Page 39 of Secret Bet
"Jennifer, Rafe is looking for you." Peter's arm brushed against her back, and Belle turned toward him. "Is everythingokayhere?"
"Perfect."
Again those butterflies grew inside her as she stared at his profile. He wrapped his arms around her waist and dragged her away fromJennifer.
"You still smell likeapples."
"I smell like apples?" She sniffed the air and didn't smell anything fruity. All she smelt was his woodsyscent.
As they crossed the threshold and stood on the church steps outside in the sun, Peter dropped his hand from her waist and tookherhand.
"Let's head to the reception. I'm looking forward to thatdance."
Right now, she'd agree to anything. She lickedher lips. Her heart echoed in her chest that she needed to seizetoday.
"Peter, whenever you feel the moment, if you feel it that is, I would like for you to kiss me againtonight."
His lips parted, and he led her back inside the church. Others filed past them, and Peter stopped to nod his head inhello.
He kept the pace as best he could and said, "Comethisway."
Her cheeks tingled as they maneuvered in themob. "Yeah."
He led her inside a small side door, where the noise of the hallway lessened. Adrenaline pumped in her veins now, but it shifted a pang in her heart as she stared at his broadshoulders.
"Why do you say that when we're in acrowd?"
Makeup, hairspray and every other type of female product lay around the room. Her gazenarrowed. "Wherearewe?"
He wrapped his arms around her sides again and every cell in her body camealive.
"The bridal suite. My sister'sgonenow."
Her lips puckered and she inhaled his manlyscent. "Why?"
His mouth was less than a fraction of an inch from hers. "I wanted to kiss you inprivate."
Something inside her burst as she kissed him. Her hands wrappedaround his waist, and it felt like she flew to a different planet. Her heartsoared.
He rested his head on the top of hers and hugged her. Their heartbeats was all that she heard. The church sounded quiet and undisturbed outside thedoornow.
Despite how she wanted to take him to her hotel and have her way with him, she sighed. "Let's getgoing."
His hand brushed against thefabric of her dress. If she had her way, he'd take the whole outfit off her, but that was silly. Now was not a good time. He licked his lips as she detangledherself.
"I'd like to stay herewithyou."
“You can’t.” Responsibilities mattered, and her brain screamed at her not to trust him, not yet. Her heart constricted and she let go. She straightened her dress and checked her hair."I'm sure you have to have to dance with your sister. Can I ask a personalquestion?"
He nodded and adjusted his owntuxedo. "Sure."
Once she settled her appearance, she took his arm. If he didn't trust women, the problem likely stemmed from hischildhood.
"What happened to yourmother?"
His entire body stiffened. "Sheleftus."
The thunder in her heart slowedher step. She massaged his arm as she knew she found his emotionalsorespot.
