Page 12 of Secret Bet

"Rules? Ehh. I’m okay, when theysuitme."

“You expect them to be followed, I’m sure.”She rolled her eyes. "So let’s change the topic. Where are we going? I'll follow in myrental."

At least she was a woman that kept her word. She hadn't made an excuse to skip on dinner, though she made him feel like he had asked for a new kind of trouble. He placed his hand on her side and inched her totheirleft.

"My people will move your car. The limo isoverhere."

“Ofcourse you ride in a limo, probably everyday.” She sucked in her breath as people snapped pictures of her. Through clenched teeth she asked, "Who justdidthat?"

He leaned closer. "The press. It's best if we go fast. I promise nothing will happen to thevehiclehere."

"As it's your brother's house, and I'm here for your sister's wedding, I'll trust you with the car, but make no mistake,I’m going to my hotel room, alone, after thisdinner."

“If that’s what you want.” She squared her shoulders and scooted inside the limo. He stayed close to ensure no one camenearher.

“It’s definitely what I want. I’m not attracted to you in theleast.”

“You hardly know me to make thatclaim.”

As he sat beside her and his driver closed the door, she asked him, "Nowat the party, why did you come talktome?"

"You're beautiful." No one challenged him. He sat more comfortably in his seat and stared at her. She pushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. She had glowing white skin, which wasn't bronzed from the never-ending sunlight. She almost sparkled with how new she was to thisclimate.

Again she rolled her eyes. "Jennifer was beautiful.I was a soldier. Beauty to me isvanity."

"Perhaps that's what makes you breathtaking.” Most women he knew would have just said thanks. He stroked his chin and his already growing shadow of a beard. “You are real and interesting and the opposite ofJennifer."

She sat straight and tall. "Interesting that you notice that about me. It makes me wonder what your friendsarelike."

"I don't have friends.” She was full of opinions. He leaned forward and let his hands fold in front of him. “The only people I know with character seem to be my family and theirspouses."

"Friends tell a lot about a person." A half smile formed near her cheeks, and the outline of a dimple appeared. "So I guess you have horribletaste."

Her facebrightened.

He winked. "PerhapsI was waitingforyou."

She leaned forward to stare into his eyes. "You are a relentlessflirt."

Gumption wasn't something most women in his life ever had. Again the smell of applies hit him, and he realized the obvious. He blinked. "No one's accused meofthat."

“To your face anyway.” She sat. "Where are we eatingdinner?"

Part of him wanted to say Venice just to seewhat she'd say. Right now he had the sense she'd jump from the car at first opportunity if he did. Perhaps next time. He licked his lips and hoped she accepted the challenge. "On myyacht."

"Wow, expectations are high on your part." She crossed her arms. "You pulling out all the stops fortonight?"

A rattled Belle might be interesting to see. He lifted his brows. "No, not really.Would you like me to? I could call forthejet."

“I’m here for a wedding tomorrow, sorry.” She shook her head and then sat stiffly in her seat. Then she glanced out the window as the limo drove over the bridge that connected Miami to the beaches. “And this is strangenight.”

“How?”

"I'm not someone who flirts or has fun. It's never been in the cardsforme."

Forlornwomen weren't his usual skill set. He leaned forward again. Belle's armor had to have a chip in it somewhere. "Why don't youhavefun?"

“Ohh.” She lowered her gaze. "I do, but it's not the kind you are clearly used to. What matters is who people are on theinside."

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