Page 21 of Secret Bet

"You don't let people in. Your guard might be stronger thanmyown."

"The dolphin swim must have really loosened mybrain."

Hers too, not that she'd say that. She held her breath and tried to rein in her inhibitions. She glanced out thewindow, but the distraction didn't work. She was still in this room with him, and it felt cozyandwarm.

She sighed. "Tell you what, I don't want to go to your sister's wedding alone to sit with my friends and feel sorry for myself. I havethisidea."

"I'mlistening."

"Good." She probably blushed as she said, "I'd like for us to stay at each other's side for the day. If youcan trust me a little, then I cantrustyou."

"Likeadate?"

Her heartbeat was so rapid in her chest now. "Yeah, Iguess."

His hands brushed her knee, and her hair rose on her skin from the electrical shock. "Why can youtrustme?"

"You cansayno."

"I won't. I just want to know why you trust me of allpeople."

She sipped her coffee, though the caffeinemade her heart slight worse. She held the handle tighter. "You let me sleep off the obviously too muchchampagne."

He picked up a croissant from the tray of food and placed it in front of her. "Of course I did. I don't need to rape or pillage to get whatIwant."

No, women lined up at his door for one night. She read the newspapers that lined the foodaisle.

"You were a gentleman.And even more important, to me, is that you told me about yourself. I'm willing to try and trust you, for onenight."

His chin jetted out as he held his cup in his hands. "I'm looking forward to our date then, but I'll hold out for that kiss ofyours."

"What?"

He winked at her again. "I promised you'd ask me. I'll be your date tonight, but I'm telling you my hope. At the endof it, I hope I get totasteyou."

Her cup jittered. She grabbed the bottom of the cup so she'd not spill. "Don't hold outforthat."

"I can't help it. Youfascinateme."

They had a date of sorts. She'd have someone to sit with tonight, and with the cameras in her face, there was no way she'dbreakdown.

She added butter to her croissant. "So are we going to float inthe ocean all day or at some point do we head back toMiami?"

"The Bahamas have some niceshopping."

"I didn't pack mypassport."

His dimples showed. He stood and strode across the room. "That's disappointing. Hold on. I'll call mycaptain."

She shook her head. "You'resweet."

As she waited, she nibbled on her croissant. She swallowed. The bread was soft anddewy and freshly made. She swallowed the whole thing, and she wiped her mouth has he returned tohisseat.

"Done. I cancelled our private beach villa morning. We'll head back to Miami now. As my date tonight, there are expectations. Will you allow my handlers to ensure everything is picture perfect fortonight?"

Her eyebrows shot up. "Handlers?"

"They keep my name clean inthe press. I want to avoid negative publicity as much aspossible."

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