Impulses couldn't be stopped at the moment. She came closer to him as the driver took off. Her hand brushed against his face as she said, "I'm going to kiss you on the cheek, but don't take it as anything morethanthat."
Her lips met his skin and melted her. With him, she felt safe and in a home she'd never had. She slumped into her seat and triedto stare out thewindow.
His hand landed on top of hers. "I stopped believing women like youexisted."
"Likeme,how?"
"Good, honest, trustworthy types. I never met many and the ones I do meet are usually alreadymarried."
Words were not supposed to melt her. She had to remember she had no heart, so she shouldn't be like this. Her knees knocked against his thigh asshe staredathim.
"Stop hanging out with women that pretend to be anythingyouwant."
His mouth fell open. "How do you know that's whathappens?"
"I'm usually called ‘over-opinionated’ or much worse when someone doesn't like my opinions, but you seem to find theminteresting."
"Belle Jordan, you're nothing like Iexpected."
She wasn't like herself with him.She was softer. This wasstrange.
"What did you expectofme?"
"A jealous, woman-hating military brat who would shoot my sister on sight for whathappened."
She crossed her arms. "You clearly don't know enough about the people who are in the military. Peter, most people there have hearts that are so big they wish to protect the restofus."
"I will host a charity eventin your honor for veterans on NewYear'sthen."
She dropped her arms to her side, and his hand found hers again almost immediately. Electricity ran through herveins.
"What?"
"I'd like you to spend the rest of the holidayswithme."
She covered her lips. This was too much. "Peter, I don't know whattosay."
"Sayyes."
“Let me think about it.” The echoesof an orchestra played with her heart strings. She stared into his brown eyes and then averted her gaze. Something tore at her to not trust him and another part of her heart whispered to bend. "My friend Em and the other boys from the Marines will be heretonight."
"Colt's friends, I imagine." His fingers squeezed hers. "I'm with you, and that's all thatmatters."
The limo stoppednear a red carpet. At least she'd blend with the floor. She licked her lips as the limo driver said, "We'rehere."
Peter didn't open the door. He stared at her lips. She tingled and wished for another kiss. He licked his lips and then said, "Belle, you know you want to. Will you stay and spend New Year'swithme?"
"That wasn’t enough time. Why don't we get that brunch tomorrow anddiscussitthen?"
"Fair enough." He opened the door and lights flashed. This was what happened to almost trillionaires she supposed. She squared her shoulders. "Let's getinside."
As she latched onto his arm, people swarmed them to take photos. The lights blinded her, and she leaned on him to get her away from the crowd. As the doors closed behind them, she tried to see. All sheremembered from that last minute was the sense of being home inPeter'sarm.
