Chapter15
With Belle,the jolt through his body hadn't dissipated. Peter Morgan refused to say anything, but near her, he was light-hearted. The smell of apples now tempted him, and her kisses were mind-numbing. No one ever made him feel anything like this. She might even be betterthan that moment he knew he had won a major battle in the boardroom and the euphoria of beingright.
Nothing about today made sense, but for the first time he could remember, he had been afraid. What if she left when he told her about the bet? It was over now, but his stomach had a knot at the thought that she'd disapprove. The limo stopped at the hospital, and he helpedherout.
As she passed, calmness entered his entire body and settled in his skin. No one here would tell her. He'd find the right moment to free himself and tell her the initial truth about why he had spent the first minute with her. Everything was different now. He took her hand, held the box, and together they entered thelobby.
Every year since he'd been five, he'd accompanied his father to dothis as his mother was no longer part of the family. Even after Mitch's death, this was one tradition Peter didn't mind. Today he helpedpeople.
They talked to the intensive care unit, and he stopped at the first door. At the nurse's station, Jennifer Gonzales, his ex, hovered. His pulse quickened. He turned to Belle. She hadn't seen. He swallowed. He needed to get rid of Jennifer, fast,and with luck, Belle would neverfindout.
Adrenaline now pumped in his veins. He handed Belle the first envelope from the box and pointed her to the door. "Belle, go inside and hand the woman in this room thesepapers."
She clutched the envelope he had fished out of the box. "Whoisshe?"
Jennifer waved at him from behind Belle's head. Peter pressed his lips together andflipped open the envelope. Then he handed the papers to Belle so shecouldread.
"My secretary wrote that her name is Mrs. Bembry. Her husband is on life support for a heart attack. She has three children and two grandchildren with one more on the way. She hasn't seen them. The papers say both that her bills will be taken care of by the Morgan Foundation and that all of her family willbe heretonight."
Belle refolded the envelope. Jennifer lifted her head higher. He needed to get rid of his ex fast. Today was about Belle and that jolt he hadnearher.
Belle waved the envelope in front of Peter's face. "Are you sure you don't want to? This sounds like agreatgift."
For the rest of the day, Belle would have his undivided attention. Right now he placed hishands on her back and pointed her towardtheroom.
"No, Belle. They will more likely to accept itfromyou."
She turned to him. "Come inwithme."
There was nothing else he'd like to do. He then tugged his ear. "I'll be right in. I just need to take care of somethingfirst."
She shrugged. Clearly she hadn't seen Jennifer as she bounced into the hospital room. "Okay.Hurryback."
Belle's voice echoed in his ear as she said greeted a mother. He clenched his hands and his shoes twirled towardJennifer.
Jennifer heaved her big chest at him, and he stepped away. He massaged his chin. "What are youdoinghere?"
She pouted. "I came to help you, like Ialwayshave."
Again she stepped closer to him, and he sidestepped her. Then he puffedout his chest as he'd never run from any challenge. "Jennifer, you have a boyfriend. Rafe is agoodguy."
Her lips tisked as if he had said something distasteful. "Rafe is a good guy, but he thinks I'm notoveryou."
"He's the smartest cop in Miami PD." Belle didn't need to deal with one minute of Jennifer and how most people placated her. He pressed his lips together. "Look, I'mbusy and Belle's here with me thisChristmas."
Jennifer flipped her hair and placed her hand on her hip. "Now that Vicki's wedding is over, you don't have to entertain the jilted bride anymore just because the groom made some bet with you. Peter, we used to be goodtogether."
He opened his mouth to tell her to get off him as she placed her hand on his arm. Then Belle's voice ranginhisears.
"What didshesay?"
He turned around and reached for the one woman who made his stomach flutter. "Belle, you can'tbelieve..."
She swatted his hand away from her. "Ican."
He left his box of cards at the nurses' station and followed her as she ran down the hall. At the elevator bank, he found her and said, "Wait. Belle, I went over to tell her toleave."
She rolled her eyes and pressed the elevator button. She shifted from side to side as she avoided his gaze. "Why? She's clearly hereforyou."