Love was a hard word for him to even think about. The Chanel perfume clogged his brain, and he missed apples.
He kept his voice low as he said, "That doesn't matter. She was someone I discovered actually does have a heart. She was more real to me than any other woman I have ever met. Now I understand what my brother and sister both told me about picking someone who makes your heart stir. You deserve that too."
He walked out of her arms and finished his drink. Then he tried to walk out of the room.
Jennifer grabbed his arm and tugged him to come to her. "Peter. Wait."
He shook his arm to get her off as he turned around. This conversation was over. Jennifer needed to accept that.
"My staff will bring your clothes and anything you left in my house to the car or your home. I have to go."
Tears pooled in her eyes. "Peter, I love you. I'd do anything for you."
Waterworks didn't fix this. His legs were planted wide apart "We tolerated each other, but it wasn't love. Let's not mix up the past and what we want in the future."
Sobs emerged from her as she cried. "Peter, what happened to you?"
Without another thought he snapped, "I found someone I do love. I'll have Caro show you out."
Her eyes stopped with the tears, and she wiped her cheeks. "Don't bother. We both know once Belle disappears you'll be back. We always find our way to each other."
He loved Belle. He should have known that. He hadn't even thought it until now. Any chance with her started with severing Jennifer from their lives. Footsteps from around the corner echoed in his ears. He lowered his gaze to Jennifer as he heard the light footsteps of his staff in the background.
"Caro, please gather Ms. Gonzales's personal items and show her to the door."
“Absolutely Mr. Morgan.” Caro stepped out of the shadows and nodded her head. She went toward the living room to collect Jennifer's things.
Jennifer’s hands clutched in prayers as she said, "Peter, despite everything you said, I'd take you back if you asked."
She threw herself on the ground and tugged at his legs.
He stepped out of her grasp. "Have some dignity. We are not living in one of your telenovelas."
He heard the door close and Caro yelled something in Spanish that made his ears blushed. He chose to ignore the comment and walked outside to stare at the ocean and his yacht. The only place he'd been happy in a long time was with Belle on the yacht. Nothing stirred except a party boat in the ocean that took pictures.
He loved Belle. He had to find a way to tell her and beg her for another chance.
He took a fast shower and changed. The water wiped away how clammy his skin was from being near Jennifer. Peter changed his shirt to ensure no smell of perfume remained anywhere on him. He loved Belle and would never leave her, if she forgave him. Tonight he'd sleep in the hotel hallway until Belle came out. He'd have to apologize to her and beg her for another chance.
His heart thundered that she'd leave if he didn't find a way to tell her that she believed.
Finished, he strolled through his empty mansion with enough grounds to host twenty middle class families that might never see each other. The walls had art, but nothing was warm here. No matter what he did to the place, Mitch Morgan and the lessons of the House of Morgan lived in every corner. Peter vowed he'd find a way to make this place a home and not a mausoleum.
He checked his tie and continued to the entry way. Caro stopped him near the door. "Your staff decided to chip in and buy you a Christmas present, sir."
Caro's light red Christmas uniform was the standard house uniform almost everyone wore to blend into the background. He narrowed his gaze.
"Did everyone receive the bonuses I left?"
She curtsied and lowered her gaze. Then she held open a small box. "Of course. This is for you, sir."
He paid his staff well as long as they kept the house spotless and didn't interfere with his life. The house worked like a well-oiled machine, and the less people who left the easier his life was.
He swallowed, and didn't want to anger his maid. Then he gazed at the box and opened it. He held out a ribbon that was personalized with the year and a portrait of the three Morgan siblings from his childhood.
Caro smiled. "It's a Christmas ornament."
“You were always the artist, Caro. Thank you.”
She wouldn't have known them when they were that young. Caro was two years younger than Victoria, and though she went to school with his sister, she was still the daughter of the maid.
She then said, "We're hoping next year you get a tree and have a family to celebrate the holidays with."
He placed the present in her hands. "Thank you. Let's hope Belle forgives me. Please put this in my room. I have to go now."
"We're all cheering for you." She nodded her head. "The captain has said nothing but glowing things about your Belle, sir. We're all happy you love her."
"You heard everything?" His face heated. It seemed his fate that he could keep no secrets when it came to Belle. His expectations were up. "She doesn't know that so wish me luck."
He tugged his ear and tried to figure out how he'd apologize. He thought about stopping for flowers. He walked toward his limo and didn't wait for the driver.
He let himself in the door. "Take me to the Biltmore."
He gazed out the window, and they began to roll past his palm trees.
Belle might like flowers, but he needed a better plan of attack.
Chapter Twenty Five
Belle woke up to banging. Her head throbbed from too many drinks at the bar. The door rattled downstairs. She closed her eyes and tried to shut out the sound, but she wondered if Peter was at the door. She tugged up her covers over her head. They were from two different worlds, and hers didn't include him. Then she sighed, unknotted the sheets, and stood. If Peter was here, she had to see him.
She grabbed a robe and hoped her hair wasn't standing on their roots as she trudged to the door. Then she swung it open and gazed at the perfectly clean, muscular, Peter who smiled at her. His lips could cause a girl to fall into a frenzy, but she crossed her arms. Then he brushed his hand against her cheek.
"I had to see you, Belle."
His gentleness brought tears swelling in her ducts. She sniffled and refused to cry. She swallowed and lifted her chin.
"Nothing hurts me. You didn't have to come."
He whispered so only she could hear him. "Belle, I am sorry."
Embarrassment didn't matter. She stepped away from him and shook her head. "For what? For betting that I'd be your girlfriend? You should be at your mother's side and with your family."
“I should be right here, with you.” He massaged his chin and ignored the silence that surrounded them. "May I come in?"
She took a deep breath, inhaling his woodsy scent. She pressed her lips together. She'd not be swayed to go back to him. She turned away from him.
"We need to talk. Jennifer was at my place, and she helped me realize something important."