His face darkened. She swallowed. Serious was not going to get him to go to bed with hertonight.
He then massaged her knee. "We all use each other to get what we want out of life. I happen to be good at getting others to agree with whatever I want, and I get a good price. It was what my fathertaughtme."
A simple brush of his skin on hers sent her into overdrive."Are you like Scrooge in the old story and willing to let TinyTimdie?"
"No, I don't want to be heartless and cold." He leaned closer and was only inches from her face. "All my employees are offered full health insurance, even the parttimers."
Insurance had never set her on fire before. She sat back and lowered her gaze. "And your last relationship, Jennifer? What did you getfromyou?"
"It wasn't a relationship. She knew where westood."
He rubbed his chin as the limo stopped. He got out and held his hand for her to join him. She scooted out the same door and took his offer. He moved her hand to his arm as he led herinside.
"Plus she was Vicki's friend. She was the only one left that knew my sister and checked on me. She was someone I understoodand could besafewith."
Everyone had believed Victoria dead. She inhaled, and the sweet scent made her lipswater.
She sighed. "WherewasJohn?"
No one stopped them in the lobby. They walked arm-in-arm.
Peter said, "In the FBI. He hatedmetoo."
She tugged on her ear. This was too deep. She'd have to figure out how to ask him to kiss her again. At least shehadn't told him not to, so this time, he might kiss her onhisown.
"We don't have to talk about family anymore. I can see it clearlyhurtsyou."
"Nothinghurtsme."
Her eyebrows lifted, and a smile widened on her face. "Is thatadare?"
His dimples grew as he pressed the elevator button. "No. You have better aimthanmost."
She squeezed his arm. "I never stoppedtraining, even after I left the Marines. You should give yourself credit. You clearly stay in shape,Morgan."
As the elevator opened, she went inside to the sweet sound of a guitar playing a romantic medley. He followed her in, and he tookherhand.
"Morgan? Are we using last names now,Jordan?"
"It's what everyone else calls me at work." His arms leaned on both side of theelevator around her. A hunger grewinsideher.
She panted and said, "Just you and Em and, well, everyone at the wedding, seems to remember my name isBelle."
His lips almost brushed against hers. The elevator dinged, and they stopped on her floor. He lowered his arms and then massaged the back ofhisneck.
"Why did your parents nameyouthat?"
She followed him intothe small hallway outside her door. This night didn't need to end. She lickedherlips.
"I think my mom was into Disney, or she basically knew it was French for beauty. She must have had wishesforme."
He stared at her. Her skin tingled with anticipation. Tonight she ignored the doubts that plagued her mind and focusedonhim.
"You're wistful. You must have had a mother youloved. And I broke my promisetoyou."
Her eyes widened. "Whatpromise?"
He shrugged. "We weren't going to discuss family anymore,werewe?"
