Page 100 of Noel Secrets

Her fingers were still on his face. She trailed them next to the scar on his cheek. His quick breaths and the pulse pounding in his neck told her the effect she had on him. It was empowering and thrilling.

“And this one?”

“Knife fight. In a cave in Afghanistan. We didn’t see them until it was too late, then it was hand to hand combat.”

“I’m glad you survived.”

“Me too, and thankfully we all made it through that one.”

“That is a blessing.” She trailed her fingers down along his cheek and to the scar just above his lip. Her heart was racing and the moment felt special, almost magical. “And this one?”

He surprised her when he smiled. “My brother and I were racing scooters down our driveway. We knocked into each other, both crashed, and the edge of my scooter sliced my lip.”

He captured her hand with his, and Addie startled. Price’s dark eyes on hers were so intense, so thrilling, she couldn’t have moved if the cabin alarms went off.

Price brushed his lips across the back of her hand. Her stomach hopped and the nerves in her hand went haywire. She yearned to lean in and feel his lips on hers again.

Hadn’t Addie told him only last night not to touch her? She could blame herself for this one as she’d touched him first. But Price had taken it to the next level.

It reminded her that every kiss, with the exception of last night’s, had been instigated by her. The reminder was good but not necessarily fun. She needed to keep her distance, or he’dbe right back in her heart with his incredible kisses and the searching look in those dark eyes. Truth be told, he already was.

“Goodnight,” she said, tugging her hand free and all but racing for her bedroom.

She’d almost kissed him again, and that would be a tragic mistake for her heart. She was grateful she’d chosen to forgive him for Christmas, but that didn’t mean she could let him in again.

Chapter Twenty

All of Addie’s walls seemed firmly in place on Christmas Day. Price had almost kissed her last night. He longed to hold and kiss her but didn’t know that the privilege would ever be his again. He’d messed up and had no clue how to make things right between them.

Christmas Day was enjoyable, and the Coleville family made them feel welcomed. Even though it was a leisurely day, with the exception of Presley ripping through her presents, the time seemed to rush by. Before long it was just him and Addie in the cabin again. She didn’t give him another chance to be alone but hurried up to bed.

The next morning, he knew their time together was trickling away. A new operative would be sent their way soon, as per her request, or maybe the police or Ollie would figure out who the perp was. Everything had been quiet, and he assumed everyone was focused on their own holiday, but now it felt like a pressing urgency was going to pull him and Addie apart. Not that they were together like he’d like to be, but at least they were in close physical proximity. If he got reassigned before he could fully explain to her and somehow gain her trust again, would he ever have a chance with her? He feared the answer was no.

She came out of her room as he was doing loops up the stairs and around the loft. Before he could say anything, she asked, “Can we go use the Colevilles’ gym?” She pointed to the snow falling outside. “I assume walking or running might be miserable and I ate so many of those cookies and hand-dipped chocolates yesterday. Dang Mama Millie can bake.”

“And cook.” He smiled. “Almost as good as banana pudding.”

Her blue eyes got impossibly deep. He wanted to get lost in their depths. “Almost,” she whispered.

He edged toward her. Was this their moment?

“Give me one minute.” She whirled and raced back into the master suite.

Price let out a disappointed breath. Would he ever get his moment? He’d messed everything up, that he could acknowledge. Would she forgive him if she knew he was a failure at relationships and had never wanted to hurt her but had listened to her sister instead of his own instincts?

A few minutes later, they hurried to the gym through the falling snow. Easton, Walker, and Rhett were there. The weight room was a little crowded with all five of them, but he couldn’t complain about being closer to Addie and any stolen time with her. Why did he feel like each minute might be their last? Aiden hadn’t called to tell them Price’s replacement was on his way. The detectives hadn’t called telling him they’d found the perp, but there was a ticking clock in his head.

Easton and Rhett taunted each other throughout their weightlifting session, while Walker was more quiet. Addie seemed to find it all funny. Price was pushing a lot of weight on chest press with the angst going through him… and maybe showing off for Addie a little bit.

“Whoa,” Rhett exclaimed after he helped him out as his spotter. “I think you’re twice as tough as Easton. Do you want to go the rounds with him?” He tilted his head to the sparring ring.

Price would love to spar, but it hardly seemed a fair fight—soldier versus cowboy.

“Yes!” Easton cheered before he could respond. “Finally, a match worthy of my skills and strength.”

“I’d be happy to fight, but I have a lot more … experience,” Price said.

Price looked to Addie. She was staring at him with wide eyes. Did she want to watch him fight or would it disgust her?