Page 66 of Secret Bet

Chapter18

Belle stretched.The yacht moved with the waves, but the engines were silent. Peter's chiseled body lay beside her, and he was still and warm. She untangled her arm and stared outside. They were docked somewhere. She shook him and kissed hisforehead.

"Peter, it'smorning."

He sat fast, but then grabbed her hand. He stared at the sun, like he was telling the time, and thennodded.

"I'll get you to the hotel and join you there thisafternoon."

She stared at his profile. "Will you go in and see yourmother?"

His quick intake of breath told her she had surprised him. "No, I have a board meeting. The moment it's over, I'll comefindyou."

"You should make time for your mom too. She's waited for you most of your life, knowing you were with your father." He flinched so she stretched and changed the topic. "But I should go find my friends and make an appearance. They must think Iditchedthem."

He stood and picked up his pants. "You were helping me. Take Em to the spa or someplace nice. Waitforme."

"Yes,boss."

"It was asuggestion."

"Just don't want you thinking anymore that you'll turn evil at a drop ofadime."

"So you calledmeboss?"

"Yep, and you didn'tgetmad."

He cocked his head, unsure what to say. Then they both sped through getting cleaned up anddressed.

As they were leavingthe ship and heading toward the waiting limo, she grabbedhis arm. "How will youfindme?"

He tilted his head. His eyebrows lifted as he lifted his mobile. "I have aphone."

"Well, that might work." She swallowed and took his phone. "Do you want my phonenumber?"

As she typed in her contact info, he said, "Yeah I don't know why I didn't think to ask something sobasic."

"You have a lot on your mind." She handed him his phoneand then ran her hand up to his shoulders. "Okay. Peter, I'll be here for you. Findmesoon."

He stopped, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard. Her lips tingled as he drew away. She licked her lips to remember the taste as he waited at the limo door for her to slide in. She followed and hoppedinside.

"Let's get you to yourfriends."

As soon as he entered, she rememberedhis earlier suggestion. He'd likely pay for the spa, and she couldn't keep accepting everything he offered. But a spa or trip somewhere didsoundgood.

She stayed beside him and let their legs touch as she said, "Peter, just think about taking it easy on yourself and forgivingyourmom."

He placed his hand on her knee, and her body seemed to melt as he said, "If she was honest, thenit's me toblame."

"I don'tfollow."

"I should have checked the expense report months ago and not been off ensuring the empireexpanded."

"Youdidn'tknow."

"Right. I'llbeback."

His eyes squinted and now she understood him. He didn’t want to continue this conversation. As the limo drove through the streets, she inhaled his woodsy scent. "Peter, despite allthe drama, this has been the best vacation I've everbeenon."

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