Page 94 of Noel Secrets

“Hungry?” She sat up in bed and the covers fell away. The white silky pajamas she wore were modest and flattering. He wanted to run his hand down the length of her arm. Nothing inappropriate, but he longed to touch her. Her gaze traveled over him as well and the word, ‘hungry’ hung in the air between them.

Suddenly her gaze shuttered. She slid out of bed, brushed past him, and hurried to the bathroom. “I’ll be down soon,” she said before shutting the door firmly behind her.

Price was left with the scent of caramel swirling around him and far too much tantalizing hunger. A hunger he feared would never be satisfied.

Chapter Fifteen

Addie somehow made it through dinner with Price without revealing how she longed to be close to him again. Waking up and having him right there had messed with her mind. She’d forgotten to be angry and had focused on the word ‘hungry’ for far too long. She was hungry for conversation and laughter with him, for his touch, for his kiss, for them to be close again.

Neither of them said much as they ate the delicious dinner. She ate too much, having missed lunch. She also managed a sliver of Millie’s apple pie and it was worth every bite.

They cleaned up and she should’ve escaped back to her room, but he said, “Easton and Presley invited us over to decorate gingerbread houses, or we could watch a Christmas movie if you’re wanting to stay here.”

Addie liked his confidence, that he wasn’t begging her for a scrap, but that also made her want to tell him off. He couldn’t just assume she wanted to be with him.

She’d slept the afternoon and early evening away, but she was worn down from all the stress and no sleep last night. She wasn’t interested in making conversation with the Coleville family or interrupting their family time, no matter how muchshe liked all of them and how welcoming they were. At the same time, if she headed back to her room, what would she do? If she didn’t stay awake for at least a few hours, she’d never sleep through the night.

“We could watch a movie,” she said.

Dumb, dumb, dumb. She should steal a novel from the shelves and hide out in her room.

“All right.”

They walked into the living area and settled down on the plush leather couches. Price looked through Prime and rentedElfwith Will Farrell. Thankfully Price didn’t edge closer or touch her during the movie.

He didn’t touch her physically, but she could smell his salt and cedar scent, hear his laughter at all the right moments in the movie, and she could swear she felt the warmth radiating from him. She was tempted to inch closer and simply lean into him.

He’d betrayed her trust, and that wouldn’t heal quickly. Maybe ever. She was being smart with her heart. This time. As opposed to when she had handed it over to him while he was lying to her two days ago.

The movie finished and there was silence.

“I’m going to get outside,” Price said. “Do you want to find some warm clothes and go with me?”

“I would love that,” she admitted before she could stop herself. She was supposed to stay with her bodyguard, but she also wanted to move and be outside. Even if her fingers got chilled.

She’d been stuck inside an airplane or this cabin all day. True, she’d slept most of the day away, but it was only nine o’clock at night and if she hoped to sleep at all tonight, some movement and outside air might be her only hope. If only she could do some work remotely or at least check in with work, but apparently that wasn’t happening with protective custody. Withthe holidays approaching, nobody would be getting much work done and she’d been caught up on her list before she ended her work day on Friday.

Addie headed up to the master bedroom closet and found a warm ski coat, gloves, a hat, and boots that were only slightly tight. She found Price pacing the main area. He stopped and watched her as she descended the stairs. The intensity and longing in his gaze stole the breath from her lungs.

She had to be strong and not give in to the feelings for him that were still there despite her anger and feelings of betrayal and humiliation.

He opened the door for her, and they walked out onto the porch together. A tall, handsome cowboy who resembled Easton but was obviously older and more serious, waited at the bottom of the steps. He tilted his chin up to them, very tough and manly.

“Evenin’. Sheriff Clint Coleville.”

“Nice to meet you.” Price took her hand and escorted her down the steps. She should’ve protested his touch, but she had thick gloves on as a barrier. He was simply making sure she didn’t slip. They stopped in front of the sheriff, and Price tilted his head to her. “This is Adeline Belle. I’m Price Sanderson.”

“Pleased to meet you both. I’ll follow you at a distance.”

“I hate that we’re making you miss gingerbread house decorating,” Addie said.

“You’re not. The crew finished that an hour ago. My wife Lilly is working a shift at the hospital and Mama is ecstatic to get time alone with our baby, Cooper. Honest truth, I don’t mind getting outside.”

“We feel the same,” Addie told him.

He smiled but didn’t say anything else, straightening and gesturing for them to go ahead.

They walked along the front walk and then followed the road back to the main house. The moon sparkled off the thick whitesnow, and the only sounds were the crunching of their footsteps and their breathing in the crisp night air.