Chapter14
Afireplace crackledin her ears. Belle swallowed. Her naked body was still warm and tangled with Peter's. This was so unlike her. She sniffed the air, and his oak scent overwhelmed her. Another snap in the air caught herattention.
She lifted her head and gazedout the door. Her stare stopped as she saw that Peter's big, brown eyes were wideawake.
He nodded at her and said, "MerryChristmas."
There was no use pretending last night hadn't happened. For the next few days, she'd live like nothing mattered. She licked her lips. He was so well-built, everywhere. A prickle of her cheeks made her think she blushed again. She straightened herspine.
"Merry Christmas back at you,Peter."
He pointed to her nightstand. "Is this picture of yourmother?"
"Yes. I like to travel with her. I take her everywhereIgo."
"You haveherface."
"No, she's farprettier."
"Don't putyourselfdown."
He rolled on top of her. Her body was so slick from their five times last night. She left her hands aboveher head and didn'tstruggle.
"I have somethingforyou."
She covered her lips. A tremble inside her grew as he smiled at her. She licked her lips. There was no time forpresents.
"I don't have anything for you. I didn't know we'ddothis."
He handed her a thin, narrow box. Her heart raced. What happened between them wasn't about clothes, and he hadn't had any timeto buy anything. Nothing else would fit in the box, though. She bit her lip and openedthebox.
Wrapping paper covered something hard. She let out a breath as she stared at a picture of them dancing together lastnight.
"How did youprintthis?"
"I told the photographer to wrap it and deliver it your hotel. I heard the knock, and you were sleeping. I hope youlikeit."
"It's thoughtful." She dropped her hands to her side. "Peter, you didn't have to. I seriously didn't get youanything."
"I can think of presents I'd like from you." He inched the sheets lower. "One more peek at your naked body would be the bestpresent."
Now wasn't the time to be shy. He'd already had his hands all over her. She held steady andnodded.
"Then unwrap thesheetsoffme."
His eyes lit up like he was a boy on Christmas morning as she brushed her fingers against his five o'clock shadow. He then kissed her nipples, one atatime.
"You'reperfect."
A giggle escaped her lips as she arched to let him touch her again. "I have the same parts every woman onearthhas."
He sat beside her, but their legs stayed entwined. He ranhis hand throughherhair.
"It's the whole package Belle. It's your sexy skin, sexy lips, the words that come out of them, and how you radiate warmth from yourverysoul."
Her heart lifted. She believed every word. "Peter, sometimes you areapoet."
"Only for you." He ran his hands through her hair now. "And never tellanyone."
