youanything."
"No, I didn't spend a dime, but I want to make sure you're prepared for when people speculate about us. Would you like to look atthemenu?"
She'd be the girl people staredat in the checkout line. A few of the faces of those celebrity photos of some of the most gorgeous people in the world also had poses of the same celebrity looking hideous. The last thing she ever wanted was to be oneofthem.
Her toes tapped on the floor. Her thoughts were vain, and she intended to change this topic. She gazed up from her menu and stared atthedoor.
"I thoughtwe were meetingsomeone?"
He reached into his back pocket and stared at his phone screen. Then he put it away and gazed into her eyes. "They aren't here. My secretary texted that they have rescheduled for coffeelater."
She had come to call this whole thing off with him. She half closed her menu. "So do you wanttostay?"
"Withyou,yes."
The waitress brought breadand water. She shrugged. "I'll order some sort of chicken or salmon. I need something light and not heavy if I'm to fit into something formfitting."
The waitress nodded. "I suggest the salmon, ma'am. It's wild, not farmed, and it practically falls offthefork."
For this one moment, Belle's mind cleared. She nodded. "Perfect."
Peter offered the waitress a smile. She kickedthe table, though he simply said, "Makethattwo."
Belle's cheeks pricked like she blushed as the waitress bounced away saying, "I'll be back with yourorders."
Peter stared at her, and the heat in her skin grew everywhere. "So you're calm abouttonight?"
She gulped her entire glass of water. It didn't cool her insides. Her legs were restless and almost brushed against hisunder thetable.
"I guess. Why do you want to spend all this timewithme?"
He broke the bread and offered her a piece. "Most people don'tfascinateme."
“Again!” What might she say that made any sense? She shook her head, but then took the bread. "Lose that word when you talk about me. I don't know what thatmeans."
He nodded. "Belle Jordan, you and I might not makesense on paper, but I don't care. You're opinion on things makes you the most unashamed and honest woman I've met in alongtime."
There must be a blush on her face now. She couldn't meet his gaze. "Thank you, but I'm just beingmyself."
