They stepped inside and the sound of light samba filled the air. She pressed his arm. "And? Did she walk out the door telling you to fend foryourself?"
He stiffened and stood taller. As the elevator doors opened, they stepped into the lobby. "She didn't say anything to me. She saw me on the marblestaircase as she stormed out of the living area. She had just argued with my father. I thought she'd be right back, but she never walked in the dooragain."
Someone snapped their picture. Peter kept his arm at his side and didn't blink. He wasn't a celebrity. She crossed her arms in defense and then stared at his profile. "That doesn't make sense. How oldwereyou?"
"Four, almostfive. And you were right, my father told me not to trust any woman, including my mother, as all women have theirprice."
He never broke their stride as he escorted her through the lobby where people were checking out and heading for a cruise. He held the door for her. His limo waitedforthem.
The driver held open her door. She nodded as a thank you and then slid inside. Peter thenjoined her in the backseat. Her heartbeat raced as she thought he should have someone way more elegant on his arm, but then she told herself this whole thing was temporary. She dropped her arms and let her bodyrelax.
"You do keep looking for my price,don'tyou?"
He reached for her hand, so she dropped it in her lap for him to hold. His fingers linked with hers again, and then hekissed it. "I haven't figured you out. Thank you for helping at the hospitaltoday."
Leaving Washington and coming here had been the best idea she'd ever had. The butterflies in her stomach were still there, but at the moment, lessobvious.
"I don't know how to prove myself. It's a hard sell. My own father is too busy for me these days." She averted her gaze. It was best to changethe conversation. "What happens at thehospital?"
"We visit patients, see what their needs are. Then we go to my house and have a nice quiet dinner. You'll like StarrIsland."
"What happened tobrunch?"
"Dinner is moreintimate."
"I was promisedbrunch."
"That was before you and I made love. Is the change of plans aproblem?"
"No, I guess not." Perhapsher unexpected vacation meant she could continue being someone else like she was with him. "I'd like to see your home. Is it a nice place to see the stars atnight?"
"You might say that. The celebrities have really turned our family homestead into something elseentirely."
She tugged her ear with her free hand. "Now I'm intrigued. I wish I could say yes, but my friend Em made meswear I'd squeezeherin."
"I'll make sure she and your friends are taken care of and get you to the hotel tomeether."
Silence clung in the air. She listened to her heartbeat and swallowed. Perhaps he was right. She could pretend to be this nice, sweet Belle version of herself for a shortwhilemore.
"Then let'sdoit."
"I think we did it last night, but I'll be readyfor more of you thisevening."
"Ha, ha, Peter. Not everything relates to sex." She squeezed his hand that held hers as she shook her head. "We might again, if I'm persuaded you're notjudgingme."
"There is something I shouldtellyou."
His gaze narrowed, and she stilled. Her lips parted, but her eyes didn't quite close yet. Her pulse was raised, and adrenaline ensured allshe could see was him beside her. He lowered his head, and his lips came closer to hers. She licked her lips and closedhereyes.
"Belle..."
He hesitated, though his face held a slightblush.
She opened herlips. "Yeah."
With his lips hovering beside hers, every cell in her body was awake and alive. She knew where he was from how the air around her practically sangwithenergy.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and said, "Ilikeyou."
Melted butter didn't feel this good. She kept her eyes closed and her lips close to his. "I don't know what's going on, but this is the first Christmas I've enjoyed in a long time. I am afraid of what'shappening."
There was something else that he meant to say. She could see the conflict of lightthat displayed in his eyes. She swallowed. For now, she'd let him figure out his pace. Whatever it was that haunted him, it couldn't be worse than what his father had done to him. Then his lips brushed hers, and she lost any other thought for that moment. All she could see were stars and him. Peter Morgan wasperfect.
