Page 107 of Noel Secrets

He hurried to push the buttons to open the door.

Addie gave Price one more longing look. He waited for the gut punch of her turning and walking away.

But she stepped back in, fisted his shirt, pulled herself close, and kissed him. It was a beautiful kiss but full of longing and frustration as well. Price’s head was in the clouds and he was swept away by Addie’s kiss.

Before he could get his head on straight, refuse to let her go, and kiss her for a very long time, she released him and stepped back. “Thank you for giving me this time and space.”

He didn’t want to be away from her, but he’d honor her wishes. “Thank you for the kiss and for giving me another chance.”

She smiled. Then she turned and rushed past, muttering a quiet “thank you” to Paul.

The plane was suddenly very empty and very quiet. Price was tempted to stride out into the calm, dry air, go meet her family, and give her a very long kiss goodbye, but she’d asked for time and space. It was a small price to pay for her being willing to forgive him and give him a chance to earn her trust again.

It was still torture to tell Paul no when he asked if Price was staying.

He stood watching her reunite with her family through the windows as Paul closed the door and taxied away. He sat for takeoff, but only because Paul asked him to.

Flying away from Addie was like leaving his own arm behind.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Addie took all the hugs from her family and the expressions of concern and felt loved and at home. She was finally with her family after one of the worst weeks of her life. She was safe. She was loved.

The plane taxied off.

“Where’s Price?” Daphne demanded.

She whirled on her little sister. “You’re in enough trouble with me. No demands right now.”

“Who’s Price?” her niece Laynee asked.

The plane gained speed and then soared up into the air. It was loud, and they all stopped talking and watched.

“You got to fly on Aiden Porter’s jet,” her nephew Colter said reverently.

“Who’s Price?” Laynee asked again.

“Her boyfriend,” Daphne said.

“My bodyguard,” Addie spoke over her sister, then shot her a glare. “I’m onlynotgoing to dye your hair orange and shave off your eyebrows while you sleep because you’re getting married in four days.”

“Girls, girls,” her dad interrupted. “What is going on? You haven’t fought like this since you were teenagers.”

Emery and Juliette looked to be hiding smiles at their fighting. Vance and Reef looked uncomfortable. Her mom looked near tears.

“It’s Christmas and Addie almost died,” her mom said. “Let’s get home and love each other. No more fighting.”

Addie gave Daphne a look.

“I love you, sis.” Daphne hugged her tight. “I thought Price was the right one for you. He’s a freaking stud. I thought you being thrust together would make you fall in love.”

“He is incredible,” Juliette added. “I know that from personal experience.”

“Ooh,” Daphne teased.

“Not like that.” Juliette shoved at her sister.

Pricewasa stud, and incredible, but Daphne had gone about it all wrong. Addie hated that Price was so insecure in his relationship confidence that he’d gone along with it. It seemed to be the only area of his life he wasn’t confident in. For some reason, she pictured him fighting Easton and the confidence he exuded then. If only she had gotten the chance to touch each of the scars on his upper body and hear the story behind each one.