Chapter23
Belle paced in her room.Had Peter ended the bet, and why hadn't she asked him for details? She should have. The more Jennifer's words swirled in her mind, the more her shoulderstensed.
As the sun set outside her balcony, a knock reverberated in the air. She inhaledand threw open the door. Peter wrapped his arms around her andkissedher.
Her hands didn't curl around him, though her lips tingled from his taste. Her fingers ached to run through his hair, but she balled her hands together to stay at hersides.
He let her go and stared at her, "What'swrong?"
She used both of her hands and pushed him out of arms reach. Peter walked insideher room and closed the door. She stormed into the living room on the first floor. He followed, and then she turned and crossedherarms.
"Peter, that's the last kiss weshouldhave."
He rubbed his chin as he widened his stance. His stare sent heat through her, and it mixed with the molten hot lava ofbetrayal.
She clenched her jaw as heasked, "Why?"
Her entire bodystiffened as she widened her legs, much like he had. Then she lifted her chin to stareathim.
"I need you to tell me about the bet that you'ddateme."
His lips parted, and his eyes grew larger. "What happened that you brought itupnow?"
"Details. I should be able to ask for them." Her eyes were going to water, but she refused to cry in front of him. This wasn’t worth beingthe first time she let herself go. She cleared her throat and then stared at him like he was her enemyatwar.
"Is what Jennifer said about thebettrue?
"Jennifer..." He stepped closer, but Belle blocked and stood behind the sofa. He nodded his head. "At the party, before you walked in, Colt and John both bet me that I couldn't date any woman I set my mind too. I told you I believedeveryone has theirprice."
No. A bet should not change her life. She stormed past him and headed to the door. As she crossed the living room, Peter brushed against her arm. She froze and then pointed tothedoor.
"Getoutnow."
His face was contorted, and he didn't move a muscle. "Just wait, one minute. I thoughtyouknew?"
"At the hospital, Jennifer mentioned it. Wehad so much else going on that I left it on the back burner. I always wanted to know." If he wasn't going to leave, then she'd have to show him out. Her heart hammered in her chest as she yelled, "I hope you speak to your mom and grow close to your family, Peter. I want the best for you. But right now, I'm upset, and I want you toleave."
He came closer. She was close to tears, and no she'dnot let him touch her. She stepped away so that the chair on the other side of the living room forced them to havespace.
Peter didn't move, like he didn't want to scare an animal as he said, "Wait, Belle. I called off the bet, long before either of thoseconversations."
She rolled her eyes. Here came the explanation. Her jaw hurt from clenching it, but it didn't matter right now.He had to leave. She crossed her hands and tappedherfoot.
"When? When did you call it off? Before we slepttogether?"
He nodded with those big, sexy eyes of his. "Yes, actuallyitwas."
Another truth or another excuse? Belle's ears steamed. She covered them and refused to look at him. "I don't want to hearanymore."
He walked around the chair, but kept the distancebetween them. He was closer to the door. "I'd rather talk about this. Belle, Ineedyou."
Her eyes misted. She'd not cry. She never cried in front of an audience. She kept her body tight, and she swallowed her unshed sobs. Her skin was electrified, and she clenched herhands.
"No, you'd rather convince me that I can overlook this. I was right the first time I met you and I said youshould leave mealone."
He took a step toward the door. "I called it off, Belle, at my sister's wedding. It's what we talked about with the brother-sisterdance."
His entire family knew. Colt was probably in on this. Everyone loved to ensure her life was miserable. She pointed tothedoor.
