Page 75 of Secret Bet

His eyes narrowed like she was about to be his preyin an attack. "You'll always love mymoney."

She flew outthedoor.

A moment later, Belle pressed on his shoulder, and it was like the sun that came after a hurricane as she said, "Peter whowasthat?"

He normally never answered personal questions to anyone. His dad's voice rang in his head, but then he turned and stared into her brown eyes. He took her hand andkissedit.

"Jennifer. Today is going from bad to worse. Let's just get to theyacht."

The salesclerk had wrapped the bag. Belle took her hand out of his and flashed her debit card out like she was in a race. He stepped away and pressed a button on his phone. As she finished paying, the limo stopped in front of the store. He held the door for her and ledherout.

On the street as waitedfor her to scoot in, she squeezed his arm. "Your phone isringing."

He held it as he joined her in the limo. Then he stared at the caller ID. "It's my secretary. It must beimportant."

She nudged him with her elbow. "Answerit."

"I won't be a moment. You'll have my full attention." He adjusted his legs as he sat, and the limo driver took off. Then he answered, "Hello?"

"Mr. Morgan, your mother keeps calling. In all these years, I didn't know you had a mother. I need instructions on how to field thesecalls,sir."

He closed his eyes. The last thing he needed was to deal with his mother too. She had left the house and never returned. Right now he reimagined the day he was a boy and sat on the steps as she stormed out thefrontdoor.

He swallowedand thought if she could storm out the door, she could have taken him with her. She didn't, though. The thought haunted him, though he didn't sayanything.

Instead he laced his fingers with Belle and told his secretary, "You've been more of a mother to me all these years. Please tell my mother that I'm busy and will call her later. Once I create a battle plan, I'll letyouknow."

Belle mouthed to him 'battle plan.' He readherlips.

His secretary then ended the call in her usual fashion, "Very good, sir.Goodbye."

As he hung up the phone, Belle reached out and placed her hand on his cheek. "Battle plan. Family isn't a war zone. There is no one shootingatyou."

This wasn't what he wanted to talk about. Belle's gently fingers were lady-like and was theonly part of his life at the moment that offered him safehaven.

He let her brush his five o'clock shadow as he said, "It feels that way. We're here. Can we forget about the rest of the day and what life brings us and justrelax?"

She kept her voice low, as she said, "Hmm. Okay. Onecondition."

"Besides speaking to mymother?"

"Yes,besidesthat."

He'd give heranything. His heart soared. "What'sthat?"

She winked and took her hand back, though she met his stare with her own. "Let's talk about how you want to work out the whole girlfriend question. I wantdetails."

The limo stopped at the dock. He'd have kissed her, but he'd prefer no more interruptions. Once they were gone, they'd be alone, and he could wrap his armsaroundher.

He offered his hand as they stepped outside. "Perfect. I have champagnewaiting."

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