Page 56 of Noel Secrets

“For the President?”

He chuckled. “Privately contracted.”

She arched a brow, but he didn’t appear willing to share more than that. She tilted her head and they fell into step, walking to the nearby Magnolia Bakery. He ordered two banana puddings, two water bottles, and then turned to her. “Anything else?”

“You’ve already exceeded my expectations.” She was teasing, but she couldn’t deny there was a connection and draw to this man that was unique and exciting. Even as she thought that, she tensed inside. She’d dated far too many men and wasn’t always the best judge of character. A few close calls with her own safety compelled her to bury her natural spontaneity and be leery about dating. Thankfully, eating pudding in a crowded shopping hall seemed safe.

He chuckled. “That’ll be everything,” he told the cute blonde twenty-year-old at the counter. “Thank you.”

Addie couldn’t discern any kind of accent, but his tones were clipped like a local. A life in the military would probably knock any accent out of him though.

“My pleasure,” the girl said in a breathy tone. She smiled at Price and then said to Addie in an undertone, “Your boyfriend is really hot.”

Addie smiled at the girl’s impetuousness; she reminded her of herself when she was younger. Price hid a smirk.

“I just met him,” she admitted, “but I concur.”

Any woman would agree that Price was ‘hot’. It didn’t mean anything. Physical attractiveness could burn out quick. She wanted to see what Price was like on the inside, though she doubted she’d spend enough time with him to figure out how he ticked and get his unfiltered story.

The girl grinned and rattled off the total. Price placed a credit card on the reader and then gathered the food as the girl handed it over. “Thanks.”

They made their way to some nearby tables and thankfully found one open. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” played by a live violinist drifted down from the center area. The crowds were loud, but Addie and Price could at least chat without screaming.

“Do you live here in Boston?” Price asked as he set the treat and water bottle in front of her, then laid his coat over the back of his chair and settled onto the seat.

“Thank you.” Addie nodded to her pudding, pulling the spoon out of the plastic wrap. She should shed her own coat, but she wouldn’t be staying long. “No. I drive into the city for work a couple days a week, then I’m remote the other days.”

She didn’t offer the location of her bungalow. Cape Cod was gorgeous year-round, even though she sometimes froze in her poorly-heated house in the winter. Her home was more isolated this time of year with about half of the other beach residences and rentals nearby being winterized and closed down.

She had only received good vibes from Price, but she’d learned the hard way a girl could never be too careful.

“What do you do for work?” Price dipped his spoon into the pudding and placed a large bite in his mouth. A look of pleasure washed over his face. “I’m addicted to this stuff.”

She laughed and took her own bite, savoring the layers of luscious banana pudding, vanilla wafers, fresh bananas, and rich cream. “I’m with you. I have to earn a pudding or I’d buy one every day. I’d even drive in on my remote days.”

He chuckled and took another bite. “How do you ‘earn’ a pudding?”

“Finishing every task I put on my work calendar that day, a hard workout at the gym, or refraining from buying a pudding four days in a row.”

“Four days?” He let out a low whistle. “That isimpressiveself-control.”

“I agree.” She ate another bite.

This was a lot more fun than eating the rich treat by herself in front of her fire, but she was too focused on Price and their conversation to savor the bites as she normally would. She was also getting too comfortable. No matter how fabulous he seemed, she couldn’t allow herself to become complacent. What if she slipped and told him where she lived or agreed to a more in-depth date than pudding? She couldn’t let either happen.

“You wouldn’t happen to be related to Juliette Belle?” he asked.

She grinned. “My sis. How do you know Juliette?”

“I was blessed to be on a protection detail for her in the Swiss Alps. Is she doing all right?”

“The stalker is getting worse.”

Her stomach twisted. Juliette’s stalker was becoming more terrifying by the day. When she’d talked to Juliette last her sister had promised she’d hire someone to protect her and find the stalker. The police on Saint de Leon Island were doing a great job but didn’t have the time to guard her round the clock.

“I’m sorry to hear that. If she needs I could recommend an incredible bodyguard.”

“Yourself?”